Cathay Cargo commemorates DB Schenker’s membership of its Corporate SAF Programme with a signing ceremony

DB Schenker is the newest and biggest contributor to Cathay’s carbon-reduction programme.

Cathay Cargo and DB Schenker jointly held a signing ceremony on 8 October at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters to mark the global forwarder’s membership of the Cathay Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme.

Attended by Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen and DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer, the ceremony marked DB Schenker’s stride forward in July to become the biggest contributor to the programme, underscoring both parties’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome DB Schenker here not only as the newest member of the Cathay Corporate SAF Programme, but also as its biggest contributor. It is great to have this level of support from such an important player in the air cargo industry as we work together to decarbonise aviation. This ceremony marks our appreciation for DB Schenker’s significant contribution to our collective efforts to fly Greener Together.”

The Cathay Corporate SAF Programme was established in 2022 to help tackle climate change. It enables members to purchase SAF for uplift on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo flights from Hong Kong and other ports on the network. By joining and committing to buy 878 tonnes of SAF (equivalent to 290,000 US gallons), DB Schenker will help reduce more than 2,600 tonnes in carbon emissions.

Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo to fly route between New York and Accra

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The U.S. mega-carrier Delta Air Lines has scheduled the Airbus A330-900neo to operate the daily nonstop service from New York-JFK to Accra.  This next-generation aircraft increases Delta’s seat capacity by approximately 30% between Ghana and the United States while elevating the customer experience with enhanced comfort.  

At the launch event in Accra, Ralph Albus, Delta’s Director of Global Communications, Commercial said: “Customers will enjoy Delta’s state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo, offering the latest in premium travel. The accelerated deployment of this new aircraft reflects the strong demand for our product, and we’re excited to offer passengers a premium onboard experience across the Atlantic with Delta’s renowned service.”

Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo will contribute approximately 1,000 additional seats each week between Ghana and the United States while offering travellers a choice of four distinctive cabin experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin. Additionally, the aircraft boasts increased cargo capacity to meet rising demand.

JetBlue expands Caribbean network with services to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

JetBlue has started a service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Argyle International Airport, with flights operating on Wednesdays and Sundays.

David Jehn, vice president of network planning and airline partnerships at JetBlue said: “We are thrilled to welcome St. Vincent and the Grenadines—an enchanting destination known for its unspoiled nature, sky-blue waters and stunning landscapes—to our growing network and offer our customers even more travel options. This new service demonstrates our commitment to connecting our customers to in-demand vacation locations and introducing our award-winning service and low fares to new markets.”

"We are ecstatic to welcome JetBlue to our shores, marking a major step forward in our tourism development efforts,” said Honorable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “As we continue to enhance our tourism offerings and promote our beautiful islands as a premier destination, this partnership opens new opportunities for both leisure and business travellers. The connection with New York is especially significant as it strengthens ties with our diaspora and provides more seamless travel options for those wishing to explore St. Vincent and the Grenadines."

A4E study reveals high market concentration and poor consumer practices amongst online ticket intermediaries

A new study commissioned by Airlines for Europe (A4E) highlights significant market concentration within the travel intermediary sector, with consumers potentially losing out due to unfair practices by certain players. The report, conducted by economics consultancy Syntesia, outlines how ticket distribution for airlines is shifting as traditional Global Distribution Systems (GDS) lose market share to Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and Meta Search Engines.

This comes after the European Commission designated Booking.com, a leading OTA, as a gatekeeper under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA aims to ensure "more choice and freedom for end users, and fair access for business users to gatekeeper services."

Key findings from the study include:

OTA prices for identical itineraries were, on average, nearly 25% higher than booking directly with airlines

Consumers face hidden mark-ups and charges, often falsely attributed to airlines

Services offered for free by airlines, such as SMS updates, are sold by OTAs at a cost

Two OTAs control 50% of the European market for OTAs

Three companies dominate 95% of the GDS market, with one controlling 60–65% in Western Europe

 

On the publication of the report, Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, said, “The EU’s Single Market has unlocked unprecedented choice and transformed air travel for European consumers. This success is built on fairness and a level playing field. Our report shows that this is under threat from a highly concentrated digital ticket distribution market, where OTAs do not face the same consumer obligations as airlines.”

She added, “The recently proposed passenger rights legislation must prevent online freeriding and clearly allocate obligations to each player in the market. Ultimately consumers should emerge the winners, with greater clarity and transparency”

flydubai Cargo partners with cargo . one to enhance its digital sales capabilities

flydubai Cargo partners with cargo.one to build its first digital distribution channel, further enhancing its existing capabilities and elevating its brand and offerings in the global market

Freight forwarders can soon leverage valuable connectivity connecting the Middle East to dozens of important destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa

flydubai Cargo, the cargo division of the Dubai-based carrier is partnering with cargo . one to launch its very first digital sales on the leading booking platform. Freight forwarders will soon gain instant digital access to flydubai Cargo’s capacity which includes convenient interline routes through its interline agreements and partnerships with other airlines. flydubai Cargo will target cargo . one’s global community of freight forwarders in 121 countries, offering customers a seamless digital experience.

Launched in 2012, flydubai Cargo has a global operation that spans more than 150 destinations in 53 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia. Since the start of 2024, the carrier has expanded its network with the start of operations to Al Jouf and The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, Basel in Switzerland, Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan, Kerman and Kish Island in Iran, Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia as well as Mombasa in Kenya. 

From its home in Dubai, flydubai operates a young and efficient fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft. The carrier shares an integrated network collaboration and coordinated scheduling through its partnerships with ground-handling agents, interline agreements and service providers to ensure the secure and efficient transportation of cargo throughout the entire journey. For freight forwarders, flydubai Cargo offers the reliability and convenience of high frequency services from Dubai to destinations such as Beirut, Colombo, Doha and Salalah. Shipments can be transferred from one flydubai Cargo flight to another in as little as one hour from arrival in Dubai.

Mohamed Hassan, Senior Vice President of Airport Services & Cargo at flydubai, comments, “At flydubai, we have a long-standing commitment to creating free flows in trade and adopting best-in-class practices in the industry and we are pleased to reaffirm this with the launch of our digitalized sales. Our partnership with cargo.one will enable us to grow our cargo market reach and ensure the most efficient and user-friendly booking experience for our customers around the world.”

Potential for jammed or restricted rudder on some Boeing 737

The US Federal Aviation Administration has this week issued a safety alert to airlines operating certain Boeing 737 models warning of a potential for limited or jammed rudder movement.  

The issue involves Boeing's 737, 737 -600/-700,-800,-900, 900ER, 737NG  and MAX 8, MAX 9 aircraft equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 RRGAs, both in the US and around the world. According to the NTSB, there are more than 40 airlines outside the US that are operating potentially affected aircraft. 

The issue came to light after a incident on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, where the flightcrew were unable to move the rudder pedals during landing rollout. Following a post-incident investigation, it is thought the Collins Aerospace SVO-730 RRGA was the source of the flight control restriction. The FAA says RRGA provides rudder inputs during landing rollout, where directional guidance is provided by the autoflight system after touchdown on CAT IIIB equipped aeroplanes. The aeroplane was equipped with the RRGA, but not electrically connected to the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS). 

The FAA said that airlines should instruct pilots that the rudder control system could potentially become jammed or restricted in flight or during landing due to moisture that could accumulate and freeze in the RRGA actuator.  If the rudder restriction condition is encountered in flight, Boeing recommends suggests pilots should follow the Jammed or Restricted Flight Controls Non-Normal Checklist (NNC). If this rudder restriction is encountered on the ground, use differential braking to maintain the runway centerline. Flight crews should avoid using nosewheel steering above 100 Knots Indicated Airspeed (KIAS) unless necessary for aeroplane control as a potential for overcontrol exists.

SAFO24006 (faa.gov)

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airBaltic carried 505 200 passengers in September.

The Latvian airline airBaltic continues its strong performance this year, continuously setting new single-month records for carried passengers, operated flights, and load factor. In September, the airline from all its bases carried 505 200 passengers, a 13% increase from last year. Furthermore, airBaltic operated 4 270 flights, up 4% from September 2023, and set a new monthly load factor record of 84.8%, a 5.9 percentage point increase year-over-year. These figures mark the highest September traffic in the airline's history.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “Over the last few months, we have reported several records for monthly traffic figures, both in a single month and overall in airBaltic’s history showing our positions as the most favoured airline in the region. We are continuously expanding our network from the Baltic States and analyzing market trends in other regions to facilitate our expansion there as well. With this approach, we aim to continue our growth story as well as to provide the best connectivity from the region to the rest of the world.”

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.

airBaltic operates more than 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and, seasonally, Gran Canaria, offering connections to a wide range of destinations in the airline's route network in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region. 

	September, 2024*	September, 2023**	Change
Number of passengers	505 200	446 600	+13%
Number of flights	4 270	4 120	+4%
Load Factor	84.8%	79.0%	+5.9pp

*Preliminary rounded data from airBaltic monthly reports.

**Actual rounded data from airBaltic monthly reports.

Boeing shares heading to junk status?

The beleaguered Boeing Company is fighting hard to stop its shares heading towards junk status it has been reported this week.

The aerospace firm has received pitches from investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America and Citigroup according to four sources familiar with the matter reports  Shankar Ramakrishnan, Allison Lampert, Echo Wang and Mike Stone Reuters. 

These options include selling common stock as well as securities such as mandatory convertible bonds and preferred equity, according to the sources. One of the sources said they suggested to Boeing that it should raise around $10 billion.

Such hybrid bonds can be treated as equity capital by rating agencies, which means issuing them would not add to debt to the same extent as selling bonds, while also being potentially more favourable for existing shareholders.

Banks have also been building so-called shadow books, sounding out interest from investors for such securities in case Boeing decided to go ahead, the sources said. Some investors have reached out to banks to tell them they were interested in purchasing Boeing’s preferred securities if they were issued, two of the sources said.

Boeing and the investment banks declined to comment. The sources, who requested anonymity as these conversations are private, said Boeing had not decided whether to go ahead with any of these options. It was not clear when it might make a decision.

10 great reasons to visit the paradise island of Madeira

Madeira, a breathtaking island in Portugal, is a true hiker's paradise. This stunning destination offers lush forests and countless scenic spots for nature lovers. Plus, it is known for its stunning year-round climate and is often called the "island of eternal spring."

Starting this October, you can fly directly to Madeira from Riga with airBaltic on Airbus A220-300 jets. 

10 great reasons to visit the paradise island of Madeira

In the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is Portugal’s enchanting volcanic island that dazzles visitors with dramatic landscapes, vibrant colours, and year-round Atlantic warmth; it truly lives up to its nickname of Paradise Island.

1) Breathtaking scenery and natural treasures

First of all, Madeira is simply a stunning place. The abundance of natural beauty is staggering, from towering peaks to verdant valleys to golden sandy beaches.

Highlights include the emerald treasure that is the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Ponta de São Lourenço, a volcanic nature reserve on the eastern tip of the island with towering volcanic rocks and a black sand beach.

2) Beautiful beaches and natural pools

Madeira’s beaches and natural swimming pools offer a captivating blend of relaxation and adventure, making the island a must-visit destination.

Just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Funchal you’ll find Praia Formosa, a family-friendly Blue Flag beach. With three small sandy beaches and a large pebble beach separated by rocky outcrops, it offers an adventurous coastline for swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

3) Perfect weather all year round

Madeira’s subtropical climate means that the island enjoys endlessly beautiful spring weather, thereby offering a respite from the extreme temperatures of southern European summers.

It’s no wonder that Madeira is also known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’. This pleasant weather means warm sunshine but also cool breezes, providing the perfect balance all year round whether you’re looking for adventure or just want to soak up the sun on the beach.

4) Endless outdoor adventures and activities

We’ve said it before, but there’s really no way to overstate how incredible Madeira’s rugged landscapes are when it comes to outdoor adventure.

This island is an open playground for the outdoorsy type, and there’s an abundance of things to choose from that will quickly immerse you in Madeira’s stunning natural beauty.

5) Culinary delights from both land and sea

Madeira’s cuisine is a testament to the island’s bountiful nature and the ingenuity of its people.

The fusion of land and sea is reflected in dishes that are both simple and sublime, using local ingredients and mixing classic Portuguese flavours with unique Madeiran twists.

Fresh seafood is a staple, with dishes featuring octopus, tuna and the prized black scabbard fish, often paired with tropical fruits such as passion fruit and bananas.

Meat lovers will enjoy espetada, juicy beef skewers grilled over an open flame, and bolo do caco, a traditional flatbread served warm with garlic butter.  

The island’s fertile soil produces an abundance of fresh vegetables and herbs that add rich, earthy flavours to any meal.

The perfect accompaniment to these culinary delights is Madeira’s world-renowned fortified wine, whose rich and complex flavour is a testament to the island’s centuries-old tradition of winemaking.

6) Unique flora and fauna

why not head to Europe at Halloween for a spooky experience........

With Halloween just around the corner, why not trick or treat yourself and explore Europe’s spooky side with a ghost-tastic break from London Stansted this autumn.

From the haunted castles of Prague to the mysterious markets of Amsterdam and the ghostly streets of Edinburgh, cities across the continent provide an unforgettable experience for those who want to embrace the spirit of Halloween.

London Stansted is one of the best UK airports for exploring Europe, serving more destinations across the continent than any other.

Whether you're looking for spine-tingling adventures or family-friendly Halloween fun, these six cities are sure to deliver a spooktacular experience flying from your local airport.

Neringa Ohrstrom, from London Stansted, said: “What better way to celebrate Halloween than with a ghoulish getaway to Europe. The wide choice of destinations, great value, and ease of access offered by London Stansted means that you can visit festivals, castles, and scary spots in Europe from your local airport. Whether it's exploring the haunted streets of Edinburgh, delving into the legends of Transylvania, wandering the atmospheric streets of Prague or experiencing the Gothic charm of Budapest, these six destinations offer a thrilling and hair-raising Halloween experience.”

Passenger numbers rise for Finnair in September - up 10%

In September, Finnair carried 1,015,600 passengers, which was 10.2% more than in September 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in September by 9.0% year-on-year as additional narrow-body capacity was deployed by Finnair after the wet lease outs to British Airways ended in March 2024. In addition, the strong capacity growth in Asian traffic continued. If wet lease-outs are included, capacity increased by 11.2% due to the cooperation with Qantas. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 6.7%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) declined by 1.6% points to 76.3%. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance in accordance with the industry practice.

The ASKs in Asian traffic were up by 13.1% year-on-year due to added frequencies to Tokyo and Osaka as well as the Nagoya route operated during the summer season 2024. In North Atlantic traffic, ASKs decreased by 11.9% due to cut frequencies to Chicago. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 12.2% as the majority of the increase in narrow-body capacity was allocated to routes in northern Europe. The Middle Eastern capacity declined by 6.0% mainly due to temporarily ceased operations to Israel. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 35.6% due to the additional capacity allocated to northern routes slightly earlier than in the comparison period.

Winter is coming – so now’s your best and last chance this year to visit Game of Thrones city

Winter is coming – so it’s high time Game of Thrones fans booked a flight from East Midlands Airport to Dubrovnik to discover the real-life backdrops to some of the hit show’s key scenes.

Jet2 and TUI each offer flights of just under three hours from EMA to Dubrovnik until the end of October, resuming next spring. With the beautiful coastal Croatian city continuing to enjoy temperatures up to 24 degrees Celsius this month, and crowds smaller than during the peak season, it’s arguably the ideal time to visit for a short break.

A short shuttle bus trip from its airport, Dubrovnik doubled as Kings Landing during filming of Game of Thrones and plenty of people will enjoy finding locations for places in the show such as Blackwater Bay, the Red Keep and the steps and steep alleyways used for the infamous Walk of Shame scene, among many others.

While Game of Thrones tours of the old town are available, it’s a phenomenon that's easy to avoid, and there’s plenty to charm visitors who are unfamiliar with the fantasy TV series. The whole length of the old town’s fortified walls can be walked, offering stunning views across the Adriatic Sea and into the labyrinthine streets of the old town below. Entry is 35 euros – but a ticket is available for the same price which allows access to a number of other cultural attractions as well as local public transport.

GA Telesis acquires three on-lease aircraft from Avolon

GA Telesis, the pioneering leader in integrated aviation services, has completed the acquisition of a three-aircraft portfolio from Avolon. The aircraft are all mid-life narrowbodies and are on-lease to airline operators in Europe, Japan, and Australia respectively.

GA Telesis' Leasing, Investment, Financing & Trading ("LIFT") Group continues to grow and diversify its aircraft operating lease portfolio. In addition to this acquisition, LIFT has commitments in place to purchase a significant number of additional aircraft by year-end thus leading to its largest asset portfolio by total size.

"We are pleased to complete this acquisition from Avolon and to add them to our growing list of top-tier trading partners," said David Ellis, Senior Vice President and Head of the Asset Transaction Group at GAT.

"We are happy to have completed this transaction with GA Telesis and value our continued relationship as strong trading counterparties," said Ross O'Connor, Chief Financial Officer, Avolon.

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Delta puts Airbus A330-900neo on Accra – New York route

The U.S. mega-carrier Delta Air Lines has scheduled the Airbus A330-900neo to operate the daily nonstop service from New York-JFK to Accra.  This next-generation aircraft increases Delta’s seat capacity by approximately 30% between Ghana and the United States while elevating the customer experience with enhanced comfort.  

At the launch event in Accra, Ralph Albus, Delta’s Director of Global Communications, Commercial said: “Customers will enjoy Delta’s state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo, offering the latest in premium travel. The accelerated deployment of this new aircraft reflects the strong demand for our product, and we’re excited to offer passengers a premium onboard experience across the Atlantic with Delta’s renowned service.”

Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo will contribute approximately 1,000 additional seats each week between Ghana and the United States while offering travellers a choice of four distinctive cabin experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin. Additionally, the aircraft boasts increased cargo capacity to meet rising demand.

Delta One Suites feature fully lie-flat seats, luxury bedding, and privacy doors, paired with chef-curated meals and premium beverages. Delta Premium Select offers enhanced comfort with wider seats and additional legroom, while Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin provide spacious seating, memory foam cushions, and personalized entertainment with over 1,000 hours of content.

Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy state-of-the-art features including ambient lighting for a restful flight. 

Success in Ghana has been driven by strong partnerships, and Mr. Albus expressed gratitude to Delta’s valued customers, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and the government of Ghana. 

Delta’s launch of the Airbus A330-900neo deepens the connection between Ghana and the United States, delivering additional capacity and world-class service. 

This book recounts how three larger-than-life personalities―Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Carl Icahn―shaped the history of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and determined its fate. It’s the story of how powerful, strong-willed individuals created and ultimately destroyed an American icon that had deep roots in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Come Fly with Me traces the airline from its origins in the 1920s to the twenty-first century. By using unprecedented access to the entire TWA corporate archives and interviewing key business leaders, the authors have crafted a compelling tale of a corporation, an industry, and an era.   More details or buy here. 

 

 

Timeshifter entices one million users on its Jet Lag App. Plus new partnership with Lufthansa Group

Timeshifter Inc., the global leader in circadian technology, announced at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam that its groundbreaking jet lag app has surpassed 1 million user accounts. As part of its ongoing commitment to improving the travel experience, Timeshifter is also excited to announce a new partnership with Lufthansa Group, encompassing Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Timeshifter's jet lag app is designed to help travelers address the underlying cause of jet lag – circadian disruption – as well as its symptoms.

With over 1 million user accounts and a stellar 4.7/5 user satisfaction rating, Timeshifter's jet lag app is the most-downloaded and highest-rated jet lag app in the world. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned scientists and based on the latest sleep and circadian neuroscience, Timeshifter has become the gold standard for helping travelers quickly adapt to new time zones. With Timeshifter, travelers can create highly personalized jet lag plans based on their chronotype, sleep pattern, itinerary, and personal preferences for caffeine and melatonin use.

Lufthansa Group joins Timeshifter's incredible partner roster, which includes United Airlines, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and Six Senses, further demonstrating the Timeshifter app's critical role in enhancing the travel experience.