Cyber security sector expected to hit £1bn market share in 2023

Analysis by digital identity specialists, ID Crypt Global, estimates that by the end of this year, the cyber security industry is set to breach the £1bn mark in market size, driven by increased demand for protection in a world that is becoming increasingly more digitised by the day.

The analysis of the cyber security software development sector by ID Crypt Global shows that there has already been incredible growth within the space over the last decade. 

10 years ago, the market size of the sector was an estimated £456.8m, today, it’s thought to have increased to £961.4m - a 110% increase. 

Not only has the size of the sector increased every year over the last decade, but the 10.7% jump seen over the last year was the third highest annual increase since 2013. 

This growth has been driven by demand within the sector and today, there are currently 188 operational businesses servicing this demand, a 132% increase versus a decade ago. 

Despite this increase in competition, it remains a profitable space to be in, with the average revenue per business up 6% in the last year to £5.1m. 

Southwest Airlines plans to boost operational resiliency to enhance support for employees and customers

The U.S. budget carrier, Southwest Airlines has advised that will share an overview of the prioritized actions being implemented to strengthen the airline's operational resiliency. The actions will be previewed by Bob Jordan, Southwest's President and Chief Executive Officer, at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in New York and are designed for Customers and Employees to continue benefiting from the airline's 52-year history of providing Safe, reliable, and Customer-friendly Southwest Hospitality.

As a result of the initial assessments conducted by Southwest, and the globally-recognized aviation consultancy Oliver Wyman, the airline has developed a three-part Tactical Action Plan to boost operational resiliency in key areas across the Company. The airline's existing five-year Operational Modernization Plan, which began in 2022, is also underway and focuses on operational investments and organizational alignment to support Customers and Employees.

"We understand the root causes that led to the holiday disruption, and we're validating our internal review with the third-party assessment. Now, we expect to mitigate the risk of an event of this magnitude ever happening again," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Work is well underway implementing action items to prepare for next winter—with some items already completed. I want to thank our Employees and Customers for their patience and grace, and we're resolved to emerge an even stronger airline."

In addition to Winter Storm Elliot, which was more severe than expected, a driver of the disruption was determined to be the volume of cascading and close-in flight cancelations during the storm which overwhelmed Station operations and the airline's Crew Network and hindered established processes and internal tools. While the airline had existing technology and staffing in place to handle many types of irregular operations, the pace and breadth of disruptions during this extreme event strained the ability to create timely operational solutions. The airline will provide additional communication in the coming weeks, including a microsite summarizing key findings and mitigation actions.

Aer Lingus Regional operated by Emerald Airlines has carried over 1 million passengers in first 12 months.....

Aer Lingus and Emerald Airlines celebrate the first anniversary of the franchise partnership

Aer Lingus and Emerald Airlines today celebrate one year of their franchise partnership, having operated its inaugural international flight under the new Aer Lingus Regional franchise from Dublin to Isle of Man, just 12 months ago. Aer Lingus Regional services, exclusively operated by Emerald Airlines, have carried over 1 million passengers and operated more than 22,000 flights over the past 12 months.

By peak summer, Emerald airlines will fly up to 800 flights per week,across 30 routes serving 20 destinations in Ireland, UK, Channel Islands and France. This includes new flights connecting Cork to Bristol, Belfast to Isle of Man as well as increased flights from Dublin to 14 airports across UK, including a newly announced year-round service from Dublin to Liverpool and a summer service to Brest, Brittany (France). The airline is progressively bolstering its 2023 schedule, with over 2.5 million seats on sale this year.

Customers flying on Aer Lingus Regional routes can avail of AerClub, Aer Lingus’ loyalty programme. Each time they fly they can collect Avios which can be turned into reward flights with Aer Lingus and AerClub airline partners, while also earning tier credits to unlock tier benefits such as lounge access and fast track.

The Emerald partnership is hugely significant for Aer Lingus not just in terms of the direct regional services it provides, particularly to smaller key UK markets, but also due to the number of Aer Lingus Regional passengers who connect onwards to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services. Currently Aer Lingus Regional feeds one in eight transatlantic passengers to Aer Lingus, supporting Dublin as the natural gateway to the U.S. Aer Lingus Regional customers transferring onward to North America can avail of US Immigration and Pre-clearance at Dublin Airport, skipping lengthy immigration queues stateside.

The first Aer Lingus Regional domestic flight from Dublin to Donegal took off as part of the franchise partnership, 10 months in advance of the original start date which was planned to be January of this year. The acceleration of the start date fell in line with the post pandemic uplift in demand for travel.

Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus said:

“Emerald Airlines is a key partner for Aer Lingus, as we continue to rebuild and grow our transatlantic network. The first year of our partnership with Emerald has been very positive.

“Through Emerald Airlines, the Aer Lingus Regional brand is able to serve important smaller UK regional markets. Providing passengers onto our longhaul services is a critical element of this partnership and in its first year it has been very successful in driving that traffic onto the Aer Lingus transatlantic network.

“Our close working relationship with the Emerald Airlines team means they have a deep understanding of our brand and strategy to continue growing Dublin Airport as a hub. I’m looking forward to more growth, more customers, more routes and more to come from Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus Regional.”

Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman of Emerald Airlines said:

“What a year it has been! Starting our journey in the skies over 12 months ago, we have now welcomed over 400 staff across both our Dublin and Belfast bases and will soon be operating 30 routes across 19 destinations in Ireland, UK, Channel Islands, and Northern France.

“I’d like to thank our great team here at Emerald for their ongoing support and commitment over the past 12 months, our partners at Aer Lingus, and our loyal customers for continuously choosing to fly with us - without you, this milestone would not be possible. We look forward to continuing to provide frequent, reliable and great value air services for many years to come.” 

This summer Aer Lingus will operate its largest ever North American summer schedule to date, with over 2.25 million transatlantic seats on sale for summer 2023. Aer Lingus has the fifth largest transatlantic hub in the world at Dublin, presenting a huge opportunity for Emerald Airlines.

The RAF's ears in the sky........RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint has been refuelled by a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on recent operations.

A Royal Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint has been refuelled by a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on recent operations.

The Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that is widely employed on military operations to monitor, collect, and analyse selected communications and radar signals.

They are flown by 51 Squadron who are based at RAF Waddington and are part of the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force.   The aircraft have also recently been refuelled by a French Air Force C-135FR Stratotanker, demonstrating the ongoing interoperability of NATO aircraft on operations. Integration with the French Air Force shows support to the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, which is an Anglo-French military force.

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, Deputy Commander (Operations) said:  "The ISTAR Force has been exceptionally busy throughout this last year, particularly our Rivet Joint capability, which has been operating at almost 200% from previous norms. Flying from the Barents, via the Baltics, Eastern Flank, into the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, our ability to collect intelligence data, and process it at pace has proved vital, and has been right at the very heart of intelligence provision for NATO."

Like the United States Air Force’s KC-135, the RAF’s Voyager aircraft regularly delivers fuel to partner nation forces to extend the duration and range of the flights.

Qantas deal with China Airlines benefits Frequent Flyers

Frequent flyers can now use their Qantas Points to travel to more than 75 destinations around the world with China Airlines, as Qantas expands its partnership with the Taipei-based carrier.

The expansion means Qantas Frequent Flyers can use points to book Classic Flight Reward seats on all China Airlines flights, adding more destinations to the 1,200 they can already fly to using points and providing another option to many other destinations particularly across Asia and Europe.

Frequent Flyers were previously able to use points to travel on China Airlines between Australia and Taipei only.

Members can travel from Sydney to Da Nang in Economy using 37,800 points, from Melbourne to Amsterdam in Business using 159,000 points or Sydney to Taipei in Business using 75,000 points (plus taxes, fees and carrier charges). Bookings will also be able to be made through the Contact Centre shortly.

RAF Shadow Mk2 surveillance aircraft fleet to benefit from a bespoke UK-based training system..... £110 million upgrade

The Shadow Mk1 fleet, which provides the MOD with battle-winning intelligence gathering, is being expanded and upgraded, with Shadow Mk2 due to enter service in 2024 under a £110M contract placed with Raytheon UK in 2021. This contract secured 150 highly-skilled jobs, including specialist aerospace skills and apprentices at its Broughton facility in North Wales, and hundreds more within Wales and wider-UK supply chain.

Royal Air Force personnel currently travel overseas for simulator training, but under a new £11.5M contract placed by Defence Equipment & Support with Raytheon UK, crews will be able to train on a Full Flight Simulator for Shadow Mk2 on home soil.

The removal of overseas travel will reduce the MOD’s carbon footprint, increase access to quality training and is set to save up to £200,000 a year in efficiencies.

The capability – a King Air 350 simulator – will also ensure the UK’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force is able to better support existing UK and overseas commitments.

The contract award for a UK-based Full Flight Simulator follows the successful and on-time delivery of two strategic programme milestones in the preceding months.

The news comes as Raytheon UK announced that it has passed a Critical Design Review (CDR) on its work to increase the current fleet of six reconnaissance aircraft to eight and to integrate the latest UK Sovereign Defensive Aids Systems.

The Critical Design Review confirms the baseline configuration for the aircraft, defining the equipment fit which will maintain this leading capability.

Based at RAF Waddington and flown by 14 Squadron, Shadow forms a key part of the RAF’s ISTAR force by gathering intelligence via its high-definition electro-optical and electronic sensors. Once data is gathered, satellite communication links enable the information to be assessed while the aircraft is airborne during a mission.

The simulator is expected to be in service with Shadow crews by late 2024.

/Read more about the RAF Shadow Mk1 (mod.uk)

Air Canada to start new Montreal-Amsterdam summer flights

Air Canada today announced the addition of new, non-stop seasonal flights between Montreal and Amsterdam for this summer. Flights will operate five-times weekly with the airline's state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and conveniently link to and from Air Canada's extensive North American network at its Montreal global hub. 

"We continue to see strong demand for travel to Europe and we are thrilled to increase service and add new, non-stop service between Montreal and Amsterdam for summer 2023, complementing our year-round service between Toronto and the Dutch capital. With up to double daily flights between Canada and Amsterdam this summer from two of our global hubs, customers on both sides of the Atlantic have an abundance of convenient choices to visit and explore each other's countries and beyond. Customers can start planning ahead and book with confidence. We look forward to welcoming you onboard," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

Air Canada's newest route from Montreal further strengthens its position as the leading trans-Atlantic carrier serving the city, offering the most destinations and available seats, as well as providing an additional important economic link between the two cities with the Dreamliner's cargo capabilities.

RAF and German Air Force Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft in first joint NATO air policing scramble

The British and German fighters escorted a Russian IL78 Midas air-to-air refuelling aircraft, which was not responding to communications, near Estonian airspace.

A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet operating from Ämari Air Base in Estonia has carried out the first joint NATO Air Policing interception alongside a German Air Force Typhoon. The pair of jets launched on Tuesday, 14 March to intercept a Russian air-to-air refuelling aircraft that was flying close to Estonian airspace.

The pair of Typhoon jets were scrambled to escort the IL78 Midas, which was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad, after it failed to communicate with air traffic control in Estonia. Following a successful visual identification and escort, the pair of Typhoons were re-tasked to intercept an AN148 airliner, also passing Estonian airspace.

The RAF and German Air Force are conducting planned Joint NATO Air Policing, a first for the two NATO Allies. The interception is however a routine NATO mission for the Typhoons which provides reassurance that the UK and Germany together with other NATO allies stand with their Estonian ally at this time of tension.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, said: "NATO continues to form the bedrock of our collective security. This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to NATO’s borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength."

A Typhoon pilot from IX(Bomber) Squadron, operating as part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, together with a German colleague were on standby on Quick Reaction Alert duty when the scramble was called.  He said:  "We were scrambled to intercept an aircraft that was approaching Estonian airspace. We identified and monitored it as it transited close to NATO airspace.

Any aircraft that are not communicating with Air Traffic Control or on a recognised flight plan will be intercepted by us to ensure we know who they are and maintain flight safety for all airspace users.  As a fighter pilot this was a routine business, even though I was flying alongside a German colleague.  It is clear that all of our training and hard work paid off as we seamlessly operated together."

The Royal Air Force is deployed on Operation Azotize in Estonia to conduct the long-established NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.  During March the mission is being led by the German Air Force, before handing over to the RAF.  Joint missions will be flow till the end of April.

A day in the life of luggage: how hold bags arrive at the correct airport

When you check-in, your luggage embarks on its own journey to your final destination. While there’s possibly some anxiety around whether your bags will make it to the same airport as you, the logistics of luggage handling has become a well-oiled machine that has been refined over decades. 

Here, Artemis Aerospace takes us through the carefully synchronised stages which ensure you are safely reunited with your belongings at the other end.

You’ve arrived at the airport, checked in your hold baggage and it has disappeared down the conveyor belt; you can now head for the café, indulge in some retail therapy or open your laptop and get on with your work. But as you order your flat white, your suitcase is setting off on a complex but tightly choreographed progression which will end in your reunion at the baggage reclaim belt.



Once your case has vanished from view, it enters the fully-automated handling system and passes through the baggage security screening machine, which is about twice the size of the hand luggage scanner, and a vital cog in the process of keeping everyone on board safe. Security officers calculate the density of scanned objects in their search for contraband and, although these machines can’t work out specifically what every item is, they will detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, and also most organic materials, including food items. The scanner will identify a suspicious package with a red light, whilst a white light indicates further inspection is needed. Your case, of course, sails through the green light and on its way.



Baggage is tagged, usually with a barcode, and sorted according to whether it’s early for the flight, on time or, in some circumstances, whether it’s just missed it. Early Baggage Storage (EBS) systems allow passenger bags to be checked in well before the flight; some also enable users to track the identity and location of any bag at all times. This largely removes the possibility of lost luggage and can also allow accurate removal from the process if necessary.



Although the sophistication of baggage handling systems varies considerably from airport to airport, they can detect and manage any blockages in the system, regulate the flow of bags according to demand, and even align and rotate bags if necessary to ensure smooth passage.

Finnair backs down on mass subcontracting of cabin crew and pilot services.

In a climb down by the Helsinki-based Finnair, the company says it will not increase subcontracting in inflight services in Finland following savings agreed upon together with cabin crew

A savings agreement has been reached with Finnair's cabin crew. As a result, Finnair has today concluded the change negotiations it started in November and discontinued the subcontracting plan for inflight services on routes to/from Thailand and North America. The savings agreement is valid until the end of 2025.

Finnair has earlier agreed on savings with pilots, senior white-collar employees and engineers, and cabin crew based in Japan and Korea, and made local agreements that increase efficiency in Finnair Technical Services and different ground operation units. The savings agreements cover 87% of Finnair’s personnel.

 

”We are pleased that we have been able to find solutions together with our employees”, says Johanna Karppi, Senior Vice President, People and Culture at Finnair. “The double crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace has had a major impact on Finnair's finances. The agreements with our employees support our important goal of restoring profitability. We are grateful that our employees have been willing to contribute to solving our profitability challenge to safeguard the future of Finnair and jobs at Finnair.”

 

easyJet launches flights to Istanbul

easyJet has announced a new route to Istanbul in Turkey from Manchester which will take off this summer. This will be the first time the airline will operate to the Istanbul Airport in Turkey’s largest city, which becomes the 156th destination on easyJet’s extensive short-haul network spanning Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Seats are on sale now at easyJet.com and via the mobile app, with fares from £51.99.*

Departing for the first time on 9th June, flights will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, providing a direct connection for customers from the North-West to this unique and iconic city, in addition to existing popular services from Manchester to Antalya and Dalaman.

Istanbul joins other destinations Bodrum, Antalya, Dalaman and Izmir on easyJet’s Turkey network and promises to offer customers something uniquely different.  Straddling two continents, and famously known as the city where East meets West, easyJet’s newest destination boasts a rich history and will offer customers a variety experiences; from the old city which reflects cultural influences of many historic empires, to world-famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque, while bargain hunters can stroll the iconic Grand Bazaar.

What’s more, the new route means that brand new package holidays have gone on sale with Europe’s fastest-growing tour operator, easyJet holidays. Holidaymakers can make the most of city break packages starting at just £437 per person, including hotel, flights and 23kg luggage. The holiday provider has 13 hotels to choose from, including the 5* CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul in the New City, the 5* Eresin hotels Topkapi in the Old City, and the 5* Wanda Vista Istanbul in Marmara.

Skybus celebrates more than 30 years of flying from Exeter Airport as new season takes off

Skybus is celebrating more than 30 years of flying from Exeter Airport to the Isles of Scilly as the 2023 season takes off.

The Cornwall-based airline has been flying from Exeter Airport to Scilly since May 1991 and the first flight of 2023 took off from Exeter this week.

Skybus, owned and operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, will be operating up to three flights a day, six days a week through to mid-October. With a flight time of just an hour it means one of the most stunning parts of the UK is within easy reach.

The popular islands, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, are among 26 destinations on offer from Exeter Airport this year as it gears up for a busy 2023.

Stephen Wiltshire, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “We’ve enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Skybus and we’re delighted to welcome them back to Exeter again this year for what we expect will be a busy season.

Saudi Arabian flag-carrier SAUDIA to order 39 fuel-efficient 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft.

Saudi Arabian Airlines - SAUDIA has confirmed its intention to grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. 

SAUDIA is set to purchase 39 787s, with a further 10 options, utilizing the outstanding efficiency, range and flexibility of the Dreamliner to sustainably grow its global operation. The agreement will include both 787-9 and 787-10 models.

This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia's wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers announced today their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing's history. This will support the country's goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.   

"SAUDIA continues its expansion efforts in all aspects of the airline; whether it's introducing new destinations or increasing the aircraft fleet," His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group. "The agreement with Boeing delivers on this commitment and the newly added aircraft will further enable SAUDIA to fulfill its strategic objective of bringing the world to the Kingdom".

SAUDIA currently operates more than 50 Boeing aeroplanes on its long-haul network, including the 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner. The additional 787s complement SAUDIA's existing fleet, enabling it to effectively harness the value of the 777 and 787 families.

DP World to launch new air cargo logistics hub in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

DP World and Grupo Puntacana have just announced a joint effort to develop a new air cargo logistics hub in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, boosting the country's position as the largest trade and logistics centre in the Caribbean.

The new facility is being created through an agreement between DP World and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), a company of Grupo Puntacana. It will include a new logistics centre and infrastructure platforms capable of supporting multimodal air, land and sea cargo. Operations are expected to commence in the late second quarter of 2023.

The logistics centre will harness DP World's extensive Dominican Republic multimodal cargo management experience and world-class standards for handling logistics operations globally, as well as the high connectivity of the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) to global distribution centres. DP World began operations in the Dominican Republic in 2003 at its port facility at the Punta Caucedo peninsula, a strategic place for the redistribution of cargo to the Caribbean, the United States, Central America and South America.

In addition, the agreement will launch the deployment of a robust regional commerce strategy to attract a greater volume of re-export and import cargo to and from major global commercial, industrial, technology and agricultural markets. The project also aims to generate greater investments in logistics services, increasing demand for logistics-related labour and triggering growth and diversification in the economy of the Dominican Republic.

£83 million investment at RAF Lossiemouth creates more than 100 UK jobs

Scottish business McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Limited have been awarded a contract to build a new facility ready for the arrival of the UK E-7 Wedgetail fleet at RAF Lossiemouth.

The new cutting-edge surveillance fleet will be housed in infrastructure at the Scottish base sitting alongside the recently completed Atlantic Building, from which the UK’s fleet of nine Poseidon MRA Mk1 aircraft already operate.

Creating 125 jobs in the local area, including seven new trainee positions in engineering and construction, the investment will boost the local economy and supporting supply chain, reaffirming the UK Government’s commitment to investing in Scotland. The move helps deliver on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

Subcontracted under a £83 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK (BDUK) by UK Ministry of Defence, the investment will enable the build of a new training facility and a second unit the size of an Olympic swimming pool where combined Poseidon and Wedgetail engineering will be delivered by serving RAF personnel.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, said: "This is another significant investment for Defence in Scotland, creating hundreds of jobs and bolstering the local economy.  Scotland has a proud history as home to some our most critical defence assets, and this investment will enable the new fleet of cutting-edge E-7 aircraft to support that vital capability."

As the world’s most advanced, capable and reliable Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, the E-7 will provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance for the RAF.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:  "This new facility and arrival of the UK’s fleet of E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft ensures that RAF Lossiemouth remains one of the most key military air stations in western Europe, vital to maintaining the security of the UK and our NATO allies.

Nothing is more important than defending our country, but this £83m contract award - and the creation of 125 jobs - is another great example of how UK defence investment is growing the economy and creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country."