Brussels Airlines wins prestigious wine awards

First place for “Top Red Wine International Business Class” and third place for overall Top International Business Class Wines on the Wing

Brussels Airlines has won two prestigious awards for its wine offering in Business Class. At a blind tasting in New York, Global Traveler awarded Brussels Airlines first place for Top Red Wine in International Business Class and third place for "Top International Business Class Wines" in the Wines on the Wing competition. Brussels Airlines focuses on unique wines from smaller producers to offer an exclusive experience.

In long-haul Business Class, Brussels Airlines serves up to 900 bottles of wine per reference per month. That might sound like a lot, but compared to other larger carriers these are still relatively small quantities, allowing Brussels Airlines to work with unique, smaller wineries.

 Philip Mortier, Inflight Product Manager, Brussels Airlines said: “Our overall strategy on long-haul flights is to offer an experience like a boutique hotel, but in the air. Our wine list is no exception. We often work with small independent wineries, and we try to make a very varied wine lists that always includes some more classic, French wines and some more unique or exceptional wines. This way passengers can choose for something they know they will like, or explore new tastes. And as the Belgian flag carrier, it is only natural that we also offer Belgian wines.”

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To design the on-board menu, a panel of wine experts organizes once a year a two-day tasting, where over 200 wines are tasted and selected in no less than 15 different categories. The wines on offer rotate regularly and are paired with the Belgian Staf Chef menus. In total, Brussels Airlines selects 24 different wine references to serve on long-haul Business Class flights throughout the year.

Wines on the Wing Awards

This strategy for a top-notch wine list didn’t stay unnoticed. In the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey 2024, Brussels Airlines was awarded in two categories: Top Red Wine International Business Class, with Chateau Clement- Pichon Cru Bourgeois Superieur Haut Medoc 2018. The second category is Top International Business Class Wines on the Wing, there Brussels Airlines was able to score the third place.

Lufthansa Group completes sale of payment expert AirPlus International to SEB Kort

On July 31, 2024, the Lufthansa Group completed the sale of AirPlus International GmbH (formerly Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH). With the completion of the transaction, AirPlus with all international subsidiaries and branches will be transferred from the Lufthansa Group to SEB Kort Bank AB, based in Stockholm, after the sale was contractually agreed in June 2023. The purchase price amounts to around 450 million euros.

“My heartfelt thanks go to all AirPlus employees. With their dedication, passion and hard work, they have transformed AirPlus from a former Lufthansa project into a leading provider of B2B payment services that is now trusted by over 55,000 customers worldwide. I am delighted that we have found a strong new owner from the financial sector in SEB Kort, with whom AirPlus will write the next chapter of success and continue to drive forward the digital transformation in the payment sector,” says Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

The sale of the payment expert is part of the Lufthansa Group’s strategy to focus even more strongly on its core business. “ Following the sale of the catering business last year and the recently conditionally approved investment in ITA Airways, the closing of the sale of AirPlus is further proof that we are consistently implementing our strategy,” says Niggemann.

AirPlus will remain a member of the global payment network Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc. (UATP) after the sale.

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Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport go back to international standard for liquids in hand baggage

As of 1 September 2024, it is no longer allowed to take liquids in packaging larger than 100 ml in hand baggage. Despite previously relaxing the rules after the introduction of CT scanners, Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport are going back to the international standard of a maximum of 100 ml per package. This change is not related to any revision in threat levels. In taking this measure, the airports are following new guidelines from the European Commission. 

All liquids in packages up to 100 ml are still allowed in hand baggage. Furthermore, the other rules remain unchanged. This means that electronics, such as laptops and phones, can still stay in hand baggage after 1 September 2024. 

The airports are taking several measures to inform travellers about the adjusted rules. This includes extensive information provision and water collectors at security where travellers can empty their drink bottles. Additional staff will also be deployed to inform passengers about the changed rules for liquids. Travellers are advised to pack larger quantities of liquids in their hold baggage – advice that has always been given due to differences in airport policies worldwide. 

We ask our travellers for their understanding and cooperation to ensure a smooth travel experience for everyone.

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Jamie Perry named president of JetBlue Travel Products

JetBlue Airways announced the appointment of Jamie Perry as president of the airline’s JetBlue Travel Products subsidiary. Perry will lead the growth of the JetBlue Vacations brand and other non-air travel products including Paisly, JetBlue’s homegrown travel website that gives travellers access to exclusive savings and points on cars, stays, activities and travel bags.

Perry will be based at JetBlue Travel Products’ support centre in Dania Beach, Fla., and report to Marty St. George, JetBlue’s president.

“We are excited to welcome Jamie to the JetBlue Travel Products team to lead our continued push into the vacations and ancillaries’ space, an increasingly significant driver of revenue and loyalty,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. “As we look to the future, Jamie’s extensive experience and understanding of our business as well as his passion for our mission, will allow us to continue extending JetBlue’s reach further into the travel ribbon, and help guide our team in this new chapter.”

“I’m thrilled to rejoin JetBlue and the JetBlue Travel Products team,” Perry said. “I’m looking forward to supporting the JTP team’s ongoing success, building on the impact that has already been made in the ancillary business providing innovative travel experiences for our customers.”

SWISS appoints Julia Wetter-Studinka as its new Head of Regional Sales Switzerland

Julia Wetter-Studinka has been appointed as SWISS’s new Head of Regional Sales Switzerland. She will take up her duties on 1 September 2024. Wetter-Studinka, who presently serves as SWISS’s Head of Corporate & TMC Key Account Management, succeeds Marco Willa, who has assumed a new function as Head of Onboard Experience for the Lufthansa Group.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has appointed Julia Wetter-Studinka as its new Head of Regional Sales Switzerland. In this capacity Wetter-Studinka will drive and promote the commercial sales activities of all the Lufthansa Group’s passenger airlines in Switzerland, with due and full regard to competitor developments and market trends. She will report directly to Johannes Walter, Vice President Area Management Home Markets Lufthansa Group, and to SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach. Wetter-Studinka succeeds Marco Willa, who assumed new responsibilities at the beginning of August as Head of Onboard Experience for the Lufthansa Group.

Sun Country Airlines reports second quarter 2024 results

Sun Country Airlines Holdings, has reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“Sun Country is pleased to report our eighth consecutive profitable quarter with GAAP EPS of $0.03 and adjusted EPS of $0.06(1),” said Jude Bricker, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Country. “Despite a soft domestic revenue environment and some late-June operational challenges, we delivered a GAAP operating margin of 4.9% and an adjusted operating margin of 5.5%(1). Sun County’s financial results continue to be among the industry leaders at a particularly challenging time for low-cost airlines. This is the direct result of the unique, diversified model that we have built over the last 6 years. The revised agreement with Amazon that we announced in June will further strengthen the diversification of our revenue base and should significantly add to our earnings. We want to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication during a challenging operating period.”

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, Sun Country reported net income of approximately $2 million and income before income tax of $3 million, on $254 million of revenue. Adjusted income before income tax(1) for the quarter was approximately $5 million. GAAP operating income during the quarter was $12 million, while adjusted operating income(1) was $14 million, operating margin was 4.9% and adjusted operating margin(1) was 5.5%.

Embark on a Celestial Journey with VistaJet this Mid-Autumn Festival

Observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a time for family reunions, delectable treats, and moongazing. As families across Asia gather under the harvest moon to celebrate unity and gratitude, VistaJet offers an unparalleled Mid-Autumn Festival experience that transcends the ordinary. From now until the end of September 2024, celebrate these traditions with a curated journey all-encompassing across the sky, land, and sea.

VistaJet’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matteo Atti said: "This Mid-Autumn Festival, VistaJet offers a unique way to celebrate. Inspired by the attractive powers of the Moon, we seamlessly blended time-honoured cultural traditions with innovation, crafting a series of exclusive pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight experiences. It's a celebration unlike any other, creating memories that will last a lifetime."

As anticipation builds for the Mid-Autumn Festival, passengers can kickstart their celebrations by immersing themselves in the spirit of the moon with VistaJet's interactive "moon phase prediction" experience. Available online at vistajet.com/moon, this engaging feature allows travellers to plan their travels ahead and virtually experience the predicted moon phase of their journey. For a truly personalised experience, the moon phase prediction tool is available in Simplified Chinese, English, Korean, and Japanese.

US Army orders two Boeing MH-47G Block II Chinooks for special operations

Army Special Operations now has 46 MH-47G aircraft under contract

Updated configuration improves global reach capabilities

In June, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) awarded Boeing a $115 million contract to produce two more MH-47G Block II Chinook aircraft and begin advanced procurement on future helicopters. Including the new order, the Army has contracted for a total of 46 MH-47G Block II aircraft.  

“Whether it’s operating in the dead of night or in difficult terrain, the MH-47G Block II is a proven workhorse for special operations,” said Heather McBryan, Cargo Programs vice president and program manager for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “It is our privilege to support ongoing USASOAC modernization efforts that will continue to have a real-world impact on U.S. national security.”

USASOAC’s Chinook modernization program supports more than 20,000 jobs and 360 suppliers in 40 states across the U.S. Chinook Block II production leverages and strengthens the manufacturing base that will provide support to the production line for new aircraft and fleet sustainment.

With a reinforced airframe, redesigned fuel tanks and state-of-the-art avionics, the MH-47G Block II heavy-lift helicopter improves USASOAC’S global reach capabilities. In addition, the Block II design enables future affordable modernization efforts, keeping the iconic heavy-lift helicopter flying for decades to come.

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Financial constraints force JetBlue to defer Airbus A321neo deliveries

JetBlue to defer 44 Airbus deliveries to at least 2030.

JetBlue,  New York's hometown airline is differing the delivery of 44 Airbus A321neo aircraft that were scheduled to arrive between 2024 and 2029.  to 2030 and beyond. This will save the airline around $3 billion and is hoped to improve the carrier's balance sheet and improve cash flow.  The airline will be seeking sale and lease-back arrangements on these deliveries nearer the time.  

JetBlue said:  "We simply cannot continue to invest in capital-intensive assets that must be financed upon delivery and that are subsequently unable to produce a return because they have to be parked due to required maintenance and lengthy wait times."  

On average, Jetblue had around 11 aircraft on the ground at any one time due to issues with the geared turbofan engines from Pratt & Whitney. The airline expects to have between 10 and 20 jets on the ground during 2025 because of the same issues. 

Whilst JetBlue is putting a pause on A321 deliveries, it will continue to accept deliveries of A220 jets that it is using to replace Embraer E190 jets which it is phasing out by 2025. 

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JetBlue deferring delivery of 44 Airbus A321neo jets

JetBlue to defer 44 Airbus deliveries to at least 2030.

JetBlue,  New York's hometown airline is differing the delivery of 44 Airbus A321neo aircraft that were scheduled to arrive between 2024 and 2029.  to 2030 and beyond. This will save the airline around $3 billion and is hoped to improve the carrier's balance sheet and improve cash flow.  The airline will be seeking sale and lease-back arrangements on these deliveries nearer the time.  

JetBlue said:  "We simply cannot continue to invest in capital-intensive assets that must be financed upon delivery and that are subsequently unable to produce a return because they have to be parked due to required maintenance and lengthy wait times."  

On average, Jetblue had around 11 aircraft on the ground at any one time due to issues with the geared turbofan engines from Pratt & Whitney. The airline expects to have between 10 and 20 jets on the ground during 2025 because of the same issues. 

Whilst JetBlue is putting a pause on A321 deliveries, it will continue to accept deliveries of A220 jets that it is using to replace Embraer E190 jets which it is phasing out by 2025. 

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NAC has executed a sale agreement for 2 ATR 72-600s with DAT

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has confirmed it has executed a sale agreement for two ATR 72-600s with DAT. DAT A/S, formerly named Danish Air Transport, is a Danish airline headquartered in Vamdrup, Kolding operating 23 aircraft on scheduled regional flights from Northern Norway to Lampedusa in the Mediterranean. Additionally, it provides ACMI services on ATR and Airbus aircraft for Flag Carriers, Charter and Low Fare airlines worldwide.

DAT is a Danish airline founded in 1989 by Kirsten and Jesper Rungholm. DAT, formerly known as Danish Air Transport, started as a freight carrier operating with a single twin engine plane that flew with everything from mail and packages to racehorses.

DAT’s headquarters are located at Vamdrup Airport and it’s main customer service centre on Bornholm. In addition, DAT is operating maintenance and service stations at Billund and Copenhagen airport.

During the summer season, DAT is a key transportation provider for tourists to the summer holiday Island of Bornholm. Between March and October DAT is flying from four Danish cities to Bornholm: Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus and Billund. During the yearly Folkemødet DAT additionally connects Odense to Bornholm.

DAT was awarded for the best domestic airline in Denmark 2022, it transports close to one million passengers every year in a fleet of ATR and Airbus A320 aircraft. DAT also offers Ad Hoc charter services to companies, organizations and individuals in need of specific and individual solutions. Ad Hoc Charter flights DAT was able to operate for customers include for example the Coca-Cola champions trophy tour during the FIFA World Cup.

Destination, departure times, onboard service as well as service at the airport are agreed and tailored according to the customer’s wishes.

As a true Europe carrier DAT is operating regional routes in Denmark, Norway, Italy and Germany. 

Besides the scheduled routes which can be booked on dat.dk, DAT also offers ACMI contracts with extensive experience in the operating these kinds of wet lease contracts.   The firm is used to solving tasks in distant destinations, including large parts of Africa, the Caribbean, India and Bhutan.  DAT provides a complete solution with aircraft, one or more crews as well as technicians, salaries and allowances, maintenance of the aircraft, and insurance.

Our +600 employees come from 20 different countries and operate worldwide out of our five main offices.

Careers - DAT Corporate 

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Falko sold to HPS Investment Partners.....

Falko is the world’s largest asset manager and aircraft lessor focused solely on the regional aircraft leasing segment. Falko is one of the longest-standing managers of regional aircraft globally. Falko’s strategy is focused on growing its portfolio of aircraft under management and the continued development of products and services in support of its aircraft lease management activity.

Falko is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc. and is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and had been put up for sale by Chorus. At the end of last month, Chrous confirmed it had entered into a sale and purchase agreement to sell Falko and its affiliates to affiliates of investment funds managed by HPS Investment Partners, LLC.  The Transaction is subject to approval by Chorus’ common shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions to closing.   

What this will mean for Falko in the long term remains to be seen, however, the sell-off has been welcomed by some in the industry concerned with Chorus's share price and long-term stability. 

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IAG Cargo reports revenues of €566 million for the first half of the year

Tonnage was up 7.8% 

Implementing new technologies, investing in facilities and expanding transport solutions key to enhancing customer experience and improving efficiency

Today, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, IAG Cargo, has reported its financial results for the first half of this year.  The business reported commercial revenues of €566 million for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2024. 

IAG Cargo’s tonnage was up 7.8%, versus the same period last year; revenues represent a decrease of 6.1%. Yields for H1 2024 were below those of H1 2023. 

"We achieved solid results with year-on-year volume growth in a global market characterised by less supply chain constraint than we experienced last year," said David Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer of IAG Cargo. "This positive momentum is a testament to our strategic investments across our business, which are already delivering substantial value, choice and flexibility for our customers."

Investing in Transformation for a Stronger Future

IAG Cargo has been actively implementing transformative initiatives across its operations, focusing on enhancing the customer experience and driving operational efficiency. The commitment to industry-leading standards is highlighted by IAG Cargo joining the IATA Digital Charter and signing up to the One Record protocol in Q2 2024, further streamlining data exchange and transparency within the air cargo supply chain.

"We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance our operations and are actively expanding our IT and digital team to accelerate these initiatives," added Shepherd. "Our new pricing system is providing greater agility in offering market-relevant rates to our customers, while the implementation of a cutting-edge AI-powered camera solution at our London Heathrow hub is optimising efficiency in cargo loading planning and ultimately improving customer CiQ quality."

Expanding Network Reach and Capacity

Virgin Atlantic to axe more routes

The UK's Travel Trade Gazette has reported that Virgin Atlantic will axe more flights as the carrier continues to shake up its schedules.  The airline is now all set to cancel flights to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos after only two seasons.

Virgin Atlantic will stop its twice-weekly flights to Providenciales on 21 February 2025 

Virgin Atlantic will stop its trice-weekly flights to Nassau on 23 February 2025

A spokesperson for the carrier said: “As we continue to focus on optimising our network, we regularly review the destinations we fly to.  As part of this, we’ve made the decision to increase our frequencies to Antigua, Barbados and Cape Town next year, and to sadly suspend operations to The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos."

 

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London Stansted Community Fund grants £30,000 to local good causes

10 organisations across Essex and Hertfordshire are celebrating after being awarded a share of almost £30,000 from the Stansted Airport Community Fund (SACF).

The SACF offers grants of up to £5,000 to projects aimed at improving community life, the environment and conservation within a 10-mile radius of the airport.

The independent committee representing local authorities and airport stakeholders meets quarterly to discuss applicants and decide how the funds will be distributed.

Chair of the Community Fund, Daniel Burford, said:  “We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful community groups and voluntary organisations around the airport. The work they do really makes a difference to the lives of the local people, which is why I am delighted that we are able to offer these grants to support their activities. Applicants who wish to apply for the next round of funding, including our annual flagship £50,000 grant, should do so by September 30. So, if you have a community-led project you wish us to support, please apply on our website."

Among the organisations receiving grants this quarter are:

The Arts Centre Dunmow - £1,825 towards sky tiles and solar panels.

Bishop's Stortford Musical Theatre Company - £2,500 towards mobile stage equipment.

Across, Bishop’s Stortford - £1,310 to help with assisted travel for those with ill health or disabilities.

Sawbridgeworth Cricket Club - £3,000 towards a wicket mower.

Thaxted Festival Foundation - £1,300 towards catering equipment for the annual festival.

Daisy May's Farm, Bishop’s Stortford - £5,000 towards new disabled toilet facilities.

Thaxted Dragons Karate - £3,341 towards training equipment.

Accuro (Care Services), Bishop’s Stortford - £5,000 towards accessible minibus.

Hunsdon Scout Group - £1,600 towards tents.

Dig It Community Allotment, Saffron Walden - £2,400 towards decking.