07 September, 2024
WestJet to get three more Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets
UK's CAA reminds drone users of new airspace notification system
UK Civil Aviation Authority reminds drone users about its new airspace notification system for making notifications of flight and drone activities.
06 September, 2024
Central Japan Railway Company selects AWS for Yamanashi Maglev
One of Japan's leading railways to use AWS generative AI, machine learning, and IoT technologies to improve track maintenance and deliver high-quality passenger experiences on the world’s fastest trains.
JR Central is preparing to launch the next generation Super Conducting Maglev (SC Maglev), an ultra-high-speed train that travels at twice the speed of bullet trains by floating and propelling above the tracks using magnetic forces. This new high-speed train service, which is in trial operation in the Yamanashi Maglev Line and expected to travel at speeds of up to 500 km per hour, will cut train travel times in half. For example, Chuo Shinkansen, a new line that is currently under construction, uses the SC Maglev system to take passengers from Tokyo to Nagoya in 40 minutes (versus 86 minutes) and Tokyo to Osaka in 67 minutes (versus 134 minutes). The Chuo Shinkansen will serve as a backup route to the Tokaido Shinkansen in case of emergencies, such as major earthquakes, creating a dual high-speed rail artery.
AWS’s ML and IoT capabilities allow the Yamanashi Maglev Line to use railway infrastructure monitoring data, generated by power lines and electronic track inspection vehicles, to detect signs of impending failure and take corrective action. These insights allow JR Central to predict outages and equipment failure, optimizing the deployment of railroad maintenance workers. For example, the company built an ML model with Amazon SageMaker that identifies power transmission equipment abnormalities. The rail operator visualizes the data with Amazon QuickSight, a cloud-based business intelligence service, to identify machine irregularities, enabling preemptive maintenance to prevent outages and service disruptions. In the future, the Yamanashi Maglev Line plans to use Amazon Bedrock, the easiest way to build and scale generative AI applications with foundation models, to provide employees with recommended actions to take based on equipment manuals and maintenance records.
“By accelerating various innovations using AWS in the Yamanashi Maglev Line, we will realize the future vision of high-speed railway operations,” said Motoaki Terai, senior corporate executive officer, director general of the Maglev System Development Division of the Chuo Shinkansen Promotion Division, Central Japan Railway Company. “At JR Central, we're committed to delivering new transportation solutions for our passengers using innovative technology. Our next-generation SC Maglev train line will not only revolutionize travel between Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, but it will also set new global standards for efficiency and safety through data-driven operations.”
To drive cloud proficiency across its organization, JR Central’s Maglev System Development Division works with AWS to provide hands-on employee cloud skills training. In 2023, the AWS Professional Services ML Talent Development Support Program trained the division’s mechanical engineers to build and optimize an ML model that identifies power transmission equipment abnormalities.
“Japan’s world-leading transportation sector is leveraging the cloud to make high-speed rail safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for passengers,” said Jaime Vallés, vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific and Japan at AWS. “Built on AWS, JR Central has the resiliency and innovation needed to offer one of the world’s fastest and most advanced train services operation, using the power of generative AI, machine learning, and data to drive unmatched efficiency. Our partnership is just getting started, and we look forward to pushing the bounds of what’s possible in train travel.”
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency orders inspection of Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engines on Airbus A350-1000 jets
Airbus delivers 47 aircraft in August....
In August, European planemaker made 47 commercial aircraft deliveries to 31 customers, taking the yearly total planes delivered to 447 to 75 customers. The company also confirmed it had taken orders for 46 aircraft during the month.
Boeing offers CH-47 Chinook for Poland’s heavy transport helicopter needs
Removal of Swedish ticket tax is good news for consumers and aviation decarbonisation
JetBlue launches flights between Boston and Presque Isle
Norwich Airport rated one of the top three airports in the UK
Airbus built Sentinel-2C satellite successfully launched
Exeter Airport rated as one of the best airports in the UK by Which?
American Airlines debuts summer 2025 schedule with new routes to Europe
American will offer customers five new routes to Europe starting in summer 2025.
While autumn is on the horizon, American Airlines is gearing up to bring more travelers to Europe next summer with five new routes. As the airline continues to grow its trans-Atlantic service, American will resume flights to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), for the first time since 2019 and add new routes to Athens, Greece (ATH); Madrid (MAD); Milan (MXP) and Rome (FCO).
Tickets will be available for purchase starting 9th September on aa.com and American’s mobile app.
More new ways to explore Europe
From Philadelphia (PHL), customers will be able to connect from more than 80 destinations across the U.S. to 17 trans-Atlantic destinations, including new service to EDI that will give travelers convenient access to visit the towering castles and stunning natural landscapes of Scotland.
American will expand its schedule to Italy next year with new service from Miami (MIA) to FCO and PHL to MXP. American will serve FCO from six U.S. airports in 2025 — more than any other U.S. airline — and provide customers with the most one-stop itineraries from across the U.S. to experience Italy’s rich history and delectable cuisine.
With new service from Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT), to ATH, American will offer four daily flights to Greece in 2025, providing access to Greece from more U.S. airports than any other airline next summer.
For the first time ever, American will connect its Chicago (ORD) hub with MAD. American offers the most service of any U.S. airline to Spain, and customers will be able to expand their travel horizons with connections on American’s partners to onward destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Airbus completes acquisition of infodas, strengthens cybersecurity portfolio
Widerøe sees passenger numbers rise in August and signs codeshare deal with Lufthansa
Malaysia Airlines Group showcases cutting-edge travel innovations at international travel fair
What to Expect at the MAG Arena:
Signature product display in virtual high definition: Explore our A330neo cabin in Virtual Reality (VR), featuring the innovative Collins Aerospace Elevation Business Class seats and the award-winning Recaro CL3810 Economy seats. Plus, enjoy a surprise Augmented Reality (AR) filter on your phone at our booth and immerse yourself in our first 360° cabin walk-through.Up-close and personal with sports legends: Come and meet Manchester United Legends exclusively at the MAG Arena! Don’t miss this exclusive chance to connect with your heroes and enjoy fun games at Malaysia Airlines’ Global Sports Partners zone.Unlock the future of travel: Step into our AI photobooth and instantly appear at your dream destinations powered by Google Gemini’s advanced technology. What’s more, create your perfect itinerary effortlessly with our AI-powered trip planner. Just enter your travel details - destination, companions, duration of stay, budget and receive a personalised itinerary.