Air Canada adds Tulum and Charleston to Global Network; Boosts Capacity on Key North American Markets in Summer 2024 as Airline Continues Strategic Network Growth

First Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum, Mexico's newest international airport, and to Charleston, SC

New Montreal to Austin and St. Louis flights

Increased frequencies on key Canadian domestic routes and early resumption of popular seasonal routes

Air Canada has announced it is boosting its North American network capacity for summer 2024 with the addition of two new destinations, five new routes, increased flight frequencies on key routes, and earlier resumption of popular seasonal routes in response to projected demand. Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum*, with flights from Toronto and Montreal to the newest airport in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, and to Charleston, SC from Toronto. Seats are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app, Air Canada's contact centres and through travel agents. Flights to Tulum will be available for sale on 15th December.

"We are excited to add two brand new destinations to our global network, Tulum, Mexico from our Toronto and Montreal hubs, and Charleston, South Carolina from Toronto, plus new Austin and St. Louis flights from Montreal in summer 2024. These new destinations and routes reflect Air Canada's market leadership and network diversification strategy of adding capacity to in-demand leisure destinations such as Tulum and fast-growing, key metropolitan areas in the US," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, at Air Canada.

"We are also very pleased to grow our North American network from coast to coast with additional frequencies in key markets including Ottawa, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina, in regional markets, and by resuming major seasonal routes earlier. By adding scale to our Canadian hubs, we are offering more travel choices and unparalleled access to and from our worldwide network. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard," concluded Mr. Galardo.

For summer 2024, Air Canada will be serving 120 destinations in Canada, the US and the Caribbean with up to 520 flights every day, translating to approximately 66,000 seats being dispatched, representing an increase of 5% percent North America and Caribbean seat capacity from 2023.

New destination: Tulum*, Mexico

"I celebrate this great announcement from Air Canada. Without connectivity there is no tourism, and the two new routes to the new Tulum International Airport, which is ready to receive five million passengers, will boost the arrival of tourists from our second most important source market for international tourists," stated Lic. Miguel Torruco Marqués, Secretario de Turismo, Mexico.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC1854	Toronto (YYZ)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	11:20	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1855	Tulum (TQO)	Toronto (YYZ)	12:30	17:35	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1874	Montreal (YUL)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	12:00	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4
AC1875	Tulum (TQO)	Montreal (YUL)	13:10	18:45	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4

*subject to government approval

New destination: Charleston, SC

"Charleston International Airport is delighted to welcome the addition of Toronto as an international destination, made possible by the introduction of Air Canada's daily flights providing a seamless link between Canada's largest metropolitan area and the Charleston Lowcountry. Not only does the new service connect two of the top cosmopolitan destinations worldwide, renowned for their extraordinary landmarks, rich culture, entertainment and leisure adventures, this route offers customers unmatched travel options and conveniences, whether travelling for leisure, visiting friends and family, or for business," said Elliott Summey, Executive Director and CEO at Charleston International Airport.

"Air Canada's announcement is a major milestone for our industry, the Charleston region and beyond. International visitation is integral to a healthy and sustainable tourism economy. While Canada is consistently our top country of origin for international visitors, we know there is tremendous untapped potential in the market. Beyond increasing access for leisure travellers, the daily, nonstop service creates more opportunity to recruit group business and provides improved connectivity for Charleston area residents travelling to Canada and other international destinations served through Air Canada's Toronto hub," said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston and Chair of the Aviation Authority Board.  

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC8629	Toronto (YYZ)	Charleston (CHS)	18:40	20:58	Daily	Year-round, begins March 28
AC8628	Charleston (CHS)	Toronto (YYZ)	10:00	12:21	Daily	Year-round, begins, March 29

Other New Flights:

Air Canada is adding additional new flights to Austin and St. Louis from its Montreal hub, complementing its flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Austin, and from Toronto to St. Louis.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC1051	Montreal (YUL)	Austin (AUS)	17:15	20:32	Mon, Tue, Thur, Sat	Year-round, begins May 2
AC1050	Austin (AUS)	Montreal (YUL)	10:15	15:13	Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri	Year-round, begins May 3
AC8687	Montreal (YUL)	St. Louis (STL)	19:30	21:05	Daily	Summer, begins May 1
AC8688	St. Louis (STL)	Montreal (YUL)	12:00	15:23	Daily	Summer, begins May 2

North America Summer 2024 service improvements:

• Air Canada is boosting its North American network from coast to coast with more flights added on major routes, and by resuming seasonal routes earlier.  
• To meet projected demand, additional flights have been added to key markets including in Ottawa, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina, as well as to growing regional markets.

Montreal Hub	Peak summer 2024 service improvements compared to summer 2023 and seasonal resumptions
Montreal (YUL) – Boston (BOS)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
Montreal (YUL) – Las Vegas (LAS)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Montreal (YUL) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Montreal (YUL) – Phoenix (PHX)	Increases to 5 weekly flights from 3
Montreal (YUL) – Pittsburgh (PIT)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Montreal (YUL) – Raleigh/Durham (RDU)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Montreal (YUL) – San Diego (SAN)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Montreal (YUL) – Edmonton (YEG)	Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
Montreal (YUL) – Gander (YQX)	Resumes June 14, daily flights
Montreal (YUL) – Iles de La Madeleine (YGR)	Resumes May 17, daily flights
Montreal (YUL) – Victoria (YYJ)	Increases to 5 weekly flights from 3

 

Toronto Hub	Peak summer 2024 service improvements compared to summer 2023 and seasonal resumptions
Toronto (YYZ) – Kansas City (MCI)	Resumes June 1, daily flights
Toronto (YYZ) – Nashville (BNA)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Toronto (YYZ) – Phoenix (PHX)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Toronto (YYZ) – Portland (PDX)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Toronto (YYZ) – Nassau (NAS)	Increases to 6 weekly flights from 4
Toronto (YYZ) – Sacramento (SMF)	Resumes May 1, 5 weekly flights
Toronto (YYZ) – Salt Lake City (SLC)	Resumes May 1, 4 weekly flights
Toronto (YYZ) – Gander (YQX)	Resumes June 1, daily flights
Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR)	Increases to 14 daily flights from 13
Toronto (YYZ) – Victoria (YYJ)	Increases to 3 daily flights from 2

 

Vancouver Hub	Peak summer 2024 service improvements compared to summer 2023 and seasonal resumptions
Vancouver (YVR) – Anchorage (ANC)	Resumes May 14, daily flights
Vancouver (YVR) – Austin (AUS)	Resumes May 1, increases 4 weekly flights from 2 weekly
Vancouver (YVR) – Portland (PDX)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
Vancouver (YVR) – Washington Dulles (IAD)	Increases to daily from 5 weekly
Vancouver (YVR) – San Diego (SAN)	Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
Vancouver (YVR) – Sacramento (SMF)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Vancouver (YVR) – Cranbrook (YXC)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
Vancouver (YVR) – Fort St. John (YXJ)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
Vancouver (YVR) – Halifax (YHZ)	Resumes May 1, 2 daily flights
Vancouver (YVR) – Prince George (YXS)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
Vancouver (YVR) – Terrace (YXT)	Increases to 5 daily flights from 4
Vancouver (YVR) – Toronto (YYZ)	Increases to 14 daily flights from 13
Vancouver (YVR) – Smithers (YYD)	Increases to 2 daily flights from 1

 

Routes from Saskatchewan	Peak summer 2024 service improvements compared to summer 2023 and seasonal resumptions
Regina (YQR) – Toronto (YYZ)	Increases to 4 daily non-stop flights from 3 daily
Regina (YQR) – Montreal (YUL)	Resumes June 1, daily non-stop standalone flights from one-stop
Saskatoon (YXE) – Toronto (YYZ)	Increases to 4 daily non-stop flights from 3 daily
Saskatoon (YXE) – Montreal (YUL)	Resumes June 2, daily non-stop standalone flights from one-stop
Saskatoon (YXE) – Vancouver (YVR)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3 daily

 

Routes from other airports	Peak summer 2024 service improvements compared to summer 2023 and seasonal resumptions
Ottawa (YOW) – Washington-National (DCA)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Ottawa (YOW) – Calgary (YYC)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Ottawa (YOW) – Winnipeg (YWG)	Resumes May 1, daily flights
Ottawa (YOW) – Vancouver (YVR)	Operating 3 daily flights – including 1 flight with 787 Dreamliner
Halifax (YHZ) – St. Johns (YYT)	Increases to 5 daily flights from 4 daily
Halifax (YHZ) – Vancouver (YVR)	Resumes May 1, up to 2 daily flights
Calgary (YYC) – Winnipeg (YWG)	Operating 2 daily flights with larger aircraft
Calgary (YYC) – Edmonton (YEG)	Increases to 4 daily flights from 3 daily
Edmonton (YEG) – Montreal (YUL)	Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
Victoria (YYJ) – Montreal (YUL)	Increase to 5 weekly flights from 3
Victoria (YYJ) – Toronto (YYZ)	Increases to 3 daily flights from 2

Airbus Helicopters and German Armed Forces sign largest H145M contract

Airbus Helicopters and German Armed Forces sign largest H145M contract

The German Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract for the purchase of up to 82 multi-role H145M helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options). This is the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system. The contract also includes seven years of support and services, ensuring optimal entry into service. The German Army will receive fifty-seven helicopters, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will receive five.

“We are proud that the Bundeswehr has decided to order up to 82 H145M helicopters”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H145M is a robust multi-role helicopter and the German Air Force has gained a significant amount of operational experience with its H145M LUH Special Operations Forces fleet. We will ensure that the Bundeswehr receives the helicopters in accordance with the very ambitious delivery schedule which includes first deliveries in 2024 less than a year after contract signature.”

The H145M is a  multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system into a special operations version including fast rappelling equipment. The comprehensive mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities. Additionally, the new German H145M includes options for future mission capabilities including the ability to operate with the integration of Manned-Unmanned Teaming and upgraded data links and communication systems.

First come, first served – uncovering first-class cabin designs

As any seasoned traveller knows, there is flying – and there is flying first class. The vast majority of us will never attain such dizzy heights and can only dream of that elusive upgrade.  Artemis Aerospace has a look at what we’re missing and explores some of the world’s best first-class cabins.

As you board a plane and shuffle down the aisle of economy class, you might have booked a window seat for the view or opted for an aisle seat for easy access to the loo. However, what happens next is in the lap of the gods.

Heading towards your seat, you might be considering a whole host of possibilities that could cause you unwelcome distractions while onboard. For example, will your neighbour be fidgety or insist on fighting for the armrest? Or will there be a lively child directly behind you constantly kicking the back of your seat? Will there be enough legroom? Will the meal be something you like, and will there be enough to sustain you during the journey? Despite these concerns, economy class passengers usually end up at their destination having had a perfectly pleasant flying experience.

For passengers who want a more exclusive experience, there is the option of business class or first class. Both are more luxurious compared to economy, but the differences vary from airline to airline. Generally, business class offers more legroom than economy but you won’t necessarily be given a private space. In first class, there is usually a seat which turns into a bed, and sometimes a private space or even apartment. Food and drink in business class is typically at good restaurant level, whereas in first class, there is likely to be an impressive menu carefully curated by an award-winning chef.

In today’s economy, however, with commercial aviation only just beginning to recover from the pandemic, some airlines are concentrating on business class and phasing out the first class offering altogether. Even before COVID-19, in the ten years to 2018, British Airways dropped 100,000 of its first-class seats, and when ordering new aircraft today there is no first-class option included. The US airline Delta has halved its first-class seats from 400,000 to 200,000 in the last ten years.

So, if you want to experience the high life, now is the time to do it; we’ve selected five of the most luxurious first-class spaces to take your pick from.

Qatar Airways

The luxury first class experience on Qatar Airways ensures complete privacy and offers a top of the range, full flat bed to ensure passengers get a perfect sleep and arrive refreshed, along with designer lounge wear from The White Company. There is an à la carte menu prepared by top chefs, including some with Michelin stars, and food can be ordered from it at any time. The personal spaces can be transformed into a workspace with onboard Wi-Fi and there are in excess of 4,000 entertainment choices.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is one of the two national airlines of the United Arab Emirates. A first-class passenger’s journey starts with a luxury limousine to the airport, and, once on board, encompasses fine dining, expert wine pairings with your meal and a ‘signature Cognac service’ to finish. Chairs recline into a flat bed when required and there is free Wi-Fi access, an amenity kit with body lotion, cologne, eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus over a thousand hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment. For the ultimate experience, passengers on the airline’s A380 can book a luxurious suite for two, with its own private shower room, bedroom with double bed and separate living room.

Singapore Airlines

New Jordan link expands route network

An exciting new route will be added to London Stansted's departure boards next spring when Royal Jordanian Airlines launches flights to Amman, Jordan’s capital.

The flag carrier, a member of the oneworld Alliance which includes British Airways, will operate three flights a week starting March 3, 2024, increasing to four weekly flights during peak summer.

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays using the airline’s new Airbus A320 neo fleet with one-way fares from London starting at £257.

The Stansted to Amman leg will depart mid-afternoon at 3.45pm and arrive at Queen Alia International Airport at 10.35pm.

Passengers can also use the route to transfer onto Royal Jordanian’s worldwide route network that connects Amman with destinations across the Middle East and Asia.

Royal Jordanian’s Chief Commercial Officer, Karim Makhlouf, said:  “Our new route to London Stansted will make it easier than ever for tourists from the UK to discover Jordan’s incredible wonders.

Promoting and driving tourism to the Kingdom is a key focus of our new corporate strategy—as is our emphasis on further developing Amman as the primary gateway to the Levant by offering improved connectivity to our broader network.

This new route is yet another step-in line with Royal Jordanian’s ambitious five-year growth plan, which includes increasing our current fleet of 24 aircraft to more than 40 aircraft in the coming three to five years.”

VistaJet named ‘Best of the Best’ by Robb Report Hong Kong

         VistaJet, the world’s first and only global business aviation company, has been proudly honoured by Robb Report Hong Kong as the ‘Best of the Best’ in the aviation category for 2023.

VistaJet was awarded ‘Best AOC Charter Operator’ for the fifth year* at the Asian Business Aviation Association’s Icons of Aviation Awards.

VistaJet also clinched the title of ‘Best AOC Charter Operator’ from the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) for a fifth year running.

‘Best of the Best’ by Robb Report Hong Kong is an annual print and digital compendium in which the best brands, products, services, places, and experiences are bestowed with the ultimate accolade, celebrating the marriage of remarkable craftsmanship, exceptional design, and impeccable quality.

The AsBAA Icons of Aviation Awards are voted by the private aviation community, to recognize best business practices, operations standards, and service excellence in the industry.

“It is an honour to receive these two prestigious awards that are highly recognized in both the luxury and private aviation sectors. We couldn’t have done it without the trust of our clients, and the dedication of our global team, who delivers the highest standards on every flight. We are truly proud of what we have accomplished during our soon-to-be 20 years in the industry. This is just the beginning." — Ian Moore, Chief Commercial Officer, VistaJet.

“We are delighted to honour VistaJet as an award winner in the Aviation category of Best of the Best 2023, Robb Report Hong Kong’s annual anthology of the finest luxury brands, products, and experiences. VistaJet is a leader in the aviation field, and the company’s continued excellence and pioneering initiatives are a testament to its success.” — Tak Man, CEO, Robb Report Hong Kong

Lynx Air expands with Halifax and St. John’s Route

Lynx Air announced the addition of Halifax to St. John’s to its summer network, providing new ultra-affordable options to these popular summer destinations in the East Coast.

Canada’s leading ultra-affordable airline will offer seasonal service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and St. John's International Airport (YYT). Service will begin April 10, 2024, offering 4 flights per week each way to start and increasing to daily service in July with latest generation Boeing 737 jets.

“After the success of our flights to Halifax and St. John’s from Toronto and Montreal, connecting the two cities was the natural next step,” said Vijay Bathija, Chief Commercial Officer of Lynx. “There are strong connections between the communities of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are proud to offer an ultra-affordable link to connect them. Our strategy is to fly to destinations where airfares are too high, and low-cost options are limited. By offering ultra-affordable fares, we aim to inspire more Canadians to travel to see their favourite people and places and all those destinations have to offer.”

Porter celebrates first flight to Miami

Now serving five airports and seven routes in the Sunshine State

The Canadian carrier, Porter Airlines started a new service from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Miami International Airport this week as it expands its jet offering from Pearson.  

Miami marks the fifth new Florida destination that Porter has launched since the start of November, following Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale.   Flights between Toronto Pearson and Miami are operated by the new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The 132-seat, all-economy aircraft has a two-by-two configuration with no middle seats. 

“Porter is connecting travellers to the vibrant city of Miami, one of North America’s top business and leisure locations,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, of Porter Airlines. “With our commitment to an elevated economy experience, our passengers arrive refreshed and ready to explore what Miami has to offer.”   

“Miami is the eighth largest US market from Toronto Pearson this winter, which is not surprising given the high demand we are seeing for sun destinations,” said Kurush Minocher, Executive Director, Customer Experience and Airline Relations, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “Porter’s new service on this route will not only provide greater choice to passengers and more opportunities to fly direct.” 

“We are thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to Miami-Dade County for the first time ever, and we look forward to serving their passengers at Miami International Airport,” said MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutié. “Canada is already one of our fastest-growing tourism markets, and Porter Airlines’ new daily service from Toronto is sure to strengthen that thriving connection between Canada and Miami even more.” 

Passengers on this flight enjoy Porter’s genuine hospitality and award-winning service. Everyone receives free, fast WiFi to stay connected and stream their preferred content on personal devices. A selection of premium snacks, and free beer and wine served in glassware are available for everyone onboard.  

Fresh, healthy meals, extra legroom seats, and premium cocktails are also available with the all-inclusive PorterReserve fares or can be purchased à la carte with PorterClassic fares. 

The new route also connects to Porter’s domestic network at Toronto Pearson, with flights available to Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, St John’s, and Winnipeg.

Canada's flight attendants start "12 Days of Unpaid Work" series

The union representing flight attendants across Canada has launched a "12 Days of Unpaid Work" series in advance of the busy holiday travel season, to highlight the myriad ways flight attendants are forced to work for free for major airlines.

12 Days of Unpaid Work - Unpaid work won't fly 

"All we want for Christmas this year is pay for time worked," said Wesley Lesosky, President of the Airline Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 18,500 flight attendants at ten airlines in Canada. "Airline executives across Canada need to know that forcing overworked flight attendants to work unpaid for almost a full work-week every month is a one-way ticket to the naughty list."

The series is part of CUPE's Airline Division's Unpaid Work Won't Fly campaign, a joint effort of ten airline groups to combat the abuse of unpaid work in the airline sector which sees the average flight attendant work 35 hours per month unpaid.

As a general rule, flight attendants are only compensated while the aircraft is in motion – which means countless duties ranging from pre-flight safety checks to boarding, to deplaning, to customs and security are not paid. Learn more at unpaidworkwontfly.ca.

ATSG raises over $317,000 with charity golf events

Air Transport Services Group raised more than $317,000 during their charity golf series held this year. Proceeds will be distributed by the ATSG Charitable Foundation with a focus on supporting education, veteran, and wellness programs.

The outings were held at Countryside Country Club in Tampa, Fla., Elks 797 Golf Club and Snow Hill Country Club in Wilmington, Ohio. In total more than 250 participants took part in the tournaments, which were supported by 66 sponsors from around the globe.

At a reception following the ATSG charity tournament, guest speaker Rob Schafer spoke about his experiences with the U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, which were the subject of the 2018 feature film 12 Strong, and about the subsequent founding of veteran-owned distillery Horse Soldier Bourbon in Kentucky.

Delta expands Digital ID program to LAX, LGA and JFK for touchless airport experience.

Digital ID, Delta’s time-saving, industry-first technology that allows customers to check bags and move through security without showing a physical government ID, is growing its presence with expansion to three major hubs.

Delta customers in LAX, LGA and JFK now have a quicker way to move through the airport – just in time for holiday travel.  

Debuted in 2021 at the airline’s Detroit and Atlanta hubs, Delta Digital ID provides customers with a seamless, hands-free way to navigate the airport. Now, this industry-leading technology — developed in close partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — is expanding to three key coastal hubs.  

Delta Digital ID uses biometric facial matching to eliminate the need for an agent-facilitated document check, allowing customers to move through bag drop and security checkpoints with more convenience and ease. This completely optional technology is eligible to customers who: 

Have a TSA PreCheck® membership 

Have passport information and a Known Traveler Number stored in their Delta profile  

Have a (free) SkyMiles membership 

Have the Fly Delta app 

How to opt in to Delta Digital. 

Eligible customers will receive a notification in their Fly Delta app when travelling from a Digital ID-enabled airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL); Detroit Metro Airport (DTW); Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); LaGuardia Airport (LGA); and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK, launching Dec. 14). Once opted in, Delta Digital ID becomes part of a customer’s SkyMiles profile, though they may choose to opt-out at any time. Delta does not save or store any biometric data. 

Eligible customers can always opt into Digital ID via their SkyMiles profile on Delta.com. A passport and/or Known Traveler Number will need to be stored in the customer’s SkyMiles profile before they’re able to opt in. 

Customers can use Delta Digital ID to check bags and move through security without having to show a physical ID (following the post-launch verification period). They will simply navigate to the appropriate line – look for the green “Delta Digital ID” icon – look into the camera at bag drop and/or the security checkpoint, and use their digital identity in place of a physical ID.  

While time savings at security lines vary according to airport volume, Delta Digital ID transactions at bag drop take an average time of 30 seconds – a near-1.5-minute time savings from the standard bag drop time of two minutes. Overall, customers using Delta Digital ID outperform other Fly Delta app users by double-digit margins in satisfaction with the check-in and security experiences. 

“We know a frictionless airport experience is integral to your satisfaction with your overall journey,” said Allison Ausband, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “With Digital ID, our customers spend less time hassling with their wallets, and our agents spend less time checking documents. It opens an opportunity for our people and our customers to genuinely connect.”  

Delta’s partners at the TSA see equal benefit in bringing this technology to more locations. “Delta Digital ID helps passengers save time and improves security effectiveness," said Austin Gould, Assistant Administrator, Requirements, Capabilities and Analysis – TSA. "It's a simpler, more convenient experience – one that strictly adheres to passenger privacy and our security protocols, as well as our mission of protecting our nation’s transportation systems.”  

While facial matching algorithms are extremely accurate, a trained agent will inspect the customer’s government-issued ID if the technology is unable to identify a customer.  

Since its implementation at ATL and DTW, Delta Digital ID’s time-saving value has proven to be highly popular, with a large majority of eligible customers opting in to the technology. That popularity will drive expansion in the coming year; as soon as January, Digital ID’s presence in Atlanta will expand to the international terminal (ATL-F).  

While Delta looks to expand the technology to additional hubs in 2024, the launch of Digital ID at LAX, LGA and JFK should be a boon to customers ahead of the busy year-end travel season. 

“Delta Digital ID provides a huge benefit in both time-savings and convenience, and we’ve been working with our partners for years to expand its reach,” said Greg Forbes, Managing Director – Airport Experience. “We’re thrilled to bring this technology to a whole new subset of our customer base.” 

Matternet gets authorization from the German Aviation Office for BVLOS drone delivery operations in Berlin

Matternet, the developer of the leading urban drone delivery platform, has announced that it has received approval from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), Germany’s Federal Aviation Office, to operate the Matternet M2 drone delivery platform beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) in the heart of Berlin. This marks the beginning of Berlin’s first-ever BVLOS drone delivery network.

Labor Berlin, Europe’s largest hospital laboratory, provides diagnostics for 30 hospitals with more than 24,000 beds, including Charité, the largest university hospital in Europe and Vivantes, the largest municipal hospital group in Berlin. Labor Berlin handles more than 6 million lab samples per year from satellite laboratories across Berlin in its central lab. The drone delivery network aims to connect Labor Berlin’s central lab to affiliated hospitals for ultra-fast delivery of critical samples in the densely populated city. When fully operational, the network will serve millions of patients a year. Operations will formally begin early next year following clearance on a federal state level.

“Healthcare systems need a fast, reliable and cost-effective solution to transport lab samples and pharmacy items to ensure patients receive best-in-class care,” said Andreas Raptopoulos, Founder and CEO of Matternet. “We are extremely excited to partner with Labor Berlin, Europe’s largest hospital laboratory, to create the first city-wide healthcare network in the capital of Germany and bring the benefits of drone delivery to the citizens of Berlin.”

The drone delivery network will target emergency diagnostics and will increase operational efficiency as well as cut down on carbon emissions from the nearly 250,000 miles per day that cars travel within the city.

Aviation Capital Group confirms delivery of one Airbus A320neo to SAS

Aviation Capital Group announced the delivery of one new Airbus A320neo aircraft on long-term lease to Scandinavian Airlines. Featuring CFM International LEAP-1A engines, this is the seventh of ten aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the airline as part of a multiple-aircraft sale-leaseback transaction between ACG and SAS.

Aviation Capital Group is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with over 490 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of September 30, 2023, leased to roughly 90 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.

American Airlines awarded $22 million from State of Oklahoma for Tulsa maintenance base enhancements

                          American Airlines was awarded $22 million this week from the State of Oklahoma’s Business Expansion Incentive Program. The funds, to be received over the course of three years, will be used to further grow and improve the airline’s maintenance base and engine repair and overhaul facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tech Ops – Tulsa). With this investment, the airline has announced more than $400 million in enhancements at the maintenance base over the last three years.

“We graciously thank Governor Stitt, Lieutenant Governor Pinnell and the State of Oklahoma Department of Commerce for recognizing the important work our team does and appreciate their investment in the future of our Tulsa maintenance base,” said Greg Emerson, American’s Vice President of Base Maintenance and Facilities. “American has a long, rich history in Oklahoma and this investment in our Tech Ops – Tulsa facility and team members ensures a bright future for years to come. We’re also eager to add more than 300 new team members to our team in high-paying jobs as a result of this investment, further bolstering our presence in the Tulsa community.”

The funds are in addition to American’s recent $31.6 million capital investment in the engine shop to modernize machinery and an ongoing multi-million dollar improvement project at Tech Ops – Tulsa.

"For Oklahoma's business sector to succeed, we must support the existing companies that are right here in Oklahoma," said Matt Pinnell, Oklahoma Lt. Governor and Secretary of Workforce and Economic Development. “Because of resources like the Business Expansion Incentive Program and the P3 Pooled Finance Program, Oklahoma companies will strengthen and grow, boosting local economies and moving our state forward."

Tech Ops – Tulsa has served as the principal location for airframe and engine maintenance and overhauls for American’s aircraft since 1946 and is the largest commercial aviation maintenance base in the world. Located on 246 acres of land at the Tulsa International Airport, Tech Ops – Tulsa includes approximately 3.3 million square feet of building space, six hangars with 24 aircraft bays and 22 support facility buildings. Nearly 5,000 team members are currently employed at the base and more than 800 of the airline’s aircraft visit the facility annually.

Allegiant upgrades inflight menu.

Allegiant Travel has refreshed its inflight menu, expanding offerings of top-shelf alcoholic beverages and well-known brands including Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Ryder Estate Wines, and Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies.   

"We are thrilled to offer our customers the brands they know and love while travelling on Allegiant," said Keny Wilper, Allegiant's senior vice president and chief operating officer. "A hallmark of Allegiant's business model is our flexibility, allowing us to respond quickly to consumer trends so we can provide the experiences passengers desire when they fly with us. Often, we are at the forefront of inflight snack and beverage offerings across the industry."

Every three months, Allegiant's Buy On Board team updates the inflight menu based on feedback from customers. After each flight, passengers are surveyed about the menu items they enjoyed as well as the items they would like added to the menu.

This summer, Allegiant began offering Don Julio Reposado Tequila for purchase on board Las Vegas-bound flights. Due to its success and positive customer feedback, the top-shelf spirit is now available across Allegiant's full network. Additionally, the Las Vegas-based airline has added Ryder Estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines to its lineup.

Other new winter menu items available for purchase include Lay's Barbecue Chips, Nut Harvest Sea Salted Cashews, and Sprite Zero.

Allegiant is able to quickly respond to customer demand because it has an internal team dedicated to researching and developing the inflight menu. Most other airlines outsource their food and beverage operations. The airline's Buy On Board team also cultivates direct relationships with distributors, allowing the airline to offer the products customers love at a national scale, whether passengers are flying out of a large or small-to-medium sized market.

Saudia soars into the New Year with a new brand for 2024

Get ready for a new look Saudia

2024 sees a new era for the airline

whilst preserving a strong connection to its Saudi heritage 

The evolution of Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is driven by the commitment to be ‘the wings of Vision 2030’ and to have this ambitious aspiration realised for the country. At the turn of the New Year, Saudi is another year closer to 2030 and Saudia will enter 2024 with a fresh new brand identity, look and feel.   

New brand identity

Saudia’s new livery and brand identity was revealed in a launch event attended by His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director of Saudia Group in September 2023, and is now being rolled out across all markets. The livery and logo incorporate three colours, each with a different significance. Green is symbolic of national pride and Saudia’s dedication to advancing the sustainability goals of Vision 2030. In 2023, Saudia participated in the SkyTeam second edition of The Sustainable Flight Challenge and operated six sustainable flights; this participation enabled Saudia to explore innovations and solutions to operate flights in the most sustainable way for years to come. Blue highlights the brand’s aspirations, representing the seas and skies and reflecting the commitment to expanding the fleet to 241 planes serving 145 destinations, including emerging locations like Neom and the Red Sea, connecting the world to Saudi. And finally, Sand, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the country and the commitment to human resources, attracting talent and fostering development through various ambitious projects.   

Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, Chief Executive Officer, Saudia said: ‘We enter 2024 with great positivity, pride and commitment to our guests to showcase the best of Saudi from start to finish. The motif of the palm tree in the new brand identity is a symbolic nod towards Saudi generosity, rich culture and hospitality which is renowned across the globe. With the launch of the new brand this year, we are delighted to connect more guests with our routes and welcome further visitors to Saudi in 2024.’ 

Onboard experience

The new brand extends across all guest touchpoints, creating a cultural immersion when flying with Saudia. The cabin interiors are designed to reflect Saudi identity and the forty onboard dining choices showcase the unique flavours of the region. Everything from the cuisine to the refreshments are evocative of Saudi.   

Regarding in-flight entertainment, carefully selected recommendations are brought to guests by Saudia entertainment experts. Saudi tourist and heritage destinations are promoted onboard as well as range of Saudi films, documentaries, and podcasts.  

Digital transformation

 

A new generative AI virtual assistant has been announced and will be launched by Saudia in the future. This will incorporate an advanced AI platform operating seamlessly through voice and text chat and will be used as a single tool for all guest interactions including post-sales queries regarding airport information, weather, visas and transportation. In 2024, Saudia has ambitions for guests to complete the entire transaction process with the AI virtual assistant. Saudia also has made investments in operational efficiency and currently ranks third globally for on-time performance, per Cirium aviation ratings.  

 

Two Airbus A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft for Swiftair

Leasing giant, AerCap Holdings has announced it has signed lease agreements for two Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freighter ("P2F") aircraft with Spanish cargo operator, Swiftair. The aircraft will undergo conversion by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH ("EFW") at ST Engineering Aerospace in Singapore and will be delivered to Swiftair in April and June 2024, respectively. Swiftair will operate services across Europe and Africa on behalf of its international logistics customers.

"We are pleased to announce our agreement to lease two Airbus A321P2F aircraft to our long-term customer, Swiftair," said Rich Greener, the Head of AerCap Cargo. "The A321P2F is a best-in-class narrowbody freighter solution, offering superior economics in terms of fuel-efficiency and flexibility, and will allow Swiftair to continue to grow their route network. We look forward to working with the Swiftair team as these aircraft deliver."

"In line with our commitment towards more efficient and sustainable growth, we are delighted to be taking delivery of two of the most quiet and economical freighter aircraft in the world today," said Salvador Moreno, the CEO of Swiftair. "These aircraft mark a milestone in our fleet renewal program, allowing our customers to meet their carbon reduction targets and access to the most effective and reliable products in their class, available in the market today."

In 2022, AerCap announced it had placed a firm order for 15 Airbus A321-200P2F aircraft conversions and an option for a further 15 conversions with EFW.

easyJet pilots and crew switch to 100% reusable cutlery and cups

In an industry first and following a successful trial, easyJet is equipping all cira. 14,000 of its crew (pilots and cabin crew) with reusable cups and cutlery in a mission to cut down on disposable single-use items.

In total, the initiative is expected to prevent more than 10 million single-use items from being used per year – equivalent to 71 tonnes per year* and forms part of easyJet’s ongoing commitment to lower the impact of its operations.

The new reusable cups and cutlery are made from durable materials so they are built to last to ensure easyJet’s crew can reuse time and time again.

All crew will receive their new cups and cutlery sets over the coming weeks, with the rollout to be completed by January 2024. All new pilots and cabin crew will receive a cup and cutlery set as part of their new entrant uniform allocation.

Porter Airlines and Alaska Airlines announce key strategic partnership

Porter Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced a broad partnership, taking advantage of Porter’s strong presence across Eastern Canada and Alaska’s well-established U.S. West Coast links to provide passengers more flight options and better service from coast to coast.

The new interline agreement means that from today, passengers can purchase combined Porter-Alaska itineraries directly from flyporter.com or via third-party agencies.

Alaska’s Mileage Plan members can start earning points on Porter flights booked via Alaska Airlines from January, and later in 2024 both VIPorter and Mileage Plan members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights.

Finally, next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both VIPorter and Mileage Plan members on each other’s airline. Porter and Alaska will continue to strengthen their partnership in 2024.

“This partnership with Alaska Airlines is a significant win for passengers looking for more choice and better service when flying within Canada and the United States,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Alaska and Porter emphasize passenger service excellence on each and every flight. We’re excited about what this means for passengers across North America.”

Philippine Airlines and American Airlines launch new codeshare partnership

Travellers gain seamless connections between the Philippines and the United States

Philippine Airlines and American Airlines have launched a codeshare partnership that introduces the first marketed flights by a Philippine carrier to several U.S. destinations and allows American’s customers to travel to the Pearl of the Orient, Manila, and the beautiful beaches of Cebu.

American’s customers are now able to book tickets on aa.com for codeshare flights operated by Philippine Airlines to Manila and Cebu via Tokyo. Additionally, customers will be able to fly to Manila from Honolulu and Guam.

“We are excited to partner with Philippine Airlines, which will provide our customers seamless connections to Manila, the capital and economic hub of the region, and Cebu, the gateway to countless tropical islands with pristine beaches,” said Anmol Bhargava, American’s Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships. “The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and we look forward to continuing to enhance our partnership with Philippine Airlines.”

Philippine Airlines has placed its “PR” code on American’s flights between Los Angeles and seven U.S. cities: Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and Washington, D.C., enabling excellent connectivity with PAL’s trans-Pacific service.

Why is one of the deadliest crashes in aviation history yet to be resolved after 15 years?

Courts in Spain are finally allowing a trial to move forward next month on Spanair flight JK5022 which crashed on takeoff, killing 154 passengers, with a miraculous handful of survivors. After 15 years of stalling and stonewalling by Boeing with multiple appeals and other interruptions, both sides are at last preparing for the courtroom showdown in January of 2024. The gruelling delays outlasted many of the plaintiff's willingness to continue the battle, with the families of less than a dozen passengers aboard the ill-fated flight left to stand trial. The Texas-anchored law firm Brent Coon & Associates pressed on with most of their clients to make sure that they would eventually receive the justice they deserved and be able to tell the full story of why this happened in the first place and how easy it would have been for Boeing to have added an inexpensive safety feature to the electronics on the jet to avoid takeoff when the wing flaps are not in the correct configuration. 

The saga of Spanair flight JK5022 continues

On the 20th of August 2008, a Spanish airliner taking off from Madrid stalled and crashed just moments after liftoff, careening off the runway and exploding in flames as hundreds looked on in horror. By the time firefighters reached the crash site beside runway 36L, the plane lay ruined and burning, surrounded by the charred remains of 154 passengers and crew, who just moments earlier had been bound for the sunny beaches of the Canary Islands. Amid the wreckage, rescuers managed to find just 18 survivors, all badly injured, who had been spared by the flames.

At first, no one could say why Spanair flight 5022 was unable to climb, but the truth was soon revealed in the wreckage itself. Somehow, the pilots had sent their plane hurtling down the runway without extending the flaps and slats for takeoff, then failed to detect their error in time to avoid a catastrophic crash. It was the same mistake which had caused tragedy after tragedy, from America to Indonesia, and now it had happened again in the heart of Spain’s capital city.  And just as in accidents past, a crucial alarm that should have warned of the danger failed to sound. How could it have happened again? Had the lessons of the past gone unheeded? A comprehensive investigation would eventually reveal how regulatory failures prevented the detection of the faulty warning, and how a series of delays, interruptions, and stressors when mixed with poor procedural design, led a normally competent crew to attempt a takeoff without performing one of the most basic steps to prepare their aeroplane for flight. Moreover, and even worse, was the fact that Boeing had a fix for this situation that would have prevented the aeroplane from taking off in the first place but had decided not to install it, or advise owners of the aeroplanes to have it installed as an easy and inexpensive retrofit. 

In analyzing the basic sequence of events that led to the crash, the federal investigative agency, the CIAIAC, noted pilot error due to a combination of psychological stress from pressure to take off in a timely manner and a poorly implemented checklist system. And the international press predominantly ran with this simple narrative of “pilot error”. But was that the end of the story…. hardly.  

Volocopter Wins Over Young Hearts with First Osaka & Hyogo Flight

 
                          

Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), successfully conducted a multi-day flight test campaign between 7 and 13 December with a crewed 2X aircraft in the Japanese cities of Osaka and Amagasaki. This week-long testing campaign signifies the completion of the first steps of local flight testing to acclimate the crew, communications tools, and flight test procedures in preparation for the 2025 World Exposition, Osaka Kansai EXPO. The 500-day countdown to the 2025 EXPO has begun, and Volocopter remains committed to flying at this international exhibition with its commercial air taxi, the VoloCity.  

The purpose of these flights was two-fold: to test aircraft operations under conditions like those expected during the EXPO and to accelerate the public awareness of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Japan. Local guests, including the Osaka governor, Osaka City mayor, prefectorial representatives, city officials, partners, and media, witnessed today's final flight test day event, co-hosted by Sumitomo Corporation, Volocopter's strategic partner and investor in Japan. In addition, over 200 local primary and secondary school students joined a Q&A session with guests around the innovative eVTOL aircraft technology. 

Successful flight operations at the 2025 EXPO require preparation time and assessment on the ground. These flight tests were conducted at the Osaka Heliport in proximity to the planned 2025 EXPO pavilion location in Osaka Bay. This locational advantage gives insight and data into how Volocopter could shape eVTOL operations when the exhibition starts. Working with local authorities such as the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), local air traffic controllers, and infrastructure owners now will aid in a faster transition from testing to the industry's commercial future, as well as for the VoloCity in 2025 EXPO. 

ATP Flight School to buy an additional 40 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft

Textron Aviation announced an agreement with ATP Flight School for the purchase of an additional 40 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2026. This addition to ATP's existing fleet of nearly 225 Skyhawks, deployed across more than 85 training centres nationwide, will provide students with access to a modern and advanced fleet in support of their pilot career aspirations.

This agreement marks the fourth fleet purchase, amounting to a total of 135 of Cessna Skyhawks, for ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program in just over a year, as the flight school scales to train 20,000 airline pilots by 2030.

"For over six decades, the legendary Cessna Skyhawk has inspired the next generation of pilots and served as the world's leading flight trainer," said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. "We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ATP and provide their students access to the most produced single-engine aircraft globally."

The Cessna Skyhawk is renowned as the go-to training aircraft in the industry. Its steady flight dynamics, cutting-edge avionics and reliable dispatch history have made it ATP's trusted training platform for the past three decades.