40 years of connecting Hong Kong and New Zealand.......

Cathay Pacific marks 40 years of 

New Zealand connectivity

Cathay Pacific celebrated 40 years of services between Hong Kong and New Zealand.  

On 4 May 1983, a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-200 aircraft touched down in Auckland for the first time, marking the airline’s inaugural commercial flight to New Zealand. The state-of-the-art aircraft, fitted with 35 First Class, 36 Business Class and 337 Economy Class seats, helped to connect millions of Kiwis to the rest of the world.  

At the controls of the first flight was New Zealander Captain Ian Steven, then a senior check captain with the airline. 

Forty years later, the Hong Kong-Auckland service remains very important to the airline, which currently operates three flights per week on the popular route.  

Dominic Perret, Cathay Pacific’s Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia & Southwest Pacific, welcomed the 40-year anniversary and reiterated the airline's commitment to New Zealand.  

“This is a significant milestone for us. New Zealand is a market that has played an integral role in our history and remains as important as ever,” says Perret. 

“We’re grateful to the many passengers who have flown with us over the past 40 years and for the fantastic working relationship we have with our joint alliance partner, Air New Zealand. Long may it continue.” 

Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand have a relationship that goes right back to 1983. Originally there was also a third operator in the mix, Papua New Guinea flag carrier Air Niugini. The route operated as a tripartite agreement with the three airlines and involved a brief stopover in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, before carrying on to Hong Kong’s famous Kai Tak Airport. 

The airport holds a special place in aviation history for its dramatic and challenging approach, with pilots having to navigate sharp turns and high-rise apartment blocks where passengers were able to see directly into residents’ flats. Similar to Wellington or Queenstown airports, clear visibility and gentle winds were essential for a smooth landing. The airport finally closed in 1998 after the build of Chek Lap Kok, what is now known as Hong Kong International Airport, was completed.  

SWISS reports CHF 78.4 million operating result for the first-quarter period and goes debt free

SWISS has recorded an exceptionally strong start to 2023, and reports an operating result of CHF 78.4 million for the first-quarter period. Total revenues for the first three months of the year amounted to CHF 1.1 billion, some 55 per cent above their prior-year level. SWISS transported over three million passengers in the period. 

The company benefited in particular from high schedule stability, an improved cost base and its strong home Swiss market. Ensuring maximum reliability in its flight operations will continue to be a key SWISS priority for the months ahead. The company was also able to repay all its loan financing from the Lufthansa Group in the first-quarter period, and is thus now debt-free.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has reported an exceptionally strong earnings result for the seasonally weak first quarter of the year. For the first three months of 2023 the Swiss airline achieved an operating result of CHF 78.4 million (Q1 2022: CHF -47.4 million). Total revenues for the period amounted to CHF 1.1 billion, up some 55 per cent on the prior-year period (Q1 2022: CHF 712 million).

“Our lower cost base following our restructuring in 2021 and the high reliability of our flight schedules again served as key factors in this strong earnings performance,” says SWISS Chief Financial Officer Markus Binkert. “Our first-quarter result is a clear confirmation that SWISS is structurally sound and was able to take further full advantage of a favourable market environment. People’s keen desire to travel continues to generate a strong demand for flights, while our industry’s overall capacities remain reduced following the corona years.”

As it had in 2022, the particular constellation of supply and demand resulted in reduced availabilities of low-fare tickets. This in turn had a positive impact on yields. The strength of its home Swiss market also proved a particular benefit to SWISS.

SWISS’s cargo business made a further major contribution to overall earnings for the period, though no longer at the record levels seen in the past few years. This is partly because the company operated substantially fewer cargo-only flights in the first-quarter period.

SWISS Chief Financial Officer Markus Binkert on the Q1 results 2023

 

Volaris gets a brand new Airbus A321neo featuring Cabin Flex

Leasing giant CDB Aviation, part of the China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. has confirmed the delivery of the first of two Airbus A321neo aircraft fitted with Airbus’ Cabin Flex  (“A321NX”) to its long-standing customer, the leading Latin American airline Volaris.

This delivery is part of the lease agreements signed with the airline in 2021, which includes 13 aircraft. CDB Aviation expects to deliver the second A321NX by the end of 2023, with an additional three A321neos and two A320neos slated for delivery throughout 2023 and 2024.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating with the Volaris team this inaugural delivery of a GTF-powered A321NX from our orderbook,” said Luís da Silva, CDB Aviation’s Head of Commercial, Americas. “With the latest technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability, this aircraft is ideally suited to expand the reach of Volaris’ market-dominant domestic brand to markets in North and Latin America.”

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with our colleagues at CDB Aviation in meeting the needs of our fleet renewal strategy that will ensure our airline’s sustainable growth in the long term,” commented Holger Blankenstein, Volaris’ Executive Vice President. “With one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets in the Americas, our team remains committed to bringing the region’s passengers the best flying experience and the most modern technology aircraft.”

Cathay Pacific launches 'Cathay' - e-envisaged travel lifestyle magazine

‘Cathay’ – a magazine that is a true reflection of lifestyle through a travel lens, encompassing every pillar of Cathay’s premium travel lifestyle proposition

The Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific has introduced a fully reimagined travel lifestyle magazine for its customers, designed to bring them inspirational content whether they are in the air or on the ground.

Titled “Cathay”, the re-envisaged magazine exemplifies Cathay’s evolution into a premium travel lifestyle brand, with sections dedicated to our home hub of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, as well as travel and holidays, wellness, dining and shopping.  

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “We know that our customers want and expect to be able to enjoy a travel lifestyle magazine when they fly with us, and we are delighted to reintroduce a refreshed publication that encapsulates everything we want to bring them, every day – inspiration, delight and discovery.

“Our purpose is to move people forward in life by connecting them to meaningful people, places and experiences. Through the content we share, we want Cathay to become a brand that people refer to on a daily basis, for inspiration and advice on the premium travel lifestyle.”

The theme of the first issue is “Reconnection”, as Cathay focuses on reconnecting Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the Chinese Mainland with the world. The stories in this issue encapsulate the sense of connection through a wide range of approaches. The magazine launches with a series of inspiring travel covers of stunning aerial views of cities, each of which inspires more travel.

Readers of Cathay can look forward to content across the magazine’s dedicated sections.

Hong Kong & the GBA showcases what is new and thrilling in our extended home market.

Explore (Travel and Hotels) is a celebration of the joy of travel and the travel lifestyle, providing content exploring destinations across our route network that makes customers want to book a flight.

Dining brings together all aspects of one of the most important aspects of lifestyle, showcasing food and beverage across the Cathay route network, and highlighting must-book restaurants, cutting-edge chefs as well as lifestyle rewards and retail offers.

Wellness covers all aspects of mindful travel, wellness and sustainability – plus how Cathay can help customers live a healthier, better life.

Shopping is a lavishly shot section of the magazine, which directs readers to must-have products available through the Cathay shop.

The Cathay Way speaks to how we do what we do, whether that be an insider’s look at our fleet, our achievements, our safety and hygiene, or the benefits of the Cathay membership programme and how members can maximise their earning and burning potential.

Inflight Entertainment provides intelligent and engaging writing about our inflight entertainment, giving customers a look into the extensive onboard library of new Hollywood releases, Asian cinema classics, award-winning TV boxsets, the latest albums, podcasts, games and HBO Max.

The Cathay magazine is printed using eco-friendly vegetable oil ink on environmentally responsible and ethically produced paper certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Once we replace the magazines, we ensure that they are properly recycled by our contractors.

Norwegian latest results .....

Norway's largest airline, the budget carrier Norwegian reportedly carried nearly 1.7 million (1,672,455)  passengers during the month of April with its aircraft 83% full on average. 

The airline flew 71 aircraft during the month and appeared to operate well with around 83 percent of flights departing on time or within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.  

“We are satisfied with this month’s traffic figures. April is the first full month of our summer schedule with more routes and higher frequencies to our many destinations across the Nordics and Europe. We are particularly pleased with the continued strong booking momentum ahead of the summer season,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

“We are very happy to see that an increasing number of passengers choose to fly with Norwegian and I look forward to welcoming new and old passengers onboard in what looks like will be the strongest summer ever for Norwegian. We recommend that customers who need to travel on specific dates and to particular destinations book tickets as soon as possible, as our planes are quickly filling up during the busiest travel periods”, said Karlsen.

Exeter Airport is gearing up for the start of a busy summer season during May, with flights to seven destinations taking off

Exeter Airport is gearing up for the start of a busy summer season during May, with flights to seven destinations taking off with the UK’s leading travel brand TUI.

Tui Holidays

Twice-weekly services to Corfu, Dalaman, Menorca, and Zante began this week as well as flights to Crete and Rhodes, which operate once a week.  This will be followed by a twice-weekly service to Antalya, Turkey from Saturday 27 May. In addition, operator TUI began flying to Paphos and Majorca in March, and April respectively.

New flights to Faro in Portugal are being launched by Ryanair on 4 June, complementing its year-round flights from Exeter to Alicante and Malaga in Spain.

In total, there are 25 destinations in nine countries being offered from Exeter Airport in 2023/24.

TUI has 12 destinations from Exeter this year with summer flights to Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and Turkey.

Last month TUI announced that it would be creating an additional 15,000 seats from Exeter in 2024 with an increased frequency of flights and new services to Heraklion and Zakynthos.

These new offerings will bring Exeter Airport’s weekly flight count with TUI to 20, covering five regions, making TUI the largest operator at the Airport. 

Stephen Wilshire, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “As we mark the start of a busy summer season, we are excited to offer our passengers an increasing number of destinations available to book from Exeter Airport. We are proud to have TUI as our largest operator and we are delighted that Ryanair is also adding new flights to Faro this year, meaning there is even more choice for holidaymakers wanting to travel from their local airport. We very much look forward to a successful summer season ahead.”

In March, Skybus began operating its seasonal flights to the Isles of Scilly from Exeter, which run through to 16 October.

World leaders and royalty arrive in the UK ahead of King Charles III coronation.

 

Southwest issues diversity, equality and inclusion report

Southwest Airlines Co. has released two new reports over the last few days:  

• Southwest Airlines One Report
• Southwest Airlines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report

The comprehensive reports highlight Southwest's strategic priority to be a good citizen through a focus on People, Performance, and Planet, providing a snapshot of the carrier's key DEI and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts from 2022.

New this year, the 2022 One Report includes information informed by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, elevating Southwest's reporting on climate-related topics for its Stakeholders. The 2022 One Report also highlights the carrier's refreshed climate strategy that includes goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 25 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2035.1

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report

Eurowings corporate customer programme relaunched.

From an attractive discount on the airfare to a prioritized call centre hotline: The new Eurowings corporate customer program “EW4Business” now offers business travellers special benefits when they book Eurowings flights. Starting at 2,000 euros in annual revenue, participating companies benefit and save at least two percent on tickets for non-stop and connecting flights in the entire Eurowings route network for every flight booking – regardless of whether the BASIC, SMART or BIZclass fare is chosen. There is no additional participation fee.

Participation possible from 2,000 euros annual revenue; no monthly fee

Corporate customers receive a discount of at least two percent on all Eurowings fares

Discount applies to direct and connecting flights throughout the entire route network

Business travelers additionally benefit from a dedicated service team in the call center

Imke Schepers, Head of Corporate Customer Program: “With this offer, we are also appealing to the self-employed people and small and medium-sized companies.”

Apart from the discount, corporate customers receive access to a dedicated service team in the call centre. They can also earn status and award miles by quoting their Miles & More customer number.

“After Covid-19, flexible rebooking up to 40 minutes before departure is part of the standard repertoire of Eurowings' product portfolio. That is why we have completely relaunched our corporate customer program to provide business travellers with another important benefit – namely a financial discount – in addition to flexibility,” said Imke Schepers, Head of Corporate Sales & Program Management. “With this offer, we also want to appeal to self-employed people and smaller as well as medium-sized companies. That is why we have also lowered the entry threshold significantly compared to the previous corporate program – from the original 15,000 euros to now 2,000 euros in annual sales.”

868,400 people travelled with Finnair in April.

The Helsinki-based national carrier Finnair has reported strong growth in passenger traffic year-on-year and a solid load factor during April 2023. 

In April, Finnair carried 868,400 passengers, which was 27.7% more than in April 2022 but 8.9% less than in March 2023. Finnair says that the lower passenger numbers in April are because the month was a day shorter and the aircraft maintenance schedule resulted in lower capacity as well as the ending of both Finnish Lapland’s high season after Easter and winter season in Middle Eastern traffic as well as slowing down of corporate travel around Easter.

The negative impact of the Russian airspace closure on Asian passenger traffic figures was, however, visible in April 2023 compared to the pre-pandemic figures. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in April by 17.0% year-on-year but decreased by 1.6% month-on-month. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 45.7% year-on-year but decreased by 6.1% month-on-month. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) increased by 14.6% points year-on-year but declined by 3.5% points month-on-month to 74.2%.

The ASK increase in Asian traffic was 149.7% year-on-year. The North Atlantic capacity decreased by 22.2% as the operations between Stockholm and the North American destinations were discontinued at the end of October 2022. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 4.4% whereas the Middle Eastern capacity increased by 1,015.7% due to the Qatar Airways cooperation that commenced in November 2022. The ASKs in domestic traffic decreased by 4.3%.

RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 145.1% year-on-year but decreased in North Atlantic traffic by 21.8%. In European traffic, RPKs increased by 19.6%, in Middle Eastern traffic by 904.2% and in domestic traffic by 3.5%.

Allegiant strikes deal with dispatchers union....

Budget carrier Allegiant has advised that it has reached a preliminary deal with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters IBT (union) that represents dispatchers.

The Las Vegas-based company said it had reached a tentative agreement on a two-year extension to the union's initial collective bargaining agreement. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by the Allegiant flight dispatchers, which is expected to occur by the end of May. Allegiant currently employs 50 flight dispatchers, coordinators, and instructors.

 

"We are pleased that we reached an agreement in the negotiations with the IBT and our dispatchers. This contract extension comes more than a year before the current one ends, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the negotiating teams for both Allegiant and the union," said Allegiant President Greg Anderson. "Our team of dispatchers plays a critical role in our operations, and we appreciate their commitment to this process."

The current collective bargaining agreement became effective on April 25, 2019, and was scheduled to become amendable on May 31, 2024. The parties opened off-the-record discussions early, resulting in a tentative agreement to replace the original rate increases scheduled for May 31 of this year, and adding two additional years addressing a change in rates only.   

ATSG saw revenues of $501 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Air Transport Services Group, one of the leading global providers of medium wide-body aircraft leasing, contracted air transportation, and related services, has released this week its latest results for the first quarter of the year.

The company reported revenues are up 3% to an amazing $501 million, and its adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization)  was $138 million, down $20 million. 

Rich Corrado, president and chief executive officer of ATSG, said, "These results, while disappointing, do reflect the operating headwinds we talked about in February, including lower 2023 results at our airlines. The first quarter Adjusted EBITDA reflected lower than expected passenger airline revenues and the continued impact of inflation at our airlines. Our aircraft leasing business, CAM, has seen no reduction in demand for its desirable leased freighters, and continues to invest with the expectation of delivering attractive returns for the midsize freighter aircraft we expect to lease during the rest of 2023 and into 2024."

Segment Results

Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM)

Aircraft leasing and related revenues from external customers in the first quarter were up 8% compared to the first quarter of 2022, primarily reflecting the benefit of eight newly converted Boeing 767-300 freighters leased since the beginning of the first quarter of 2022, offset by lower revenues from engine pooling arrangements for customers leasing 767-200 freighters.

CAM’s first-quarter pretax earnings decreased 2% to $34 million versus the prior-year quarter. Those earnings were impacted by $2.3 million more interest expense allocated to CAM, driven by more aircraft assets, including feedstock in or awaiting freighter modification.

CAM deployed two 767-300 freighters to an external customer during the quarter. One 767-200 freighter was returned upon lease expiration. Ninety-two CAM-owned 767 freighter aircraft were leased to external customers at the end of the quarter, six more than a year ago.

CAM intends to deploy eighteen more freighters in 2023, including twelve 767s and six A321s. Twenty-seven CAM-owned aircraft were in or awaiting conversion to freighters, twelve more than a year ago. That quarter-end total includes nine A321 aircraft and eighteen 767s.

ACMI Services

CDB Aviation delivers the first of two Airbus A321NX aircraft to Volaris

Leasing giant CDB Aviation, part of the China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. has confirmed the delivery of the first of two Airbus A321neo aircraft fitted with Airbus’ Cabin Flex  (“A321NX”) to its long-standing customer, the leading Latin American airline Volaris.

This delivery is part of the lease agreements signed with the airline in 2021, which includes 13 aircraft. CDB Aviation expects to deliver the second A321NX by the end of 2023, with an additional three A321neos and two A320neos slated for delivery throughout 2023 and 2024.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating with the Volaris team this inaugural delivery of a GTF-powered A321NX from our orderbook,” said Luís da Silva, CDB Aviation’s Head of Commercial, Americas. “With the latest technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability, this aircraft is ideally suited to expand the reach of Volaris’ market-dominant domestic brand to markets in North and Latin America.”

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with our colleagues at CDB Aviation in meeting the needs of our fleet renewal strategy that will ensure our airline’s sustainable growth in the long term,” commented Holger Blankenstein, Volaris’ Executive Vice President. “With one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets in the Americas, our team remains committed to bringing the region’s passengers the best flying experience and the most modern technology aircraft.”

1.6 million people travelled with Norwegian in April

Norway's largest airline, the budget carrier Norwegian reportedly carried nearly 1.7 million (1,672,455)  passengers during the month of April with its aircraft 83% full on average. 

The airline flew 71 aircraft during the month and appeared to operate well with around 83 percent of flights departing on time or within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.  

“We are satisfied with this month’s traffic figures. April is the first full month of our summer schedule with more routes and higher frequencies to our many destinations across the Nordics and Europe. We are particularly pleased with the continued strong booking momentum ahead of the summer season,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

“We are very happy to see that an increasing number of passengers choose to fly with Norwegian and I look forward to welcoming new and old passengers onboard in what looks like will be the strongest summer ever for Norwegian. We recommend that customers who need to travel on specific dates and to particular destinations book tickets as soon as possible, as our planes are quickly filling up during the busiest travel periods”, said Karlsen.

A rapidly growing Vilnius Airport offers new opportunities for international business......

Lithuania's Vilnius Airport is doing well and catching up with pre-pandemic traffic levels and is planning for steady growth in the forthcoming months. 

A new departure terminal is already under construction at Lithuania's largest civilian airport and is scheduled to open in 2025. This addition will not only increase the airport's capacity by more than 14,000 square metres, but will also significantly expand commercial space for retailers, caterers, and other service providers. 

Vilnius Airport handled a record 5 million passengers in 2019, and in 2022, after the pandemic, passengers are travelling once again — 3.9 million people flew to and from Vilnius last year. According to the forecasts of Lithuanian Airports, the number of passengers is expected to double over the next decade to around 7.5 million passengers per year. 

“According to our estimates, the number of passengers at Vilnius Airport is expected to grow at an average rate of around 8% per year. We are preparing for this and we are expanding to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of our passengers and to offer them more high-quality places to shop, eat delicious and quick meals, and to receive other services that are relevant to travellers,” says Gintarė Norvilaitė-Tautevičė, the Chief Commercial Officer of Lithuanian Airports. 

Commercial space will grow one and a half times 

Currently, the commercial space of Vilnius Airport is about 3,300 square metres (excluding warehouses, technical facilities, and offices). There are 6 Duty-Free shops, 9 cafés and restaurants, and 11 other retail and service outlets.