Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi soars to new heights with Etihad Airways partnership

Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region's largest indoor theme park, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking extension to its partnership with Etihad Airways, marking a monumental milestone in its history. This exciting collaboration was unveiled to the public on July 25 at a spectacular launch event and will bring the excitement of Warner Bros. World™ to the skies with the launch of the world's first Warner Bros. World branded aircraft, taking guests' pre-theme park experience to new heights.

The partnership between Warner Bros. World and Etihad Airways represents the largest collaboration for the theme park to date. As part of this captivating initiative, an Etihad Airways aircraft – Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner – has been creatively decorated with iconic Warner Bros. characters. On one side, guests will be greeted by the mischievous antics of iconic Classic Animation characters like the Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, while the other side showcases the heroic feats of beloved DC Super Heroes.

All young guests aged up to 10 years old, flying on Etihad Airways longer flights will receive brand new Warner Bros. World™ Kids Packs that are being rolled out across the network this summer. Bursting with creativity, these packs are designed to entertain young travellers with activities that inspire them to draw their favourite superheroes and engage in a variety of fun tasks throughout the flight, ensuring every moment is packed with adventure. Infants will receive a DC Super Hero-themed soft blanket, while juniors will receive goodies such as a branded backpack, Super Hero cape, water bottle and activity kit.

Warner Bros. World™ will also debut its exclusively branded, dedicated children's lounge within the Etihad Airways Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. This whimsical lounge will transport travellers into the incredible universe of Warner Bros. World™, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the wit of the park to the airport, making every journey as delightful as a visit to the theme park itself.

New VX4 prototype completes first tethered piloted flight

Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has seen its latest VX4 prototype perform its first tethered piloted flight as it begins the “wheels up” phase of testing.

This VX4 performed a piloted flight while loosely tethered to the ground, during which Vertical measured over 20,000 flight and system parameters to verify thrust, handling qualities and system performance.

The tethered piloted flight took place after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued Vertical with a Permit to Fly for its VX4 prototype, having rigorously evaluated the engineering, design, test data and aircraft, effectively conducting a “mini certification” programme of the aircraft.

Vertical must submit documentation to the CAA to move through each flight phase, including extensive, detailed documentation covering every aspect from safety protocols and engineering specifications to operational procedures.

American Airlines reports highest-ever quarterly revenue of $14.3 billion

The U.S. mega-carrier has released details of its performance during the last quarter,  which show the carrier scored its highest-ever quarterly revenue of over $14 billion.

• Highest-ever quarterly revenue of $14.3 billion.
• Second-quarter net income of $717 million, or $1.01 per diluted share. Excluding net special items1, second-quarter net income of $774 million, or $1.09 per diluted share.
• Generated operating cash flow of approximately $1.1 billion and free cash flow2 of approximately $850 million in the second quarter.
• Reduced total debt3 by approximately $680 million in the second quarter.
• On track to reduce total debt3 from peak levels by $15 billion by year-end 2025.
• Full-year adjusted earnings per diluted share4 expected to be between $0.70 and $1.30.

American’s CEO Robert Isom said:  "American has a fleet, network and product built to deliver results, but during the second quarter, we did not perform to our initial expectations due to our prior sales and distribution strategy and an imbalance of domestic supply and demand. We are taking this challenge head-on, with clear and decisive actions to deliver on a strategy that maximizes our revenue and profitability, and importantly, one that makes it easy for customers to do business with American. When we return to the level of revenue generation we know we can achieve, and we couple that with our operational reliability and best-in-class cost management, we will unlock significant value."

American has taken swift and aggressive action to reorient its sales and distribution strategy in ways that continue to be customer-centric while addressing feedback from corporate and agency partners. Since May, the airline has focused its near-term efforts in three areas:

Ensuring content availability

Restored content. American has reinstated competitive fares in the distribution channel traditionally used by travel agencies and corporate managed travel programs.

Removed plans to differentiate mileage earn by channel. Travelers continue to earn in the AAdvantage® program as usual, no matter where they book.

Rocket Lab sets launch period for 51st Electron Mission

Rocket Lab USA, announced the launch window for its 51st Electron launch, a mission that will launch the latest satellite in a constellation being built by its long-standing customer Synspective.

The “Owl for One, One for Owl” mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand during a 14-day launch window that opens on July 31st NZST / July 30th UTC. In addition to deploying a single StriX satellite to low Earth orbit for this mission, Rocket Lab will perform an advanced mid-mission manoeuvre with Electron’s Kick Stage to shield the satellite from the sun and reduce radiation exposure.

The mission will be the fifth launch of a total of 16 launches on Electron for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company deploying a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites designed to deliver imagery that can detect millimetre-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective’s constellation to date, and this latest mission continues a lasting and trusted partnership to deploy their StriX constellation to low Earth orbit. Most recently that partnership was further cemented by a new multi-launch contract of ten dedicated Electron launches for Synspective announced in June 2024, with the launches in that new deal set to take place across 2025-2027.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Synspective’s long-standing trust in the team to build out their constellation is recognition of Electron’s continued dominance as the ultimate small launch vehicle for the industry. Schedule flexibility, a reliable rocket launching more and more frequently, and our unique in-space capabilities that support mission needs are all critical functions at play in the multi-launch contracts being signed by our domestic and international launch customers. It’s an honor to continue launching for Synspective through our ongoing partnership.”

“Owl for One, One for Owl” will be Rocket Lab’s 51st Electron mission and ninth launch this year. As well as an additional launch for Synspective scheduled to take place before the end of this year, other launches for multi-launch contract customers include space-based intelligence company BlackSky and French Internet-of-Things (IoT) company Kinéis.

Avolon works with Airbus to explore the future of hydrogen aviation

Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, has partnered with Airbus to support the development of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft through Airbus’ ZEROe Project.

Announced at the Farnborough Airshow today, Airbus and Avolon will investigate how future hydrogen-powered aircraft could be financed and commercialised, and how they might be supported by the leasing business model. Airbus revealed its ZEROe hydrogen powered aircraft ambition in 2020, focused on pioneering the technology required for hydrogen flight and developing the ecosystem to support it.

Avolon shares Airbus’ commitment to achieving the aviation sector’s decarbonisation goals, and has a track record of being a thought leader on future technologies through its investment in eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace, and research into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Avolon is also committed to having a fleet that comprises 75% new-technology lower emissions aircraft by the end of 2025.

Aviation Capital Group announces silver level Airlink sponsorship

Aviation Capital Group, a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, announced its $25,000 sponsorship at the “Silver Level” to Airlink. Airlink is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing free airlift and logistical solutions to vetted nonprofit partners, changing how the humanitarian community responds to disasters worldwide. Its network includes over 200 aid organizations and more than 50 commercial and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has flown over 12,500 relief workers and transported nearly 17,000,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo, directly helping over 59 million people impacted by natural and man-made disasters.

“We are thrilled to announce our sponsorship of Airlink,” said Gordon Grant, Vice President and Head of ESG at ACG. “By continuing to support Airlink’s humanitarian efforts, we are investing in a brighter future for those in need and reaffirming our dedication to fostering compassion, hope, and lasting change."

“Aviation Capital Group's sponsorship underscores the importance of strong partnerships within the aviation industry. Consistent, annual support is vital for Airlink, enabling us to sustain our long-term programs and support communities in crisis, not just during sudden-onset disasters. With ACG's ongoing commitment, we can enhance our preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring we are always ready to deliver critical aid when it is needed most,” says Steven J. Smith, Airlink President & CEO.

.

Air Lease Corporation delivers an Airbus A321-200neo aircraft to Uzbekistan's Centrum Air

Air Lease Corporation announced the long-term lease placement and delivery of one used Airbus A321-200neo aircraft with Centrum Air (Uzbekistan), one of the leading airlines in Uzbekistan. This aircraft is the airline’s first A321neo.

“We are very pleased with the placement of this A321neo aircraft with Centrum Air. Centrum and its sister cargo-airline, My Freighter, have been successfully serving the rapidly growing Uzbek air transport market since 2019,” said AJ Abedin, Senior Vice President of Air Lease Corporation. “With the addition of this state-of-the-art A321neo, the airline and its passengers will benefit from new destinations, operational efficiencies and a premium travel experience.”

"We are delighted to announce the addition of this Airbus A321neo to our fleet. This is a significant step in the development of our airline, which will strengthen our position in the market and offer our passengers further comfort and safety," said Centrum Air Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Abdulaziz Abdurakhmanov.

Abra Group (majority investor of Avianca and Gol) signs MoU for five A350-900s

Abra Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for five A350-900s to further expand its international long-haul operations and increase capacity. This is in line with the Group's strategic plans to offer millions of passengers greater connectivity to new destinations on long-range routes.

Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group said, “We are delighted to announce this agreement with Airbus. We believe the arrival of these five A350s, which offer a best-in-class passenger experience, are more fuel efficient and have a lower cost per seat than competitor aircraft, will allow us to strengthen our commitment to make travel more accessible and responsible. This also means better prices for customers with better connectivity between our continent and Europe, and will further consolidate Abra as one of the largest and most competitive air transportation groups in Latin America. The aircraft selection is consistent with the strategic announcements we have done this year and further executes on our long-term vision.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business said, "We are delighted to see the Abra Group endorsing the A350 to continue its mission of strengthening air connectivity between Latin America and the rest of the world. The selection of the A350 reaffirms the aircraft as the undisputed leader in long-haul air travel.”

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long range leader in the 300-410 seater category, flying efficiently on any sector from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm. Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and latest generation engines that together deliver 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions, as well as 50% noise reduction compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

Airbus has sold over 1,300 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean and has a leading  market share of in-service passenger aircraft. Around 800 are in operation throughout the region, with close to 500 in the order backlog. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

.

WestJet to start daily service between Kelowna and Seattle

WestJet announces new daily service between Kelowna and Seattle beginning this winter

New daily transborder service connecting the Okanagan to the Pacific Northwest and beyond will take flight in January

WestJet announced new daily service connecting Kelowna and Seattle beginning in January 2025. The route will unlock more seamless connectivity between the popular regions to a vast network of U.S. destinations through Seattle and beyond, through the airline's longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines.

"As we continue to strengthen our service across Western Canada, we are proud to connect Kelowna with new daily WestJet service to Seattle as part of our expanded winter schedule," said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. "This route will provide guests in the Okanagan and across the Pacific Northwest regions with new convenient and affordable options to easily connect between both popular regions for business and leisure year-round." 

Flights from Kelowna to Seattle will depart at 9:00 a.m. local time, aligning with business travel schedules and allowing for connections to 24 codeshare destinations throughout the western United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, Phoenix and many others. The returning 11:30 a.m. departure from Seattle will arrive in Kelowna at 12:37 p.m., providing ample same day opportunities for visitors to hit the ski slopes, head out on the lake or visit one of Kelowna's wineries upon arrival.

RTX's Pratt & Whitney, Embraer and OGMA announce first GTF engine induction

Pratt & Whitney and OGMA Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A. ("OGMA"), an Embraer company, announced today the induction of the first Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine at OGMA during the inaugural opening of the Alverca-based facility.

"This marks a significant milestone in our expanding relationship with OGMA and Embraer, furthering our commitment to providing global industry-leading service and support to increase GTF MRO capacity," said Marc Meredith, vice president of aftermarket for GTF engines at Pratt & Whitney. "OGMA brings more than a century of maintenance expertise to the network and will provide critical support for the growing GTF fleet in Europe."

The Embraer company joined the GTF MRO network in 2020 to provide disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1100G-JM engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo aircraft family. In 2021, OGMA announced that it will add capability for the PW1900G engine, which powers the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft.

Greece becomes newest member of the F-35 Lightning II global alliance

The increasing European presence of the 

F-35 bolsters interoperability

Greece government finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft.

"We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. "The F-35 will provide exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO."

"For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program," said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece's sovereignty and operational capability with allies."

The F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter of choice, offering unparalleled interoperability with NATO and other allied assets. This capability stands as a significant advantage for the U.S. and its allies, ensuring strategic superiority for decades. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.

lynas signs agreement for additional 75 A320neo Family aircraft and 15 A330neo

flynas, Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 75 A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900. This strategic agreement will expand the airline's capacity, range and enhance its overall fleet capabilities.

Signed during Farnborough International Airshow in the presence of  President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding Ayed Al Jeaid, flynas Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Bandar Almohanna, and Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft, Christian Scherer.

The new aircraft will join the carrier’s all Airbus fleet serving international, domestic and regional routes. The new A330-900 aircraft will boast a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers.

"We are excited to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Airbus," said Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas. "The A320neo Family provides exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, allowing us to offer unique, low-cost travel experiences. Additionally, the A330neowill enhance our long-haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s pilgrim program."

72% of aviation workers experience verbal or physical abuse during travel disruption

Aviation workers say that 72% of airline or airport staff have been intimidated, shouted at or physically hurt during disruptions to customer travel. Shockingly, 71% of air travel workers say they see an increase in staff being abused by customers when disruption occurs. This number correlates closely with customer anger, as 73% of aviation workers see customers "furious or frustrated" in the face of travel disruption. 

Research conducted by travel technology specialist IBS Software and Aviation Business News finds that 55% of workers in the air travel sector have seen their mental health negatively impacted by the fallout of flight disruption. What's more, 47% say that disruption affects their work-life balance, as they often think about issues faced during the day when they get home from work.

Encouragingly, despite widespread customer frustration, 65% of airline or airport workers think the airline industry manages disruption well. However, they identify access to accurate information, the impact of disruption on operations and getting information to customers as the top three challenges faced by airlines when disruption occurs.

Ignoring these challenges can have a lasting impact on airlines, with 62% of air travel workers agreeing that customers now choose an airline based on its reputation for handling disruption. 

JetBlue adds more New England services

JetBlue adds 20 percent more seats in New England this winter

JetBlue is adding new services aimed at connecting more New Englanders to leisure destinations with more routes from Boston Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester, New Hampshire.

JetBlue proudly leads the way in both Boston and New England, boasting the most mainline service from Boston, approximately 30 percent more mainline seats than the next largest carrier; the most nonstop destinations of any carrier out of Boston; the most flights from Boston and New England to California, Florida and the Caribbean. Now, this network expansion in the region will provide even more flexibility and convenience for New England customers as JetBlue sets out to continue to deliver sought-after vacation hot spots.

"We are incredibly proud of our strong roots in Boston and New England, a place that has always embraced our vision for low fares and superior travel experiences,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. “Our commitment to Boston and our loyal customers across New England is unwavering as we continue to innovate and enhance our product. With each new development, each new route, we aim to deliver even greater comfort and convenience, ensuring that our customers’ choice is easy, and they always receive the best that JetBlue has to offer."

Manchester, meet JetBlue

Manchester will be the tenth airport with JetBlue service in New England, including recently announced service from Presque Isle, Maine, which launches in September. JetBlue flights from Manchester are set to launch in January with service to Florida including year-round daily flights to Orlando, and winter seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale - the only nonstop flight scheduled on this route - and Fort Myers. Manchester flights are on sale now and will complement JetBlue’s focus city operation at Boston Logan, giving loyal JetBlue customers across the region more selection.

New service for Boston and beyond

Proudly serving Boston Logan for more than 20 years, the airline’s focus city will see more flights to customers’ favorite vacation spots, including Aruba, Barbados, Cancún, Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Liberia, Miami, Montego Bay, Nassau, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Punta Cana, Providenciales, Sarasota, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Tampa and more. Additionally, JetBlue will begin operating a second daily nonstop flight between Boston and Phoenix, and for the first time on the route will feature the airline's premium Mint® service, which will be offered on all flights between the two cities.

The airline will also experience significant growth in Providence, where JetBlue seats will nearly triple this winter compared to last, while Hartford will see a 30 percent increase in JetBlue seats over the same period. Added with the new service in Manchester, the airline will average 18 new daily departures from New England this winter, with six new routes between New England and the Sunshine State.

.

New routes in New York

New York’s Hometown Airline will also be making investments in the Empire State with additional service in Buffalo, Albany and Syracuse. Beginning in October, JetBlue is excited to launch the only nonstop service from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on a seasonal basis. Designed to give customers in Upstate New York more options to connect to sunny Florida in the winter months, Buffalo and Albany will each see a second daily flight added this winter to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, while Syracuse will get the convenience of a second daily flight to Orlando.

Volaris reports financial results for the second quarter 2024

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, has released its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

Enrique Beltranena, President & Chief Executive Officer, said: “Volaris continues to perform positively, achieving our highest absolute EBITDAR for a second quarter despite the fleet groundings due to accelerated engine inspections. Volaris’ unwavering focus on execution and efficient cost control has enabled us to deliver strong results. Our mitigation plan is on track with favorable outcomes, and we have largely achieved our goals since the inspections began. In fact, we are improving our full-year ASM guidance to -14%3. We currently have a well-balanced market mix, with an increased presence in the cross-border market that has strengthened our TRASM, and our booking curves indicate ongoing robust performance for the summer high season.

With recent updates from Pratt & Whitney, we are cautiously optimistic about this evolving situation, but we recognize that the engine's time on wing remains a challenge. Looking ahead, as grounded aircraft gradually return to our productive fleet, we expect recent unit revenue levels to remain resilient and remain committed to prudent and rational growth, prioritizing profitability.”

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 2Q 2023 unless otherwise noted)

Net income of $10 million. Earnings per American Depositary Shares (ADS) of $9 cents.

Total operating revenue of $726 million, a 7.2% decrease.

Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 12% to $8.89 cents.

Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased by 17% to 8.2 billion.

Total operating expenses of $660 million, representing 91% of total operating revenue.

Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) increased 9.1% to $8.08 cents.

Average economic fuel cost increased 6.1% to $2.86 per gallon.

CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $5.33 cents.

EBITDAR of $261 million, a 23% increase.

EBITDAR margin was 35.9%, an increase of 8.8 percentage points.

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $774 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months’ total operating revenue.

Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR2 ratio decreased to 2.9x, compared to 3.1x in the previous quarter.

1 The financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

2 Includes short-term investments.