Passenger numbers tripled in April for Iceland's PLAY

April's load factor topped 80.8%

The Icelandic carrier PLAY saw a substantial increase in passenger traffic in April, carrying a total of 102,499 passengers compared to 86,661 in March. The load factor in April was 80.8%. This represents a significant growth from the same period last year when 36,669 passengers were flown, and the load factor was 72.4%. This means that the passenger numbers for April 2023 nearly tripled between years.

PLAY’s routes to and from Barcelona and London had an impressive load factor of over 90% in April, and as before our leisure destinations were also very strong.

April continued an increase in the number of passengers travelling to Iceland, reflecting increased awareness and trust in PLAY in foreign markets. Of all passengers travelling with PLAY in April 2023, 33.5% were travelling from Iceland, 31% were travelling to Iceland, and 35.5% were connecting passengers (VIA). PLAY is committed to growing its market share in the important market segment of tourists coming to Iceland and this continued increase demonstrates a strengthening market position in the international markets. 

In keeping with the trend of very strong sales in 2023, April has proven to be yet another great sales month for PLAY.  Furthermore, the airline is experiencing a continuing growth trend in average yields and ancillary revenue.  Forward bookings remain strong, with a marked improvement in booking status compared to the same period last year. This bodes well for the airline's continued growth and success in the months ahead.

In April, PLAY maintained an impressive record of punctuality, with 85.3% of its flights arriving on schedule. This is a testament to the company's operational teams and crew, and it highlights the airline's commitment to delivering a reliable and efficient service. PLAY's punctuality has been significantly better than its major competitors over the past months, making it one of the most dependable carriers in its core markets.

Delta celebrates 100th U.S.-produced Airbus A321 arrival

U.S. mega-carrier Delta celebrated the production of its 100th Airbus A321 aircraft at the Airbus production centre in Mobile, Alabama.    

Airbus launched its first U.S. production facility in 2015, with just under 400 employees and Delta received its first aircraft from the Mobile facility in 2016. Because of Delta’s strong partnership with Airbus, the Mobile facility now supports more than 1,600 jobs.  The A321 is central to Delta’s fleet strategy, which focuses on delivering next-level customer service and some of the most fuel-efficient aircraft made today.  

“I am grateful for the ongoing partnership between Delta and Airbus, which continues to support good-paying jobs that help families live their American Dream, bolster local communities, and strengthen the regional economy,” said U.S. Senator Katie Britt. “This landmark achievement is only possible because of the hard work, dedication and skill of Airbus employees across Alabama.” 

Though the production of Delta’s 100th A321 from Mobile is a milestone celebration, Delta received its actual 100th aircraft from the facility last autumn.   

“Delta’s premium travel experience on our state-of-the-art fleet is made possible by manufacturing partners like Airbus,” said Kristen Bojko, V.P. -- Fleet for Delta Air Lines. “Delta’s 100th U.S.-produced A321 aircraft is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to flying more fuel-efficient aircraft while investing in quality U.S.-based jobs.”   

Emergency automatic landing feature added to new Beechcraft Denali aircraft......

The Beechcraft Denali cockpit features the Garmin G3000 intuitive avionics suite with high-resolution screens and touchscreen controllers May 08, 2023 11:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Textron Aviation has confirmed it is adding the revolutionary Garmin Emergency Autoland system to its new clean-sheet design Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop. The new feature is being implemented into the aircraft’s development and flight test program and will be available as a standard feature at the time of entry into service.

The Garmin Emergency Autoland system is the world’s first certified system of its kind. It provides a means for the aircraft to land automatically in the unlikely event of pilot incapacitation. A passenger can activate the Emergency Autoland system by pressing a dedicated button in the cockpit. Once activated, the system immediately takes control of the aircraft and informs ATC of the emergency. It then calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport or runway, while avoiding terrain and adverse weather, initiates a stabilized approach and automatically lands the aircraft, bringing it to a stop before shutting down the engine.

“The Autoland system is an excellent addition to the Beechcraft Denali and the G3000 avionics suite, and we’ve included it in the program as a direct response to continued conversations with our customers,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Flight Operations. “The feature makes the Denali even more desirable to a wider audience as it adds yet another element of assurance and peace of mind for pilots and passengers.”

Textron Aviation is aligning the Beechcraft Denali aircraft certification timing, which is expected in 2025, to the certification timeline for the new Catalyst engine. The Denali is the first aircraft powered by the new, more efficient engine.

Gripen E fighter jet production line inaugurated in Brazil by Saab and Embraer

Saab and Embraer have this week inaugurated the production line for Gripen E fighter jet in Brazil, at Embraer´s plant in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State.

The event was attended by high-ranking civil and military authorities, as well as representatives from various sectors of Brazilian society. The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, participated in the ceremony, together with the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro Filho and the Brazilian Air Force Commander, Air Force General Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, among other important guests.

The inauguration of the final assembly line, which is the only one for Gripen E outside of Sweden, marks the delivery of one of the most significant contributions to the Gripen fighter ecosystem in Brazil. The Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto with the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC), and now the assembly line, is home to the development, production and testing stages of the aircraft.

Since the signing of the contract to supply 36 Gripen fighters – 28 Gripen E (single seater) and 8 Gripen F (twin-seater) - to the Brazilian Air Force in 2014, Saab and Embraer have been working together on the largest ongoing technology transfer project in the country. Recently, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the companies, the production line has also become an opportunity for new business.

"The start of operations of the Gripen production line marks our commitment to transfer technology and knowledge to Brazilian industry. Here, we will produce 15 of the 36 aircraft currently contracted to the Brazilian Air Force. The aim is also to produce here any future Gripen orders from Brazil as well as other countries. We want Brazil to become an export hub to Latin America and potentially other regions”, said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

Honey County performed ‘Got It From My Mama’ for Southwest Airlines live at 35 inflight concert series

Southwest Airlines hosted Honey County's Dani Rose on a flight from Nashville to LaGuardia Airport in New York, where she serenaded Customers with Honey County's viral hit "Got It From My Mama," leading into Mother's Day weekend.

Rose first connected with Southwest after the airline posted a TikTok sharing Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely Petitt's story to the tune of "Got It From My Mama." 

For a full circle moment and to further honor mothers and mother figures, Southwest's first-ever mother/daughter Pilot duo, Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely Petitt, piloted the flight for Honey County's Live at 35 performance.

Rose met The Petitts outside of the gate area before they boarded this flight and then she stopped at the gate to teach Customers and Southwest Airlines Employees the TikTok dance to "Got It From My Mama." 

"When I saw that Southwest used 'Got It From My Mama' to celebrate their first-ever mother/daughter Pilot duo, I immediately got teary-eyed," Rose shares. "I love the way Southwest celebrates, and it was an amazing moment.

JetBlue launches new TrueBlue loyalty programme

JetBlue has just launched its new TrueBlue loyalty programme, offering members more value with the introduction of tiles, Perks You Pick™, expanded levels of Mosaic and more ways to earn perks and status than ever before. The programme, announced last year, builds on TrueBlue’s award-winning features that customers have come to love while expanding to offer members new opportunities to earn perks and status whether in the air or on the ground. With this reimagined loyalty program, JetBlue has set the bar sky-high as a travel brand with new industry-leading rewards for more customers to earn and enjoy.

“As JetBlue grows, we maintain our commitment to delivering innovative programmes and products that provide our customers withgreat service and low fares, which is why we are thrilled to launch the new TrueBlue loyalty programme,” said Jayne O’Brien, head of marketing and loyalty, JetBlue. “The new TrueBlue comes at the perfect time as we prepare not only to become a bigger JetBlue, but a travel partner that brightens all aspects of the journey by offering our customers more choices, perks and ways to earn rewards.”

“JetBlue is continuing our legacy of disrupting travel for the better with unique, customer-first programmes such as the new TrueBlue,” said Christopher Buckner, vice president of loyalty and partnerships, JetBlue. “The new TrueBlue redefines what it means to be a loyalty programme by offering new and exciting perks to more customers, as well as providing more ways to attain perks and status.”

“We’re excited that our travel sites Paisly.com and JetBlue Vacations are fully integrated into the new TrueBlue so that members can rack up rewards along their journey—when booking flights and beyond,” said Andres Barry, president, of JetBlue Travel Products. “Moving forward, when a customer books a car rental or activity on Paisly, or a flight + cruise or hotel package with JetBlue Vacations, they will earn TrueBlue points towards their next trip and earn tiles to get them closer to one of their next Perks You Pick."

Alaska Airlines introduces new meal offerings in First Class and Economy.

Alaska Airlines adds a bigger variety of food & beverage options

Alaska Airlines introduces new meal selections in first class and economy as well as a take on a classic sandwich that is infused with West Coast flavours.

Alaska Airlines has increased the variety of food offerings available on flights from today which effectively doubles the number of pre-order options in the economy main cabin and gives first-class passengers up to five different main courses to enjoy on their flights.

 

The airline has added a new sandwich which was named by one of the carrier's staff - Jetsetter’s Jam is a version of the American classic peanut butter and jelly (Jelly is Jam in most other places in the world!)  sandwich – but the Alaska take is that its peanut free. It’s made instead with toasted cashew and oat butter and a homemade strawberry compote on a sweet croissant bread, paired with fresh fruit and a slice of Tillamook cheese.

"We’re always looking to spark joy with great food and drink on board our flights, delivering a delicious meal or craft beverage with care as part of our award-winning service,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines. “What our guests have to say is important, and they told us that more food and beverage variety would be great, so we set out to make that happen. We’ve worked hard to give our guests of all ages a wider selection of food, from classic comfort food to more healthful options all while representing the vibrant flavours of the West Coast. 

 

Alaska continues to offer freshly-prepared meals in First Class on its flights as short as 550 miles, unlike most other U.S. airlines that have very little on flights under 900 miles. Alaska Air passengers in first class also have more vegan and gluten-free options available to reserve before their flight.  Fresh food in the main economy cabin is available only by pre-ordering it, on the airline's website or app. 

A sampling of what’s new in First Class

Passengers have a choice of up to five different entrees on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights.

Breakfast features menu options like Mushroom Omelet, Chicken Sausage Breakfast Bowl and Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Lunch options include a Wedge Salad with Applewood Bacon, Korean Barbeque Chicken Sandwich and Caramelized Onion Angus Burger

Dinner options on long-haul flights including Chimichurri Flat Iron Steak, Herb Roasted Chicken, Lemon Fennel Manicotti and Ginger Beef Stir-Fry Noodles

Beecher’s Flagship Mac and Cheese as a comfort classic on certain flights

For a little spice, Alicia’s Pork Carnitas Tamale – handcrafted with organic ingredients in the Bay Area – is now available on select flights departing the Bay Area

Vegan options are available for pre-order on all meal service flights including items such as a Harissa and Chorizo Frittata made with plant-based JUST Egg, a Spicy Tofu Wrap and a White Bean Chili with Grilled Polenta

What’s new in the main cabin

Breakfast options will include a Turkey, Bacon & Tomato Bagel Sandwich and Smoked Salmon Bagel Sandwich

Lunch and dinner options include two new salad choices designed in partnership with Evergreens Salad: Stand Banh Mi and Strawberry Fields for Chevre

There are also two new wraps to enjoy: Mediterranean Chicken Shawarma and Chicken Mango

On flights to and from Hawaii, the airline is bringing back hot food with the return of the Tillamook cheeseburger with more hot food choices planned for the future

Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter and Fresh Start Protein Platters remain available in addition to more variety of sandwiches and salad

The new Jetsetter's Jam sandwich is available for purchase by pre-order in the main cabin on flights over 775 miles. 

For beverages, those with deep pockets and flying in first class they can enjoy wines from Ste. Chapelle – the oldest winery in Idaho led by a female winemaker – and Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium, which is the first-ever completely carbon-neutral beer. In July, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing Hazy IPA will join the mix along with a Schilling Hard Cider.

Wisk Aero and Japan Airlines working together to bring autonomous everyday flight to Japan

Wisk Aero, an advanced air mobility company and Japan Airlines are working together to bring Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi services to Japan. The two firms will also work together on plans for the maintenance and operation of Wisk’s autonomous air taxis.

“We are excited to be partnering with Japan Airlines, a highly-respected leader in aviation both in Japan and globally,” says Brian Yutko, CEO of Wisk. “Wisk and Japan Airlines share a commitment to safe, accessible transportation and to ensuring that our services provide long-term benefits to the communities that we serve. We look forward to working together to bring autonomous everyday flight to Japan and to further advancing Advanced Air Mobility in the broader APAC region.”

“We are very honoured to partner with Wisk, a pioneer in autonomous eVTOL aircraft development. In Japan, the introduction of autonomous air travel is developing and we strongly feel that this partnership with Wisk is the first step towards the development of the next generation of safe air mobility in Japan,” says Ryo Tamura, CEO of JALEC.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed that establishes a framework for collaboration between the two companies, as well as between the two companies and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), and other relevant Japanese Government agencies. This will include careful consideration of regulatory requirements, safety measures, and how the community can benefit from advanced air mobility through the use of Wisk’s 6th Generation self-flying, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Specifically, the MOU establishes a framework for:

Research towards launching fleet operations for Wisk’s 6th Generation taxi, including:

Type certification approval in Japan

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul requirements

Supporting discussion with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and relevant Japanese Government agencies, as appropriate, on the establishment of a Wisk operation under an Air Operators Certificate in Japan in the future

Development of a path to a demonstration flight in Japan

Introduction of autonomous aircraft into the Japanese national airspace system

“We are thrilled to be announcing this new partnership with Japan Airlines, a partner that so closely shares our values,” says Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s APAC Regional Director. “Japan represents a large, densely populated market where air taxi services can provide a real, positive impact for local communities. We look forward to further pursuing the potential introduction of our self-flying, all-electric air taxis in Japan, and are encouraged by the growing interest within the broader APAC region for these types of services.”

Japan Airlines and Wisk share a commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsibility. This partnership represents the joining of these shared values to develop an enduring approach to the introduction of future autonomous air taxi operations that are part of the future integrated transportation layer in Japan.

Ready for your next flight? What to eat at 30,000 feet.....

Photo Credit https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/GelatoPlus?mediatype=photography

Mention airline food and most people will readily recount their experiences. This may include the ubiquitous packet of pretzels, but for a first-class menu, how do chefs plan, prepare and produce gourmet food for sky-high consumption? Here, Artemis Aerospace explores the in-flight catering industry and the science behind delivering delicious meals on board.

The multi-million-pound industry of in-flight catering is a topic which arouses heated discussion among frequent flyers. There is even a website dedicated entirely to airline meals and the ratings people have given them, with photos of each dish.

However, creating a gastronomic treat for first class passengers isn’t just a question of premium ingredients and catering expertise. According to research for Lufthansa by the Fraunhofer Institute, salt is perceived to be between 20 and 30% less intense and sugar 15 to 20% less intense at high altitude, and overall almost 70% of your sense of taste is lost. This is due to a combination of factors including the decibel level from the engine noise, and less than 12% humidity, which rivals a desert atmosphere.

As if this weren’t enough, low cabin pressure also decreases blood oxygen levels, which means that your olfactory receptors, which play a critical role in perceiving odours, become less sensitive. Around 85% of what we think of as ‘taste’ is actually due to our sense of smell. So when people accuse airline food of being bland, this may not be an entirely fair assumption!

Interestingly, spicy, bitter, sour and umami flavours are barely affected, garlic being one example, and some foods, like lemongrass and curry, are actually enhanced by airborne eating. It’s a well-documented fact that people will often crave tomato juice while flying, even if it’s not something they usually drink, because at altitude it tastes sweeter and more fruity.

Poland summons Russian ambassador over fighter jet incident

News agency Reuters is reporting that Poland has summoned Russia's ambassador to the nation on Wednesday over an incident involving a Russian fighter jet and Polish border guard LET410 aircraft over the Black Sea on 5th May. 

The very near-miss has put NATO's air policing units on a higher state of readiness and had a negative effecting on the already fractious relationship between Russia and Poland.  

The Polish border guard aircraft was on patrol for the European Union's border agency Frontex, around 13:20 local time, 60 km to the east from Romanian airspace when it narrowly avoided a collision with a Russian  Su-35 fighter jet Poland said. The pilots of the small twin-propeller aircraft briefly lost control of the aircraft and were forced to make an emergency landing after a series of aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres by the Russian fighter.  

A spokesperson for the Polish government commented: "The crew of five Polish border guard officers lost control of the plane and lost altitude. The Russian warplane flew right in front of the nose of the plane, crossing its flight path at a dangerous distance. According to the crew’s assessment, it was about five metres away."

The Ministry of National Defence of Romania said the aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres were repeatedly carried out by the fighter jet. "The Romanian authorities are in contact with Frontex and the Polish authorities to find out all the circumstances of the incident. The aggressive behaviour of a military aircraft belonging to the Russian Federation towards an unarmed aircraft carrying out the Frontex mission of monitoring migration risks in the Black Sea basin is unacceptable. This incident is another proof of the provocative behaviour of the Russian Federation in the Black Sea," the Ministry of Defence of Romania said in a statement.

This is the latest incident in a series of aviation incidents involving Russian aircraft. A week ago the RAF along with the Norwegian Air Force had to scramble fighters to intercept intercept a Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol plane that was approaching British airspace from the North Atlantic. Dutch fighter jets have intercepted a number of Russian aircraft along the Polish border and in February, a Russian fighter jet deliberately dumped fuel over, and hitting a US reconnaissance drone that was operating over the Black Sea, causing it to crash.  

Airbus Helicopters delivers first H135 to the Spanish Air and Space Force

Airbus delivered the first H135 to the Spanish Air and Space Force in Albacete. This is the eighth helicopter delivered under the 36-unit contract signed at the end of 2021 to supply the Armed Forces and State Security Forces.

This delivery is six months ahead of schedule, which will facilitate crew training and the entry into service of the H135 for the 78th Wing at the MIlitary School of Helicopters in Armilla (Granada), where it will perform advanced training tasks for military pilots. Once the planned fleet of 11 helicopters are delivered to the Air Force, the H135 will become the helicopter of reference for pilot training for the Spanish Air Force, Army, Navy, the Guardia Civil and other countries requesting such training at the Granada base.

"We are very proud to know that all young pilots from the Ministry of Defence corps will now be trained on the H135, the world's benchmark for military training missions. It is a versatile, reliable and efficient helicopter, ideal for the transition to more complex aircraft, with more than 400,000 flight hours of military training for 12 military customers. We are confident that the H135 will represent a leap in the quality of teaching and will reinforce the Military Helicopter School as the benchmark it is, throughout the world" said Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Spain.

Is the United Arab Emirates cancelling orders for Airbus Helicopters and French Rafale fighter jets?

The United Arab Emirates is in the process of cancelling a major order with French defence companies according to reports. 

Reuters cites Breaking Defense magazine on news that the UAE has terminated a contract for a number of Airbus H225M multirole helicopters.  

Other local commentators have reported that the UAE is also axing an order for 80 Rafale fighter jets that it made at the same time while the French President, Emmanuel Macron was on a special visit to Abu Dhabi in the winter of 2021. 

The stories seem to originate with an official working for the United Arab Emirates Defence and Security Acquisitions Authority, who was speaking at a meeting on 8th May. Who is reported to have said that the decision was not based on political ideals but was based on technical and financial considerations. These included supposed issues from the adaptation of the aircraft to the specific needs of the UAE.

Airbus and the UAE have been approached for comments or confirmation of the cancellations, which would be a huge slap in the face for the French aerospace industry. However,  we've heard nothing back so far. 

Virgin Galactic reports net loss of $159 million in the first quarter.

Virgin Galactic Holdings, the space company has released details of its latest financial results, demonstrating a net loss for the company in the first quarter of 2023 $159 million, compared to a $93 million net loss in the same period last year. Virgin Galactic say this was primarily driven by investments related to the development of the future fleet and enhancements for the current fleet. The firm has a strong cash position, with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $874 million as of March 31, 2023. Net cash used in operating activities totalled $136 million, compared to $66 million in the first quarter of 2022.  Cash paid for capital expenditures totalled $3 million, compared to $2 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic said, "We are excited to return to space with the 'Unity 25' mission planned for the end of May, and we are actively readying for commercial service to begin in late June. Concurrently, we are making steady progress on the development of our Delta Class spaceships, the driver of revenue growth and profitability in the business. Our strong cash position, combined with focused cost discipline and strategic investments in our growth initiatives, will enable our business to scale over the long-term."

VSS Unity’s successful glide flight on April 26, 2023, and earlier mated flight with VMS Eve, further validated the enhancements made to the ships during the modification period and cleared them for spaceflight.   On May 8, 2023, the Company announced a planned launch in late May for VSS Unity to return to space carrying Virgin Galactic mission specialists to conduct a final evaluation of the customer experience ahead of commencing commercial service.

IATA warns the proposed passenger compensation rules in the U.S. will raise costs but not solve delays

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) criticized the decision by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Biden Administration to raise the cost of air travel by mandating airlines provide financial compensation to travellers for flight delays and cancellations, in addition to their current care offerings. According to yesterday’s announcement, the rule will be issued later this year. DOT’s Cancellation and Delay Scoreboard shows that the 10 largest US carriers already offer meals or cash vouchers to customers during extended delays, while nine of them also offer complimentary hotel accommodations for passengers affected by an overnight cancellation.

“Airlines work hard to get their passengers to their destinations on time and do their best to minimize the impacts of any delays. Airlines already have financial incentives to get their passengers to their destination as planned. Managing delays and cancellations is very costly for airlines. And passengers can take their loyalty to other carriers if they are not satisfied with service levels. The added layer of expense that this regulation will impose will not create a new incentive, but it will have to be recouped –which is likely to have an impact on ticket prices,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. 

Go First stops going.....

Go First,  India’s ultra-low-cost airline that operated to multiple domestic and international destinations has halted operations, at least until 19th May. 

The airline put the following message on its website and shared it on social media 

"We regret to inform that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled till 19th May 2023 have been cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations.

A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly.

We acknowledge the flight cancellations might have disrupted your travel plans and we are committed to providing all the assistance we can.

As you are aware, the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations. We will be able to resume bookings shortly.

We thank you for your patience.

Kindly contact our Customer Care Centre on 1800 2100 999 or write to us at feedback@flygofirst.com to let us know how we can help you."

 

The airline has a fleet of some 59 aircraft, of which 54 aircraft are Airbus A320 NEO aircraft, and 5 are Airbus A320 CEO models. Go First was incorporated on April 29, 2004, and commenced flight operations in November 2005 with its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. The carrier had built up a good reputation for on-time performance, for 15 consecutive months between September 2018 and November 2019, and had the least flight cancellations for the fiscal year of 2021 and as of January 31, 2021. It has the second-highest load factor of 88.9% during fiscal 2020, with one of the lowest customer complaints in the industry in fiscal 2021 for the period up to January 31, 2021. It operated to 34 destinations – 27 domestic and 7 international. The airline’s network is spread across cities in India and abroad.

Go First filed for bankruptcy protection last week and blamed its demise firmly on Pratt and Whitney engine issues that saw 25 of its aircraft grounded. It has started legal proceedings against the manufacturer over various shortcomings, contract failures and issues. 

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