Aviation Capital Group Announces Delivery of One A320neo to JetSMART

Aviation Capital Group have announced the delivery of one new Airbus A320neo aircraft on long-term lease to JetSMART. This aircraft featuring Pratt & Whitney PW1127GA-JM engines delivers from ACG’s order book with Airbus.

“We are pleased to continue developing our partnership with JetSMART with this A320neo delivery. We are honored to support JetSMART’s fleet expansion with this modern, fuel-efficient aircraft,” said Marine Benoit, ACG Vice President Marketing for the Latin American region.

“This new A320neo, with the most efficient and advanced technology, shows our commitment to the development of our sustainable ultra-low-cost business in South America. One more step closer to our goal of 100 aircraft by 2028,” said Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART.

easyJet looking to the older generation to join as cabin crew....

U.S. airlines have long employed older folks as members of cabin crew, some even into their 70s, but European carriers have lagged behind.  However, that is changing with easyJet's latest recruitment drive aimed at ‘Empty nesters’!

easyJet looks to over 45-year-olds in new cabin crew recruitment campaign 

The budget airline is aiming its sights at parents whose children have left the family home or have started their own careers, as well as anyone looking for a new career challenge later in life to join the airline as members of the cabin crew. 

The airline has seen a 27% increase in cabin crew over the age of 45 since 2018, including a 30% increase in those over 60 in the last year.

The campaign comes following recent research by easyJet which revealed that, in a survey of 2,000 British adults over 45, over three quarters (78%) said that they would like to take on a new challenge once their children have flown the nest. Over half said (58%) they were most excited about starting a new career.

Over half (57%) of respondents also said that now their children are not dependent on them anymore, they hope to find a new career in something they are truly passionate about.

The new recruitment campaign has been launched with a series of new ads featuring real-life cabin crew who joined easyJet in the past year including Mike Tear (57), Gary Fellowes (63) and Carlos Santa Monica (48).

easyJet is encouraging, even more, to apply, with their wealth of life experiences and transferable skills, such as customer service and people management, making many ideal candidates for the job.

The campaign launch comes during National Older Workers Week, which is taking place from 21 to 25 November 2022. Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that there are over nine million 50+ workers now on payrolls, an increase of more than 210,000 since last year.

Neil, 59, followed in the footsteps of his daughter Holly, 29, to become cabin crew in 2019 having previously worked in engineering and sales. 

Speaking about his decision to start a new career as a cabin crew member, Neil said:  “I decided I needed a new challenge and wanted a job I could enjoy and would look forward to work each day. Knowing how much Holly loved the job and with her encouragement, I applied and found myself in Luton Academy for training and I have loved it ever since.”

Karen, 54, and Daniela, 21, a mother and daughter, are also both easyJet cabin crew who started flying with the airline this year. Mum, Karen, who previously worked as a holiday rep while living in Spain, was inspired by her daughter to apply to become cabin crew as she was looking for a change of career.

Up to £100 off flights with Virgin Atlantic's Black Friday deal

Virgin Atlantic Black Friday deal

up to £100 off flights.

Virgin Atlantic have a special Black Friday deal of up to £100 off flights.

Dates: 25th November - 29th November 

Virgin Atlantic Black Friday – up to £100 off flights.

Cabin Classes:

Up to £20 off Economy Light, Classic and Delight Return Flights.

Up to £20 off Premium Return Flights. 

Up to £100 off Upper Class Return Flights.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Discounts verified: 18 November 2022. Available for new online bookings only made between 00:00 25 November 2022 and 23:59 28 November 2022 at www.virginatlantic.com, for travel up until 30 June 2023. Select dates may be excluded from the Black Friday event. Subject to limited availability and full terms and conditions – see below. 

Promotional fares are strictly subject to limited availability and are offered on a first come, first served basis. The number of seats available on each flight at the savings fare detailed above is restricted and it is possible that the seats allocated on a particular flight may be fully booked, even though seats are still available in other booking classes. Some flights may have no availability on certain dates and popular dates (i.e. weekends, school and public holidays) will fill quickly. 

The fares detailed above are for travel from 01Dec22 with all travel complete by 30 JUN 23 

a) Round trips are permitted. 

b) Round trips where the destination of the outward sector and the departure point of the return sector differ are not permitted. 

c) One-way trips are not permitted. 

d) Trips including sectors on airlines other than Virgin Atlantic including codeshares are not permitted. 

E) Booking Classes: O, N, K & Z    

For all destinations a maximum and minimum stay policy applies. 

Stopovers and open-date returns are not permitted. 

Children (under 12) and infants (under 2) who require a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. Alternatively, infants (under 2) who do not require a seat pay 10% of the full adult fare (exclusive of passenger taxes, fees, charges and carrier imposed surcharges). 

Once a booking has been confirmed: 

Cancellations, refunds and changes are based on our current flexible booking policy (found here https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/your-journey-with-us/no-change-fees-policy.html) 

Flying Club Points, bonus Points and tier points are available on selected flights. Please check at time of booking. 

Virgin Atlantic’s published Conditions of Carriage apply and are available at http://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/help-centre/conditions-of-carriage.html.

Virgin Atlantic reserves the right to (i) withdraw the promotion (ii) cancel or change the promotion, (iii) amend these terms and conditions at any time if circumstances make this necessary and without further notice. 

These Terms and Conditions are subject to English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. 

For full terms and conditions please visit https://www.virginatlantic.com.

Virgin Atlantic Black Friday – up to £100 off flights.

Can pilots and cabin crew use crypto when they're away?

Can Pilots and Cabin Crew Use Crypto When They're Away?

Photo Kelly at Pexels

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies worldwide,  it's no surprise that more and more people are turning to them as a reliable medium of exchange.  But what about airline pilots and cabin crew, who are often away from home for long stretches of time? Can they also use crypto when they're away?

The short answer is yes. After all, it's basic knowledge that anyone can use cryptocurrencies as long as they have access to the internet. This is because cryptocurrencies are digital assets, and transactions are powered by blockchain or a ledger system, which is publicly accessible with an internet connection. 

What's more, even key players have gotten on board with crypto. For instance, many airlines have begun accepting crypto payments for flight tickets and other services. It simply shows that the aviation industry is embracing the power of cryptocurrency when it comes to transactions.

However,  while pilots and cabin crew can certainly use crypto when they're away,  it's important to note that there are still certain restrictions in place.

Some countries, such as China, Iraq, and Egypt, have outright banned cryptocurrencies.  And even in places where crypto is allowed, there might be certain laws and regulations governing the use of it.  So,  it's wise for pilots and cabin crew to check the local rules and regulations of any country they are visiting before attempting to use crypto. 

USES OF CRYPTOCURRENCY 

As cryptocurrency becomes more widely accepted, many people are discovering new applications for it. Fortunately, pilots and cabin crew can also benefit from it. Here are some examples of how they can use cryptocurrency while they are away:

1. Pay for goods and services.

One of the primary uses of cryptocurrencies is to buy goods and services. For pilots and cabin crew, this means they can use crypto to pay for their accommodation, transportation, meals, and other items. As a result, they no longer need to carry physical cash or be concerned about fluctuating exchange rates.

2. Transfer money internationally.

Thanks to the peer-to-peer nature of crypto transactions, pilots and cabin crew can transfer money across borders without the hassle of dealing with intermediary banks. This is especially useful for frequent travelers who need to send money to family and friends back home.

3. Exchange fiat currency.

Another great use of crypto is to exchange fiat currency. For example, pilots and cabin crew can use fiat payment for cryptocurrency to transfer or spend anywhere in the world that accepts digital payments.  Or they can exchange crypto for fiat currency (Bitcoin to  USD) when they need to withdraw cash from an ATM or pay for goods and services in local currency.

4. Invest in crypto.

Pilots and cabin crew can also invest in a cryptocurrency that they think might appreciate in value over time. It could be a great way to earn a passive income while away from home. But, cryptocurrency markets are notoriously volatile. Crypto prices can rise or fall in a matter of minutes. As such, it's essential for anyone investing in crypto to do their due diligence and research the market before diving in. 

5. Trade crypto.

Lastly, those knowledgeable in the world of cryptocurrency may consider trading crypto.  It differs from investing, as it involves actively buying and selling different digital assets. However, trading crypto can be both profitable and risky, so pilots and cabin crew must understand the risks before getting started.

ADVANTAGES OF USING CRYPTO 

Etihad predicts busy holiday period and offers special Black Friday fares......

Fly for less with special fares....

Etihad Airways looks forward to welcoming over 1.5 million travellers at Abu Dhabi International Airport over the busy holiday period between now and the 8th of January and to kick it off,  the airline has some special black Friday offers. 

Fly away with our Black Friday deals 

use this special Promo Code BFNOVGB

Flights departing From the UK.

Fly between 15 Jan 2023 and 20 Jun 2023

Promotion Ends: 29 Nov 2022

 

To get the special fares - book here 

 

Shaeb Al Najjar, General Manager Hub Operations, Etihad Airways, said “There has never been a better time to experience Abu Dhabi, with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place this weekend and many more attractions to be enjoyed over the winter season. Football fans from around the world will also be flocking to the region ahead of the most exciting football event of the year. As a result, Etihad with its partners, is geared up and ready to host 1.5 million expected guests over the next six weeks. Visitors flying via Abu Dhabi will enjoy the experience from the moment they take off with Etihad’s award-winning Cabin Crew and hospitality.”

Guests flying with Etihad Airways can expect to fly with total peace of mind with services like its quick self-service bag drop facility. The service provides a faster check-in experience and can accommodate a greater number of guests who will then be able to skip the queues.

Once checked-in online, the self-service facilities allow travellers to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags in less than two minutes.

Etihad Airways, has been awarded Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The accolade recognises the care and attention to detail the airline’s teams give to customers’ needs throughout their journeys.

 The airline is preparing to welcome over 1.5 million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport between 21 November and 08 January 2023 and advises travellers to follow the below tips.

Abu Dhabi Corniche Coast  Photo Etihad Airways

/Etihad Airways travel tips

Get Verified to Fly and check-in online: For destinations with travel restrictions, travellers should visit ‘Manage my booking’ on etihad.com to upload their Covid travel documents. Approval will be shared by email giving passengers confidence that all required documents are in place. Approved passengers can check-in online and obtain their boarding card, then use fast-track ‘Verified to Fly’ desks at the airport, or the self-service facilities.

 

Turkish Cargo sees global growth ambitions with cargo.one

cargo.one, the platform for booking and marketing of air freight capacity has formed a partnership the cargo division of Turkish Airlines  - Turkish Cargo. 

Flying to more countries than any other cargo airline, the combination of Turkish Cargo’s capacities and cargo.one’s seamless digital booking experience now offers freight forwarders worldwide a valuable new proposition. With 40 bookable airlines on board, cargo.one has now secured close to 50% of global air cargo capacity for instant booking on its platform.

Turkish Cargo is a major international operator, achieving exceptional growth across market segments, flight networks and transported tonnage in recent years. In 2010, the carrier was ranked 33rd in the world and has risen steadily to 14th in 2017, and now 5th globally in 2022. Investments in state-of-the-art SMARTIST, its Istanbul mega cargo hub, sustainability programmes and a comprehensive digitalization strategy have helped Turkish Cargo increase business volumes to 9.1 million tonne-kilometres during 2021.

Within weeks, cargo.one customers worldwide can book capacities across Turkish Cargo’s extensive network of more than 340 destinations, 100 of direct cargo - including important centres of commerce in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Already flying its fleet of 20 freighters to more international direct cargo destinations than any other airline, Turkish Cargo plans to increase this from 100 to 120 by 2025. Freight forwarders can now benefit from the best marketplace booking experience for Turkish Cargo capacities. 

Adnan Karaismailoğlu, Senior Vice President of Cargo Business Development and Organization at Turkish Cargo comments, “Turkish Cargo’s partnership with cargo.one will be expanding our digital footprint and improving sales capabilities. We, as Turkish Cargo, are firmly on a trajectory towards our target to become one of the top three air cargo brands in the world in line with the strategic vision. We believe that cargo.one will support us to drive this growth and further raise the bar for our customers, with enhanced innovation standards for delivering the best new digital alternatives to empower success”.    

Turkish Cargo is achieving its impressive growth by prioritizing customer value and leveraging digital transformation to enhance its reliability and customer service. The partnership with cargo.one reflects an ongoing development of its sales capabilities in line with recent investments in its product range, including the introduction of TK URGENT. As a digital leader, cargo.one will support the airline’s teams to further enhance the offer quality and customer experience for online bookings. 

Apache attack helicopter mixed reality trainer now available.......

A new modern and comprehensive training solution for the most survivable multi-role attack helicopter in the world - the Apache is available from Vrgineers and DigiFlight. 

With over 1200 aircraft currently in service, the Advanced Mixed Reality Apache Trainer (AMRAT) will accelerate training pilots with high-fidelity MR solutions and therefore significantly reduce the number of aircraft hours normally required to support training individual and crew tasks.

The AMRAT is built on a proprietary portable platform designed by Vrgineers, which was originally created for the USAF.  It provides the most affordable, immersive, and realistic experience offered on the market today without expensive visual display systems, complicated support systems or unique facility design requirements. The trainer includes two separate but interconnected crew stations, (the pilot and co-pilot gunner station), with replicated switches, panels, flight instruments, and displays connected to a computer and integrated virtual reality image generator. Currently, it is supported by a leading vendor of immersive, flight simulator software, ED Mission Systems.

This novel product is the resultant cooperation between Vrgineers, (an innovative manufacturer of flight training simulators), and Digifight, a technology company with extensive worldwide pilot training experience. "We strongly feel that by combining our skills, we are able to deliver a training device capable of supporting Apache training tasks including individual and crew skills, preparing them to operate in any environment, fulfilling critical mission requirements," explains Marek Polcak, CEO of Vrgineers.

The Future of Possible:

"The possibility to conduct a seamless mixed reality environment with a portable haptic flight seat run by a true-to-life simulation engine ensures the pilots' proficiency, but most importantly delivers the sensation of a unique and genuine experience encompassing complex operational scenarios. This enables our users to save time and effort along with minimizing the cost of training infrastructure and related running hours," says Matthias Techmanski, ED Mission Systems Director and Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO, adds: "Similar type of modern trainer is expected to play a crucial role of pilot training in the future. Not only for Apache but for Defiant (LMCO & Boeing) and Valor (Bell) which are currently being developed and competing in future vertical lift program in the U.S."

Air Canada passengers with skis or a snowboard this winter can carry their equipment at no extra charge on non-stop flights from the UK to Canada.

Air Canada passengers with skis or a snowboard this winter, can carry their equipment at no extra charge on non-stop flights from the UK to Canada. 

Each passenger can check in one equipment bag, containing skis or a snowboard and one boot bag, containing ski/snowboard equipment such as boots, helmet and goggles (even if not travelling with skis), in addition to one piece of luggage at 23kg. Air Canada continues to provide great access to the ski slopes: customers travelling from London Heathrow can take advantage of daily non-stop flights to Vancouver for Whistler, to Calgary for Banff and Lake Louise and to Montreal for Mont Tremblant. 

New deal for  snowboarders and skiers - photo Air Canada

Air Canada has elevated its International Economy Class dining experience to reflect Canada’s culinary talent and tastes from our global network of destinations. Economy Class dining on all international flights departing Canada is being revamped to feature a hot entree created for Air Canada by renowned Montreal Chef Jérôme Ferrer, a member of Air Canada’s culinary panel. An additional appetizer reflecting destination cuisine is also being presented with all meals, and a separate dessert service will follow. 

Air Canada Signature Class features culinary creations by award-winning Vancouver-based chef David Hawksworth, which are complemented by a selection of top wines chosen by leading Canadian sommelier, Véronique Rivest. 

Air Canada Signature Class customers will be presented with amenity kits in partnership with Acqua Di Parma featuring stylish amenity bags containing Acqua Di Parma luxury skincare products plus an oversized eye mask, socks, dental products and 3M earplugs for additional comfort and personal care. 

Customers in International Premium Economy Class will enjoy reusable amenity totes containing an eye mask, socks and dental products providing for a more refreshed journey. 

All customers have the opportunity to collect and redeem Aeroplan points when travelling with Air Canada, and eligible customers have access to priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges, priority boarding and other benefits. 

  For more information, please visit: https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/plan/baggage/special-items.html#/ 

BA to offer carbon removal credits to fliers.

British Airways is now offering customers the chance to address their emissions from flying by purchasing certified carbon removal credits. This innovative new approach has been made possible through the airline’s new upgraded climate platform, CO2llaborate, marking another milestone in the airline’s BA Better World sustainability journey.

While the carbon removal industry is still comparatively small in scale, scientists, governments and regulators including the United Nations recognise carbon removal projects as a vital tool to help address climate change.

Traditional carbon offsets are created when a project avoids, reduces or removes additional CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. Carbon removals specifically describe projects that remove CO2 from the atmosphere or from the carbon cycle. Both carbon offsets and carbon removals are important for meeting global climate goals, but the expectation among United Nations climate scientists is that over time, there will be a gradual transition towards supporting more carbon removals as the technological solutions, verification standards and policy support mechanisms mature.

With its parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), British Airways has supported research and innovation to help accelerate the development of cutting-edge carbon removals solutions since 2019, as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. The airline is committed to supporting a variety of innovative carbon removals solutions and is considering projects that are immediately available and independently verified today, as well as more innovative technology solutions. 

While the airline offsets the carbon emissions on all its flights within the UK, British Airways’ customers flying further afield are already able to purchase verified, high-quality carbon offsets and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is added to the existing fuel pipeline at Heathrow Airport through its partnership with Phillips 66. They can do this via the airline’s CO2llaborate platform to estimate and address their carbon emissions when flying. The platform, created in partnership with CHOOOSE™, enables customers to understand their flight emissions and take steps to address their climate impact before or after their journey or directly from their seat on board, and by adding carbon removals to the portfolio of options available on CO2llaborate, customers have even more control and choice on ways to address the carbon footprint from their flights. Customers are able to calculate their flight emissions and use the adjustable slider to select the amount of SAF versus verified carbon removals, or SAF versus verified carbon offsets they wish to purchase.  This new proposition is believed to be the first time an airline has offered customers this portfolio of options to address their emissions.

Wings deliver Airbus A320-200 aircraft to Air Serbia

Wings Capital Partners have completed the delivery of one Airbus A320-200 aircraft to Air Serbia in Belgrade, which will provide additional capacity for Air Serbia’s growing fleet.

“Wings delivery of this A320 aircraft to Air Serbia commences our relationship with the airline,” said Gerry Burke, Wings’ Vice President, Marketing. “We are very proud to support Air Serbia’s growing fleet needs with the delivery of this aircraft and look forward to a long relationship with the airline.”

"Fleet renewal is one of the most significant strategic activities for Air Serbia in the recent period. After a detailed consideration of the market offers, we decided to strengthen our fleet with an A320 aircraft from Wings Capital Partners LLC. With a YU-APO registration, the new Airbus already flies all over Europe, supporting our passengers with reliable and comfortable flights," said Zoran Ekmeščić, General Manager Supply Chain, at Air Serbia.

Air Serbia is the national airline of the Republic of Serbia, the successor of the first national airline, Aeroput, established in Belgrade in 1927. We have been operating under our present name since October 2013.

Air Serbia operates scheduled, seasonal and charter flights to over 70 destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean, North America, Asia and Africa, in passenger and cargo traffic. In cooperation with our airline partners, we also offer flights to international destinations in Asia, Australia, North America and Africa.

In addition to Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, which is our base, Air Serbia also flies from Constantine the Great Airport in Niš and from International Airport Morava near Kraljevo.

East Midlands Airport lights up control tower in support of hospice remembrance appeal

East Midlands Airport (EMA) has lit up its air traffic control tower in support of the Treetops Hospice Light Up A Life appeal.

Passengers travelling to and from the airport will see the Light Up a Life logo projected onto the iconic 51-meter-high tower.

The annual Treetops Light Up a Life appeal encourages people to remember a loved one by dedicating a light on the hospice Christmas tree.

Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to support the Light Up A Life appeal and raise awareness of the incredibly important work Treetops does, by putting the charity’s name up in lights on our air traffic control tower.

“This airport serves the region in many ways by connecting people and goods to destinations all over the world. But we also take our role as a local community champion very seriously. Hopefully, our association with this initiative will help raise awareness of Treetops work to provide vital end-of-life care.”

Treetops Chief Executive, Julie Heath, said:  “We are very grateful to East Midlands Airport for once again helping us raise awareness of Light Up A Life.

“Light Up a Life is very special to Treetops and the local community. Every year, hundreds of people remember their loved ones by dedicating a light. Proceeds from dedications go towards helping us care for patients and families in the local community.

Fiona Hickey, from Belper, has been dedicating a light in memory of her mum, Natalie, every year since she died of ovarian cancer in 2013. She is sharing her story to encourage others to support the local charity.

“It was always mum’s wish to stay at home, our family home, when the end came. So, between myself, my dad and my daughter, we looked after her.

“Towards the end, we were struggling because somebody had to be with her throughout the night. We were all exhausted.”

Treetops Hospice at Home nurses came to help care for Natalie at night.

“The Treetops nurse who came to us was like ‘an angel on earth’. She made so much difference. I knew I was leaving mum in capable, safe hands and it just meant we could all relax, have a good night's sleep, and be fresh the next day.

“In the end, mum died at home peacefully and we were all with her. We fulfilled our promise to keep her at home and we couldn’t have done that without Treetops Hospice.

“We do Light Up a Life every year since mum died. I just think it's such a lovely way to include somebody that you've lost in a family celebration at Christmas.

“By dedicating a light, you're remembering that person, and you're also giving something towards helping somebody else.”

For more information and to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one, head to www.treetops.org.uk/lights or call the hospice on 0115 949 1264.

Merlin aircrew ready for front-line action after earning coveted Wings

Nine newly qualified Royal Navy helicopter aircrew were handed their wings at a recent parade – including two from a new training programme in ‘Crowsnest’ airborne surveillance and control. 

The pilots, observers and aircrewmen were handed the winged badges by Commodore Andrew Rose to show they have completed their training to join the navy’s frontline helicopter squadrons.

 

Family and friends watched with pride at a special parade held in an aircraft hangar of 824 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose.

 

The new aviators have all trained how to fly and operate the Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopter, spending many months in the classrooms and simulators as well as the squadron’s aircraft.

 

Two of the observers have come through a new programme to train the next generation in airborne surveillance and control (ASaC).

 

They will now join 820 Naval Air Squadron, which is dedicated to protecting the navy’s aircraft carriers, to operate the helicopters adapted for ASaC with a radar fitted to their side. Flying high above the carrier strike group, these helicopters will look for airborne dangers ‘over the horizon’.

 

Meanwhile, the others will now join anti-submarine warfare crews either with 820, or 814 Naval Air Squadron, which operates off frigates and other ships.

Commander Chris Jones, the commanding officer of 824 Naval Air Squadron, said: “I want to congratulate each of these newly qualified aviators on their achievement in reaching this point today. Gaining their wings is a huge step in their careers in the Fleet Air Arm.

 

“As an ASaC observer myself, I am also immensely pleased to see the progress of our two latest ASaC observers. They are the first to complete a new training programme which includes many hours in our new ASaC Mission Trainer here at Culdrose.

 

“They now join an elite corps of specialist aviators, and alongside their submarine hunting colleagues, they go to the front line now with the skills needed to fight and win. Our standards here at 824 are absolute and I have some of the best instructors in any military flying unit, so to have passed the course shows an extraordinary degree of dedication and talent.” 

 

Several of the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 helicopters have been adapted for ASaC through a programme with industry known as Crowsnest.

 

Alongside one of the squadron’s helicopters at the parade was an iconic World War Two Fairey Swordfish from Navy Wings. 824 Naval Air Squadron includes the Taranto Raid by Swordfish bombers in its list of battle honours.

Magellan Aerospace Signs Multi-Year F-35 Lightning II Contract

Magellan Aerospace Corporation announced this week, the award of a multi-year contract from Lockheed Martin Corporation (“LMCO”) for complex machined titanium components for all three variants of the F-35 aircraft. This multi-million dollar contract will be carried out at Magellan Aerospace’s facility in Kitchener, Ontario over the period of 2023 to 2027. The contract is for shipsets of machined wing tie bars for the aircraft’s leading edge flap.

Magellan’s Kitchener facility has industry-leading expertise in titanium machining operations and world-class machining capability, with an emphasis on high-speed machining of hard metals such as titanium, Inconel and stainless steel.

This latest contract is a continuation of a long-established relationship with LMCO on the global F-35 fighter aircraft program. Magellan’s Kitchener facility was the first international partner on the F-35 program to deliver parts to the program in late 2003. Prior to these deliveries, Kitchener had made a significant investment in both equipment and technology that proved to be pivotal in securing its role on the program.

AirAsia X Fifth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

AirAsia X Fifth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

AirAsia X  returns to black as it focuses on sustainable growth as mid-range low cost airline

Recorded a net profit of RM25.1 million for the first time since 2019, cash position more than tripled to RM79.5 million on the back of COVID-19 recovery

Operational statistics indicate unwavering demand for travel

AirAsia X, the mid-range affiliate airline of AirAsia Aviation Group has reported its financial results for the Fifth Quarter of 2022  ending 30 September 2022.

The Company posted a net profit of RM25.1 million for the quarter, as compared to a net loss of RM652.5 million in the preceding quarter. Revenue was slightly lower at RM100.1 million as compared to RM107.2 million during the period ending 30 June 2022 (“4Q22”) on the back of a reduction in revenue from the freight services segment due to normalised scheduled flights operations.

In other segments, recovery across all key metrics has significantly improved as scheduled passenger and charter flights as well as ancillary revenues have demonstrated a strong recovery compared to the preceding quarter. For 5Q22, the Company posted an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (“EBITDA”) of RM25.4 million while profit before tax for the period stood at RM23.8 million. 

Operationally, the Company is pleased to report that Passenger Load Factor (“PLF”) was recorded at a commendable 73% during the quarter - less than 10 percentage points short of its pre-COVID-19 PLF of 81% in 2019. The Company carried a total of 80,385 passengers during the period under review as compared to 8,892 passengers during the period from April - June 2022. Seat capacity grew to 110,615 during the quarter from 27,521 in the preceding quarter as additional markets and frequencies were introduced in 5Q22. 

Introducing Cathay Pharma: a refreshed temperature-sensitive solution for a post-pandemic world

Cathay Pacific Cargo has taken recent innovations and staff expertise to enhance customer options for life-science shipments.

Cathay Pacific Cargo is consolidating and refreshing its comprehensive solution for pharmaceutical customers under a new name, Cathay Pharma, and making it easier to identify all of the possible options for pharma shipments in a more streamlined way.

The refresh follows several busy years in which Cathay Pacific Cargo has brought its innovation and expertise to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. This has resulted in advances including Ultra Track, the Vaccine Solution and a revamped Priority solution.

Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “With these developments, we felt this was the ideal time to refresh our specialist shipment solution for our pharmaceutical customers. We understand all too well the potential costs in lives and dollars if pharmaceutical shipments don’t arrive in perfect condition, and want to ensure that we continuously improve and adapt to industry trends and developments as they happen.”

Greater choice and a market-leading offering

Cathay Pharma is subdivided under two simplified headings – Active and Passive. The Active solution uses ‘active’ containers with thermostatic mechanisms, while Passive uses passive coolants and insulation to maintain temperature. Bookings made under both Active and Passive include expedient ground handling and priority tarmac transfers, to limit the risk of temperature excursions while shipments are exposed to ambient outdoor temperatures.

Cathay Pharma offers four transportation temperature ranges to suit the most common types of pharma shipments, including ERT – extended room temperature: +2°C to +25°C – which is newly available in response to industry demand from customers. Cathay Pacific Cargo offers containers from seven supplier partners able to achieve specific temperatures in an operating range from as low as -80°C to +40°C. This has created the widest choice in Asia for pharma customers.

The signature track-and-trace service and en-route mitigation – Ultra Track and the Operations Control Centre (OCC)