Airbus steps up its quest for new talent to prepare the future of aerospace

More than 13,000 people to be hired by Airbus worldwide in 2023

To support its commercial aircraft ramp-up, meet challenges in defence, space and helicopters, Airbus intends to recruit more than 13,000 people globally in 2023. Around 7,000 of these will be newly created posts across the company. The new hires will be instrumental in supporting our industrial ramp-up and Airbus’ ambitious decarbonisation roadmap and preparing the future of aviation.

“In 2022 we welcomed more than 13,000 new employees within Team Airbus around the world, in a complex environment which tested our resilience and attractiveness as a global employer." said Thierry Baril, Chief Human Resources & Workplace Officer of Airbus. "Following the success of our recruitment last year, we will hire over 13,000 employees again  in 2023. We call on talented individuals from all over the world to join us in our journey to make sustainable aerospace a reality and to help us build a better, more diverse and inclusive workplace for all our employees.”

This new recruitment drive will be worldwide, with emphasis on technical and manufacturing profiles, as well as acquisition of new skills supporting the company's long term vision, in areas such as new energies, cyber and digital.

Over 9,000 of these posts will be in Europe, and the rest throughout our global network. A third of the total recruitment will be allocated to recent graduates.

Airbus currently employs more than 130,000 people across its businesses worldwide. Airbus was recently awarded Top Employers certification in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific by the Top Employers Institute, a global independent authority on recognising excellence in people management and HR policies.

To learn more about the broad range of opportunities available at Airbus, potential applicants can visit the Airbus website at https://www.airbus.com/en/careers

JetBlue Announces Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

JetBlue Announces Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

This week JetBlue Airways reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 with a net income of $24 million. 

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of JetBlue’s crewmembers, we closed the year with strong fourth quarter performance, driving the highest full-year revenue result in our history, and solid cost execution as we hit our full-year cost target. We believe we’re well positioned to further build on that success in 2023, with a disciplined plan to continue strengthening our foundations – both operationally and financially,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We expect to gain further momentum in the business in 2023 with solid revenue performance throughout the year as we execute on our commercial initiatives and maintain a strong focus on cost control. Together, we expect these efforts to deliver margins approaching pre-pandemic levels as we move through the year, as we continue on a path to drive sustainable long-term earnings expansion and create long-term value for all stakeholders."

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

• Net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $24 million or $0.07 per share. Excluding one-time items, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 of $72 million⁽¹⁾ or $0.22 per share.
• Fourth quarter of 2022 capacity increased by 2.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Operating revenue of $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, the highest fourth quarter operating revenue in company history.
• Revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 16.1% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, despite a negative impact from Hurricane Nicole.
• Operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) for the fourth quarter of 2022 increased 28.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Operating expense per available seat mile, excluding fuel and related taxes, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items (CASM ex-Fuel)⁽¹⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2022 increased 9.9%⁽¹⁾ compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, resulting in industry leading unit cost performance.
• Fuel price in the fourth quarter of 2022 of $3.70 per gallon, including hedges.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

• $1.6 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term marketable securities at quarter-end (excluding our $600 million undrawn revolving credit facility).
• Maintained an adjusted debt to capital ratio of 52%⁽¹⁾ as of December 31, 2022.
• Paid approximately $114 million in debt and finance lease obligations during the fourth quarter of 2022.

easyJet to offer a rescue fare to Flybe customers

UK Budget airline easyJet has issued the following statement regarding the collapse of flybe and issued special fares to help rescue Flybe customer's travel arrangements.

Everyone at easyJet is sorry to see the news about Flybe and understands the anxiety that their customers will be facing now.

easyJet is working to help affected passengers by offering a dedicated rescue fee for customers up until 5 February.  A fare of £49 for domestic routes and £79 for international routes including a 15kg hold bag will be available on the presentation of their original Flybe booking reference.

easyJet his also inviting any Flybe cabin crew and staff to apply for roles with easyJet on our careers website.

Any affected passengers should contact easyJet’s customer service on;

If calling from UK & elsewhere:                             +44 (0) 330 5515151

In calling from France:                                             +33 (0) 9 77407770

If calling from the Netherlands:                             +31 (0) 20 7946405

If calling from Italy:                                                   +39 02 32068889

Ethiopian Airlines and MailAmerica S.A. Launch e-commerce Logistics

Ethiopian Airlines and MailAmerica S.A. Launch E-commerce Logistics 

Services Jointly

Ethiopian Airlines Group (ET) has partnered with MailAmericas (MA), a private postal operator and gold member of the consultive committee for the Universal Postal Union, to develop competitive cross border e-commerce services within Africa and the Middle East using Addis Ababa as a hub. 

According to this partnership, Ethiopian Airlines will offer air transport service for carrying goods across its wide network while MailAmericas will provide its market expertise and the know-how it gained in Latin America and Africa, where it has networks in over 40 countries. 

Regarding the partnership, Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “As the leading air cargo service provider in Africa, we are glad to team up with MailAmericas in launching e-commerce logistics services across Africa and Latin America. So far, we have jointly served more than 20 countries in Africa and Latin America, and we are keen to further expand our reach going forward. The partnership enables us to serve our customers better by leveraging the expertise, bilateral agreements and private networks of MailAmericas.” 

Tomas Miguens, President of MailAmericas stated, “As one of the largest service providers of Cross Border E-Commerce into Latin America, we are thrilled to partner up with Ethiopian Airlines Group and expand our horizon into Africa’s territory. We have an extensive knowledge in the region through our subsidiary Mailafrica which has provided services over 25 years. It’s our pleasure to be able to work side by side with the leading airline in Africa. This will grant every customer a better shopping experience, improving delivery time and traceability of their packages. 

We will continuously look to strengthen this partnership and develop new businesses to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with Ethiopian Airlines Group.” as part of the partnership, Ethiopian Airlines will gain access to all bilateral agreements and private networks of MailAmericas across the regions, enabling it to offer competitive services to customers in Africa, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and other parts of the world.

Flybe collapses.....again......What to do if you were due to fly with flybe

The UK regional airline flybe has cancelled all flights to and from the UK after calling in the administrators and ceased trading.

On its website the airline posted the following message, asking passengers not to travel to the airport and advising  "Flybe has now ceased trading and all flights from and to the UK operated by Flybe have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled."

If you are a passenger affected by this event, please read the advice below.

If you are due to fly with Flybe today or in the future, please DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT unless you have arranged an alternative flight with another airline. Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers.

If you have a Flybe booking sold by an intermediary (i.e. not directly with Flybe) that includes travel on a Flybe flight, please contact the relevant airline or booking / travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans as the intermediary may be able to support you with alternative arrangements and provide further advice regarding any claim you may need to make.

Customers are also advised to monitor the Civil Aviation Authority website for further information www.caa.co.uk/news

If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the Administrators at:

flybecustomers@interpathadvisory.com

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises the following on its site:

If you booked directly with Flybe and paid by credit card you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and should contact your card issuer for further information. Similarly, if you paid by debit or charge card you should contact your card issuer for advice as you may be able to make a claim under their chargeback rules.

If you purchased travel insurance that includes cover for scheduled airline failure, known as SAFI, you should contact your insurer. If you did not book directly with Flybe and purchased your tickets through a third party, you should contact your booking or travel agent in the first instance.

Negative response letter

Passengers who booked directly with the company via either a credit, charge or debit card may alternatively be able to make a claim through their card provider. Some card providers will ask for a negative response letter confirming the position. Passengers may also be able to make a claim against their travel insurer.

The negative response letter will be published shortly.

Direct booking with an airline

If you paid the airline directly by credit card you might be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You should check with your card issuer for further advice. You may have similar cover if you paid by Visa debit card and should check with your bank.

Booked through an Airline Ticket Agent

If you booked your ticket through an airline ticket agent you should speak to the agent in the first instance; they may have provided travel insurance that includes Scheduled Airline Failure cover.

Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI)

Some airlines and airline ticket agents will offer customers either a specific Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) policy or include similar protection within a broader travel insurance product. The type of protection provided may vary depending on the type of policy taken out. A policy may simply cover the cost of the original tickets purchased or any unused portion, or the additional cost of purchasing new flights, such as new tickets for travel back to the UK.

Paul Smith, Consumer Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

"It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers.

We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Flybe flights are cancelled. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website or our Twitter feed for more information."

The majority of destinations served by Flybe are within the UK with alternative transport arrangements available.  We recognise that this is an uncertain time for affected employees and their families. Jobcentre Plus, through its Rapid Response Service, stands ready to support any employee affected."

The chief executive of Belfast City Airport, Matthew Hall commented: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news. Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport. Alternative travel to Birmingham; Glasgow; Leeds-Bradford; London Heathrow, Amsterdam; Edinburgh; Manchester; and Southampton can be arranged through Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways and Loganair which operates flights to Teesside International from Belfast City Airport."

Delta’s Salt Lake City expansion plan moves forward

Delta Air Lines and Salt Lake City have finalized a new lease agreement, paving the way for Delta’s continued growth and investment in one of its critical West Coast hubs.  

Officially announced during Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s 2023 State of the City address, the contract extends Delta’s current lease to 2044 and adds a construction phase to Delta’s SLC expansion plan. The agreement will increase Delta's gates at the airport from 55 to 66, with completion anticipated in 2027. 

“Salt Lake City is key to Delta’s continued success in bolstering its position as the leading global premium carrier for the region, and this lease agreement and subsequent expansion plan are a testament to that,” said Holden Shannon, Delta’s S.V.P. of Corporate Real Estate. “Delta’s historic SLC agreement is another important marker of our ongoing commitment to transform the travel experience on the ground and in the air.” 

The agreement commits Delta to $2.8 billion in lease payments through 2044 and will create a more comfortable, seamless travel journey for customers while boosting the local and state economy through meaningful job creation. The agreement includes two five-year renewal options, allowing Delta to operate under the new lease until 2054.  

Utah continues to serve as a focal point of the airline’s hiring strategy: the state is home to roughly 5,000 Delta people, with 1,000 people hired in 2022 alone.  

Textron Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Textron Inc. this week reported fourth-quarter 2022 income from continuing operations of $1.07 per share, compared with $0.93, or $0.94 per share of adjusted income from continuing operations, a non-GAAP measure that is defined and reconciled to GAAP in an attachment to this release, in the fourth quarter of 2021. 

 Full year 2022 income from continuing operations was $4.01 per share up from $3.30 in 2021.

“2022 was a strong year at Textron with solid revenue growth, order flow and execution at Aviation, new program awards at Systems, higher revenues and operating profit at Industrial and the contract award for the U.S. Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program at Bell,” said Textron Chairman and CEO Scott C. Donnelly.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations of the manufacturing group for the full year was $1.5 billion. Manufacturing cash flow before pension contributions, a non-GAAP measure that is defined and reconciled to GAAP in an attachment to this release, totaled $1.2 billion for the full year, up $29 million from 2021.

In the quarter, Textron returned $228 million to shareholders through share repurchases. Full year 2022 share repurchases totaled $867 million.

Outlook

For 2023, Textron will begin reporting earnings per share on an adjusted basis to exclude LIFO inventory provision and intangible amortization expense, both non-cash items, effective with the first quarter 2023 financial results.

Textron is forecasting 2023 revenues of approximately $14.0 billion, up from $12.9 billion. Textron expects full-year 2023 GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations will be in the range of $4.40 to $4.60, or $5.00 to $5.20 on an adjusted basis as described above, which is reconciled to GAAP in an attachment to this release.

The company is estimating net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations of the manufacturing group will be between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion and manufacturing cash flow before pension contributions, a non-GAAP measure, will be between $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion, with planned pension contributions of about $50 million.

“The 2023 outlook reflects higher revenues, increased profit and operating margin expansion with a continuation of our growth strategy of ongoing investments in new products and programs to drive increases in long-term shareholder value,” Donnelly concluded.

Fourth Quarter Segment Results

Dorint Becomes New Business Partner of BARIG – Airlines and Hotels Welcome Increasing Travel Volumes

After more than two years determined by the COVID19 pandemic and extremely challenging not only for the aviation but also for the hotel industry, a significant economic recovery has been recorded at least since summer 2022 – due to the increasing number of business as well as leisure travel. In this context, the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) is further expanding the hospitality section within its cross-industrial network. With Dorint GmbH as a new business partner from January 1, 2023, the exchange between the hospitality industry and the BARIG airlines will be further strengthened. 

Michael Hoppe, BARIG Chairman and Executive Director: “We are delighted to welcome Dorint, which is a renowned traditional company within the hotel industry with more than 60 years of experience, as part of our business partner network. Fortunately, travel volumes have been increasing strongly, which means that intensive networking of different players within the travel chain is also becoming more important again. With formats such as our BARIG Full Board meetings and other events, we provide the right communication and exchange platforms between our business partners from the hotel industry and our more than 100 member airlines.” 

Kirsten Stolle, Regional Director Dorint GmbH: “As one of the leading German hotel companies, the continuous exchange with various stakeholders of the travel industry is particularly important to us. We are looking forward to the cooperation with BARIG and are convinced that the partnership has great potential for both sides. Eventually, the past two years have shown how important a good cohesion within the tourism sector is in order to address topics collectively.” 

The Dorint Hotel Group, which is based in Cologne, is one of Germany’s leading hotel companies. Under the brands “Dorint Hotels & Resorts,” “Homage Luxury Hotels Collection,” and “Essential by Dorint,” the established company operates 66 hotels today – three are in Switzerland and two in Austria. All hotels are characterized not only by their modern facilities and good accessibility, but also by their special location in city centers, directly connected to trade fair and congress centers, or in the midst of nature. Their amenities are equally appreciated by business and individual travelers as well as those seeking relaxation. As a host with great conference expertise and good transport connections, Dorint offers flexible event and seminar capacities of all sizes.

IATA Welcomes Restoration of ‘Class A’ ATC Services Over Somalia, Surrounding Oceanic Airspace

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomes the reclassification of airspace over Somalia and the surrounding region to Class A. This will take place at one minute past midnight on 26 January 2023 when air traffic control services will be operationally restored after a 30-year disruption.

Some of the region’s busiest airways - linking the African subcontinent south of Ethiopia with the Middle East and Indian subcontinent as well as Western Europe with the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands - traverse Somalian airspace, which is officially known as the Mogadishu Flight Information Region (FIR). It covers the landmass surrounding the Horn of Africa and extends into the Indian Ocean.  

“The reclassification of the Mogadishu FIR as ‘Class A’ airspace will significantly improve safety in the region and enhance efficiency. This is thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Somalia Airspace Special Coordination Team, comprising the Somali CAA, IATA, the International Civil Aviation Organization, adjacent FIRs and airlines,” said IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Africa, Kamil Al-Awadhi.

The reclassification of the airspace, and the operational resumption of air traffic control in the Mogadishu FIR has been made possible with the installation and commissioning of modern radio navigation and other technological infrastructure. It follows a successful trial which began last May. 

“The upgrade of air traffic management and improved navigation and communication infrastructure will enhance situational awareness along an increasingly busy air corridor and its intersections with routes linking many of the world’s regions,” added Al-Awadhi.

All flights operating in Class A airspace must be cleared by air traffic control which is also responsible for maintaining lateral and vertical separation between aircraft. In the Mogadishu FIR, Class A airspace is the sky above the base altitude of approximately 24,500 feet above mean sea level.

Airbus Helicopters performed steadily in a complex 2022

Airbus Helicopters performed steadily in a complex 2022

In 2022, Airbus Helicopters logged 374 gross orders (net: 362), highlighting the ongoing market recovery with an impressive 216 light single engine helicopters sold. Deliveries increased from 338 in 2021 to 344 in 2022, contributing to Airbus Helicopters’ preliminary 52% share of the civil and parapublic market . Airbus’ helicopter fleet flight hours are now back to pre-COVID 2019 levels.

“2022 was a year in which Airbus Helicopters solidified its recovery, in a context of instability with the war in Ukraine and a fragile supply chain. I’d like to thank our customers for their continued trust in Airbus Helicopters. Our teams will continue to work hard to meet their needs and deliver on our commitments in 2023,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “Our orders came from 203 customers in 48 countries, underlining the importance of our global network as well as showing that in uncertain times, the role of helicopters is more essential than ever .”

New ground was broken, with important first deliveries.The first ACH160 was delivered to a Brazilian customer, transported by an Airbus Beluga, in July 2022. Shortly after, All Nippon Helicopter’s H160 entered into service in Japan and the French Navy took delivery of the first H160 for SAR operations. In October, the Company delivered the first H135s to the Spanish Ministry of Interior following the major order just ten months prior.

Significant support and services contracts were signed for both the civil and military range. Highlights include an NHIndustries contract with NAHEMA for the French and German NH90s, a follow-on contract with the US Army for more than 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota helicopters. The Helicopter Company signed In-Service HCare contracts for its fleet of 20 H145s and six ACH160s.

Alaska Airlines drops platsic cups.....

All inflight beverages on Alaska flights are now served in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper cups or reusable glassware for most First-Class services. It is a move which eliminates more than 55 million plastic cups annually and replaces them with a more planet-friendly alternative. The carrier began the process of eliminating its five largest sources of plastic waste in 2018 by removing plastic straws and stir sticks from inflight service. 

As part of the sustainability efforts, Alaska continues to pursue product innovations and supply chain advancements to achieve our 2025 goal of replacing the top five waste-producing items from onboard service and continuing to recycle. In 2021, Alaska established climate goals for its impacts in carbon, waste, and water while defining a five-part pathway to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 to keep the places we live and fly beautiful and viable for generations to come.

The airline is also eliminating plastic water bottles in favour of Boxed Water cartons. Boxed Water packages purified water in 100% recyclable cartons made from plant materials, and guests surveyed report that they prefer Boxed Water over plastic-bottled water at a rate of 2-to-1.

United Celebrates Historic First Graduating Class of Flight Academy Pilots

United, the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, is celebrating the graduation of United Aviate Academy's inaugural class of pilots, an important step towards training the next generation of talented, qualified, and motivated aviators. The inaugural graduating class includes 51 students – with nearly 80% being women or people of colour – marking the next step towards the airline's goal to train about 5,000 new pilots at the school by 2030, with the added goal of at least half women or people of colour.

The recruitment and hiring of pilots is a priority at United and the academy is an example of the long-term investments in infrastructure, training, and aircraft the airline has made in the past few years. Just last month, United purchased more widebodies than any U.S. airline in history and announced it's now the largest carrier across both the Pacific and Atlantic. To support that growth, United hired about 2,400 pilots in 2022 and plans to hire another 2,500 this year. United intends to add at least 10,000 pilots by the end of this decade.

Inaugural class puts airline on path towards training about 5,000 new pilots at the flight school by 2030 with a goal of at least half being women or people of color

Investments in training and infrastructure pave the way for United to hire more than 2,500 pilots in 2023, with a goal to add at least 10,000 pilots by the end of this decade

United CEO Scott Kirby, United COO Toby Enqvist, and other special guests on hand at Phoenix Goodyear Airport to honor academy's very first graduates

United CEO Scott Kirby and United COO Toby Enqvist will honour the first class of graduates at a ceremony later this morning at the Phoenix Goodyear Airport. "United is leading the industry in the training, recruitment and hiring of the next generation of talented commercial pilots and the progress we've made at United Aviate Academy after just one year is another example of an airline where good leads the way," said Kirby. "I'm so proud of this first class of graduates – they've taken an important first step in their career and they reflect our commitment to hiring people who exceed the highest professional and safety standards. I look forward to eventually welcoming them to our United team and I can't wait to see them flying our new United Next planes in the years to come."

United Aviate Academy graduates can continue to build flight time and leadership experience while continuing within the United Aviate pilot career development program's ecosystem. Some graduates will work as Certified Flight Instructors at the academy to continue accruing the 1,500 required flying hours – a common industry practice for aspiring pilots – while others will build experience at participating flight schools or universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue University and Hampton University. The United Aviate program then encourages graduates to eventually fly for a United Express carrier, take on leadership roles at an Aviate participating Part 135 operator, or become a Fleet Technical Instructor at United to complete their training. Aviate participants can expect to become a United pilot within about six years of graduating from United Aviate Academy.

United currently has more than 14,000 pilots, and Captains of United's Boeing 787s and 777s can earn more than $350,000 per year plus a rich package of benefits. In addition, United pilots receive one of the highest 401(k) matches in the nation – 16% of base pay.

Air Canada Named One of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes for Eighth Consecutive Year

Air Canada has been named one of Canada's Best Employers 2023 by Forbes for the eighth consecutive year, recognizing the airline's commitment to providing excellent employment opportunities for employees in Canada.

"We are honoured to be recognized as one of Canada's Best Employers 2023 by Forbes yet again, a clear signal that the workplace culture we have fostered over many years has enabled Air Canada to remain a top employer. Creating a positive work environment that supports employee fulfillment and development while at the leading edge of global aviation remains a key priority for Air Canada as it continues to implement its business strategies restoring its international network and continuing to elevate its products and services. Thanks go to our more than 36,000 dedicated employees who safely transport people globally every day," said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs.

According to Forbes, the recognition as one of Canada's Best Employers 2023 is based on independent surveys of over 12,000 employees working part-time or full-time for companies employing at least 500 people in Canada. The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees that were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees were also asked to give their opinion on working conditions, salary, and potential for development.

The Forbes award is the most recent recognition Air Canada has received for human resources, corporate culture, and employee engagement in in the last year, which include:

One of the World's Best Employers 2022 by Forbes

One of Canada's Best Employers for Diversity 2022 by Forbes

One of Canada's Best Employers 2022 by Forbes

One of Montreal Top Employers 2022 by Mediacorp (for the ninth consecutive year)

Payworks Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy at the Canadian HR Awards 2022

Rocket Lab Successfully Launches First Electron Mission from U.S. Soil

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. a leading launch and space systems company, today successfully launched its 33rd Electron rocket and first mission from Virginia. The “Virginia is for Launch Lovers” mission lifted off at 18:00 EST on January 24th from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The mission deployed three satellites to a 550km orbit for leading radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360. Rocket Lab has now successfully deployed a total of 155 satellites to orbit from the Company’s three launch pads across the U.S. and New Zealand.

The mission was Rocket Lab’s 33rd Electron mission overall, but the first launched from U.S. soil, introducing a new responsive launch capability to the nation

The successful launch from LC-2 marks the beginning of a new era of responsive launch capability for small satellites from U.S. soil. Built with support from Virginia Space, the Commonwealth of Virginia and NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 is designed to serve the responsive space needs of commercial, civil, defense, and national security customers, supporting up to 12 missions per year. Combined with Rocket Lab’s private Launch Complex 1 site in New Zealand, the Company’s launch sites can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year, delivering flexibility and rapid launch capability for customers.

“Electron is already the leading small orbital rocket globally, and today’s perfect mission from a new pad is testament to our team’s unrelenting commitment to mission success,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “After our busiest launch year yet in 2022 with nine successful missions, what better way to kick off the new year than by launching Virginia-built spacecraft from a Virginia launch site, enabled by our rapidly growing Virginia-based team. This mission has been a real team effort. Thanks to the consistent support of NASA, Virginia Space, the FAA, the Commonwealth and our mission partner HawkEye 360, Rocket Lab is proud to bring a reliable and responsive new launch capability to Virginia’s Eastern Shore.”

“We are grateful to share in the success of today’s launch. Our sixth trio of satellites and our first mid-latitude satellite cluster will broaden the scope of our geospatial insights for our partners around the world,” said HawkEye 360 CEO, John Serafini. “This also marks our first launch in our home state of Virginia, making today’s success even more meaningful. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Rocket Lab and Virginia Space in the months and years ahead.”

The launch of Electron from the NASA-controlled Wallops Flight Facility also marked the introduction of the agency’s autonomous flight termination capability, known as NAFTU (NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Unit). While Rocket Lab has successfully flown its own autonomous system on Electron missions since 2019, NASA developed NAFTU in conjunction with this launch to provide a common system for flight termination for a wide array of launch vehicles at any launch range. Autonomous flight termination capability now being in operation at Wallops can provide faster and cheaper access to space for small satellites by enabling wider launch windows, smaller launch safety corridors, and reduced reliance on ground-based systems.

“We are honored to support the launch of this historic mission,” said Ted Mercer, CEO and Executive Director of Virginia Space. “In addition to being Rocket Lab’s first and only U.S. launch location, we will also be building rockets and processing their payload right here in Accomack County – something that has never been done in Virginia. Our partnership with Rocket Lab is a unique opportunity for the Commonwealth of Virginia to create long-term economic development opportunities in the form of high-paying jobs, launch viewing tourism, and construction of new facilities on the Eastern Shore.”

The “Virginia is for Launch Lovers” mission was the first of three Electron launches for HawkEye 360 in a contract that will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites to low Earth orbit in 2023 and 2024. These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise geolocation of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.

Virginia is the first U.S. launch location of the Electron launch vehicle, but it will also be home to the Company’s new larger launch vehicle Neutron, which will be built, tested, launched, and landed within the Wallops Flight Facility in the future. Construction is underway of the Neutron Production Complex as development of the new rocket progresses, thanks to the continuous support from the Commonwealth and Virginia Space.

Air Canada Cargo expands freighter network with new scheduled service to Liege and Basel

Air Canada Cargo has just announced that scheduled service to Liege with its Boeing 767 freighters will begin next month, while flights to Basel are slated to begin in April.

Air Canada Cargo will operate flights twice per week to Liege, with service increasing to three flights per week later in the year. Basel, one of Europe's premiere pharmaceutical hubs, will see two flights per week. They will originate in Toronto and have a stop in Halifax.  

The routes will connect these European destinations to Toronto and Air Canada Cargo’s extensive global network.  

“Air Canada Cargo continues to expand its freighter network to provide customers with reliable, year-round service that connects key European markets with Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo’s global network through its Toronto hub,” said Matthieu Casey, Managing Director, Commercial at Air Canada Cargo.

These new routes are in addition to the recent start of service to Dallas, Atlanta and Bogota as Air Canada Cargo continues to expand its freighter network.