RTX's Collins Aerospace completes prototype development of high-voltage power distribution components for Clean Aviation SWITCH project

RTX's Collins Aerospace completes prototype development of high-voltage power distribution components for the Clean Aviation SWITCH project.

Collins Aerospace has completed prototype development of a solid-state power controller and power distribution panel as part of the SWITCH project, supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (Clean Aviation). Following design and production in Nördlingen, the megawatt-class power distribution components will now be shipped to Collins' state-of-the-art electric power systems lab, The Grid, in Rockford, Illinois for system integration testing.

To support hybrid-electric propulsion systems, new high-voltage distribution technologies are required as electric power levels increase from hundreds of kilowatts in today's aircraft, to megawatt levels in the aircraft of the future. For SWITCH, RTX is developing a new hybrid-electric propulsion system that combines two Collins megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. With the ability to handle increased electric loads, Collins' solid-state power controller and power distribution panel will enable the safe management of high-voltage electricity at altitude throughout the SWITCH hybrid-electric architecture.

"Hybrid-electric aircraft are an integral part of the aviation industry's drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, yet without new, safe high-voltage power distribution systems, they will not fly," said Tino Schuldt, general manager for Collins' Nördlingen facility. "Here in Nördlingen, we're leveraging our decades of experience in power distribution solutions and world-class facility to break new ground in the development of these critical enabling technologies for the next generation of hybrid-electric and all-electric platforms."

Saudia scores 10% growth in passenger numbers for Q3 2024

The national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia, has reported significant growth in its operational performance for the third quarter of 2024, according to its latest performance report. The airline transported over nine million guests, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This achievement was supported by more than 49,500 flights, reflecting a 9% increase in flight operations. Additionally, Saudia logged 146,700 flight hours, representing an 11% increase over last year, with an impressive on-time performance rate of 87.8%. 

Over 9 million passengers transported on more than 49,500 flights

Internationally, Saudia carried over five million guests, reflecting a 9% growth, and on more than 21,900 flights, a 5% increase compared to last year. The airline’s international fleet logged over 102,400 flight hours.

On the domestic front, Saudia served over four million guests, demonstrating a 12% increase, with more than 27,500 flights operated, marking a 13% increase. Domestic flight hours surpassed 44,200, with a commendable on-time performance rate of 91.5%.

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, stated: “The aviation industry is uniquely defined by its skilled workforce and cutting-edge systems that ensure sustained operational excellence. We remain committed to delivering innovative services that enhance the travel experience for our valued guests, and our new strategy meticulously addresses every aspect of air travel—from security and safety to expanding seating capacity to meet growing demand."

From January to September 2024, Saudia successfully transported over 25.3 million guests across 143,800 flights. Looking ahead, the addition of 131 new aircraft to Saudia’s fleet will significantly expand flight offerings and seating capacity across its network of over 100 destinations spanning four continents. This growth will also introduce new international routes, aligning with the airline's strategy to connect the world to the Kingdom and support the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

American Airlines and Florida Memorial University partner to expand access to aviation careers

American Airlines is proud to announce its donation of a $150,000 grant to Florida Memorial University (FMU) in support of the school's Wayman Aviation Academy, which provides access to careers in aviation for underrepresented students and develops top aviation talent. The contribution furthers American’s mission to create awareness and access to opportunities in aviation.

“We are thrilled to partner with Florida Memorial University and support the Wayman Aviation Academy,” said Christina Flores, Managing Director of Global Talent Acquisition at American. “Through this grant and our continued engagement, we are committed to ensuring the next generation of aviation professionals reflects our customers and the communities we serve.”

This partnership aligns with key goals for American and FMU, including:

Supporting the Wayman Aviation Academy: The $150,000 grant will help fund new initiatives, equipment and training opportunities, ensuring students receive cutting-edge education and resources.

Increased access to top talent: FMU will offer American increased engagement with its aviation program and affiliate university programs, creating a direct channel for top talent in aviation.

Building brand preference: American aims to establish itself as a preferred employer among FMU students and alums by offering career development opportunities and access to industry professionals.

Future career opportunities: The partnership will provide American a pipeline for interns and early-career professionals, focusing on pilots and management roles.

“Florida Memorial University is committed to preparing our aviation students with the training needed to compete in all aspects within the aviation industry," said Interim FMU President William McCormick. "We are invigorated by the generosity of American Airlines and their commitment to FMU, which will assist our university in amplifying our students' essential skills in addition to creating career opportunities and access to industry professionals."

The partnership builds on American’s existing engagement with FMU students. The American campus team and Miami International Airport (MIA) Flight Chief office have developed strong relationships with FMU, providing mentorship, campus visits and base tours to enhance student experiences.

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Japan Airlines selects the Haneda - Heathrow route for its Airbus A250-1000 jets.

Japan Airlines, has introduced its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft onto the route between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda which aims to provide customers with an even higher level of inflight comfort and individually tailored experience.

The European debut of JAL's new main international aircraft allows customers in the region to experience all-new cabin interiors and seating in the four-class configuration. Operations with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft also enable a reduction of 15-25% in CO2 emissions compared to previous international models.

The JAL new A350-1000 will initially operate on London – Haneda flights (JL044/043) on alternate days. (Flights JL044/043 will continue to operate with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on days when the A350-1000 is not operating. Schedule subject to change.)

Find the schedule here.

A350-1000 Cabin Highlights

JAL First Class (6 Suites) – JAL's largest, most comfortable personal space to date offers six fully private suites with sliding doors. Each suite offers a large, adjustable sofa that converts into a single or double-sized bed. Built-in headrest speakers fill the space with clear, high-quality sound and the 43-inch 4K personal monitor is one of the largest in its class and provides customers with a theater-like experience.

JAL Business Class (54 Suites) – For the first time, JAL has introduced fully private spaces in its business class cabin with the introduction of the A350-1000. Behind each sliding door is a fully reclining seat with pressure-dispersing cushions and a headrest that raises to more easily watch a movie on the large, 24-inch monitor even when in the reclined position.

JAL Premium Economy Class (24 Seats) – The new seat design includes larger partitions for added privacy and the seat's FIXBACK provides an easy, stress-free recline. Each leg rest automatically raises to a horizontal position for added comfort on longer journeys, and the new 16-inch 4K monitor is 1.3 times larger than the airline's previous models.

JAL Economy Class (155 Seats) – New seating includes an adjustable recline that is preset at an angle to provide guests with a comfortable experience from the moment they arrive at their seat. Entertainment can be enjoyed on personal 13-inch 4K monitors, which are the largest offered in JAL Economy Class and the system features Bluetooth® connectivity.

Inflight service....

Thanks to an expanded winter service, Porter Airlines becomes Toronto’s second-largest carrier

The Canadian regional carrier, Porter Airlines is operating its largest-ever winter schedule, establishing its position as the second-largest carrier in Toronto. With up to 180 daily flights across 34 destinations, Porter’s elevated economy experience is available to more cities from both Toronto Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

At Toronto Pearson, Porter will operate up to 86 daily flights, a 19% increase from last winter’s schedule. The airline is now serving 23 destinations, including four upcoming new options: West Palm Beach, San Diego, Thunder Bay and Palm Springs. Every flight from Toronto Pearson is operated by the state-of-the-art, 132-seat Embraer E195-E2.

With this expanded schedule, Porter has become the second-largest Canadian carrier between Canada and the United States at Toronto Pearson. Notably, flights to Florida have doubled, with up to 20 daily departures between Toronto and six destinations across the Sunshine State.

"Porter has demonstrated their commitment to building a hub at Toronto Pearson with an impressive 21 routes launching from our airport since it started service in 2023," said Kurush Minocher, Executive Director Customer Experience and Airline Relations, Toronto Pearson. "We celebrate the new four destinations launching this winter and look forward to continuing to evolve our partnership to bring passengers even more options on routes."

At Billy Bishop, Porter continues to offer up to 94 daily flights to 15 destinations, serving both domestic Canada and U.S. markets. The airport provides passengers with unmatched, convenient access to downtown Toronto.

“Porter Airlines began its journey at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in 2006 and has grown to become one of Canada’s most cherished and largest airlines,” stated RJ Steenstra, President and CEO of PortsToronto, which owns and operates the airport. “This winter, we are excited to collaborate with the Porter Airlines team to continue providing the award-winning service that our passengers have come to expect, ensuring they reach their destinations with ease.”

   

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Across both airports, Porter offers up to 9,340 seats per day with its 180 flights, making it the second-largest airline in Toronto. It offers service to every Canadian province and to many southern U.S. destinations including Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada.

“Becoming the second-largest carrier in Toronto is the result of our passengers’ response to Porter’s elevated experience and the service provided by the entire Porter team,” said Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines. “As a result, we’ve become a major competitor across North America by challenging the definition of what it means to travel in economy.”

On every Porter flight, passengers enjoy Porter’s signature service, including no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware, premium snacks, plus free, fast WiFi on Embraer E195-E2 routes.

Elsewhere,  at Porter's original homebase.....

U.S. preclearance gets a step closer at Toronto's Billy Bishop, which could make travel so much easier between into the US for Porter passengers. 

China Eastern releases C919 large-scale commercial operation system development

The North Bund International Aviation Forum 2024, co-hosted by China Eastern Air Holding Company Limited and Shanghai Airport Authority, was held at The Grand Halls in Shanghai on 22nd October.

Under the theme “Digital Flight, Intelligent Sky – Creating a New Future of Aviation,” the forum brought together over 250 aviation professionals, including representatives from international aviation organizations, executives of renowned airlines, Chinese government officials, and industry experts. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on crucial topics such as “New Quality Productive Forces of Civil Aviation” and “Digital Transformation,” exploring strategies to drive innovation through digital advancement.

In line with its theme, the forum showcased cutting-edge technology throughout the event. Highlights included: the AI-powered real-time translation, AIGC-enhanced video presentations; a digital recreation of Marco Polo travelling on the newly launched flight MU786 from Venice to Shanghai, demonstrating the efficiency of air transport links and multimodal transportation options; and an aviation-themed cultural product jointly launched by CEAir and Shanghai Airport Authority, enabling attendees to engage with custom AR-enabled designs via smartphone cameras. This showcases the seamless integration of digital technology with traditional Chinese culture.

American Airlines customers achieve record contribution to 2024 Stand Up To Cancer campaign

Through this year’s annual fundraising campaign with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), American Airlines raised more than $4.3 million for innovative and life-saving cancer research, the most successful fundraising campaign the airline has completed since joining forces with SU2C in 2016.

Stand Up To Cancer enables scientific breakthroughs by funding collaborative, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional scientific cancer research teams and investigators. Over its eight-year collaboration, American has raised more than $31 million to benefit SU2C and its mission to raise awareness and fund research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients.

"It's truly humbling to see the generosity of our team members and customers who came together to raise more than $4.3 million in the fight against cancer," said Ron DeFeo, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at American. "We are proud to play a role in supporting SU2C's critical mission and facilitating the largest single campaign contribution to Stand Up To Cancer since the launch of our collaboration in 2016."

Public Inquiry into the State of Competition in Air Travel launched in the U.S.

The  U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Department of Transportation jointly are starting a broad public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel. The agencies are seeking public information on consolidation, anticompetitive conduct, and a wide range of issues affecting the availability and affordability of air travel options. The topics covered in the agencies’ joint Request for Information (RFI) include previous airline mergers, exclusionary conduct, airport access, aircraft manufacturing, airline ticket sales, pricing, and rewards practices, and the experiences of aviation workers.

“Competition in air travel is a vehicle for better quality, better fares, and better choices for Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With this inquiry, we hope to learn more from the businesses and travellers at the centre of this essential industry. Their feedback will ensure the Justice Department can continue to build on its historic efforts to protect competition in air travel.”

“Americans count on air travel to visit loved ones, explore their country, and get business done,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Good service and fair prices depend on ensuring that there is real competition, which is especially challenging for the many American communities that have lost service amid airline consolidation. Our goal with this inquiry is to identify and remove barriers to competition so that more Americans can access the opportunities that come with good, affordable air service.”

Key topics in the RFI include:

General state of competition in the aviation sector and its effects on passengers, workers and jobs, regions and local communities, and economic growth.

Airline consolidation and the effects of previous mergers, common ownership, joint ventures, international alliances, structural advantages, exclusionary conduct, and other anticompetitive practices.

Airport access and its impact on airlines and their ability to enter and fairly compete in different areas of the country and the world.

Aircraft manufacturing and the impact of consolidation and anticompetitive practices on new aircraft manufacture and sale, aircraft leases, or secondary markets for used aircraft.

Air transportation sales channels, pricing, and airline rewards programs and the impact on the availability, access, and affordability of air travel.

Labor market issues and the effects of consolidation and anticompetitive practices in other parts of the aviation industry on pilots, in-flight crews, ground crews, airport services, union contracts, and/or travel agents or other vendors of travel services.

The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than December 23, 2024. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this RFI, including passengers, consumer advocates, pilots, in-flight and ground crews, airport authorities, employers, airlines, private and charter aircraft operators, travel agents, trade groups, industry analysts, purchasers of corporate travel services, and other entities that provide or rely upon air travel services.

Regulations.gov

 

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Czech Republic orders a couple of Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft

The Czech Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a contract for the acquisition of two Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft.

These two NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard aircraft will modernize and enhance the operational capabilities of the Czech Air Force. They will be able to perform a wide range of missions, such as tactical transport of troops, vehicles, and equipment, medical evacuation, firefighting, disaster management, humanitarian support, and air-to-air refuelling.

This contract not only strengthens the Czech Air Force but also positively impacts the local aerospace industry, which will see a significant increase in its share of production for the program.

"Past and present history clearly shows us that the military needs to be able to transport people and heavier cargo over longer distances. Evacuations from Afghanistan and Sudan are clear evidence of this. I am therefore very pleased that we have managed to acquire aircraft for our Air Force that are capable of performing these tasks," said Defence Minister Jana Černochová.

"This order from the Czech Republic, a NATO member, is an invaluable mark of confidence for Embraer. It encourages us to implement the best technology to provide our customers with the operational capabilities needed to accomplish the most demanding missions. With this order, Embraer will reinforce its ties with the local Czech aerospace industry, recognized for its expertise and product quality for decades," said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

In addition to the aircraft, Embraer will provide a comprehensive training and support package for the Czech Air Force to ensure the smooth integration of the aircraft into their fleet.

With a maximum payload of 26 tons, a top speed of 470 knots, and state-of-the-art technology, the C-390 is the leading aircraft in its class. Its powerful engines, large cargo hold with a rear ramp, and robust landing gear allow it to handle the most demanding missions, including operations from unpaved runways.

 

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Xen Aviation & Services has finalised a deal to acquire its first Britten-Norman turbine powered Islander

Xen Aviation & Services Limited (‘Xen Aviation’), a start-up domestic operator based in Georgetown Guyana, has finalised a deal to acquire its first Britten-Norman turbine-powered Islander. The aircraft will be used by Xen Aviation to enhance regional connectivity and support its planned commuter services across the country.

The BN2T-4S, an enlarged turboprop variant of the renowned piston version of the Islander aircraft, will be the first operated in Guyana. The BN2T-4S boasts 30% more interior space compared with the piston variant, as well as having a significantly increased Maximum Take-Off Weight of up to 8,925 lbs (4,048 kg). 

Powered by twin Rolls-Royce 250 B17F engines, each generating 460hp (flat rated at 400hp), the BN2T-4S offers a range of 1,006 nm (1,863 km) and has an endurance of up to 8 hours. The aircraft retains many of the features of the original Islander including its ability to operate in challenging conditions into short, unprepared landing strips. 

Configured with a maximum of 12 seats, the BN2T-4S is certified under its UK Type Certificate to carry up to 10 passengers with either single or dual crew. Note: Local operator regulations may supersede the certified capacity. 

All Islanders are capable of being fully IFR certified and are equipped as standard with a full, state-of-the-art Garmin glass cockpit based on the G600 TXi series. The Garmin suite now includes full electronic engine instrumentation on all Islander variants, providing valuable data for both the operating and engineering crews that will help to reduce operating costs. 

As part of ongoing development of the Islander, and in line with Britten-Norman’s ‘Green Futures’ programme, the aircraft will soon have the option to operate using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

In preparation for delivery, Britten-Norman has recently gained Type Acceptance for the BN2T-4S from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. The aircraft is already type certified in the UK, EU and USA as well as a number of other countries around the world. 

Ronaldo Alphonso at Xen Aviation commented:  “We believe this variant of the Islander is a perfect fit for our mission to introduce superior safety, comfort and choice to the Guyana aviation market, targeting everyday commuters, government and international business operators, all at a competitive price.”

William Hynett, Chief Executive at Britten-Norman said:   “We are delighted to confirm this order with Xen Aviation & Services Inc., marking a significant milestone as the first BN2T-4S Islander to be used for commuter services in Guyana. The BN2T-4S is the largest and most powerful variant in the Islander range, offering exceptional load-carrying capacity while maintaining our well-renowned STOL performance. I am excited to see this aircraft thrive in its new role with Xen Aviation, providing essential services to the people of Guyana.”

 

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Back on Earth: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Mission Splashes Down Off Florida

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission successfully splashed down at 3:29 a.m. EDT Friday, off Pensacola, Florida, concluding a nearly eight-month science mission and the agency’s eighth commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station.  

After launching 3rd March on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, spent 232 days aboard the space station.

Recovery teams from NASA and SpaceX quickly secured the spacecraft and assisted the astronauts during exit. The crew now will head to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, while the Dragon spacecraft will return to SpaceX facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for inspection and refurbishment for future missions.

During their mission, crew members travelled nearly 100 million miles and completed 3,760 orbits around Earth. They conducted new scientific research to advance human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit human life on Earth. Research and technology demonstrations included conducting stem cell research to develop organoid models for studying degenerative diseases, exploring how fuel temperature affects material flammability, and studying how spaceflight affects immune function in astronauts. Their work aims to improve astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights, contributing to critical advancements in space medicine and benefitting humanity.

Crew-8’s return follows the arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 to the orbiting laboratory on September 29th. These missions are part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the space station. 

 

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After the splashdown and collection, all of the astronauts were flown to the hospital for additional medical checks on Friday.  Three were released and returned to Houston for debriefing and post-flight reconditioning. One, who was not identified by NASA, citing patient privacy was kept in for observation for an unspecified medical issue. That person has now been released and has rejoined colleagues in Houston.

Spirit's six months survival hopes

The budget carrier Spirit is selling off aircraft and desperately trying to cut costs in the hopes of surviving the next six months.  The carrier has been in talks with Frontier, according to media speculation, over a possible takeover, but these are looking less and less likely.  

GA Telesis has agreed to buy 23 Airbus A320s and A321s from the low-cost airline, these planes were manufactured between 2014 and 2019.  “We are thrilled to announce this significant acquisition, which adds a large number of highly sought-after Airbus A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft to our portfolio,” said Marc Cho, President of GA Telesis LIFT Group. “The A320ceo family of aircraft is renowned for its efficiency, performance, and reliability, making it an attractive option for airlines across the world. We are confident these aircraft will provide significant value to our customers as they continue their operations.”  GA Telesis will now market these aircraft to a global customer base as demand increases dramatically in the mid-haul market. 

This extended the life of Spirit by another six months according to various sources close to the heart of the the budget airline that has been struggling to cling on since the JetBlue takeover collapsed at the hands of the authorities. The airline is facing a massive loan repayment in the next few months, which it simply doesn't have the money for and its total debt is mounting to epic proportions. 

Staff numbers are set to be reduced by 35% between now and February next year, which along with other cost-saving measures, the airline hopes will see it through until the start of the summer season next year. 

The initial talks to resurrect a merger or takeover by Frontier last week were not as positive as expected, the finance on offer is much much less than it was back before JetBlue entered the fray a few years ago and would almost certainly not be accepted by the board.  The future of any such arrangement would need to see a 'reasonable'  increase in 'financials'  according to those close to the conversation. 

Even with the benefits of bankruptcy protection, it is unlikely the carrier will be able to emerge from it without outside assistance.  Six months is, according to some, the most it can hope to go before the house of promises crumbles to dust. 

 

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Reduced profit for Icelandair in Q3

Icelandair has just released its latest results, these were for the third quarter of this year, which included increased competition and some other challenges, but the airline still managed to report a net profit of $69 million (down 15% year on year). 

During the quarter, the leading Icelandic carrier increased its operational stability resulting in a 2% decrease in unit cost, whilst its on-time performance was up by 5%. Load factor was also rather impressive considering the competition, at least on routes between Iceland and North America, it was up 1.4% of on the same period last year to 86%.

Passenger numbers were up by 9% to around 1.6 million people, the airline says that includes around 550,000 who travelled to and from Iceland and not using the hub and spoke route network using Iceland as a change of aircraft point. 

Bogi Nils Bogason, President & CEO of Icelandair said:  "With a joint effort of our team, we managed to successfully respond to changes in demand to Iceland by leveraging our flexibility and shifting focus to the transatlantic market, resulting in a strong load factor in the third quarter. This, however, impacted our results due to lower yields on the transatlantic market. The market to Iceland is starting to regain its strength and we expect significant performance improvements in the fourth quarter and next year. We continued to drive strong performance in our operations with record on-time performance and robust execution of maintenance programs, resulting in decreased unit cost despite on-going inflationary pressure. We also saw continued improvement in the performance of our cargo operation and our leasing business delivered strong results in the quarter.

In line with our continued focus on improving our competitiveness to ensure profitable growth and long-term success, we launched a comprehensive transformation journey in the first half of 2024, which has already started to materialize. We are leaving no stone unturned in this important journey and have put a plan in place that will significantly contribute to reaching our long-term 8% EBIT goal. By the end of next year, our objective is that the transformation journey will deliver USD 70 million at an annual run rate, with further impact in the following years. Numerous cost reduction projects are already underway and on the revenue side, where we are building on our strong commercial infrastructure, we are enhancing our revenue generation through diverse streams, such as airline partnerships. This year, we have signed strategic partnership agreements with four airlines – Emirates, TAP, Air Greenland and Atlantic Airways. In addition, we reached a significant milestone when introduced as the first airline partner of Southwest Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the US.

The foundation of our business model and our key competitive advantage is the geographical location of Iceland. Our route network is the heart of our business and provides extensive connectivity between Europe, North America, and beyond through our airline partners. Furthermore, with new longer-range aircraft we will be able to open new and exciting markets, which will be fundamental for the future development of Iceland as a tourist destination and a connecting hub for air travel.

The outlook is promising, and we expect significant improvement in profitability in the fourth quarter as well as the full year of 2025. Building on our proven business model and core strengths, coupled with our focused efforts on driving efficiencies and strengthening our competitiveness, I firmly believe that Icelandair is in a prime position to capture emerging opportunities and create long-term value for shareholders and the Icelandic society."

   

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The Norwegian Group with solid third quarter results

The Norwegian Group delivered an operating profit (EBIT) of NOK 2,128 million in the third quarter of 2024. The quarter was characterised by capacity growth for Norwegian and improving load factors for both airlines within the group. Widerøe contributed solidly and, for the first time ever in a quarter, carried over 1 million passengers.

For the third quarter of 2024, the Norwegian Group delivered an operating profit (EBIT) of NOK 2,128 million, corresponding to an operating margin of 18.4 percent. Profit before tax (EBT) amounted to NOK 2,004 million for the quarter. The liquidity position was NOK 11.5 billion, unchanged from the previous quarter and up 2.1 billion from last year. The Norwegian fleet comprised 86 aircraft at quarter-end, of which 22 were latest technology 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The Widerøe fleet comprised 49 aircraft.

“We are pleased with a solid quarter, showing increased load factors and unit revenues across both airlines, especially considering a 10 percent capacity increase for Norwegian. A record quarter for Widerøe demonstrates that the acquisition is bearing fruits, and we look forward to continuing to develop the significant synergies between the airlines. The booking momentum for the fourth quarter is encouraging across the group, both for leisure and business travel. Norwegian is operating a number of new leisure routes, including Dubai and Egypt, in addition to routes from European cities to the popular winter destinations of Tromsø and Evenes,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

JetBlue starts Long Island to Florida routes

JetBlue has launched services from Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) to Florida as part of its plan to expand across New York state. The carrier is flying daily from Long Island to Orlando, and 4 times weekly to West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. 

“We are delighted to bring the long-awaited JetBlue experience to Long Island,” said Daniel Shurz, head of revenue, network, and enterprise planning at JetBlue. “These flights are a testament to JetBlue’s loyal customer base on Long Island who have frequently travelled to New York’s other airports to fly JetBlue. Customers no longer have to choose between the convenience of their local airport and the comfort, connectivity and customer service they enjoy with JetBlue.”

“With JetBlue beginning flights from Islip to Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Long Islanders have more convenient service to Florida and our local economy will benefit with new jobs and increased tourism,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “I’ve long encouraged JetBlue to start and expand service at MacArthur because Long Islanders deserve increased travel options, and the success of the airport is key to a more vibrant Long Island economy. Under the stewardship of Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken, the airport has soared to greater heights, and I applaud JetBlue, New York’s Hometown Airline, for launching this new service for Long Islanders.”

“I applaud the introduction of JetBlue service from MacArthur Airport, which will bring more travel options and convenience to Long Islanders,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02). “Expanding these routes supports our community by increasing access to flights and driving economic growth.”

“JetBlue's announcement is fantastic news for Long Island families and businesses. With more convenient travel options, this development strengthens our local economy and provides even greater access to destinations across the country,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01). “I’m proud to see our region growing as a transportation hub, making it easier for residents to connect with the people and places that matter most.”