Viasat and Pulsar expand commercial partnership

Viasat, Inc. a global leader in satellite communications, today announced Pulsar International (Pulsar) as the latest member of its ELEVATE program – helping to bring Viasat’s reliable L-band connectivity to more customers around the world.

Pulsar is a satellite communications and connectivity solutions provider with a reputation for innovation and reliability. It offers mobile satellite communication, high-speed internet, voice and data services, as well as network management and cybersecurity solutions to facilitate remote operations in critical, rural and challenging environments on land and at sea. The company works with major satellite communication providers, including Viasat, to enable Pulsar to optimize customers’ end-to-end experience while improving resilience and security.

As an ELEVATE partner, Pulsar will continue to utilize Viasat’s reliable satellite network for niche use cases across markets like agriculture, energy, utilities, mining and for governments.

Its services include Pulsar iO, a suite of proprietary data and network management tools to view and control your global networks via a single pane of glass, and Tracertrak, Pulsar’s robust exception management system for worker safety, personnel and asset tracking, and fixed asset management designed for reliability and ease of use.

Showcasing its reputation for reliability, Pulsar supported Brazil’s 2022 Municipal Elections utilizing Viasat’s satellite network, providing resilient and assured connectivity for voters submitting from remote areas which lack terrestrial connectivity.

Research plane dons new colours for NASA hybrid electric flight tests

Parked under the lights inside a hangar in Seattle, a hybrid electric research aircraft from electric motor manufacturer magniX showed off a new look symbolizing its journey toward helping NASA make sustainable aviation a reality.  

During a special unveiling ceremony hosted by magniX, leaders from the company and NASA revealed the aircraft, with its new livery, to the public for the first time at King County International Airport, commonly known as Boeing Field.  

The aircraft is a De Havilland Dash 7 that was formerly used for carrying cargo. Working under NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, magniX will modify it to serve as a testbed for hybrid electric aircraft propulsion research.    

The company’s goal under EPFD is to demonstrate potential fuel savings and performance boosts with a hybrid electric system for regional aircraft carrying up to 50 passengers. These efforts will help reduce environmental impacts from aviation by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 

This livery recognizes the collaborative effort focused on proving that hybrid electric flight for commercial aircraft is feasible. 

“We are a research organization that continues to advance aviation, solve the problems of flight, and lead the community into the future,” said Robert A. Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “Through our EPFD project, we’re taking big steps in partnership to make sure electric aviation is part of the future of commercial flight.”

Collaborative Effort   

NASA is collaborating with industry to modify existing planes with new electrified aircraft propulsion systems. These aircraft testbeds will help demonstrate the benefits of hybrid electric propulsion systems in reducing fuel burn and emissions for future commercial aircraft, part of NASA’s broader mission to make air travel more sustainable.  

Lufthansa Group expands route network from Berlin this winter

With a new direct flight to Geneva, the Lufthansa Group is improving connectivity to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Starting on October 28, SWISS will fly daily from BER to Geneva. Eurowings has also continuously expanded its position at BER in 2024. In the last six months alone, the Lufthansa Group subsidiary has increased its services from Berlin to a total of 30 destinations in Europe and the Gulf region. Passenger volume has more than doubled since the pandemic.

SWISS introduces direct flights to Geneva 

Eurowings offers daily service to Dubai and flies three times a week to Jeddah 

Eurowings positions additional aircraft at BER 

Lufthansa Group is market leader at Germany’s capital airport

Next winter, Eurowings will once again offer a nonstop Berlin-Dubai connection. From October 2024, the frequency will be increased from four times a week to a daily connection. This means that an additional Eurowings aircraft will be stationed at BER - currently, there are six, soon there will be seven. Furthermore, Eurowings will add Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to its flight schedule in winter, with three weekly flights from Berlin. Germany’s largest leisure airline is also planning to further expand its network from Berlin in 2025.

The Lufthansa Group is the market leader in Berlin. The Group’s airlines Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, Lufthansa and SWISS currently operate around 27 percent of all flights at BER. With approximately 500 flights per week, the Lufthansa Group connects the capital region non-stop to 36 destinations. With just one transfer, travellers from Berlin can reach over 300 destinations worldwide.

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Come experience the wealth of history Berlin has to offer. Berlin is home to a myriad of universities, festivals, art museums, parks and forests. Visit the East Side Gallery - a series of paintings on the remnants of the Berlin Wall, or tour the famous Hackescher Markt with all of its outlets, clubs and galleries. Berlin is the locale of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Tiergarten, and the Jewish Museum, which presents 4000 years of German-Jewish history.

Things to do in Berlin:

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre: A fun-filled indoor playground with over 5 million LEGO bricks, perfect for a family day out.

Aquarium Berlin: Home to thousands of aquatic species, offering an exciting underwater journey for the whole family.

Olympiastadion Tour: Explore the historic Olympic Stadium and learn about its rich sporting history.

Berlin Marathon: Participate or cheer on runners in this world-renowned race through the city's iconic landmarks.

Museum Island: Discover five internationally significant museums all located on one island in the heart of Berlin.

Berlin Philharmonic: Attend a concert at one of the world’s leading orchestras known for its distinctive golden hue architecture.

Messe Berlin: One of the world's leading trade fair companies with numerous events and conferences.

Coworking Spaces: Numerous modern coworking spaces offer ideal conditions for productive work and networking.

Potsdam's Gardens: Enjoy a leisurely stroll through these UNESCO World Heritage gardens, known for their stunning landscapes.

River Spree Cruise: Experience Berlin from a different perspective on a relaxing river cruise.

Wipro enlisted by JFK International Air Terminal to meet sustainability targets

Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, has been enlisted* by JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT) - the operator of JFK’s Terminal 4 - to help meet its net zero targets.

Wipro Consulting’s sustainability practice was selected by JFKIAT to assess the Terminal’s greenhouse gas emissions, develop a carbon reduction roadmap, and create its 2023 sustainability report aligned with JFKIAT’s sustainability targets. JFKIAT’s target is to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% prior to 2030 and by 100% prior to 2050. Wipro’s work centered across three main pillars:

Measure: The Wipro team measured JFKIAT’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions through a greenhouse gas inventory, aligned to industry standards (including the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) standard). The team captured additional emissions sources from previous inventories (i.e., stationary combustion, fugitive emissions, and mobile combustion) to provide an accurate view of JFKIAT’s footprint and identify reduction opportunities. 

Reduce: The Wipro Consulting sustainability practice, Wipro Impact, produced a carbon reduction roadmap, including investment priorities in energy efficiency measures and a renewable energy sourcing strategy. The roadmap provided JFKIAT with the steps to meet its 2030 50% reduction target and set them up on a path to achieve their 100% reduction target by 2050. JFKIAT implemented the renewable energy sourcing strategy recommended by Wipro in late 2023, which allowed JFKIAT to reduce their baseline emissions by 16%.

Ultimate Adventure - Everest Base Camp Helicopter Landing Tour

The Everest Base Camp helicopter landing tour offers a unique and exclusive way to experience the tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest. By avoiding the long treks on the hillsides, you can enjoy a breathtaking aerial view of the Himalayas, a perspective few witness. This blog is dedicated to every aspect of this exclusive tour, providing a detailed and firsthand description of the EBC Helicopter Landing Tour.

Overview

Reaching Everest Base Camp by helicopter is one of the most exhilarating expeditions any traveller would wish to have in their holiday package, as it enables them to travel around Mount Everest quickly. The Everest Base camp trek is usually long and may take as long as two weeks. For instance, this helicopter tour makes it easier and more comfortable, allowing a variety of individuals from different backgrounds to experience it. This tour suits those who are restricted in time, have physical limitations, or have different attitudes toward enjoying the striking beauty of the Himalayas.

The tour starts in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Here, a tour guide or travel agent will brief you with all the necessary information about the trip. Then, you will be transported to a helicopter, flying you over the various challenging grounds of the Khumbu region. You will disembark at specific points, such as Lukla for refuelling, Everest View Hotel at Syangboche for breakfast at the world’s highest point, and a temporary stop at Pheriche for the Everest and Kalapathar flyover trip.

The Journey Begins: Kathmandu to Lukla

This day is relatively smooth as it starts early in the morning, and our staff or agent will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the domestic airport in Kathmandu. The exciting trip starts the moment you get onto the helicopter, anticipating the exhilarating trip ahead and the main goal – to reach the embrace of the Himalayas. As the helicopter picks up altitude, a striking view of the densely populated urban city of Kathmandu Valley will be visible. As the helicopter moves forward, the scene changes. The urban scenery will disappear, and Nepal’s mountain and hilly region will become visible on the horizon. It takes around 45 minutes from Kathmandu to reach Lukla Airport, the starting point of the Everest mission.

Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport is built between two peaks and has one of the world’s most challenging terrains, with elevations of 2,860 meters (9,383 feet). The helicopter stops briefly at Lukla Airport to refuel, and passengers can get down for a few minutes to experience the high-altitude air.

Tengboche Flyover: Ultimate Spiritual Sight

The Tengboche flyover is one of the most unique parts of this trip. You will witness a beautiful ancient Buddhist monastery built atop a ridge in the middle of a blooming rhododendron forest surrounded by magnificent mountains of the great Himalayas. The colourful monastery with a prayer flag surrounded by a great mountain covered by snow is truly an amazing sight, just like the scene from a dream. The view of Tengbouche Monastery has a rousing effect on one, even when one is in the sky. This is a religious place where climbers come to get blessings for good luck before climbing the world’s highest peak. This shows the prestige it has assumed in Sherpa culture, considering the many communities it is central to.

Lukla to Pheriche

After refuelling at Lukla, the helicopter will take off towards Pheriche, flying through the magnificent view of Tenghboche monastery. Namche Bazaar, dense and beautiful Rhododendron forest, surrounding Himalayan ranges, and Mount Everest can be seen from the window.

Everest Base Camp Kalapathar flyover: Ultimate legendary sight

After reaching Pheriche, the helicopter will take only two people at a time to the EBC and Kalapathar flyover. As the aircraft moves towards Kalapathar, a beautiful view of the legendary Mount Everest, standing at 8848 meters from sea level, can be seen up close. It’s an attractive opportunity to observe the greatness of Khumbu Glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal and the world’s highest glacier, standing at 24,900 feet.

Mount Everest Base Camp measures about 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level, and it is the initial point for the climbers before heading up to the summit. During the climbing season, base camp is more like a market selling colourful equipment and gathering climbers from all over the world preparing to climb Mount Everest. During the helicopter tour, you will fly through a proper vantage point near the base camp, where you can feel the beauty of the Himalayas.

(The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has restricted helicopter landing on Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp)

Everest View Hotel: Breakfast at the highest point in the world

After taking off from Pheriche, the helicopter flies towards Syangboche, where Everest View Hotel is located, on a small plateau at 3,780 meters (12,402ft). This is one of the most interesting points of this tour, during which passengers can have breakfast at the world’s highest point after the landing.

The hotel provides a pleasant dining area with large windows open to panoramic views of Mount Everest and neighbouring mountains. On a clear morning, you can also see the majestic Mount Everest as you savour your meal.

The Everest View Hotel is surrounded by a stunning Himalayan range, which includes Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other giant mountains.

The Everest View Hotel is a luxury hotel in the Himalayan range that offers a view of Mount Everest. It was constructed in the 1970s and is located 7,222 feet above sea level. The hotel also holds the record as the world’s only hotel located at such an altitude.

Returning to Kathmandu: A Scenic Flight Back

After breakfast, the helicopter takes off to Kathmandu, flying over Kalapathar and EBC. The return flight will also provide another chance to see the beautiful scenery of the Khumbu area, including ancient Buddhist monasteries and traditional Sherpa villages. The flight back to Kathmandu takes about 45 minutes to one hour, including a brief stop at Lukla for refuelling.

As you approach the Kathmandu Valley, the view of the Himalayas starts fading, and a modern landscape greets you. Upon arrival at the domestic terminal in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel, which will be a memory of what you have ever dreamed of experiencing.

Why you should take the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour?

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour has multiple advantages, making it one of the best experiences in life.

ZeroAvia Completes $150m Series C Financing

Scottish National Investment Bank joins financing round alongside American Airlines, IAG and ITOCHU Corporation 

Financing accelerates progress towards certification of first powertrain and supports sale of in-house components to other electrified aviation innovators 

This week ZeroAvia announced that it has extended its Series C financing to a total of $150m, with a £20m investment from Scottish National Investment Bank coming alongside recent investments from American Airlines, International Airlines Group and ITOCHU Corporation.  

The round was co-led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), with UK Infrastructure Bank joining as a cornerstone-level investor, and with strong support from existing shareholders including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Summa Equity, Alaska Airlines, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and AP Ventures.  

This is the Bank’s first investment in hydrogen-based technology and the sustainable aviation sector and will bolster the burgeoning aerospace supply chain in Scotland as ZeroAvia looks to create a manufacturing facility in the country. 

ZeroAvia has already extensively flight-tested a prototype of its first ZA600-engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base, and the application for certification is underway with the CAA. The company has also performed advanced ground tests in the US and UK for the key building block technologies for the ZA2000 system, including cryogenic tanks for LH2 and proprietary high-temperature PEM fuel cell and electric propulsion systems. ZA2000 will support up to 80-seat regional turboprop aircraft such as the ATR72 and the Dash 8 400. The company is also selling its component technology, including electric motors and fuel cell power generation systems, to other electric aviation innovators.  

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia said: “We have closed an exceptionally strong financing round to help us deliver the clean future of flight for the entirety of aviation. As a purpose-driven impact investor, the Bank is an ideal partner for ZeroAvia. Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets, its strategic focus on hydrogen and its strong existing aerospace skills base make it an attractive place for ZeroAvia’s UK production operations as we scale into a major aerospace manufacturer.” 

Robin Tayal, Investment Director at the Bank said: “Decarbonising aviation is one of the key environmental challenges we face, and it is fundamental to the net zero transition. We are pleased to address it by investing in ZeroAvia, enabling critical research and manufacturing. We are particularly encouraged by the potential of its technology to provide sustainable connectivity in the Highlands and Islands.” 

 

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Etihad Airways announces new routes to Warsaw and Prague

The national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways is launching two new European routes next year as it continues to expand its global reach. 

In June next year, the airline will start services to Warsaw in Poland and Prague in Czechia, for the first time.  Etihad will fly four times a week to both destinations, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 28 Business Class and 262 Economy Class seats. 

Warsaw

Warsaw, the dynamic capital of Poland, blends a rich historical legacy with modern energy. Its meticulously restored Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, standing as a testament to the city's resilience. With its vibrant cultural scene, impressive palaces, and contemporary architecture, Warsaw is a thriving metropolis that offers visitors a deep dive into both Poland's storied past and its forward-looking future.

Prague

Prague, the capital of Czechia, is a city of fairy-tale charm and architectural splendour. Known for its Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque buildings, including the world-famous Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, it’s a haven for history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike. From the enchanting Old Town Square to its thriving arts scene, Prague is a city where past and present blend seamlessly, making it one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to introduce Warsaw and Prague as our newest destinations, reflecting our commitment to expanding into new and exciting markets. These routes not only enrich our network but also offer a great opportunity to strengthen ties with these countries and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi. We see this as a key part of our growth strategy, helping to drive tourism and support the UAE’s vision for the future."

Tickets for these new routes are available now, plus passengers booking on Etihad's website can take advantage of a complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi, transforming one holiday into two and enjoying a free stay for up to two nights at their preferred hotel in the vibrant capital of the UAE.

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Prague flight schedule – all times local. From 02 June 2025

Flight No,	Departure airport	Arrival airport	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
EY155	Abu Dhabi AUH	Prague PRG	02:50	07:15	4x week
EY156	Prague PRG	Abu Dhabi AUH	11:20	19:05	4x week

Warsaw flight schedule – all times local. From 03 June 2025

Flight No,	Departure airport	Arrival airport	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
EY159	Abu Dhabi AUH	Warsaw WAW	02:45	06:50	4x week
EY160	Warsaw WAW	Abu Dhabi AUH	11:15	19:00	4x week

Qantas pilots have started training in preparation for the first Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Qantas pilots have started training in preparation for the first Airbus A321XLR aircraft to arrive in Australia next year.  As part of Qantas’ fleet renewal programme, 28 of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft have been ordered which will replace the Australian carrier's fleet of Boeing 737  jets over the next decade.

The A321XLR is the longest-range variant of the Airbus A320 family, which will allow Qantas to open up new non-stop routes that aren’t currently viable with its planes. Qantas says the new fleet will offer a more comfortable flying experience for customers with a quieter cabin, deliver more reliable operations and generate fewer emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.

Inside Qantas A321XLR passengers will experience a wider economy seat than on the 737  planes, with extra comfortable seat cushioning.  The new planes feature the largest overhead bins of any single-aisle aircraft that allow for 60 per cent more bags and there is a sense of spaciousness in the long cabin with higher ceilings and large windows, and a wider cabin than the aircraft it is replacing.  

The new  A321XLR aircraft will be configured for 197 passengers across two cabins, with 20 Business seats in a 2-2 layout and 177 Economy seats in a 3-3 placement. Although, the first three Qantas A321XLRs will arrive configured with 180 Economy seats.  Plus Qantas is also installing fast, free  Wi-F to the aircraft, allowing all customers in-flight connectivity to stay connected across multiple devices, as well as the improved Qantas Entertainment App for streaming content to their own device.

Training

Ahead of the arrival of the first A321XLR, Qantas pilots have started training on a new CAE 7000XR Series A320 simulator that was shipped from Montreal, Canada, to Australia earlier in the year over a 34-day journey. The simulator is fitted with the latest technology and will be one of the few in the world fitted with a dual head-up display. The A320 simulator is based in the new Sydney Flight Training Centre that is expected to be fully operational with more flight simulators and training equipment to be added by the end of the year.

More than 240 Qantas pilots are expected to be trained on the A321XLR aircraft over the next three years, opening up new career pathways and promotional opportunities. Pilots will spend up to 60 hours in the new simulator as part of their broader training program, and then return each year for four recurrency training sessions. 

In addition, around 2,000 cabin crew will also be progressively trained on the new aircraft type as they enter the fleet.

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Qantas’ A321XLR is five metres longer than the outgoing 737s and will be configured to seat 197 people (20 business, 177 economy) – a 13 per cent increase across the whole cabin with no reduction in space between seats and a 66 per cent increase in premium seats.

It can fly approximately 3,000km further than the 737 (at 8,700km) and opens up a wider range of direct domestic and short haul international routes (e.g. South East Asia, Pacific islands).

Qantas’ A321XLR will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM).

The A321XLR improves noise levels compared to previous generation aircraft.

On a per seat basis, the A321XLR is expected to burn less fuel than the 737 aircraft it replaces.

Qantas employees are helping name the new fleet of aircraft under the theme of Walks, Rivers and Roads as a nod to the iconic travel opportunities across Australia and the importance of connecting this vast landscape and beyond. The first aircraft to arrive will be called Great Ocean Road.

 Fact Sheet Qantas Group Fleet Renewal.

Using data to predict and support the future Royal Navy

Helping the Royal Navy maintain a skilled and capable workforce amid rapid technological advancements and demographic shifts.

The Royal Navy needs to maintain a skilled and capable workforce in the face of rapid technological advancements and demographic shifts so that it can draw on the right people with the right skills to meet the demands of modern warfare. 

The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) was asked to explore how available data – including open-source datasets - could be used to understand what the Navy’s workforce will look like over the next five to ten years as well as to aid reduction of staff turnover. This would allow procurement strategies and recruitment campaigns to be proactively adapted to address any emerging talent gaps in critical areas such as engineering and digital skills as well as ensure skilled and experienced personnel stay as long as possible. 

Over a seven-week commission, a joint team from Butterfly Data and Cranfield University were selected to conduct research into changing demographics. The team carried out interviews with Royal Navy human resources (HR) staff and analysed Navy and open-source data including the Office for National Statistics (ONS) population and community data, ONS labour statistics, Ministry of Defence statistics and jobs and skills data from the Department for Education.  

A changing world

PLAY achieves its highest ever load factor in August

PLAY Airlines carried 187,960 passengers in August 2024, marking a 1.8% increase from August 2023 when the airline transported 184,926 passengers. The load factor in August 2024 was 91.6%, setting a record for the highest load factor in a single month for PLAY. This represents a 2.7% increase from the 88.9% load factor recorded in August last year.

PLAY operated 32 destinations in August 2024, with 22 of these achieving a load factor exceeding 90%. In addition to the record load factor, PLAY also achieved an outstanding on-time performance of 91.5%, significantly higher than its main competitors. PLAY has therefore been the most punctual airline operating departures from Keflavík International Airport 13 months in a row.

Among the passengers flying with PLAY in August, 25.9% were departing from Iceland, 35.6% were flying to Iceland, and 38.5% were connecting passengers. PLAY continues to grow its share in the local market, with 48,694 passengers flying from Iceland in August 2024. This marks a notable increase from August 2023, when 41,112 passengers flew from Iceland, representing a 18.4% growth in the local market.

New Destinations and Positive Impact on Icelandic Society

In August, PLAY launched ticket sales to two new destinations: Faro in Portugal and Aalborg in Denmark. Faro will be PLAY’s fourth destination in Portugal, while Aalborg will be its third in Denmark. Additionally, PLAY has announced an increase in weekly services to Lithuania, expanding from one flight per week to two, starting in 2025.

PLAY was also recently recognized as the airline that Icelanders believe has the most positive impact on Icelandic society. This recognition came from a survey conducted by the Icelandic company Prósent, which gathered opinions from 15,000 Icelanders about the societal influence of various companies. PLAY earned an impressive score of 73, placing it at the top of the list among Icelandic airlines and landing in seventh place overall among all companies in Iceland.

UK to expand ETA entry requirement next year.....

The UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is being expanded next year, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed today.

Currently, nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are the only ones to need an ETA to get into the UK. However, starting on 8th January 2025, nationals from all other countries, except Europeans, will have to have an ETA to enter the country.  The ETA requirement will be extended to those from the EU from 2nd April 2025.

The ETA costs £10 to apply and everyone travelling will need to get an ETA, including babies and children to enter the UK by all means from the dates above. Adults will be able to apply for their children and others travelling with them. 

"Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK." the Home Secretary wrote to Parliament in a written statement. 

See below for who can apply and when.....

Qantas has launched flights between Brisbane and Port Vila....

The Australian airline Qantas has launched flights between Brisbane and Port Vila, Vanuatu for the first time in its history.   The new route offers three direct flights per week from the Sunshine State, and from 12 December 2024, the sister airline of Qantas, Jetstar will also offer up to four weekly flights between Sydney and Port Vila.  When that happens, the group says it will offer 150,000 new seats each year between Australia and Vanuatu.

The new flights are aimed at promoting tourism between Australia and Vanuatu, as well as strengthening economic ties between the two nations, adding a financial boost to the local communities and the greater region.

Qantas Group CEO International Cam Wallace says: "We are thrilled to expand our network with the introduction of direct flights between Brisbane and Port Vila. This new route will maintain connectivity between Australia and the South Pacific, opening new opportunities for leisure and business travel to the region. With its lush landscapes and crystal blue waters, Vanuatu is a truly remarkable destination and we are proud to offer our customers more ways to experience its natural beauty."

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan Graaff commented:  "This new Qantas route to Port Vila reinforces Brisbane Airport’s role as Australia’s Pacific hub.  The service offers Queenslanders an easy escape to paradise on our doorstep. It also provides the growing number of people from Vanuatu now living in Queensland, particularly those working in the agricultural sector, with direct access to home and family."

Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru says: "The launch of Qantas’ inaugural flight from Brisbane to Port Vila marks a significant milestone for Vanuatu’s tourism industry and strengthens our connectivity with Australia.

Vanuatu offers an unforgettable escape, where travellers can immerse themselves in stunning landscapes, rich kastom, and adventure. We can’t wait to welkam Qantas customers to our shores and share the beautiful experiences our 83 islands have to offer."

Qantas will operate the route with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft featuring 12 business class and 162 economy seats, on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. 

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New spa opens inside the Etihad Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi

A new Be Relax spa opens inside the Etihad Lounge in the newly inaugurated Terminal A, at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to provide a unique and convenient wellness experience for discerning travellers.

Accessible to both Etihad Lounge guests and all passengers passing by, Be Relax Spa invites everyone to experience the next level of in-transit relaxation without the need for advance booking or exclusive membership. Turky Al Hammadi, Director of Product and Hospitality at Etihad Airways, said: “Whether departing from Abu Dhabi or connecting between two flights, we’re delighted to welcome our guests to enjoy the Be Relax Spa located at our premium Lounge. When it comes to pampering, our partners, Be Relax are experts at creating an indulgent and rejuvenating spa experience. The services are flexibly timed to allow our guests to make the most of their time at the airport and arrive at their destination feeling relaxed and refreshed.”

Etihad’s Guests flying in The Residence and First class can enjoy a complimentary spa service when they fly, while all guests are invited to enjoy the facilities when they travel.

Record breaking passenger numbers for Manchester and London Stansted, as MAG delivers strong summer for passengers

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is celebrating a record-breaking summer season, as passenger numbers reached an all-time high.

7 million passengers travelled through a MAG airport across August

Manchester Airport and London Stansted both marked their busiest ever months on record

Operational performance remained strong offering passengers an enjoyable summer holiday experience

In August, nearly 7 million people travelled through a MAG airport, which was 6.6% higher than in the same month in 2023.

That meant that across the peak summer season – July to August – more than 13 million passengers chose a MAG airport to start their holidays or overseas trips.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show the Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – has served 63.4 million passengers in the year to August 2024.

August was Manchester Airport’s busiest ever month on record, serving 3.4m passengers, which was up 8.8% on August 2023.

London Stansted also recorded its busiest-ever month with 3.1 million passengers flying through its terminal - an increase of 4.9% on August 2023. The month also saw the four busiest days in the airport’s history. The busiest day was 23 August with more than 103,000 passengers travelling through the airport, exceeding the previous busiest day on 24 August 2018.

East Midlands Airport served more than 540,000 passengers across August, which was up 2.8% on the same month in 2023. Over the summer season so far, more than two million passengers chose to fly from East Midlands Airport, benefitting from the recent improvements delivered as part of the five-year £120m investment into the airport.

Saudi Arabia showcases strategic tourism investments at IHIF Asia

Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in tourism, with the Kingdom’s remarkable achievements in 2023 setting a new benchmark for the industry. This progress was on full display at the IHIF Asia International Hospitality Investment Forum in Hong Kong, where the Saudi Ministry of Tourism highlighted the vast potential for international investors to capitalize on the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding and diverse tourism sector.

Saudi Arabia’s strategic location at the crossroads of three continents and its strong economic ties with Asia underscore its potential as a global tourism hub. In 2023, the Kingdom welcomed over 20.9 million tourists from Asia, who collectively spent $25.7 billion. This significant influx highlights the increasing confidence Asian markets have in Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential and the lucrative opportunities it presents for investors. The Kingdom's appeal to Asian travellers is further evidenced by the substantial growth in tourism receipts, reflecting the strong demand for Saudi Arabia as a diverse and culturally rich destination.