The Cathay Pacific Group expects to reach pre-pandemic capacity levels by end of 2024.......

The Cathay Pacific Group expects to resume 70% of pre-COVID passenger capacity levels by end of 2023

Group aims to reach pre-pandemic capacity levels by end of 2024; will add about 3,000 flights and reach one-third capacity by end of 2022

The Cathay Pacific Group – comprising passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express – is committed to restoring passenger capacity and connectivity in the Hong Kong aviation hub to serve the needs of the Hong Kong and international travel markets. It anticipates that the Group will be operating around 70% of its pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by the end of 2023 with an aim to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, ahead of the Asia-Pacific traffic forecast issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Following the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s recent adjustments to anti-pandemic measures for travellers and aircrew entering Hong Kong, the Group has already announced the addition of about 3,000 passenger flight sectors from October until the end of December this year.

Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said: “The Group is on track to achieve its target of operating up to one-third of its pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity levels by the end of 2022. This represents a doubling of the capacity that we offered in August and is approximately eight times the average capacity the airline operated in the first half of 2022.

“As the COVID-19 situation eases, airlines around the world have been rebuilding their capacity. This requires the global aviation ecosystem, including airports, suppliers and our own airlines, to undertake a substantial amount of preparation with regards to crew and ground employees, aircraft reactivation and recruitment. This is a challenge faced by airlines, industry suppliers and airports around the world and one which takes time and robust planning to overcome.

“We are taking a measured and responsible approach to managing our own road to recovery, with a need to address challenges that are unique to Hong Kong. The city’s borders were closed for much longer than other markets and importantly, aircrew in Hong Kong were uniquely under quarantine constraints that weren’t lifted until September. Despite all this, our recovery trajectory is in line with other carriers that don’t benefit from a domestic market in terms of the time taken since borders began to open.

“Importantly, we have sufficient pilots, cabin crew and operational employees to support our current flight schedules, and we are confident that our ongoing recruitment plans will ensure this remains the case throughout the recovery. The short-term bottlenecks lie in the recertification of pilots who have not been flying regularly for a long period of time and the reactivation of aircraft. We have been bolstering our capabilities to expedite this process.”

The Cathay Pacific Group remains confident about the long-term prospects for the aviation sector in Hong Kong, as it looks forward to the complete removal of all travel constraints by the HKSAR Government to facilitate the full resumption of travel activities both to and from Hong Kong that can enhance the city’s hub connectivity.

Mr Tang added: “Under the 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong has an important role to play in the overall development of the country. Notably, the Plan reinforces the importance of strengthening Hong Kong as an international aviation hub. As we continue to increase our passenger flight capacity, we also look forward to the completion of the Three Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport in 2024 which remains pivotal to the long-term future of the hub.

UK to provide 1,000 more surface to air missiles to Ukraine

UK has provided approximately 1,000 additional surface to air missiles to help counter the Russian threat to Ukrainian infrastructure

The Defence Secretary made the announcement while visiting training sites alongside the Secretary General of NATO and JEF Defence Ministers

The UK has now trained over 7,400 recruits from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), and over 60 AFU Junior leaders

The UK's  Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that the UK will shortly complete the delivery of approximately 1,000 additional surface-to-air missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This comes in response to Ukrainian requests for more air defence capabilities, and the missiles will play a vital role in the provision of air defence for Ukraine and the protection of its critical infrastructure which is being continually targeted by Russia.

The missiles can be used in conjunction with existing Armed Forces of Ukraine capabilities. The equipment consists of launchers and missiles and is capable of shooting down air targets, including Russian drones and cruise missiles.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:  "This commitment of hundreds more surface-to-air missiles continues our defensive support for Ukraine against Russian aggression - and will help Ukraine counter the threat from illegal targeting of critical national infrastructure."

The announcement comes as Defence Secretary has today visited two training sites where over 7,400 Ukrainian recruits have been trained by UK forces alongside eight partner nations.

At the sites being used for training, the Defence Secretary welcomed the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the morning, and his counterparts from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations this afternoon, some of whom were able to see their own military personnel conducting the training.

Currently 1,900 Ukrainian recruits are in the UK taking part in the training programme and will soon return to their home country. When they complete the training, they are provided with items including combat clothing, body armour and ear defence, waterproofs and sleeping bags.

Asia expansion for Jetstar Asia - five key destinations added to schedule in December

Jetstar Asia has received approval to operate 21 additional weekly services from Singapore to five popular Southeast Asia cities including Bangkok, Bali, Penang, Phnom Penh and Phuket. 

In December, the new services will create better access to key Southeast Asia cities and provide more opportunities for customers to travel freely within the region. Jetstar Asia CEO, Barathan Pasupathi, said as the peak travel season approached, customers were getting excited about planning their end-of-year trips. 

“We’re seeing strong demand for air travel in the upcoming holiday period, and we’re responding to ensure more of our customers have more options for low-fares travel during this time,” Mr Pasupathi said. "These new services are a response to the pent-up demand for travel and reflects Jetstar Asia's ongoing focus on rebuilding our extensive network.” 

All Jetstar Asia (3K) services will continue to operate out of Terminal 1 in Singapore's Changi Airport until March 2023. 

Additional Jetstar Asia (3K) services from Singapore: 

Bangkok: Services will increase from 9 to 17 flights a week with two weekday and one Sunday service, to support the pent-up demand for travel between Singapore and Bangkok. One-way low fares start from SGD182. 

Bali: Five additional weekly services will operate to Denpasar, bringing the total weekly flights from 9 to 14. One-way low fares start from SGD138. 

Phnom Penh: An additional weekday service will be introduced to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, offering customers daily flights. One-way low fares are available from SGD136. 

Penang: Two additional services to Penang will enable travellers more options to fly to the Pearl of the Orient. One-way low fares start from SGD130. 

Phuket: Five additional services will be added to the line-up of services to Phuket, offering customers daily services to the popular beach destination. Fares start from SGD156. 

Customers who think their travel plans might change can add FareCredit to their bookings on selected flights in the Jetstar network. With FareCredit, customers can cancel their booking up until airport check-in opens and get a credit voucher for the value of the flight, plus any in-flight extras like baggage, meals, and seats, with exclusions. 

Jetstar’s Fly Well safety measures offer an added layer of protection and demonstrate our commitment to keeping our people and our customers safe.

Jetstar’s mission is to offer low fares to enable more people to fly to more places, more often. The airline was launched in Australia in 2004 and has since gone on to fly more than 250 million passengers.

Prior to the pandemic, it had one of the Asia Pacific’s largest low fares networks by revenue. Jetstar-branded carriers operate more than 5,000 flights a week to more than 85 destinations.

The group consists of:

Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand is wholly owned by the Qantas Group.

Jetstar Asia Airways, based in Singapore and managed by Newstar Holdings, is majority-owned by Singapore company Westbrook Investments (51 per cent), with the Qantas Group holding the remaining 49 per cent.

Jetstar Japan is a partnership between the Qantas Group, Japan Airlines and Tokyo Century Corporation.

The Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer is Gareth Evans.

Amsterdam host city of the next IATA Wings of Change Europe event

Amsterdam host city of the next IATA Wings of Change Europe 

The fourth edition of the successful IATA Wings of Change Europe event will next year be held in Amsterdam with KLM as host carrier. This was announced in Istanbul today. The two-day event will take place around the beginning of November and is expected to attract more than 400 invitees to discuss key themes for the airline industry, such as sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and infrastructure.

As a member of the IATA Board of Governors, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel is the voice of the Netherlands in this international trade association for the world's airlines. Her position is important for KLM, considering the enormous challenges facing the sector. The IATA, representing around 290 airlines from 120 countries, aims to shape a safe, secure and sustainable air transport industry. 

Silk Way West Airlines orders two 777-8 freighters

Photo Boeing

Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines have finalized an order of two 777-8 Freighters, with options for two additional aeroplanes. The two companies announced the agreement at a signing ceremony today at Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Seattle Delivery Center.

The Azerbaijani cargo carrier, which serves 40 destinations around the world, is the first customer in the Eurasia region to order the industry's newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter.  The order was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

"We are pleased to announce this order with our longstanding partner Boeing and become one of the world's first customers for the newest freighter," said Zaur Akhundov, Silk Way Group president. "This year Silk Way West Airlines celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade the carrier has been operating an all-Boeing fleet. Today's agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing's market-leading freighters. Our fleet renewal plans will help to further reduce our operating costs and enhance fuel efficiency as well as make air freight services in our region more sustainable."

Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January 2022 and has booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 Freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter while providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne. It is the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade.

"With sustained demand for air cargo tied to expanding e-commerce and air freight's speed and reliability, Boeing expects the global freighter fleet to increase by 60% through 2041," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are proud that Boeing products, including this order for the 777-8 Freighter, continue to drive Silk Way West Airlines' expansion plans and help realize the ambition of making Baku a global cargo hub."

Boeing provides more than 90% of the worldwide dedicated freighter capacity, including new production and converted aircraft.

Three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft for Air Astana

Three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on lease from Air Lease Corporation for Air Astana

                      Air Lease Corporation has agreed on the long-term lease placements on three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan.  

The leasing giant has said these aircraft are scheduled to deliver to Air Astana beginning in early 2025 through spring 2026 from its existing order book with Boeing. 

“We are pleased to announce this lease placement for three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Air Astana today,” said Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation.  “These three ALC Dreamliner aircraft will greatly enhance Air Astana’s long-range capabilities and passenger comfort as the airline expands international routes from Kazakhstan.”

“ALC is honoured to announce this lease placement with the longtime customer, Air Astana, and be a part of the airline’s fleet modernization program by adding three highly efficient new Boeing 787-9 aircraft to Air Astana’s fleet,” added Alex Khatibi, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation. 

“The Boeing 787-9 is an important aircraft to Air Astana’s fleet modernization as we expand our routes and focus on passenger experience,” said Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana.  “The Dreamliner offers fuel efficiency and range flexibility that will greatly add to our current fleet operations.”

IAG Cargo expands Asia-Pacific capacity with restart between London and Tokyo

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced the restart of its direct service between London Heathrow and Tokyo airport with daily flights commencing from 13th November. The revival of this service will be welcomed by IAG Cargo customers from both regions after its year-long pause.

IAG Cargo announces the restart of flights between London and Tokyo on 13th November, as passenger travel restrictions ease.

This direct service will operate daily on British Airways Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 wide body aircraft.

This route will facilitate the movement of pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive goods, and Japanese dried food.

IAG Cargo, has announced the restart of its direct service between Heathrow and Tokyo. Photo IAG Cargo

Throughout the duration of the pandemic, IAG Cargo maintained its customer offering on this popular trade route via its cargo-only services and worked with interline partners to transport cargo between the regions. The service utilizes the belly hold capacity of British Airways Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 wide-body aircraft.

This service will support the flow of pharmaceuticals, made possible by IAG Cargo’s Constant Climate service for handling temperature-sensitive goods. Electronics and automotive parts are amongst other popular items, as well as unique shipments including Japanese dried foods. In 2021, the volume of air freight handled at Tokyo Haneda Airport in Japan amounted to roughly 828.06 thousand tonnes, up from around 772 thousand tonnes in the previous year [i].

Rob Wiemerink, Regional Commercial Manager for Asia Pacific and Middle East at IAG Cargo commented, “It’s great to see the return of our service between London and Tokyo – Japan for many years has played an important role in IAG Cargo’s Far East network. This route not only offers our customers capacity between UK, Europe and Asia, but also facilitates the movement of trade into North and South America. I’m pleased to see these important trade lanes beginning to return after a long-awaited pause due to Covid-19.”

IAG Cargo continues to expand its South Asia capacity with 16 destinations in Asia Pacific, India & Middle East from 13th November.

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1242472/japan-air-cargo-volume-handled-tokyo-haneda-airport/

Britain’s first female combat pilot honoured for motivating others to succeed against the odds

Britain’s first female combat pilot honoured for motivating others to succeed against the odds

Jo Salter, who became the Royal Air Force’s first female fast-jet pilot, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bournemouth University, in recognition of her efforts to promote inclusivity and motivate others.

"The day that I received the call offering me an honorary doctorate was just amazing," said Jo. "I was born in Bournemouth, I had holidays in Bournemouth as a child and I've always wanted to do my doctorate here so to receive that phone call was one of the most special days of my life."

Jo joined the RAF’s University Cadetship scheme at the age of 18 - in the first year it was opened to women. Having qualified as an Engineering Officer, a change in law enabled women to become pilots for the first time and Jo began her flight training. She later qualified as a fast-jet pilot and became the first woman to gain combat-ready status.

Having been involved in NATO exercises around the world, including supporting the ‘no-fly zone’ over Iraq in the mid-1990s, she went on to become an RAF flight instructor. Today she leads thousands of air cadets on flights as an Honorary Group Captain and continues to use her experiences to motivate others as an author and public speaker.

In an already high-pressure role, Jo recalls the added stresses of being one of only a handful of women to be flying at this level. While she was confident in her own abilities and readiness for the job, she concedes that it sometimes felt some of the air crew were not quite ready for her.

Priorities for Asia-Pacific Post COVID

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged the Asia-Pacific region to prepare for the anticipated surge in traffic and provide policy support for the industry’s decarbonization efforts, as the region moves forward from COVID-19.

“The last three years have been extremely challenging for the airline industry. Asian airlines, in particular, were hit hard, accounting for about a third of the industry’s losses between 2020 and this year. With the region finally emerging from COVID-19, governments have a key role to play in accelerating the recovery, and supporting the industry’s sustainable growth,” said Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Senior Vice President and Deputy Director General. 

Clifford was speaking at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents in Bangkok.

Emerging from COVID-19

Photo IATA

“Asia has been a laggard. The rest of the world started lifting restrictions and reopening borders last year. However, it was only around April this year that positive momentum was seen in Asia. That is why international passenger demand in September was only at 41.5% of 2019 levels, the lowest among regions,” said Clifford. North American carriers led the way at 89% of 2019 levels, while the other regions were in the 73%-83% range. 

“Asia-Pacific governments can accelerate the recovery. There is no reason why we cannot travel as we did before the pandemic. The region also needs to prepare for the surge in traffic. The delays and congestion experienced in Europe and North America should be a stark reminder for airports and government agencies in Asia-Pacific. Now is the time to get the capacity in place, both in terms of infrastructure and the manpower,” said Clifford. IATA is also calling for more digitization of processes so as to be able to handle the increase in traffic. 

Clifford recognized the region’s recovery will be held back as long as China remains closed to international travel. “We must learn to live, travel and work with COVID-19. We hope the Chinese government will have the confidence to re-open its borders soon and connect with the world,” he said. 

Marriott Vacation Club Opens Newest Resort, Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace

The villas at The Marriott's Bali Nusa Dua Terrace. The new resort offers spacious, high-design villas featuring a fully equipped kitchen,
a separate bedroom suite with a spa-like bathroom, and an outdoor terrace with a private plunge pool. (Photo: Business Wire)

Marriott Vacation Club — a global industry leader in Vacation Ownership and brand of Marriott Vacations Worldwide has officially opened Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace. The brand’s second vacation ownership property in Bali is perched in the hills of the island’s southernmost region, roughly 20 minutes away from the airport and near the area’s most popular beaches and cultural sites.

“We had long ago set our sights on making Bali a destination available to both our owners and guests, and we are excited to be opening our second property here. Last year, Tripadvisor named Bali the most popular global destination, which is no surprise as it is known around the world for its pristine white sand beaches and vibrant culture, all enhanced by the warmth of Balinese locals,” says John Geller, President of Marriott Vacations Worldwide. “We know travellers are looking for more flexibility and independence on how they spend their vacation, and by expanding our Vacation Club portfolio, we have deepened our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, and we’re making bucket-list destinations like Bali more approachable.”

The Resort

Tucked away in the tranquil community of Nusa Dua, Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace combines the best of vacation ownership and a lifestyle resort experience. The resort features 88 units offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury apartments designed to feel like a private residence with a spacious living area, fully equipped kitchen, separate bedroom suite with a spa-like bathroom, and outdoor terrace with a private plunge pool. Each apartment’s interior features artfully blended rich hues and intricate wood carvings as well as pillows, throws, and other décor with colourful patterns, gold accents, and diverse textures to reflect the joy and spirit of local Balinese culture – specifically, the annual Galungan Celebration, which is one of the island’s most important traditions. Apartment amenities include a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and in-unit washer and dryer, with baby/toddler items such as cribs and highchairs available upon request.

The exterior of Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace. The new resort provides Marriott Vacation Club owners and leisure guests a new way to experience Bali’s rich culture. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Whether visiting for a family vacation, romantic getaway, or to work remotely from a dream destination, our owners and guests can curate their own version of paradise thanks to the premium travel experience our apartments provide,” says Novi Murad, general manager of Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace. “The co-located Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort provides authentic Balinese wellness experiences, all-day dining, and hands-on activities inspired by the region. Once owners and guests get a feel for the Marriott Vacation Club experience, they can also visit our new sales gallery on property where they can learn about the benefits of vacation ownership with Marriott Vacation Club.”

Owners and guests of Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace have full access to the shared amenities at the co-located Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort. The 5-star hotel currently features:

Airly secures new $5.5M funding round to fight air pollution and save lives

Airly secures new $5.5M funding round to fight air pollution and save lives

Air pollution is the most-pressing environmental health crisis of our time with approximately nine in 10 people around the world breathing unclean air. Helping to spotlight this existential threat, cleantech startup Airly is today announcing a $5.5M series A funding round as it targets cleaning the air by understanding the exact sources based on sensor data and comprehensive actionable insights. 

The funding round was led by firstminute capital and Pi Labs with participation from existing investors including. Sir Richard Branson Family Office, AENU, Untitled and new investors including Slack co-founder Cal Henderson, Snowflake co-founder Marcin Zukowski as well as institutional investors Semapa Next and TO Ventures. With this funding round, Airly has raised $8.8M from investors since March 2021, as it now scales to realize the potential of its complete air quality monitoring platform and supporting local governments determined to fight for clean air with an end-to-end solution. 

Hamad International Airport Officially Unveils Impressive Expansion Project

HIA's ambitions and futuristic vision can be witnessed within the newly announced ORCHARD – a tropical garden located at the centre of the terminal expansion. Photo HIA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) officially unveils its impressive airport expansion project to the world, enriching passengers' experiences and transforming HIA into an extraordinary destination where any journey is worthwhile.

H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, stated: "We are very pleased to be launching the expansion of Hamad International Airport, an airport that has truly grown to become the ultimate example of a successful, sustainable global facility. HIA continues to impress with its innovative planning, execution and investment – enhancing its position as the preferred hub for global travellers and reinforcing HIA's position amongst the top leaders of this industry. The opening of our newly expanded terminal further connects the growing number of travellers to all corners of the world, enriching people's experiences and proudly representing the State of Qatar's rich culture and prestige."

Commenting on the expansion, Chief Operating Officer at HIA Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: "We are immensely proud to officially launch our airport expansion. Our growth plan will see us welcome over 58 million passengers annually – offering global travellers the best services the industry has to offer. Through the expansion, we have upgraded our facilities and offerings – creating the ultimate destination for passengers."

The ORCHARD: A tropical masterpiece

HIA's ambitions and futuristic vision can be witnessed within the newly announced ORCHARD – a tropical garden located at the centre of the terminal expansion. The ORCHARD is an indoor tropical garden with a beautiful water feature that will be the focal point for visitors at HIA. With a host of different flora – the ORCHARD includes over 300 trees and over 25,000 plants sourced from sustainable forests from around the world.

An expansive terminal like no other

Consisting of one expansive terminal, the two-time world's best airport will welcome passengers with facilities and services curated for all ages. The expansion now enables travellers to seamlessly transfer from one area to another, exploring the wonders that HIA has to offer with its infused warmth and hospitality.

Exquisite F&B and Retail options

The enhanced retail offer also includes an unrivalled selection of luxury boutiques, including the first Dior Boutique at HIA, only FIFA shop in the world, Thom Brown only store in an airport, largest Ray Ban store in an airport, and a lineup of prestigious brands such as flagship Louis Vuitton Boutique, Gucci, Burberry, Tiffany, and Co. Bvlgari, and many more world-class brands.

A second airport hotel and multiple new lounges

As part of the overall expansion, HIA has launched the second airport hotel within its transfer area, the Oryx Garden Hotel. Located in the north plaza, the 100-room hotel focuses on sustainability, with rooms ranging from king to twin, as well as suites strategically located moments away from the boarding gates.

Part of the expansion project are four brand-new lounges for passengers to relax and unwind.

A sustainable destination

With sustainability at the core of HIA's plans, the airport has managed to have four of the expansion projects achieve a 4-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) from Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD).

With the Phase A of HIA's expansion plans now up and ready, Phase B of the expansion – set to commence in early 2023 – will further increase the capacity to well over 70 million passengers.

As HIA continues to transform the industry with innovative experiences and breathtaking features, the award-winning airport looks to a bright, sustainable future where possibilities are endless.

Lithuanian airports' aviation results for October 2022

Lithuanian airports' aviation results for October 2022

 Photo   Lithuanian Airports

Aviation growth continues to rapidly catch up with the pre-pandemic (2019) results, with nearly 90% of passenger traffic and 80% of flight traffic restored this October. Last month, 548 000 passengers travelled through Lithuanian airports, 4 713 flights were handled, and cargo volumes grew. Kaunas Airport continues to demonstrate an exceptional rate of recovery and has outperformed some of the indicators for the same month in 2019.

According to the Route Development Manager of Lithuanian Airports, Tomas Zitikis, the growth in the number of passengers has been influenced by the rapid increase in charter flights.

“From September to October, charter passenger traffic grew by 15%. This year's charter traffic is 4% higher than in the same period a year ago. One of the main factors behind the growth in October is the school holidays and the possibility of travelling for longer holidays,” said T. Zitikis.

He also mentioned that Kaunas Airport's recovery momentum continues to stand out. For the seventh month in a row, the airport has outperformed its 2019 numbers.

“In October, passenger traffic at Kaunas Airport grew by 6.8% compared to the same period in 2019. We managed to restore 98% of flight traffic and cargo traffic grew 1.5 times.” - T. Zitikis commented.

Freight transport shows the fastest growth

As T. Zitikis points out, all airports are experiencing growth in both flight and passenger traffic. However, the fastest recovery is seen among cargo traffic.

“Freight transport, like travelling, is seasonal. However, it is important to understand that passenger traffic peaks in Lithuanian airports in the summer, while cargo traffic peaks in the winter. In October this year, we handled 28% more cargo than in the same period in 2019. This is due to high demand for e-commerce. Typically, it drops slightly in the summer period, but demand picks up in the run-up to the major holidays. Seasonality is also reflected in this year's aviation figures.” - stated T. Zitikis.

Canadian leisure airline Canada Jetlines has confirmed a new international nonstop service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) in Florida.

 

             Canada Jetlines the new, all-Canadian, leisure airline, has confirmed a new international nonstop service out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) in Florida.

The Canadian carrier’s second route into the United States will launch starting with two flights per week and increased frequency to follow. Located 50 miles southeast of Orlando, Melbourne connects Florida visitors to Orlando, Central Florida’s Space Coast and Cocoa Beach. The new service out of Toronto will be Canada Jetlines’ fourth nonstop route, following the announcement of Las Vegas. Operation of these flights are subject to final Federal Aviation Administration approval.

“Our Canada Jetlines family is thrilled to launch service to another exciting U.S. destination this winter – continuing expansion of our international network of convenient leisure and business travel,” stated Eddy Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of Canada Jetlines. “Canada is one of the top countries for international tourists to Central Florida and we are pleased to connect Canadians to their favorite sun-destinations as they begin to plan winter vacations.”

“We are delighted to welcome Canada Jetlines to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport,” said MLB Executive Director Greg Donovan. A.A.E. “Adding Canada Jetlines to our ever-growing roster of air service partners is an incredible win for MLB and the community we proudly serve. We are thrilled to offer this new service for visiting Canadians making it easy for our guests to enjoy all that the Space Coast and Central Florida have to offer. Between the added convenience for second homeowners or quick accessibility for our beloved ‘snowbirds’, the new service is well timed and appreciated.”

“The addition of Jetlines to the roster for MLB is another great route from Toronto, Canada, and a sign that the Space Coast is a hot destination internationally. We welcome them to the family and look forward to a long-lasting partnership!” said Peter Cranis, Executive Director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

Flights are scheduled to commence on Jan 19th, 2023, with tickets now on sale via Jetlines.com or contact your favorite Travel Agency. Canada Jetlines will operate the route with its growing fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, including its recently announced second aircraft which is expected to be delivered by this December.

The announcement comes as work nears completion on the $72 million-dollar terminal renovation and expansion project at MLB. The project will provide major upgrades to the comfort and convenience of the MLB customer experience with the addition of 86,000 square feet of new facilities.

This new service will complement the airlines’ current operations of biweekly flights, operating Thursdays, and Sundays out of Toronto (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC) from 07:55am -- EST 10:10am MST and returns from Calgary (YYC) to Toronto (YYZ) 11:40am MST – 17:20 EST.

Breeze Airways introduces service from Orange County’s John Wayne Airport

Breeze Airways A220 at Sunset.  Photo Breeze Airways

Budget carrier Breeze Airways has announced the addition of John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County to its expanding route network.  The new city becomes Breeze’s 34th served and also signifies the airline’s 100th nonstop route, connecting California’s Orange County with Florida’s own Orange County in Orlando (MCO). 

Breeze is also adding nonstop service between SNA and Provo/Salt Lake City, UT (PVU), and one-stop/no plane change ‘BreezeThru’ service between Provo and Orlando. Flights will start on February 16, 2023.

Orange County (SNA) to:

Orlando, FL (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $119* one way; Nicer from $189*; Nicest from $199*); and

Provo, UT (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $49* one way; Nicer from $89*; Nicest from $99*).

Orlando, FL (MCO) to:

Orange County, CA (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $119* one way; Nicer from $189*; Nicest from $199*); and

Provo, UT (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $139* one way; Nicer from $189*; Nicest from $199*).

Provo, UT (PVU) to:

Orange County, CA (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $49* one way; Nicer from $89*; Nicest from $99*); and

Orlando, FL (Daily, starting February 16, Nice from $139* one way; Nicer from $189*; Nicest from $199*).

“Today marks both our 100th nonstop and our 34th destination with the addition of Orange County,” said Tom Doxey, Breeze Airways’ President. “I can’t think of a better way to commemorate this milestone than for the ‘nicest airline’ to connect two of the ‘happiest places on earth’ while also giving our Provo Guests an epic daytrip option from their house to the ‘house of the mouse’ in Orange County.”

“We are pleased to welcome a new airline partner to our diverse group of carriers,” said Charlene Reynolds, Airport Director. “Breeze supports community interests by bringing Orange County a fleet of cleaner, quieter aircraft. We are excited to deliver a superior level of convenience for our guests with additional service and new destinations.”

Breeze took flight in May 2021 and has quickly expanded across the U.S. connecting underserved city pairs with fast, efficient flights. The airline’s business model centers around offering affordable fares with plenty of perks including no change and cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure, free family seating and enhanced seating options including Extra Legroom and First Class seats**. Guests can choose from a la carte or bundled options to create a travel experience that meets their needs.

Seat pitch for a Standard Economy seat is 30 inches on the A220s and 31 inches on the E-195s, while seat pitch for Extra Legroom is 32 inches on the A220s and between 34 and 39 inches on the E-195s, depending on the row selected. First Class seats feature 39 inches of seat pitch, 20.5 inches of seat width, and special features, such as a footrest, for added comfort, and in-seat AC power and USB/C ports.

*Promotional fare is only available when booking a new reservation for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Promotion must be purchased by November 15, 2022 (11:59 pm ET) for travel by May 16, 2023. Price displayed includes taxes and government fees. Fare prices, rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

** First Class seating only available on flights operated on the A220-300