3200 mile row across the Atlantic completed by RAF Regiment Gunners

3200 miles. 61 days. 19 hours. 14 minutes. That’s how long it took the Atlantic Rocks team to row from Lanzarote to Antigua in their boat, Sentinel, covering an incredible 3200 nautical miles.

An already challenging endeavour was made all the more difficult by weather conditions and several obstacles the team had to adapt and overcome throughout the journey.

Pictured left, all four rowers standing on the boat celebrating after the row, photo RAF.
These started when the EFOY (fuel cell) fitted to Sentinel encountered servicing issues within the first week of the crossing, which unfortunately couldn't be fixed remotely, this meant that the team had to hand and foot steer and navigate Sentinel during the day with minimal power systems, to conserve the solar power. This then allowed them to use the digital navigation systems during darkness hours through solar power generated during the day.
Overcoming the initial issues presented by the lack of EFOY was exacerbated by the 7-knot headwinds and low pressure, which made the conditions feel like the team were rowing through treacle. The team routinely rowed 40-50 nautical miles per day even through these conditions, with the weather router suggesting these were the most challenging conditions they'd encountered in 25 years!
Despite battling extremely difficult conditions for the entire row, with their journey exceeding the presumed length, the team supported the University of Michigan in their battle to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans. For example, by taking water samples and recording the latitude and longitude of where the samples were collected. These samples have now been sent to the university, to measure plastic pollution across the South Atlantic.

During the row the team came up against issues with their BGAN - used for remote Internet connectivity. Originally, it was believed the issues would rectify once in range of the westernly satellite, however, it was then determined that damage had occurred - likely in a storm - that couldn't be fixed remotely. This not only meant that media for the teams' social media couldn't be received for most of their row, but also meant that the team's communication with the outside world was limited and sadly they had limited access to any music, hampering morale slightly.
One night, the team even had a close encounter with a large tanker. They noticed the tanker was heading into their way of passage, and to avoid a potentially catastrophic event, the team tried to contact the tanker via radio multiple times, to no avail. Finally, the tanker responded and moved out of the way, roughly 100m from their vessel. Dynamic and fast thinking saw the team act with efficiency and professionalism, avoiding what could've been a much worse outcome.








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To find out more about their remarkable journey and learn more about the charities they're supporting visit: https://atlantic.rocks/.

The Centurion Fund | Supporting the RAF Regiment’s History & Traditions

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

Pegasus launches Ankara-Lisbon route

Pegasus Airlines continues to expand its network with flights connecting the capitals of Turkey and Portugal

Pegasus has connected the capitals of Türkiye and Portugal by launching direct flights between Ankara and Lisbon. The inaugural flight from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, Pegasus’ first destination in Portugal, took place on 2 April 2024. Flights are scheduled for three times a week with fares from 89.99 EUR. 

The inaugural flight ceremony at Ankara Esenboğa Airport was attended by Onur Dedeköylü, Pegasus Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and Pegasus officials, as well as João Macedo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Portugal, Celeste Mota, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor and the Director of AICEP in Turkey, Mehmet Sefa Ceyhan, Head of the Air Transport Department of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Yavuz Doğan, Deputy Provincial Police Chief responsible for Esenboğa Airport, Nuray Demirer, General Manager of TAV Esenboğa Airport, and Alp Karayalçın, Deputy General Manager of TAV Esenboğa Airport. 

In his speech, Onur Dedeköylü, CCO of Pegasus Airlines, said: "Pegasus plays a key role in Türkiye’s tourism potential and figures. With every new route we open, we connect countries and destinations culturally and economically. Our Ankara-Lisbon route will help us extend this purpose and role to Portugal. With the launch of our Ankara-Lisbon route, we're not only adding a new destination but also a new country to our network. With our new route, we’re also connecting the capitals of both nations.” Dedeköylü continued: "Being one of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon attracts leisure and business visitors for its vibrant culture and excellent hospitality. Ankara, the Turkish capital, and second most populous city in Türkiye, is the beating heart of our country as well as a thriving modern metropolis, rich in history, culture and offering our wonderful Turkish hospitality. Therefore, we believe we will serve hundreds of thousands of tourists between Türkiye and Portugal in the coming years. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has made the opening of this new route possible, especially to the Turkish and Portuguese Civil Aviation Authorities." 

João Macedo, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Portugal, said: “The Ankara-Lisbon flights are not just between two cities but between two capitals. I´m certain both countries will get to know each other much better thanks to this new connection. Tourism and trade will benefit greatly, but in the end, it is these human contacts that will count and last into the future. As an airline that is over 30 years old and still expanding, we wish Pegasus Airlines every success in this venture and hope that it will continue to grow.”

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The Norwegian Group had 1.8 million passengers in March

In March, Norwegian had 1,544,289 passengers, while Widerøe had 276,413 passengers, totalling 1,820,702 for the group. The load factor for Norwegian increased to 85 percent, up 4 percentage points compared to March last year. Norwegian recorded a strong regularity of 99.6 percent in March, while on-time performance also improved compared to previous months.

“We are delighted to publish strong traffic figures yet again, this month got an extra boost thanks to the early Easter holiday. The high regularity we had in March reflects the great work all our colleagues do every day to make sure our customers can trust Norwegian for all their travels. This is especially important over Easter with so many customers having planned their vacation trips, and I am proud to say that we had zero cancellations for all our international flights. We are now looking ahead to the next vacation season and are this week kicking off with a "Spring Sale" campaign. The booking trends for the summer season are beginning to look very good, but we naturally anticipate a weaker April as a result of the Easter holiday coming early this year,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

Norwegian had 1,544,289 passengers in March. The capacity (ASK) was 2,441 million seat kilometres, up 4 percent from the same period last year. Actual passenger traffic (RPK) was 2,075 million seat kilometres. In March, Norwegian operated an average of 73 aircraft with a regularity, meaning the share of scheduled flights taking place, of 99.6 percent. The punctuality, which is the share of flights departing within 15 minutes of scheduled time, was 86.7 percent, up 6 percentage points from March 2023.

Aviation Capital Group Announces Delivery of One A321neo to SKY Airline

-Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG), a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, announced the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to SKY Airline. Featuring CFM International LEAP-1A engines, this is the first of two aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the airline.

“We are very happy to support SKY Airline with the delivery of this A321neo, enabling it to expand its network and to have one of the most modern fleets in the Americas. When SKY Airline transitioned to the A320 family, the first A320ceo operated by SKY Airline was leased by ACG and after several years, we are proud to reinforce our partnership with the delivery of this A321neo,” said Armando Belchior Nunes, ACG Vice President Marketing for Latin and South America.

“We are happy to add a new Airbus 321neo into our fleet. We want to thank ACG for being once again a partner in SKY’s history, which allows us to continue expanding our network and having the most modern and efficient fleet on the continent,” said Juan Pablo Latorre, CFO SKY Airline.

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.

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flyExclusive announces tie-up with Inspirato

flyExclusive, Inc. a publicly-traded provider of premium private jet charter experiences, announced a partnership with Inspirato to offer eligible fractional owners and Jet Club members exclusive Inspirato Travel Membership benefits.

“We are excited to partner with the Inspirato team to offer our members and owners access to exclusive benefits through Inspirato’s innovative travel platform,” said Jim Segrave, Chief Executive Officer of flyExclusive. “Inspirato and flyExclusive share in the mission to provide clients the best customer service experience possible and this unique offering furthers our dedication to that mission.”

As part of the partnership, eligible flyExclusive fractional owners and Jet Club members will be granted one 12-month complimentary Inspirato “Travel Membership,” allowing participants to book luxury travel experiences without paying a membership fee. Those eligible will have access to Inspirato’s curated luxury travel portfolio of five-star domestic and international vacation homes from Breckenridge, Colorado, to Bordeaux, France, as well as unforgettable experiences, all with personalized amenities from daily housekeeping to keeping the refrigerator stocked with custom preferences tailored to each member.

flyExclusive will also provide Inspirato members the opportunity to activate one six-month complimentary Jet Club membership and offer flight credit for any Inspirato member who becomes a flyExclusive fractional owner.

"We are thrilled about our partnership with flyExclusive," said Eric Grosse, Chief Executive Officer of Inspirato. “flyExclusive and Jet Club members will now be able to experience the exceptional luxury and service Inspirato is known for. Additionally, Inspirato members will also be able to enjoy seamless private jet charter experiences with flyExclusive, which further enriches their travel experiences around the world.”

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Sentient Jet Partners with Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay for Multi-Year Collaboration

Sentient Jet, a leading private aviation company and inventor of the jet card category today announced a multi-year partnership with renowned chef Bobby Flay. This will be the 8th year Sentient Jet has partnered with Chef Flay.

As part of this exciting partnership, Sentient Jet Card Owners will enjoy VIP access to dine at Flay’s acclaimed Las Vegas-based restaurants, Brasserie B and Amalfi. Additionally, they will receive exclusive invitations to Sentient Jet’s annual Derby Day Breakfast hosted by Bobby Flay at the Kentucky Derby, an invite-only tradition where Chef Flay will prepare breakfast for guests.

Bobby Flay, an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and media personality, brings his signature flair and expertise to every culinary venture. With Brasserie B at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and numerous other upscale dining establishments under his belt, Chef Flay is celebrated for his innovative approach to classic dishes and bold flavours.

Bobby Flay has been a strong partner to Sentient Jet since November 2016, when the partnership kicked off with special Card Owner access to VIP reservations. Since then, Chef Flay and Sentient Jet hosted many exclusive Card Owner events, including a 2019 al fresco cocktail hour and dinner in Amagansett, New York to celebrate Sentient Jet’s 20th anniversary. In 2022, Chef Flay hosted a pre-race brunch before the Travers Stakes race in Saratoga, New York, where he shared racing insights and prepared brunch for Card Owners. Each year, Bobby also hosts a signature Derby Day breakfast for Sentient Jet Card Owners ahead of the Kentucky Derby race, complete with cocktails, a themed breakfast and racing picks. Bobby has also participated in other exclusive events, such as intimate Q&A discussions with Card Owners on his businesses, career, travel, etc.

Anglo American Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton opens in Florence

With a design inspired by artistic movements of the early 1900s, Curio Collection by Hilton makes its debut in Florence

                                           Hilton has opened Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton, joining 36 trading hotels under Hilton brands in Italy. With 118 rooms and suites and a sun-drenched interior courtyard, this hotel is the latest addition to Hilton’s rapidly growing Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio.

 

“Tuscany’s natural beauty and unique culture has drawn visitors from all over the world for decades,” said Simon Vincent, executive vice president & president, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton.“ Characterised by its distinctive design and locally inspired dining options, Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton is a remarkable addition to Florence’s vibrant hotel scene. Welcoming millions of visitors every year with its renaissance art, historic architecture and illustrious heritage, Florence has an incredible list of things to do and places to see, and we take immense pride in opening our newest Hilton property here and extending a warm welcome to our guests.”

"Curio Collection by Hilton continues to grow worldwide, each property offering guests an immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences inspired by the locale," said Jenna Hackett, global brand head, Curio Collection by Hilton. "With over 130 years of history, Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton's storied past comes to life through its elevated design, culinary offerings and inviting guest rooms. A milestone opening for the brand, Anglo American Hotel Florence is set to offer travelers a truly bespoke stay in one of Italy's most sought-after destinations." 

Claudia Bisaccioni, sales manager, Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton, said, “We’re delighted to welcome visitors to Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton. Originally built in 1892 as one of the first hotels in Florence that has also hosted Leo Tolstoy and Maria Callas among its former guests, the fully renovated Anglo American Hotel Florence will retain its historic and elegant grandeur. Conveniently located in Florence’s historic city centre, the hotel offers a guest experience complete with all the modern amenities and conveniences that define a truly exceptional stay.”

Eclectic Art-Inspired Design.

Originally built in the 19th century and located in the heart of the popular Tuscany region, Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton is now open following an intensive renovation project curated by Italian architect Chiara Caberlon, after the acquisition in 2021 by the Fund Star II. Fund Star II is an alternative real estate investment fund reserved for professional investors and managed by Castello sgr, an Italian company specialising in the promotion and management of alternative investment products with a specific focus on real estate. With a focus on preserving key historical features while introducing a modern and elegant design, the newly opened hotel features guest rooms with a distinctive palette made of rich, vibrant colours to create an eclectic, unconventional atmosphere. Celebrating artwork from the 1920s, intriguing details and furnishings can be found throughout the hotel. Catering to a variety of guest needs, the hotel also features a modern gym as well as two meeting rooms able to accommodate up to 70 people.

Saudia named one of the World’s fastest growing airline brands

According to the Brand Finance® Top 50 Airline Brands Annual Report

 

                                Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, announced that its brand value has grown by 58% since 2021 according to the Brand Finance® Top 50 Airline brands annual report. 

Over the past four years, the airline has climbed six places to secure the 33rd position within the brand value ranking table, making Saudia the sixth fastest-growing airline brand in 2024 with a value of USD$797.4 million. 

According to the report, which is a review of the best-performing and most valuable airline brands worldwide, Saudia improved its brand strength rating from A to A+, and now ranks the third most valuable Middle Eastern airline brand.

Saudia has experienced several defining moments and milestones in building its brand over the past year. The airline has expanded its route network, connecting Saudi Arabia with key destinations worldwide. It has enhanced its guest experience through improved services and amenities. Additionally, Saudia underwent a rebranding that focuses on digital transformation. 

This substantial advancement underscores Saudia's unwavering commitment to providing its guests with best-in-class services while promoting its position as an industry leader in the aviation field. 

Khaled Tash, Chief Marketing Officer, Saudia Group, said: “We are extremely proud of the innovative strategies we have implemented to enhance our brand value and guest experience. Our remarkable ascent in the global rankings is not just a milestone for Saudia but also a reaffirmation of our growing prominence on the international aviation stage. Saudia’s cooperation with international brands and partners such as Newcastle United and Formula E, to name a few, allowed us to elevate the brand’s presence and introduce it to a wider global audience. 

“As we play a crucial role in the kingdom’s economic transformation and the realization of Vision 2030, we remain committed to sustaining this growth trajectory and continuing to elevate Saudia as a symbol of hospitality and a benchmark for excellence in the industry." He added. 

Every year, the brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance® evaluates 5,000 of the ‘biggest brands’ and publishes approximately 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries. In addition to formulating brand value, Brand Finance® also determines the relative strength of brands through a scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance.

Hilton named No. 1 best company to work for in the U.S.

Recognition marks the third time Hilton has topped the U.S. list and follows No. 1 ranking as the World’s Best Workplace  

Hilton has once again been recognized for its award-winning workplace culture. Today, Great Place to Work and Fortune named Hilton No. 1 on the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S. list, marking its ninth consecutive placement on the prestigious list and sixth consecutive year in the top 10. Today’s recognition follows the company’s ranking as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace and makes Hilton the only hospitality company to have earned the top spot on these prestigious lists.

"We are truly honored to be recognized yet again as the No. 1 Best Company to Work For in the U.S. Topping the list for the third time following our recognition as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace is especially meaningful,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton. “Our team members have always been at the heart of our hospitality, and these collective recognitions are the result of the passion they bring to our guests and to one another each and every day. We are so proud of the incredible culture we’ve built together and look forward to building on this tremendous foundation in the years to come.”

This recognition is the direct result of positive feedback from Hilton team members. Even during the turbulent times of the past five years, Hilton’s strong global culture helped the hospitality leader remain committed to the purpose of spreading the light and warmth of hospitality when it was needed most. Today, that culture drives Hilton’s performance and recognition as a Great Place to Work in over 60 countries, including other No. 1 rankings in Austria, the Dominican Republic, India, Italy, Nigeria, Oman, Peru, Switzerland and Uruguay.

“The foundational elements of our culture were put in place over a century ago, when our founder Conrad Hilton asked the men and women of Hilton to think big, dream big, act big,” said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer, Hilton. “This recognition is an opportunity to celebrate all we have accomplished to achieve his vision while also serving as a reminder that there is no finish line when it comes to focusing on what matters most to our team members – and that’s ensuring that they feel supported at every step of their personal and professional journeys.” 

By making investments in programs and benefits that support inclusion, wellness, growth and purpose, Hilton’s culture of people serving people engages and inspires team members to create great stays for our guests, which drives guest satisfaction, strengthens Hilton’s business and creates continued economic opportunity for communities around the world.  

Hilton continues to offer best-in-class benefits to both hourly and salaried team members including a global mental wellbeing curriculum, discounted travel benefits through the Go Hilton travel program and industry-first access to debt-free education through Guild.  

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Guide Dogs announces United Airlines as official partner for art trail

United Airlines has been announced as the official Accessible Events Partner for Guide Dog’s art trail, Paws on the Wharf.

Paws on the Wharf, an accessible and inclusive art trail, takes place in Canary Wharf from 25 March to 17 May 2024. The event features 25 guide dog sculptures, each skillfully painted by a different artist, transforming Canary Wharf into a free public art exhibition that highlights the power of creativity and inclusivity. 

As the official Accessible Events Partner, United Airlines’ support enables Guide Dogs to deliver sighted guide and sensory tours of the art trail. This allows Guide Dogs to help people with sight loss who would prefer support navigating the trail. 

The guided sensory tours, taking place on selected days throughout the event, will showcase some of the sculptures, proving a multi-sensory experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch items and smell specific scents that the artists have suggested will relate to their designs. 

United Airlines is rethinking the entire flying experience to better serve its customers, including adding Braille onboard and making inflight entertainment and the United App accessible to those with visual impairments. In 2023, United became the first U.S. airline to add Braille to aircraft interiors, helping travellers with a visual impairment navigate the cabin more easily and independently. 

Paws on the Wharf aims to be one of the most accessible art trails yet to ensure inclusivity for people with sight loss and other disabilities. In addition to being step free and offering different options for maps, there will be an option to access the trail through the NaviLens App and NaviLens Codes - cutting-edge technology to enable people with sight loss to visit the trail independently. The NaviLens App will also provide information about the guide dog sculptures, the artists and the sponsors. Five of the sculptures will feature exclusive artwork by artists with sight loss including Angela Charles, Alex Devlin, Kevin Gavaghan, Sian Healey and Clarke Reynolds. 

Passenger Demand Up 21.5% in February

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

•    Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 21.5% compared to February 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 18.7% year-on-year. The February load factor was 80.6% (+1.9ppt compared to February 2023). 

•    International demand rose 26.3% compared to February 2023; capacity was up 25.5% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 79.3% (+0.5ppt on February 2023). 

•    Domestic demand rose 15.0% compared to February 2023; capacity was up 9.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+4.0ppt compared to February 2023). 

Note that February 2024 was a leap year with one extra day compared to February 2023. This slightly exaggerates growth in both demand and capacity to the positive.

“The strong start to 2024 continued in February with all markets except North America reporting double-digit growth in passenger traffic. There is good reason to be optimistic about the industry’s prospects in 2024 as airlines accelerate investments in decarbonization and passenger demand shows resilience in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainties.  It is critical that politicians resist the temptation of cash grabs with new taxes that could destabilize this positive trajectory and make travel more expensive. In particular, Europe is a worry as it seems determined to lock in its sluggish economic recovery with uncompetitive tax proposals,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

IAG Cargo restarts services between London and Abu Dhabi as part of its 2024 summer schedule

IAG Cargo kicks off the start of its summer schedule which will see an increase in services between its core hubs in London, Madrid, Barcelona and Dublin to key destinations across the world.

The cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG) advises that as part of the new schedule, services between London Heathrow (LHR) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) will return on the 20th of April following a four-year hiatus. This route will benefit from the use of a Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft and forms part of a 19% increase in weekly rotations to Africa and the Middle East. 

IAG Cargo restarts services between London and Abu Dhabi for the first time in four years

 

IAG Cargo increases services to the Middle East and Latin America as part of the new summer schedule

Key transatlantic routes will also see a boost in capacity, with a 9% increase in services to Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes an additional three services per week to Buenos Aires (EZE) and up to four services per week to Sao Paulo (GRU) out of Madrid. Furthermore, there will be a doubling of weekly services between London Heathrow and San Diego (SAN), and an extra seven flights per week to Chicago (ORD). IAG Cargo has also launched a new service between Barcelona and Miami (MIA). 

Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo, said: “The new summer schedule will offer enhanced capacity and greater flexibility for our customers. We are particularly pleased to expand our offering in Africa and the Middle East, including the resumption of operations in Abu Dhabi after a four-year absence from our schedule. Abu Dhabi International Airport is emerging as an increasingly important regional logistics hub with state-of-the-art facilities and we are excited to contribute towards its further growth.” 

Out of London, IAG Cargo offers capacity to six continents with over 600 weekly wide-body services. Additionally, Dublin serves as a gateway to North America, boasting over 80 weekly wide-body rotations. The business now offers over 240 weekly wide-body services connecting Madrid and Barcelona with destinations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Astrolab wins NASA contract worth up to $1.9 billion.......for the development of Artemis campaign’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. confirmed that NASA has awarded the company, together with its teammates Axiom Space, Inc., and Odyssey Space Research, a contract to advance the development of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) which will help Artemis astronauts explore more of the Moon’s surface on future missions. 

The Astrolab team is one of three teams to win contract awards. Astrolab’s contract is worth up to $1.9 billion. Collectively the three contract winners may be awarded task orders over the next 13 years with a total potential value of $4.6 billion. The contracts allow for two additional years for the completion of services.

“Astrolab is honored to have its FLEX rover selected by NASA to participate in the development of creating a Lunar Terrain Vehicle for the Artemis Campaign,” said Jaret Matthews, founder & CEO, Astrolab. “Our entire team, together with our business partners, are committed to delivering to NASA an LTV that serves as a critical tool in the agency’s efforts to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.”

"We're excited to work with Astrolab and the entire team to revolutionize lunar operations," said Russell Ralston, Vice President of EVA, Axiom Space. "We look forward to offering our expertise in the design of vehicle interfaces for both the crew and spacesuits, ensuring astronaut safety and mobility on the surface of the Moon. This partnership showcases a collective commitment to pushing boundaries and driving advancements in space exploration."

SWISS starts Zurich - Gatwick service.

This week, Gatwick Airport and Swiss International Air Lines celebrated the inaugural flights between London Gatwick and Zurich.  The carrier will operate the service six times a week and are timed to connect to dozens of SWISS flights from its Zurich hub.  

JetBlue launches Bost - Paris transatlantic service

JetBlue has expanded its transatlantic offering with a new service between Boston and Paris.  Flights will operate daily on JetBlue’s Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft with 24 redesigned Mint Suite seats, 114 core seats and the sleek and spacious Airspace cabin interior. The A321 - offering the range of a wide-body but with the economics of a single-aisle aircraft- allows JetBlue to effectively disrupt the transatlantic market with the airline’s award-winning service and low fares. In addition to Paris, JetBlue offers daily service to London, Amsterdam, and most recently initiated seasonal service to Dublin from Boston.

“The response to our New York-Paris flight has been overwhelming and we’ve been looking forward to adding a daily flight from Boston as well,” said Dave Clark, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. “Boston customers have not had a lot of choices when flying to Paris, so we are more than happy to step in with affordable fares and an incredible onboard experience to shake things up and finally bring some real competition into this market.”

“JetBlue has been a great partner to Logan for many years and we are excited that they are launching Boston - Paris,” said Massport’s Interim CEO and Director of Aviation Ed Freni. “This new flight gives our passengers even more choice to visit Europe and all the sights across the Atlantic.”

In addition, JetBlue plans to add a second daily flight from New York’s JFK to Paris starting on June 20th.

Samarkand International Airport reports 55% increase in autumn-winter passengers as impressive growth record continues.

Samarkand International Airport (SKD) has reported continued growth during the autumn-winter period (AWP) season, with more than 491,000 passengers (+55%) using the airport between 29 October 2023 and 30 March 2024.  And in the first three months of 2024, 294,000 passengers have used the ultra-modern airport terminal, a 39% increase on the same period of 2023. 

Passenger numbers at SKD have previously more than doubled in each of the past two years, following the opening of the airport’s state-of-the-art terminal facility at the beginning of 2022. Passenger volumes topped one million for the first time at the end of 2023. 

Airport management company Air Marakanda reported a big increase in the number of carriers using SKD for the first time during the 2023/24 AWP season – namely Red Wings, SunExpress, Humo Air, Ural Airlines, Qazaq Air and Centrum Air. New routes now connect Samarkand with Izmir, Jeddah, Kazan, Tashkent, Turkestan and Yekaterinburg. 

SKD also welcomed the launch of Air Samarkand, the first carrier to base itself at the airport. After beginning with a charter flight programme, Air Samarkand commenced scheduled services to Istanbul on 21st March, and is soon expected to launch to other new destinations.

 

The airport has also seen low-cost carrier Pobeda increase flight frequency to Moscow from 4 to 9 times a week, while Uzbekistan Airways has increased its Moscow services from 4 to 5 times a week, and to St. Petersburg to 3 times weekly. Utair introduced twice weekly services to Saint Petersburg, Qanot Sharq Airlines doubled flight frequency to Jeddah to four rotations a week, and the regional carrier Silk Avia increased flights to Tashkent to a weekly service. 

easyJet celebrates the opening of its new base in Alicante

easyJet, Europe's leading airline, is celebrating the opening of its new base at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport, a step that further strengthens its presence in Spain, where it now has 4 bases.

 

easyJet, Europe's leading airline, has this week celebrated the opening of its new base at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport, a step that further strengthens its presence in Spain, where it now has 4 bases. The first flight operated by Alicante based aircraft and crew took off on Sunday 31 March at 6.00 am to Glasgow with Captain Daniel Ankerso in command.

The airline has allocated three aircraft of the A320 family at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport, generating around 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew. The opening of this new seasonal base, which will be operational from March to October, consolidates easyJet's position in Spain, with 19 aircraft based in the country and around 900 people employed on local contracts.

In addition to the economic boost that this announcement means for Alicante, the new base will allow easyJet to explore unserved markets and support existing key traffic flows. easyJet recently announced 10 new connections from Alicante, bringing its route network to 22 destinations and connecting it with key cities in Europe, such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Prague, and Nantes, among others. Since the first route between Alicante and London Stansted in 1999, the airline has carried more than 30 million passengers to/from Alicante and has positioned itself as the 2nd airline in terms of international connections.

All in all, easyJet offers 1.5 million seats (capacity) in Alicante this summer season, an increase of around 10% compared to the same season in 2023. 

Javier Gándara, easyJet's country director for Southern Europe, commented:  "With more than 30 million passengers carried since 1999, Alicante was one of the most popular destinations in our network that did not yet have a base, until now. Opening our fourth base in Spain in Alicante confirms our commitment to this region and is an opportunity to further expand and consolidate our operations in the country.”  As Gándara explains, "the seasonal base model allows us to perfectly adapt to the needs of the market, boosting existing flows and giving us the opportunity to explore underved markets in the future that would have previously been inaccessible. Today we are particularly excited to be here in Alicante, to celebrate the beginning of our operations from the new base and to introduce easyJet, its business models and its values to the local community.”

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish® and Disney host Wish Flight in support of 28 children battling critical illnesses.

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish and Disney will grant the wishes of children battling critical illnesses in celebration of World Wish Month. On April 17, 28 wish families will board the Wish Flight and fly on a one-of-a-kind, chartered plane from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando, Florida, to fulfill their wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®.

American recently hosted a special wish reveal celebration at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters with local wish families. Team members came together to cheer on the wish kids with congratulatory signs, refreshments and photo stations as the children learned about the extraordinary Wish Flight they will be taking in April.

Wish Flight will be full of unforgettable experiences, beginning with a pre-flight celebration at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, complete with a breakfast bar and a special send-off by WishMakers who make wishes possible. The party will continue with an epic inflight experience and magical moments provided by American, sending these wish kids and their families off on a trip that will be sure to transform their lives.

n addition to interactive games, the flight will feature a special snack menu and surprise moments including live entertainment. The chartered Wish Flight will land at Orlando International Airport, and families will be welcomed by WishMakers cheering their arrival.

Air Canada and Jane Goodall Institute of Canada Spotlight Illegal Wildlife Trade and Biodiversity Challenges

Building on its partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGIC), Air Canada is launching a new initiative to spotlight illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and its impact on global biodiversity. In collaboration with JGIC and involvement from Dr Jane Goodall herself, the awareness campaign will showcase animals endangered from IWT on the airline's in-flight entertainment welcome screens, social media and more during Earth Month, along with a special message from Dr Jane Goodall.

"Air Canada plays an important role in protecting biodiversity around the world and I've been proud to see Air Canada team up with The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada to bring more awareness to this issue. Their significant commitment to not only fighting the illegal wildlife trade through their policies and procedures, but using their platform to educate on this very important issue is commendable," said Bella Lam, Chief Executive Officer at the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.

Air Canada launches new awareness campaign across its in-flight entertainment, social media and more to raise awareness of illegal wildlife trade

Preserving wildlife has been a component of Air Canada's environmental and sustainability efforts to "Do More"

Aeroplan to launch a points match week in support of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada from April 22-28

Air Canada is first airline globally to showcase conservation documentaries onboard from Age of Union

"At Air Canada, our belief is while much of what we do to reduce our environmental footprint is about leaving less, we also need to do more to improve our planet's fragile ecosystems. As a global airline, we can use our platform to bring more awareness to the illegal wildlife trade and how that affects overall biodiversity. To further support this important work, all Aeroplan points donated to The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada for one week following Earth Day will be matched by Aeroplan. We are also honoured to celebrate Dr Goodall's 90th year by supporting her birthday tour across Canada to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards," said Valerie Durand, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability at Air Canada.

Hilton Acquires Majority Controlling Interest in Sydell Group to Expand NoMad Hotels Brand Worldwide

Hilton has announced it has acquired a majority controlling interest in Sydell Group (“Sydell”) to expand the NoMad Hotels brand from its existing London flagship location to high-end markets around the world. The addition of NoMad to Hilton’s brand portfolio marks the global hospitality leader’s entry into the fast-growing luxury lifestyle hotel market with a meticulously designed brand defined by exceptional food and beverage, interior design and service. 

Over the last decade, Sydell, led by founder Andrew Zobler, has created seven dynamic lifestyle brands, with award-winning hotel concepts including NoMad, The Line, Freehand and The Ned. Sydell will be responsible for design, branding and management of the NoMad brand while Hilton will lead all development. The NoMad brand will be fully integrated into Hilton’s commercial platforms, including Hilton Honors. All NoMad properties will remain independently owned.  

Hilton projects that as many as 100 NoMad properties will be developed globally over time, with approximately 10 already in advanced stages of discussion with Sydell.  

Chris Silcock, President, Global Brands and Commercial Services said: "Adding NoMad to our growing brand portfolio will create new offerings for guests seeking unique luxury experiences in some of the world’s most desirable locations."

“Adding NoMad to our growing brand portfolio will create new offerings for guests seeking unique luxury experiences in some of the world’s most desirable locations,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “By pairing an already proven brand concept that’s ready for expansion with the power of Hilton’s commercial engine, we are accelerating our ability to drive growth in the luxury lifestyle segment.  

“Coupled with our recently announced exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World and our planned acquisition of the Graduate Hotels brand, Hilton is leading the hotel industry with the addition of innovative new luxury and lifestyle offerings that meet changing guest needs and add new opportunities for owners to join our system,” Silcock said.

Each NoMad hotel added to Hilton’s network will provide a uniquely local luxury experience that makes guests feel like residents of some of the world’s most sought-after neighborhoods. NoMad Hotels are both grand and intimate, fun and elegant, and classic and playful, creating a unique blend of luxury and lifestyle experiences throughout the stay with special touches like unique local art collections featured in each guest room. 

Air Cargo Demand Maintains Double-Digit Growth in February

                                       The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. 

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 11.9% compared to February 2023 levels (12.4% for international operations). This is the third consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 13.4% compared to February 2023 (16.0% for international operations). This was largely related to the increase in international belly capacity accompanying growth in passenger markets (29.5% year-on-year increase), which far exceeded international capacity on freighters (3.2% year-on-year increase).

"February’s demand growth of 11.9% far outpaced the 0.9% expansion in cross-border trade. This strong start for 2024 could see demand surpass the exceptionally high levels of early 2022. It also shows air cargo’s strong resilience in the face of continuing political and economic uncertainties,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

•    Global cross-border trade increased by 0.9% in January. 

•    In February, the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) climbed to 51.2, indicating expansion. The new export orders PMI also rose to 49.4, remaining slightly below the 50 threshold that would indicate growth.

•    February year-on-year inflation dropped to 2.8% in the EU while rising to 2.8% and 3.2% in Japan and the US respectively.  After four months of deflation, China reported a 0.7% increase in inflation year-on-year—a positive development amid concerns over China's economic slowdown.

Half of people can’t spot a deepfake, so whose job is it to stop them from spreading?

Research from digital identity security specialists, ID Crypt Global, reveals that half of the UK doesn’t know what deepfakes are, and only one in five make efforts to ensure they’re not spreading fake news, insisting that social media platforms are responsible for rooting about fake images and videos.

With deepfake technology pushing to the forefront of the news cycle in the lead up to elections both here and in the US, ID Crypt has commissioned a survey of 1,221 members of the UK population to find out if they know what deepfakes are, whether they think they could spot a deepfake out in the wild, and whose job it is to ensure that fake news isn’t easily spread online. 

The survey kicks off by revealing that almost half (47%) of the UK population is still unfamiliar with the term ‘deepfake’ and what it means.

As such, more than half of respondents (53%) are unaware of whether or not they’ve ever encountered a deepfake image or video online, while half of those who say they have encountered a (55%) only know so because it was included in a news story that was reporting on deepfakes. 

When asked what their biggest concerns about deepfake technology are, the most common answers are fraud and identity theft (32%), and the spreading of fake news or misinformation (31%). 

Despite the important elections coming up in both the UK and US, only 10% say they’re concerned about deepfakes manipulating political discourse or events.

easyJet trying to help the nation find their wings.....

easyJet ‘pilots’ talking billboard and aptitude test in new pan-European recruitment campaign to find the next generation of pilot

New nationwide online pilot aptitude test shows people if they could have what it takes to become an airline pilot

• With more than 90% of airline pilots being men, the campaign targets female audiences to encourage more women to join the profession
• Innovative new ‘talking billboard’ features a real-life easyJet pilot to provide insights on the career and debunk myths about the job
• easyJet is looking for 200 aspiring pilots to join its Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme this spring and hundreds in the coming years with the aim of tackling stereotypes and encouraging more people to consider a career in aviation

A new nationwide pilot aptitude test has been launched today by easyJet to encourage Brits to find out if they have what it takes to become a pilot, following new research revealing half of Brits (50%) don’t know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial jet.

The online test assesses some of the key skills required to become an airline pilot and has been designed to encourage more people to consider the career. With no prior aviation knowledge or flying experience required, easyJet is giving people the opportunity to test their aptitude for some of the key skills needed to be an airline pilot, like sense of direction and reaction speed.

To launch the campaign, easyJet is also ‘piloting’ a talking billboard - featuring a real-life easyJet pilot strapped to a billboard in Central London today.

The test and ad are part of a new first-of-its-kind pilot recruitment campaign from the airline, ahead of the opening of its 2024 Pilot Training Programme in the coming weeks. The airline’s pilot training programme takes aspiring pilots with little to no flying experience to operating a commercial passenger jet in around two years with its intensive, industry-leading training course.

India's fledgling airline FLY91to use IBS Software to offer dynamic and competitive airfares.

FLY91, is India's youngest regional airline, with a simple mission to make air travel accessible to travellers across the nation, has partnered with IBS Software to power its commercial operations. IBS Software has created a reservation experience designed to deliver a simple, efficient and cost-effective experience, to attract and retain customers.

By implementing IBS Software's modern omni-channel iFly Res commerce platform, FLY91 will not only create a compelling user experience powered by the platform's rich set of APIs and flexible rules engine, but also deliver dynamic pricing. These real-time dynamic and personalised pricing capabilities are a vital tool in delivering the most cost-effective fares and ensuring pricing is competitive with alternative modes of transport.

Additionally, access to an API-driven ecosystem gives FLY91 the ability to open its services and routes connecting tier 2 (population of 50,000 to 100,000) and tier 3 (population of 20,000 to 50,000) cities across India to interline partners, providing international and domestic airlines with a solution to last-mile coverage to smaller destinations that are traditionally poorly or underserved by existing carriers.