Experience the Ultimate Gangnam Style..... 2024 Gangnam Festival Runs from September 26 to 29

The 2024 Gangnam Festival, Seoul's signature event in Gangnam, will be held from September 26 to September 29 at the COEX Square in Gangnam. A special stage at the COEX East Gate will host a different themed music festival daily, with various performances scheduled at Gangnam's tourism hub.

The festival starts on Friday, September 27, at 7:30 PM, with a grand opening featuring spectacular performances and a musical showcase. On the evening of Saturday, September 28, at 7 PM, families can enjoy a lively retro music party and an open-air concert. This performance will be live-streamed on the Gangnam-gu Office YouTube channel.

On the same day, Apgujeong Rodeo will host an array of exciting events, including a unique pet fashion show, collections from renowned Korean and international designers, and a Hanbok fashion show showcasing the beauty of traditional Korean attire on a specially designed runway, adding to the festival's vibrant atmosphere.

Everything K-Culture in Seoul's Gangnam!

What's Your Gangnam Style? Discover It All at the Gangnam Festival

Tampa International Airport shows plans for new airside area.....

Tampa International Airport has released new, full-colour concept renderings of the design for Airside D, the Airport's first new airside area in almost 20 years.

The new 16-gate area will be used for both international and domestic flights and will have two levels and include 2 airline lounges.  The airport says the new Airside D area will open in 2028. The images are courtesy of the design-build team for the project led by construction company Hensel Phelps, with engineering corporation HNTB and architecture firm Gensler.

Exterior images give a sense of place for the Airside, which will be northwest of TPA's Main Terminal and will feature ample natural light and views of the bay. The new renderings show the soaring ceilings, bright interiors, the International Arrivals corridor that wraps around the building and more. The design process is currently at 15%, so these images are subject to change as the design evolves.

Airside D has a preliminary cost estimate of $1.5 billion and is scheduled to open to the public in 2028. The Airside will help TPA, which currently serves an estimated 25 million passengers annually, accommodate the region’s growth and serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.

Airside D’s design features include:

Two levels plus a mezzanine for 2 airline lounges with views of the airfield and the bay

International Passenger Arrival Processing Area on the first floor

Shopping and dining locations at the center of the Airside, offering 360-degree views of the gates

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Malaysia Aviation Group cuts capacity.

The Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is cutting capacity by around 20% to get back to safe and reliable operations following weeks of disruption, delays and cancellations. 

The airline cites a number of reasons for its recent scheduling troubles, including supply chain disruptions following the ramp-up of demand to pre-pandemic levels and a global shortage of spare parts for its aircraft. This led to longer turnaround times for engine overhauls and repairs for the group, which relies on external partners for those services.   

MAG also blames its difficulties, in part on delays at Boeing and Airbus to provide it with new aircraft. The group was scheduled to receive 17 new aircraft orders as part of a fleet modernisation programme by this year.  However, to date, it has only received 4 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft out of the 13 contractually agreed by 2024. For the A330neo, MAG was scheduled to receive 4 planes this year but is now expected to receive 3 committed by Airbus.

"Our focus is to prioritise customers first, ensuring we can deliver credible flight schedules and ensure the best possible customer experience moving forward. The reduced network involves 20% of our capacity, comprising Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Amal’s routes in Domestic Malaysia, ASEAN, North Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Greater China, South Asia and the Middle East." the carrier said last week. 

"We apologise and understand the frustration this has brought to our customers, and wish to assure that our team is working diligently to provide affected customers with compensation options available which include flight reallocations, and full refunds without any penalty charges."   

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Pegasus Airlines selects Lufthansa Technik for A320 family Base Maintenance Services

Multi-year agreement for more than 60 aircraft checks signed. 

Services will be performed within a dedicated overhaul line at Lufthansa Technik Sofia.

Pegasus Airlines has entrusted Lufthansa Technik with providing comprehensive Base Maintenance Services for its fast-growing Airbus A320 family fleet. The recently signed three-year agreement includes more than 60 checks on A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo aircraft of Türkiye’s second largest airline. All contracted services will be performed within a dedicated overhaul line at Lufthansa Technik Sofia.   

“The newly concluded contract and thus the long-term intensification of our cooperation with Lufthansa Technik gives us flexibility and at the same time guarantees our high quality standards,” said Şerife Akın, Senior Purchasing Director at Pegasus Airlines. “With our dedicated overhaul line at Lufthansa Technik Sofia, we are now optimally positioned for the coming years. It supports our goal to be one of the leading low-cost airlines in the industry, streamlining air travel and offering affordable fares to our valued customers.”

Marcus Motschenbacher, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Aircraft Maintenance Services at Lufthansa Technik, added: “We are pleased to offer our customers a top-quality service and to make a valuable contribution to ensuring the stability of their flight operations with reliable overhauls. We already have a close and trustful collaboration with Pegasus Airlines, which enables us to respond individually to their needs, and we are honored to expand our successful business relationship.”

Lufthansa Group set to head back to Tel Aviv from Thursday morning.

The Lufthansa Group has decided it is safe to restart services to Tel Aviv the build-up of drones by Iran and the ongoing volatility in the region.  

Austrian Airlines is operating a flight on Thursday morning at 01:50 from Vienna International Airport, touching down at Ben Gurion International at 06:15. Later in the morning Brussels Airlines will be departing at 9:20 and heading to Tel Aviv for an eta of 14:50. SWISS has a flight leaving at  12:00 from Zurich, getting to Tel Aviv at 17:00, whilst Lufthansa is starting flights from Frankfurt and Munich on Friday.  

The rapid deployment of U.S. fighter jets and support aircraft, along with hundreds of extra missiles in the last two weeks has no doubt contributed to the safety considerations by airline managers.  Air France recently reintroduced its flights to Tel Aviv. 

Saudi delegation at Egypt International Airshow from 3-5 September....

The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) will participate in the Egypt International Airshow from 3-5 September, with a delegation headed by His Excellency the President, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej.

  

This event is set to take place at El Alamein International Airport and will host some of the most renowned speakers and companies in the space, defense, and commercial aviation industries.

The exhibition will showcase a range of advanced technologies, featuring some of the world’s most advanced commercial and military aircraft, as well as the latest technology and equipment in aerospace, from more than 100 countries and 300 exhibiting companies.

The Airshow will offer a global platform for GACA to share the latest achievements of the Saudi aviation sector and promote its regulatory reforms to enable growth and innovation in the Kingdom.

Busan, Korea’s most loved nighttime city for tourists

Reborn as A Starry Night in Busan, a global city that’s more fun at night!!

Busan, Korea’s most beloved city for night tourism, is a traveller’s paradise. Enjoy the stunning views of this world-class port city, state-of-the-art drone shows, nighttime boat cruises across the sea, bustling food markets full of local flavour, and Korea’s largest fish market.

A Starry Night in Busan

Busan, Korea’s No. 1 transshipment hub and port city, launched the “Starry Night in Busan (SNB)” night tourism brand in 2022, aiming to transform night tourism from scenic views to an array of fun and engaging experiences and programs for people of all ages. The annual “SNB Night Festa” offers non-stop entertainment throughout Busan, ensuring the city stays lively from dusk till dawn.

Yongdusan Park: A Hotspot for Pragmatic Travellers Seeking to Experience Authentic Busan

Yongdusan Park, located in Busan’s historic city centre, is a symbol of Korea's modern history. Once a bustling post-war hub, the area is now dubbed "foodie heaven" by travellers, thanks to the nearby Jagalchi Market, Korea's largest fish market. The area also features Gukje Market and Nampo-dong Shopping Street, which are popular for bargain shopping and appetizing street food.

Nicknamed "Korea's Khaosan Road," Yongdusan Park offers the most authentic “Busan-esque” vibe, with budget accommodations, mouthwatering local food, and plenty of entertainment. Once commonly known as a "senior's playground," the park has been revitalized and has evolved into a trendy destination popular with Gen Z. As the main venue for the SNB Night Festa, Yongdusan Park will host various events from July through October this year, including a Night Pop-up Store and flea market featuring popular Korean characters and mascots, a Candlelight Concert with classical music, the Yongdusan Night Festival, and a night walk involving a quiz and treasure hunt.

Suyeong River & Centum City: The Pinnacle of Futuristic and Modern, Busan's Landmark for Romance and Luxury Experience-Seekers

IAG Cargo Partners with Group Concorde as General Sales Agent in Eight Countries

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has appointed Group Concorde as its General Sales Agent (GSA) across eight countries. This partnership signifies a major expansion for both companies, aiming to enhance cargo operations and customer service in Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand.

Over the next three months, Group Concorde will seamlessly assume responsibility for cargo sales operations in these key markets. Leveraging its extensive industry experience and robust network to drive growth and efficiency, Group Concorde will focus on driving growth and enhancing efficiency. This collaboration will amplify IAG Cargo’s market presence providing customers in these regions with streamlined access to IAG Cargo's expansive network and services.

CEO of Group Concorde, Prithviraj Chug, expressed excitement about the partnership: "We are honoured to be appointed as IAG Cargo's General Sales Agent in these vibrant markets. This opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional cargo solutions and enhance our global network. We look forward to working closely with IAG Cargo to deliver unparalleled service and support to our customers."

Teesside Airport back in profit first the first time in a decade.....

Teesside International Airport has reported its first profit in more than a decade the company confirmed.  A growth in passenger numbers and successful Business Park developments helped the airport move out of the red and back into the black. 

Accounts for the year to March 2024 confirmed an EBITDA* of £308,555 on annual revenues of £14.5million. 

The return to profitability is well ahead of the airport’s financial plan and came after Teesside enjoyed its highest passenger numbers for more than a decade due to high demand for flights to Spain, Portugal and Turkey. 

The 2023 UK and Ireland Airport of the Year also made progress on developing its Business Park, including completing construction of the first unit on Business Park South, a new link road to the development, and a new Northside hangar, that will soon house aircraft painting company Airbourne Colours. 

The accounts show that the significant growth in property and estate development values has driven the airport’s investment portfolio by 173% over five years to almost £ 50 million. 

It is the first time the airport has reported a profit at any level since 2012. 

Japan Airlines introduces new exclusive inflight menu with Shiseido Parlour

Japan Airlines and Shiseido Parlour have announced a new collaboration to offer an exclusive inflight menu. This special menu, curated by the executive chef of Shiseido Parlour, will be available on JAL flights from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.

JAL and Shiseido Parlour previously collaborated on a special menu for Hawaii routes from September 2016 to August 2018, which received high praise from many passengers. This new collaboration will feature six exclusive menu items, including Shiseido Parlour's traditional beef stew, shrimp doria, and grilled chicken with chasseur sauce. For dessert, passengers can enjoy Shiseido Parlour's signature cheesecake.

Shiseido Parlour, a pioneer of Western cuisine in Japan, is renowned for its commitment to authenticity, high quality, and deliciousness, while also cherishing tradition and creating new value. JAL, which has been challenging and growing as the wings of Japan since it first pioneered the history of Japanese skies, continues to build connections with people, society, and the world. The collaboration values tradition, innovation, and the spirit of Japan to deliver deliciousness and excitement to all passengers. Please enjoy the traditional flavours, filled with Shiseido Parlour's dedication on board JAL flights.

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Applicable Class: Premium Economy Class and Economy Class (served as the first meal.)
Period of Service: September 1, 2024 ～ August 31, 2025
Applicable Routes: Flights from Narita, Haneda and Chubu and Kansai airports to Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei
Menu: The menu will change every two months, offering a total of six exclusive items, including Shiseido Parlour's traditional beef stew, shrimp doria, and grilled chicken with chasseur sauce.

Yamato launches new cargo route between Tokyo and Sapporo/Kitakyushu

Yamato, Japan Airlines and Spring Japan began operating dedicated cargo aircraft between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Sapporo's New Chitose Airport and Kitakyushu Airport on Thursday, August 1, 2024. This new development makes Haneda Airport the fifth airport to be served by these freighters, following Narita Airport, New Chitose Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, and Naha Airport, which have been in service since April 11, 2024. 

The new cargo services will include routes between Haneda Airport (Tokyo) and New Chitose Airport (Sapporo, Hokkaido) and Kitakyushu Airport (Kitakyushu, Fukuoka). These freighters are the only scheduled cargo flights in Japan to service Haneda Airport and will operate during the late night hours when existing passenger aircraft are not in operation. This allows for the speedy and highly fresh distribution of products to more distant locations while maintaining daytime production times for products and harvesting and catching times for agricultural and marine products. Like similar existing operations at Narita Airport, this method also does not impede smooth connections for international morning departures for passengers at Haneda Airport.

Harnessing the strengths of these freighters, Yamato Holdings and the two airline companies will help producers and business operators expand their trade areas and aid the revitalization of regional industries through rapid transportation, an advantage of air transport, highly convenient flight schedules including late night hours, and a transportation network that stretches even beyond Japan's borders, in addition to securing stable transportation capacity.

SAS joins Skyteam

SAS has officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance today, marking a major milestone for the airline as it escapes Chapter 11 and tries to operate in a more financially secure position. 

By joining SkyTeam, SAS contributes to the alliance’s strategic focus on operational synergies and sustainability. SAS customers will also benefit from seamless connectivity to over 1,060 destinations in SkyTeam’s extensive global network, notably opening new opportunities in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Codeshare agreements are already in place with Air France-KLM with options for codeshares with more SkyTeam members to follow later. 

SkyTeam Chairman, Andres Conesa commented: “We are happy to welcome SAS into the SkyTeam family, a customer-focused airline that shares our vision of delivering a high quality, future-proof travel experience across the globe. Bringing SAS on board as a new member opens exciting new opportunities for customers. As we approach our 25th anniversary year, I am excited for the future of SkyTeam.”

Air India to operate Vistara flights from November as merger gets key approval

Following approval from the Indian government, the takeover by Air India of Vistara will go ahead the former will operate the latter's flights from November. According to the deal, the last Vistara-operated flight will take place on 11th November.   

Singapore Airlines owns 49% of Vistara in a joint venture with India's Tata Group confirmed it had received approval for foreign direct investment into an expanded Air India from the Indian government. Once completed it would put to bed a merger deal that has been in the making since November 2022.

From tomorrow 3rd September customers would no longer be able to book flights on Vistara for travel on or after 12 November this year. Instead, people would be directed to Air India's site. 

Singapore Airlines, which is currently the only foreign airline with a direct stake in an Indian carrier, will then hold a 25.1% stake in the combined Air India group in return for a $250 million investment. The deal was agreed in part due to the agreement that the Singaporean airline is due to invest up to 50.2 billion Indian rupees in the group once the merger is completed. 

This is a key moment in the development of Singapore Airlines' overseas investments, it was only at the beginning of July that the group got approval from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) for a commercial joint venture deal with Garuda Indonesia.

With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines. These potentially include operating joint revenue-sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules to offer travellers more options and seamless connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia and beyond, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives that provide greater value to both airlines’ customers.

China's top airlines post losses amid slow international travel

China's leading state-owned airlines posted losses in the first half of the year, weighed down by a slower-than-expected rebound in international travel, domestic oversupply, and more intense competition as aviation capacity returns globally, reports Sophie Yu in Beijing and Lisa Barrington in Seoul.

China's top three airlines - Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines last reported annual net profits in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

China Eastern, headquartered in Shanghai, reported a first-half loss of 2.8 billion yuan ($395 million) on Friday, compared with a loss of 6.2 billion in the same six months of last year.

"Ticket prices in the domestic market have decreased year-on-year ... due to intensified competition in the domestic passenger transportation market, lower-than-expected recovery of some international markets, as well as the competition from high-speed rail," it said in a filing.

The country's flagship carrier Air China posted a first-half net loss of 2.78 billion yuan, narrower than a loss of 3.45 billion in the same period last year, it said on Thursday.

China Southern Airlines reported a net loss of 1.23 billion yuan in the first half, narrowing from a 2.9 billion loss a year earlier. The Guangzhou-based airline made a 760 million yuan profit in the first quarter.

Air China said international traffic grew in the first half, with passenger numbers above 80% of 2019's pre-pandemic levels. But it said its traditionally "advantageous" North American routes were recovering slowly.

Low Demand

Flights between China and the United States have been held up by political issues and low demand and are around a fifth of what they were in 2019, flight schedule data from Cirium and China-based aviation data provider VariFlight show.

Skyteam Alliances welcomes SAS finally.

SAS has officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance today, marking a major milestone for the airline as it escapes Chapter 11 and tries to operate in a more financially secure position. 

By joining SkyTeam, SAS contributes to the alliance’s strategic focus on operational synergies and sustainability. SAS customers will also benefit from seamless connectivity to over 1,060 destinations in SkyTeam’s extensive global network, notably opening new opportunities in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Codeshare agreements are already in place with Air France-KLM with options for codeshares with more SkyTeam members to follow later. 

SkyTeam Chairman, Andres Conesa commented: “We are happy to welcome SAS into the SkyTeam family, a customer-focused airline that shares our vision of delivering a high quality, future-proof travel experience across the globe. Bringing SAS on board as a new member opens exciting new opportunities for customers. As we approach our 25th anniversary year, I am excited for the future of SkyTeam.”