Amadeus integrates Cirium’s advanced flight schedules data into its Travel Platform solutions, enriching the available dataset for flight and search bookingsThe deal expands the decade-long partnership between the two industry leadersAccess to the new data continues to enhance the search and booking experience for travel sellers and travellers
01 February, 2023
Travel industry to benefit with enhanced flight search and booking from Cirium and Amadeus deal
Another Airbus A321neo delivered to Frontier Airlines
United Airlines appoints Karolien De Hertogh as Director Sales U.K. and Ireland
Fledgling Norwegian carrier Flyr files for bankruptcy and halts all flights.
United, Tallgrass, and Green Plains Form Joint Venture to Develop New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technology Using Ethanol
United Airlines, Tallgrass, and Green Plains Inc. have announced a new joint venture – Blue Blade Energy – to develop and then commercialize a novel Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology that uses ethanol as its feedstock. If the technology is successful, Blue Blade is expected to proceed with the construction of a pilot facility in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that could begin commercial operations by 2028. The offtake agreement could provide for enough SAF to fly more than 50,000 flights annually between United's hub airports in Chicago and Denver.*
United, Tallgrass, and Green Plains will invest up to a combined $50 million in the joint venture – Blue Blade Energy – to develop the technologyUnited has entered into an offtake agreement with Blue Blade Energy for up to 135 million gallons of ethanol based SAF annually and up to 2.7 billion gallons in totalUnited has invested in more SAF production than any other airline
Tallgrass will manage research and development of the technology, including pilot plant development, and will manage the construction of the production facility.Green Plains will supply the low-carbon ethanol feedstock, and use its ethanol industry expertise to manage operations once the pilot facility is constructed.United Airlines will assist with SAF development, fuel certification and into-wing logistics, and has also agreed to purchase up to 2.7 billion gallons of SAF produced from the joint venture.
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Fly Meta to lease four Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft
Two years to commercial pilot license......with Condor
London Stansted Trust relaunches with £150,000 to giveaway
London Stansted’s community arm is celebrating the new year by relaunching with a new name and committee.
Projects that support community life, leisure activities, the environment and conservation will qualify to receive donations of up to £5,000, with a flagship award of up to £50,000 being presented annually.
The airport is relaunching the fund to strengthen its ties with the community as part of its successful planning application to serve up to 43 million passengers a year.
It will donate £1.5 million to the fund over the next decade, which will be topped up by fines levied on airlines that breach strict noise restrictions.
Daniel Burford, London Stansted’s Community Engagement Manager, said:
“Stansted Airport is an integral part of the community, and we take our responsibility to be a good neighbour, provide educational opportunities and drive sustainability forward very seriously.
“The new fund will allow our new committee members to work together with local people in deciding where the £150,000 annual donation from the airport goes to.
“We have made the application process as simple as possible but we’re happy to offer help to any groups who may be interested in applying.
“We know that community organisations continue to face huge challenges and grant funding like this is more important than ever.
“We hope that the fund will help bring the community together and make a positive difference for local residents."
An independent committee representing local authorities and airport stakeholders, including the airport consultative committee, has been appointed as part of the revamp, and they will meet every three months to consider grant applications.
31 January, 2023
Airbus Commercial Selects Altair SimSolid in ZEROe Sustainable Aircraft Initiative
Altair SimSolid will streamline Airbus teams in their development of the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft
Altair SimSolid will streamline Airbus teams in their development of the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft
KLM appoints Zita Schellekens as SVP Sustainability & Strategy
Republic Airways hosts 11th Annual Plane Pull at Indianapolis International Airport
ITA Airways Joins the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany
ITA Airways Joins the Board of
Airline Representatives in Germany
OAG rates Delta as North America’s most on-time airline
UK Government announces return to business as usual for aviation this summer
Airport take-off slots to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Airport slots usage ratio for summer 2023 will return to 80:20, meaning airlines will need to use their take-off slots 80% of the time in order to keep them
Return to 2019 rules will still retain some flexibility, including a justified non-use provision to prevent so-called ‘ghost flights’
Air travel is recovering following the pandemic, with government continuing to support a return to business as usual
From 26 March 2023, airlines will once again need to use their slots 80% of the time in order to keep them – the ratio in place before passenger numbers dropped as a result of the pandemic. It’s a vote of confidence in the aviation industry as demand for international travel returns – with passenger numbers at UK airports reaching 85% of equivalent 2019 levels by October 2022.
The government remains focused on reducing disruption and ensuring a positive passenger experience for those taking a well-earned break this summer. As part of that, airlines will be able to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the season, to help plan realistic schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations.
The Transport Secretary will announce the new measures during his keynote speech at the Airport Operators’ Association’s (AOA) annual conference today, where he is expected to say:
"Today, I can confirm that slots rules will return to normal this summer. But we’re maintaining the safety net introduced during covid…and airlines can hand back 5% of slots to help minimise last minute cancellations.
Now we’re able to start a new, more optimistic, conversation about the future. About an industry no longer constrained by outdated practices, but modernising its infrastructure and operations. No longer the poster child for environmental decline, but committed to a future of sustainable flight. And no longer at risk of becoming a diversity desert, but attracting talent from all backgrounds.
These are just some of the areas where aviation has a golden opportunity to move from recovery to renewal. And I look forward to working with all of you to make that happen."
Airlines will also continue to benefit from increased flexibility over when they are justified not to use their slots, for example, where either end of a route is affected by COVID-19 restrictions. This will reduce the risk of environmentally damaging so-called “ghost flights” – empty planes flying just to make the slots usage ratio.
A bit like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air service at an airport on a specific date and time.
To retain their slots for the next equivalent season, airlines must use their slots a certain number of times – but during the pandemic the usage ratio was reduced to provide relief to airlines as they saw a drop in demand as result of COVID-19 restrictions. Without these alleviations, there would have been a rise in ‘ghost flights’.
The decision follows a period of consultation with the sector on how the government can best support its recovery while ensuring slots get used where demand allows.