MAG announces £1.1bn investment programme at London Stansted Airport

London Stansted today revealed details of a five-year £1.1bn investment programme that will deliver wide-ranging benefits to passengers and help secure links to even more global destinations.

The centrepiece of the plans is a £600m extension to the airport’s existing terminal, which will create a bright spacious environment, with more seating areas plus new shops, bars and restaurants to give travellers even more choice than they have today.

The plans were first announced at the government’s International Investment Summit yesterday and follow London Stansted reporting record-breaking passenger numbers for each month in 2024.

Planning permission for the extension was secured last October, and Stansted today released images and a video to showcase its plans for the first time.

The terminal development will help enable the airport serve up to 43 million passengers a year, which in turn will create up to 5,000 new on-site jobs, and see the airport’s economic contribution double to £2 billion annually.

Also included in the airport’s £1.1bn investment programme are a number of projects to enhance the passenger journey and support Stansted’s commitment to deliver a sustainable future, such as:

Delta launches first-ever nonstop Minneapolis-St. Paul to Copenhagen

New route from MSP to Copenhagen starts May 2025, expanding Delta’s Europe network with support from its new codeshare arrangement with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

Delta is increasing connectivity to Europe with the addition of a brand-new nonstop service from its hub in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Copenhagen (CPH) starting May 2025, operating three times weekly. With the addition of this new route, Delta will provide customers traveling from MSP nonstop access to seven European destinations .

“Delta continues to strengthen its global network and offers unparalleled access to Europe from Minneapolis-St. Paul with this new direct service to Copenhagen, one of Europe’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “This route creates an invaluable connection between two major SkyTeam partner hubs, providing unrivaled connectivity and travel options for customers traveling between Scandinavia and North America.”

“We are excited that Delta is expanding direct service to Europe from MSP next year, offering even more connections in that region through its new SkyTeam partner Scandinavian Airlines System,” said Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP Airport. “Many Minnesotans are of Scandinavian heritage, and this new route offers great access to support deeper cultural ties and the continuation of cross-Atlantic business connections between our regions.”

"This is really great news, and we look forward to welcoming another route with Delta Air Lines at Copenhagen Airport,” said Peter Krogsgaard, CCO at Copenhagen Airport. “Delta is one of the world’s largest airlines, and with a new direct route from Copenhagen to Minneapolis, many travelers will have direct access to one of Delta’s key hubs, offering numerous connections to destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. We are also excited to welcome even more American visitors, who with a direct route to Copenhagen, not only have the opportunity to visit one of the world’s most beautiful cities, but also gain easy access to the many routes from Copenhagen to destinations across Europe."

Connecting the Upper Midwest to Scandinavia

 Delta recently announced a partnership with SAS, the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Under this new codeshare agreement, Delta and SAS customers traveling to Copenhagen from Minneapolis-St. Paul will gain access to more than 80 additional destinations beyond Copenhagen. Meanwhile, as the largest carrier at MSP, Delta will provide customers traveling from CPH to MSP connections to 110+ cities across the U.S. and Canada.

“This addition to Delta’s service is an exciting new global connection for our region and for Minnesota’s business community,” said MAC Chair Rick King. “We look forward to the new opportunities this will offer our business and leisure travelers alike.”

Comfort....

Just above million passengers as capacity increased year-on-year, strong cargo performance continued

In September, Finnair carried 1,015,600 passengers, which was 10.2% more than in September 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in September by 9.0% year-on-year as additional narrow-body capacity was deployed by Finnair after the wet lease outs to British Airways ended in March 2024. In addition, the strong capacity growth in Asian traffic continued. If wet lease-outs are included, capacity increased by 11.2% due to the co-operation with Qantas. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 6.7%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) declined by 1.6% points to 76.3%. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance in accordance with the industry practice.

The ASKs in Asian traffic were up by 13.1% year-on-year due to added frequencies to Tokyo and Osaka as well as Nagoya route operated during the summer season of 2024. In North Atlantic traffic, ASKs decreased by 11.9% due to cut frequencies to Chicago. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 12.2% as the majority of the increase in narrow-body capacity was allocated to routes in northern Europe. The Middle Eastern capacity declined by 6.0% mainly due to temporarily ceased operations to Israel. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 35.6% due to the additional capacity allocated to northern routes slightly earlier than in the comparison period.

RPKs increased by 11.7% in Asian traffic year-on-year. They decreased by 2.5% in North Atlantic traffic. RPKs were up by 7.7% in European traffic and by 28.9% in domestic traffic whereas they decreased by 17.1% in Middle Eastern traffic.

In September, the PLF was 79.6% in Asian traffic, 83.5% in North Atlantic traffic, 74.8% in European traffic, 62.4% in Middle Eastern traffic and 72.3% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers increased by 10.8% in Asian traffic, by 10.2% in European traffic and by 24.1% in domestic traffic. They decreased by 5.1% in North Atlantic traffic and by 18.7% in Middle Eastern traffic.

The total cargo tonnes increased by 9.2% year-on-year in September due to growth in European and Asian cargo traffic. Revenue cargo tonne-kilometres increased by 7.7%.

In September, 79.7% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (82.8%).

Two new routes for Caribbean Airlines.......... Martinique and Guadeloupe

Caribbean Airlines will launch new flights to the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe in December as part of its growth strategy.  The carrier will start services to Martinique on 3rd December, while the  Guadeloupe route is set to start on 7th December. 

As part of its commitment to enhancing connectivity within the region, Caribbean Airlines will fly both routes four times a week, subject to Government approval.

Garvin Medera, CEO of Caribbean Airlines, expressed his enthusiasm for the new services: “For the first time in years, journeys that would traditionally take several hours are now reduced to just 90 minutes, giving travellers back their most valuable resource: time. Whether for business or leisure, we are confident that this improvement in travel efficiency will greatly benefit our customers, and we are happy to make it easier for the Caribbean to explore and connect with one another. We’re not just offering flights; we’re offering greater convenience and efficiency”.

President of the Martinique Tourism Authority, Bénédicte di Geronimo, welcomed the arrival of Caribbean Airlines stating: “We are very pleased that Caribbean Airlines is expanding its services to Martinique. This initiative, led by a company recognized for its excellence, will not only strengthen our tourism industry but also contribute to building stronger cultural and economic ties between the southern islands and Martinique. We look forward to welcoming an increasing number of visitors from the Caribbean, eager to discover the richness of our culture and the exceptional beauty of our destination."

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Manchester Airports Group hosts annual ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety Committee

Senior figures from European aviation gathered at Manchester Airport to discuss the key safety and operational issues and opportunities in the sector. More than 100 delegates attended the annual ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety Committee (TOSC).  

MAG, the UK’s largest airports group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, hosted the conference at the Concorde Conference Centre next to the UK’s global gateway in the North. Topics on the agenda included operational preparedness for the introduction of the digital EU entry and exit system, runway friction management and digital apron management. 

Committee attendees included Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Athens International Airport, alongside representatives from Eurocontrol, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and NATS.  

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, addressed the committee where he spoke about the importance of the UK aviation industry’s continued collaboration with ACI Europe. He said: 

“…Our relationship with ACI Europe is so crucial in a post-Brexit world. Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union, UK legislation aligns with EU regulations in many cases, and numerous EU policies have been transposed into UK law. We remain deeply connected to many of the issues that ACI addresses.” 

Mr Woodroofe emphasised how sustainable growth of the aviation industry is fundamental. Referencing the comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap the industry has already developed, he pointed to the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft, airspace modernisation, the production of sustainable aviation fuel and the progressive introduction of zero-emission aircraft as playing critical roles in getting the sector to net zero by 2050. 

He also spoke about MAG’s record-breaking passenger performance in recent months, which has seen Manchester Airport serve 30 million passengers across a 12 month period for the first time in its history, and London Stansted consistently break its monthly passenger records.  

MAG plays an active role in representing UK airports at ACI forums. Alongside Ken O’Toole’s appointment to the ACI Europe Board at its annual congress in July, Monika Simonaityte, Head of Air Traffic Management Strategy at MAG, sits as the current Vice-Chair of the Technical, Operations and Safety Committee.  

PLAY to start Antalya route......

The Icelandic budget airline, PLAY will start a new route in spring next year when it heads to Antalya, Turkey, from its home base in Reykjavik, Iceland. 

The inaugural flight is set for 15th April 2025, with services operating once a week until early June. The schedule will resume in September and continue until November.

Travellers from Turkey can take advantage of this new route to explore the breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences that Iceland has to offer. From the stunning natural beauty of the Golden Circle, including geysers and waterfalls, to the majestic Blue Lagoon, Iceland is a paradise for nature lovers. Visitors can also enjoy thrilling activities like whale watching, hiking on glaciers, and experiencing the magical northern lights. With affordable flights from Antalya, an unforgettable Icelandic adventure awaits!

“We are excited to open a new route from Antalya to Reykjavik, providing travellers from Turkey with an affordable way to experience the stunning landscapes and unique adventures Iceland offers. We believe this new connection will enhance travel options and strengthen ties between our cultures,“ says Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY airlines.

As a low-cost airline from Iceland, PLAY operates flights between Europe and North America, utilizing a modern fleet of Airbus A320/321neo aircraft, which have an average age of just over three years. This ensures a comfortable, safe, and reliable travel experience, further supported by PLAY’s impressive 88,8% on-time performance year to date. 

In addition to its operational excellence, PLAY's cabin crew was voted the best by USA Today readers last year, and the airline was recognized as the best low-cost carrier in Northern Europe.

Emirates crew trained to be future fit and A350-ready

In advance of its much-awaited Airbus A350s joining the fleet, Emirates has invested around US$48 million in full suites of cutting-edge equipment and systems to support both pilot and cabin crew training.

The suites include three full flight simulators integrated with innovative pilot support systems (PSS), a fixed base training device, a cabin emergency evacuation trainer and a door trainer. This investment reflects the airline’s commitment to achieve the ultimate standards and excellence in crew training. 

The PSS is an industry first and was fully conceptualised inhouse by Emirates with a view to optimising the training experience. During the briefing phase, it allows trainees to carry out an interactive flight deck set-up, including building a flight plan, in a fully immersive environment. The set-up is recalled once the trainees move inside the simulator to resume their training. The PSS’ debrief mode allows the instructor to playback the recorded session to review crew performance. 

The airline’s first A350 full flight simulator received a level D qualification, the highest for this type of simulators, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The initial qualification was achieved with zero findings, another remarkable feat in the simulation industry. The advanced technology not only enhances training efficiency, but also empowers pilots to confidently master the skills required for smooth operations.

Emirates has ordered 3 full flight simulators for its A350 fleet. The second A350 simulator is currently in its onsite acceptance stage and is scheduled to receive EASA approval in November.

Riyadh Air selects SabreMosaic

Saudi Arabia’s newest flagship airline will deploy Sabre’s AI-powered solutions at the forefront of the industry’s transition to a more modern retailing approach

Riyadh Air, poised to become one of the most forward-thinking airlines globally, has entered into a strategic agreement with Sabre Corporation, a global leader in software and technology powering the travel industry. Through this partnership, Riyadh Air will adopt comprehensive SabreMosaicTM Offer Optimization technology that provides the intelligence to enable the airline’s ambition to be the first carrier to operate on offer- and order-based technology across the entire retail spectrum from its first day of operations in 2025.

With a bold vision to create personalized offers across a broad range of customer touchpoints, Sabre and Riyadh Air are co-innovating in the realm of offer optimization to create industry-first technologies to fuel the future of airline retailing. Powered by Sabre Travel AITM and utilizing Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) toolkit, this innovative approach enhances offer construction with smart customer segmentation and intelligent bundling – enabling Riyadh Air to unlock value and benefits from effective offer optimization capabilities.

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As it begins operations in a highly competitive regional environment, Riyadh Air will deploy SabreMosaic Air Price IQ, Ancillary IQ, Bundle IQ, and Upgrade IQ to generate and manage dynamic offers. Riyadh Air will also deploy SabreMosaic Continuous Revenue Optimizer for true continuous pricing, making it the first airline in the world to operate without traditional fare filing and booking classes in the direct channel. This revolutionary technology enables Riyadh Air to offer diverse and customized travel options, delivering tailored experiences to customers while optimizing revenue.

Recognizing the need for a highly scalable and flexible retailing strategy, Riyadh Air chose Sabre due to its proven track record and ability to deliver modular technology within a broad and diverse IT ecosystem. This strategic move positions Riyadh Air at the forefront of the industry transition towards an offer- and order-based future, allowing the airline to provide innovative, personalized services to travelers.

Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer, Riyadh Air, said:  "Partnering with Sabre has been instrumental in bringing our vision to life.

Their expertise, innovation, and commitment to excellence make them the ideal partner as we embark on this journey to become the first airline to operate on full offer and order technology. This collaboration ensures we are equipped to meet the evolving needs of our customers and to deliver a truly differentiated experience. Sabre’s intelligent solutions act as the catalyst for our offer and order platform, and we are excited to continue working together to achieve our ambitious goals."

Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President, Global Airline Sales and Account Management, Sabre Travel Solutions, said:  "We are excited to partner with Riyadh Air as they become the first airline to operate entirely on offer- and order-based technology.

Riyadh Air’s forward-thinking approach and vision to be a digital-first airline align seamlessly with Sabre’s commitment to leading the transformation of airline retailing. This partnership highlights our shared dedication to innovation as the industry moves towards a fully offer- and order-driven future."

Earlier this year, Sabre introduced SabreMosaic, its revolutionary offer and order retailing platform for airlines that is powered by Google’s industry-leading AI and Google Cloud architecture. SabreMosaic is built for flexibility and speed through a modular and open technology structure, enabling airlines to dynamically create, sell and deliver an array of personalized content to travelers. Sabre and Google continue to work together to bring industry-first applications of Generative AI to market, utilizing Google’s proven frameworks for training and scaling these models.

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Liftoff! NASA’s Europa Clipper Sails Toward Ocean Moon of Jupiter

NASA’s Europa Clipper has embarked on its long voyage to Jupiter, where it will investigate Europa, a moon with an enormous subsurface ocean that may have conditions to support life. The spacecraft launched at 12:06 p.m. EDT Monday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The largest spacecraft NASA ever built for a mission headed to another planet, Europa Clipper also is the first NASA mission dedicated to studying an ocean world beyond Earth. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) on a trajectory that will leverage the power of gravity assists, first to Mars in four months and then back to Earth for another gravity assist flyby in 2026. After it begins orbiting Jupiter in April 2030, the spacecraft will fly past Europa 49 times.

“Congratulations to our Europa Clipper team for beginning the first journey to an ocean world beyond Earth,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA leads the world in exploration and discovery, and the Europa Clipper mission is no different. By exploring the unknown, Europa Clipper will help us better understand whether there is the potential for life not just within our solar system, but among the billions of moons and planets beyond our Sun.”

Approximately five minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s second stage fired up and the payload fairing, or the rocket’s nose cone, opened to reveal Europa Clipper. About an hour after launch, the spacecraft separated from the rocket. Ground controllers received a signal soon after, and two-way communication was established at 1:13 p.m. with NASA’s Deep Space Network facility in Canberra, Australia. Mission teams celebrated as initial telemetry reports showed Europa Clipper is in good health and operating as expected.

“We could not be more excited for the incredible and unprecedented science NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will deliver in the generations to come,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Everything in NASA science is interconnected, and Europa Clipper’s scientific discoveries will build upon the legacy that our other missions exploring Jupiter — including Juno, Galileo, and Voyager — created in our search for habitable worlds beyond our home planet.”

The main goal of the mission is to determine whether Europa has conditions that could support life. Europa is about the size of our own Moon, but its interior is different. Information from NASA’s Galileo mission in the 1990s showed strong evidence that under Europa’s ice lies an enormous, salty ocean with more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. Scientists also have found evidence that Europa may host organic compounds and energy sources under its surface.

Get ready for the largest ever release of discount tickets from Singapore Airlines and Scoot

Singapore Airlines and Scoot to offer over 420,000 discounted tickets at largest-ever Time To Fly Travel Fair

Singapore Airlines’ popular Time To Fly travel fair returns in October 2024, offering discounts on more than 200,000 Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class round-trip tickets from Singapore to 78 global destinations.

Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, will also offer discounts on 220,000 ScootPlus and Economy Class one-way tickets to 57 destinations across its network during the fair.

Promotions include discounted flights to SIA’s new destinations Brussels and London Gatwick, as well as upcoming services to Beijing’s Daxing International Airport. Scoot’s discounts cover flights across the Asia Pacific region and Europe, and include new destinations Kertajati (Greater Bandung), Koh Samui, and Malacca.

Discounts apply to eligible SIA flights1 for travel from January to September 2025, and Scoot flights from November 2024 to October 20252.

Online sales will run from 25 October to 7 November 2024 on SIA and Scoot’s websites and mobile applications, and through their appointed travel agents.

A physical three-day Time To Fly travel fair will also be held from 25 to 27 October 2024 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre’s halls 401 and 402, featuring discounted tickets and exclusive travel deals from participating travel agents and partners.

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our annual Time To Fly travel fair has become a highlight for Singapore-based customers. This year’s edition is our largest yet, offering discounts on over 200,000 round-trip Singapore Airlines tickets and 220,000 one-way Scoot tickets. This underscores our firm commitment to providing customers with attractive flight options and exceptional value as they plan their 2025 travels.”

The physical fair will feature activities and exclusive giveaways, including a grand lucky draw prize of three pairs of SIA Business Class round-trip tickets with hotel accommodation to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Istanbul. Other prizes include round-trip SIA Business Class tickets with hotel stays to Bangkok, Male, and Phuket, as well as Scoot vouchers worth up to $5,000.

The top Kris+ spender3 at the fair will win a four-day, three-night trip to the Maldives. KrisShop will offer new merchandise for sale, including limited-edition figurines featuring a new mystery character.

More information on SIA’s Time To Fly promotion and travel fair can be found here. Details on Scoot’s travel deals will be available on their website from 25 October 2024.

1 Discounted fares are available on selected flights during specific travel periods. Additional terms and conditions apply.

2 Blackout travel dates apply.

3 Eligible for customers who purchase travel packages from participating travel agents via Kris+. Additional terms and conditions apply.

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Emirates opens new travel store in London

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, officially opened the doors to its newly designed ‘Emirates World’ Travel Store in London. Making a grand entrance on the high street – the dedicated Emirates retail space is the first to open in Europe and latest in a planned roll-out of 40 stores globally.

Located on Cromwell Road in London’s South Kensington, the retail store combines smart technology, expert personal travel advice, and immersive experiences incorporating the latest in experiential technologies to bring Emirates’ signature hospitality even closer to customers.

The Emirates’ London Travel Store was inaugurated by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, in the presence of His Excellency Mr Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE Ambassador to the UK. Other attendees included VIP guests, Emirates commercial and sales executives, corporate customers, and industry partners.  

The Emirates’ London Travel Store was inaugurated by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer,
in the presence of His Excellency Mr Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE Ambassador to the UK.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “When customers book a flight or holiday, it’s not just a financial transaction, it’s an emotional one, and we’ll be doubling down to deliver a memorable visit for our customers through personalised experiences and immersive displays showcasing the best of our in-flight products. Emirates’ London Travel Store is a testament to our enduring commitment to the UK, a market that has been pivotal to us since our first UK flight 37 years ago. We look forward to welcoming customers and delivering on our ‘Fly Better’ promise as we bring the Emirates brand to life.”

Reimagining the travel experience

The Emirates’ London Travel Store will offer customers a flavour of the airline’s renowned travel experience, including its First Class private suite, a full-sized A380 Onboard Lounge and Premium Economy seat on display where guests can experience the popular new cabin first-hand.

With 270 square meters of space, the retail store has an open-plan, lounge-like environment, with a light and airy colour palette and modern furniture for customers to make travel arrangements in comfort. Seven dedicated customer service counters are available to cater for flight reservations, ticketing, and general enquiries, all staffed by expert travel consultants to offer personalised assistance – whether it’s booking a flight, holiday, or handling Skywards loyalty programme enquiries.

Customers can also enjoy smart technology like self-service screens supported by travel consultants or a ‘selfie mirror’ to snap pictures with friends and family against scenic destination backdrops.

The store also features a variety of Emirates Official Store merchandise and travel accessories, whether customers want to buy aircraft models, handy travel gadgets, or even Emirates branded Wimbledon 2024 towels.

Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of Emirates Airline, has also opened the doors to its new store located in the Cottons Centre. Customers will be welcomed by a dedicated team of 45 travel consultants offering expert advice, personalised holiday packages and exclusive offers.

Fly better to over 140 destinations with Emirates

Emirates currently serves the UK with 133 weekly flights to Dubai, connecting the UK via seven airports with 140 destinations around the world. In London, Emirates operates from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, carrying more than 45,000 passengers to and from the UK capital every week.

Emirates operates the largest fleet of A380s in the world, with 116 aircraft in service. Providing an unparalleled customer experience on board, the Emirates A380 is loved by customers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, quietness, and unique on-board features such as the Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower Spa. Customers can also enjoy award-winning inflight entertainment on ice with more than 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment via the industry’s largest screens across all cabins.

GACA hosts global search and rescue event in Riyadh

The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Council (CSC)’s 71st meeting started in Riyadh today, hosted by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). It is the first time since the establishment of this council that this meeting is taking place outside the Cospas-Sarsat headquarters in Montreal. CSC is an intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the global satellite search and rescue system, overseeing the policies and operations to timely detect and disseminate distress alerts and support lifesaving conducted by the search and rescue teams worldwide. The COSPAS-SARSAT program is considered in the framework of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The decision to organize the first CSC meeting outside COSPAS-SARSAT headquarters for the first time in the programme’s 45-year history is an incentive to enhance the search and Rescue capabilities and leadership role, in the region.

Over 45 States and organizations will be in Riyadh for the 10-day conference taking place between 15-24 October 2024, with delegates participating in meetings to discuss the management of the Cospas-Sarsat program, review all operational plans, and approve future activities for this critical safety initiative which began in 1979.

His Excellency the President of GACA, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej will deliver an opening speech during the opening session of the Council on the 21st of October which will highlight the Kingdom’s proud history of investment in the search and rescue capabilities and show the importance of strengthening regional and global partnerships to enhance international search and rescue preparedness. 

The Saudi Arabian Mission Control Centre (SAMCC), which opened in 2000 in Jeddah City, plays a critical role in providing distress alert services across the Kingdom and seven neighbouring States, with 30 search and rescue missions conducted in January 2022 , saving 147 lives.

The Kingdom’s hosting of the Council demonstrates its commitment to member States and partner organizations to continue providing critical support in regional and global aviation and maritime safety activities.

The event includes open and closed sessions of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, a treaty-based, intergovernmental cooperative of 45 nations and agencies that utilizes over 60 satellites for search and rescue operations worldwide.

London Gatwick opens applications for 2025 graduate programme

University graduates are invited to apply for London Gatwick's 2025 graduate programme, which will give at least nine individuals the opportunity to launch their careers at one of the UK’s busiest and most dynamic airports. 

Applications to be in by 7 November

The programme will begin in September 2025 and offers roles across departments such as Construction, Commercial, Corporate Affairs, Engineering, IT, and Sales and Operations Planning, along with Development which was newly introduced this year. The construction programme is offered as a three-year contract, with all others spanning two years.  

London Gatwick welcomed 13 graduates last month from a range of undergraduate and master’s degrees, such as Crisis and Disaster Management, Aerospace Engineering, Geography and Computer Science from universities including Sussex, Kent, Portsmouth and Imperial College London.  

Finlay Nichols, Sustainability Graduate, London Gatwick said: “From day one I’ve been involved in exciting projects, such as key technological developments in sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen. The support from my leaders and peers has been incredible and I’ve gained a deep understanding of airport operations. I am excited to continue to build my knowledge and understanding in this evolving sector and support London Gatwick on its journey to net zero.” 

Bronwen Jones, Development Director, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome talented individuals to our graduate programme each year. Their fresh perspectives and innovative thinking are vital as we continue to grow and shape the future of the airport.  

Loganair named Sustainable Airline of the Year

ERA Award recognises active leadership in sustainability

 

Loganair has been named Sustainable Airline of the Year for 2024 by the European Regional Airline Association (ERA).

The UK’s largest regional airline collected the prestigious accolade on Wednesday 9 October at a formal awards dinner held as part of ERA’s General Assembly.

Loganair was selected as Sustainable Airline of the Year for its concrete steps towards reducing its environmental footprint.

Judges highlighted Loganair’s collaboration with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to convert its Britten Norman Islander aircraft, which operates inter-island routes in Orkney, to hydrogen cell power. The partnership hopes to achieve the first zero-emissions passenger flights worldwide. 

They also praised Loganair’s first all-electric turnaround of an aircraft at Stornoway Airport, where the airline is in the process of replacing over 100 pieces of ground service equipment (GSE) to reduce emissions further and acknowledged its groundbreaking work with the UK Met Office. 

Loganair’s fleet has been fitted with sensors to gather critical data that will help to increase understanding of and mitigate against the effects of non-CO2 emissions, such as contrails. The project aims to tackle misconceptions about regional aviation’s environmental impact and could also improve the accuracy of weather forecasts.

More recently, Loganair announced a new partnership with Heart Aerospace to develop hybrid-electric aircraft for use across the airline’s extensive Scottish and UK network. 

Luke Farajallah, CEO, Loganair, said:  “Being recognised by ERA for our sustainability initiatives is a significant accolade and testament to the innovative approach we have long prized at Loganair.

Our GreenSkies programme, introduced in 2021 to mitigate the environmental impact of flying, was the first of its kind in the UK and we continue to be a pioneering force for change, exploring new technologies and forming partnerships dedicated to reducing aviation emissions.

We are committed to introducing low and zero emissions flights where we can throughout our network and hope to offer the first such route by the end of the decade.”

 

Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA, said: “Loganair has shown exceptional dedication to sustainability, not just through promises, but with concrete actions that are driving real change.

From pioneering electric turnarounds to groundbreaking hydrogen cell projects, Loganair is at the forefront of sustainable aviation. Their innovative partnerships and commitment to reducing environmental impact demonstrate their leadership in shaping a greener future for the industry. We are delighted to honour Loganair for their forward-thinking approach and tangible contributions to sustainability.”

 

ERA is a trade association representing the European aviation industry. Its membership includes more than 50 airlines and 150 associate and affiliate members who jointly cover the entire spectrum of the aviation sector – airlines, airports, manufacturers and suppliers. The annual ERA awards acknowledge the successes and achievements of the regional aviation sector.

Founded in 1962, Loganair is now the largest regional airline in the UK by passenger numbers and fleet size, operating more than 70 routes throughout the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.

Loganair | Fly To More UK Destinations Than Any Other Airline

Britten-Norman has completed second funding round ready to ramp up production.

Britten-Norman, the maker of the iconic Islander has successfully completed its second funding round, securing significant capital from Northern Ireland-based Beechlands Enterprises. 

Britten-Norman will scale manufacturing operations in the UK up to eight aircraft a year in phase one. Manufacturing will be focussed primarily on the unleaded piston version of the Islander, with around 20% of aircraft being delivered as turboprops.

As part of the company’s focus on manufacturing, it will invest in more advanced manufacturing tools and machinery, enhancing component production capabilities. These upgrades will help reduce lead times, increase output, and improve overall cost and efficiency.