Wyndham Rewards Ranked Best Hotel Loyalty Program by Readers of USA Today

                   Wyndham Rewards, the world’s most generous rewards program spanning more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally has once again been ranked the top hotel rewards program by readers of USA Today while the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card has been ranked the top hotel credit card.

This marks the seventh consecutive year Wyndham Rewards has taken the top spot in program rankings from USA Today and the sixth consecutive year its credit card has taken the top spot. Nominees for the awards are compiled by a panel of industry experts, and winners are chosen based on daily voting from USA Today readers.

Both rankings are the latest in a series of wins for Wyndham Rewards, which just last month was named best hotel rewards program by U.S. News & World Report and most valuable rewards program by NerdWallet. What’s more, they add to a growing a list of accolades for parent company Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which this year alone has been named one of Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces, one of Ethisphere’s Most Ethical Companies and one of Fair360’s Top 50 Companies for Workplace Fairness, among others.

AIP Capital and ITA Airways Complete Secured Debt Financing

AIP Capital, an alternative investment manager focused on opportunities in commercial aviation, announced it has completed a $240m debt financing to a wholly owned subsidiary of ITA Airways ("ITA") through its Private Credit strategy. The $240 million debt financing is secured by three 2024 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

The financing transaction will provide ITA with an innovative capital solution to further strengthen its financial position and enhance its growth. With the introduction of the latest generation eco-efficient A330neo, ITA continues its fleet modernization to meet its ambitious sustainability targets. The A330neo incorporates the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations which offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

"We are proud to deepen our partnership with ITA Airways by providing a bespoke financing solution to support ITA's fleet modernization," said Michael Kittle, Managing Director, Head of Private Credit at AIP Capital. "This transaction is a testament not only to our shared mission of fostering more sustainable air travel, but to AIP's expertise in structuring innovative, scaled, capital solutions for our airline customers globally."

Zurich - Halifax, Nova Scotia route coming next year from Edelweiss

Edelweiss, Switzerland's leading leisure airline, is adding Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, to its long-haul network in summer 2025. 

The new seasonal Halifax route will be served non-stop from Zurich on Thursdays and Sundays from July to the beginning of October and is part of the carrier's expansion programme. The carrier is flying older Airbus A340s on the route, at least initially, but the carrier may in the future swap to A350 as it modernizes its fleet. 

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. The city offers a variety of attractions, including the historic Citadel, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the picturesque waterfront. As the perfect base for exploring the province of Nova Scotia, Halifax offers access to an impressive variety of natural beauty. From the gorgeous hiking trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park to idyllic beaches and charming fishing villages, the region offers countless opportunities for outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. As the crowning glory of the season in autumn, the forests turn from golden yellow to dark red, giving the landscape a very special character. Atlantic Canada impresses with its breathtaking landscapes, maritime culture and delicious cuisine characterized by fresh seafood.

Shetland spaceport rocket engine test ends in explosion.

German space technology company Rocket Factory Augsburg was carrying out a rocket engine test at one of the two UK spaceports, SaxaVord, Shetland when the engine exploded causing a massive fireball.

RFA is aiming to launch rickets from the spaceport in the near future to carry various payloads into orbit and help establish the UK as a viable place to launch space flights from. The firm confirmed nobody had been injured in the explosion and there was no damage to the launch pad itself.  

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Year-round flight connection from Frankfurt to Finnish Lapland to start in December

Discover Airlines (formerly Eurowings Discover) will fly the Frankfurt-Kittilä route twice a week in the 2024/2025 winter season, starting on December 17. From April to October 2025, the route will also operate twice a week, except in May, when it will even be flown once a week. An Airbus A320-200 with 180 seats will be used on the route. 

"The first year-round route to Kittilä in decades is a significant achievement for the development of year-round tourism in Lapland, which the entire Finnish tourism industry has worked. At Finavia, we are actively working with our partners to expand the connectivity of our airports and, more broadly, Finland's air connectivity," says Petri Vuori, SVP of Sales & Route Development at Finavia.

Finnish Lapland is a huge region with extensive hiking opportunities in the country that has been voted the country with the happiest population for seven years in a row. Kittilä is located in the heart of Lapland and is home to the famous ski and holiday resorts of Levi and Ylläs, both of which are located in close proximity to Kittilä Airport. The region is also home to the majestic Pallastunturi mountain range and boasts the purest air quality in the world.

Saudia to offer up to 50% discount on international flights in business and guest classes

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has introduced an exceptional promotional offer with discounts of up to 50% on international flights via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. This initiative reflects Saudia's commitment to providing exclusive deals and competitive prices to its guests throughout the year. The offer also connects guests to the Kingdom through the "Your Ticket Your Visa" service, which allows visitors to stay in the Kingdom for up to 96 hours, explore its various regions, and even perform Umrah.

Saudia guests can take advantage of this promotional offer and book their tickets from August 18 to 31, 2024, for travel between September 1 and November 30, 2024. The offer applies to both Business and Guest Class, allowing guests to craft bespoke journeys across four continents aboard Saudia's fleet. 

Saudia's website and digital channels offer a comprehensive suite of services, from trip planning to check-in and post-flight support. Guests’ travel experiences are elevated by efficient ground services at airports, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional in-flight services, including high-quality catering, in-flight entertainment, and more.

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Passenger numbers can rise at London City Airport

London City Airport has been given the green light to fly more passengers each year after Angela Rayner overruled the local council's objection to expanding flights operating from the airport.

The annual passenger numbers restriction will be lifted from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers and to fly three extra flights in the first half hour of operations during the week.

London City’s proposals to extend its Saturday afternoon operating hours were not accepted. The airport currently closes at 12:30pm on Saturdays and after an extensive consultation process, the airport requested a new closing time of 6:30pm that would have enabled more choice and flexibility for passengers.

London City’s planning application included no increase in the permitted number of annual flights or infrastructure. It also included a UK airport first; a commitment that only cleaner, quieter, next-generation aircraft would be allowed to fly in any extended operating periods.

Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport, said: “While we welcome the approval to increase our passenger numbers, we are disappointed with the Government’s decision to reject our proposal to fly from 12:30pm to 6:30pm on Saturday afternoons.

As the Government has recognised in its decision, rejecting our request to extend our Saturday afternoon operating hours will slow down airlines bringing cleaner, quieter next-generation aircraft to the airport. Local residents would have had the added benefit of these aircraft operating at the airport throughout the week, not just in the extended operating hours.”

Recovered appeal: London City Airport,  19 August 2024

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Edelweiss getting ready for Airbus A350 arrival.

Efficiency meets comfort: 

The newest member of the Edelweiss fleet is the Airbus A350-900, which is one of the most environmentally friendly long-haul aircraft in the world and produces 25 per cent less CO2 than its predecessor, the Airbus A340-300, thanks to its lower fuel consumption, which is made possible by the use of lightweight materials and the latest generation of engines. Thanks to its long range, the Airbus A350-900 will be able to operate from the carrier's home base of Zurich to all of the current destinations on the airline's route network.  

With the "Airspace" cabin, the cabin architects and acoustic engineers of the Airbus A350-900 have developed an extremely spacious onboard area that offers passengers maximum comfort and relaxation. The cabin is remarkably quiet so sleeping, reading or listening to music on board is even more pleasant than on older-generation aircraft.

Edelweiss says that further plus points are the improved ventilation and lighting: "whether in Economy Class, Economy Max or Business Class - you breathe fresh air everywhere. Thanks to the enlarged panoramic windows, you can enjoy the best views and natural light"

The existing seating in the Airbus A350 will be retained for the time being and completely redesigned in the second half of 2026. This means that 30 seats will be available in Business Class. Economy Max has 63 seats with more seat pitch and Economy Class has 246 seats. The total of 339 seats are upholstered in blue Edelweiss fabric. Economy Class and Economy Max are equipped with a 3-3-3 configuration, Business Class with a 2-2-2 configuration. A striking feature of Business Class is the greater seat pitch, the generous legroom and the exceptional width of the seats, which can be completely reclined for sleeping. Economy and Economy Max have 9-inch screens, while Business Class has 19-inch screens. All seats have a power and USB connection.

The airline is also modernising the appearance of its fleet to coincide with the future introduction of the new Airbus A350. Both the characteristic red aircraft nose and the Edelweiss flower will be retained in the adapted design. White as the main colour will also remain unchanged.

SkyWest named as one of TIME America’s best midsize companies

SkyWest has been named one of America’s Best Midsize Companies by TIME Magazine and Statista. This recognition is the latest in a series of awards that underscore our unwavering focus on providing an exceptional product for our customers and remaining the employer of choice for more than 14,000 aviation professionals.

“We have an incredible team of professionals at SkyWest, and working together we reliably connect nearly 40 million passengers each year,” said Chip Childs, President & CEO of SkyWest. “We’re honoured to be named one of America’s Best Companies by TIME.”

America’s Best Midsize Companies selections were made based on employee satisfaction, positive revenue growth, and sustainable transparency.

Earlier this year SkyWest was named one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America's Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek. Employees' reviews and feedback have also placed SkyWest on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work and Forbes' America's Best Large Employers lists.

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SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines and SkyWest Leasing, an aircraft leasing company. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of approximately 500 aircraft connecting passengers to over 240 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines carrying more than 38 million passengers in 2023.

Boeing invests in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of a SAF production facility in Brisbane

U.S. plane maker Boeing is investing in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of its sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production facility in Brisbane, increasing Australian SAF supply and reducing aviation’s carbon emissions.

Boeing’s investment in the Wagner refinery is part of its strategy to support the development of local SAF supply and expand global access to SAF, which remains the most effective lever to decarbonize aviation by 2050. SAF, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 84% compared to petroleum jet fuel, currently represents 0.1% of global jet fuel use.

“We’re proud to invest in this project because it will make a real difference in developing a SAF industry in Australia,” said Kimberly Camrass, Boeing’s sustainability lead for Australia and New Zealand. “Accelerating local SAF supply enables Australia’s own climate goals and supports the global commercial aviation industry’s commitment of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

Volato cuts fleet and introduces cost cutting measures....

Volato Group, a leading private aviation company and the largest HondaJet operator in the United States, has launched a host of cost-cutting measures to enhance operational efficiency and profitability. As part of this programme, the firm is reducing its fleet by five leased aircraft which it hopes will save approximately $1.2 million per quarter in cost savings.  It had tried to renegotiate the leases for those planes, but the rates they were given were not low enough to achieve the required savings.  

Matt Liotta, CEO of Volato said:  “We have always been transparent about the challenges we face, including delayed aircraft deliveries and the need to manage our fleet size prudently. -“Today’s decision is a continuation of our previously announced cost-saving measures and reflects our commitment to making strategic adjustments that position Volato for long-term success.”

Kempegowda International Airport wins Architect magazine award

Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, India won the Honour Award in the Architect magazine’s 2024 Architecture & Interiors Awards programme in the Government and Civic Building category.

Said Juror Brooke Horan, Associate Vice President and Interior Design Director at HDR, New York, “There’s something sort of joyful and fantastical about it. I think it has an appeal to a lot of different people as you’re passing through—it feels warm and welcoming and comfortable, bringing respite to the potentially stressful situation of travel.”

Envisioned as a “terminal in a garden,” this addition to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR) radically reimagines the airport experience. The construction of the 255,000-square-meter terminal marks a transformative moment for one of India’s largest and fastest-growing cities, Bengaluru, by creating a meaningful civic gateway that emphasizes its rich culture and natural landscape. The design establishes a new vision for sustainable growth and conveys a sense of place that is unique to Bengaluru.

The Architecture & Interiors Design Awards program honours outstanding and innovative projects in the field of architecture and interior design across 21 categories.

Learn More at Architect Magazine.com

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Edelweiss, Switzerland's leading leisure airline, is adding Seattle in the USA to its route network

Edelweiss, which bills itself as Switzerland's leading leisure airline, is adding a new route to the USA for next summer.  The carrier, sister airline to SWISS and part of the massive Lufthansa Group will be heading from Zurich to Seattle from June 2025.  The route will be operated as a seasonal addition to the timetable and fly twice a week on Monday and Saturday.  

Flights are currently scheduled to be operated by Airbus A340 jets with 27 Business Class seats, 76 in Economy Max and 211 in Economy. However,  there is a possibility in future this will change to the new Airbus A350 type of aircraft the airline is getting for spring 2025. One aircraft is currently in Ireland, being painted in the new slightly modernized Edelweiss livery. 

Seattle: vibrant metropolis surrounded by natural wonders.....

Seattle, the metropolis in the Pacific Northwest, fascinates with a combination of urban flair and impressive nature. Known for the iconic Space Needle, the lively Pike Place Market and its fascinating art and music scene, Seattle offers a variety of experiences. A breathtaking natural landscape opens up around Seattle. Highlights such as the Olympic National Park, the majestic mountains of the Cascade Range and the picturesque shores of Puget Sound make this region a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Seattle is also an ideal starting point for a road trip. Whether travelling along the spectacular west coast all the way to California or into Yellowstone National Park, Seattle is the gateway to a world of adventure and spectacular nature.

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Malaysia Aviation Group cargo division selects Unisys for logistics optimization

Unisys announces that MAB Kargo, the air cargo division of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), selects Unisys and its logistics optimization solution to significantly enhance its operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and service delivery.

Like many in the air cargo industry, MAB Kargo faces challenges with time-consuming planning and loading processes that result in underutilized space on flights, missed revenue opportunities, and even damage to shipments. To meet its customers’ demands globally in today’s environment, MAB Kargo has chosen Unisys Logistics Optimization™.

MAB Kargo CEO Mark Jason Thomas praises the partnership, stating, “Investing in advanced technologies like Unisys Logistics Optimization will allow us to cement our position as an industry leader. The solution’s ability to replan in near-real-time gives us the agility to manage disruptions and maximize our assets.

MAB Kargo chose Unisys Logistics Optimization solution to achieve the following:

Delta and Junior Achievement Europe partner to launch Sustainable Skies Challenge

The Sustainable Skies Challenge aims to formulate innovative sustainable aviation solutions among Europe's brightest young minds. 

This year, Delta held the inaugural Sustainable Skies Challenge, an ambitious project in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Europe. The challenge aimed to formulate innovative sustainable aviation solutions among Europe's brightest young minds. The competition, held May 21-22 in Atlanta, received a spotlight at the GEN-E 2024 festival (July 2-4 in Catania, Italy), where thousands of young entrepreneurs showcased their cutting–edge business ideas and competed for the titles of ‘Best Company’ and ‘Best Start-Up of the Year.’  

The GEN-E 2024 festival brought together young entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and educators to celebrate and inspire innovation. The event featured a range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, career fairs and networking opportunities—all designed to empower youth and encourage sustainable business practices.  

In April, nine teams from across Europe competed in a pitch competition where they researched and presented unique, eco-friendly solutions with positive potential impact in the broader industry. From advanced research in cogeneration, to designing inflight uniforms using fruit fibers, the solutions were a testament to the creativity and commitment of the next generation in tackling climate change. 

Three teams of JA Europe Alumni were selected to participate in the final Sustainable Skies Challenge pitch:  

Team Nocta from Lithuania  

Team Fictionnal Jobs from France 

Team The Sky Isn’t the Limit from the Netherlands 

Two members from each team flew to Delta’s headquarters in Atlanta and presented their ideas to a panel of Delta leaders that included Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement; Kelly Lauber, General Manager for Global Sustainability and Strategy; Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director of Inflight Entertainment and Wi-Fi Experience; Gail Grimmett, S.V.P. – Sustainability Performance & Strategic Partnerships. 

The winner, The Sky Isn’t the Limit, presented an innovative idea and business plan to make the airline food supply chain more sustainable.