SAS gets Equinor contract for another three years

SAS has signed a contract extension for three years with Equinor for both domestic and international travel.

The contract with Equinor represents a significant contribution to SAS’ passenger volume in Norway. SAS was chosen on the basis of an extensive network, attractive timetable, commercial terms and one of Europe’s most modern fleets.

“We are delighted that Equinor once again have chosen SAS as their preferred carrier for business travel, demonstrating a continued confidence in us for the next three years.

SAS' strategic priorities to retain and further strengthen our position in the Scandinavian travel market is founded on a good cooperation with the largest companies in Norway and the longstanding collaboration with Equinor remains very important to SAS,“ says Chief Commercial Officer at SAS, Paul Verhagen.

PLAY carried 1.5 million passengers during 2023

Birgir Jonsson, the CEO of the Icelandic budget airline, PLAY has released the following statement following the release of the carrier's 2023 performance:

PLAY carried 1.5 million passengers in the full year of 2023 

“2023 was in many ways a very good year for PLAY and once again showed the resilience and flexibility of the business model and our fantastic team of Players. We delivered strong financial results after the all-important summer season and third quarter, delivering the first-ever bottom-line profit even though we were in the middle of a very steep growth curve, having added hundreds of employees, thirteen new destinations, and four new aircraft.

At the end of summer, the year was looking to deliver very acceptable financial results, but, as is sometimes the case in aviation, external factors had a negative impact on the business, and the year closed somewhat below what we had anticipated. This challenging external business environment began to materialize in late summer with various geopolitical and economic variables, such as a spike in oil prices, inflationary pressures on cost, and a crisis in the Middle East. Locally, in the fourth quarter, we saw seismic activity and two volcanic eruptions, resulting in very inaccurate global news coverage that affected demand for Iceland as a tourist destination in the short term. We were also hit with significant disruptions and costs in relation to the industrial action taken by the air traffic controllers in Iceland in the week before Christmas. After all this it is great that we have seen some of our best ever sales weeks since the beginning of the year and looking ahead, we see a stronger booking status and higher unit revenue than last year, giving us every reason to be optimistic for the summer and the year as a whole. 

PLAY operated ten aircraft at the end of 2023 compared to six aircraft at the end of 2022. 

As we are selling our fourth summer, we see clear signs that our business model is working as it should. Last year, we saw our revenue double and ancillary revenue grow considerably following investment in our digital sales platform. This growth in ancillary revenue will continue as we keep on launching new features and functionalities, such as our new Stopover program launched last month.

Most importantly, we have successfully kept our cost base low and very competitive, allowing us to offer lower fares than our competitors and quickly win market share in our key markets. While most of our competitors are reporting a significant increase in unit costs, we are proud to report a decrease of 6% in our ex-fuel CASK, and the PLAY management team is determined to continue to keep costs under control as this is critical to our continued success.

As a young airline in a steep growth trajectory, we are still operating at a loss after the full year, but as we see our revenues growing and our cost base remaining stable, our losses are rapidly decreasing. This sets a very positive trend towards our future profitability.

Looking into the future, we have identified clear and exciting opportunities for growth, and our team is hard at work to make sure that we find ways to continue to grow successfully. We are also looking at various ways to develop our fleet, as it is critical to find the right aircraft and fleet composition to suit our highly seasonal and ever-changing markets.

2024 will be the first year that PLAY will not add new aircraft to the operation and in a stable environment there would not be a need for additional capital for 2024. Recent events have however shown that the situation of airlines can change quickly, and it is the company’s opinion that the liquidity position needs to be strengthened. Therefore, the company along with its financial advisors has started preparations to uplist its shares from the First North Market to the Nasdaq Main Market in Iceland which is expected to take place in the first half of 2024. We believe that this uplisting will increase the company’s access to capital and broaden the group of shareholders.

Overall, we are proud of our achievements and performance in the year, even though I would have wanted to see less turbulence in the last months of the year and a better financial performance overall. I am, however, absolutely sure that we are on the right trajectory, and I look forward to seeing my great team of colleagues continue to build PLAY into a great airline in the coming year.”  

1.5 million passengers and world class on-time performance

Joby to Launch Air Taxi Service in UAE

Joby Aviation, has signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026, with Joby targeting initial operations as early as 2025.

The agreement, signed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, provides Joby with the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years, and will position Dubai as a world leader in delivering the fast, clean and quiet air travel enabled by Joby’s revolutionary technology. The agreement secures a variety of support from the RTA, including financial mechanisms, for entry and maturing of service operations in Dubai.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said: “It is an honour to partner with the government of Dubai to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world.

“Today’s landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service - a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys.

“We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.”

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA, commented on the agreement, saying, “the air taxi service is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies and offers a novel and efficient mobility option for Dubai's residents and visitors, enabling fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots. This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity, and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.”

Joby additionally signed an agreement with Skyports, who will design, build and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai. RTA, Skyports and Joby have worked together to identify Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown as the launch locations for Dubai’s air taxi service.

Joby’s aircraft, which was displayed in the region for the first time at the World Governments Summit, is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and will be operated by the Company, with a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah expected to take just 10 minutes compared with 45 minutes by car.

Joby and the RTA have been working closely with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE to ensure there is a regulatory route to support His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of being a world leader in the introduction of air taxis. The GCAA regulatory framework builds upon FAA standards with additional company testing and analysis alongside a high level of regulator oversight and an ongoing operational review process to ensure continued safety for early operations.

RTA, Joby and Skyports will now work on a wide range of topics, from customer journey design to stakeholder engagement and the integration of Joby’s service into the wider public transport network in Dubai. To support the development of its operations in Dubai, Joby has established a local operating entity and intends to recruit locally for the majority of its operational team. The company will also consider localization of other global business activities in Dubai and across the region. Joby recently announced it will participate in the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster established by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), as part of exploring broader operations across the UAE.

In November 2023, Joby’s aircraft became the first electric air taxi to fly in New York City, building on a number of recent successes including the launch of production at the Company’s initial manufacturing facility in California in June 2023 and the first ever delivery of an electric air taxi to the U.S. Department of Defense in September 2023. Joby is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has raised more than $2 billion of funding to date, including investments from Toyota, Delta Air Lines, SK Telecom, Uber and Baillie Gifford.

Joby gets FAA approval for propulsion certification plan

Joby Aviation has confirmed the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has accepted its certification plan for Joby’s propulsion system, marking a critical step towards receiving type certification for the Company’s aircraft.

The propulsion system, designed by Joby, is central to the sector-leading performance of the Joby aircraft. The accepted certification plan includes Joby’s electric propulsion unit, propeller system, variable pitch actuation, coolant pump, nacelles, and associated electrical wiring, clearly defining the route to certifying these systems for use in commercial passenger operations.

“We now have an approved path across our certification program for all of the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems of our aircraft. This sets the stage for our team to execute against that path with a well-defined approach to for-credit testing and analysis as we continue to lead the industry towards certifying an electric air taxi with the FAA,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby.

“I’m grateful to the incredible Joby team as well as the dedicated personnel at the FAA who continue to work hard to bring safety and innovation together, keeping the United States at the forefront of new aviation technology and capabilities.”

Finnair Traffic Performance in January 2024

Finnair Traffic Performance in January 2024

Increase in passenger traffic numbers year-on-year during a seasonally slower month, on-time performance impacted by severe weather conditions

In January, Finnair carried 819,800 passengers, which was 0.4% more than in January 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in January by 5.6% year-on-year. If wet lease outs are included, capacity increased by 4.0%. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 1.3%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) declined by 3.0% points to 69.2%. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance.

The ASK increase in Asian traffic was 13.1% year-on-year explained e.g. by the additional capacity to Japan and South Korea. The North Atlantic capacity decreased by 5.8%. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 5.9%. The Middle Eastern capacity declined by 7.3% mainly due to cancelled flights to Israel. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 0.4%.

RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 3.0% year-on-year but decreased in North Atlantic traffic by 3.7%. They increased by 2.2% in European traffic but decreased by 0.9% in Middle Eastern traffic and by 2.4% in domestic traffic.

In January, the PLF was 68.5% in Asian traffic, 67.3% in North Atlantic traffic, 68.9% in European traffic, 79.4% in Middle Eastern traffic and 63.9% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers increased in Asian traffic by 0.6% year-on-year but decreased in North Atlantic traffic by 4.0%. They increased by 3.4% in European traffic but declined by 2.7% in Middle Eastern traffic and by 5.2% in domestic traffic.

The total cargo tonnes increased by 17.5% year-on-year in January due to increased Asian and European capacity. Revenue cargo tonne kilometres increased by 16.3%.

In January, 66.2% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (81.2%). On-time performance was mainly impacted by severe weather conditions.

Traffic statistics for February 2024 will be published on Thursday 7 March 2024.

Aviation Capital Group delivers a Boeing 737-800 to Yukon’s Airline - Air North,

Leasing giant Aviation Capital Group has confirmed the delivery of one Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory Canada-based Air North, Yukon’s Airline. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Air North as a new customer for ACG and look forward to participating in the airline’s almost 50-year history by providing important air transportation to the Yukon Territory residents and visitors,” said Alan Mangels, Vice President of Marketing for ACG.

“With today’s increasing focus on the environment, moving ahead to Next Generation Boeing 737’s is a significant step for us. Passengers will be impressed by the contemporary, comfortable cabin, and the fuel efficiency and other cost savings will help us to deliver a great product at a fair price for years to come,” said Joseph Sparling, CEO and co-founder of Air North.

ACG specializes in commercial aircraft leasing and aviation finance. In addition to aircraft leasing services, we provide aircraft asset management solutions tailored to meet our customers’ fleet management needs. 

Archer gets p145 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration

Archer Aviation has received its Part 145 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under FAA regulations, Archer is now authorized to perform specialized aircraft repair services while maintaining the highest levels of safety and compliance, a key requirement for operating a commercial aviation business. The certification reinforced Archer’s close collaboration with the FAA and reinforced its progress on the path toward commercial flight operations.

“This is a major vote of confidence from the FAA on Archer’s promise and potential for operating a full-scale urban air mobility service in cities across the country,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer. “As we continue to rapidly advance towards commercial operations, we will be working closely with the FAA and regulators around the world to ensure Archer’s aircraft are safe and ready to transform mobility, providing a sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive alternative to decongest our biggest cities.”

The FAA’s Part 145 certification is essential for commercial aviation operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), authorizing them to conduct specific maintenance and repair tasks on crucial aircraft components such as airframes. This certification represents a commitment to stringent safety and operational standards, including the meticulous handling and shipment of hazardous materials. It further demonstrates that Archer is prepared to operate repair stations that meet the FAA's rigorous safety and quality benchmarks. As a mark of trust and reliability, it guarantees that maintenance and repairs are executed by authorized experts, ensuring that operations like Archer's adhere strictly to federal regulations, thus enhancing the safety and security of airline operations and passenger travel.

Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.

Donny Osmond extends Las Vegas residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas

Legendary entertainer and music icon Donny Osmond extends his award-winning solo residency inside Harrah’s Las Vegas Showroom at Harrah’s Las Vegas through November of 2024

DONNY recently won Best Production Show, Headliner and Family-Friendly Show in the 2023 Best of Vegas, awards the production has received since its debut in 2021. Osmond’s show is a dynamic, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in the world. Additionally, Fans are treated to Osmond’s engaging performances throughout the show including the fan favourite and showstopping "Auto-rap-ography" – a rap song accompanied by milestone photos and videos from his impressive career of six decades. Donny also does a full Broadway production of his classic Disney hit from Mulan, "I'll Make A Man Out Of You." The show also includes an audience interactive segment where anyone can request any song he's ever recorded.

Newly announced performance schedule:

August 2024: 27-31

September 2024: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21

October 2024: 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26

November 2024: 5-9, 12-16

Performances take place nightly from Tuesday to Saturday with all shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets for Donny’s Pre-Show VIP Experience will also be available.

Osmond’s residency is directed by Raj Kapoor who has produced The GRAMMYs, Latin GRAMMYs, The Academy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Emmy Awards. Kapoor has also directed and produced hit Las Vegas residencies for Shania Twain, Mariah Carey and the Backstreet Boys. The show is choreographed by Emmy Award-winning duo, NAPPYTABS. DONNY is produced by Mojave Ghost. Greg Young of Mojave Ghost has produced Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning productions on Broadway, as well as more than 2,500 concerts, 40 Broadway shows, national tours and IP exhibitions throughout the domestic U.S. Mohave Ghost has also produced Donny’s tours for the past decade.

Las Vegas is a city that is known for its casinos, entertainment, and nightlife. But how did it become the “Sin City” of today? Here is a brief history of Las Vegas, from its origins as a desert oasis to its transformation into a mega resort.

The name Las Vegas means “the meadows” in Spanish, and it was given by a trader named Antonio Armijo, who explored the area in 1829. He found springs and grasses that supported life in the arid landscape. The first settlers were Mormons, who built a fort in 1855, but they left two years later. The fort was then bought by a rancher named Octavius Gass, who called it the “Los Vegas Rancho”.

In 1905, the railroad arrived in Las Vegas, connecting it to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The town was founded and incorporated in 1911, and became a stopover for travelers and farmers. In 1931, two events changed the fate of Las Vegas: the construction of the Hoover Dam, which brought thousands of workers and tourists to the area, and the legalization of gambling, which attracted mobsters and entrepreneurs who opened casinos and hotels along Fremont Street and later the Strip.

Air Canada Announces Scholarships for Aspiring Aircraft Maintenance Engineers at 7 Technical Colleges Across the Country

Open to women and visible minorities, one recipient per school will receive $1,500 towards their education

Strengthens airline's commitment to supporting access for under-represented students in this highly desirable career

Air Canada has formed an agreement with seven colleges across the country to provide financial assistance to students who self-identify as women or visible minorities who are pursuing studies as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). This new scholarship strengthens Air Canada's commitment to supporting access for under-represented students in this highly desirable career path.

One student from each school will receive a $1,500 scholarship to assist with the cost of their education to become AMEs. Students who are awarded a scholarship will be offered an opportunity for a work placement at Air Canada Maintenance. The initial agreement with the schools is for three years.

"Air Canada is committed to fostering the next generation of AMEs and we are proud to collaborate with these schools from across Canada. This scholarship is in addition to other programs we have in place, such as workplace integrated learning, and will help traditionally under-represented students move forward with their education in this exciting, professional STEM field," said Joshua Vanderveen, Vice President of Maintenance at Air Canada. "Today's AMEs are highly skilled people who require technical expertise, critical thinking skills, effective, collaborative problem-solving abilities in working with some of the most complex and advanced commercial aircraft. Through initiatives like this, Air Canada is working to help the Canadian aviation industry continue developing skilled AMEs to support commercial flights."

Inclusion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in EU's Net-Zero Industry Act only the first step in developing world leading SAF industry in Europe

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) key to reaching net zero

European aviation industry hails the inclusion of SAF as a strategic decarbonisation technology in the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA)

This is a prerequisite to pave the way towards the development of a strong, globally competitive EU SAF market, which in turn will be crucial in delivering on the updated EU 2040 climate ambitions

But further action by policymakers is needed

Reacting to the inclusion of SAF as a ‘strategic net zero technology’ under the EU Net Zero Industry Act, the five leading European aviation associations representing Europe’s airlines, airports, civil aeronautics industry and air navigation service providers - which are close partners through the DESTINATION 2050 alliance - are calling on EU policymakers to go further to ensure Europe develops a world leading SAF industry that will be crucial for European aviation to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in line with EU climate ambitions.

The inclusion of SAF in the NZIA is all the more timely following the release of the EU's recommendation to update the 2040 climate targets this week. The European Commission’s communication recommending the new target expressly recognised the need to address barriers to SAF deployment at scale, giving the aviation sector priority access to feedstocks and putting incentives in place to close the price gap between SAF and conventional kerosene. SAFs are a crucial component that will enable European aviation to accelerate its decarbonisation, in full alignment with the bloc’s ambitious climate agenda.

The international race to become a SAF leader has started and further policy incentives to scale up the production and uptake are required for Europe to become a leader in the global competition for SAF. These include the extension of the SAF flexibility mechanism beyond 2034; the extension of the current 20 million allowances threshold and 2030 time-limit under the SAF allowances mechanisms; increased financial support for development of SAF, including through the Innovation Fund, as well as simplifying the administrative procedure for accessing these funds.

Delta to introduce more premium lounges in 2024

2023 saw major upgrades and additions to the Delta Sky Club network, with five new Clubs and two expanded or reopened locations. And 2024 is shaping up to be even more eventful, as Delta’s long-awaited premium lounge experience brings a new, heightened level of service and hospitality to customers in JFK, LAX and BOS.  

JFK will host the inaugural premium lounge, a sweeping 38,000-square-foot space that will feature both a full-service brasserie and a casual, chef-assisted market with open kitchens, dedicated wellness areas and more. Just like Delta Sky Clubs, no two premium lounges will be alike; each location will include elements inspired by and unique to its host city.  

While access guidelines for the premium lounge are still being finalized, Claude Roussel’s (Vice President – Sky Club and Lounge Experience) vision for the customer is clear. “We want each of our guests to receive a highly personalized and dedicated level of service,” he said. “It’s not enough to have beautiful spaces and exceptional offerings. Premium lounge customers should feel welcomed and known when they walk in the door, just as they would at their favorite hotel or restaurant. We look forward to providing that warm welcome and making ‘premium’ feel personal for each guest.”

Delta will open five new lounges in 2024, adding more than 2,700 seats to its lounge network between 2023 and this year. Here’s a closer look at what eligible customers can look forward to.  

New clubs and expansions.

LGA: An expansion of the Terminal C Club will add a Sky Deck and more than 100 seats to the Club. Early summer 2024 

MIA: Following an expansion of the Club at Miami International Airport, the location will top 12,000 square feet with planned seating for 320 guests. Q2 2024  

JFK: The much-anticipated premium lounge will make its debut early summer 2024. At 38,000 feet (including a year-round terrace), JFK’s premium lounge will be the largest in the Delta network. June 2024 

CLT: A new market for Delta Sky Club, the first-ever Charlotte location will seat over 250 people and measure nearly 15,000 square feet. Q4 2024 

SEA: Delta Sky Club will open a 21,000-plus-square-foot location on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Terminal A, its second Club at the airport. Q4 2024 

Net income of US$339 million and record $1.75bn operating cashflow for leasing giant Avolon

Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company connecting capital with customers to drive the transformation of aviation and the economic and social benefits of global travel has released details of its latest performance. 

The firm reported a net income of US$110 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 whilst full-year net income amounted to US$339 million, representing a US$330 million increase on 20222 levels.

Avolon delivered record operating cash flow of US$1.75 billion, up 45% on last year and a 6% increase in lease revenue to US$2.5 billion.  It firm raised US$4.9 billion of debt across both the public and private markets.  Total available liquidity at year end of US$7.2 billion, including US$690 million of unrestricted cash and US$6.2 billion of undrawn debt facilities.

Andy Cronin, Avolon CEO, commented:  “Robust demand for aircraft, combined with continued undersupply, provided a tailwind to placing our orderbook and used aircraft at attractive lease rates, which will drive future profitability. Record operating cashflow and a sharp increase in net income are testament to our success in 2023.

The orders made for 200 new technology aircraft during the year strengthen our delivery pipeline and provide embedded growth to support our customers into the next decade. Against an attractive market backdrop, Avolon has an industry-leading platform and robust balance sheet to drive future earnings growth.”

Archer making three piloted planes for FAA credit testing

Archer Aviation confirmed they are well underway in constructing the Company’s first three conforming Midnight aircraft, with the first aircraft set to begin final assembly in the coming weeks. Archer’s initial fleet of piloted aircraft will begin piloted flight testing later this year, and subsequently be used in “for credit” flight testing with the FAA as the company progresses towards commercialization.

This latest milestone is another demonstration of Archer's ongoing progress as the Company continues to execute against its commercialization plans. These aircraft will have components and systems that conform to the intended type design, enabling “for credit” flight testing with the FAA after the completion of the Company’s flight testing phase, which is planned to start later this year. Final assembly will be done at Archer’s manufacturing facility in San Jose, California.

“The key to achieving FAA certification is flying a conforming aircraft. I believe we are positioned to be the first in the sector to do so.” said Archer Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein. “From day one, Archer’s strategy has been to build an aircraft that is certifiable and manufacturable at scale. This focus is what has allowed us to move quicker and more efficiently than any other company in the industry over the last few years.”

Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-20 minute flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.

LXR Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Hawaii with Opening of Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach

Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach marks Hilton luxury brand’s first property in Oahu, redefining luxury hospitality in the heart of Waikīkī Beach

Hilton, a global leader in hospitality, announces the opening of Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Nestled in the lively center of Waikīkī, Honolulu, the 462-room hotel launches a new chapter for the prestigious brand with world-class amenities, immersive destination-driven programming, and personalized service. Establishing a presence in Hawaii, LXR Hotels & Resorts welcomes Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach to its exclusive collection in some of the most sought-after global destinations from Kyoto, Japan to Seychelles, Africa that celebrate the timeless pursuit of adventure through a new taste of luxury defined by bespoke service and curated local experiences. Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach is owned by Irongate and managed by LXR Hotels & Resorts.

Situated above Fort DeRussy Park with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head, Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach is just steps from Waikīkī Beach and surrounded by world-class restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach spans 38 stories and features impeccable residential-style guest rooms and suites; a state-of-the-art wellness facility; a 24-hour fitness center; an infinity pool with an expansive sun deck; five indoor and outdoor venues and event spaces; two signature restaurants offering contemporary cuisine in addition to in-room dining and in-suite chef services; a variety of beach services and amenities; and a 24-hour business center and library. Next year, the property will embark on an interior architecture and design renovation led by the award-winning Bryan O’Sullivan Studio (BOS Studio).

“We’re thrilled to expand our portfolio in this fabulous and vibrant destination with the debut of Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach. Hawaii has played an important role in Hilton’s history ever since Conrad Hilton purchased one of our most renowned hotels, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, more than 60 years ago,” said Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton. “We’re delighted to build upon Conrad’s vision with our first LXR Hotels & Resorts in the state, and we look forward to offering our guests another incredible location to experience the best of Honolulu and Hawaiian culture.”

Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach derives its inspiration from its very name, symbolizing a profound sense of contentment. This moniker encapsulates the earnest desire that, upon arriving at Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach, guests will immerse themselves in a culture of belonging, nurtured by the genuine kindness and aloha spirit of the hotel's 'ohana. 

“The debut of LXR Hotels & Resorts in Waikīkī Beach underscores our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality in the most coveted destinations. As the inaugural property in Hawaii for LXR Hotels & Resorts, Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach embodies the sophisticated and one-of-a-kind essence of our brand,” said Feisal Jaffer, global head, LXR Hotels & Resorts. “From the resort’s commitment to the local community and immersive cultural offerings for guests, to the property’s prime location in one of the most sought-after locations in the world, Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach represents the spirit of LXR Hotels & Resorts. We look forward to offering our guests a bespoke stay paired with exceptional service from check-in to check-out.”

Textron Aviation expands relationship with Wallan Group

Textron Aviation has confirmed it plans to expand its relationship with longtime channel partner Wallan Group by adding approval as an authorized service facility for Beechcraft King Air turboprops.

“Wallan Group has a proven track record of providing quality maintenance and excellent service to our Cessna Citation customers,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, of Special Mission Sales, Textron Aviation. “With an established and growing base of King Air aircraft in the Kingdom, this latest authorization provides an even greater level of convenience and in-country support.”

Wallan Group has served as an authorized service facility for Cessna Citation jets since 2008. With Textron Aviation’s focused sales and support efforts in the Kingdom, the company looks forward to its continuing relationship with the Wallan Group and support of customers within the Kingdom.

Small pin grounds Virgin Galactic craft

Virgin Galactic Holdings has confirmed an issue that was found during routine post-flight reviews following its most recent spaceflight,  ‘Galactic 06,’ with an alignment pin that detached from the launch pylon of VMS Eve. Virgin Galactic also confirmed they notified the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 31st January in accordance with regulations which grounded the spacecraft while a review in conjunction with the FAA takes place.

‘Galactic 06’ was a safe and successful flight that was conducted in accordance with Virgin Galactic’s rigorous flight procedures and protocols. Virgin Galactic says that at no time did the detached alignment pin pose a safety impact to the vehicles or the crew on board. Virgin Galactic flights occur in restricted airspace and at specific geographical launch locations that control the hazards to people or structures on the ground. There was no damage to the spaceship or the mothership.

The alignment pin helps ensure the spaceship is aligned to the mothership when mating the vehicles on the ground during pre-flight procedures. During mated flight, as the vehicles climb towards release altitude, the alignment pin helps transfer drag and other forces from the spaceship to the shear pin fitting assembly and into the pylon and center wing of the mothership. The shear pin fitting assembly remained both attached and intact on the mothership with no damage. While both parts play a role during mated flight, they do not support the spaceship’s weight, nor do they have an active function once the spaceship is released.

The alignment pin and shear pin fitting assembly performed as designed during the mated portion of the flight, and only the alignment pin detached after the spaceship was released from the mothership.

Virgin Galactic will provide a further update at the completion of the review and will confirm the flight window for the ‘Galactic 07’ mission, which is planned for the second quarter of 2024.

Hilton Partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World - dramatically expanding global luxury portfolio

Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World have formed an exclusive strategic partnership that will welcome Hilton guests to hundreds of independently-minded luxury hotels in the most sought-after destinations around the world. 

The partnership will dramatically expand the luxury experiences offered by Hilton as unique SLH properties join the unparalleled hotels of the growing Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts brands.

Through this exclusive partnership, which will ramp up in the months ahead, all of Hilton’s customers, including the more than 180 million members of Hilton Honors, will soon be able to dream, book and earn and redeem Points for stays at participating properties in the SLH community of 560 luxury boutique hotels spanning 90 countries. These locations are highly complementary to Hilton’s vast network of hotels and will give guests access to additional luxury accommodations in hundreds of new destinations. 

“Hilton guests are among the most sophisticated travelers in the world, and we are always looking for amazing new experiences to share with them,” said Chris Silcock, president, Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton. “This relationship with Small Luxury Hotels of the World will grant Hilton customers and Hilton Honors members access to a community of high-end boutique hotels in exciting new luxury travel destinations, giving them more ways to dream, book, and earn and redeem points with Hilton.”

Participating SLH hotels will be bookable on all Hilton channels, giving the hotels exposure to a broad audience while allowing them to retain the independent spirit that makes each property unique.

“We’re thrilled to begin this win-win relationship with Hilton as it brings exciting possibilities for both brands,” said Shaun Leleu, chairman, Small Luxury Hotels of the World. “Hilton customers, including Hilton Honors members, gain access to our unrivalled collection of exceptional boutique hotels, while our properties enjoy amplified reach to a loyal and discerning audience. It's a game changer for independently owned hotels on a global scale.”

RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 selected to power new Piper M700 Fury single-engine turboprop

Pratt & Whitney Canada announced its PT6A-52 engine has been selected by Piper Aircraft Inc. for the Piper M700 Fury aircraft. This is the first time the PT6A-52 engine is used to power a single-engine turboprop. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.

"During our 55-year collaboration with Piper, we've had the privilege of powering some of the most successful single-engine turboprops in the industry," said Anthony Rossi, vice president, Global Sales and Marketing at Pratt & Whitney Canada. "The M700 Fury is an evolutionary addition to the Piper line-up that includes the PT6A-42A-powered M500 and M600 programs. In total, we have supplied Piper with 12 different PT6A engine models, delivering 3,100 engines to power more than 2,000 Piper aircraft." 

Pratt & Whitney worked closely with Piper to integrate an electronic low-oil-level indicator, the first such device on a Piper aircraft, that facilitates the pre-flight process. With the PT6A-52 as its powerplant, the new Piper M700 Fury will also offer its customers:

Maximum cruise speed of 301 knots true airspeed

Class-leading maximum climb rate of more than 2,000 feet per minute

25% better take-off field length and landing performance compared to the M600SLS aircraft

Six-passenger capacity

Maximum take-off weight of 6,000 pounds

No Fees to Change a Flight: United Airlines Inspires Football Fans to Believe in Next Season

Airline has saved customers more than $2 billion since eliminating change fees in 2020 and will debut new series of ads this Sunday starring Emmy-award winning actor Kyle Chandler

United becomes first big game advertiser to create six different commercials written to speak directly to local football fans

United Airlines has saved customers more than $2 billion since becoming the first legacy airline to permanently eliminate change fees more than three years ago, and today released a series of new commercials starring Emmy-award winning actor Kyle Chandler that will air this Sunday and promote the benefits of the policy change. In the ads, Chandler speaks directly to football fans in five different markets and encourages them to believe in their team and book a United flight to next year's game in New Orleans, without worrying about change fees.

No Fees to Change a Flight: United Airlines Inspires Football Fans to Believe in Next Season

The campaign - "Believing Changes Everything" - is the first time a big game advertiser has created this many different commercials that were written specifically for local markets. The market-specific ads will target Chiefs fans in Kansas City, Browns fans in Cleveland and Texans fans in Houston on broadcast TV and Bears fans in Chicago and Broncos fans in Denver on social media. A general market film will also air on TV in Chicago, Denver, Baltimore, Orlando, Colorado Springs and Cincinnati. Each of the local commercials speaks directly to the emotions fans in these cities may be feeling on Sunday and culminates by encouraging them to dream big about their team's chances next season.  

"This is about believing. Believing so hard that you book your flight to next year's big game before the season even starts," says Chandler. "Because believing that hard can change everything."

More than 10 million United customers have changed their flight without paying change fees since the airline's policy went into effect in 2020. Since that time:

3.6 million people switched the time of day of their flight;

1.8 million people extended their trip altogether;

1.5 million people chose to fly to or from a different airport;

300,000 people changed from a domestic flight to an international one, or vice-versa;

And the number of people who changed their flights themselves in United's industry-leading app has doubled.

BA apprentices perform key flight dispatch.....

A team of skilled British Airways apprentices have successfully dispatched a flight to South Africa, marking a first for the airline and reinforcing the key role apprentices play throughout the business.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, around 40 apprentices worked across a variety of roles for the successful departure of the 18:25 Boeing 777 BA43 flight from London Heathrow to Cape Town, South Africa.

Apprentices were stationed across check-in, lounges and at the boarding gate, to support more than 300 customers as they prepared to depart. On the airfield, ground operations apprentices supported with baggage handling and engineering tasks to ensure the aircraft was ready for departure.  

Jawad Arbi, Heathrow Operations Apprentice at British Airways, said:  “Working in collaboration with other apprentices from across the operation to ensure a safe departure has been a fantastic experience. Starting an apprenticeship with British Airways has transformed my career, and I’m excited to continue to develop my skills and see where it takes me."

British Airways’ apprentice scheme, now in its 13th year, has seen a 75% increase in applicants compared to 2022, with 4,500 last year, compared to 2,562 in 2022. The airline is now offering more apprenticeship positions than ever before – it started out offering 30 places in 2011, to 290 today.

Apprentices that join the airline will begin work in 10 area-focused roles across three business areas: Customer, Business and Operations. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced airline colleagues, engage in real-world aviation projects and receive valuable mentorship to kickstart and develop their careers.

The significant interest in the programme reflects British Airways’ position as an industry leader and a key player in shaping the future of aviation professionals and underlines the airline’s commitment to developing and growing the next generation of emerging talent and supporting early careers in aviation.  

Rachel Iley, Director of Global Learning Academy, at British Airways, said: “This landmark flight demonstrates the integral role apprentices play in our workforce and the opportunities available to those who join British Airways on one of our schemes. Our talented apprentices bring a fresh perspective to our airline, and their ideas and enthusiasm will help propel us into the future.”

Throughout 2023, British Airways’ Emerging Talent team, which is responsible for sourcing new talent through apprenticeships and graduate schemes, attended almost 250 career and job fair events and met approximately 37,000 young people to inspire them to consider a career in aviation.

The next cohort of apprenticeships will open for applications October 2024.

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon, said:  “Apprenticeships are crucial to giving people from all backgrounds the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity while addressing skills gaps and helping to grow our economy.

 So, it is brilliant news that British Airways continues to embrace apprenticeships offering 178 positions this year, and receiving a record number of applications. British Airways understand the levy and use it well. They have experienced the wealth of benefits apprentices bring to their business, and I hope more businesses follow their lead and experience this for themselves.”

IATA World Cargo Symposium agenda released.

The agenda for the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) which will feature specialized tracks on Digitalization, Sustainability and Safety & Security. WCS is taking place in Hong Kong (SAR), China from 12 - 14 March 2024, has been released.

"Air cargo is an unsung hero of the global economy. In normal times, it delivers some 35% of the value of goods traded across borders. In the pandemic, air cargo brought medical supplies and vaccines to where they were needed. And today it is providing a vital transport alternative for some products as Red Sea shipping lanes face geopolitical uncertainty. Air cargo’s success matters. When air cargo’s global leaders gather in Hong Kong for the IATA World Cargo Symposium, ensuring the future reliability and growth of this critical sector will be top of mind with an agenda focused on sustainability, digitalization, safety and security," said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

Speakers & Sessions 

Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, and Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist, will join Sullivan in setting the scene for the conference with keynote addresses. They will be followed by key air cargo experts, including: 

•    Tom Owen, Director of Cargo, Cathay Pacific 

•    Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air 

•    Vivian Lau, Chief Executive, Jardine Aviation Services Group

•    Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice President Cargo, WestJet

•    Marco Bloeman, Managing Director, Accenture and Head of Accenture Cargo

The event’s overall theme of Driving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth will be supported by three tracks: 

•    Sustainability, which will include sessions on tracking progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, ESG reporting, optimizing operations for environmental performance, reducing single use plastics, and circular strategies for Unit Load Device (ULD) components.

•    Digitalization, which will include sessions on data driven strategies to improve performance and reduce costs, achieving the efficiencies of OneRecord, and the potential for generative AI in air cargo.

•    Safety & Security, which will include sessions on Annex 18 Regulatory oversight of freight forwarders/handling agents for dangerous goods shipments, fire containment strategies for lithium battery shipments, ULD airworthiness, latest developments for the safety of live animal shipments, implications of an integrated risk management framework.