Air Canada is relaunching 34 routes to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East

Most extensive schedule from Canada to global destinations

Restoring popular European destinations, including Barcelona, Budapest, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, and Venice

Increased connectivity to Air Canada's large North American network

Air Canada's leadership believe extensive network will stimulate the recovery of the travel and tourism industry

The largest Canadian international carrier Air Canada has today announced a massive expansion to its Summer 2022 international schedule with 34 routes relaunching across the Atlantic and Pacific. Starting next month, non-stop services will begin resuming from Toronto to Tel Aviv, Paris, Tokyo and Amsterdam, signs that recovery is well underway. Service from Montreal to Casablanca, Nice, Algiers, Rome, Tel Aviv and Tokyo will also be resuming. From Vancouver, Air Canada will be offering service to Frankfurt, Dublin, and Zurich.  

Air Canada is also relaunching service to popular tourist destinations such as Barcelona, Budapest, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, and Venice, which have been suspended since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

"This is very exciting news for our customers especially now that Omicron is behind us, countries are reopening and border measures are being eased around the world for fully vaccinated travellers. Air Canada's recovery is well underway and gaining strength, and we are pleased to expand our international network across four continents as we respond to pent-up demand. Our vast and growing network has been built to conveniently increase connectivity to and from global destinations through our Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver hubs Combined with the networks of our Joint Venture and Star Alliance partners, we can offer customers easy access to virtually any destination in the world. As the leading carrier in Canada, we are committed to rebuild the travel and tourism industry. We are continually exploring new opportunities to make your travel experience memorable. You can start planning your next trip and book with confidence as we look forward to welcoming you onboard," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

The relaunch of international routes builds on Air Canada's major expansion in the North American market, where 7 new routes are scheduled for Summer 2022 and 41 previously suspended routes are resuming. Flights are timed to optimize connectivity to Air Canada's extensive North American network, including 46 airports in the U.S. 

For more information and bookings please visit Air Canada's site here.

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Mexican cargo airline Aerotransportes Mas de Carga - MAS to operate Americas’ first Airbus A330-200P2F

 

The first A330-200P2F of the Americas was delivered to Aerotransportes Mas de Carga (mas) on lease from Altavair, making it the first airline from North and South America to fly the A330-200P2F. With this converted aircraft by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) — a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering, the cargo airline joins the Airbus family of operators in Latin America.

 

The A330-200P2F (passenger-to-freighter) is a member of the proven A330 aircraft family. The freighter can carry up to 61 metric tons and a range of up to 4,200 nautical miles, which will greatly enhance the cargo carrier’s expansion plans into new markets, including China, where it obtained certification to fly last year.

 

“We look forward to having mas join the Airbus family of operators in Mexico and experience the benefits of operating this freighter. The A330-200P2F will provide mas with a highly-efficient operation thanks to its greater payload and range capability. Its optimized fuselage cross-section offers flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes. Airbus is confident that the A330-200P2F will successfully support mas’ expansion plans,” said Arturo Barreira, President of Airbus Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

As a modern aircraft with advanced Airbus technology that includes fly-by-wire flight controls, the A330 offers a highly capable platform for conversion into a freighter. More than 1,800 A330s have been ordered, with over 1,500 delivered to date since the A330’s service entry in 1994 – providing a large source of aircraft to support the conversion programme for many years.

 

Jetstar Asia Expands VTL Services

Phuket, Clark, Manila, and Perth to Singapore will be designated VTL flights, offering more opportunities for fully vaccinated customers to enjoy quarantine-free travel. 

Jetstar Asia’s Phuket to Singapore VTL service will commence operation from 2 March with up to four services a week, followed by the introduction of six weekly VTL services from Clark and seven weekly VTL services from Manila from 4 March. 

Following the recent announcement that Western Australia will reopen its international borders from 3 March, Jetstar Asia will relaunch services from Singapore to Perth from 11 March, with up to four weekly services where the return flight to Singapore will be a designated VTL service. 

New Vaccinated Travel Lane Services: 

Route                         Flight Number                          Frequency 

Route	Flight Number	Frequency
HKT – SIN	3K536, 3K538	Up to four services a week
CRK – SIN	3K774, 3K776, 3K780	Up to six services a week
MNL – SIN	3K762, 3K766	Up to seven services a week
PER – SIN	3K134, 3K132*	Up to four services a week

Jetstar Asia’s CEO, Bara Pasupathi, said this was a welcome announcement, adding to the strong momentum of Jetstar Asia’s recovery. 

“It’s great to offer our customers more opportunities for quarantine-free travel to incredible destinations, something they’ve missed so much over the past two years,” Mr. Pasupathi said. 

“Key Southeast Asian cities, such as Clark and Manila, are such critical links in our expanding network, while Phuket and Perth are incredible leisure destinations, offering customers the opportunity to take a much-deserved break. 

KLM Group figures for Q4 and 2021

In line with the third quarter, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines succeeded in closing the fourth quarter of 2021 at a profit. Operational profits amounted to €127 million. This shows that recovery is persisting, despite worldwide restrictions that continue to hamper travel. For the year 2021 as a whole, KLM has reported a loss of €227 million, representing a significant improvement in comparison with the figures for 2020 when KLM suffered a loss of €1,154 million.

Fourth-quarter revenues in 2021 amounted to €2,038 million compared to €1,136 million in the same quarter of 2020. Revenues for the year as a whole rose to €6,065 million compared to €5,120 million in 2020. Of the €3.4 billion loan package, nothing was drawn in 2021. Thus, up until now a total of €942 million was drawn.

The year 2021 consisted of two distinct parts. The first half of the year was sharply negative with travel restrictions, a lockdown, the double test requirement et cetera, resulting in €522 million operating loss. In contrast, the second half of the year was one of recovery and showed a positive operating result in the third and fourth quarters of €295 million. Again this year, the KLM result was supported by a substantial NOW contribution, for which KLM is very grateful to the Dutch government.

Atlas Air latest results and news.

Atlas Air, Inc has just released its latest figures for last year showing an adjusted net income of $551.0 million on a bumper year for the cargo giants.

“2021 was another outstanding year with excellent financial and operating performance. Our greatest strength is our people and I’d like to thank everyone at Atlas for working together to deliver these very strong results. We are also very pleased to have achieved a long-term labour agreement with our pilots that recognizes their significant contributions to Atlas. With the strength, flexibility and resiliency of our global business model, our experienced and dedicated team delivered high-quality service to our customers in an operating environment with persistent pandemic-related obstacles,” said Atlas Air Worldwide President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Dietrich.

The company also just announced it has entered into a long-term, dedicated charter agreement to operate two of its new incoming Boeing 747-8 freighters on a global basis for Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world’s largest freight forwarders.

Atlas Air will commence operation of these aircraft for Kuehne+Nagel following their delivery from Boeing, with one expected in the third quarter and the second in the fourth quarter of 2022. Atlas Air operates one of the world’s largest fleets of 747-8Fs, the most capable freighter aircraft in the world. These two aircraft placed with Kuehne+Nagel are the last 747s Boeing will produce.

As previously announced, Atlas ordered the last four 747 production aircraft to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value for its customers, while also bolstering its commitment to environmental stewardship through the reduction of aircraft emissions, resource consumption and noise. This legendary aircraft has been in production for over 50 years and will continue to serve the needs of our global supply chains for decades into the future.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel by providing dedicated capacity for their growing global airfreight network,” said Atlas Air Worldwide President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Dietrich. “The Boeing 747-8F serves an incredibly important role in global airfreight, with advanced technology that allows for lower fuel consumption, higher capacity and unique nose-loading capability. We look forward to taking delivery of these two 747s and operating them for Kuehne+Nagel to support their network for years to come.”

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, commented: "As a market leader in airfreight, Kuehne+Nagel further expands its dedicated charter network to support customers with solutions for long-term planning and high-quality service. We are proud to partner with Atlas Air and include these two new Boeing 747-8Fs in our already extensive global capacity offering."

The 747-8F provides 20% higher payload capacity and 16% lower fuel consumption than the very capable 747-400F.

A new deal was arranged with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, by adding a new Boeing 747-8 Freighter under a long-term agreement to increase capacity on routes between China and the Americas.

This expansion builds upon Atlas Air’s partnership with Cainiao, and the new aircraft will enter service for Cainiao in the second quarter of 2022, linking China with the United States, Brazil and Chile.

This 747-8F aircraft is among the last 747s ever to be produced by Boeing. As previously announced, Atlas ordered the last four 747 production aircraft to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value for its customers, while also bolstering its commitment to environmental stewardship through the reduction of aircraft emissions, resource consumption and noise. The iconic Boeing 747 program has been in operation for over 50 years and will continue to play a critical role in keeping global supply chains moving for decades to come.

“We are very pleased to extend our strong partnership with Cainiao with the placement of one of our new 747-8Fs, the best performing widebody freighter in the industry with unique nose-loading capability,” said Atlas Air Worldwide President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Dietrich. “Cainiao is a leader in the fast-growing e-Commerce logistics market, and we look forward to continuing to support its global network with the superior and reliable service Atlas Air provides. This fuel-efficient, high-capacity aircraft reinforces the commitment to environmental stewardship that Atlas and Cainiao share.”

“Through our successful partnership, Cainiao has been able to offer our customers across the Americas with faster and more eco-friendly deliveries provided by Atlas’ global operating capabilities. We are excited to add the new Boeing freighter to our expanding partnership in response to the growing demand for e-Commerce and greener logistics across the world,” said William Xiong, Cainiao's Chief Strategist and General Manager for Export Logistics.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the most capable, technologically advanced and environmentally friendly widebody freighter. The 747-8F provides 20% higher payload capacity and 16% lower fuel consumption than the very capable 747-400F.

In November 2021, Cainiao expanded its partnership with Atlas Air to include daily charter flights operated between China and Latin America in response to the growth of cross-border trade between China and Latin America.

Full-Year Results

Vista accelerates industry consolidation with the acquisition of AIR HAMBURG

Acquisition of AIR HAMBURG strengthens Vista’s position across European and Middle Eastern markets;

On a combined basis, the transaction would see Vista increase flight hours by ~30% globally, and have a ~15% market share of the global charter market;

44 additional aircraft available to Members across VistaJet and XO fleets, bringing Vista’s total global group fleet to over 240 aircraft, including owned and managed;

Experienced AIR HAMBURG management team remaining in positions;

Transaction expected to be completed in the first half of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals;

Follows the recent successful integrations of Red Wing Aviation, Apollo Jets and Talon Air into Vista’s global infrastructure.

 
Vista Global Holdings has entered into an agreement to acquire AIR HAMBURG’s operating platform and maintenance services.

Founded in 2006, AIR HAMBURG has become one of the most well-established full-service private aviation companies, flying to over 1,000 destinations in Europe alone. It is the largest private jet operator by number of flights across Europe, organizing over 18,800 flights for its clients in 2021, and it is second only to Vista in terms of hours flown, recording over 35,000 hours in 2021. As a result, Vista expects an increase of around 30% in flight hours (on a combined basis) globally following the completion of the transaction.

Thomas Flohr, Vista’s Founder and Chairman said: “Today’s announcement brings a renowned institution of the European private aviation market into the Vista group and complements our growth and service offering across Europe and the Middle East. AIR HAMBURG is an impressive, well-established and profitable business with a long-standing track record in best-in-class client service — like Vista, it is known for its reliability and consistency throughout a scaling fleet and high utilization.

“Vista’s leading flying solutions, with a business model based on a floating fleet, allows us to implement a quick, seamless integration. This is yet another demonstration of Vista’s unrivaled commitment to ensuring all our Members have access to the best value flying solutions across the world at any given moment.

Qantas will keep flying its double daily direct flights from Australia to London via Darwin

Qantas will keep flying its double daily direct flights from Australia to London via Darwin following ongoing uncertainty around the reopening of the West Australian border and testing requirements for passengers transiting through Singapore.

When international travel recommenced in November last year, but Western Australia remained closed, Qantas temporarily re-routed its Perth to London service via Darwin.  Qantas worked closely with the Northern Territory Government to set up Darwin as an alternative hub, allowing passengers to arrive in or transit through the Territory capital as they returned home to Australia or travelled overseas to reunite with loved ones.

The Perth to London service was scheduled to revert to operating via Perth in April, but with the West Australian Government yet to confirm a reopening date for the state, Qantas will continue to operate the route via Darwin until at least June 2022. To streamline transit arrangements for passengers, Qantas will also continue to operate the Sydney to London flight via Darwin instead of through Singapore until June 2022.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the support of the NT Government made it possible for Qantas to relaunch the key Australian–UK route and the extension provides the Northern Territory with the added bonus of capitalising on pent-up international inbound travel demand. “The work of the Chief Minister and his team, and the cooperation of Darwin Airport, have made running and now extending this service possible. Because of their help, flying between Australia and London has been a lot easier than it might have been otherwise.

This extension through to at least mid-June means the Top End has several months to properly leverage the opening up of Australia’s borders to all tourists. It’s a great opportunity to encourage thousands of visitors to stop off in Darwin to see what the NT has to offer.”

Qantas currently operates daily flights from both Melbourne and Sydney to London (via Darwin) on its 787 Dreamliner.

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Air Canada Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

 Air Canada has just reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results which showed operating revenues of $2.731 billion, 30 per cent higher than in the third quarter of 2021, and over three times fourth quarter 2020 operating revenues

• Fourth-quarter 2021 operating loss of $503 million compared to an operating loss of $1.003 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020
• Fourth-quarter 2021 EBITDA(1) (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), excluding special items, of $22 million compared to negative EBITDA (excluding special items) of $728 million in the same quarter of 2020
• Full-year 2021 operating revenues of $6.400 billion compared to 2020 operating revenues of $5.833 billion
• Record cargo revenues in 2021 of $1.495 billion compared to 2020 cargo revenues of $920 million
• Full-year 2021 operating loss of $3.049 billion compared to an operating loss of $3.776 billion in 2020
• Full-year 2021 negative EBITDA (excluding special items) of $1.464 billion compared to negative EBITDA (excluding special items) of $2.043 billion in 2020
• Unrestricted liquidity of $10.4 billion at December 31, 2021, practically unchanged from September 30, 2021, excluding funds that were available at September 30, 2021 under the financial package with the Government of Canada

"The unpredictable course of COVID-19 made 2021 extremely challenging for Air Canada and the global airline industry. But the sequential and year-over-year improvement in Air Canada's fourth-quarter results shows the underlying recovery remains intact despite the Omicron variant. Our progress rebuilding our airline is due to the hard work, resourcefulness, and commitment of our people. I warmly thank our employees for their dedication and professionalism, which have been unwavering through nearly two years of a global pandemic. I also thank our customers, including shippers, for their steadfast loyalty in continuing to choose Air Canada. As restrictions lift and more people return to flying with us, they will discover measures introduced for COVID safety have been adapted to smooth their journey. As we look at our renewed commitment to customer service excellence, we have more exciting initiatives to come," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

"Our quarterly EBITDA exceeded our expectations and turned positive for the first time in seven quarters, cash flow from operations remained positive and accelerated from the third quarter, and we ended the year with $10.4 billion in unrestricted liquidity, an increase of $2.3 billion, or about 29 per cent from the start of the year. We grew our capacity 26 per cent from the previous quarter, while continuing to successfully manage load factor and yields in the right direction. Prior to Omicron's onset, ticket sales reached 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in October and November. These are all encouraging indicators.

"Moreover, robust advance ticket sales, which grew almost $400 million in the quarter, give us confidence that our customers will keep returning and that Omicron's effect on our business is travel deferred, not cancelled. Our other lines of business thrived throughout the year, Air Canada Cargo's record annual revenue of nearly $1.5 billion exceeded $1 billion for the first time, reaching $490 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, our transformed Aeroplan program reported strong billings, and Air Canada Vacations bookings sharply rebounded.

"There are other unmistakable signs of revival. We have been actively restoring our network, with 118 stations served at the end of 2021 up from 70 at its start, and the average number of daily flights rising to 665 in December 2021 from 245 in January 2021. We have been advancing ESG initiatives, including those related to the environment and diversity. And, most importantly, we have recalled over 10,000 colleagues, including 3,900 in the fourth quarter, and we have also begun hiring new employees. As we move into 2022, all expectations are that the recovery in air travel will continue, albeit unevenly. Nonetheless, we believe the regeneration of our business will gain momentum. To this end, we are working cooperatively with governments as they look to adapt their policies, based on science, and taking into account the significant health and safety measures Air Canada and the airline industry have implemented, to allow Canada to capture the economic benefits of the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which will be derived from increased trade and travel," said Mr. Rousseau.

Delta starts three new nonstop Hawaii routes from Detroit, New York-JFK and Atlanta

More  American travellers can book year-end Hawaii holiday getaways, thanks to new services Delta Air Lines will introduce this winter to Honolulu from Detroit and New York and to Maui from Atlanta.

Beginning 19th November, Delta will be the only airline to offer daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to Maui as well as from Detroit to Honolulu. On December 17th, the airline will also begin daily nonstop service from New York-JFK to Honolulu.

“Breathtaking beaches, a vibrant culture and a competitive economy make Hawaii a highly sought-after destination for families and adventurists alike,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “We’re guaranteeing more choice for our customers this winter, alongside Delta’s award-winning hospitality and industry-leading reliability.”

In total, Delta will offer 18 daily nonstop flights to four Hawaiian destinations from seven U.S. cities*. The airline’s complete winter schedule to Hawaii includes:

Ten peak-day departures to Honolulu from seven U.S. destinations – Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Seattle

Four peak-day departures to Maui from Atlanta, Los Angeles and Seattle

Two peak-day departures each to Kona and Lihue from Los Angeles and Seattle

Virgin Galactic Announces Board Changes

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc announced this week that, effective immediately, Chamath Palihapitiya will step down as chairman and as a member of its Board of Directors to focus on other public company board commitments. As part of the announcement, the Board appointed Director Evan Lovell as Interim Chairman until a new chair is in place.

Lovell has served on Virgin Galactic’s Board since 2017 and is the Chief Investment Officer of the Virgin Group. He is a seasoned private equity investor and operator, having invested and participated in global private equity and M&A over the past 20 years, working previously at TPG Capital and Culligan International.

Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier said: “Chamath was instrumental in the launch of Virgin Galactic as a public company and, as our inaugural chair, his deep and astute insights have been incredibly valuable to both me and the Company as we have grown and strengthened our business foundation. We’ve always known the time would come when he would shift his focus to new projects and pursuits. I’m grateful for everything Chamath has done for our company and wish him all the best.”

The Board has retained executive search firm Spencer Stuart to conduct a thorough and expeditious search process.

CDB Aviation Delivers First A320neo Aircraft to flynas

CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CDB Leasing”), announced today the delivery of the first of up to five Airbus A320neo aircraft to a new airline customer, flynas, the Saudi Arabia-based air carrier.

“This latest addition of NEO aircraft to flynas’ growing fleet advances its ambitious plans to expand the fleet and increase the scope of its offerings in line with the Vision 2030 program,” denoted Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer. “The Saudi market continues to bounce back strongly post-pandemic and flynas will be well-positioned to take advantage of significant pent-up demand.”

The first aircraft, with a capacity for 174 passengers, was delivered in Toulouse, France, as part of the companies’ purchase and leaseback agreements announced in late January 2022. CDB Aviation expects to take delivery of the remaining A320neo aircraft and lease them back to the carrier.

Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation’s Chief Marketing Officer, concluded: “Our commercial team continues to address airlines’ requirements in all corners of the world, leveraging our platform’s leading market position and wide-ranging financing solutions to enhance their fleets and ramp up operations in the face of the progressing recovery across the global air transport industry.”

flynas is a Saudi Arabian leading low-cost carrier with a fleet of 34 aircraft, operating more than 1500 weekly flights to 35 domestic and international destinations. Since its launch in 2007, flynas has transported more than 55 million passengers, a number that has steadily grown over the past 14 years. flynas offers its guests best value for money through competitive fares, timely flights and superior customer service which has earned several accolades, including the Middle East’s Leading Low Cost Airline award from the World Travel Awards for seven consecutive years (from 2015 till 2021) as well as the prestigious Skytrax award for Middle East’s Best Low Cost Airline in (from 2017 till 2021).

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Artemis Aerospace discusses aviation in the post-pandemic era and why now is the time for optimism

Jim Scott, the owner of components solutions experts Artemis Aerospace, discusses how he sees the aviation industry adapting and emerging from the COVID-19 crisis.

The pandemic has changed the aviation industry irrevocably. Unlike any other crisis in the sector's history, COVID-19 not only grounded numerous aircraft, wiped billions from industry revenues and cost 200 million jobs, but it also fundamentally changed consumer behaviour overnight.

However, despite these extraordinary setbacks and unparalleled circumstances, as we emerge and recover from the pandemic, one thing has become clear: the aviation industry has a unique opportunity for transformation.

The acceleration of some technological advances that were already in the pipeline, such as automation, along with new business models and growing travel demand are sparking the dawn of a new era – one that ultimately has efficiency and environment at its heart.

Automation – increasing efficiency in a restricted world

While automation has long been a buzzword in the world of aviation, technological advances and investment in automated services for both the commercial and cargo sectors have surged over the last couple of years.

Automated innovations have been crucial to maintaining operations throughout the pandemic, instilling passenger confidence and creating safer working environments for employees across the board. There is no doubt that automated innovations will continue to evolve as we navigate the new aviation ecosystem.

From touchless check-ins to contactless immigration and supply chain support, automation in a post-pandemic world will generate greater efficiency and help to solve many of the challenges we face going forwards as we work towards getting back to pre-pandemic levels of business.

Transforming the business model

BARIG and Schule für Touristik Support Prospective Employees in the Aviation Industry

Vocational training, continuing education, and study programs in the fields of tourism and aviation management.

 

The recovery of international air traffic is progressing slowly but steadily. Due to rising passenger volumes, particularly during holiday seasons, individual airports are searching for professional personnel again. New employees are increasingly needed in the aviation and tourism industry in order to support the resumption of operational activities. In this regard, the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG), together with Schule für Touristik (School of Tourism) — new business partner in the section “Academic & Consulting” — supports the vocational training of future international aviation assistants. With over 30 years of experience, the School of Tourism belongs to the important educational institutions in the aviation and travel industry in Germany.

“Working within various fields of the aviation sector is particularly challenging in these difficult times, however, it also holds many opportunities for the next generation with their innovative approaches and creative ideas,” BARIG Secretary General Michael Hoppe states. “We are looking forward to cooperating with the School of Tourism and supporting students and prospective employees in the aviation industry with practical professional experience and networking opportunities within the airline community.”

Qantas introducing Rome - Perth service as Australia reopens to visitors......

Great news for those wanting to get down under.....  Australia is now open to all fully vaccinated international visitors and Australia's national airline, Qantas is excited to welcome you back onboard.  The Aussie has introduced a special offer to mark the occasion -  Use promo code TAKEOFF2AU and save on flights to Australia.

Only Qantas flies to over 60 destinations across Australia, so you can reunite with friends and family or dive into endless adventures discovering a world of natural wonders, open spaces and iconic nature and wildlife.

The airline will also introduce the only non-stop flight from Continental Europe to Australia with the introduction of non-stop flights from Rome, Italy to Perth and onto Sydney between 23 June and 6 October 2022.   This is in addition to the non-stop flights from London (Heathrow) to Australia, making your journey even quicker and hassle-free, with no international stopovers, meaning no additional COVID-19 tests.

Special offer: TAKEOFF2AU

To celebrate the opening of Australian borders, Qantas is offering a special discount on eligible Economy return trip flights to Australia when you book on qantas.com. Book now with confidence knowing that you can put your savings towards travel costs like your COVID-19 test before you take off, or an exciting experience on arrival in Australia. Travel dates and conditions apply.~

Qantas selects Airbus for A321P2F upgrades

Qantas selects Airbus for A321P2F upgrades

Qantas has signed a contract with Airbus to enhance its three A321P2F freighter aircraft with new systems and airframe upgrades to maximise operational performance.

The modifications include the latest standard of LCD cockpit displays, weather radar, on-board flight data management, ETOPS 120 capability, as well as application of the “extended service goal” (ESG) airframe life-enhancement programme.

Klaus Roewe, Airbus Head of Customer Services, said: “We are very pleased that Qantas is entrusting Airbus’ engineering expertise to upgrade its aircraft to the latest technical standards. This upgrade also shows how Airbus Customer Services is committed to keeping its in-service aircraft current with all modern capabilities, thus preserving the value of the assets and our customers’ long-term investments in our products.”

To facilitate the upgrade, Airbus will provide Service Bulletins (SBs) and engineering support, as well as updating the aircraft’s technical documentation.

Between October 2020 and December 2021 Qantas became the first operator of the A321P2F when it took delivery of three aircraft following their conversion to freighter configuration by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) at the ST Engineering facility in Singapore. Qantas operates all three aircraft on domestic services on behalf of Australia Post.

EFW is a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus.

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Cirrus Aircraft supplies United Aviate Academy with a fleet of TRAC SR20 aircraft.

Cirrus Aircraft confirmed last week that United Aviate Academy (UAA) has purchased a fleet of twenty-five TRAC SR20 aircraft for its program. These advanced, high-performance airplanes will be used for initial pilot training at the only ab-initio flight academy operated by a major U.S.-based airline. United Aviate Academy has the option and purchase rights to fifty more TRAC SR20 aircraft as the Aviate Academy expands. The agreement between Cirrus Aircraft and UAA is a testament to the shared pursuit to provide airline training opportunities in response to the global pilot shortage.

“United is thrilled to have chosen the Cirrus TRAC SR20 as the single-engine training aircraft for our United Aviate Academy. It reflects our commitment to preparing our future Captains using cutting-edge technology and safety systems,” said Curtis Brunjes, United’s Managing Director for Aviate and Pilot Strategy. “Cirrus Aircraft has been an innovative force in general aviation and we are proud to partner as we lead our industry developing the next generation of pilots.”

United Aviate Academy’s (Westwind School of Aeronautics Phoenix, LLC) year-long training program at Phoenix Goodyear Airport sets up students for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. The Academy is part of United’s industry-leading pilot career development program, which offers aspiring and established pilots the most direct path to a United flight deck. Within the next decade, United aims to hire more than 10,000 pilots and introduce aviation to about 5,000 new pilots through the Academy.

Breeze Airways Establishing Base at Hartford’s Bradley International

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director Kevin Dillon joined Breeze Airways’ CEO David Neeleman today to announce that the low-fare airline is making Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL) its fifth base of operations. Breeze has served Hartford since its first day of operations in May 2021. Becoming a base will create more than 200 new jobs and will add eight new nonstop destinations for a total of 12 cities served from Hartford.

“Over the last few years, Bradley has gained a national reputation as one of the best operated and most convenient airports in the country, and airlines are taking note as they increase their service and add more routes from Connecticut’s largest airport,” Governor Lamont said. “Bradley is a key economic driver for our state, and the more airlines and destinations that we can add from the airport, the more attractive Connecticut becomes to companies that are seeking to grow their own operations. I am excited that Breeze has committed to establishing a base of operations at Bradley, and I look forward to their continued growth here.”

When Breeze first took flight on May 27 last year, Bradley was one of three destinations the airline served from day one. The airline has since flown some 60,000 Guests in and out of Hartford. Establishing Bradley as a base means that the airline will permanently house aircraft at the airport; hire local pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics; and fly new routes. Nationally, by February 19, with the addition of New York/Islip and West Palm Beach this week, the airline will provide service between Hartford and 18 cities in 14 states.

“As a long-time Connecticut resident, it’s personally really exciting for me to announce today with Governor Lamont that Hartford’s Bradley International Airport is becoming Breeze’s fifth base of operations,” David Neeleman said. “We also can’t wait to share the news on all the new destinations coming from Hartford in just a matter of weeks.”

Breeze plans to announce in early March the eight new destinations that it is adding at the airport. Breeze currently serves four nonstops from Bradley, including Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first deliveries of Breeze’s order of 80 brand-new Airbus A220s will operate on all four routes starting in June. Each of the four existing routes will have more weekly frequencies added, most notably the Hartford-Charleston route, which will operate with daily flights this summer.

Airbus FHS to support Cebu Pacific's fleet of 16 A330neos

Cebu Pacific selects Airbus FHS to support its A330neo fleet

Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has chosen Airbus’ Flight Hour Services (FHS) materials management to provide the component support for its fleet of 16 A330neos.

The comprehensive and flexible solution includes parts pooling, on-site stock at the airline’s main base in Manilla, components repairs, component engineering services, as well as end-of-lease condition support. Furthermore, Airbus will guarantee spare parts availability, contributing to securing aircraft technical performance.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Cebu Pacific in its A330neo lifecycle journey. Recognising the need to support airlines in their recovery, Airbus offers flexibility with its innovative Flight Hour Services which allows them to minimise maintenance costs whilst maximising aircraft availability and securing operational performance simultaneously,” said Anand Stanley, President Airbus Asia-Pacific.

“This collaboration reinforces Cebu Pacific Air’s position as an industry-leading Airbus operator. It ensures that we are able to meet our operational and reliability targets, while we remain prudent with our expenditure,” said Michael Szucs, CEB Chief Executive Adviser.

With this latest A330 Flight Hour Services selection from Cebu Pacific, Airbus becomes the leading provider for A330 by-the-hour services.

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German airline Condor starts flights from Frankfurt to Tbilisi, Georgia.

Condor will be flying twice a week from Frankfurt to Tbilisi. 

Condor will be flying twice a week from Frankfurt to Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is a popular starting point for round trips through the Caucasus and thus complements the existing connections to Yerevan in Armenia. 

Condor flies from Frankfurt to Tbilisi on Thursdays and Sundays and to Yerevan on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Travel with Condor can be booked with tour operators and at travel agencies, and tickets starting at 159.99 euros are available at www.condor.com and by phone.

"With the launch of direct flights to Tbilisi, Condor is consistently pursuing its strategy of offering vacations with family and friends away from the major established beach destinations," said Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor. "Tbilisi captivates with the stunning nature of the Caucasus, the country's historical sites and with Georgian hospitality, and we are pleased to offer our guests even more travel options with this new destination in the flight schedule."

The two capitals, Tbilisi and Yerevan, can be ideally combined with a round trip. Due to its history, the Caucasus is rich in historic churches and monasteries set in unique scenery. Thus, the cave monastery Geghard counts as a special highlight in Armenia. Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater lake in the entire Caucasus, is also worth a visit. In Georgia, there are mountain landscapes and salt lakes to marvel at, wine-growing areas and rock sites to explore. The ancient cave town of Vardsia and the Gergeti Monastery, located in front of the 5,047-meter-high Kazbek Glacier, are among the country's most famous sights.

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Sentient Jet Sets New Standards in Sustainability

Sentient Jet, a Directional Aviation company, has prioritized its commitment to the environment and impact by instituting sustainability initiatives that have resulted in record-breaking emission reductions within the industry. The progressive industry leader and category innovator, which has emerged to become a travel utility for their card owners, has had a transformative year having achieved the largest emissions offset by any private aviation company in 2021. Through its partnership with 4AIR, the first and only rating system focused on comprehensive sustainability in private aviation, Sentient Jet will continue to set new industry standards and offer its card owners a more thoughtful way to fly.

“We’ve made strides on the sustainability front in terms of how we are thinking and handling it differently,” said Andrew Collins, President and CEO of Sentient Jet. “Guided by our partnership with 4AIR, the past 12 months were truly transformative, and we're looking forward to continuing our commitment and thoughtful approach to sustainability to meet both market and customer needs."

Sentient Jet has teamed with environmental leader 4AIR to review its flight volumes, shared impact in the skies, and various options to drive its commitment forward. Just 12 months after launching its sustainability initiative, which ensures every flight flown by Jet Card Owners is offset to be carbon neutral and emissions neutral, Sentient Jet has achieved a 300% offset across 30,000 legs flown, equivalent to 541,089 metric tons. Driven by 4AIR, this carbon offset program goes beyond traditional aviation sustainability programs by offsetting all aviation emissions, including water vapor, aerosols, and nitrous oxide, which together account for two thirds of emissions an aircraft produces when flying. Made possible through its initiative with 4AIR, Sentient Jet’s offsets helped support renewable energy worldwide, and forest conservation both locally and globally that not only sequesters carbon, but also supports local communities.

“In light of the continued growth in private aviation, sustainability efforts are essential to achieve industry and climate goals,” says Kennedy Ricci, President, 4AIR. “Sentient Jet’s commitment to the climate goes above and beyond, as they well surpassed emission offset targets, and have emerged as a leader in sustainability offsetting within the private aviation category.”

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January 2022 U.S. Travel Agency Sales Jump 187% Year Over Year

Airlines Reporting Corp released data showing ARC-accredited travel agency air ticket sales totalling $3.6 billion in January 2022, a 187% year-over-year increase from January 2021.* The total net sales amount marks a 17% month-over-month increase from December 2021, when sales equalled $3.1 billion.

As a leader in air travel intelligence and omnichannel distribution, ARC provides platforms, tools and insights that help the global travel community connect, grow and thrive. ARC enables the diverse retailing strategies of its customers by providing innovative technology, flexible settlement solutions and access to the world’s most comprehensive air transaction dataset. In 2019, ARC managed more than $97.4 billion in transactions between airlines and travel agencies, representing more than 302 million passenger trips.

Month over month, January 2022 results showed:

Total passenger trips increased 25%.

U.S. domestic trips up 21%.

International trips up 33%.

“January’s air travel data is encouraging. We expect continued recovery as more governments drop mandates and travel restrictions due to the omicron variant receding as well as a bounce in corporate ticketing,” said Steve Solomon, vice president of global sales, marketing, operations and customer experience at ARC. “As we look ahead to spring travel, some of the historically popular destinations are showing booking numbers closer to pre-pandemic years, and in some cases, exceeding those levels.”

Total passenger trips settled by ARC in January 2022 increased 106% year over year from 7.9 million to 16.4 million. International trips jumped 120% to 5.4 million, while U.S. domestic trips nearly doubled their year-over-year total with 11 million. The average U.S. round-trip ticket price in January 2022 was $409, a 22% increase from $335 in January 2021.

January 2022 EMD sales increased 185% year over year to $7,187,871. EMD transactions increased 174% to 138,080 over the same period.**

More detailed information is available on ARC’s sales statistics page. Additional breakdown of corporate, leisure and online ticket sales can be found on the ARC COVID-19 data page.

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