Wizz Air to start flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi and Gatwick and Jeddah with Airbus A321XLR

The European budhet airline Wizz Air has confirmed today that it will start a new route between Milan and Abu Dhabi when its gets its first Airbus A321XLR jet next year.

The carrier will launch daily flights on 2nd June 2025 from Milan Malpensa to Abu Dhabi Zayed International to become one of  Wizz Air’s longest services with a flight time of over seven hours. 

József Váradi, Wizz Air's Chief Executive Officer said:  "The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft of its class and, given the enhanced range capability, it enables Wizz Air to connect the furthest destinations in its network and further expand it, connecting cultures and continents. We’re excited to unlock unbeatable fares for our customers on the newly announced route to Abu Dhabi, while offering the most sustainable option for flying. We are already flying several 5-6 hour long ultra-low-cost routes with great satisfaction to our customers, and the XLR will extend our outstanding value proposition to 7–8-hour long flights."

"Wizz Air’s decision to operate the first A321XLR based in Italy from Milan Malpensa confirms the airport’s role as an ideal platform for the development of innovative business models." said Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports. 

The airline is also set to deploy the longer range Airbus A321XLR aircraft to its London Gatwick base and one of the first routes will be to Jeddah.  The inbound flight from the second largest city in Saudi Arabia will be overnight, with non reclining seats and a flight time of about seven hours.   Váradi recently said that he didn't care about the poor comfort levels on Wizz Air aircraft as the carrier offers such great fares and with one way prices starting at £134.99, Jeddah seems to be no exception. 

Provisional start date for the daily Gatwick - Jeddah route is 31 March 2025 with tickets on sale now.  Outbound the flight is set to depart at 16:00 with arrival expected at 00:35 the next morning, return departs 01:30 and lands back at Gatwick 06:25.   

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Firas Al Osman appointed Chief Digital Officer at Air Canada

In this new role, Mr. Al Osman will be responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive digital transformation strategy at Air Canada. Key areas of focus will include enhancing the customer experience and driving efficiency and innovation, as well as improving operational processes and performance.

"I am thrilled to welcome Firas to Air Canada and look forward to working with him on the exciting projects already underway at the airline to improve the customer experience and efficiency initiatives in our operations. As we continue to evolve in an increasingly digital world, Firas's extensive experience in digital strategy, technology, and innovation will be accelerate our team's efforts to deliver a superior customer experience and achieve our strategic goals", said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Digital and President, Aeroplan.

Mr. Al Osman joins Air Canada from a leading professional services organization, bringing with him a wealth of experience leading the development and execution of large-scale digital transformation programs for major organizations across several industries including airlines, financial services, insurance, and healthcare.

Air Canada is committed to enhancing its digital capabilities and providing a seamless and engaging experience across all customer and employee touchpoints. Mr. Al Osman's appointment marks a key step forward in the airline's ongoing efforts to be a leader in digital innovation within the travel and loyalty industries.

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Arajet partners with CellPoint Digital for payment orchestration

CellPoint Digital, a provider of payment solutions to the global airline, hospitality and travel industries has announced a new partnership with Arajet, the fast-growing low cost carrier operating in the Caribbean and the Americas.

Launched in 2022 and headquartered at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, Arajet is the national flag carrier of the Dominican Republic, serving 23 destinations across 16 countries. Arajet is positioned as a national Dominican project aimed at supporting the country's tourism and travel industry, and is the only airline set to connect Santo Domingo with Toronto and Montreal via direct flights. With 10 737 Max 8 aircraft in its fleet, Arajet aims to extend the reach of its network across North America.

Arajet's business model is based on operating cost-effective flights between North and South America, with a layover in Santo Domingo. The carrier's long-term objective is to lower airfares across the Americas, leveraging its fleet of fuel-efficient Boeing 737 Max 8s (the 10th and most recent delivery of which occurred in June 2024) and planning to double its route network over the next few years.

Bringing Affordable Air Travel to the Americas

To achieve its growth ambitions across the North and Latin American regions, Arajet needed a sophisticated payments network and a payment infrastructure provider capable of powering a wide range of alternative payment methods (APMs) while minimising transaction costs and facilitating expansion into new markets. This made a partnership with CellPoint Digital – which offers a comprehensive payment solution with a long track record of success in the LATAM region – a natural next step in Arajet's growth journey. Among other benefits, the partnership will allow Arajet to quickly introduce support for critical new APMs on its flights across Mexico, Brazil and Colombia using CellPoint Digital's single API connection. 

"Just as innovative new low-price carriers like Arajet play a crucial role in facilitating affordable travel and connecting populations, innovative payment technology is central to helping these airlines remain competitive and thrive," said Kristian Gjerding, CEO at CellPoint Digital. "Our Payment Orchestration solution, developed to support global airlines in scaling organically, eliminates the need for Arajet to hold separate commercial agreements with APM providers. Our platform also enables Arajet to activate new payment value-added services as new markets come online, generating additional revenue."

The first stage of the partnership will see CellPoint Digital enable instalment card payments on Arajet flights, responding to the demand for this feature in the Brazilian market. This will offer travellers greater flexibility and minimise the number of abandoned bookings, boosting customer retention.

Victor Miguel Pacheco Mendez, Arajet's Founder and CEO, added: "As a start-up airline growing across several regions, we needed a payment partner that could both support our expansion ambitions and create efficiencies that enable us to continue offering attractive fares to our passengers. In this way, CellPoint Digital is our ideal partner – their ecosystem of APMs matches payment preferences in our target markets, and its Payment Orchestration solution will create future efficiencies as we expand our route network into new geographies."

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Polaris Dawn mission blasts off

There were more than a few storm clouds early this morning which could have caused a postponement of the launch of the Polaris Dawn mission.  However,  the clouds cleared and the launch went ahead, with everything seeming to go rather smoothly and with little cause for concern. 

Rather than crewed by professional astronauts with thousands of hours of training, this mission is staffed by a billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military pilot and two SpaceX employees in stylish spacesuits that seemed more like the ones seen in 70s sci-fi shows than reality. 

The risky mission will see two of those onboard doing at least one spacewalk,  an activity that's been fraught with danger, in fact, it is so risky, it is a wonder they ever got insurance for it.  Although, it is not 100% clear that SpaceX actually has full coverage for the whole mission and not just the launch and landing phases of the mission. 

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KLM Cityhopper flies to Valencia for The Aviation Challenge...... making flying efficiently and economically as possible

KLM recognizes its impact on the environment and climate and understands that there are limits to what our planet can handle, necessitating action if we want to continue operating within these boundaries. By testing various innovations during flight operations and onboard, KLM examines their outcomes with the goal of scaling them up and implementing them as standard practices. 

The KLM Cityhopper flight for The Aviation Challenge has landed in Valencia, the city designated as the European Green Capital for 2024 by the European Commission. 

Before and during the flight, KLM tests various initiatives. For instance, the implementation of a new climb procedure, OptiClimb, can save 1% fuel on KLM Cityhopper flights. This procedure advises pilots on the most efficient climb speeds based on weight, weather conditions, aircraft type, and route. This procedure is implemented on all KLM Cityhopper flights next week. Additionally, efforts are made to conduct ground processes at the airport—both at Schiphol and Valencia—using as much electric equipment as possible. 

Onboard, several changes are made, both noticeable and unnoticeable to passengers. Calculations ensure the aircraft is loaded with the minimum possible weight, and food waste is collected separately. Wine is carried in 'Wine Tubes' instead of small bottles, reducing both weight and waste. The trolleys are also updated to separately collect and process all waste. Porcelain is replaced onboard, and the Business Class cup is made from recycled agricultural waste. KLM's inflight magazine, Holland Herald, is available digitally via onboard WiFi. Lastly, the crew received uniforms made from a new, more sustainable fabric and wears the previously introduced KLM sneakers by Filling Pieces. 

As an airline, KLM aims to involve its passengers in the transition as well. Passengers who purchase alternative fuel (SAF) are given priority boarding, right after SkyPriority passengers. Tap water is made more accessible at Schiphol with water points, allowing passengers to fill reusable bottles provided by Dopper, reducing the need for plastic water bottles. Passengers are also encouraged to pack light before the flight. 

The idea for The Aviation Challenge originated from a group of enthusiastic KLM colleagues. They were inspired by the historic London-Melbourne race in 1934, which aimed to connect the world and bring people together. Today's aviation challenges are not about bridging distances but about sustainability. Hence, SkyTeam's concrete challenge in the form of The Aviation Challenge is to conduct a regular commercial flight with as little impact on the planet as possible.

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Airlines for Europe is calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament and member states to be bold and implement the future of European competitiveness recommendations

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament and member states to be bold and ensure the aviation recommendations in the report on The future of European competitiveness by Mario Draghi are implemented without delay.

There has been much anticipation for the report written by the man credited with saving the euro. It is critical that the EU’s institutions and member states follow through and implement the recommendations rather than let this become yet another report gathering dust in the Berlaymont archives.

Recognising the importance of air transport for driving Europe’s economic prosperity, A4E supports the Draghi recommendations for Europe’s aviation industry to ensure this continues, namely:

Supporting the green transition and stimulating the supply of low carbon fuels

Unlocking investment in decarbonising aviation

Reforming Europe’s inefficient Airspace

Addressing so-called asymmetric decarbonisation and business leakage

 

In particular, the report confirms that air transport is a hard-to-decarbonise sector which has a critical need for low-carbon fuels, recognising that the cost of energy is a significant driver of the competitiveness gap that is emerging between Europe and the rest of the world.

Reacting the release of the report, Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe said:    

“The next Commission must be bold and implement policies that will address the aviation issues in the Draghi report: support low carbon fuels, tackle business leakage and complete our single market. The EU excels in producing reports but that alone will not ensure Europe remains a global industrial and economic powerhouse. With this new mandate, Europe now needs to excel in implementing policies that keep us competitive.”

“Many people dubbed Mario Draghi Super Mario for saving the euro. This time he has been asked help save Europe’s industrial future and competitiveness. European policymakers and national governments must embrace the report recommendations and do whatever it takes to level-up Europe’s prosperity for generations to come,” she continued.

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The Draghi report looks at the challenges faced by European industry and companies in the Single Market. The findings of the report will contribute to the Commission’s work and for the development of the new Clean Industrial Deal which will be presented in the first 100 days of the new Commission mandate. The report is available here and the detailed analysis and recommendations are available here.

FLYONE announces new flight destinations and opens summer bookings!

FLYONE airline continues to expand its international flight network with new destinations starting in spring 2025. Passengers will be able to travel directly from Chisinau to four new destinations.

The first launch is Bremen, Germany. Flights will begin on April 17, 2025, offering a great opportunity for both business travellers and tourists.

The summer season will kick off with a special destination – Alicante, Spain. On June 7, 2025, passengers will be able to discover the stunning beaches, cuisine, and the joy of relaxing in a city rich in history.

Just 10 days later, on June 17, 2025, FLYONE will connect Moldova with Denmark. Copenhagen will be just one flight away from Chisinau with this new launch, fulfilling passengers’ desire for simpler and faster travel.

Lyon, France, will be added to the flight network starting on June 19, 2025. It is a city that successfully blends tradition with modernity, offering unique experiences for all visitors.

flydubai and SriLankan Airlines announce new interline agreement

The new agreement will provide passengers with more convenient options for travel between the UAE, Sri Lanka and beyond

flydubai, the Dubai-based budget carrier and SriLankan Airlines confirmed the start of their new interline agreement which will offer more travel opportunities between the UAE, Sri Lanka and beyond. 

This interline agreement will offer flydubai passengers access to 16 destinations on SriLankan’s robust network spanning Southern and East Asia, the Middle East and Australia – including Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.

In addition, the interline will enable passengers travelling with SriLankan Airlines to seamlessly connect via Dubai’s aviation hub to more than 30 destinations that flydubai operates to in Africa, Central Asia, Central and Southeast Europe as well as the Middle East. This includes unique holiday destinations such as Bucharest, Krakow, Mombasa, Naples, Tashkent and Zanzibar.

Commenting on the interline agreement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we’re excited about our new interline agreement with SriLankan Airlines that will further strengthen trade and tourism relations between the UAE and Sri Lanka. Since the start of operations to Sri Lanka in 2010, we have seen consistent demand for travel between our two countries over the years. Dubai remains an important thriving aviation hub and through these interline agreements, this will open up new horizons for our passengers, giving them more options to explore the world with ease.”

SriLankan Airlines and flydubai are committed to delivering convenient and reliable travel options for their valued customers. Passengers can expect the signature hospitality and onboard services that both airlines are renowned for when travelling with SriLankan and flydubai.

China Eastern Airlines rolls out facilitation measures to improve "China Travel" experiences

Recently, China Eastern Airlines launched its Eastern E-Services travel facilitation series at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, aiming to better facilitate international passengers, baggage services and routes in the Yangtze River delta.

The newly launched services include E-boarding pass, E-transfer, Eastern 24H-transfer service, E-heart service, Efficient declaration, Easy pass, and E-arrival card. They not only offer a seamless, paperless experience from ticket booking and check-in to baggage drop and customs declaration but also make trips more efficient and comfortable for travellers.

Passengers arriving in China on China Eastern Airlines flights via Shanghai Pudong International Airport can easily obtain their electronic boarding passes through the China Eastern Airlines app and enjoy a range of convenient services, including online customs declaration and in-flight entry card submission.

Notably, China Eastern Airlines offers an online transit information submission service for foreign visitors eligible for the 24-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit, which significantly reduces the time needed to complete entry procedures and makes "China travel" smoother.

Aviation Capital Group announces delivery of a Boeing 737- MAX 9 to United Airlines

Aviation Capital Group, of the leading premier global full-service aircraft asset managers, have just confirmed the delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 9 used aircraft to United Airlines. Featuring CFM International LEAP-1B engines, this is the second aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline as part of a multiple-aircraft sale-leaseback transaction between ACG and United Airlines.

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RAF and USAF test ability to disperse and operate across the UK

RAF and United States Air Force aircraft based in the UK have practised dispersing their aircraft and personnel to other UK locations at short notice and continuing to operate without their usual ground support.

F-35s in a line on the runway.

Exercise Agile Shield tested the ability of UK and US flying units and support teams to conduct Agile Combat Employment – to leave their main operating base at very short notice and operate from a new location with minimal delay and a reduced footprint of support.

Serviceperson on the phone, in black and white, with other servicepeople working behind him.

USAF F35A fighter jets based with 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath deployed to RAF Marham to hone both Air Forces’ ability to conduct Agile Combat Employment collaboratively.

Tails of F-35s in a line.

A RAF P-8A Poseidon relocated from RAF Lossiemouth in North Scotland to Newquay Airport, while Typhoons left RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth for RAF Cranwell and Leuchars Airfield. Meanwhile, an A400M Atlas transported a Combat Team from the British Army’s 34 Field Squadron – experts in repairing runways – to Prestwick Airport, as well as delivering vital equipment to the Poseidon stationed in Cornwall.

RAF Atlas taking off.

Equally significant were the RAF’s Command and Control elements, known as C2, who moved locations to set up temporary Operations Centres. The C2 contribution was vital to maintaining communications and overall control of the many units involved.

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Britten-Norman announces Unleaded Fuel Modification for piston engine Islanders

Britten-Norman is taking the next step on its journey towards sustainable aviation with the introduction of the Unleaded Fuel Modification for its BN2B-26 piston engine (Lycoming O-540-E4C5) Islander aircraft.

The three Lycoming-approved unleaded fuel specifications being included in this modification are ASTM D7547 (UL 91 & UL 94), DEF-STAN 91-090 (UL 91), and HJELMCO (91/96 UL).

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, operators of Islander aircraft who switch to unleaded fuels can potentially enjoy several benefits. These include cost savings on refuelling, reduced maintenance expenses, access to a wider range of fuel options, extended servicing intervals, and enhanced safety through the use of unleaded fuels.

The decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to phase out leaded AVGAS has further underlined the importance of transitioning to unleaded fuels.

 

The certification of these new fuel types for the Britten-Norman Islander through the introduction of the Unleaded Fuel Modification opens the door to further possibilities for novel and environmentally friendly fuel types in the future.

Mark Shipp, Technical Director and Head of Design at Britten-Norman, commented,  “Britten-Norman is committed to delivering a sustainable future for aviation through our Green Futures initiative. This development is an important milestone for the hundreds of Islander operators who will be able to reduce their emissions through the introduction of unleaded fuels.”

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2D Metamaterial breakthrough for satellite applications in 6G networks

A new cheap, easily manufactured device could lead to improved satellite communication, high-speed data transmission, and remote sensing, scientists say.

A team of engineers led by researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed a ultrathin 2D surface which harnesses the unique properties of metamaterials to manipulate and convert radio waves across the frequencies most commonly used by satellites.

Metamaterials are structures which have been carefully engineered to imbue them with properties that don’t exist in naturally-occurring materials. 

The team’s metamaterial, unveiled today in a new paper published in the journal Communications Engineering, could allow future generations of 6G satellites to carry more data, improve their remote sensing ability, and benefit from improved signal quality.

Current communication antennas are designed to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves oriented either vertically or horizontally – a property called linear polarisation. 

Misalignment between transmitting and receiving antennas can lead to signal degradation, reducing their efficiency. They are also susceptible to atmospheric effects like rain fading and ionospheric interference, which can distort signals.

The team’s breakthrough 2D metamaterial converts the linearly-polarised electromagnetic waves into circular polarisation, which could improve the quality of communication between satellites and ground stations. Satellite communication with circular polarisation offers enhanced reliability and performance, minimising signal degradation from polarisation mismatch and multipath interference.

Circular polarisation is highly resistant to atmospheric effects like rain fading and ionospheric disturbances, ensuring stable connections. It is especially beneficial in mobile applications, as it eliminates the need for precise antenna alignment. 

GACA participates in ICAO Symposium for Advanced Air Mobility in Canada

 The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA), led by His Excellency President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, is pleased to announce its participation in the first International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, held in Montreal, Canada, from September 9 – 12, 2024.

The Symposium will see GACA showcasing the Kingdom’s Saudi Aviation Strategy and the latest achievements in the sector, next to exploring collaborative opportunities with global aviation leaders. GACA’s presence underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing the aviation sector and embracing innovative technologies, in addition to the development of solid regulatory reforms that enable the progress of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). 

GACA will also highlight major developments in safe and innovative transportation to achieve a more sustainable future, in line with the Kingdom’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Airbus commences limited share buyback to support future employee share ownership plan activities and equity-based compensation

Airbus SE  is commencing a share buyback programme, for the purpose of supporting future employee share ownership plan activities and equity-based compensation plans. The programme will be executed in the open market over a period ending 31 March 2025 for up to a maximum number of 4,254,000 shares (with the maximum monetary amount being that required to acquire the targeted number of shares at prices fixed in compliance with the Delegated Regulation, and will be effected in one or more tranches).

Airbus has mandated an investment firm to manage the execution of the first tranche of the programme, which will comprise an amount up to a maximum of 2,127,000 shares, beginning on 9 September 2024 and ending no later than 31 October 2024. The investment firm will make its trading decisions concerning the timing of purchases independently of Airbus.