Cathay Pacific introduces additional flights from Colombo, Sri Lanka

Enhancing convenience for Sri Lankan customers travelling to Hong Kong and beyond

Hong Kong’s home carrier Cathay Pacific has announced a new winter schedule for 2024-2025. The airline will be operating four return flights per week — up from the current three — between Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport and Hong Kong from 2 January 2025 to 1 March 2025, with plans to further

increase the frequency to five return flights per week from 2 March 2025 to 30 March 2025. These flights will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft, equipped with flatbeds in Business class, as well as Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

Customers wishing to continue their journey to onward destinations can connect onto flights to other cities in the Greater Bay Area as well as popular destinations in the Chinese Mainland, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand via Cathay Pacific’s home hub, Hong Kong.

Asia Digital Engineering unveils Malaysia's largest 14-line aircraft maintenance hangar

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A, proudly announces the grand opening of its latest 14-line MRO hangar. This new landmark facility marks a significant milestone as Malaysia's largest and most advanced MRO hangar, underscoring ADE's commitment to leading the MRO industry in Asean.

Covering an area of more than 380,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility spans 20.25 acres within the KLIA Aeronautical Support Zone 1 (ASZ 1) under Malaysia Airports’ KLIA Aeropolis development. The hangar features dedicated workshops, including a Composite Workshop, Sheet Metal & Machine Workshop, Upholstery Workshop, Cabin Interior Repair Workshop, Oven & Boiler Workshop, and a 3D Printing Lab for aircraft livery. Additionally, it houses a Digital Product Development Centre, positioning ADE as one of the most extensive MRO providers in the region.

At the event, the Malaysia Book of Records recognized the new facility with three prestigious national records: Longest Single Span Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) System Rafter, Longest Locally Designed Single Span Truss Frame System, and Longest Vertical Hangar Door (Megadoor). These honours highlight the architectural and engineering excellence of the facility, setting it as a benchmark in the industry and highlighting Malaysia’s growing prominence in the global aerospace sector. This recognition celebrates the innovation and dedication behind the MRO facility, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s aviation history.

Marriott International signs deal with Sands China for Macao development

Marriott International, Inc. and Sands China Ltd. are set to redefine luxury in Macao with the signing of an agreement to debut The Luxury Collection brand to the market. Anticipated to open in January 2025, Londoner Grand, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Macao is poised to cater to the world’s discerning travellers, blending the brand’s authentic take on luxury with the city’s local charm to provide a unique and enriching travel experience.

“We are thrilled to work with Sands China Ltd. to bring the first Luxury Collection Hotel to Macao, a destination that continues to attract travellers across the globe,” said Gavin Yu, Chief Development Officer, Greater China, Marriott International. “The highly anticipated hotel will blend Macao’s East-meets-West culture with The Luxury Collection’s distinctive perspective on luxury, providing our guests unparalleled access to a city rich with heritage, cuisine, and captivating experiences.”

Located at the heart of Macao’s Cotai Strip with the city’s premier entertainment, shopping, and dining districts right at the guests’ doorstep, the hotel is approximately 4.9 kilometers away from Macau International Airport and 6.2 kilometres away from Taipa Ferry Terminal. For guests looking to be immersed culturally, renowned sites such as Senado Square, Taipa Houses, and Ruins of St. Paul’s are also accessible by a short car ride. 

KLM flies to 155 destinations this winter

KLM's winter schedule for this season runs from October 27, 2024, to March 30, 2025. KLM's network includes 155 destinations, 89 in Europe and 66 intercontinental. New to the network is the previously announced American destination, Portland. 

Additionally, KLM offers 15% more seats to destinations in India compared to last year. The first new A321neo aircraft are also operational on European destinations such as Copenhagen, Berlin, and Stockholm. Furthermore, Premium Comfort is available to book on all Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft.

This winter, the Premium Comfort class can be booked on all Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. This newest class offers passengers comfortable seats with extra legroom and a unique catering concept. KLM will add three new A321neo aircraft this year and will also fly these to Paris, Prague, and Vienna. KLM expects to put a total of four of these aircraft into service this year.

Europe

On several European destinations, KLM will fly more frequently this winter. From October 28, there will be six flights per day to Billund and two flights per day to Belfast. Additionally, KLM will fly three times a day to Bilbao and four times a week to Malaga and Alicante. Capacity to Bremen will be increased to four flights per day. KLM will also fly three times a week to Rovaniemi (Finland), up from twice a week last winter.

Air France KLM ponts

Virgin Atlantic to offer more British Sign Language trained crew

The UK's Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with deaf Gladiators star, Jodie Ounsley, and deaf twin content creators, Hermon and Heroda Berhane, to help better understand the needs of its deaf and hard of hearing customers, rather than listening to genuine passengers. 

The airline, which is 49% owned by Delta, claims to be the only UK airline to offer British Sign Language (BSL) trained cabin crew, asked the trio to test its services on a flight from London Heathrow to Washington.  

Jodie, Hermon and Heroda, who communicate in BSL, shared their feedback with Virgin Atlantic’s newly created Accessibility Advisory Board, which was developed to help enhance the airline’s accessibility offering. The board will include leaders from across the industry each with their own personal experiences of accessible travel, who will review processes and products and help shape the development of new offerings to ensure Virgin Atlantic continues to empower customers to travel the world. 

In addition to ongoing BSL training, Virgin Atlantic has also committed to increase the subtitled options available on in-flight entertainment from the current 80% of movies and 40% of TV, increase clarity of services and links to special assistance contact within Virgin Atlantic’s My Booking platform and the introduction of Sign Live; an on-demand BSL interpreter for customer service teams ensuring support at all points along the journey.  

Delta’s annual WING Flight introduces girls to careers in aviation

“If you have any questions, even five years from now, you can always call me,” said Capt. Cheri Rohlfing when chatting with a young student who aspires to be a pilot one day.

This simple yet impactful gesture was seen throughout the day on Sept. 20 as Delta hosted its annual Women Inspiring the Next Generation (WING) Flight in celebration of Girls in Aviation Day – bringing 136 girls ages 11-18 from Atlanta to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a chartered Boeing 737-900 aircraft that was piloted, staffed and crewed entirely by women. For the third consecutive year, Delta is the only commercial airline that has ever landed directly in Cape Canaveral – the “Space Coast” famous for rocket launches and space exploration.

The annual flight, created in 2015 by Delta’s Flight Operations in partnership with Women in Aviation International, introduces young girls to careers in aviation that they may not have been aware of, including traditionally male-dominated roles, and gives them an opportunity to engage directly with women in those roles to inspire interest in pursuing careers in aviation.

“Many aviation and aerospace jobs are historically male dominated, so getting the best talent for Delta – especially from underrepresented groups – has to start early,” said Beth Poole, Delta’s General Manager of Pilot Development and WING Flight co-founder. “The WING Flight is an opportunity to introduce young women to career opportunities, to show them what they can be when they work hard and dream big, and to emphasize how positively and profoundly women impact our business and the world of aviation.” 

Nine schools and organizations with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), many with whom Delta partners as part of the airline’s support of STEM programming in the Atlanta Public School System, were able to select students to participate. 

KLM applies VR in reintegration for cabin crew .......

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has developed a programme that allows cabin crew to experience what it is like to return to work after a longer period of absence through the use of virtual reality. 

In this way, KLM wants to lower the threshold to returning to work after a longer period of absence, such as after illness or maternity leave. After a successful trial period, KLM will start using the VR glasses in the reintegration programme from 1 October. This makes KLM the first major organisation in the Netherlands to use virtual reality in the reintegration process.

In the virtual reality environment, the employee starts at home and then goes through a working day step by step: from handing in the luggage at the crew centre to the actual take-off of the aircraft, the work on board and the arrival at the hotel. The test shows that the VR glasses give colleagues more self-confidence and motivation to get back to work. The VR application is also used to investigate whether someone is really ready to go back to work, because it provides insight into whether and where the colleague gets stuck in the reintegration process. This helps with targeted treatment.

Marion Leguijt, head of cabin crew at KLM said: "We notice that some colleagues are nervous about going back to work after not flying for a long time. At an altitude of 10,000 feet you can’t really say: “I am struggling to do this, I think I will go home a bit earlier.” With the VR glasses we lower that threshold by bringing the flying world “to the ground” in a very realistic way. At the same time, it is also a diagnostic tool: by using the glasses we can identify where colleagues are getting stuck in their reintegration. This means that we can work together with the colleague to find a solution to tackle the issue the colleague is facing. It brings technology and people together in a practical and responsible way."

Jet2 expands summer 26 programme from Bournemouth Airport

Jet2 and Jet2holidays have announced a massively expanded Summer programme for 2026 in just their second summer of operation from Bournemouth Airport, with flights and holidays to 21 sun and leisure city destinations now available to book – including five brand-new routes!

Ahead of their inaugural flight from Bournemouth Airport on 4th February 2025, the leading leisure airline and UK’s largest tour operator have responded to strong demand from local holidaymakers since announcing their launch, going on sale with their summer programme earlier than ever before.

As well as being the first airline and tour operator to go on sale for Summer 26, the summer sun and Leisure Cities programme offers more seats, routes and choice – with an expanded fleet of aircraft taking customers on their holidays.

With flights and holidays to 21 sun and city destinations on sale for Summer 26 from Bournemouth Airport, customers and independent travel agents in the South West can go ahead and lock in some summer sun nice and early.

The brand-new routes, four of which are excusive to Jet2 and Jet2holidays, from Bournemouth Airport for Summer 26 are as follows: 

Brand-new three-weekly services to Malaga

Brand-new and exclusive weekly services to Dubrovnik

Brand-new and exclusive weekly services to Kos

Brand-new and exclusive weekly services to Reus

Brand-new and exclusive weekly services to Verona

The expanded programme means over 370,000 seats have gone on sale, representing a capacity increase of over 30% when compared to Summer 25. It is Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ largest Summer Sun programme to date from Bournemouth Airport and, during peak periods, the companies will operate 41 departing weekly flights from the airport.

Fiji Airways announces purchase interest for Odys Aviation's hybrid-electric Vtol aircraft

Odys Aviation, a sustainable aviation company building hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and Fiji Airways, Fiji's National Airline, today announced that the companies have signed an Expression of Interest letter for Odys Aviation’s runway-independent hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft. Pilot programs using these aircraft are expected to commence in 2025.

Odys Aviation’s ‘Laila’ aircraft is designed in multiple configurations for cargo and, with up to a 400-mile range, will connect all of Fiji’s 330 islands. Flights operated via these aircraft provide a low-carbon air cargo alternative for routes across the South Pacific and will open up new emergency medical routes that have, until now, been inaccessible because of infrastructure challenges. Further, operating Odys’ Laila aircraft will allow Fiji Airways to expand its commercial landscape and open up contracts with logistics and government agencies to support NGO operations across the region.

Founded in 1951, the Fiji Airways airline group comprises Fiji Airways, Fiji’s international airline, and its wholly-owned domestic and regional subsidiary, Fiji Link. From its hubs at Nadi and Suva International Airports, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 108 destinations in over 15 countries (including code-share). Destinations include Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, India, Japan, China, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. The Fiji Airways Group brings in 70 percent of all visitors who fly to Fiji, employs over 2000 employees, and earned revenues of over FJD$1.7 billion (USD $770m) in 2023. 

The news follows Odys Aviation's recent announcement of a partnership with Honeywell, under the terms of which the two companies will collaborate on the design of new Ground Control Stations to support the rollout of Odys Aviation’s hybrid VTOL aircraft in the Pacific using Laila aircraft, with pilot programs expected to kick off in 2025.

Rocket Lab completes second spacecraft for Varda Space Industries

Rocket Lab USA, a global leader in launch services and space systems, has completed testing and integration of its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, Inc., the world's first in-space pharmaceutical processing and hypersonic Earth re-entry logistics company.

Rocket Lab’s first Pioneer spacecraft for Varda was launched in June 2023. Varda successfully crystallized the HIV drug Ritonavir while on orbit and Rocket Lab and Varda successfully landed the re-entry capsule in the Utah desert in February 2024. The Company is now preparing Varda’s second mission during which Rocket Lab and Varda will once again conduct in-space operations, reentry positioning maneuvers, and deorbiting to recover Varda’s capsule. Varda received permission from the FAA under a Part 450 license earlier this month, making them the only company to ever secure a second reentry license.

Designed and built at Rocket Lab’s Spacecraft Production Complex and Headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Pioneer spacecraft will provide power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control for Varda’s 120 kg reentry capsule. Each Pioneer spacecraft leverages the company’s vertically integrated spacecraft components and subsystems, including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar panels, flight software, and radios.

United Airlines forms new partnership with Space Science and Engineering Foundation (SSEF)

                   United Airlines has announced a new partnership with the Space Science and Engineering Foundation (SSEF) in the UK. Starting in 2025, the airline will be the official flight sponsor for the winning team of the UK Space Design Competition, who will participate at the final of the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC), held at the NASA Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in Florida. As part of United’s partnership with SSEF, the airline will also attend competition events in the UK, offering students unique insights into the aviation industry and the diverse career opportunities available across the sector.   

United’s new partnership with SSEF underscores the airline’s commitment to supporting STEM education and inspiring the next generation of leaders to explore future careers in aviation. With nearly 100,000 employees worldwide, United offers a wide variety of career opportunities within the STEM field ranging from pilots and aviation maintenance technicians, to flight dispatchers and network planners. At London Heathrow Airport in the last decade alone, United has almost tripled the size of its Technical Operations team from over 50 to nearly 150 employees.

The annual UK Space Design Competition is a science, engineering and business challenge, which takes place in universities across the UK throughout the academic year and is designed as a simulation of life in industry. Teams are given a list of requirements for a futuristic space settlement and are tasked with creating a detailed design, which is presented to a panel of judges from industry, academia and business.

 “We are proud to team up with SSEF to inspire the next generation of aviators and leaders,” said Karolien De Hertogh, Director Sales U.K. and Ireland, United Airlines. “Together with SSEF, United is committed to supporting students with exploring futures in aviation and STEM subjects, making sure our business and the communities we serve will be successful for years to come.”

 “We are thrilled to partner with United Airlines and this collaboration marks a significant milestone for our foundation, as it will help to ensure that more students can participate in the prestigious International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) event in the U.S.,” said Jenny Lyons CEO of SSEF. “We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with United and are confident that this partnership will bring incredible benefits to our students and the broader space science community.” 

United in the U.K.

United Airlines has been serving the U.K. for over 30 years and in 2024 is offering up to 20 daily flights from London Heathrow to its hubs at Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C. United also offers year-round service from Edinburgh to New York/Newark and seasonal service from Edinburgh to Chicago O’Hare and Washington/Dulles. All flights are conveniently timed to connect at United’s U.S hubs with an extensive network of services to destinations throughout the Americas. 

Founded by Dr. Randall Perry in 2009, the Space Science and Engineering Foundation (SSEF) is a UK-based educational charity dedicated to promoting STEM education. Through a wide range of STEM-focused activities, the SSEF helps students develop the skills and confidence needed to tackle complex science and engineering challenges. The foundation also plays a key role in inspiring the next generation of innovators by encouraging students to pursue careers in the STEM industry, providing them with opportunities to engage with real-world projects, industry professionals, and hands-on learning experiences.

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Airinmar signs repair cycle management services extension with Singapore Airlines

AAR CORP. subsidiary Airinmar, a leading independent provider of component repair cycle management and aircraft warranty solutions, has signed an extension with Singapore Airlines.

The extension utilizes Airinmar's full scope of repair cycle management services, including repair order, quote, and turnaround time (TAT) management; repair cost value engineering; component warranty recovery; and TAT guarantee enforcement. Airinmar will also continue using its proprietary online systems to optimize Singapore Airlines' repair order status management and consolidate repair quotations.

"Airinmar has provided repair cycle management services and systems to Singapore Airlines since 2005 and is delighted to continue our long-term relationship," said Matt Davies, Airinmar's General Manager. "We are proud to successfully deliver our full range of services to support the airline with repair cost reduction and component availability across their passenger and cargo fleets.".

AAR is a global aerospace and defence aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services.

Singapore Airlines is largely based at Changi Airport in Singapore and is the flag carrier of Singapore. It is a member of Star Alliance and widely renowned as one of the world's best carriers, the airline is ranked as a 5-star airline as well as ranked as the world's best airline by Skytrax five times. The airline operates a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including over 60 Airbus A350s, 12 super jumbo double-decked A380s, 24 Boeing 737s, more than 20 Boeing 777s with 30+ frames on order and 26 Boeing 787s. Its cargo division has a fleet of 747-400F and 777F jets.

Romania becomes the second country to receive US loan to buy US arms.....

Romania to get a U.S. State Department loan of $920 million so it can buy U.S.-made Abrams tanks and ammunition, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan to Romania, is the second one of its type, the first was given to Poland in September last year and was for a whopping $2 billion back then and an additional $ 2 billion in July this year. 

These FMF loans come with conditions attached, mainly that money has to be spent on U.S.-made military items, such as tanks, amphibious vehicles, missiles, rockets and even fighter aircraft. In this case, Romania is expected to get more than thirty Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning joint strike fighters, sixteen amphibious assault vehicles, nearly one hundred heavy gun carriers and over fifty tanks. 

The U.S. government is providing $60 million in FMF grant funding for the cost of this loan, which will help accelerate Romania’s defence modernization. The U.S. says Romania is a leader in NATO, which has been working with Allies to advance Black Sea security and providing critical assistance to Ukraine, including the transfer of a Patriot strategic air defence system and training Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

 

New jet engine oil to decrease hazard of ongoing contaminated air issue in aircraft

The recently held 'Aircraft Cabin Air Conference' in London has revealed a new jet engine oil that may reduce the hazard associated with the ongoing issue of contaminated breathing air on passenger aircraft.

The breathing air supply on commercial jet aircraft, known as ‘bleed air’, comes in flight from the engines and is known to become contaminated with engine oil, engine oil decomposition products and/or hydraulic fluids. 

At the recent conference, French engine oil manufacturer NYCO presented extensive research in their development of a new 'less hazardous' jet engine oil. The new oil now needs engine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce, GE, Pratt & Whitney, IAE International Aero Engines, CFM, Honeywell and others to 'qualify' the oil so it can be used on the wide spectrum of jet engines used to power the estimated 25,000+ commercial passenger jet aircraft flying today.

GCAQE board member Captain Nicholas McHugh BSc(hon) stated:  “We hope jet engine manufacturers will priortise the introduction of the reported new 'less hazardous' NYCO oil and any new oils that come to market that reduce the hazard for the aviation workers and passengers routinely exposed to engine oil and engine oil decomposition products on passenger aircraft. Government agencies responsible for aviation safety and public health should also be helping to expedite the introduction of these reported 'less hazardous' oils.”

Icelandic carrier offering 25% off flights means it now really time to Play!

PLAY the Icelandic long-haul budget carrier is offering you the chance to see the world and be a globetrotter for less money. 

Iceland • Baltimore • Boston • New York • Washington DC • Toronto

Enjoy a different view and soak in the culture and ambience of another country or continent even! Whether you've always dreamt of seeing the northern lights dance in the sky in Iceland or fantasized about walking the streets of New York in your best outfit, PLAY can take you there.  The airline is offering a deal you won't see every day but to celebrate World Tourism Day they are offering up to 25% off flights to Iceland and beyond to North America! Seize the day and see the world! 

 

Flight period: October 2024 - May 2025 

Booking period: September 26 - October 3, 2024

The city of Reykjavik has a rich cultural heritage, with a history dating back to the Vikings. The name "Reykjavik" means "smoky bay" in Icelandic, and it was given to the city by the first settlers who saw steam rising from the geothermal springs in the area. Today, the city is known for its colourful culture, stunning views, human rights and general safety.

But for a rather small city on the global scale, Reykjavik is a real overachiever with a long list of records. Some are quirky and fun, others are ambitious and some certainly beg more questions. Here’s a short list of some of Reykjavik’s most interesting fun facts or records if you will.

Terms: The advertised discount is valid on selected flights within the advertised flight period for new online bookings when booking the round-trip flight routes specified in this offer on our website www.flyplay.com. 

The offer applies to airfare (not taxes, fees, additional services and carrier charges).

*The offer is subject to availability. The advertised discount is automatically deducted from the airfare (not taxes, fees, additional services and carrier charges) for all passengers and is visible on the flight select step in the booking engine. If no discount is displayed, the offer does not apply to the selected dates or the discounted seats are sold out. Offers never apply to additional services such as baggage allowance or seat selection but please note that these services are always offered with an additional discount within our bundled airfares PLAY basic plus, PLAY value and PLAY flex when booking flights. 

Restrictions and baggage fees apply.

 *First come – first serve!

Departure airports:

Copenhagen (CPH), Barcelona (BCN), Berlin (BER), Billund (BLL), Cardiff (CWL), Dublin (DUB), Prague (PRG), Paris (CDG), Hamburg (HAM), Amsterdam (AMS), Alicante (ALC), Dusseldorf (DUS), Athens (ATH), London (STN), Malaga (AGP), Lisbon (LIS), Madrid (MAD), Warsaw (WAW) or Geneva (GVA)

Destination airports: 

Direct flights: Iceland (KEF)

Flights via Iceland (KEF): Baltimore (BWI), Boston, (BOS), New York (SWF), Washington DC (IAD) and Toronto (YHM)

Flight period: October 2024 - May 2025 

Booking period: September 26 - October 3, 2024