Arlines 4 Europe warn the reopening of external EU borders could be jeopardised by uncoordinated national measures

EU countries are not adhering to the EU Council recommendations, creating a patchwork system of travel restrictions & border controls throughout Europe — thus eroding consumer confidence.
Europe’s airlines and airports urge Member States to follow their own  agreed scientific-based approach and do away with politics during critical reopening phase.

Despite agreeing at EU Council level to a scientific-based approach and endorsing their own “white list”1 recommendation just one week ago, EU States are adopting extremely diverging lists. As a result, there is very little clarity and significant uncertainty on which citizens can travel where. This has effectively led to a patchwork system of travel restrictions and border controls throughout Europe which may remain in place for weeks or months to come. The situation also weakens the functioning of the Schengen area: since Member States apply different rules, a Japanese tourist could choose to fly to Warsaw and then travel within the Schengen space without controls.

SWISS teams up with Berufsschule Bülach on the training front

SWISS has embarked on a collaboration with the Berufsschule Bülach for the training of its aircraft engineers. The team-up offers sizeable synergic benefits, particularly for the SWISS trainees, including shorter and more efficient theoretical training.

Thirty young women and men will begin their SWISS Technics apprenticeships to become aircraft engineers this summer. And just as their course begins, SWISS will embark on a new collaboration with the Berufsschule Bülach (Bülach Vocational School). The team-up will bring greater efficiency to the SWISS apprentices’ training, with numerous modules in mathematics, physics, electrical engineering and electronics now taught at the Bülach school. The tuition will be in German and English throughout.

More restructuring details from Lufthansa

This week the board of Lufthansa approved and released details of more restructuring at the German firm as it battles losses in the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the record bailout by the German government, the airline group has already confirmed it will be reducing the fleet by 100 aircraft and closing down its Germanwings operation.

The firm is now blaming further restructuring on the amount of money it will have to pay back following a series of rescue loans from European governments. The programme is called “ReNew” and is expected to run until December 2023 and is headed by Dr Detlef Kayser, a Member of the Lufthansa Group Executive Board and responsible for Airline Resources & Operations Standards -  Lufthansa has so far refused to give details of the total remuneration package Kayser will be getting for the role. 

The latest restructuring details released include:

Executive boards to be slimmed by one person at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Cargo AG, LSG Group, and Lufthansa Aviation Training.
Government loans and equity participation are to be reduced as quickly as possible to avoid a further increase in interest charges.
Leadership positions throughout the Group to be reduced by 20 percent.
The administration of Deutsche Lufthansa AG will be reduced by 1,000 positions.
Transform Lufthansa Airline into a separate corporate entity is being accelerated to avoid tax and repayment responsibilities.
Reduction of sub-fleets and the bundling of flight operations will be implemented.
 - At Lufthansa alone, 22 aircraft have already been phased out, including six Airbus A380, eleven Airbus A320 and five Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
The financial planning up to 2023 provides for the acceptance of a maximum of 80 new aircraft into the Lufthansa Group carriers’ fleets - half the previously expected amount.
Reduction by 22,000 full-time positions in the companies of Lufthansa Group.

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Hyatt Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas to open in 2021

Expected to open in early 2021, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will bring the luxury brand’s dedication to sustainable tourism, innovative eco-design and authentic destination experiences to Southern California

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed plans for the first new-build Alila resort in the Americas, located in Encinitas, California. Encinitas is a quintessential beach town in San Diego’s North County Coastal region growing in popularity with locals and visitors alike.  The Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will add to Hyatt’s growing Alila brand portfolio, joining Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, as the brand’s second hotel in California and the U.S., along with 14 other luxury properties worldwide.

The Alila brand features luxury hotels and resorts in unique locations, distinguished by innovative eco-design, a strong commitment to sustainable tourism as well as rare and intimate destination experiences.

Bombardier deliver 350th Challenger 350

Bombardier is celebrating the 350th delivery of its

Challenger 350 business jet earlier this week.  

“The 350th delivery of a Challenger 350 aircraft, reached after only six years in service, speaks volumes,” said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “This achievement shows the great confidence customers place in this aircraft and demonstrates Bombardier’s production proficiency and strong supplier base.”

The Challenger 350 aircraft is a popular choice in the business jet industry for its range and ability, a recent performance improvement package also allows the aircraft to fly up to 1,500 nautical miles farther than before out of short runways, complementing its already impressive takeoff and landing performance that includes steep-approach capability. Other enhancements include a compact head-up display (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS), class-leading cabin sound-proofing technology and refined cockpit aesthetics. 

The Challenger 350 business jet has a true, seats full, tanks full, 3,200-nautical-mile range and can connect New York to London!

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Leonardo confirm order for IFR-certified AW119 single engine helicopter

Leonardo announced this week that the EMS operator Life Link III, based in the upper-midwest United States, has placed an order for one IFR-certified AW119 single engine helicopter with a future option for a second aircraft. The aircraft will be added to an existing fleet of ten AW119Kx helicopters delivering in-flight critical care and transporting patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin with over 21,000 total flight hours amassed. Delivery from the AW119 final assembly line in Philadelphia is expected in the third quarter of 2021.

Neste delivers sustainable aviation fuel to San Francisco International Airport

Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from waste and residue raw materials, has delivered its first batch of sustainable aviation fuel to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) via pipeline, where it will be used by major airlines committed to reducing carbon emissions. 

Neste is the first company to deliver sustainable aviation fuel, under its brand name Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel™, to SFO using existing multi-product pipeline infrastructure. The same pipelines are originally designed to carry fossil fuels and other oil products.

“This is a major milestone in our goal to make San Francisco International Airport a hub for the use of sustainable aviation fuel in our pursuit of carbon neutrality,” says SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “By focusing on the entire supply chain process, achievements like this one have the power to transform the landscape of our entire industry. I am grateful for our partnership with Neste to make this climate quantum leap a reality.”

London Stansted to appeal planning refusal

MAG the owners of London Stansted have confirmed they will appeal a decision made by Uttlesford District Council’s Planning Committee to refuse the airport’s application to increase the current cap on passenger numbers from 35 to 43 million a year.

The airport said its proposals could be delivered without any increase in the number of flights that are currently allowed.  

The application was rejected by the Planning Committee on 24th January 2020 despite having been conditionally approved by them in November 2018. 

Later this month London Stansted will formally submit an appeal to The Planning Inspectorate, an executive agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Planning Inspectorate will then oversee a public inquiry before making its recommendation to Government.

KLM reopens lounges with no safety measures or social distancing in place

KLM has reopened its European Schengen Crown Lounge at Schiphol. The KLM Crown Lounge (Non-Schengen) remained open to customers, offering them an opportunity to continue to use the most important facilities. With not a mask insight, almost as if Coronavirus never happened and there hadn't been 6155 deaths in the Netherlands from it,  or currently over 44, 700 active infections.  The airline hasn't made the safety of guests its top priority in opening its lounges before any other European airline.  It's not known how many KLM staff have tested positive for the virus. 

Delta Cargo partners with PayCargo to offer new payment platform

Delta Cargo has partnered with online payment platform PayCargo and Unisys to offer customers an additional option to pay for their shipments’ destination charges. The new service for cargo shipments that originated internationally and delivered throughout the U.S. will be available starting July 10, 2020.

PayCargo is the world’s leading online payment platform for the air cargo and shipping industry. Its secure and easy-to-use system has cost benefits directly for Delta Cargo’s customers as it automates data flows, eliminates the need to send paper checks and enables same-day release of cargo. To use the system, customers must first register via the PayCargo website. Customers will then receive updated charges information and efficiently process payments due at the destination. Once payment is made, Delta Cargo is notified in real-time to process the shipment and expedite shipment release.

Airfreight Forwarding Market 2020-2024

Technavio has been monitoring the airfreight forwarding market and it is poised to grow by 7.67 million tons during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

The market is concentrated, and the degree of concentration will accelerate during the forecast period. A.P. Moller Maersk AS, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., CEVA Logistics AG, Deutsche Bahn AG, Deutsche Post AG, DSV Panalpina AS, FedEx Corp., Kuehne Nagel International AG, United Parcel Service of America Inc., and XPO Logistics Inc. are some of the major market participants. The increasing US agricultural export to China will offer immense growth opportunities. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Armed Forces pay tribute to 'Forces Sweetheart' at funeral of Dame Vera Lynn

Armed Forces personnel paid tribute to Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn at her funeral today, with street lining and a flypast by Second World War aircraft.

Image above is of two Spitfire aircraft from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flying over Dame Vera Lynn's funeral

Personnel from all three services formed a bearer party to carry Dame Vera’s coffin into the funeral service. A Royal Marines bugler performed The Last Post and the Reveille during the ceremony.

Dame Vera enjoyed a special connection with the Armed Forces, and her family requested that military personnel take part in the ceremonies at her funeral today.

Personnel from all three services formed a bearer party to carry Dame Vera’s coffin into the funeral service

More flights, service return in July as Delta continues industry-leading safety measures

As economies reopen and border restrictions lift, Delta will add almost 1,000 flights system-wide in July, boosting service and nonstop connectivity to popular summer destinations and major business markets.

Customers traveling or considering travel this summer can feel confident in a safe experience throughout the journey, from check-in to baggage claim. Delta has implemented several measures to encourage extra space and provide peace of mind at the airport, as well as committed to capping cabin seating at 60 percent in Main Cabin and 50 percent in First Class and blocking middle seats through Sept. 30, 2020.

See what it’s like to travel with Delta.

“Confidence in a safe travel experience is key to a successful recovery,” said Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “While we’re rebuilding our network at home and abroad, it’s even more critical that we provide the highest industry standard of safety, space and clean so when our customers are ready to travel, we’re ready for them.”

Customers also have the flexibility to change their plans without a fee for a year, for new flights purchased through July 31.

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is expecting a surge of passengers

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is expecting a surge of passengers from today, the 10 July, the date from which UK nationals can take holidays to some countries without facing a 14-day quarantine on return.

Last week, the Government announced ‘travel corridors’ with a number of countries in Europe and further afield, some of which include the most popular destinations served by passenger airlines from EMA. Furthermore, Foreign Office advice against non-essential travel will also be relaxed from 10 July.

Confidence is already building since the announcement and, in the last week alone, the airport has seen a 16% increase in the number of passengers turning up for flights and, in a further sign of demand for summer sun, a 25% increase in car park bookings during the last week. On 7 July, 152 people boarded a flight to Alicante, the most passengers to board a single plane since passenger flights resumed on 21 June.

SkyTeam, oneworld and Star Alliance join forces to give customers confidence in travel

The three global airline alliances, SkyTeam - of which Delta is a founding member - oneworld and Star Alliance have combined forces to highlight how airlines are working to ensure customers’ wellbeing while travelling.  

Dear Travellers is a video created to give an insight into the many measures customers can expect to see over the coming months, as travel restrictions are slowly eased and the world starts to reopen. 

Together, the three alliances represent more than 50 percent of the world’s air traffic. Each has announced a multi-layered approach to safer operations with initiatives that meet or exceed the stringent measures recommended by health experts, regulators and leading industry bodies.  

The alliances are recommending a number of safety measures that Delta already has in place, such as wearing face coverings and using HEPA filters, but we have also implemented initiatives above and beyond these including capping capacity and blocking middle seats onboard our flights. 

Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam’s CEO, said: “The safety and well-being of passengers and employees have always been our members’ number one priority. We have seen an incredible level of cooperation within the entire aviation community to implement multiple layers of protection around health and hygiene. Passengers can be assured that when they travel many actions have been taken to enhance their personal safety in the airport and the air.” 

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