Teledyne FLIR delivering airborne surveillance systems to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force worth up to $21 Million

Teledyne FLIR Defense, has announced that it is delivering its Star SAFIRE® 380-HLD multi-spectral imaging systems to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of an agreement worth up to $20.8 million.

JMSDF will integrate the imaging systems into the SH-60L helicopter, a licensed Japan-based production version of the Sikorsky SH-60 aircraft. The SH-60L is designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions, but also can be used for search and rescue operations and various other maritime missions.

The program calls for Teledyne FLIR Defense to deliver ten Star SAFIRE 380-HLD systems over the next three years. The company already has delivered two systems to JMSDF for test and evaluation purposes, plus one spare unit.

Musk claims first Mars flight to take off in two years.....

Elon Musk wearing his CEO of SpaceX hat has said the company will be launching uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens. The first mission will be to see if they can land a craft on Mars, then if that mission is a success, the first crewed operation will take place in four years. 

However, you don't need to wait that long for the next SpaceX launch,  the firm is hoping to launch of Polaris Dawn to low-Earth orbit. tomorrow, Tuesday, 10th September at 03:38 U.S. Eastern time.

The event will take place from launch complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, bit if the weather conditions are not favourable, there are two additional launch opportunities within the four-hour window at 05:23 and 07:09 If needed. There will also be another chance, on 11th September at the same time. 

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-1 to and from the International Space Station, and Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit. This will be the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-8 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the 'Just Read the Instructions' droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX says the multi-day mission to orbit, Dragon and the crew will endeavour to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program and participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits. They will also conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

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American Airlines invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work

American Airlines today announced nearly 500 new aviation maintenance jobs and additional lines of heavy maintenance work at the carrier’s maintenance bases in Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The added headcount will allow the airline to perform additional heavy maintenance check work at these locations.

“American is excited to grow our talented Technical Operations workforce with more high-paying, skilled aviation maintenance positions,” said Greg Emerson, American’s Vice President of Base Maintenance and Facilities. “It’s an opportunity to grow our maintenance capacity and capabilities in the near-term and preserve them over the long run by continuing to build our pipeline of future maintenance team members — which is important work American has been doing for some time.”

Today’s hiring announcement is in addition to the more than 300 jobs recently added to American’s Tech Ops — Tulsa maintenance base thanks to a $22 million grant awarded by the State of Oklahoma’s Business Expansion Incentive Program in 2023. The grant is helping American further grow and improve the world’s largest commercial aircraft maintenance base, including American’s engine repair and overhaul facility.

“We’re very grateful to the State of Oklahoma Department of Commerce for this grant,” said Emerson. “As a direct result of this funding in 2023, we’ve already added hundreds of high-paying, skilled new jobs to the Tulsa economy and continue to make enhancements to our world-class maintenance facility.”

Creating new jobs for aviation maintenance professionals

The incremental maintenance positions are now available on the airline’s website today. By location:

• Charlotte: 133 total openings, including 122 AMTs
• Pittsburgh: 44 total openings, including 40 AMTs
• Tulsa: 321 total openings, including 227 AMTs

Candidates interested in joining American’s team can view open opportunities and apply online at jobs.aa.com.

Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to offer free Oman Stopovers to passengers travelling through Muscat

As part of their shared commitment to highlight Oman as a preferred tourist destination, Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have joined forces for a special stopover promotion for passengers transiting through Muscat. Available until 30 November 2024, the offer provides a free one-night hotel stay for premium class passengers when booking a stopover in Muscat, while those travelling in Economy Class can enjoy two nights for the price of one. In addition, guests have access to exclusive discounts on tours, car hire, and other services, making it the perfect opportunity to explore Oman’s charming capital and beyond.

Launched just in time for the winter season, visitors can experience Muscat at its very best, with warm weather, stunning landscapes and cultural activities promising an unforgettable retreat. Committed to promoting the natural beauty, rich heritage and friendly, genuine hospitality of its home base, Oman Air remains dedicated to serving as a gateway for tourists to Oman, providing them with seamless connectivity, convenient flight schedules, and award-winning onboard products and services.

Passengers who hold a return ticket to any destination on Oman Air’s network with a transit through Muscat can take advantage of the limited-time offer. Guests can simply fill out the online request form and make their stopover booking by 30 November 2024. It is important to note that the complimentary hotel stay includes the room only and is subject to availability. A maximum of one stopover per return ticket applies. For full terms and conditions, please contact Oman Air Holidays at holidays@omanair.com.

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Nine million summer travellers passing through Copenhagen Airport

Nine million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport during the three summer months of June, July and August. That was one million more passengers than last year – or a year-on-year improvement of 13 per cent. Despite fewer flights, Copenhagen Airport saw a marked increase in the number of passengers on the European routes and in the number of transfer passengers travelling via Copenhagen to other destinations around the world.

Summer is the peak season at Copenhagen Airport with our terminals teeming with holiday-bound travellers. A total of 2.95 million passengers travelled through the airport in August, an increase of 360,000 on August 2023. That brings the total number of passengers for the three summer months of June, July and August to nine million.

“Despite a drop in the number of passenger flights to and from Copenhagen Airport, we had an excellent summer that was fully on a par with 2018 and 2019, our busiest summers to date. This is because more airlines now use more modern aircraft that accommodate more passengers and because the airlines are now better at filling the aircraft,” says Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer of Copenhagen Airports A/S.

A total of 22,153 passenger aircraft took off and landed at Copenhagen Airport in August, compared with 23,261 in August 2019. This corresponds to a five per cent reduction in the number of flights in August, while the number of passengers passing through the airport remained the same. The load factor, or the average number of seats filled from Copenhagen, was as much as 81.0 per cent in August compared with 79.0 per cent in 2019.

Summer in Europe

Hilton to expand presence in Frankfurt with Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch, set to open in October

Featuring a range of wellness, culinary and meeting options just 15 minutes from the city centre, Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch is expected to open in October

Hilton recently announced the signing of the 225-room Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch as part of a management agreement. The property will go through a conversion to Hilton’s flagship brand with an opening set for October 2024.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development EMEA, Hilton, said, “With more than 60 properties either trading or under development, Germany continues to be a key strategic market for Hilton, and we’re excited to be further expanding our portfolio in Frankfurt working alongside Allsco Gravenbruch Hotelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH. This signing marks our ninth hotel in this major business and transport hub under four of our market leading brands, demonstrating wide-ranging traveller demand with more than 10 million overnight stays in the city last year alone. With the announcement of this impressive countryside property featuring a variety of facilities for both leisure and business travellers, we’re looking forward to welcoming even more guests to Frankfurt.”

Moris Mashali, managing director, Allsco Gravenbruch Hotelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, said, “We are delighted to once again be working alongside Hilton to write the next chapter in the history of this unique historic property, and we are excited to bring all our ideas together to make the hotel even better for our guests. This will include making further progress on our environmental commitments and making our hotel even more accessible for guests. Whether staying with us for a conference, wedding, event or leisure break, the hotel offers something for everyone, and the fantastic group of team members ensure that every guest feels at home during their stay.” 

The hotel, which will undergo a renovation across all rooms and public areas over the coming months while the hotel continues to operate, has elements that date back over 400 years. As Early as 1586, a manor house was located on the site where the hotel stands, and over time a hunting lodge was also added, with the hotel becoming a popular destination for Frankfurt’s nobility during the late 19th century. Several updates transformed the property into a stunning hotel that’s hosted many international stars and Heads of State over the years. 

Air New Zealand seasonal service set to return to Seoul

Air New Zealand will restart seasonal flights from Auckland to Seoul from 28th October, the airline's chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty confirmed recently.  The new flights will run three times a week until 29 March 2025 and will be flown by  Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Geraghty said: "Korea continues to be an important market for us so it’s fantastic to return to Seoul from next month.  Seoul continues to be an important route for our cargo services too. In the same period last year, we carried more than 2000 tonnes of cargo between the cities, with fresh produce like avocados, blueberries, and lamb heading to Korea from New Zealand. We’re expecting to see similar volumes of cargo transported between the cities this season"

For a limited period, Air New Zealand has introduced a special offer fare of $699 one way, which is on sale until the end of September or until they are sold out. Travel periods are from 28 October to 25 November 2024 and 13 January to 24 March 2025.

Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, said, "Korea is an important inbound tourism and trade market for Aotearoa. In the year ending June 2024, 70,000 arrivals came from Korea, making it the sixth-largest visitor market. It’s great to see more air travel capacity this summer as it means more opportunities for connection between Korea and Aotearoa"

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Air Canada set to cut services ahead of strike action

Talks with ALPA nearing impasse over union's excessive wage demands

Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge prepare to gradually suspend flights over three days, potentially starting as early as September 15, 2024

Customers are advised to use airline's goodwill policy to defer imminent travel at no cost

 Air Canada today said that it is finalizing contingency plans to suspend most of its operations. Talks between the company and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing more than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, continue, but the parties remain far apart. Unless an agreement is reached, beginning on September 15, 2024, either party may issue a 72-hour strike or lock out notice, which would trigger the carrier's three-day wind down plan.
"Air Canada believes there is still time to reach an agreement with our pilot group, provided ALPA moderates its wage demands which far exceed average Canadian wage increases. However, Canadians have recently seen the chaos abrupt airline shutdowns cause for travellers, which obliges us to do everything we can to protect our customers from an increasingly likely work stoppage. This includes the extremely difficult decision to begin an orderly shutdown of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge once a 72-hour strike or lock out notice is given, possibly as early as this Sunday," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
"We understand and apologize for the inconvenience this would cause our customers. However, a managed shutdown is the only responsible course available to us. We are publicizing our plans to give the more than 110,000 people who travel with us each day greater certainty and the opportunity to reduce the risk of being stranded by using our goodwill policy to change or defer imminent travel at no cost. We are also alerting the Government of Canada to the potential disruption's impact upon Canadians."
Air Canada Express flights will continue to operate, as third-party carriers Jazz and PAL Airlines provide these services. However, these regional partners only carry about 20 per cent of Air Canada's daily customers, many of whom ultimately connect on Air Canada flights. 
What should customers do and what are the impacts of this strike action?

easyJet study reveals airspace modernisation could save 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year from European aviation

In an industry first, easyJet has calculated the impact inefficient airspace across Europe is having on CO₂ emissions, in a bid to finally evidence why reform is so badly needed and long overdue. Using AI, the airline monitored every single one of its flights over a 12-month period* to understand how airspace inefficiency is impacting its operations and therefore the operations of airlines across Europe.

The results revealed that airspace inefficiencies increased CO₂ emissions by 10.62% – equivalent to 663,710 tonnes CO₂ – all because of the current airspace regime across Europe.  Applying its analysis to the whole of European aviation, easyJet estimates that airspace modernisation could help eliminate 18 million tonnes of CO₂** from European skies every year, a figure that reveals the size of this opportunity – and one that could be a significant route to creating an immediate and meaningful carbon emissions reduction across European aviation.

The analysis, conducted by leading experts in easyJet’s Flight Efficiencies team, found that a significant proportion of this inefficiency occurs around terminal airspace, particularly during descent, which is largely due to outdated or poorly designed lower airspace.

While airspace inefficiency is a universal issue across the whole of Europe, the greatest inefficiencies for easyJet’s operations were in the UK – with 7 of the 10 least efficient routes occurring inbound into London Gatwick, with the South East of the UK a particular problem area due to high demand and capacity constraints.

However, with the UK having jurisdiction over its airspace, and the new Government having pledged in its manifesto to support the modernisation of UK airspace , there is hope that these changes are closer to being achieved than ever before and that the UK can become an international leader in driving airspace reform.

 

The countries with the greatest need for improvement are the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland. For example, 19% excess emissions is typically produced on flights between London Gatwick and Malpensa.

The most inefficient route in each of these countries:

COUNTRIES / ROUTE

Spain/ UK - Palma de Mallorca to London Gatwick

Portugal/ UK - Faro to London Gatwick

UK/ Italy - London Gatwick to Malpensa

Portugal/ Switzerland Porto to Geneva

France / UK - Nice Côte d’Azur to London Gatwick 

Factors causing the greatest inefficiencies:

As part of this project, easyJet carried out a comprehensive evaluation of all airways*** utilised across its network, to pinpoint the areas of greatest inefficiency and where immediate reform is needed. The greatest inefficiencies include:

• Climb – The analysis identifies London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, Geneva, Naples, and Paris Charles de Gaulle as having the most inefficient departures. To improve efficiency, airspace must be redesigned to support Continuous Climb Operations (CCO), enabling aircraft to reach cruising altitude more efficiently.
• Cruise – the upper airspaces over Italy, United Kingdom, France and Spain have been identified as some of the most problematic regions in Europe. These areas face significant inefficiencies due to outdated procedures, complex routing, and limited airspace flexibility. To improve efficiency in these upper airspaces, it’s crucial to expand Cross-Border Free Route Airspace (FRA) Operations to allow for more direct routing and reduce fuel consumption.
• Descent – Inefficiencies are particularly notable in the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland and France, where arrival procedures result in extended flight times and increased fuel consumption. Also notably, the recently redesigned arrivals in London the recently redesigned arrivals in London Luton (LTN) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) have proven to be less efficient than the previous procedures, adding an average of 10 minutes to planned flight times. These inefficiencies are often due to overly complex procedures that prioritise controller workload over operational efficiency. To improve descent inefficiencies, it is essential to redesign arrival procedures with a focus on reducing track miles, implementing Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) and minimising level-offs.

 How to solve the problem?

In the UK, we need to complete the airspace modernisation programme in the UK with a focus on the south east and ensuring that there is a single entity responsible for the timely delivery of the programme. Across Europe, easyJet plans to collaborate with individual countries, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airports to identify ways to solve these inefficiencies.

It’s essential we also deliver the quick wins, for example, implementing Free Route Airspace in the UK and France – the last countries to implement completely across their regions and which would drive immediate efficiency improvements.

To unlock the over 10% efficiency gain in airspace operations, easyJet’s model indicates we need to put in place structural changes that modernise outdated airspace and remove historic constraints. The quickest wins can be achieved by redesigning lower airspace procedures, such as Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) and Transitions, to better align with modern aircraft capabilities. Implementing Required Navigation Performance with Authorisation Required (RNP-AR) approaches at more airports will also bring significant improvements. These procedures, already successfully deployed in Scandinavia, offer highly predictable tracks that avoid overflying densely populated areas, reducing both noise pollution and environmental impact.

ANSPs should prioritise the implementation of ATS B2 Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C) to enable Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) well before the 2027 mandate, to meet the growing demands for airspace efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. The Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) has already successfully implemented this technology since May 2022, demonstrating its effectiveness in optimising air traffic management.

 

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said:  “Airspace modernisation is the quickest and most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions, but the process is being shackled by needless bureaucracy. Our data proves that the airspace corridors we use today, which were built in the 1950s, are simply no longer fit for purpose. Adapting them to be more efficient would not only be significant in terms of CO₂ reduction but for journey times and improving the experience of passengers.  This can can’t be kicked down the road any further. If we’re serious about achieving net-zero, policymakers and regulators need to come together to find a route to unlock these significant gains, and now.”

Aviation Minister Mike Kane said: “The aviation industry is set to undergo a green revolution, with airspace reform playing a crucial role. easyJet’”s modelling shows how a modernised airspace system will help ease delays, support decarbonisation and reduce noise – all supporting this Government’s plan to boost economic growth.”

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AirAsia to introduce new route from Kota Kinabalu to Kaohsiung

AirAsia is adding a new route from its second-largest hub in Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu.  The carrier is introducing a new service to Kaohsiung which will operate four times a week from 17 November 2024.

Kaohsiung marks the 15th international destination operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK) from the Kota Kinabalu hub. As the only airline operating this route, AirAsia will contribute to an impressive 105 weekly flights from Kota Kinabalu to numerous destinations in Asia and beyond by December 2024. 

This unique route by AirAsia follows the positive tourism demand between Kuala Lumpur and Kaohsiung, with more than 80,000 guests flown between these two cities since November 2022.

Kaohsiung is a city renowned for its vibrant arts and culture, and it takes just around 1.5 hours for tourists to travel to Taipei by High-Speed Rail. Visiting Kaohsiung guarantees the best OOTD spots, such as The Pier-2 Art Center - perfect for an art discovery adventure in public spaces or the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, which specialises in works by Taiwanese artists, sculptures, digital art, and more. For dramatic scenery, head to the Lianchihtan Scenic Area, where you can capture stunning content for your travels. If you prefer nature over art, visit the "Little Jeju Island" of Kaohsiung, Cijin Beach, for breathtaking sea views that will soothe your mind.

Hyatt hotels welcomes the opening of the Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has celebrated the opening of the Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport, the second Hyatt Place hotel in the state of Maharashtra and the eleventh Hyatt Place hotel in India.

The 150-room property exemplifies the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere, and elevated amenities.  It is located near both Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport and the city’s economic zones such as Shendra MIDC and Waluj MIDC, the hotel combines style, innovation and 24/7 amenities to create an easy-to-navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. The property is close to nearby tourist attractions such as historical landmark, Bibi ka Maqbara, and provides guests with easy access to the renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport delivers a seamless transition from work to relaxation and is the perfect base for guests traveling to the city of Aurangabad for business and leisure. The hotel’s extensive facilities include multiple dining options including Zing offering all day dining, Zing Bar and The Market, specialized event and meeting spaces, a fitness center, and a swimming pool.

“Hyatt Place Aurangabad is the seventh Hyatt-branded property in the State of Maharashtra, highlighting our commitment to this region. We are excited to continue our strategic expansion, extending our presence to destinations that align with our guests' preferences and offering owners and developers the opportunity to leverage our global distribution network and benefits of the World of Hyatt loyalty program,” said Dhruva Rathore, Vice President of Development, India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt.

Commenting on the opening, Amit Jain, General Manager at Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport said, “We are thrilled to bring the Hyatt Place brand to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), offering a global level of comfort and convenience to both business and leisure travelers. Our dedicated team looks forward to providing exceptional service and ensuring every guest's stay is memorable and enjoyable.”

Hyatt Place Aurangabad features 150 spacious rooms, each designed and outfitted with the latest amenities and features to meet the needs of the modern-day traveler.  Every room has a state-of-the-art media and work center, a 55-inch Smart TV, a comfortable Cozy Corner Sofa and beautifully designed bathrooms. The property also boasts five suites each with a balcony, one King Suite and elevated décor and furnishings to let guests rest and unwind as well as their own private outdoor space with a pool view.

The property offers guests a variety of culinary options to enjoy on the premises. The on-site restaurant Zing offers an extensive buffet and a’la carte menu with inspired Asian, Italian and Indian offerings. Zing Bar located in the hotel lobby provides an ideal space to relax while sampling a selection of spirits and cocktails. Guests on the move can also stop by at the grab n’ go café The Market for a freshly brewed coffee, sandwich, or bakery item. Guests can also order in-room dining from the menu available.

SWISS to add Berlin to its Geneva network

SWISS is to further expand its Geneva-based route network this winter with the addition of new daily service to Berlin. The company will also be putting a particular emphasis on its services between Geneva and Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo in the coming winter schedules to better meet the growing demand for travel to Switzerland among Scandinavian winter sports enthusiasts. Elsewhere, SWISS will also be increasing its frequencies between Geneva and numerous destinations in Southern Europe to offer its customers in the markets concerned with greater travel flexibility.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be expanding its Geneva-based route network with the introduction of new daily service to and from Berlin from 28 October. The capital of Germany is well known as both an economic and a cultural hub, and the new Geneva-Berlin route should thus appeal to both business travellers and leisure visitors keen to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The new service further strengthens SWISS’s presence in Northern Germany, which it already serves from Geneva with four weekly Hamburg flights.

More flights for Scandinavia

Swiss-based travellers increasingly attracted to Scandinavia’s magical winter landscapes will be able to choose from even more SWISS services between Geneva and Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo in the coming winter season. In raising its frequencies on these routes, SWISS is also responding to the growing demand among Scandinavian winter sports enthusiasts to experience Switzerland’s various ski resorts.

More frequencies for Southern Europe, too

SWISS will also be looking after the sunseekers among its customers this winter, with added weekly frequencies between Geneva and Athens, Marrakech, Valencia and Malaga.

The 2024/25 winter timetable period runs from 27 October 2024 to 29 March 2025. SWISS’s winter schedules will offer 21 short-haul destinations from Geneva along with services on the Geneva-New York route.

European destinations for winter 2024 can be booked starting from 10 September 2024.

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The latest from Volaris

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost carrier serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, reports its August 2024 preliminary traffic results.  In August 2024, Volaris' ASM capacity decreased by 15.1% year-over-year due to the accelerated Pratt & Whitney engine inspections and the resulting aircraft groundings. Volaris transported 2.6 million passengers during the month at a load factor of 87.0%, flat against last year’s levels. RPMs for the month decreased by 15.3%, with Mexican domestic RPMs down by 22.0%, while international RPMs were effectively flat.

Enrique Beltranena, Volaris’ President and CEO said: "Our strategic fleet mitigation plan is on track and continues to deliver favorable outcomes. We have met our goals since the engine inspections began, and we are managing the situation with almost 30% of our fleet on the ground. We reaffirm our annual capacity guidance, which indicates an approximate 14% reduction. Volaris concluded the summer high season with a very solid operational performance and strong demand, which drove high load factors. Please note that comparable load factor figures from August through December of last year already include the consolidation of flights driven by the first round of accelerated P&W engine inspections."

Saudia tops on-time performance for the second consecutive time

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, continues to top the global list for on-time performance (OTP), achieving this milestone for the second time consecutively, according to a report by the independent aviation tracking site, Cirium, for July 2024.

The report indicates that Saudia has achieved an on-time arrival rate of 88.12% and an on-time departure rate of 88.15%, operating 16,503 flights across its network of over 100 destinations in four continents.

His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “At Saudia Group, achieving a high OTP has been a shared objective, as it directly impacts guest satisfaction. We’ve successfully maintained it during this year’s peak seasons, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire Saudia Group and relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry. Sustaining our leadership in this area requires continuous dedication and resilience in overcoming the numerous challenges within the aviation sector globally.”

In the coming years, Saudia will take delivery of 103 new aircraft, aligning with the airline’s strategy to double seating capacity, expand to new global destinations, as well as its commitment to bring the world to the Kingdom in line with Vision 2030.

Finnair Traffic Performance in August 2024

Once again over a million passengers as capacity increased year-on-year, strong cargo performance
In August, Finnair carried 1,062,400 passengers, which is 9.5% more than in August 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in August by 9.3% year-on-year as additional narrow-body capacity was deployed by Finnair after the wet lease outs to British Airways ended in March 2024. In addition, the capacity growth in Asian traffic was strong. If wet lease outs are included, capacity increased by 10.9% due to the co-operation with Qantas. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 7.5%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) declined by 1.3% points to 78.6%. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance in accordance with the industry practice.
The ASKs in Asian traffic were up by 11.2% year-on-year due to increased capacity to Japan, including added frequencies to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. In North Atlantic traffic, ASKs increased by 2.6% due to added frequencies to Dallas. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 11.8% as majority of the increase in narrow-body capacity was allocated to Europe. The Middle Eastern capacity declined by 5.1% mainly due to temporarily ceased operations to Israel. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 16.9% due to the additional narrow-body capacity.
RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 11.8% year-on-year. They increased by 6.0% in North Atlantic traffic, by 7.9% in European traffic and by 10.3% in domestic traffic whereas they decreased by 12.3% in Middle Eastern traffic.
In August, the PLF was 85.4% in Asian traffic, 84.5% in North Atlantic traffic, 74.0% in European traffic, 72.2% in Middle Eastern traffic and 62.6% in domestic traffic.
Passenger numbers increased by 11.5% in Asian traffic, by 5.1% in North Atlantic traffic, by 11.0% in European traffic and by 10.0% in domestic traffic. They decreased by 14.0% in Middle Eastern traffic.
The total cargo tonnes increased by 11.5% year-on-year in August due to growth in all traffic areas exclusive of Middle Eastern and domestic traffic. Revenue cargo tonne kilometres increased by 11.9%.
In August, 76.7% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (81.3%). The on-time performance decline was due to airspace and air traffic control capacity restrictions across Europe.