Air Greenland becomes latest A330neo operator and Flight Hour Services customer

Air Greenland becomes the latest A330neo operator and  Flight Hour Services customer

Air Greenland has taken delivery of an A330-800 widebody aircraft, becoming the latest operator of the type. 

The A330neo will replace previous generation aircraft in the company's fleet, reducing operating cost, improving environmental efficiency while offering an unrivalled passenger experience.  Air Greenland’s A330neo will comfortably accommodate 305 passengers, featuring 42 Premium class seats and 263 Economy class seats.

Air Greenland has also firmed up an agreement with Airbus on Flight Hour Services (FHS) covering component supply and maintenance services. Based on a circular economy model and carbon footprint reduction the Airbus FHS offers more sustainability  throughout the aircraft's life cycle.  More than 1,200 aircraft worldwide are currently being contracted under  Airbus FHS. 

To underline Air Greenland’s sustainability strategy the delivery flight will be powered by a 30 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Air Greenland will first deploy the A330neo between the arctic island and Denmark, adding North American and European routes at a later date. 

The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, providing passengers with a high level of comfort, ambience and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system, and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight.

The A330neo is the new generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions. The A330-800 is capable of flying 8 150 nm / 15 094 km non-stop.

At the end of October, the A330 Family had registered a total of over 1,700 firm orders  of which 275 are A330neos from 24 customers.

Canada Jetlines Selects Park’N Fly as National Airport Parking Partner

Canada Jetlines the new budget carrier in Canada has announced a partnership with Park’N Fly, the nation’s leader in off-airport parking, as their official national airport parking provider.

Travellers departing from one of Canada Jetlines’ major airport hubs within Canada, can take advantage of the host of services offered by Park’N Fly. With a network that spans coast-to-coast, travellers can enjoy the convenience and peace of mind knowing that their trip will start and end with Canada’s leading airport parking provider. Park ‘N Fly offers unique services like luggage assistance, quick shuttle service to and from the airport and in select locations optional detailing and oil change services, and more.

“Our team is excited to partner with Park’N Fly to offer passengera a stress-free, airport parking experience, with unparalleled service and amenities,” shared Duncan Bureau, CCO of Canada Jetlines. “With holiday travel in full force, we aim to create a convenient and accessible travel experience for all Canada Jetlines passengers.”

Eurowings significantly expands its offering at Graz Airport

12 holiday and city destinations in the program as of Summer 2023

Graz to become new Eurowings base

Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart connected with high frequency

Eurowings is significantly expanding its presence at Graz Airport and will be expanding its range of attractive direct flight destinations in the summer of 2023. With the new destinations Chania (Crete) and Larnaca, as well as Hurghada, Karpathos, Corfu, Kos and Rhodes, seven destinations in the popular holiday destinations Greece, Egypt and Cyprus are on the schedule. An expansion of capacity to Mallorca is in the planning stage.

In addition to the expansion towards the south, Eurowings is increasing its range of city connections to Germany: the Lufthansa subsidiary will connect Graz, the capital of Styria in Austria, with Berlin and Hamburg in the 2023 summer flight schedule. Together with the connections to Düsseldorf and Stuttgart, travellers from Graz will then be able to choose from up to 25 weekly flights to the German city destinations. Business travellers in particular will benefit from greater flexibility on their trip.

In the course of this expansion, Eurowings will also station an aircraft at Graz Airport, making Graz  the eleventh Eurowings base and part of the growth course of the leading value carrier. The Eurowings offerings for the summer can be booked from Monday, 19 December 2022. Flights in the BASIC fare are already available from € 39.99 for a one-way flight.

"We are delighted to be offering a wide program of attractive destinations from Graz next summer, which are at the top of many holidaymakers' wish lists," explains Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof. "At the same time, we are connecting Styria more strongly than before with the most important German metropolitan areas. Holidaymakers and business travellers alike benefit from our value concept, which addresses the core needs of today's air travellers with flexibility, comfort and sustainability. Our expansion is also a strong commitment to Graz and the entire region."

"Hamburg and Berlin represent a great enhancement of our flight schedule, which will also benefit Styria as a tourism and business location," explain Wolfgang Grimus and Jürgen Löschnig, Managing Directors of Graz Airport. "The intensive economic relations between Germany and Styria form the basis for a corresponding volume of business travel to/from Berlin and Hamburg. At the same time, we expect strong impulses in city travel, both in incoming and outgoing tourism. With this broad flight programme, Eurowings will become one of our strongest partners."

Holding GrazCEO Wolfgang Malik, as the owner's representative, points to many years of experience, according to which the strategic importance of a regional airport can be increased enormously if criteria such as "central location at the hub of international transport transversals", "competition from airline alliances with international hub feeder functions" or "airline base for direct service to destinations" are fulfilled. Malik: "Our airport in Graz, as the largest regional airport in the Alps-Adriatic region, fulfils these requirements excellently with the commitment of Eurowings to establish its 11th base in Graz.

Centrally located, the stationing of an efficient and modern Airbus in Graz not only strengthens the popular connections to southern Europe, but also brings northern Germany closer to Styria, which is particularly attractive for business and tourism. Malik: "I am confident that Graz will soon return to the "highs" of the ever-popular "airport of short distances".

Eurowings destinations in the coming summer flight schedule:

Destination	Weekly freqencies	Day of operation
Berlin                         new	5x	MO, WED, THU, FR, SUN
Düsseldorf                 more frequently	8x	MO - FR
Hamburg                   new	4x	MO, THU, FR, SO
Stuttgart                    more frequently	8x	MO - FR
Chania                      new	1x	TUE
Hurghada                  new	2x	WED + SUN
Karpathos                 new	1x	TUE
Corfu                         new	1x	FR
Kos                            new	2x	MO + FR
Larnaca                     new	1x	SAT
Palma de Mallorca    more frequently	2x (3x)	THU + SUN
Rhodes                     neu	2x	THU+ SA

Airbus-led large-scale flight demo teams up fighters, a helicopter and drones

Airbus-led large-scale flight demo teams up fighters, a helicopter and drones

In Europe’s first large-scale multi-domain flight demo led by Airbus, two fighter jets, one helicopter and five unmanned remote carriers teamed up and accomplished a mission that could occur in real-life situations. The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Manned-Unmanned Teaming Demonstrator project will now move to the next phase: further paving the way for FCAS by developing a flying remote carrier (RC)  demonstrator in the coming years.

 

“With the Multi-Domain Flight Demo, or MDFD, we demonstrated for the first time in Europe how manned-unmanned teaming capabilities and functionalities with up to ten connected assets work in a real-life inspired scenario and under near operational conditions,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus. "This is yet another example of how we push boundaries and pioneer technologies so that our customers can fulfill their missions: saving lives and ensuring a better future for us all.”

In the demo conducted in late summer 2022, the fighter jets, helicopter and unmanned remote carriers were connected via a meshed compact airborne networking data link (CANDL) that allowed them to seamlessly interact above Rovajärvi, Finland - and help to rid the world of a fictional rogue warlord.

More international flights from WestJet......

WestJet announces new service to Japan and Europe as part of a planned expansion from YYC Calgary International Airport

New intercontinental routes between Calgary and Tokyo, Barcelona, Edinburgh, and
increased frequencies between Calgary and Dublin, London, Paris and Rome significantly
enhance options for leisure guests, business travel and cargo services    

WestJet as part of its wider growth strategy, announced its 2023 summer 787 Dreamliner routes from YYC Calgary International Airport, unveiling Tokyo, Japan, as its first destination in Asia with new service to Narita International Airport. The airline is also creating greater two-way tourism opportunities and increasing connectivity between Western Canada and Europe with new service between Calgary and Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, Scotland along with increased frequencies on existing European routes. Today's announcement comes as WestJet prepares for broader expansion within Canada and North America over the coming months.

Positioned perfectly to connect Western Canada to the world, WestJet's 787 flying from Calgary will see the airline take flight to eight transoceanic destinations in 2023. With 40 weekly departures strategically scheduled to maximize connecting capacity across 24 Western Canadian communities, the airline will offer more competitive options for its leisure and business guests and cargo customers as it fulfills its new strategic direction.

"This is an exciting day for the WestJet Group, our guests, and partners as we deliver on our new strategy and demonstrate our western focus as we increase our Calgary capacity by more than 25 per cent in 2023. Starting with the expansion of our intercontinental routes, future announcements will focus on domestic and North American additions that will bring even more affordable travel options to our guests in the new year," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. "With Calgary as home base to our 787 aircraft, access between western Canadian communities and these intercontinental destinations will play a vital role in creating an economically prosperous aviation pipeline that better connects Canadians to the world and the world to Western Canada."

Tokyo, Japan - Alberta's Only Non-Stop Gateway to Asia

With its expansive modern architecture, traditional roots, established ties to Alberta's tourism and business economies and connectivity to more than 50 destinations across the continent, Tokyo is a natural choice for WestJet's first destination in Asia. With three-time weekly seasonal service beginning, April 30, 2023, WestJet will be the only airline providing transpacific service to Asia direct from Alberta.

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates.........

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively

Reciprocal airport lounge benefits for top-tier loyalty members coming soon to Dubai and Toronto

The carriers recently launched a codeshare partnership providing customers with seamless connectivity to 46 destinations* across three continents

Air Canada and Emirates have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Aeroplan Members will also benefit from earning and redeeming points on all flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 130 destinations across six continents — via the airline's home and hub, Dubai. Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.

The agreement was signed yesterday by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan, at the Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai.

Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan commented: "The two most recognized loyalty programs in their respective regions, provided by the two most recognized airlines in their respective regions, are coming together to offer something truly great. Whether it's connecting friends and family from Canada's rich immigrant diaspora or it's helping travellers explore some of the world's most exciting destinations, there's something for everyone. We're proud to partner with Emirates and Skywards as Aeroplan continues to deliver on its member promise: travel more and travel better."

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, commented: "We're very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty program offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers on-board Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services."

More travel choices, more Miles earned

The new agreement will enable Emirates Skywards members to earn Miles on all eligible Air Canada flights. Skywards members will also be able to redeem Miles for reward tickets across Air Canada's network. Flight rewards will start from 8,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Economy Class and 16,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Business Class. For more details, visit emirates.com.

Aeroplan members will be able to earn Aeroplan Points on all eligible Emirates operated flights based on the fare type purchased, as well as redeem Aeroplan Points on Emirates flights. For more information visit aircanada.com.

Aeroplan members will be able redeem Points for flights on Emirates Economy Class and Business Class, starting at 15,000 Points one-way with no carrier surcharges, as well as the ability to combine with Aeroplan's extensive network of airline partners on a single ticket to create countless reward possibilities. The ability to redeem Aeroplan points for flights in Emirates First Class will be introduced in early 2023.

Premium lounge access

Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class with Air Canada or Emirates will also enjoy complimentary access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson along with one guest.

In Dubai, Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members travelling in Economy Class with Emirates will enjoy complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge along with one guest. This benefit will also extend to departing Air Canada flights later in 2023 when Air Canada relocates to Terminal 3 and, until then, eligible Aeroplan Elite members will continue to have access to lounges in Terminal 1.

Access to North America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa

The carriers activated their codeshare partnership earlier this year providing customers with seamless connectivity across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Emirates customers can now book flights to/from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Air Canada's customers also benefit from seamless access to Emirates' extensive network via Dubai, unlocking a significant number of destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

Award-winning loyalty programs

Recognized for its industry-leading initiatives and innovative product offerings – Emirates Skywards was recently crowned "Program of the Year in Europe, Middle East and Africa" and "Best Customer Service" at the Frequent Traveller Awards 2021. The loyalty program was also recognized as "World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme" at the World Travel Awards 2022; and ranked top 10 Best Frequent Flyer Program by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2022.

Since it's relaunch in November 2020, Air Canada Aeroplan continues to be recognized as one of the best airline loyalty programs in the Americas. Recent honours include Best Redemption Ability from the 2022 Freddie Awards and Best Earn & Redemption Ability from the 2021 Frequent Traveller Awards, as voted by its members.

Arriving at the Airport ‘Ready to Fly’ is Closer to Reality with New Industry Standards

Arriving at the Airport ‘Ready to Fly’ is Closer to Reality with New Industry Standards

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has developed industry standards which will bring the aim of having travelers arrive at airports ready-to-fly one step closer to reality. The newly released Recommended Practice on Digitalization of Admissibility will enable travellers to digitally prove admissibility to an international destination, avoiding a stop at the check-in desk or boarding gate for document checks. 

Under the One ID initiative airlines are working with IATA to digitalize the passenger experience at airports with contactless biometric-enabled processes. 

Programs are already in use in various airports enabling travellers to move through airport processes such as boarding without producing paper documentation because their boarding pass is linked to a biometric identifier. But in many cases travellers would still have to prove their admissibility at a check-in desk or boarding gate with physical checks of paper documentation (passports, visas and health credentials for example).

The Digitalization of Admissibility standard will advance the realization of One ID with a mechanism for passengers to digitally obtain all necessary pre-travel authorizations directly from governments before their trip. By sharing the “OK to Fly” status with their airline, travellers can avoid all on-airport document checks.

“Passengers want technology to make travel simpler. By enabling passengers to prove their admissibility to their airline before they get to the airport, we are taking a major step forward. The recent IATA Global Passenger survey found that 83% of travellers are willing to share immigration information for expedited processing. That is why we are confident this will be a popular option for travellers when it is implemented. And there is good incentive for airlines and governments as well with improved data quality, streamlined resourcing requirements and identification of admissibility issues before passengers get to the airport,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security.

What travellers will be able to do in future:

1. Create a verified digital identity using their airline app on their smartphone 
2. Using their digital identity, they can send proof of all required documentation to destination authorities in advance of travel
3. Receive a digital ‘approval of admissibility’ in their digital identity/passport app 
4. Share the verified credential (not all their data) with their airline
5. Receive confirmation from their airline that all is in order and go to the airport

Data Security

The new standards have been developed to protect passengers’ data and ensure that travel remains accessible to all. Passengers remain in control of their data and only credentials (verified approvals, not the data behind them) are shared peer-to-peer (with no intermediating party). This is interoperable with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, including those for the Digital Travel Credential. Manual processing options will be retained so that travelers will have the ability to opt out of digital admissibility processing.
“Travelers can be confident that this process will be both convenient and secure. A key point is that information is shared on a need-to-know basis. While a government may request detailed personal information to issue a visa, the only information that will be shared with the airline is that the traveler has a visa and under which conditions. And by keeping the passenger in control of their own data, no large databases are being built that need protecting. By design we are building simplicity, security and convenience,” said Louise Cole, IATA’s Head Customer Experience and Facilitation.

Timatic 

IATA’s Timatic offering is helping deliver the One ID vision with trusted entry requirement information for airlines and travelers. Integrating Timatic into the apps providing entry requirements registry model brings with it an established process for the global collection, verification, updating and distribution of this information.

 

IATA Calls for Transition to Enhanced Ground Support Equipment

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for a transition to enhanced ground support equipment (Enhanced GSE) to improve safety and contain the cost of ground damage involving GSE. Enhanced GSE uses anti-collision and inching technology, improves vehicle control, and increases docking accuracy, all of which minimizes the risk of personnel injuries and damaging aircraft.

New IATA Report: IATA Ground Damage Report: The Case for Enhanced Ground Support Equipment

The call for transition to Enhanced GSE is detailed in a newly published IATA study which estimates that the annual cost of ground damage could double to nearly $10 billion by 2035 unless preventive action is taken. The cost of ground damage forecast is based on direct costs (including labor and material costs, temporary leasing costs, logistical expenses, and administrative costs) and indirect costs (lost revenue, crew and passenger repositioning costs, compensation costs for delayed services etc.). The study finds:

• most aircraft ground damage that occurs once the aircraft is stationary is caused by motorized GSE striking the fuselage of the aircraft
• the widebody aircraft ground damage rate is ten times higher than narrowbody aircraft, but regional jets, turboprop, and narrow-body aircraft are 30% more prone to severe ground damage  
• belt-loaders, cargo-loaders, passenger stairs and passenger boarding bridges (PBB), cause 40% of total incidents (Source: IATA ground damage incident data base)  
• transitioning 75% of the global fleet of belt-loaders, cargo-loaders, passenger stairs and PBB to Enhanced GSE, would reduce the current expected ground damage cost per turn rate by 42% (IATA estimate). 

“Transitioning to Enhanced GSE with anti-collision technology is a no-brainer. We have proven technology that can improve safety. And with the cost of ground damage growing across the industry there is a clear business case supporting early adoption. The challenge now is to put together a roadmap so that all stakeholders are aligned on a transition plan,” said Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President Operations, Safety and Security.

Air Canada to start three new U.S. routes, including service from Toronto and Montreal to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Toronto to Sacramento

Air Canada has announced three new U.S. routes, including service from Toronto and Montreal to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Toronto to Sacramento as part of its trans-border summer schedule. For summer 2023, Air Canada will also restore 11 suspended trans-border services and increase frequencies on 12 popular routes to the U.S. in rebuilding its global network following the pandemic.

"Air Canada is very pleased to offer customers the most choice of any carrier flying to the U.S. for Summer 2023, where we will operate more than 400 daily flights on 95 routes to 47 destinations. We are getting an early start with new routes to JFK from both Toronto and Montreal beginning March 26, and Toronto-Sacramento in June. As well, we will restore previously suspended routes and increase frequencies on existing routes as we rebuild our transborder schedule," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

"Our U.S. summer schedule, which will complement our recently announced Canadian and international summer schedules, is designed to maximize connectivity within our network and offer the most seats on the most flights to the most destinations. Strengthened by our Transborder Joint Business Agreement with United Airlines, our schedule will also be attractive for sixth freedom global travellers flying internationally and strengthen our hub airports with more connection traffic."

Artemis Aerospace: Four times private jets were put to good use

After it was reported that a stream of celebrities were hopping on and off private jets for journeys taking less than 15 minutes, there has been much controversy around the impact of business jets on the environment. While utilising jets in this way is undoubtedly extravagant, business jets are also being used as a crucial contributor for many worthy causes. Here, Deborah Scott, finance director of component supply specialist Artemis Aerospace, reveals four times that private jets were put to good use.

Delivering essential medical equipment

During the pandemic, many countries lacked the medical resources and critical means to care for COVID-19 patients. Global air cargo carriers were under mounting pressure, with IATA estimating that they were oversubscribed by 30%.

To alleviate this pressure, a number of private jet companies turned their attention to supporting international COVID-19 response efforts by transporting tonnes of medical equipment, including face masks, PPE and medicines, to destinations in need of assistance.

One such company was Vimana Private Jets, which delivered more than 300 tonnes of medical resources between March and July 2020.

WestJet announces new service to Japan and Europe as part of a planned expansion from YYC Calgary International Airport

WestJet announces new service to Japan and Europe as part of a planned expansion from YYC Calgary International Airport

New intercontinental routes between Calgary and Tokyo, Barcelona, Edinburgh, and
increased frequencies between Calgary and Dublin, London, Paris and Rome significantly
enhance options for leisure guests, business travel and cargo services    

WestJet as part of its wider growth strategy, announced its 2023 summer 787 Dreamliner routes from YYC Calgary International Airport, unveiling Tokyo, Japan, as its first destination in Asia with new service to Narita International Airport. The airline is also creating greater two-way tourism opportunities and increasing connectivity between Western Canada and Europe with new service between Calgary and Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, Scotland along with increased frequencies on existing European routes. Today's announcement comes as WestJet prepares for broader expansion within Canada and North America over the coming months.

Positioned perfectly to connect Western Canada to the world, WestJet's 787 flying from Calgary will see the airline take flight to eight transoceanic destinations in 2023. With 40 weekly departures strategically scheduled to maximize connecting capacity across 24 Western Canadian communities, the airline will offer more competitive options for its leisure and business guests and cargo customers as it fulfills its new strategic direction.

"This is an exciting day for the WestJet Group, our guests, and partners as we deliver on our new strategy and demonstrate our western focus as we increase our Calgary capacity by more than 25 per cent in 2023. Starting with the expansion of our intercontinental routes, future announcements will focus on domestic and North American additions that will bring even more affordable travel options to our guests in the new year," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. "With Calgary as home base to our 787 aircraft, access between western Canadian communities and these intercontinental destinations will play a vital role in creating an economically prosperous aviation pipeline that better connects Canadians to the world and the world to Western Canada."

Tokyo, Japan - Alberta's Only Non-Stop Gateway to Asia

With its expansive modern architecture, traditional roots, established ties to Alberta's tourism and business economies and connectivity to more than 50 destinations across the continent, Tokyo is a natural choice for WestJet's first destination in Asia. With three-time weekly seasonal service beginning, April 30, 2023, WestJet will be the only airline providing transpacific service to Asia direct from Alberta.

Vertimass Partners with team to convert carbon dioxide into jet fuel

Vertimass, with the mission to commercialize breakthrough sustainable fuels that reduce carbon emissions, announced today that a consortium with whom it is partnering has been awarded approximately $1.35 million to pilot the conversion of green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel. The funds were granted by the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) in Denmark.

"The conversion of carbon dioxide – a major greenhouse gas contributor – into jet fuel and other hydrocarbons can play a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint for transportation," said Vertimass President and CEO Dr. Charles Wyman. "We are honoured to be part of this award and look forward to working with all of the organizations involved."

The research project is a collaboration among a group of organizations, including Kosan Gas, European Energy, Aalborg University, Port of Aalborg, Aalborg Airport, Hydrogen Valley, and Vertimass. Each company will oversee a different step in the process, working together to transform carbon dioxide into jet fuel. Kosan Gas, the Nordic region's leading gas supplier, will sell coproduced renewable LPG; Aalborg Airport will use the sustainable jet fuel; European Energy, a leading developer of green energy solutions, will convert the carbon dioxide into methanol; and Vertimass will convert the methanol into jet fuel.

The total budget, including partner contributions, is $2.5 million.

About Vertimass' Technology 

easyJet launches two new summer routes from Scotland

• easyJet has put two new routes on sale today from Edinburgh to Catania and from Glasgow to Porto
  
• Flights to Porto will take off on 31 March 2023 and to Catania on 2 June 2023, with great fares starting from just £29.99*
• New routes follow confirmation easyJet will base a 9th aircraft at Edinburgh from next summer
• The Airbus A320neo aircraft brings significant improvements in environmental and operational efficiencies compared to the previous generation of aircraft
• easyJet’s autumn 2023 schedule goes on sale tomorrow 8 December with seats across tens of thousands of flights between 1 October and 30 November 2023 available for customers to book early at low fares
• Recent research by the airline revealed that 64% of Brits plan to fly abroad in 2023 and protecting holiday spend remains a priority for most as 70% will prioritise a holiday over other expenditure in their yearly budget

easyJet, Scotland’s largest airline, has this week announced a new route from Glasgow Airport to Porto Airport and from Edinburgh Airport to Catania Airport, which will take off for the first time next summer. The new routes provide customers in Scotland with even more choice when planning a summer getaway, whether they want to discover hidden coastal gems or relax on some of the best beaches in Europe. 

Flights to Porto from Glasgow are scheduled to launch on 31 March 2023 with twice-weekly departures on Mondays and Fridays, and flights to Catania from Edinburgh are set to launch on 2 June 2023 and will also operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season.

The new routes follow last month's announcement that easyJet will add another aircraft to its Edinburgh base to serve customer demand from the Scottish capital from next summer. The 186-seat A320neo aircraft will be based in Edinburgh throughout the year, and it joins two 156-seat Airbus A319, four 186-seat A320 and two 186-seat A320neo aircraft already serving the airline’s customers in Edinburgh.

Compared to the current generation of aircraft, the Airbus NEO brings significant environmental benefits and operational efficiencies compared to the previous generation of aircraft, resulting in at least 15% less CO2 emissions and 50% less noise during take-off and landing. easyJet is one of the largest single-brand operator of NEOs in Europe.

Aeroplan and Emirates Skywards new loyalty programme partnership......

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively

Reciprocal airport lounge benefits for top-tier loyalty members coming soon to Dubai and Toronto

The carriers recently launched a codeshare partnership providing customers with seamless connectivity to 46 destinations* across three continents

Air Canada and Emirates have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Aeroplan Members will also benefit from earning and redeeming points on all flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 130 destinations across six continents — via the airline's home and hub, Dubai. Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.

The agreement was signed yesterday by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan, at the Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai.

Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan commented: "The two most recognized loyalty programs in their respective regions, provided by the two most recognized airlines in their respective regions, are coming together to offer something truly great. Whether it's connecting friends and family from Canada's rich immigrant diaspora or it's helping travellers explore some of the world's most exciting destinations, there's something for everyone. We're proud to partner with Emirates and Skywards as Aeroplan continues to deliver on its member promise: travel more and travel better."

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, commented: "We're very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty program offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers on-board Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services."

More travel choices, more Miles earned

The new agreement will enable Emirates Skywards members to earn Miles on all eligible Air Canada flights. Skywards members will also be able to redeem Miles for reward tickets across Air Canada's network. Flight rewards will start from 8,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Economy Class and 16,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Business Class. For more details, visit emirates.com.

Aeroplan members will be able to earn Aeroplan Points on all eligible Emirates operated flights based on the fare type purchased, as well as redeem Aeroplan Points on Emirates flights. For more information visit aircanada.com.

Aeroplan members will be able redeem Points for flights on Emirates Economy Class and Business Class, starting at 15,000 Points one-way with no carrier surcharges, as well as the ability to combine with Aeroplan's extensive network of airline partners on a single ticket to create countless reward possibilities. The ability to redeem Aeroplan points for flights in Emirates First Class will be introduced in early 2023.

Premium lounge access

Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class with Air Canada or Emirates will also enjoy complimentary access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson along with one guest.

In Dubai, Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members travelling in Economy Class with Emirates will enjoy complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge along with one guest. This benefit will also extend to departing Air Canada flights later in 2023 when Air Canada relocates to Terminal 3 and, until then, eligible Aeroplan Elite members will continue to have access to lounges in Terminal 1.

Access to North America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa

The carriers activated their codeshare partnership earlier this year providing customers with seamless connectivity across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Emirates customers can now book flights to/from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Air Canada's customers also benefit from seamless access to Emirates' extensive network via Dubai, unlocking a significant number of destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

Award-winning loyalty programs

Recognized for its industry-leading initiatives and innovative product offerings – Emirates Skywards was recently crowned "Program of the Year in Europe, Middle East and Africa" and "Best Customer Service" at the Frequent Traveller Awards 2021. The loyalty program was also recognized as "World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme" at the World Travel Awards 2022; and ranked top 10 Best Frequent Flyer Program by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2022.

Since it's relaunch in November 2020, Air Canada Aeroplan continues to be recognized as one of the best airline loyalty programs in the Americas. Recent honours include Best Redemption Ability from the 2022 Freddie Awards and Best Earn & Redemption Ability from the 2021 Frequent Traveller Awards, as voted by its members.

From the City to the slopes, ski routes launch at London City Airport

London City Airport (LCY) launches ski and Christmas routes to Chambéry and Salzburg this December, providing even more choice for passengers this winter

Complements existing British Airways (BA) CityFlyer/ SWISS services to Zurich and Geneva, plus BA CityFlyer/ Lufthansa services to Frankfurt and BA CityFlyer services to Prague, Berlin, Dusseldorf

LCY’s November passenger numbers up 187% on the same period last year with 272,000 passengers, demonstrating resilience in air travel

December passenger forecast is nearly three times higher than December last year

This December London City Airport (LCY) launches ski and Christmas routes to Chambéry and Salzburg, providing even more choice for passengers this winter. As the first meaningful European ski season since the pandemic gets underway, passengers are expected to hit the slopes as they look to get their ski legs back.

 

Starting this week from the 9th of December, BA CityFlyer will fly to Salzburg and from the 17th of December direct to Chambéry in the French Alps twice a week. Chambéry Airport is under 90 minutes away from popular ski resorts such as the Three Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens); Megève; Portes du Soleil; Chamonix and La Clusaz. While Salzburg, known for being the birthplace of Mozart, is 60 minutes from the slopes of Kitzbühel, Bad Hofgastein and Zell am See.

 

These routes to the Alps complement existing BA CityFlyer and SWISS services to Geneva and Zurich, plus services to Frankfurt (with BA CityFlyer and Lufthansa), Prague, Dusseldorf and Berlin (with BA CityFlyer), which are perfect for the Christmas markets.

 

These leisure routes start as LCY’s November passenger numbers are up 187% on the same period last year, with 272,000 passengers as the airport closes in on reaching 3 million passengers in 2022. November’s growth is primarily due to BA CityFlyer’s expanded schedule.

 

Meanwhile, LCY’s forecast is nearly three times higher than December last year, with 245,000 passengers expected through the airport this December and 60,000 passengers expected in the week leading up to Christmas.

 

Commenting on the routes launch and the Airport’s November figures, Aviation Director, Anne Doyere, said: “We are delighted these routes between London City Airport and the Alps are launching this December, which will provide even more choice for passengers this ski season and for the Christmas markets.”

 

Doyere added: “London City is perfectly placed for passengers to go straight from the office to the Alps for a quick ski trip this winter, as it’s possible to get from central London to your gate in around 40 minutes or from Canary Wharf to your gate in around 30 minutes. That means you could leave your London office and be in the Alps in under three hours. That’s an incredible proposition for passengers.”

 

The airport served 24 destinations in November and this will grow to 26 destinations in December. The top destinations for November were Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Zurich, Frankfurt and Dublin.

 

In addition to Chambéry and Salzburg, SWISS offers 22 services a week to Zurich, with BA CityFlyer offering 17. BA CityFlyer also has three services a week to Geneva in December, growing to five in January, while SWISS offers 11 services to Geneva in December, growing to 13 in January.