Domestic passenger up by 1.7% in July at Melbourne Airport.

Despite the collapse of Rex jet flights in Australia, domestic passenger numbers actually increased slightly at Melbourne Airport, up by 1.7% 

The 1,001,202 international passengers recorded in July is higher than the 995,597 international travellers processed in July 2019, which reflects the increase in airline offerings and capacity in Melbourne. It is also a testament to the expansion programme that is underway at the airport. Overall passenger numbers were up four per cent on the same month in 2023.

July marked the final month of Rex’s capital city jet service, with the company placed into voluntary administration at the end of the month.  In the FY24 financial year, Rex and Bonza carried a total of 1,574,067 passengers between them through Melbourne Airport, which represents 6.5% of all domestic passengers and 4.5% of total passengers for that period.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the numbers highlight the value of supporting domestic airline competition. “Melbourne Airport was proud to have worked with both Rex and Bonza to increase choice for Australian travellers, and it is disappointing that despite our support, both ended in administration."

Austrian Airlines to Linz with Linz-Frankfurt route from winter 2024/2025

Linz-Frankfurt route returns

Austrian Airlines will return to Linz and operate the Linz-Frankfurt route from winter 2024/2025. The first flight will take off from Linz to Frankfurt on 28 October 2024 and will be operated on ATR 72-600 aircraft with 72 seats by Austrian Airlines’ partner Braathens Regional Airlines. The new route will initially be operated three times and the flight takes 1 hour 40 minutes. 

Overview of flight times

Route	Flight Number	Flight Days	Flight Times
Linz-Frankfurt	OS 261	Mon-Sat	06:00 – 07:40
Frankfurt-Linz	OS 262	Mon-Sat	08:25 – 09:55
Linz-Frankfurt	OS 263	Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun	10:30 – 12:10
Frankfurt-Linz	OS 264	Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun	12:45 – 14:15
Linz-Frankfurt	OS 265	Wed, Thu Sat, Sun	14:20 – 16:00 14:50 – 16:30
Frankfurt-Linz	OS 266	Wed, Thu Sat, Sun	16:35 – 18:05 17:05 – 18:35
Linz-Frankfurt	OS 267	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun	18:40 – 20:20 19:10 – 20:50
Frankfurt-Linz	OS 268	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun	21:30 – 23:00

.
/

Juneyao Airlines to start Shanghai - Melbourne service this December

Juneyao Airlines plans to operate a new service linking Shanghai and Melbourne three times a week from 19th December. For the peak travel period in January and February, the airline plans on making it a daily service and that is a welcome addition to the range of airlines operating to and from Melbourne. 

This new route is the first time Juneyao Airlines has flown to Australia and will operate using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features 324 seats, including 29 lie-flat business class seats.

The news of Juneyao Airlines’  new service comes as Melbourne Airport marks a significant milestone in the upgrade of its international baggage handling system, with the arrival of more than $50 million worth of baggage conveyor systems.

The half-a-billion-dollar T2 Next project is replacing traditional baggage belts with a new tote-based system, allowing for real-time bag tracking and paving the way for an eventual introduction of anytime check-in.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the arrival of Juneyao Airlines underscored the need for ongoing investment in the international terminal and new airfield infrastructure. “We are thrilled to welcome Juneyao Airlines to Melbourne and look forward to working with them to make this service a success.

More than two million passengers flew with Cathay Pacific in July - up over 15%

Cathay Pacific recently released its traffic figures for July 2024, which showed that the airline achieved a new milestone by carrying more than two million passengers in a single month for the first time since the pandemic.

Cathay Pacific carried a total of 2,008,225 passengers in July 2024, an increase of 15.1% compared with July 2023. The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 16.1% year on year. Passenger load factor decreased by 3.8 percentage points to 85.5%, while available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased by 21.2% year on year. In the first seven months of 2024, the number of passengers carried increased by 32.5% to a total of 12,667,826, against a 39% increase in ASKs and a 31.6% increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2023.

The airline carried 126,797 tonnes of cargo in July 2024, an increase of 9.6% compared with July 2023. The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) decreased 0.5% year on year. The cargo load factor decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 58.3%, while available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 2.1% year on year. In the first seven months of 2024, the tonnage increased by 10.3% to a total of 846,261 tonnes, against a 9.9% increase in AFTKs and a 3.8% increase in RFTKs, as compared with the same period for 2023.

 

Travel

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Marking the start of the traditional summer travel peak, July was a milestone month for Cathay Pacific as the airline carried over two million passengers for the first time in a single month since our rebuild, while the 85.5% load factor was the highest of any month so far this year.

“Such robust demand was driven by the increased popularity of long-haul flights to and from Hong Kong in the first half of the month among students and those visiting friends and relatives. This was followed by a surge in demand for travel to popular short-haul destinations in Japan and Southeast Asia in the second half of July. In addition, we saw strong demand for flights to Paris due to the Olympic Games, and we were delighted to carry a significant number of athletes and spectators to attend this momentous sporting occasion.

 

Cargo

“Cargo demand remained strong in July with healthy year-on-year tonnage growth. Across our network, our tonnage was 2% higher than in June and 10% above July last year. Given July is traditionally a softer month for demand, this was encouraging and bodes well for August. In terms of commodity mix, we observed an uptick in perishable goods shipments from Southeast Asia and the South West Pacific into Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, and increased tonnage through our Cathay Expert services using the dedicated freighters for project shipments and outsized cargo. E-commerce shipments continued to be the main driver of volumes from the Greater Bay Area. ​

“We continue to enhance our special solutions, and in July we re-launched Cathay Courier with a focus on digitalisation to add greater transparency and reassurance for our customers when they choose to send their urgent shipments with Cathay Cargo. Customers will now be able to track their shipments online. Along with this newly added feature, Cathay Courier provides our customers with speed, guaranteed capacity and dedicated handling for their time-sensitive, high-value shipments.

 

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Rugby Sevens confirmed for 28-30 March 2025

Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) is delighted to announce that the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will take place from March 28 – 30, 2025.

The dates were confirmed by World Rugby as the HSBC SVNS 2025 takes shape, with Dubai, Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver also named as host cities.

HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke welcomed the news and urged fans in Hong Kong and from around the world to mark their calendars to ensure they won’t miss out on the 2025 Sevens action in Hong Kong. He commented:

“The iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is a fan-favourite on the HSBC SVNS Series. Thanks to World Rugby for yet again confirming Hong Kong as an integral part of the SVNS success story.”

HKCR CEO James Farndon recognized how the announcement supports international fans by providing good lead time to plan their trips and book flights and accommodation. He said:

“About 30% of our ticket holders in 2024 travelled from overseas. It would be great to build on the undoubted international attraction of the HK7s as a ‘bucket list’ event and to showcase our great city to people from all over the world.”

Airside place to pray has opened at East Midlands Airport.......

A new multi-faith room has been opened in East Midlands Airport’s departure lounge, providing a space for customers and staff for prayer and quiet reflection.

It is the first such facility in the ‘airside’ part of the airport terminal beyond security checks – joining an existing prayer room located in the ‘landside’ check-in hall.

The new multi-faith room opens as the chaplaincy team based at EMA marks its 25th anniversary of providing support for staff and passengers of all faiths or none. Located upstairs in the departure lounge, it adds to other improvements in this part of the airport, including a refurbished Castle Rock Bar and Kitchen and new toilet and baby changing facilities.

Like the existing room in the check-in hall, the new room can be divided, enabling two groups to use it at the same time if necessary, as well as containing wash facilities for those who use water in their religious practices.  A variety of helpful religious material is also available.

The airport chaplains will oversee both facilities ensuring that they are cared for and used appropriately. The chaplaincy team is on hand to provide support, friendly advice, practical help, a listening ear and prayers for customers and staff. They take part in special events such as marking religious festivals and Remembrance Day, as well as supporting charities at home and abroad.

You'll need a visa waiver to get into Europe from next year

Did you know that UK citizens will need a visa waiver to get into Europe from the first part of next year? 

Starting in the first half of 2025, people from over 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have purchased a travel authorisation or visa waiver to enter 30 European countries for a short stay of 90 days or less. 

The ETIAS travel authorisation will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. Without it, you will not be allowed entry and most airlines, bus/coach operators and ferry companies will deny you from even boarding. If you go on a cruise which has European stops,  you'll need to get an ETIAS in advance, even if you don't plan on getting off the ship. The ETIAS is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, if that date is within the three years. If you lose your passport,  you'll need to get a new ETIAS after you get your new passport and yes, pay the application fee again!  

Your ETIAS travel authorisation allows you to enter the EU as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period - which is the most UK passport holders can stay. UK nationals who wish to stay longer must either hold a visa, or a residence permit, unless they were permitted to stay under the EU-UK withdrawal agreement.

However, to be clear, having an ETIAS, does not automatically guarantee entry, you'll still be asked to see your passport and other documents when you arrive and you'll need to clear all other restrictions to get in.  

You will need to either fill out an application form on the website or complete it on the app and pay a fee of €7. You will need to have your travel document and a payment card at hand as you'll need to supply some personal information. Your passport will need to have at least three months of validity from the date you are scheduled to come home and not be older than 10 years. 

For more information https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

.

European countries requiring ETIASAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceGreenlandHungaryIcelandItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerland
Who needs an ETIAS travel authorisation?

Hyatt to acquire Standard International including its brands, The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation this week announced the planned acquisition of the brands and most of the affiliates of pioneering lifestyle company Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. This move enhances Hyatt’s position as the leader in the industry’s premier lifestyle space, building on both its organic growth and a series of acquisitions that quintupled the number of lifestyle rooms in Hyatt’s global portfolio between 2017 and 2023. The transaction is anticipated to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions.

With this transaction, Hyatt will form a new dedicated lifestyle group that will be headquartered in New York City. Led by Standard International's Executive Chairman Amar Lalvani, the lifestyle group will leverage Hyatt's best-in-class operational and loyalty infrastructure while assuming distinct leadership across key functions including experience creation, design, marketing, programming, public relations, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment. The new lifestyle group will be made up of the talented Standard International team as well as Hyatt colleagues – more details about the lifestyle group will be shared following the closing of the transaction.

Germany's Discover Airlines to offer new destinations and more connections from Frankfurt and Munich next summer

Brand new in the flight schedule: Ålesund and Bodø in Norway and Reykjavík in Iceland

5 destinations and up to 12 weekly flights: "Nordics" offer greater than ever

Significantly more connections to Greece and Bulgaria

Discover Airlines will launch new connections from Frankfurt and Munich throughout Europe next summer and increase popular routes, including to Greece and Bulgaria. Brand new in the offer, not only at Discover Airlines but in the entire Lufthansa Group, Ålesund and Bodø in Norway. Discover Airlines is the only airline that flies to these destinations from Germany.

Off to the north: offer more varied than ever

With a total of five destinations in Northern Europe, Discover Airlines' "Nordics" offering will be larger than ever next summer. For the first time, the airline will fly twice a week (Wednesdays, Saturdays) from Frankfurt to Ålesund in around two and a half hours between the beginning of May and the end of October. The city is located on the Norwegian coast, right at the entrance to the famous Geirangerfjord.

Also new, Discover Airlines will take off twice a week (Mondays, and Thursdays) from Munich to Bodø between the beginning of June and the end of October. In about three hours flight time, travelers reach the Norwegian city, which, just like Evenes, is an ideal starting point for a tour to the Lofoten archipelago. The Frankfurt – Evenes connection is planned for summer 2025 with up to three weekly flights (Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays).

Kittilä in Finland will continue beyond the winter as a year-round connection from Frankfurt. With up to two weekly flights (Mondays, Fridays), travelers reach their remote destination in Finnish Lapland after just under three and a half hours of flight. Discover Airlines is the first international airline to offer direct flights there in the summer.

With Keflavik, the international airport near Reykjavík, the airline is also adding its first destination in Iceland to its flight schedule. The connection from Munich was previously flown by Lufthansa and will be offered by Discover Airlines next year. From April to the end of October, up to three weekly flights are planned between Munich and Iceland's capital.

Plenty of sunshine – from Frankfurt and Munich

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.  

.

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.

.