Changes to the board of Virgin Galactic

Virgin Group Executive Evan Lovell Appointed Chair of the Board of Directors

Former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus, Jr. to Join Board as Lead Independent Director

Former Global Investment Manager Diana Strandberg to Join as New Director

Board Members Bring Strong Mix of Expertise, Industry Experience and Diverse Perspectives

Virgin Galactic Holdings, today announced several changes to Virgin Galactic’s Board of Directors including the appointment of two new directors. The Company also announced that Virgin Group’s Chief Investment Officer, Evan Lovell, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, effective April 21. Lovell has served as the Company’s interim chair since February 2022 and as a member of the Company’s Board since October 2019. He is a seasoned private equity investor and operator, having invested and participated in global private equity and M&A over the past 20 years.

The Company also appointed two new directors: Raymond Mabus, Jr. and Diana Strandberg, with Mabus serving as Virgin Galactic’s Lead Independent Director. Mabus brings extensive public sector experience to the role having served as U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 2009 to 2017 and as the Governor of Mississippi. Strandberg recently retired from a distinguished career at global investment manager, Dodge & Cox, most recently holding the role of Senior Vice President and Director, International Equity and as an Executive Board Member.

Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic said: “We are thrilled to have Evan appointed as our Chair of the Board and to welcome Ray and Diana as new Board members. Evan has been an important member of our board for many years, and his experience with the Virgin Group will continue to be a strong asset going forward. Ray and Diana’s dynamic and complementary expertise in capital markets, international business and government will greatly benefit Virgin Galactic as we launch and grow our global commercial spaceline.”

Lovell said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Board Chair at such an exciting time for Virgin Galactic. With the launch of commercial service, we are poised for great things, and it’s a privilege to serve in this role alongside my fellow directors as we embark on a new, growth-oriented chapter.”

Additionally, on April 21, 2023, directors Adam Bain and George Mattson notified the Board that they plan to retire from the Board at the end of their current terms and will not stand for re-election at the Company’s Annual Shareholder Meeting.

Boeing to advance aerospace innovation through Korean Industry Partnerships

Boeing expands R&D collaboration in Korea, including tech development on advanced production systems, urban air mobility, aerospace semiconductors

Agreement signed with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology

Boeing has signed a new partnering agreement with Korean industry to expand joint research and development activities and further develop critical aviation technologies.

Boeing, the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), will collaborate on advanced production systems for commercial aircraft manufacturing, urban air mobility, aerospace semiconductors and cultivating industry talent in Korea. 

Boeing Korea President Eric John, KEIT President Chun Yoon-jong and KIAT President Min Byung-joo signed the Memorandum of Understanding during Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol’s visit to the United States. 

Through this collaboration, the company and research institutions will seek opportunities to cooperate across the private and public sectors. These efforts are intended to enhance the competitiveness of Korea’s aerospace industry and strengthen Boeing’s future aerospace capabilities.  

Loganair operates from Belfast City Airport for 40 years........

Celebrations have taken place to mark the 40th anniversary of Loganair’s first flight from Belfast City Airport.

As the first airline to operate a scheduled commercial flight into Belfast City Airport in 1983, when it was known as Belfast Harbour Airport, Loganair passengers arriving on the Aberdeen flight on 30th March were welcomed with a celebratory water cannon display.

Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport commented:  “Loganair has had a longstanding presence at Belfast City Airport, dating back to our very first day of commercial operations in 1983, and coming together to mark this wonderful occasion has allowed us to reflect on our relationship through the years.

Throughout the past 40 years, our partnership with Loganair has gone from strength to strength and we are very pleased to offer unrivalled convenience to both business and leisure passengers wishing to travel to Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness.

We look forward to continuing to work with Loganair to deliver high quality service and choice for travellers long into the future.”

Luke Lovegrove, Loganair’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Belfast City Airport plays an important role in the history of our airline as we operated the first scheduled services into the Airport in 1983.

The aircraft operating into Belfast at that time was also built in Belfast. It’s a privilege to be part of the 40th anniversary celebrations today and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Airport providing unrivalled domestic connectivity.”

Aviation provides critical relief in crises

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reminded stakeholders of the critical role that aviation plays at times of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. 

“When crises strike, aviation is there. Connectivity is essential to get aid and first responders to where they are needed. The response to the recent earthquake in Southern Türkiye and Syria was no exception. Airlines helped save lives in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. And airlines continue to help accelerate the recovery with vital cargo shipments,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, as the airline industry met in Istanbul for the IATA World Cargo Symposium.

While there is no comprehensive tabulation of the support that aviation provided, a limited review of 29 key carriers serving the Türkiye market reveals an impressive relief effort. These airlines:

Delivered over 3,500 tons of aid from over 90 countries

Operated over 350 relief and repatriation flights to affected areas

Provided transport for over 130,000 responders from across the world

Critical supplies delivered included winter jackets, blankets, toilets, hygiene articles, food, fire guards’ equipment, power generators, tents, water distribution ramps, flashlights, sleeping bags, and medical supplies, among other items. 

Airlink provides a good example of how the aviation sector responds to crises. It is a non-profit organization that coordinates donated airline resources and NGO needs in times of humanitarian disaster. Working with its NGO and airline partners, Airlink has coordinated the transport of 1,000 tons of aid supplies to the affected area, with an additional pipeline of 300 tons.

New route between Frankfurt and Belfast City Airport starts.

Lufthansa’s new service to Frankfurt has taken off from Belfast City Airport, marking the first time the German flag carrier has operated in Northern Ireland.

 

The service, which is the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany, will operate up to four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

 

Welcoming the inaugural flight, Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, commented:  “The commencement of Lufthansa’s service to Frankfurt represents a significant milestone for Belfast City Airport, providing Northern Ireland with essential connectivity to Europe and further afield.

 

This exciting new partnership opens up opportunities for business and leisure travellers alike and there is no doubt that it will be an extremely popular route for many.

 

At Belfast City Airport, we pride ourselves on delivering convenience and choice to our passengers and securing this new connection with Germany only strengthens that offering further.”

 

As its base and a major European hub, Frankfurt is a key destination in Lufthansa’s extensive portfolio of destinations. This summer it will connect to a network of over 200 destinations from its Frankfurt hub.

 

Dr. Frank Wagner, General Manager Sales, UK, Ireland, and Iceland for Lufthansa Group, added:  “We are excited to announce the addition of Belfast City Airport to Lufthansa’s global network with the official inaugural flight to Frankfurt on 24th April 2023.

This new nonstop connection will bring Northern Ireland much closer to Frankfurt and to the heart of Western Europe. Connecting passengers will enjoy a convenient and full service one-stop connection beyond our hub to our vast network of 200 destinations in most parts of the world.”

In addition to supporting tourism growth in the region, the new route will provide vital business links with exports from Northern Ireland to Germany already exceeding £333 million between July 2021 and July 2022.

Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of the Belfast Chamber, said:  “Belfast Chamber is delighted to welcome the arrival of the first Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to George Best Belfast City Airport.  Frankfurt is a fantastic hub airport and a new four times a week service will provide Belfast businesses with access to new markets in Germany and across the world, as well as opportunities for the city to attract new inbound tourists. “Connectivity is key to the economic success of any city and Belfast will undoubtedly benefit from this brilliant new route”.

Flights to Frankfurt will be operated by an Embraer E-190 aircraft offering both Economy and Business class services.

TUI announces largest ever flying programme from East Midlands Airport for summer 2024

TUI has responded to East Midlands AirportA’s increased passenger demand and, next year, will add a sixth aircraft to its fleet based at the airport. This will allow them to fly 85 flights a week in the peak summer months of summer 2024 to 27 destinations in 10 different countries.

TUI’s increased capacity means 100,000 additional seats for passengers offering more choice and flexibility for those wanting either a short break or a longer holiday, including: 

31 flights per week to Spain

16 flights a week to the Balearics

9  flights a week to the Canaries

6  flights week to mainland Spain

25 flights a week to eight destinations in Greece

10 flights a week to Turkey

6 flights a week to support the Marella Cruise programme to Corfu, Dalaman, Dubrovnik and Palma de Mallorca

More than 60,000 seats to Cyprus and 39,000 to Egypt

Flying exclusively from EMA to Enfidha and Hurghada (Turkey), and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt)

As well as more flights to destinations already served by them, TUI will also introduce a new route to Sal, Cape Verde, an island off the coast of West Africa.

TUI’s continued investment and commitment to provide its largest ever offer at East Midlands Airport reflects the increasing confidence that passenger numbers are quickly returning to pre-Covid levels. This year EMA expects to welcome four million passengers whereas pre-Covid numbers peaked at around 4.8 million.

EU policymakers should ensure ReFuel EU can finally take to the skies and help set the course for net zero aviation in Europe

EU policymakers should ensure ReFuel EU can finally take to the skies and help set the course for net zero aviation in Europe

 

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is urging EU policymakers to persevere and come out of the latest ReFuel EU trilogue with an agreement. This will provide certainty for European aviation and allow the EU to focus on building the capacity for a thriving sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Europe. Ahead of the meeting of EU policymakers on 25 April, A4E is reiterating its calls for a European SAF mandate that ensures:

A single mandate in a single aviation market

Ambitious but achievable quotas

High standards for truly sustainable SAF

Price support mechanisms closing the gap between SAFs and fossil fuels

The EU is on the cusp of a new era of a sustainable and green energy. It needs to think about SAF the same way it thinks about wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen or CO2 storage in order to support aviation’s energy transition, strengthen fuel security and promote sustainable jobs. 

Speaking ahead of the trilogue, acting Managing Director of A4E Laurent Donceel said:

“Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will play a critical role in decarbonising European aviation. With the right policy in place, 30 SAF plants could be built across Europe over the next 7 years, saving 7 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030. But we need the final pieces of the puzzle to fit in place. We cannot have a situation where ReFuel EU is stuck in a holding pattern because of disagreements between policymakers.”

“Achieving this agreement should not come at the cost of the single market for aviation. It needs to ensure whatever targets that are set are ambitious, but which don’t price passengers out of the air. Achieving an agreement on ReFuel EU will be a milestone that should encourage EU policymakers to help build and sustain a competitive SAF industry in Europe,” added Donceel.

Day of action ahead in Canada as cabin crew fight to end having to do 35 hours of unpaid work each month.

Flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will be holding a day of action at various Canadian Airports,  including Montreal-Trudeau Airport, Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport tomorrow, Tuesday, 25th April as part of their campaign to end the rampant abuse of unpaid work in the airline industry. 

Flight attendants in Canada are not paid for boarding, delays, deplaning, and many other duties. They are tired of working 35 hours unpaid every month, on average, and they are coming together on Tuesday to tell the airlines and the federal government: Unpaid work won’t fly!

CUPE’s Airline Division represents approximately 18,500 flight attendants at Air Canada (including Air Canada Rouge), WestJet (including WestJet Encore and Swoop), Air Transat, Sunwing, Calm Air, PAL Airlines, Canadian North, Flair Airlines, Pivot, and PasCan.

https://unpaidworkwontfly.ca/

Norwegian partners with Norsk e-Fuel to build new e-fuel plant in Norway

E-fuels can become a game-changer for aviation

Norwegian has announced a landmark partnership with Norsk e-Fuel to build the world’s first full-scale e-fuel plant in Mosjøen, Norway. The plant will produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), marking an important milestone towards Norwegian's target of 45 percent emissions reduction by 2030.

Norwegian has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Norsk e-Fuel, with the ambition to secure long-term offtake of SAF and an equity stake in the company. The partnership will contribute to speeding up the production and availability of SAF in favour of a more sustainable aviation industry. The parties aim to finalise the detailed agreement within the next few months.

“We are moving Norwegian into the future. Our sector contributes to great value creation, both socially and economically, and we commit to significantly reducing our climate impact as we take advantage of technological advances within aviation fuel. E-fuels can become a game-changer for aviation. The partnership with Norsk e-Fuel is a landmark agreement for Norwegian, but also a milestone for aviation in Norway. It helps us move closer to the promise we have given our customers. We want to make it possible for everyone to fly sustainably,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

Together for a future-proof, sustainable aviation sector

The goal is to start producing e-fuels in Mosjøen in Northern Norway as early as 2026. The partnership with Norsk e-Fuel is estimated to secure approximately 20 percent of Norwegian’s total demand for SAF until 2030. In addition, Norwegian will invest more than NOK 50 million for a minority equity stake in the company. These measures will contribute to reaching Norwegian’s goal of a 45 percent emission reduction by 2030. They also positively impact the European aviation industry’s goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

“Sustainable aviation fuels need to become both more available and less expensive. To make this a reality, the aviation industry depends on collaborating with public authorities to close the price gap between fossil fuels and e-fuels. Ultimately, e-fuels will be able to compete with and replace fossil fuels. Time is crucial and we are very eager to get started,” said Karlsen.

Investing in the world’s first full scale e-fuels production facility

JetBlue names Jill Eshbaugh as Vice President, Airports Experience

JetBlue, New York’s Hometown Airline has confirmed the appointment of Jill Eshbaugh as the carrier’s new vice president, of airports experience. Eshbaugh will have day-to-day oversight of airport operations across JetBlue’s 100+ destinations spanning the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, the U.K., and Europe. She will report to Warren Christie, JetBlue’s head of safety, security, fleet operations, airports, and JetBlue University.

Eshbaugh joins JetBlue following a 25-year career with United Airlines. Until 2019, she served as the carrier’s vice president, of employee relations and engagement, and previously held leadership roles as managing director for airport operations domestically as well as in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, as well as in airport operations planning. Earlier in her career she held various roles in United’s airport operations, sales, and contact centre teams, beginning as a frontline airport agent at Chicago O’Hare.

The Royal Aeronautical Society launches its Contrails and Contrail Management Briefing Paper

The Royal Aeronautical Society launched its Contrails and Contrail Management Briefing Paper at the Farnborough International Sustainable Skies World Summit last week.

The paper published by the Greener By Design specialist group aims to raise awareness of contrails, defining what they are and the impact they have on aviation’s effective radiative forcing. Currently contrails and contrail cirrus are responsible for half of aviation’s effective radiative forcing.

The implementation of contrail management systems could be achieved in a matter of years, not decades, and it is important that aviation’s stakeholders seize this opportunity now.

The paper provides recommendations for industry, regulators and government to work together to mitigate contrails using methods that can help enable the aviation industry to reach is Net Zero targets by 2050. Contrail management provides an opportunity to radically reduce aviation’s effective radiative forcing, offsetting some, if not all, of the effects of both CO2 and NOx and begin reducing aviation’s climate impact in the very near future.

RAeS CEO David Edwards said: “This Royal Aeronautical Society paper highlights the effects of contrails on the climate and demonstrates that Contrail Management is a critical area of focus in reaching our industry Net Zero targets by 2050. Whilst there is no one solution to making aviation sustainable, all areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, new propulsion power sources and Airspace modernisation need to be all part of the response. The great benefit of Contrail Management is that it can be implemented in a matter of years, contributing to reducing aviation’s climate effect very quickly.

The Society is the only global organisation serving the entire aviation, aerospace, and space communities as both a learned society and a professional engineering institution. As such, the RAeS is independent, evidence-based and authoritative, relying on a body of knowledge going back more than 150 years.

The paper can be found on the Royal Aeronautical Society website: https://www.aerosociety.com/media/20657/contrails-and-contrail-management-briefing-paper.pdf

Hand carry services – what are they and how are they used?

Hand carry services – what are they and how are they used?

How many people travelling through an airport know about the hand carry service and what it does? 

Artemis Aerospace shines a light on a little-known industry which provides vital assistance to businesses all over the world.

People flying to destinations at all points of the compass are frequently weighed down with baggage; holiday clothes, laptops, skis, children’s buggies, business products and samples . . . the list is endless.

In contrast, amongst the crowds weaving their way to the boarding gate, there are likely to be one or two people unencumbered by anything much more than their passport and one other item. Whatever the item is, it’s needed extremely urgently on the other side of the world and a hand carry courier is getting it there as fast as possible.

A hand-carry courier is employed for critical situations because it’s the fastest means of transport for logistical emergencies. The item is physically accompanied to ensure immediate delivery as well as maximum security.

A vitally important scanner at an Australian hospital has broken down and needs a part which can only be sourced from the UK. An American vehicle production line is in danger of grinding to a halt without a replacement component from Germany, resulting in missed shipments and global supply chain issues. A hard drive with a master copy of sensitive legal information can’t be sent digitally for confidentiality reasons. Groundbreaking medical trial compounds with a limited lifespan need to be on the other side of the world before they become unstable. These are all situations in which the services of a hand-carry courier can bypass lengthy customs checks, catch time-critical connecting flights and potentially save a business from disaster.

BOC Aviation has a new chairman.....

BOC Aviation Limited has confirmed today the appointment of Mr. Liu Jin as Chairman, with effect from 24th April 2023.

Mr. Liu has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and as an Executive Director of Bank of China Limited (“BOC”) since June 2021 and President of BOC since April 2021. He also began serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited as of August 2021.

 

Prior to joining BOC in 2021, Mr. Liu served as Executive Director of China Everbright Group from December 2019 to March 2021, President of China Everbright Bank from January 2020 to March 2021, and Executive Director of China Everbright Bank from March 2020 to March 2021. From September 2018 to November 2019, he worked at China Development Bank as its Executive Vice President. Mr. Liu had previously worked in Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) for many years, serving as Deputy General Manager of its Shandong Branch, Vice Chairman, Executive Director, General Manager of ICBC (Europe) and General Manager of ICBC Frankfurt Branch, General Manager of the Investment Banking Department of its Head Office, and General Manager of its Jiangsu Branch.

 

Mr. Liu graduated from Shandong University in 1993 with a Master of Arts degree. He holds the title of Senior Economist.

BRA to launch direct flights from Visby to Aarhus and Oslo this summer

BRA, Braathens Regional Airlines, the Swedish regional airline is launching two new routes from Visby with flights starting just in time for the holidays. 

From Monday 3rd July, the airline starts a direct route between Visby and Denmark's second-largest city Aarhus, operating on Mondays and Fridays

From Thursday 6th July, BRA starts a service between Visby and Oslo, which departs on Thursdays and Sundays.

Martin Erkenborn, Chief Commercial Officer at BRA said:  "We are very pleased to now launch even more direct routes from Visby this summer. Gotland and Visby are an incredibly important region for us and it, therefore, feels extra good that we now connect Gotland with other parts of Scandinavia. This investment is fully in line with our strategy to consolidate our position as an airline on Gotland and our long-term plan for expansion beyond Sweden's borders."

 

Gunnar Jonasson, Airport Manager Visby Airport said:  "It feels great that BRA is now starting two new routes that put Gotland on the map even outside Sweden's borders. This creates opportunities for new visitors from both Norway and Denmark, two target groups that are very important for Gotland. From the perspective of Gotlanders, it will be easy to fly directly to Norway and Denmark this summer."

Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport conducted a large-scale training of the airport emergency and rescue team earlier this month.

Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport conducted a large-scale training of the airport emergency and rescue team earlier this month.

On April 10th, 2023, a rescue team of Boryspil International Airport and representatives of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kyiv region and the National Police of Ukraine conducted a full-scale training at the training area of the airport to practice actions before and during the landing of an aircraft in distress.  The training included all aspects of an aircraft crash including emergency rescue operations, fuel leaks, aircrew evacuation and aircraft lifting.  

There were a total of 79 specialists and 23 units of equipment involved in the training, including Panther fire trucks, police and ambulance vehicles.

“Boryspil International Airport was an is now the main airport of our country. The main goal is to restore its operation as soon as possible after the victory, ensuring at that flight safety and passenger security. That is why we conduct training under the most dangerous scenarios of possible emergency situations related to aircraft,” said Oleksiy Dubrevskyi, General Director of Boryspil International Airport.

After the training, the airport rescuers were awarded by Vladimir Sokol, the First Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kyiv region with honorary Certificates and badges of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service for assistance, bold and decisive actions in extinguishing fires in the Kyiv region.

It is not just emergency responders that have undergone training at the airport in recent weeks, many other retained employees have received classroom-based training in various areas regarding all aspects of airport operations. The training is vital to ensure the airport will be able to open as soon as hostilities allow and is up to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

More details on the Boryspil International Airport website.