Medical drone delivery trials revolutionising the skies in Scotland

A pioneering project using drones to deliver medical supplies across Scotland has been heralded as a “technological revolution” by the Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane in his first official visit to the region on 27th August 2024.

Meeting with Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports – which operates Aberdeen International Airport – to celebrate the airport’s 90th anniversary, the Minister is expected to see a series of measures in place to support regional connectivity across the UK, including a project trialling the use of drones to deliver medical supplies to remote locations across Scotland. 

Spearheaded by the airport, Project CAELUS is backed by over £7 million in UK government funding, helping to revolutionise aviation and accelerate the development of drones across multiple industries.

In a ground-breaking first for Scotland, laboratory samples have been flown from Edinburgh to Melrose by drones, thanks to the project. A journey that usually takes up to 5 hours by road transport could now take as little as 35 minutes.

Seeing one of the project’s drones first hand, the Minister will set out his vision to continue to support the advancement and rollout of the technologies across the UK to boost prosperity and economic growth across the country.

He is also expected to reiterate the Department for Transport’s continued support to work with industry on developing sustainable solutions for regional connectivity through new technologies and greater dependency on sustainable aviation fuels. 

With Aberdeen Airport playing a key role in driving the wider economic and social prosperity of the north east, this visit marks a significant step in the UK Government’s efforts to strengthen aviation infrastructure and bolster economic growth in the region.

Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane said: "Aberdeen has demonstrated what the next era of aviation can look like with its successful medical drone delivery trials.  

I want to help all players in the industry across the country to embrace these innovative solutions that enhance regional connectivity and pave the way for a more sustainable future."

 

London ranked second best city in Europe for walking and cycling tours

London has been revealed as one of the top-ranking cities for walking and biking enthusiasts, a new report from visitlondon.com finds. The UK capital comes in as second best in Europe, with 42 per cent of the walking and biking tours in the city scoring a five-star rating.

London has been ranked second best city in Europe, for having the most highly rated walking and biking tours

London revealed to have almost 1,500 walking and biking tours – coming in third place in the world for the most total amount

London also ranked as third best in the world for its total amount of walking and biking tours on offer (1,460) – just behind Rome (2,985) and Hanoi (1,696).

Of the 91 countries ranked, London has officially placed as the 29th ‘dryest city’, with cities including Istanbul, Paris and Amsterdam experiencing a higher average rainfall. The UK capital experiences an average of 690mm rainfall each year, which equates to around 94 rainy days a year – or 7.8 a month. London comes in just behind sunny Thessaloniki, Greece which has an average of 687mm.

According to a number of factors including price, points of interest, rainfall and total amount of tours, London ranks as the overall fourth best in the world for cycling and walking tours. The UK capital comes in just behind Barcelona, Paris and Rome, with an overall rating of 82.2/100 in the study’s index – trumping Amsterdam, New York and Berlin.

Rose Wangen-Jones, Managing Director at Visit London, said: “Being the first city awarded national park status, it’s unsurprising that London ranks so highly as a cycling and walking destination.

“An astonishing 20 per cent of London is public green space, and we’re working towards becoming 50 per cent green by 2050. Whether it’s uncovering the secrets of Jack the Ripper or Paddington Bear, of the 1,400 walking and biking tours in London, there’s certainly something for all tastes.”

London was previously ranked as the greenest city in Europe by comparison site Nerd Wallet, with over 3,000 parks and green spaces recorded in the capital.

Beluga at work moving helicopters....

                       Airbus Helicopters are shifting two H175s with the assistance of one of the fleet of specially modified A300-608, a Beluga with registration F-GSTC.  The first stop was Cairo in Egypt where it arrived at 15:47 local time.

Iberia increases capacity to the Dominican Republic by more than 20% for the winter season

Iberia defined its schedule for the next winter season on the route with the Dominican Republic, which will register a significant growth in its capacity between Madrid and Santo Domingo.

In this period, which runs from the end of October 2024 to March next year, Iberia will progressively increase its flights to 8 weekly frequencies in November, 10 in December and 11 in January. In February and March it will also have 10 weekly frequencies.

This will mean an increase in the total capacity of seats that Iberia will have on this route. In the winter season alone in Europe, there will be almost 125,000 seats connecting Europe with the Caribbean island, which represents a growth of more than 20% compared to last year and 50% compared to the figures before the pandemic, in 2019.

In fact, Iberia also presents an advance in the total capacity it has deployed during 2024 as a whole, with around 230,000 seats available between Europe and the Dominican Republic in the year. This is an increase of 11% compared to last year and a figure similar to that before the pandemic.

TRU Simulation delivers Beechcraft T-6C Operational Flight Trainer to Tunisian Air Force

TRU Simulation + Training Inc. recently announced delivery of the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) to the Tunisian Air Force. Additional items delivered with the OFT include a Computer Based Training (CBT) Lab with eight workstations, two Avionics Desktop Trainings (ADTs) and field services. The OFT will be the first device of its kind within the region and will support flight training needs at the Sfax Air Base in Sfax, Tunisia.

TRU Simulation, an affiliate of Textron Aviation Defense LLC, the manufacturer of the Beechcraft T-6C, designs, manufactures and delivers high-fidelity training devices and full-motion simulators for civil and defence customers.

“As the first TRU-built Beechcraft T-6C OFT in the region, this marks a significant milestone in TRU Simulation’s commitment to advancing aviation training technology globally. The dedication and expertise of our team have been crucial in achieving this milestone, and I am immensely proud of their hard work and commitment to excellence,” said Jerry Messaris, vice president and general manager, of TRU Simulation. “It is a privilege to commemorate the integration of the device into the Tunisian Air Force.”

MyFlight makes travelling smoother at Helsinki Airport

The free MyFlight service, developed by Finavia, provides passengers with personalised information about their upcoming flight at Helsinki Airport.

“Helsinki Airport has a lot of new services, shops and restaurants for different wishes and needs. The service provides personalised tips for enjoying your visit to the airport and ensures that your journey will be smooth and hassle-free,” says Anna Tuomi, Finavia’s Head of Marketing.

The service provides passengers with a wide range of information about departure and airport services at different stages of their journey.

To support its users’ journey planning, the service sends them an email containing, for example, a checklist for air passengers, an airport map and the latest information about the airport’s services along the way to the departure gate. Before the flight departs, the service will remind you of the start of boarding and any changes in the departure time or gate information.

“We want to offer passengers an unhurried experience at our airport. The MyFlight service makes it easier to plan your journey even before you arrive at the airport, and provides you with up-to-date information about your flight’s departure. This allows passengers to spend their time before arriving at the gate in the way they prefer.“

The MyFlight service is being further developed at Finavia.

“We see MyFlight as an interesting additional service for passengers at our airport. Our goal is to further develop the service on the basis of passengers’ needs.“

Order Myflight here. 

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Second IATA World sustainability symposium to take place in Miami

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) second World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) will focus on actions needed to achieve the airline industry’s commitment to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The event will take place in Miami, USA on 24-25 September 2024, hosted by American Airlines.

“Sustainability is an existential challenge for humanity as it is for our airline industry. Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 is a big and complex task. But working together with the broader aviation industry, and with the support of governments, we will get there. WSS is a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to learn, align and take the critical actions needed to galvanize our determination and accelerate progress,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Key elements to help achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 being addressed at the WSS include:

•    Decarbonization: Focusing on aviation's transition to net-zero CO2 emissions, including how to develop, scale, and deliver the solutions necessary to decarbonize aviation over the 25 years to 2050. Discussions will address how to build the markets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon removals, and other nascent technologies, and the challenges involved in financing such projects.

•    Innovation and Technology: Exploring new aircraft technologies and operational innovations with a focus on the practical aspects of implementing new technologies rapidly to advance the industry’s net-zero CO2 emissions goal.

KLM takes delivery of its first Airbus A321neo aircraft

KLM has taken delivery of its first A321neo as part of its fleet modernisation with the latest generation, fuel-efficient aircraft. With the aircraft, KLM joins the community of successful A321neo operators.

By selecting the A321neo, KLM brings on board the latest technology to lower decibels and to reduce the noise footprint during take-off, approach and landing. Together with its advanced fuel efficiency, the A321neo will play a key role in KLM’s environmental ambition.

The newly delivered A321neo for KLM seats 227 passengers in a two-class layout. The cabin features Airbus’ Airspace cabin with XL bins. The larger bins provide 60% more luggage capacity for a more relaxed boarding experience for passengers and cabin crew. In addition, USB-C ports are available for passengers at every seat, and the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. Equipped with sharklets and powered by new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines, the A321neo brings a 50% noise footprint reduction and at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date, more than 6,400 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by more than 90 customers across the globe.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321neo 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.

Photo caption: The first A321neo for KLM was handed over at Airbus’ Hamburg manufacturing site by Wouter van Wersch, Airbus Executive Vice President of International, to Marjan Rintel, President & CEO of KLM.

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Air France KLM Points

ASG Strengthens Position with two Key Senior Hires

Asian Sky Group (ASG), Asia-Pacific’s premier aircraft transactions, charter and market intelligence company, announces that Justin Yeung has been named Business Development & Sales Director with a primary focus on aircraft transactions, and Paul Tsang has been named as Sales Director and will focus on both aircraft charters and sales.

Yeung brings with him more than 15 years’ experience in the Aviation and Aerospace industry between the UK and Asia, most recently at Hong Kong-based Metrojet where he was the company’s Director of Aircraft Management and Charter overseeing the Business Development, Client Relations, and Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Organization (CAMO) teams. He also served as Board Director to Funian Aviation in Shenzhen, China. During his time with Metrojet he led the negotiations for the construction and operation of the renowned 25,000sqm MRO and parking hangar facility in Clark International Airport.

“Asian Sky Group has a great reputation within the industry, especially with its trusted market intelligence reports and unique industry events such as the Asian Sky Forum. I’m very excited to work with the team to further contribute to ASG’s success in aircraft sales and its other key business units.” said Yeung.

AirAsia enters second half of the year with wider expansion in China

 AirAsia is entering the second half of the year on a strong note with the expansion of two new routes in China: Penang-Shenzhen and Kota Kinabalu-Shantou. 

With the addition of these two new routes, AirAsia will operate a total of 33 routes to/from China, further solidifying its position as the largest foreign low-cost carrier in the region. AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) will operate four flights weekly from Penang to Shenzhen starting 28 October 2024 whereas flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shantou will commence on 16 November 2024 with three flights weekly. 

In celebration of the route launches, AirAsia is offering promotional fares for flights between Penang and Shenzhen from RM329 all-in* one way as well as flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shantou with fares starting from RM299 all-in* one way. 

All flights are available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly airasia Superapp) and airasia.com from now until 8 September 2024. Fly from Penang to Shenzhen between 28 October 2024 to 29 March 2025 and  from Kota Kinabalu to Shantou between 16 November 2024 to 29 March 2025 - to enjoy the fares at special low fares promotional rates. 

Hyatt Place Rouen opens

Hyatt Hotels Corporation confirmed the opening of Hyatt Place Rouen, expanding the Hyatt Place brand’s global footprint in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members. Combining style, innovation and 24/7 convenience, the new hotel features a modern design, casual atmosphere, and practical amenities, such as three meeting rooms, a restaurant with French regional cuisine, an onsite spa with a heated pool and treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

Hyatt Place Rouen is conveniently situated in the heart of Rouen, a pleasant stroll from iconic sites such as the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen and the Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, and located within a former teacher training college dating back to 1886. Just a two-hour drive away from Paris, with unparalleled access to the charming countryside and historical sites of Normandy, Hyatt Place Rouen is an ideal choice for both work and relaxation, situated in the third most visited region in France.

The hotel offers panoramic views overlooking the city’s skyline of “a hundred spires”, and this outlook is reflected in the interior design with a steel blue palette evoking the Seine River and stormy Norman skies. This complements the muted yellow tones, in a nod to the region’s renowned Calvados spirits and the warmth of the local culture. Stripes feature throughout the property, as a reference to the half-timbering characteristic of the old town area. Within the “Jardins des Oeuvres”, three striking sculptures add to the hotel’s charm and character. Seamlessly blending contemporary style and comfort, Hyatt Place creates an easy-to-navigate experience for today’s modern traveller.

Commenting on the opening, Michel Morauw, Managing Director Hyatt EAME North said, “Hyatt Place Rouen captures the essence of Rouen’s rich history while providing the modern traveller with a comfortable, convenient and memorable stay, whether visiting for a short business break, or a leisurely getaway to explore the region’s culture and history. Hyatt Place Rouen marries classical charm with contemporary sophistication, and further expands the brand’s presence in one of our key markets, offering guests and World of Hyatt members exceptional experiences in sought-after destinations.”

Norwich Airport sees continued growth in passenger numbers

Norwich Airport has continued its recovery from the covid pandemic with passenger numbers increasing in the last financial year.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2024 the airport welcomed 353,000 passengers, up 2% on the previous year, cementing its role as a popular regional airport for leisure travel.

The airport, which employs 224 people, is also the gateway to the southern North Sea for the offshore energy industry and plays a key role in supporting the region’s wider aviation ecosystem with pilot training, military operations and the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft.

The figures contributed to a 15% increase in passenger numbers for parent company Regional & City Airports (RCA), which saw more than 1.75m passengers use its airports during the year.

As well as Norwich, the group owns Bournemouth and Exeter Airports and holds a management contract for Solent Airport.

The Norwich figures do not reflect the start of Ryanair’s first ever flights from the airport in April as this was outside of year-end. Ryanair has added 60,000 seats this summer with new routes to Malta, Alicante and Faro, putting the airport on track to surpass pre-covid passenger numbers of half a million.

Ryanair has already confirmed that it will continue the Alicante route through the winter.

Cathay Pacific works with Acer and Dimerco to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions

Cathay Pacific, in collaboration with Acer and Dimerco Express Group, has launched an innovative partnership to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). As one of the first companies in Asia to initiate a corporate SAF program, Cathay Pacific launched the initiative in 2022, cementing its leadership in the global aviation industry.

Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome Acer to our Corporate SAF Programme through its partnership with Dimerco Express, which joined our Programme last year. We believe that partnerships such as this along the supply chain are essential if we are to achieve our own and the aviation industry’s stretching targets to decarbonise operations. We are ready to support all of our forwarder and shipper customers in achieving their own sustainability goals through the use of SAF, which is one of the most effective ways to contribute to the aviation industry’s transition to a greener future through the reduction of net emissions.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a biofuel made from renewable resources such as plants or animal materials and can reduce aviation's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF is expected to provide 65% of the reduction in emissions needed for the aviation industry to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Brussels Airlines launches design contest and public vote

New Belgian Icon to be more Belgian than ever

A new Belgian Icon is set to join the Brussels Airlines fleet soon. The Belgian national airline has launched a contest where the Belgian Public can submit designs that represent the best of Belgium. In early October, everyone will be able to vote to decide how the next Belgian Icon will look. The Belgian Icons remain some of the most photographed aeroplanes in the world and are an important way for Brussels Airlines to bring its Belgitude to the world.

Brussels Airlines has launched a campaign to find its newest Belgian Icon. This time around, it will be more Belgian than ever: not only will the aircraft connect Belgium to the world, but the aeroplane livery will also be designed by Belgians and chosen by the airline’s public in Belgium.

Everyone who lives in Belgium or holds Belgian nationality can enter the contest, as long as the participant is over the age of 16. Like with all other Belgian Icons, the plane should represent Belgium in an original and artistic way.

Michel Moriaux, Head of Marketing, Brussels Airlines said:  “The design has to be something Belgium is known for, and Belgians are proud of, without entering too much into clichés. The next Belgian Icon will not feature beer, fries, or waffles, for example, but we love to showcase our culture, nature or history. As with all our previous Belgian Icons, the design must have a ‘wow factor’ and inspire people to visit Belgium.” 

People have until September 27 to submit their designs; an internal jury will make a preselection afterwards. At the beginning of October, everyone will be able to vote for their favourite design

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Brussels Airlines first Belgian Icon, Rackham, was introduced in 2015 and pays tribute to Tintin, the world-famous Belgian comic.

Hyatt announces plans for Park Hyatt Sapporo

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd., for a new Park Hyatt hotel in Sapporo. Scheduled to open in 2029, the hotel will be situated in the economic and cultural centre of the Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan. It will be the fourth Park Hyatt branded hotel in the country and will complement the award-winning Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, a luxury mountain retreat located in Hokkaido’s leading ski resort.

The hotel will be conveniently located in a mixed-used tower under development at the intersection of the famed Odori Park and bustling Sapporo Ekimae-dori, the city’s main commercial and business thoroughfare. Spanning the 27th through 35th floors, it offers magnificent views of the park and city. The building will be designed by celebrated architect Kengo Kuma, who is renowned for his innovative ability to blend architecture and the natural world. Park Hyatt Sapporo will offer 157 luxurious rooms and suites, world-class culinary and wellness experiences, an indoor swimming pool and inspiring spaces for meetings and events.

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Hokkaido’s year-round attractions now account for the most inbound overnight stays and tourism spending of any regional area in Japan, separate from the nation’s three major metropolitan areas [source: Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]. Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is known for rugged wildernesses, superb powder snow, sumptuous seafood, intriguing indigenous culture and more. The city is easily accessible by 90-minute flights from Tokyo, and eventually by high-speed rail when the Bullet Train extends to Sapporo in the early 2030s. As Japan’s fifth-largest city, Sapporo itself has become a favored destination. Tanuki Koji shopping street and the Susukino entertainment district bustle with tourists year-round, while Sapporo’s iconic winter landscape has been named one of Japan's top sights to behold.

People at the Tanukikoji Shopping Street

“Park Hyatt Sapporo is our second collaboration with Heiwa Real Estate, after Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo, which is set to open in 2025,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “We sincerely appreciate their confidence in Hyatt, and we are honoured to join with them in elevating the luxury offerings in this dynamic city. We are excited to be part of the ongoing transformation of Sapporo, as more discerning business and leisure travelers, including World of Hyatt members, head north to discover Hokkaido.”
“With a superb location in central Sapporo, Park Hyatt Sapporo will become a luxury home-away-from-home for those looking to experience Sapporo's rich selection of attractions,” said Kiyoyuki Tsuchimoto, representative executive officer, president and chief executive officer of Heiwa Real Estate. “This development project is the starting point of our new growth strategy, as we contribute to Sapporo's evolving stature as one of Japan’s leading cities. We are confident that our collaboration with Hyatt will be another highly successful one.”
Park Hyatt Sapporo will join Hyatt’s growing Japan portfolio of 21 hotels encompassing nine brands, including Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Caption by Hyatt, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Hyatt is steadily increasing its brand presence in Hokkaido with Park Hyatt Hanazono which opened in early 2020, as well as the vibrant Hyatt Centric brand, which is set to debut in Sapporo in 2026. -