AirAsia unveils “Thank You for Being Punctual” commercial.......

AirAsia Thailand is taking its promise and commitment to on-time performance to another level with its new advertising campaign specially targeted for the year-end peak holiday season entitled “Thank You for Being Punctual”.

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 The video commercial that comes in 15- and 48-second versions was produced by Choojai Ka Kalayanamitr Co., Ltd., with direction by Thanonchai Sornsriwichai and will begin airing on national television and all of the airline’s online and social media channels from 16 September 2024. 

Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of AirAsia Thailand said: “This special advertisement was produced as a message of our appreciation to everyone who is always punctual and making it a lifestyle habit. While most media content punctuality ironically highlights tardiness, those who strive to be on time are rarely given any credits. AirAsia is looking to present a new perspective on timeliness focusing on those who are habitually punctual, and giving them the honour and appreciation that they deserve. The campaign is also a reinforcement of AirAsia’s dedication to operating on time and to the expectations of its guests while keeping to high safety standards according to stringent International aviation guidelines at all times. 

“Punctuality is an acknowledged key strength of Thai AirAsia. Our operational on-time performance has been recognised by trustworthy institutes and we were named the Most On-Time Airline in Thailand in both 2022 and 2023 by Cirium and OAG. These marks of pride are no easy feat and resulted from the dedication and hard work of our Allstar colleagues. But the biggest honour definitely goes to our dear guests who have been giving all their cooperation and support towards our on-time endeavour. This commercial represents our sincere thanks to all involved,” Mr. Santisuk said.

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The East Midlands Airport team giving local youngsters and adults their wings

East Midlands Airport (EMA) provides employment for around 800 people and supports 7,000 more jobs on the site – so it makes sense to give local people the right skills to join the workforce.

That’s why EMA set up the first UK airport ‘Aerozone’ education facility in 2010, with more than 31,000 youngsters passing through its doors since then. It has also established the EMA Academy, which since last December has been providing training and skills programmes in partnership with Nottingham College.

The Aerozone is for children aged four to 18, mostly at schools and colleges in a 15-mile radius around the airport, while the Academy offers free upskilling programmes and employability support to local unemployed adults. It is run by a small team, with Joanna Wood in charge of the Aerozone and Louisa Marsden, in a job share with Amy Smith, looking after the Academy.

The Aerozone and Academy moved to a new building on the airport site earlier this year. The Aerozone provides interactive role playing activities using real life props, equipment and uniforms for young people to get a feel for what different roles at the airport involve. This includes security, airfield operations, engineers and air traffic control, as well as pilots and cabin crew. New touch-screen equipment allows young people to explore how the aviation industry can decarbonise in the coming years. Attendees also hear from volunteer speakers from the airport and get terminal tours.  School visits can be tailored around various relevant curriculum topics such as the environment, history of flying and transport.

The team has recently played a part in producing the Little Book of Travel Tales, a new free booklet produced by EMA’s parent company Manchester Airports Group to be handed out to young travellers at EMA and its sister airports Manchester and Stansted. It’s proved very popular at EMA this summer and includes short stories, poems and drawings submitted by local pupils via the Aerozone.

Some students from Derby College’s travel and tourism course and Nottingham College’s aviation studies course are given work experience opportunities. The team is also taking in primary school children at the Aerozone for the Department for Transport Reach for the Skies aviation recruitment campaign and supporting the Fantasy Wings programme with work experience and regional conferences to encourage engagement and applications from young people in under-represented groups.

The Academy provides an industry-recognised ‘Introduction to the Aviation Industry’ accredited qualification through a free two-week course which runs once a month. It is offered to unemployed or low-income adult learners providing pre-employment and upskilling training including support with job applications and interviews.

Setting 18 world speed records, Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong)

Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) reaches a remarkable milestone by setting 18 world speed records ⁽¹⁾, within the past nine months on its Bombardier Global 7500 fleet. This achievement is a testament to its commitment to efficient business aviation travel and showcases the extraordinary capabilities of the Global 7500.

Impressive Record-Breaking Achievements

In just nine months, operating under normal payloads for the Bombardier Global 7500, Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) has reduced the flight time between several major business destinations:

• March 4: San Francisco to Phoenix - 1 hr 22 mins 
• March 6: Phoenix to Paris - 8 hrs 33 mins 
• April 2: Los Angeles to Tokyo - 10 hrs 28 mins 
• April 4: Tokyo to Los Angeles - 8 hrs 10 mins 
• April 9: San Jose to Tokyo - 10 hrs 20 mins 
• April 13: San Jose to Seattle - 1 hr 26 mins 
• April 19: New York to London - 5 hrs 45 mins 
• April 23: London to New York - 6 hrs 47 mins 
• April 30: San Francisco to Tokyo - 9 hrs 53 mins 
• May 2: Tokyo to Bali - 6 hrs 58 mins 
• May 6: Bali to Tokyo - 6 hrs 32 mins 
• June 5: Tokyo to Honolulu - 6 hrs 33 mins 
• June 15: Qingdao to San Jose - 10 hrs 15 mins 
• June 17: Honolulu to Tokyo - 7 hrs 20 mins 
• June 21: Tokyo to Geneva - 14 hrs 11 mins 
• July 24: Tokyo to Rome - 14 hrs 1 min 
• July 29: Paris to Delhi - 8 hrs 56 mins 
• July 29: Delhi to Tokyo - 7 hrs 8 mins 

A Commitment to Excellence

These world records not only showcase the Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) team’s operational excellence but also the extraordinary performance capabilities of the Bombardier Global 7500. The high demand for quick and efficient business jet travel between these preferred destinations reflects on the safe, secure and reliable service provided by Phenix Jet on its fleet of Bombardier Global 7500s. 

Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) has been recognized as the Best Charter Operator and the Operator with the Largest Charter Fleet in Asia by the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and Asian Sky Group respectively, further reinforcing its reputation in the industry.

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Andrew Svoboda, the CEO of Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong), expressed, “We are incredibly proud to have set these 18 world speed records, demonstrating the unmatched capabilities of our dedicated operations team and the exceptional Bombardier Global 7500.”

Emmanuel Bornand, Vice President, Aircraft Sales, International, added: “Bombardier congratulates the Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) team on its most recent record-breaking performances on the incredible Global 7500 aircraft. As its recent speed records can attest, the Global 7500 continues to reveal its incredible technological advancements that raise the standard for the industry."

Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) stands out as the premier choice for charter flights and business jet management, consistently demonstrating a commitment to unparalleled service and exceptional travel experiences.

⁽¹⁾Speeds and distances referenced per FAI guidelines. Some records pending review by FAI, the World Air Sports Federation.  

LLA cements Cranfield University partnership

London Luton Airport (LLA) and Cranfield University have strengthened their long-standing association with a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The signing of the MoU coincides with the 60th anniversary of Air Transport teaching and research at Cranfield University celebrations that took place at the Cranfield University campus in Bedfordshire on Friday 13th September.

The partnership will provide a framework for environmental, operational and educational collaboration, joint project activities and combined research opportunities. 

Under the terms of the partnership, LLA and Cranfield will work together to identify opportunities in three key areas -

•    Net Zero collaboration – identifying opportunities for environmental innovation and efficiency in support of LLA’s journey to Net Zero, exploring new ground in areas such as energy efficiency, future fuel and power sources, smart local energy solutions and collaboration on net zero strategies and policies

•    Operational Innovation – collaborating on operations and the passenger experience including digitalisation and emerging aviation technology

•    Education - collaboration on a range of education and skills development initiatives. LLA will also work alongside Cranfield’s National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC), a facility virtually unique in the European academic sector and used to support teaching, research and consultancy. 

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport commented: “This agreement is an exciting development that cements London Luton Airport’s long-standing partnership with our neighbours at Cranfield University. The MoU provides the platform to combine operational experience and expertise with world class academic research and thinking, applied to a live airport environment, and underlines our shared commitment in the three hugely important areas of sustainable aviation, operational innovation and the development of future skills.”

Professor Dame Karen Holford, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Cranfield University said: "We are delighted to formalise our partnership with London Luton Airport and continue to build our connections. The collaboration gives us the opportunity to further address the industry's skills gap and provide individuals with promising career prospects, and it builds on our crucial research into decarbonising aviation.”

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Lando Norris takes on Silverstone Circuit in a life-size LEGO Technic McLaren P1

The LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive have embarked on the toughest LEGO Technic challenge to date, recreating a one-of-a-kind, fully drivable McLaren P1™ made from LEGO Technic elements. And if that wasn’t enough, McLaren F1™ driver, Lando Norris has been enlisted for the ultimate challenge, to complete a lap of the iconic British racetrack, Silverstone, in the 1:1 scale LEGO Technic McLaren P1.

This life-size replica of the McLaren P1™ is made from 342,817 LEGO Technic elements, weighing approximately 1220kg, with some truly remarkable displays of engineering. The car has fully functional steering, making it the first LEGO big build ever capable of steering and taking on tricky racetrack corners. The build features an electric motor consisting of LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, allowing it to travel further than any other LEGO model before it.

The big build process came to life with 23 specialists from design, engineering and building from the LEGO group and McLaren Automotive, with 8,344 hours of development and construction and requiring 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach awarded two Michelin keys

                                  Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a boutique resort setting where oceanfront pools and the Island’s best beach beckon to discover the true art of vacationing, has been awarded two Michelin keys by the Michelin Guide, an accolade that recognizes hotels worldwide for offering the most singular and authentic travel experiences. The award celebrates excellence in design, architecture, service, and character, as well as a meaningful contribution to the local community. As one of only six two key hotels in Florida, this distinction embodies the uniquely crafted, personalized stays that guests of Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach have come to cherish.

Mazen Saleh, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, expresses his pride in the achievement: "We are honoured to receive this prestigious two Michelin key accolade, a reflection of the local charm that shines here with very special thanks to our gracious, dedicated and passionate team. At Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, it’s like having your very own beach house on a beautiful island where every moment of your getaway is attended to with kindness and care. This award celebrates the exceptional hospitality and warmth that makes a stay here stay with you.”

At Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, guests can step into a world of relaxed beachfront sophistication and step out effortlessly to enjoy all that Palm Beach has to offer at their own pace. The Michelin Guide’s point of view: “Pleasures don’t get much simpler than the ones on offer at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach - this upscale beach town and this ultra-palatable luxury hotel are a match made in heaven. The rooms and suites are contemporary in style, but gently so - this is a long way, figuratively and literally, from Miami Beach. The beach club, the pools, and the Spa are all as tranquil as can be, and the restaurants don’t disappoint - Florie’s, the flagship, is a partnership with the multiple Michelin-starred Mauro Colagreco, who adapts his Italian and Argentine influences to the climate and produce of South Florida.”

Ryanair will 'nick' slots at Dublin Airport promises O'Leary

The aggressive bullying boss of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary has promised the carrier will 'nick' the slots of other airlines at Dublin Airport, if they move flights to Cork. 

“The one problem for the airlines is, you switch a slot out of Dublin, somebody else will come and nick the slot," O'Leary said during a press conference last weekend. "In fact, we'll come and nick anybody else's slot, we’ll take the slot that moves to Cork, we’ll fill it and they won't get it back!".

The outspoken remarks, as reported by Cork Beo, were in response to the news that the Dublin Airport Authority is trying to get airlines to move flights from Dublin to Cork and other Irish airports, to keep Dublin under a 32 million passenger cap per year. 

The authority has applied to the local Fingal County Council to raise the cap, which has been considered 'antiquated' by many politicians and airline officials, up from 32m to 40m and more.  Thus far, the the council hasn't agreed to raise the limit, nor introduce an interim measure to cover the next year or so. By the end of this year, Dublin will break the cap, and consequentially, break the law. 

O'Leary has threatened the Irish government that if the cap is not removed or significantly increased, Ryanair will raise fares to more than €1000 from Dublin this Christmas. 

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The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore announces the reintroduction of its membership programme,

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The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore announces the reintroduction of its membership programme, promising an elevated wellness experience for its members. Recognized as the only Forbes-awarded spa in Maryland, The Spa offers a tranquil retreat for those seeking harmony of mind and body.

In addition to the special membership, The Spa is unveiling its enhanced Vitality Pools. The updated pools now feature invigorating colour therapy lights and luxurious jets integrated into seating benches. This refreshed hydrotherapy oasis combines hot and cold therapy to boost immunity and improve circulation, complementing the spa’s existing heat treatments.

Accessible to annual members, hotel guests, and spa patrons, The Spa includes full-service Relaxation Rooms equipped with brand-new, state-of-the-art Vitality Pools, Experience Showers, Saunas, and Steam Rooms. Membership benefits include:

Sean Menke added to JetBlue’s Board of Directors

JetBlue Airways announced the appointment of Sean Menke to the company’s board of directors. The independent director appointment is effective immediately, following unanimous approval by the company’s board of directors.

On September 12, 2024, the Board appointed Mr. Sean Menke to the Board. Mr. Menke was most recently executive chair at Sabre Corp., a position he held from early 2022 until April 2024. Mr. Menke joined Sabre in 2015 and was promoted in late 2016 to serve as president and CEO and then CEO of Sabre Corp. until April 2023. Before joining Sabre, Mr. Menke spent more than 20 years in the airline industry. He served as chief executive officer at Frontier Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines and held senior-level commercial and operating roles, most notably with Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines.

"We’re excited to welcome Sean to JetBlue’s board of directors,” said Peter Boneparth, chairman of the board. “His diverse industry experience will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the JetBlue business for our crewmembers, customers and owners.”

airBaltic sees passenger growth of 13% in August

                                    Demonstrating strong performance, the Latvian airline airBaltic continues to report growth in its passenger numbers. In August, the airline carried more than half a million passengers marking a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. In the previous month, airBaltic performed 4 510 flights, showing a 6% increase from August 2023. Furthermore, for the second month in a row, in August airBaltic reached the highest load factor in the company’s history – 89.8%, which is a 6.6 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “Throughout this summer, we have observed significant overall passenger growth with several record-breaking results and have continued to maintain strong operational performance with an increased number of flights. Recently, we announced plans to launch 16 new routes for the upcoming summer season from the Baltic States – four from Riga, five from Tallinn, and seven from Vilnius. airBaltic is the connectivity backbone for the entire Baltic region and with the continuing network expansion, we are further strengthening our position as the leading and most favoured airline in the Baltic States.”

Additionally, August set new passenger and flight records at airBaltic's bases in Estonia and Lithuania, with impressive increases of 20% and 26% in passengers, and 17% and 21% in flights, respectively. These are the highest passenger and flight numbers ever recorded in August for both bases.

airBaltic recently has announced plans to launch 16 new routes from the Baltic States – four from Riga, five from Tallinn, and seven from Vilnius. The new routes include such destinations as Mykonos, Cluj-Napoca, Stavanger, Ibiza, Rzeszów, and others. They offer customers a wide range of travel options, catering to leisure, business, and onward connectivity needs. Additionally, the airline plans to increase frequencies on eight existing routes from Riga, four from Tallinn and four from Vilnius.

Minnesota will soon be home to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility

Minnesota will soon be home to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility – only the third in the United States – that will provide SAF supply via existing pipeline to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) – Delta’s second-largest hub where it uses 250 million gallons of fuel annually.  

The first-of-its kind Minnesota SAF Hub – of which Delta is an anchor member along with the Greater MSP Partnership, Bank of America, Ecolab and Xcel Energy – launched in August 2023 with a commitment to implement an ambitious shared strategy for aggressively decarbonizing the airline industry by scaling SAF production and replacing conventional jet fuel. On Sept. 10, the coalition announced its achievements and four major milestones on its journey to develop a fully integrated SAF supply chain in Minnesota, thanks to collaboration across the coalition’s members representing the entire SAF value chain – from finance to farm to airport:  

The first SAF blending facility in Minnesota: Delta and Flint Hills Resources are in the early stages of developing a facility to blend up to 30 million gallons of neat SAF at its Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount, Minnesota. The facility is likely to be the first between the coasts that can blend neat SAF with conventional jet fuel. Shell will supply the neat SAF and bring its expertise in product quality, supply chains and logistics to the team. Flint Hills will blend the jet fuel it produces with the neat SAF and will deliver via Flint Hills’ existing pipeline to MSP. The facility is expected to be completed in late 2025.   

 

 

Making SAF cost-competitive: A “Demand Consortium” that includes Bank of America, Deloitte, Delta, and Ecolab has been formed to purchase the first several million gallons of SAF each year, starting in the second half of 2025. The goal: scale production, drive down costs and secure multi-year demand that spurs continued growth of the SAF market. Each of these companies are providing funding to support the market production of SAF, which will contribute to verified carbon emission reductions associated with their employee business travel.  

 

 

Establishing SAF production in Minnesota: On August 16, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a $16.8 million Inflation Reduction Act grant to convert an existing Gevo ethanol and isobutanol fuel facility in Luverne, Minnesota, into a fully integrated alcohol-to-jet fuel facility for SAF production. This will allow the first conversion of Minnesota crops to SAF within the state.   

 

 

Making SAF out of next-generation feedstocks: Coalition partners at the University of Minnesota are developing a novel crop called winter camelina seed, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including producing oil for conversion into SAF. Although this crop is early in its development, future opportunities are promising, and the MN SAF Hub is working to bring the first shipment of camelina-derived SAF to MSP this fall.  

Minnesota is uniquely positioned to help scale the SAF industry and is why it’s an ideal location for this SAF Hub. Not only is Minnesota home to a variety of feedstocks that can be used to make SAF, it also has a strong history of producing biofuels. It was also one of the first states to enact a tax credit and construction incentive to support the development of a SAF economy.  

KLM's first Airbus A321neo flight

Today is a special day for KLM, with the first official flight of the brand-new Airbus A321neo. Early in the morning, the first luggage containers were loaded, the crew boarded, and the passengers checked in. The first flights are headed to Copenhagen, Berlin, and Stockholm.

The arrival of this new aircraft is an important step in the large-scale fleet renewal through which KLM is giving a new impetus to cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient flying. The A321neo will fly to Copenhagen, Berlin, and Stockholm starting today. Later this year, Paris, Prague, and Vienna will be added to the destinations. KLM will add three more new A321neo aircraft to the fleet this year.

 

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Birmingham City and Delta Air Lines join forces for 2024-2025 season......

                            Birmingham City Football Club is pleased to announce Delta Air Lines as its Official Airline Partner for the 2024-2025 season. The new commercial relationship reflects the growing appeal of Birmingham City Football Club to leading global brands.

The relationship officially 'kicks-off' Monday, September 16, to coincide with Birmingham City's appearance on Sky TV's Live Monday Night Football. The Sky Bet League 1 match against Wrexham, a 29,000 sell out, will be broadcast live in the UK, the US, and across the globe. Delta branding will be visible on the Men's First Team's shirt sleeve and appear on the Club's new digital screens and advertising boards at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park. Delta branding will also appear on the Club's Women's First Team shirt sleeve, starting with the Barclays Women's Championship home match against Portsmouth on 22 September 2024.

Delta and Birmingham City will work together on storytelling opportunities that demonstrate the club's climb, surprising and delighting football fans around the world, bringing them ever closer together.

Tom Wagner, Birmingham City Owner and Chairman of the Board, said: "We're excited to welcome Delta to the Blues family. As we continue leveraging our resources to bring Birmingham City to a global audience, Delta's vast network will help us connect our international fan bases and bring them and our team to new heights. Alongside world-class brands like UNDEFEATED and Nike, Delta shares our vision to elevate the club. This marks the beginning of a defining era in our nearly 150-year history." 

Garry Cook, CEO and Board Member, Birmingham City said: "Delta is one of the world's leading brands. Delta's rally cry, "Keep Climbing", resonates with the journey that Birmingham City is now on. Blues is going to be one of the most exciting stories in football in the next five years. Our teams are at the start of a transformational journey; our charitable Foundation is now helping hundreds of thousands of people across the city start to enjoy better lives; leading global brands are excited to partner with us due to the value we can bring; and our owners are spearheading one of the country's largest infrastructure projects, the Sports Quarter, here in East Birmingham. It will attract millions of visitors each year and many of them will choose to arrive on Delta planes. Birmingham, in partnership with Delta, is most definitely on the rise."

Lufthansa Group extends wet lease partnership with airBaltic

The Lufthansa Group is extending its collaboration within the framework of a wet lease partnership with its long-standing and proven partner airBaltic (BT) for a further three years beyond the summer of 2025.

This partnership enables to flexibly deploy up to 21 additional aircraft of the fuel-efficient Airbus A220-300 in summer and five aircraft of this type in winter at various hubs.

Due to changing customer needs, the Lufthansa Group airlines are aligning their route networks to seasonal peaks in demand, particularly in the summer timetable. With the additional capacities of airBaltic, destinations in high demand in the route networks can be served even more flexibly in future. At the same time, this will strengthen the quality of connections to Lufthansa Group Airlines’ intercontinental services at the Group’s hubs.

As is usual with a wet lease, the aircraft and crews will be provided by airBaltic. The Latvian national airline with its headquarters and hub in Riga has proven itself to be a very reliable wet-lease operator. The Lufthansa Group, says, that since it started working with airBaltic in 2019, the airline has proven itself to be a reliable and valuable partner.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic said: "Throughout the recent years, airBaltic has earned a reputation as one of the leading premium wet lease providers in Europe. The wet-lease business has become a crucial element of the airBaltic growth strategy, complementing our scheduled operations from our existing bases. The efficient single-type fleet of modern Airbus A220-300s and our high-quality onboard service have been key to this success."

Gauss added: "This partnership is an endorsement of our wet lease capabilities and reliability from a well-respected international brand like Lufthansa Group. We are looking forward to a successful collaboration over the coming years." 

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OX1 Plant Achieves 40% Higher Conversion

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OXCCU’s OX1 plant, the world’s first demonstration of the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 into deoxygenated long-chain hydrocarbons, is now fully operational. Since going live in September, OX1 has consistently produced liquid fuel (OXEFUEL™), and OXCCU is now ready to supply its first customers.  The plant's performance has exceeded expectations, marking a significant milestone in OXCCU's journey to develop the world’s lowest-cost PtL pathway.

OXCCU’s Co-Founder and CEO, Andrew Symes has provided a comment that can be used for any upcoming article narratives:  "Our OX1 plant, the world’s first demonstration of the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 into deoxygenated long-chain hydrocarbons, is now live. CO2 and H2 in, liquid fuel out—this low-cost, single-step method makes achieving SAF targets possible. Since going live in September, OX1 has been consistently producing liquid fuel for more than a week, and we're now ready to supply our first customers. The results have exceeded expectations, with conversion increasing by over 40% and a significantly higher SAF selectivity than anticipated.

In May 2023, we committed to delivering OX1, a 1,000-times scale-up from the lab, and it’s now operating as planned at Oxford Airport, thanks to the incredible efforts of the OXCCU team. We are passionate about developing the world's lowest-cost PtL pathway, and the next step is OX2 in Saltend, Humber, where we will further scale this world-leading Oxford University IP. Our focus is on reducing e-fuel costs and helping the UK meet its SAF targets, with rapid scale-up from demo to commercial scale being fully achievable with this technology.