Air Canada takes multiple awards for people and products

Air Canada has taken a number of awards at the recent 2021 Skytrax World Airline Awards, including Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, and Excellence for COVID-19.

"I am very proud of these recognitions as voted for by our customers, for our service and products as we begin emerging from the pandemic which has impacted travel and our industry for the past 18 months. The two awards for Best Airline Staff in both North America and in Canada are especially significant, as they are a direct reflection of our loyal employees' unwavering dedication and hard work in taking care of our customers and transporting them safely during a challenging and complex period. I thank our employee teams for their tireless efforts, and I thank our customers for recognizing their drive and work," said Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

Skytrax Best Airline Staff in North America

Skytrax Best Airline Staff in Canada

Skytrax Best Business Class Lounge in North America

Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Excellence

Six Global Traveler Leisure Awards

"We continue restoring our global network to meet growing demand and will be introducing new products to further enhance our customers' journey. As people are increasingly making plans to travel again, we look forward to welcoming more customers back onboard and transporting them to their destinations safely," concluded Ms. Guillemette.

Weather satellite MetOp-SG B passes another crucial step in the integration process

The MetOp-SG B satellite structure being integrated with the propulsion module. Photo Airbus/ M. Pikelj

The first "B" model of the next-generation polar-orbiting weather satellite series MetOp-SG has received its rocket pack. In a tricky, millimetre-precise crane operation at Airbus’ satellite integration centre in Friedrichshafen (Germany), the six metre high satellite structure was integrated with its propulsion system.

The propulsion system, built by Airbus in Stevenage (United Kingdom), can accommodate 760 kg of hydrazine fuel to maintain the satellite’s attitude and orbit throughout its mission and, very importantly, enable a controlled re-entry over the South Pacific at the end of the satellite's mission, in accordance with the international space debris mitigation standards. The propulsion system includes twelve thrusters of 20 Newton (N) each for nominal orbit and anti-collision manoeuvres. Finally, the tank and the 400N main engine complete the propulsion system.

The MetOp-SG programme is being implemented by the European Space Agency in collaboration with EUMETSAT. The MetOp-SG satellite fleet consists of six satellites and will secure the continuation of meteorological observations from a polar orbit in the 2024-2045 timeframe. Comprehensive data from the suite of innovative European instruments will feed into forecasting models taking observations to a new standard.

England's red list will reduce to just 7 countries from 11th October.

Today the UK government has confirmed that from 04:00 on Monday 11th October, 47 countries and

territories will be removed from its red list allowing more people to travel abroad and return from those countries without having to quarantine in special hotels.

The government said that continued progress on vaccination both at home and around the world means it can confidently reduce the size of the red list to focus on countries that pose the highest risk as determined by UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) assessment.

The change will allow fully vaccinated people to travel freely with just a day 2 test, however, other passengers who are not fully vaccinated with UK recognised vaccines, from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 test and complete 10 days self-isolation. 

Also announced today, from 4am Monday 11 October, eligible travellers vaccinated in over 37 new countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, will also be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents, so long as they have not visited a red list country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England.

The latest travel update builds on the announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office earlier this week that it has lifted advice against all but essential travel for over 30 countries and territories. More advisories will be removed as countries and territories come off the red list, making it easier for people to be covered by insurance when travelling to a wider list of destinations.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:  "With half-term and winter sun around the corner, we’re making it easier for families and loved ones to reunite, by significantly cutting the number of destinations on the red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the globe.

Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country. With less restrictions and more people travelling, we can all continue to move safely forward together along our pathway to recovery."

BA confirms the return of the Airbus A380

British Airways is set to welcome back its first A380 aircraft in November

British Airways is set to welcome back its first A380 aircraft in November and operate its biggest schedule since March 2020, with additional services to cities across the globe, including the US.

British Airways’ A380 will initially operate to a number of short-haul destinations to allow for crew service familiarisation in November, shortly followed by operating to Miami and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Dubai in December.

News that the airline’s A380 aircraft is re-joining its fleet follows the announcement that vaccinated Brits will be able to travel to the United States from November. The airline is set to fly to 23 US airports this winter* with up to 246 flights a week, more than any other transatlantic carrier. 

Across its US network, British Airways will be increasing the number of flights it operates with services to city destinations including New York, which will initially be increasing to five a day, followed by eight in December. The airline will also be operating double-daily services to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Dallas, Miami and Toronto, as well as daily services to Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, Houston and Vancouver

In addition to frequency increases, in October and November, British Airways will restart services to Austin, Orlando, Tampa, San Diego, Las Vegas and Baltimore **. In December the airline will also start flying to Nashville and New Orleans once again, which both proved to be a hit with customers when they first launched.

British Airways’ A380 aircraft will re-join the airline’s fleet earlier than expected as US borders re-open, initially operating to Los Angeles, Miami and Dubai

The airline is increasing flights to the US by adding more services to key cities including New York, with up to eight daily services by December

The airline will also be bringing forward planned restart dates to a number of US destinations

This October the airline has added 13,000 additional seats to short-haul family leisure destinations and has increased flights to popular European cities

Looking ahead to Christmas, British Airways is adding extra services to winter sun destinations including the Maldives, Mauritius and Caribbean islands

15 additional A321neos for UK holiday airline Jet2

Air101 can confirm that Jet2  has placed a further order for 15 A321neos following its initial one for 36 placed in August 2021. It takes the total order by the Leeds, United Kingdom, based airline to 51 A321neos. The two orders reflect Jet2.com’s ambitious fleet expansion and renewal plans. Engine selection will be made at a later date.

The aircraft will be configured for 232 seats with an Airspace cabin featuring innovative lighting, new seating products and 60 percent larger overhead baggage bins for added personal storage.

The A320neo Family incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption per seat. With an additional range of up to 500 nautical miles/900 km. or two tonnes of extra payload, the A321neo will deliver Jet2.com with additional revenue potential.

At the end of August 2021, the A320neo Family had won over 7,500 firm orders from over 120 customers worldwide.

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World View enters the space tourism and exploration market...........Balloons in space....

Stratospheric Balloon Flights Launching from Iconic Global Landmarks, Beginning with Grand Canyon National Park

Citizen Astronauts Selected by Non-Profit Space for Humanity Will Be First to Experience Inaugural Commercial Flights

World View, the leading stratospheric ballooning company, announced an expansion of services that includes the global launch of the first-of-its-kind, edge-of-space experience. The World View space tourism experience is the most affordable, longest duration and most accessible space experience on Earth. As a purpose-first company, World View is focused on inspiring, creating and exploring new perspectives, offering participants more accessibility to space tourism experiences than ever before. World View’s mission is to bring as many people as possible to the edge of space so that at 100,000 feet, they’ll see a world without borders or species and come back driven to make the world a better place. The company believes that by reaching a critical mass of people experiencing what has been labeled the Overview Effect that humanity will be able to markedly improve the future of our fragile Earth.

Mission: Rediscover Earth

Beginning today, World View is accepting deposits for its edge-of-space trips. With an initial deposit of $500, participants can reserve their place in line for commercial flights. Priced at $50,000 per seat with flexible financing options available, the cost is noticeably lower than any other civilian space tourism flight available today. World View’s first commercial flights are expected to begin in early 2024 with non-profit Space For Humanity securing the inaugural commercial flight.

World View voyages will originate out of the Seven Wonders of the World, Stratospheric Edition™, for a stratospheric perspective few have ever seen. The spaceport locations, in order of projected opening date, include:

Grand Canyon, United States
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Serengeti, Kenya
Aurora Borealis, Norway
Amazonia, Brazil
Giza Pyramids, Egypt
Great Wall of China, Mongolia

The World View experience is unlike any other. The voyages, originating out of World View Spaceports at the Seven Wonders of the World Stratospheric Edition™, are built around a 5-day fully immersive experience. Participants will be offered excursions from the Spaceports, enabling them to fully experience and immerse themselves in the beauty, fragility, history, and importance of the areas surrounding the Seven Wonders.

Flights will lift eight participants and two World View crew members in a zero-pressure stratospheric balloon and pressurized space capsule to 100,000 feet altitude, nearly 23 miles into the stratosphere for a transformative experience that will last six to 12 hours. World View participants will rise from spaceports across the world, gently floating in the atmosphere for hours to experience the Earth’s curvature and the darkness of space, taking them four times higher than a commercial flight. From this vantage point, participants will witness the fragility of Earth and appreciate the planet without borders.

Jetcraft expands presence in Asia with new Singapore office

Jetcraft, the world leader in business jet sales and acquisitions, is announcing the opening of an office in Singapore to support growth in Southeast Asia and across the region.

The office will be led by Tim Yue, who is currently Hong Kong-based and has over a decade of experience in business aviation. Tim will work closely with Jetcraft Asia President David Dixon, who will be overseeing all activities in the region.

David Dixon says: “Asia remains a crucial market for Jetcraft so expanding our footprint into Singapore is a logical step, providing further proof of our long-term commitment to serving our global client base and unrivalled market access.

“Singapore has seen significant growth in business aviation and the multiple maintenance facilities at Seletar Aerospace Park, paired with the region’s role in the financial service sector, make it an optimum location. Worldwide, the real value of business aviation is increasingly being realized and we are encouraged by the significant number of first-time buyers entering our industry, albeit recently in an unexpected way.”

UK-headquartered Jetcraft first established its Asia presence in Hong Kong in 2012, followed by the opening of an additional location in Gold Coast, Australia. Jetcraft will be recruiting a local team in Singapore, as well as relocating existing employees.

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Air France wins four Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021, including Best Airline in Europe and the COVID Airline Excellence Award

Air France named Best airline in Europe, Western Europe and France at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021

10th best airline in the world and only European airline in the top 10

COVID Airline Excellence Award

Well done Air France...... The Paris based carrier received four awards from Skytrax, the international aviation rating agency, as part of the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021.

Air France was named Best airline in the Europe, Western Europe and France rankings.

It also climbed to 10th place in the global ranking for the first time, gaining 13 places compared to 2019. Air France is the only European airline in the Top 10 of this ranking, which includes more than 350 airlines and is based on the surveys of more than 13 million passengers of over 100 nationalities.

Skytrax also recognized the airline's commitment to health security by awarding Air France the COVID Airline Excellence Award. This is the third time that Air France has received a distinction from Skytrax for all the measures implemented since the beginning of the COVID crisis, with first four and then five stars (the maximum rating) obtained in the Skytrax COVID Safety Rating for its Air France Protect program.

These distinctions reward the efforts and commitment of Air France and its teams to improve the customer experience in an exceptional context.

"It is an honour and a great pride for Air France to receive these awards. They testify to the confidence of our customers and recognize the continued commitment of our teams since the beginning of the COVID crisis. With the arrival of new aircraft, the Airbus A350s and A220s, as well as the opening of new lounges in France, such as the one in terminal 2F at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, or across our network with the one in Montreal, we are continuing to invest in reinventing the Air France travel experience, to the benefit of our customers. We also continue our efforts to reinforce health safety and to simplify the travel experience during the COVID period, for example with our acclaimed "Ready To Fly" service," said Anne Rigail, CEO of Air France.

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Bamboo Airways accelerating technology-led recovery in partnership with IBS Software

 Vietnam's private carrier Bamboo Airways is working with IBS Software to power its passenger service system (PSS) and its fast-growing Bamboo Club loyalty program, as it continues its focus on crisis recovery and enhancing the digital customer experience.

With Vietnam's pandemic under control, and travel sector growth in close reach, Bamboo Airways resumes its plans to achieve its ambitious goals. This year, the target is to grow its fleet to over 40 aircraft whilst expanding services to the US, Europe and around Asia Pacific.

As traveller needs evolve, digital touchpoints become ubiquitous and personalization more pervasive.  Adopting new technology is even more essential and for the airline, this means working to become the leading digitalized airline in the region.

"Bamboo Airways has leveraged technology to elevate the customers experience and optimize the airline's resources. Bamboo Airways will continue to upgrade and innovate, following our motto 'Put customers at the centre of business', to accelerate the process and become an international 5-star airline," says Hoang Ngoc Thach, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer of Bamboo Airways.

Since it started operating in January 2019, Bamboo Airways has embraced IBS Software's iFly Res, an omni-channel Software as a Service (SaaS) commerce platform, to underpin its PSS. Bamboo Airways has deployed iFly Res, one of the first New Distribution Capability (NDC) compliant PSS systems in the world, to power functions including passenger reservations, schedules and flight control, inventory control, fares and ticketing, and departure control.

United now has PayPal QR codes as an inflight payment option

United and PayPal have announced a new way to make touch-free inflight purchases, even in areas without Wi-Fi. Starting next month, United customers on select flights can simply show a flight attendant the PayPal QR Code in the PayPal app and use it to buy snacks, drinks and other inflight purchases while onboard.

United is the first airline to offer PayPal QR Codes, and this partnership is part of United's easy-to-use, industry-leading suite of contactless payment tools. United was the first airline to give customers in economy cabins the option to pre-order snacks and beverages from the airline's app and website, and also offers customers the ability to easily store payment information in a digital wallet.

PayPal QR Codes can be used on select flights departing from Chicago O' Hare International Airport in November and before the end of the year, will extend to all flights across the entire network where contactless payment is available.

"Our contactless payment offering is built on simplicity and choice and it's another way we're improving the overall experience of flying United," said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. "PayPal is a terrific partner and this technology gives our customers another easy way to make purchases, even when they're not online. We expect to introduce even more new and innovative options for our customers in the future through our collaboration with PayPal."

How It Works

New routes, new planes and more choice than ever - Delta's Boston Bonanza

Five new routes and more modernized, fuel-efficient aircraft are set to debut at Logan International Airport in 2022, as Boston’s No. 1 global airline continues building up a premier hub and international gateway.

Five new routes and more modernized, fuel-efficient aircraft are set to debut at Logan International Airport in 2022, as Boston’s No. 1 global airline Delta, continues building up a premier hub and international gateway to battle against budget airline JetBlue. 

“We’ve strengthened our Boston hub as demand has accelerated, adding about 3,800 more seats a day by next summer than our last peak in 2019,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s S.V.P. – Network Planning. “Boston is a fast-growing market with a booming economy, and we’re committed to offering customers significant choice and better convenience when making their travel plans, in addition to Delta’s superior products and experience.”

By next summer in Boston, Delta will operate up to 160 daily nonstop flights to 55 destinations, a more than 20% increase in capacity since our pre-pandemic height in October 2019. Including Delta’s partners, customers can connect to more than 150 cities across the globe.

Introducing new service to Athens, Tel-Aviv, Baltimore, Denver and San Diego in summer 2022.

Welcoming new Airbus A321neos into Delta’s fleet with first flights out of Boston in spring 2022.

Offering more Delta flights from Boston than ever before – a +20% capacity increase from pre-pandemic height.

“We are excited to welcome new Delta flights to Boston, connecting visitors and travellers to exciting destinations around the world,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “These flights coming to Logan Airport in 2022 will allow more people to access hundreds of destinations and the global economy.”

New global destinations to explore......

Infrastructure Costs Increasing $2.3 Billion in a Crisis is Outrageous says IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that planned increases in charges by airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) will stall recovery in air travel and damage international connectivity. 

Confirmed airport and ANSP charges increases have already reached $2.3 billion. Further increases could be tenfold this number if proposals already tabled by airports and ANSPs are granted. 

“A $2.3 billion charges increase during this crisis is outrageous. We all want to put COVID-19 behind us. But placing the financial burden of a crisis of apocalyptic proportions on the backs of your customers, just because you can, is a commercial strategy that only a monopoly could dream up. At an absolute minimum, cost reduction—not charges increases—must be top of the agenda for every airport and ANSP. It is for their customer airlines,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

A case in point is found among European air navigation service providers. Collectively, ANSPs of the 29 Eurocontrol states, the majority of which are state-owned, are looking to recoup almost $9.3 billion (€8 billion) from airlines to cover revenues not realized in 2020/2021. They want to do this to recover the revenue and profits they missed when airlines were unable to fly during the pandemic. Moreover, they want to do this in addition to a 40% increase planned for 2022 alone. 

Other examples include:  

Alaska Airlines agrees codeshare deal with Iberia Airlines

Alaska Airlines launches new codeshare agreement with Iberia Airlines

Alaska Airlines has agreed on a new codeshare agreement with the Spanish carrier Iberia Airlines, a fellow member of the oneworld alliance and part of the massive IAG group of airlines.

This new agreement strengthens the existing partnership between the two airlines, giving flyers exciting and convenient travel options for Iberia passengers to easily connect to more than 40 routes throughout Alaska's network.

Iberia has nonstop service between Los Angeles and its Madrid hub, and seasonal service between San Francisco and Barcelona – enabling seamless connectivity to the Alaska network beyond both California cities. 

"We're thrilled to expand our cooperation with Iberia, one of our newest partners in oneworld," said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. "Alaska joined oneworld to efficiently link our network to the world, and this enhanced partnership with Iberia brings Europe one step closer."

Alaska launched its partnership with Iberia on March 31, 2021, the same day Alaska formally became a member of the oneworld global alliance. The partnership with Iberia enables our Mileage Plan members to earn miles on Iberia flights and features reciprocal elite benefits, including preferred seat selection; priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; lounge access; and extra baggage allowance, with further enhancements coming over the next several months. Iberia has been a member of oneworld since 1999.

New service between Toronto and Dublin from WestJet

The Canadian airline Westjet has confirmed it will deploy Boeing 737 MAX jets on transatlantic flights this coming spring. The carrier will start a direct route connecting WestJet's Toronto hub with Dublin four times a week from 15th  May, which will become a daily operation in June 2022.

"As demand increases, we know travellers are looking for convenient and affordable options for travel between Canada and Europe," said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. "As we continue to focus on expanding our network from our Toronto hub where we offer 33 international destinations, these flights will further strengthen business and leisure ties between Canada and Ireland and will increase connectivity between two key markets."

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China Eastern Airlines to host 2022 IATA Annual General Meeting

China Eastern Airlines will host the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, on 19-21 June 2022.  

This will be the third time China will host the global gathering of aviation's top leaders. The AGM was previously held in Beijing in 2012 and in Shanghai in 2002.  

“We look forward to gathering the aviation industry in Shanghai for the 78th IATA AGM. China is a dynamic aviation market, with its domestic travel among the fastest to recover from the damage brought by COVID-19. We are delighted to be able to bring the AGM to China again,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.  

“China Eastern Airlines is excited to host the IATA AGM and to welcome our industry colleagues to our home city of Shanghai. In the 20 years since the AGM was last held in Shanghai, the city has completely changed. We look forward to showcasing our vibrant city and warm Chinese hospitality,” said Liu Shaoyong, Chairman, China Eastern Airlines.  

The decision to host the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit was made by the 77th AGM and World Air Transport Summit in Boston.  

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BOC Aviation announce orders for 10 firm and 15 option shipsets of Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines

BOC Aviation Limited has announced orders for 10 firm and 15 option shipsets of Pratt & Whitney GTF™ (“GTF”) engines to power new Airbus A320neo family aircraft already in the Company’s order book and scheduled for delivery in 2023 and 2024.

The GTF engine is offered through Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.

“This repeat order reflects the highly efficient performance of the GTF engine that will continue to power a significant portion of our A320 family fleet and orderbook,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of BOC Aviation. “We have acquired 47 shipsets of GTF engines to date. Our relationship with Pratt & Whitney and its related entities dates back to 1997. Since then, engines produced by Pratt & Whitney have powered 230 aircraft in our portfolio, representing more than 25% of the total aircraft that we have purchased or committed to purchase.”

Rick Deurloo, Chief Commercial Officer, Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney, said, “We thank BOC Aviation for its continued confidence in the GTF engine. We have a strong, almost 25 year relationship with BOC Aviation and we look forward to supporting its latest order of game-changing GTF engines.”

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Losses Reduce but Challenges Continue.......

Net industry losses are expected to reduce to $11.6 billion in 2022 after a $51.8 billion loss in 2021 (worsened from the $47.7 billion loss estimated in April). Net 2020 loss estimates have been revised to $137.7 billion (from $126.4 billion). Adding these up, total industry losses in 2020-2022 are expected to reach $201 billion.

Demand (measured in RPKs) is expected to stand at 40% of 2019 levels for 2021, rising to 61% in 2022.

Total passenger numbers are expected to reach 2.3 billion in 2021. This will grow to 3.4 billion in 2022 which is similar to 2014 levels and significantly below the 4.5 billion travelers of 2019.

Robust demand for air cargo is expected to continue with 2021 demand at 7.9% above 2019 levels, growing to 13.2% above 2019 levels for 2022

IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh said: “The magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis for airlines is enormous. Over the 2020-2022 period total losses could top $200 billion. To survive airlines have dramatically cut costs and adapted their business to whatever opportunities were available. That will see the $137.7 billion loss of 2020 reduce to $52 billion this year. And that will further reduce to $12 billion in 2022. We are well past the deepest point of the crisis. While serious issues remain, the path to recovery is coming into view. Aviation is demonstrating its resilience yet again,” 

The air cargo business is performing well, and domestic travel will near pre-crisis levels in 2022. The challenge is international markets which remain severely depressed as government-imposed restrictions continue.  

“People have not lost their desire to travel as we see in solid domestic market resilience. But they are being held back from international travel by restrictions, uncertainty and complexity. More governments are seeing vaccinations as a way out of this crisis. We fully agree that vaccinated people should not have their freedom of movement limited in any way. In fact, the freedom to travel is a good incentive for more people to be vaccinated. Governments must work together and do everything in their power to ensure that vaccines are available to anybody who wants them,” said Walsh.

Re-establishing global connectivity, the 11.3 million jobs (pre-COVID-19) in the aviation industry, and the $3.5 trillion of GDP associated with travel and tourism should be priorities for governments. 

“Aviation is resilient and resourceful, but the scale of this crisis needs solutions that only governments can provide. Financial support was a lifeline for many airlines during the crisis. Much of that—approximately $110 billion— is in the form of support that needs to be paid back. Combined with commercial borrowing the industry is now highly leveraged. We don’t want handouts, but wage support measures to retain critical skills may be necessary for some airlines until governments enable international travel at scale. And regulatory alleviations—like continued slot wavers while international traffic recovers—will be needed well into 2022,” said Walsh.

Outlook Drivers

Demand 
Global demand, measured in RPKs, is recovering steadily. 

Avolon to partner with IAI, world’s leading independent freighter conversion company, as launch customer for the IAI A330-300 P2F cargo conversion programme

Avolon to partner with IAI, world’s leading independent freighter conversion company, as launch customer for the IAI A330-300 P2F cargo conversion programme

Avolon commits to 30 Airbus A330-300 P2F conversion slots between 2025 and 2028

Air cargo revenues forecasted to be over US$150 billion in 2021 with traffic expected to double over next 20 years reflecting growth in e-commerce

 

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces a significant commitment to the global air freighter market to capitalise on the growth in e-commerce. Air cargo revenues are forecasted to exceed US$150 billion in 2021 with traffic expected to double over the next 20 years.

 

To capitalise on this clear opportunity, Avolon has signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the world’s leading independent freighter conversion company. Avolon will be IAI’s launch customer for their Airbus A330-300 freighter conversion programme. The agreement will see Avolon partner with IAI on its STC development and take 30 A330-300 conversion slots with IAI between 2025 and 2028.

IAI A330 Freighter

Avolon has identified IAI as the global leader in the passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion market. With a range of over 3,600 nautical miles at maximum payload of 61 tonnes, the IAI A330-300 freighter is uniquely placed to support the forecasted growth in e-commerce over the next 20 years. The IAI A330-300 product will offer a competitive edge to air cargo operators looking to expand or replace their medium wide body freighter fleets.

IAI’s A330-300 P2F will increase cargo volume capacity with up to 27 main deck pallet positions, one more than the competition, and will drive enhanced cargo loading performance due to its optimized door position. These product advantages will drive improvements in the most important operating measures for companies in the air freight market.

 

Dómhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO, commented: “We identified IAI as a long-time global leader in the aircraft conversion business and the right partner for Avolon to capitalise on the unparalleled growth in e-commerce. The global air freight market is worth over US$150 billion annually today and the sector is transforming, with air cargo traffic expected to double over the next 20 years. This agreement signals Avolon’s intention to be a leading player in that expansion.

We believe the IAI A330-300 P2F will be the wide body freighter of choice this decade and beyond, replacing retiring aircraft and providing the volume capacity required to meet market needs. In partnering with IAI we have identified the most efficient operator in the freight conversion market, guaranteeing more cargo pallet capacity and crucially, faster turn around times, in a market where every inch and second count.”

IAI President & CEO, Boaz Levy, said: "For the second time in recent years, IAI's Aviation Group is making history. Just two years ago we announced that we will be the first in the world to perform a passenger-to-freighter conversion on the B777-300ER, and today we are announcing that we will perform the cargo conversions for the Airbus A330-300 aircraft. IAI has proven time and again its leading position as the powerhouse of cargo conversions, globally. I am grateful to our partners at Avolon for their faith in our abilities."

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‘Change for Good’ continues to support children’s education - HK$1.56 million in 2020 despite huge disruption to global air travel

Cathay Pacific and UNICEF HK raised HK$1.56 million in 2020 despite huge disruption to global air travel

Cathay Pacific Airways and the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) announced this week that the ‘Change for Good’ (CFG) inflight fundraising programme raised a total of HK$1.56 million over the 2020 programme period.

Last year was especially difficult for the whole world. COVID-19, and the resultant travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in place around the world, brought about an unprecedented disruption of the global air travel market, and the repercussions have been huge. As all CFG donations comprise spare change collected from passengers travelling on Cathay Pacific flights, the donations raised this year by the CFG programme were undoubtedly a hard-won result thanks to the unremitting efforts of all parties.

Since the onset of the pandemic, many schools temporarily closed leaving children facing a global learning crisis. More than half of the world’s children and young people lack digital connectivity, which affects their access to remote learning. UNICEF and its partners are working to adopt and adapt technology to provide distance learning and help schools reopen safely. The CFG donations will be used for UNICEF’s “Schools for Asia” programme to keep children learning amidst the pandemic. Around one month’s worth of donations to the CFG programme will also be allocated to the Cathay Pacific Wheelchair Bank, which aims to improve the mobility of children suffering from severe neuromuscular diseases in Hong Kong.

ATOL renewals statement October 2021 from UK's CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority confirms that of the 1,133 ATOL licences that expired on 30 September 2021, 871 have been renewed, with a further 118 still in the process. In total there are now 1,517 ATOL holders, with 661 due to renew in March 2022.

With 217 businesses applying in the fourteen days leading up to the 30 September deadline, 85 of which were in the last three days, the UK Civil Aviation Authority urges travel businesses that are due to renew in March 2022 to apply in good time before the 31 March 2022 deadline because of the time required to analyse and process applications and put any required conditions in place. Businesses that fail to allow reasonable time to apply by the deadline risk being unable to take ATOL protected bookings.  

ATOL Licences as of 30 September 2021   -   1,133

Did not apply 2021   -   144 *

Granted 2021   -   871

Applied but not yet renewed - 1 October 2021    -   118 **

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL Licensing at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:   “We understand the pressure the industry is facing and would like to thank travel companies for engaging with us throughout the renewal process. The Civil Aviation Authority has continued to apply the current ATOL framework when processing the latest renewals.

“The ATOL scheme ultimately exists to protect consumers and therefore it is more important than ever that the Civil Aviation Authority focuses on appropriate protection of customer money, as well as travel businesses maintaining adequate liquidity.”

Data presented as of 3 October 2021.

* Includes 41 trade ATOL holders that no longer require to hold an ATOL licence.

** 52 of these submitted applications within the last 5 business days of September 2021.

Travel companies with ATOLs must renew their licences each year, either in September or March.

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To seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before......... Captain Kirk to venture into space next week.....

William Shatner (left; photo: Gary Marschka) and Audrey Powers (right)

Jeff Bezos's space travel company Blue Origin has confirmed that Captain James T Kirk will be blasting off into space next week.  Veteran actor William Shatner who is 90 years young will take his first journey into space on 12th October decades after the makers of Star Trek sent him to 'seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before'.

William Shatner’s career as an actor, director, producer, writer and recording artist has spanned 60 years. He originated the role of “Captain James T. Kirk” in 1966 for the television series Star Trek. The series spawned a feature film franchise where Shatner returned as Captain Kirk in seven of the Star Trek movies, one of which he directed. He has long wanted to travel to space and will become the oldest person to have flown to space.

Shatner is currently the host and executive producer of The UnXplained on The History Channel. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, the one-hour, non-fiction series explores the world’s most fascinating, strange and inexplicable mysteries.

Photo Blue Origin 

“I’ve heard about space for a long time now. I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle” said William Shatner.

Audrey Powers, Blue Origin’s Vice President of Mission & Flight Operations, will fly onboard New Shepard NS-18. They will join crewmates Chris Boshuizen and Glen de Vries for the flight which lifts off from Launch Site One on October 12.

"I’m so proud and humbled to fly on behalf of Team Blue, and I’m excited to continue writing Blue’s human spaceflight history,” said Audrey Powers. “I was part of the amazing effort we assembled for New Shepard’s Human Flight Certification Review, a years-long initiative completed in July 2021. As an engineer and lawyer with more than two decades of experience in the aerospace industry, I have great confidence in our New Shepard team and the vehicle we’ve developed."

Photo Blue Origin 

Live launch coverage begins on BlueOrigin.com at T-90 minutes. Liftoff is currently targeted for 8:30 am CDT / 13:30 UTC from Launch Site One in West Texas.

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Aviation Capital Group selects Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines to power 17 more Airbus A320neo family aircraft

Aircraft leasing giant, Aviation Capital Group confirmed this week it has selected Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines to power an additional 10 firm A320neo family aircraft, bringing its total to 40 firm GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft. ACG also has the option to power an additional 7 A320neo family aircraft with GTF engines.

“We are committed to giving our customers the most efficient and advanced technology possible, and we are happy to do so with this latest tranche of GTF-powered aircraft,” said Steven C. Udvar-Hazy, Senior Vice President, Original Equipment Manufacturers Relations and Market Development at ACG.

ACG currently owns or manages 95 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, which also include PW1500G-powered Airbus A220 aircraft, V2500®-powered Airbus A320ceo family aircraft and PW2000-powered Boeing 757 aircraft.

“We’re grateful for ACG’s continued confidence in our game-changing GTF engines,” said Rick Deurloo, Chief Commercial Officer at Pratt & Whitney. “GTF-powered aircraft are helping to lead the recovery around the world, while delivering unmatched efficiency, mature reliability and world-class operating costs. We look forward to supporting to ACG and its customers with these engines.”

Since entering service in early 2016, the GTF engine for the Airbus A320neo family has delivered on its promised ability to reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to 16 percent, noise footprint by 75 percent and regulated emissions by 50 percent to the CAEP/6 regulatory standard. The engine’s unique geared fan is the right architecture for the future with a long runway for further development. Pratt & Whitney is committed to continuing to invest in evolving propulsion systems to power the next generation of commercial aircraft.

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Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Albion Aviation Group have worked together to find the most effective solution for the transportation of dedicated equipment for the Dubai Expo

Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Albion Aviation Group have worked together to find the most effective solution for the transportation of dedicated equipment in support of the Dubai Expo 2020 which opened on Friday.

The cargo, weighing over 20 tonnes and measuring 418 cubic meters in total consisted of fragile furniture which was to be delivered from Athens (Greece) to Dubai (UAE). With no time to waste Volga-Dnepr’s team have brought aboard its engineering specialists who offered packaging solutions and optimized the load plan to make sure that delicate cargo is safely transported onboard An-124-100. The cargo uploading was coordinated by the Albion Flight manager who flew to Athens to monitor the whole process in close cooperation with Volga-Dnepr’s team.

Lewis King, Director of Albion Aviation Group, comments: “This charter required a lot of meticulous planning and within an extremely short space of time, but with the extensive support of the experienced Volga-Dnepr’s team the flight was a success and it’s an honour for Albion to be able to support the Dubai Expo 2020 via one of our clients”.

Ekaterina Andreeva, Commercial Director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, highlights: “We understand too well the importance of meeting the deadlines for the exhibitions and shows being the member of major industry events ourselves. That said, we called upon the best specialists from our global team to come up with the packaging solutions and load plan, at the same time following our standard charter flight approval process. In the end, we are happy to see the completion of another successful project cargo flight and we will drop by Dubai Expo when our team is there for Dubai Air Show”.

Volga-Dnepr Group, consisting of three all-cargo airlines, offers its customers effective logistics solutions based on its 30+ years of experience and expertise.

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Flight Safety Foundation calls for accelerated global deployment of digital health certificates

Flight Safety Foundation has called on the aviation industry, regulators and health authorities around the world to accelerate development of standardized and internationally accepted digital health certificates and to have them widely deployed within the next 12 months.

"Commercial aviation has begun the long, slow climb out of the travel trough created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but even the most routine international trip is fraught with confusion and frustration about acceptable documentation, testing requirements and the specter of quarantines, never mind the risk of fake COVID test results or vaccine status fraud," said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Hassan Shahidi. "To maximize passenger health safety we need a secure, globally accepted digital tool that enables travellers to upload and carry with them their vaccine status, recent test results or COVID-19 recovery status, and that will be recognized and accepted wherever they go," he said.

50th Anniversary of Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort celebrated with special aircraft livery and tons of giveaways!

The leading U.S. budget carrier Southwest Airlines has joined Walt Disney World Resort with a special co-branded commemorative aircraft honouring 50 years of connecting people with memories and magic, as each company celebrates their 50th anniversaries in 2021. 

The Boeing 737-700 features 50th-anniversary logos of both Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort and is emblazoned with a unique EARidescent treatment created by Walt Disney World Resort especially for its milestone celebration. 

"For 50 years, Southwest has connected our Customers to the people and places that matter most. Whether a Customer is flying to visit relatives in another state, close a business deal with a client, or experience a family vacation, we are honoured to be a part of those moments," said Brandy King, Director of Public Relations at Southwest Airlines. "Celebrating 50 years of making memories during our shared milestone anniversary is at the heart of this magical collaboration with the Walt Disney World Resort."

"As Walt Disney World Resort kicks off The World's Most Magical Celebration commemorating our 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to bring even more magic to guests' vacations and to the sky with the help of our friends at Southwest," said Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President of Disney Destinations. "Both Walt Disney World Resort and Southwest Airlines share an incredible 50-year legacy of creating exceptional vacation experiences and treasured memories for guests."