25th Anniversary of the invention of the private jet card

Leading private aviation company Sentient Jet marks its 25th anniversary of the founding of the company and commemorates its invention of the jet card concept, which has revolutionized the private aviation industry and transformed the way individuals access private air travel.

Since the company was founded in 1999, it has been committed to leading innovation in the private aviation industry, introducing a first-of-its-kind jet card, driving change in key industry priorities, such as sustainability, and continually evolving its booking process digitally.

Prior to the invention of the jet card, which provides fliers with unprecedented flexibility to purchase flight time in hourly increments, private aviation options were limited to whole aircraft ownership, fractional ownership, and on-demand charter. Recognizing an abundance of excess capacity in the private aviation space, Sentient Jet seized the opportunity to offer a unique way to fly privately, which has since become a "must-have" product for travelers. By selecting and certifying the best aircraft and operators in the private aviation market, Sentient Jet created a uniform pricing standard and framework that laid the foundation for a brand new style of product. With the first ever jet card, Sentient Jet created an entirely new industry segment that offered then unheard-of flexibility and convenience for personal and business travel in private aircrafts at all-inclusive fixed rates with guaranteed availability, seamless booking, and industry-leading value.

In the past 25 years, Sentient Jet has:

Flown more than 1M passengers over 2,500 destinations all over the world

Flown over 228M miles

Grown revenue by 549%

Held nearly 6,700 active Card Owners

Offset a total of over 1,339,235 metric tons of CO2 emissions

“Sentient Jet’s journey began 25 years ago with the invention of the jet card - a concept that has redefined how people fly privately," said Andrew Collins, Co-CEO at Flexjet, Sentient Jet’s parent company. “With several industry firsts - from the jet card to digitizing on-demand booking with text-to-book - Sentient Jet has been instrumental in shaping modern air travel. As we look ahead to the next 25 years and beyond, we remain committed to advancing our industry and providing our Card Owners with nothing short of extraordinary experiences and exceptional service."

“Throughout my career, I have seen several developments and innovations in the private aviation industry, but Sentient Jet’s creation of the Jet Card ranks as one of the most important and revolutionary product developments,” said Kenn Ricci, Flexjet Chairman and Principal of Directional Aviation. “The Jet Card has created a market that previously did not exist and has exposed many new entrants and first time buyers to our industry. Virtually every private aircraft provider uses some form of the product today.”

Aviation net zero roadmaps comparative review

IATA - The International Air Transport Association along with the Air Transportation Systems Laboratory at University College London (UCL), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), released the Aviation Net Zero CO2 Transition Pathways Comparative Review. 

This is the first publication to compare 14 leading net zero CO2 transition roadmaps for aviation. The report aims to provide a “one-stop shop” for airlines, policymakers and all aviation stakeholders to better understand the key similarities and differences between the various roadmaps, and their visions for achieving net zero carbon emissions for aviation by 2050. Specifically, the report compares the selected roadmaps in terms of their scope, key input assumptions, modelled aviation energy demand, respective CO2 emissions, and the emissions reduction potential of each mitigation lever (new aircraft technologies, zero-carbon fuels, SAF, and operational improvements).

Key findings from this analysis include:

•    Possible pathways to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 differ significantly depending on the key assumptions of the authors regarding how decarbonization technologies and solutions may evolve. Depending on these assumptions, the resulting role of particular levers in aviation’s decarbonization will be more or less important.  

•    All roadmaps assume that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will be responsible for the greatest amount of CO2 reductions by 2050. The role of SAF varies from 24%-70% (with a median value of 53%). This wide range reflects the uncertainties regarding potential supportive government action, the level of investments, cost of production, and profit potential, as well as access to feedstocks.  

Disinformation actors spreading 1.5bilion fake news posts each day....

• Facebook users create the highest level of daily disinformation posts (1 billion posts)
• X has the highest proportion of disinformation actors (8.7% of all active users) 
• LinkedIn has the most rampant disinformation actors (each creating 6.6 posts per day) 
• Instagram and YouTube produce the least amount of daily disinformation 
• 
  

ID Crypt Global has analysed data from Code of Practice on Disinformation report from TrustLab to understand the rate at which disinformation is being spread through the six main social media platforms - Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube - before conducting its own analysis estimating how many disinformation posts are being created each day, and which platforms are most responsible for the spread of fake news and media. 

The most recent available data* estimates that there are an estimated total of 10.5 billion social media users across the six main platforms.

Facebook boasts the most users with 3 billion people logging onto the platform each month. Facebook is followed by YouTube (2.5bn), Instagram (2bn), TikTok (1.5bn), LinkedIn (771m), and X (619m). 

1.5bn fake news posts created or shared every day on social media

Across all platforms, it is estimated that 5% of users are disinformation actors, which means all in all, there are 516 million users actively spreading fake news and media. 

It is estimated that each disinformation actor creates an average of 3.9 posts per day, meaning that across all platforms, 1.5 billion pieces of disinformation are created or shared every single day. 

Facebook and X host highest volume of disinformation content

ID Crypt’s research reveals that Facebook creates the most pieces of fake news. 

It is estimated that disinformation actors account for 7.8% of all of the platform’s users and that each of them creates an average of 4.3 daily posts. This means Facebook alone is responsible for over one billion fake news posts every single day. 

When it comes to the highest proportion of users being disinformation actors, X is the worst platform.  

8.7% of all X users are disinformation actors and each of them is creating 3.8 daily posts. This means the hugely influential platform is spreading 205 million fake news posts every single day. 

United Airlines reports first-quarter 2024 results

First-quarter diluted loss per share of $0.38; first-quarter adjusted diluted loss per share1 of $0.15 - ahead of expectations

Updates fleet plan - allowing for a more consistent delivery schedule of approximately 100 narrowbody aircraft yearly 2025 through 2027

Achieved second-best first quarter on-time departure performance in the company's history

United Airlines has reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results this week which showed the company had a pre-tax loss of $164 million, a $92 million improvement over the same quarter last year; adjusted pre-tax loss1 of $79 million, a $187 million improvement on an adjusted basis over the same quarter last year. These earnings reflect the approximately $200 million impact from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 grounding, without which the company would have reported a quarterly profit. In the quarter, the company generated $2.8 billion operating cash flow and free cash flow1 of $1.5 billion. The company continues to expect full-year 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share3 of $9 to $11.

United delivered strong financial and operational performance in the quarter. The demand environment remained strong with a double-digit percentage increase in business demand quarter over quarter, as compared to pre-pandemic. Additionally, the company was able to take advantage of a number of opportunities to adjust domestic capacity which drove meaningful improvements in first quarter profitability. Atlantic and Domestic markets both saw large passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increases year over year, with 11% and 6% growth respectively.

"I want to thank the United team for working so hard this quarter to deliver strong operational metrics for our customers and sharpen our focus on safety, while producing excellent financial results for our shareholders," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. "We've adjusted our fleet plan to better reflect the reality of what the manufacturers are able to deliver. And, we'll use those planes to capitalize on an opportunity that only United has: profitably grow our mid-continent hubs and expand our highly profitable international network from our best in the industry coastal hubs."

Fleet Update

United has made several adjustments to its long-term fleet strategy based on future needs of the airline and manufacturers production and delivery timelines that are expected to smooth out and moderate the company's aircraft delivery schedule in the coming years including:

Viva Las Vegas! 10 must-see stops on a West Coast road trip

This June, Manchester will become the only city in the UK outside London to have direct flight to the West Coast of the US as Virgin Atlantic’s new service from Manchester Airport to Las Vegas gets underway.

Many visitors will be headed to Vegas to enjoy its casinos, sports and family attractions, but for others, the city will make the perfect springboard for an epic adventure across the states of Nevada, Arizona and California.

Here, we round up some of the essential pitstops on any West Coast itinerary. You could tick off all of these highlights, and more, on a two-week trip.

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico celebrate new route between Boston and Mexico City

The Delta-Aeromexico Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) is expanding its operations between the United States and Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry. Delta and Aeromexico recently celebrated the launch of their new service between Boston (BOS) and Mexico City (MEX) during a ceremony at Logan International Airport. This highly anticipated route, operated by Aeromexico, marks the airline's return to the Massachusetts capital. 

To celebrate this milestone, authorities and special guests gathered for an event at Logan International Airport, including Todd Smith, Director of Aviation Operations for Massport; Felipe Cuellar, Deputy Consul of Mexico in Boston; John Angel, Managing Director of Airport Operations for Delta; and Jose Zapata, Vice President of Sales for North America & Latin America at Aeromexico. 

As part of the celebration, customers who flew on the first flight to Mexico received commemorative gifts as a thank-you for being part of this important event. 

As the Delta-Aeromexico JCA continues to expand its operations, it reinforces its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience and strengthening the connection between the United States and Mexico, our country’s second largest trading partner.  

With a focus on safety, comfort, convenience and customer satisfaction, this partnership is poised to shape the future of cross-border air travel, offering travelers more options and opportunities to explore the rich cultures and destinations of both nations. 

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Nine Airline companies comprise a $30 billion club courtesy of co-branded credit cards

CarTrawler-sponsored research explores the jumbo economics of loyalty programs at Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, IAG, JetBlue, Qantas, Southwest, and United.

Co-branded credit cards deliver wheelbarrows of money for some airlines. The latest IdeaWorksCompany report explores how this has transformed frequent flyer programs (FFPs) and contemplates the effect upon customer loyalty. Many airlines have shifted from sole reliance on behavioural loyalty, which relies upon a customer’s expectations for service and quality. Carriers now embrace transactional loyalty which emphasizes exchange relationships where something is given and something is received. The report advises caution about over-reliance on the co-branding bounty and suggests focusing more on the overall customer experience.

Airline Loyalty Becomes a Billion Dollar Club was issued today as a 16-page report. It describes how airline FFPs generate revenue in the billions and provides abundant analysis and research on the business of co-branded credit cards:

 Delta Air Lines, with 7.5 million SkyMiles credit cards, saw payments from American 

Express jump by 24% to $6.8 billion for 2023.

 IAG (British Airways and Iberia), navigated Europe’s prevalent merchant fee 

restrictions and achieved outstanding Avios partner revenue of £1 billion.

 Southwest generated more than 22% of its 2023 total revenue from its Rapid 

Rewards program and Chase-issued credit card.

 Qantas achieved a revenue result of $96 per Frequent Flyer Program member with 

help from nearly 40 credit card options available to consumers in Australia.

Aileen McCormack, Chief Commercial Officer at CarTrawler commented on the report, “In today's aviation landscape, airlines are vying for price-conscious customers by providing greater rewards for their loyalty. The rise of ‘transactional loyalty’ - where passengers seek more incentives in exchange for their regular custom - has seen huge growth of frequent flyer programmes and co-branded credit cards, which have generated an incredible $30 billion in revenue for a selection of early adopting airlines. 

We understand that customers are seeking additional ways to spend their miles to gain value. This is why CarTrawler works with the world’s leading airlines to enhance their loyalty programmes by offering bespoke car rental earn & redeem functionality down to tier membership status and even fare class."

British Airways Executive Club members can book flights for £1

In a move to give customers even more choice when spending their Avios, British Airways has announced the latest improvement to its Executive Club loyalty programme by making every one of its flights available from just £1 plus Avios.

When booking any flight or holiday, Avios part payment invites customers to reduce the monetary cost of their booking by selecting the amount of Avios they would like to contribute. Until now, the maximum discount varied depending on multiple factors, whereas the airline is now giving customers the option to reduce their booking to just £1 using Avios.

Using Avios part payment is different to booking a Reward Seat, of which there are a limited number on each flight at a fixed rate. Members booking any flight can use Avios part payment regardless of the seat type, allowing more flexibility, with varying amounts of Avios to contribute.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’ve listened to our Members’ feedback and we’re really excited to be introducing this latest update for them. We know that most of our customers choose the lowest cash amount when it comes to making Reward Flight bookings, so we anticipate this to be a popular option for those using Avios part payment too. Ultimately, our goal is to keeping adding more choice and flexibility for Members.”

Last year, British Airways Holidays introduced Avios part payment, with holiday package bookings starting from £1 + Avios.

Members using Avios part payment towards their booking will still collect Avios and Tier Points on their flight as well as any bonus Avios and Tier Points if applicable. Part payment can also be used for flights operated by American Airlines between the UK and North America, and British Airways codeshares with selected partners.

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Virgin Galactic Reports Inducement Award

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. announced that the Compensation Committee of Virgin Galactic’s Board of Directors approved the grant of time-based inducement restricted stock unit awards of 23,946 shares of Virgin Galactic common stock to one new non-executive employee, effective April 15, 2024.

The award was granted under Virgin Galactic’s 2023 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, which provides for the granting of equity awards to new employees of Virgin Galactic. The restricted stock unit award will vest over a four-year period: 25% of the underlying shares will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of the shares will vest over the remaining 12 quarters, subject to continued service. The award was granted as an inducement material to the new employee entering into employment with Virgin Galactic, in accordance with NYSE Listing Rule 303A.08.

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Security incident halts flights at Birmingham Airport

Flights at Birmingham Airport were halted today after a suspect package was found on an Emerald Airlines flight that had just taken off and was heading to Belfast.

A number of flights were either delayed or had to be diverted as the Emerald Airlines ATR aircraft operating the flight on behalf of Aer Lingus, returned to Birmingham and its passengers and crew off-loaded and investigations took place.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were called to the airport at around 16:00 following the discovery of the suspicious package.  In a statement, they said, "All passengers and crew were evacuated and specialist officers including the dog unit searched the plane."  

A spokesperson for the airport confirmed some flights were diverted during the two hours the airport was closed. Train services were also affected at the nearby Birmingham International Railway station.  Network Rail confirmed that at 18:20 all rail lines had reopened but disruption was likely to continue for some time. 

The undeclared item was later advised to be not a security risk. 

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New Aerozone and Academy launched at EMA

East Midlands Airport’s Aerozone and Academy are to officially open in new premises this week, heralding a new era of insight into the aviation industry for local students, adult learners and jobs seekers.

The Aerozone, the airport’s on-site education centre, provides an interactive and inspirational learning environment for children and young people aged 4 to 18 and is free of charge for school and college visits. The Academy offers free adult training including an ‘Introduction to the Aviation Industry’ course, and tailor-made pre-employment and upskilling training for around 200 unemployed or low-income adult learners a year and existing employees.

Previously the Aerozone and Academy were based in a building close to the airport’s main administrative offices but have now been relocated to new premises nearby which will officially open their doors on Friday 19 April.

The occasion will be marked with a special Aerozone visit by a group of 11-13-year-olds from Farnborough Academy in Clifton, along with a cohort of adult learners coming to the end of a two-week Exploring the Aviation Industry course. The aim of the school visit is for the students to learn about the variety of roles at the airport and to experience, through hands-on activities, what it’s like to work at an airport. The Academy course, now provided in partnership with Nottingham College, gives attendees a direct route for career or study progression within the aviation industry.

The students will be greeted by EMA’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths, along with Lilian Greenwood, MP for Clifton’s constituency, Nottingham South.

Steve Griffiths said: “We’re really pleased to open new premises for our Aerozone and Academy. It underlines our ongoing commitment to inspire generations of young people through a range of tailored interactive experiences and activities, along with free training courses to equip people with the skills needed to take up various careers available at EMA.”

 

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Sigurður Örn named as Chief of Business Development of PLAY

Sigurður Örn has joined PLAY airlines as Chief of Business Development. This is a new position within the company where Sigurður will oversee the expansion of PLAY's business ventures across all departments.

 

Sigurður Örn holds an MBA degree from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and has an extensive background in aviation. Sigurður previously served as CEO and chairman of Bluebird Nordic and was board member of Avion Express. He also played a key role in negotiating major acquisitions for Avia Solutions Group (AGS), including Avion Express, SmartLynx, and Bluebird Nordic.  

 

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Sigurður Örn remarked, "It is very exciting to be joining PLAY at this pivotal moment. The company's remarkable growth, evidenced by its doubling of revenue last year while maintaining a competitive cost structure, positions PLAY for even greater success in the future. I am eager to contribute to this journey." 

 

PLAY's CEO, Einar Örn Ólafsson, also expressed excitement about Sigurður Örn's addition to the team, citing his wealth of experience and knowledge of the aviation industry as valuable assets.  

“We are excited to have Sigurður Örn joining our team. He brings valuable experience and knowledge of the aviation industry, which will be useful to the company. We have ambitious plans, and Sigurður Örn's expertise will undoubtedly bolster our efforts," says Einar Örn Ólafsson.

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Air France is putting its know-how in transporting sports equipment to work for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

All year round, Air France customers place their trust in the company to transport their luggage, “special baggage” (musical instruments, bulky items, etc.) and sports equipment.

With over 100,000 pieces of baggage carried every day to nearly 200 worldwide destinations, Air France has developed a real expertise in transporting items that require special attention.

This summer, the company is proud to be an official partner of the world’s biggest sporting event, and to accompany French and international athletes to their competitions. Whether transporting kayaks, bicycles, surfboards, sports wheelchairs or vaulting poles, the company’s teams will be on deck to meet this logistical challenge, especially during the traffic peaks expected around the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Preparations for the event have been underway for several months, both in Paris and at all Air France stopovers. The men and women of Air France share the enthusiasm surrounding this event and are fully mobilized for the occasion!

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Velocity Frequent Flyer amps up Points possibilities with new AGL partnership

Velocity Frequent Flyer and AGL have announced a new partnership that will give millions of Australians the opportunity to earn Velocity Points with AGL electricity or gas plans, to redeem on flights, holiday packages, household items and more.

To celebrate the launch of the new partnership that can benefit Velocity’s almost 12 million members and AGL’s 4.3 million customers, new and existing residential AGL customers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, where AGL operates, that switch their gas and electricity to the AGL Velocity offer before Sunday 30 June 2024 can earn up to 35,000 Velocity Points over 12 months.^ In Western Australia, where AGL operates, new and existing residential customers that make the switch to the AGL Velocity offer for gas can earn up to 12,500 Velocity Points over 12 months.^

35,000 Velocity Points is enough to book up to five one-way domestic Economy Lite flights with Virgin Australia^^ or redeem on various household, technology, beauty and apparel items at myer.com.au, via the Velocity Reward Store, with Luxury Escapes, and more.

Velocity Frequent Flyer and one of Australia’s leading energy retailers, AGL Energy, have entered into a new strategic partnership giving millions of Australians the opportunity to earn Velocity Points through electricity and gas plans.

The partnership will benefit eligible new and existing residential AGL customers who make the switch to the ‘AGL Velocity offer’^, opening up a new way for members to boost their Velocity Points balance and turn their energy plans into holidays.

Congratulating Hong Kong Int Airport.......

Celebrating the city's achievement and reaffirming its commitment to contributing to its home hub’s continued success.

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for once again being named the world's busiest cargo airport in 2023, according to the latest data from Airports Council International (ACI). As the city's home carrier for 77 years and the largest cargo operator at HKIA, Cathay Cargo is proud to be part of this success story.

Cathay’s Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Hong Kong once again being named number one in the world for air cargo is a testament to the resilience, innovation and collaboration of the Hong Kong air cargo community. With its world-leading infrastructure, expertise and capabilities, supported by the increased development of intermodal connectivity within the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong continues to be at the forefront of the global air cargo industry.

“Cathay’s ongoing investments in our passenger and freighter fleets, our extensive cargo network, cargo facilities, and our digital and sustainability capabilities to meet the evolving needs of cargo customers, are a reflection of our deep confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong air cargo logistics hub. We certainly don’t take Hong Kong’s air cargo success for granted, and remain committed to continuing to work together with the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, all sectors in the air cargo industry, and countless other important stakeholders to continue to grow Hong Kong further as the world’s leading air cargo hub, and the premier air cargo gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world.”

Finnair adds flights to Lapland: Experience a unique summer destination via Helsinki Airport

Finnair is adding more weekly flights from Helsinki Airport to Kuusamo, Ivalo and Kittilä for the summer holiday season. Both Finnair and Norwegian also provide flights to Rovaniemi, making Lapland even easier to reach in the summer. See below for tips on summer experiences in Lapland!

As a result of the added weekly flights, Finnair will fly to Kuusamo up to seven times a week in the summer. Kuusamo is an excellent destination, especially for hikers, as the national parks of Oulanka and Salla offer fantastic scenery for hikes. The Karhunkierros Trail, which runs through Oulanka, is perhaps the most famous hiking trail in Finland.

Finnair flies daily to Ivalo in the summer, with up to 11 flights a week. The experiences offered by Ivalo include Saariselkä Resort’s wide range of activities and the stunning sandy beaches of the Ivalo River – and the opportunity to learn more about the unique and rich Sami culture.

Finnair offers several flights a day to Rovaniemi, and in July there are up to 34 weekly flights to Santa’s hometown. Norwegian also flies to Rovaniemi. You can meet Santa Claus in Santa Claus Village all year round, but in the summer it is definitely worth it to try things such as canoeing and fishing in the midnight sun, as well as husky, reindeer and jet ski safaris.

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Looking for more tips for summer in Lapland?

Follow Vesku the Reindeer’s adventures and get inspired for your trip (Visit Finland).

Learn more about Ivalo, Rovaniemi and Kittilä.

There are also daily flights to Kittilä, to which Finnair flies up to 9 times a week. For those who do sports, Kittilä is a fantastic destination where some of Finland’s most famous holiday resorts serve daredevils all year round. Ylläs, for example, offers 190 kilometres of mountain bike trails in the national park’s old-growth forests and fells. It’s also worth visiting the nearby Pallastunturi fells, which have been proven to have the purest air in the world.

Marriott International accelerates growth across europe

Growth plans across the continent reflect the confidence owners continue have in the company

From the International Hospitality Investment Forum in Berlin, Marriott International, Inc. today announced plans to add nearly 100 properties and over 12,000 rooms to its portfolio in Europe portfolio through hotel conversions and adaptive reuse projects, the conversion of existing buildings into a hotel, by the end of 2026. The anticipated hotels represent more than 40 percent of the company’s European development pipeline expected to open during that period.

The robust growth plans are expected to strengthen the company’s footprint across Europe, where it currently has a portfolio of over 800 properties with nearly 150,000 rooms across 25 brands in 47 countries and territories.

“We continue to see meaningful growth across Europe through conversion and adaptive reuse opportunities, reinforcing the confidence our owners and franchisees have in Marriott International as they look to reposition assets and maximise returns,“ says Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “Conversions with Marriott offer owners and franchisees the opportunity to leverage our well-established brands, competitive affiliation costs, the company’s powerful revenue generation engines and Marriott Bonvoy – our award-winning travel programme with more than 200 million members.”

Brussels Airlines and Skywings Flight Training start new training for cadet pilots

Future pilots can be recruited by Brussels Airlines even before their pilot training starts.

                        Brussels Airlines launches a new partnership with Skywings, a flight training academy based in Antwerp. The program allows cadet pilots to be recruited by the airline even before they have started their training. Skywings will train these future pilots according to the high standards of Brussels Airlines and familiarize them to the airlines’ procedures.

Brussels Airlines has entered an exciting new era with growth and opportunities. New aircraft are joining the fleet and new destinations are being added to the network. To foster this growth, Brussels Airlines is hiring new recruits across the board. ​

To accelerate the onboarding process of first officers, Brussels Airlines launches a partnership with Skywings Flight Training in Antwerp. In close cooperation, a “Multi Pilot Licence-program” is created. This means candidates are being recruited together with the airline even before training starts. During the training, cadets immediately start the process for a Multi Pilot Licence (MPL), allowing them to fly planes with more than one pilot, which is the case of all aircraft Brussels Airlines operates. The candidates will also be trained on simulators and be familiarized with the procedures of the Belgium’s national airline.

Once the training is completed, these pilots can join Brussels Airlines as first officer on the A319 and A320 fleet, hereby making a lengthy selection process or an Ab Initio training within the airline redundant.

BOC Aviation latest results

BOC Aviation Limited has released headline figures of its most recent quarter results. Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said, “We had a strong start to the year, adding 10 aircraft to 2024’s delivery pipeline and signing 31 lease commitments, the best first quarter since 2020. Aircraft sales momentum remains strong and we have sold five aircraft so far in 2024. Meanwhile, our collection rate of 100% reflects the improved financial health of our airline customers and our risk aware culture.”

 

Transactions Summary 

 

·         A total fleet of 688 aircraft owned, managed and on order

 

·         An average aircraft age of 4.8 years and an average remaining lease term of 7.9 years for the 427 owned aircraft fleet, both weighted by net book value1

 

·         Managed fleet comprised 32 aircraft

 

·         Order book of 229 aircraft

 

·         Executed a total of 54 transactions in the first quarter of 2024, including:

Commitments to purchase 10 aircraft 

Delivery of five aircraft

Sale of four owned and one managed aircraft

31 lease commitments

 

·         Customer base of 90 airlines in 45 countries and regions in the owned and managed portfolios 

 

·         Owned aircraft utilisation was 99% for the first quarter

 

·         Raised US$500 million of five-year bonds

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport on being named world’s busiest cargo airport for the 13th time in 14 years

Celebrating the city's achievement and reaffirming its commitment to contributing to its home hub’s continued success.

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for once again being named the world's busiest cargo airport in 2023, according to the latest data from Airports Council International (ACI). As the city's home carrier for 77 years and the largest cargo operator at HKIA, Cathay Cargo is proud to be part of this success story.

Cathay’s Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Hong Kong once again being named number one in the world for air cargo is a testament to the resilience, innovation and collaboration of the Hong Kong air cargo community. With its world-leading infrastructure, expertise and capabilities, supported by the increased development of intermodal connectivity within the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong continues to be at the forefront of the global air cargo industry.

“Cathay’s ongoing investments in our passenger and freighter fleets, our extensive cargo network, cargo facilities, and our digital and sustainability capabilities to meet the evolving needs of cargo customers, are a reflection of our deep confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong air cargo logistics hub. We certainly don’t take Hong Kong’s air cargo success for granted, and remain committed to continuing to work together with the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, all sectors in the air cargo industry, and countless other important stakeholders to continue to grow Hong Kong further as the world’s leading air cargo hub, and the premier air cargo gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world.”

Cathay unveils new Cathay Dining brand

Exemplifying Cathay’s commitment to delivering unparalleled service to its customers

Cathay Pacific announces the rebranding of its catering business as Cathay Dining, reinforcing its vision to become one of the world’s greatest service brands. For nearly six decades, the subsidiary formerly known as Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K.) Ltd. (‘CPCS’) has consistently delivered tailored, high-quality inflight and catering cuisine solutions to customers in Hong Kong and across the globe.

Today, the business continues to expand its expertise, which marks a significant milestone in Cathay Dining’s journey and reaffirms its dedication to curating exceptional experiences through high-quality catering solutions for Cathay Pacific and other esteemed airlines. Additionally, it reinforces Cathay’s commitment to forging thoughtful dining partnerships and offering expert restaurant recommendations to its esteemed Cathay members.

This change aligns with Cathay’s overarching premium travel lifestyle proposition as a group. It exemplifies Cathay’s relentless pursuit of excellence and its commitment to delivering unparalleled service to its valued customers. 

Introducing the new brand, Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, and Cathay Dining Chair, Alex McGowan said: “We have invested heavily over the years to transform Cathay Dining into a world-class provider of dining solutions and experiences. The new brand reflects this and underlines the important role that dining plays in helping Cathay achieve its vision of becoming one of the world’s greatest service brands.”

Annual passenger numbers across MAG airports increase by 13%

More than 61m passengers travelled through MAG airports in the 12 months to the end of March - up 13.4% year-on-year.

MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – served 4.6m passengers in March, equal to 103% of 2019 levels, and up 12.4% on the same month last year.

London Stansted recorded its busiest 12 months ever, with 28.5m passengers travelling through the airport in the year to the end of March 2024 – up 11.8% on last year. Across what was also its busiest March on record, London Stansted served 2.2m passengers – up 10.8% on last year and equal to 104% of 2019 levels.

61.3m passengers travelled through a MAG airport in the 12 months to March

UK’s largest airports group welcomed 4.6m passenger in March

London Stansted had its busiest 12 months on record – with 28.5m passengers travelling through the airport

Manchester Airport also had a record month, serving 2.2m passengers in March – the sixth consecutive month it recorded its best-ever performance. The figure was 104% of 2019 levels, up 12.3% year-on-year.

East Midlands Airport had the highest year-on-year increases in the Group this month – reaching an annual total of 4.1m passengers for the first time since 2019 – up 22.4% on last year. Across March, the airport welcomed 240,000 passengers, up 30.7% on the same months last year, and equal to 94% of 2019 levels.

Operational performance across the Group remains consistently strong, and in March 100% of passengers at all three airports passed through security in 15 minutes or less.

RAF Fighter Squadron arrives in Romania

RAF Fighter Squadron arrives in Romania to co-lead NATO Air Policing mission

Royal Air Force fighter jets have started protecting NATO’s eastern flank, close to the Black Sea, following a handover ceremony held on 9th April in Romania. 

Six RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft are taking part in the four-month mission, with jets from IX (Bomber) Squadron, along with more than two hundred RAF personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (140EAW) deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. They will fly alongside the Romanian Air Force as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission until August.

The air policing mission begins this week following a ceremony today, 9th April, involving RAF personnel, their Romanian counterparts, and NATO officials. The personnel involved in the mission will be on standby at a moment’s notice to launch Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) intercepts of Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:  “Our NATO air policing deployment helps to keep Europe’s skies secure, and I pay tribute to the dedicated personnel delivering this important mission.

Ready to launch at a moment’s notice for the next four months, the Typhoon pilots will respond with professionalism to threats and incidents in support of our collective security. 

We’re showing the scale of our commitment to NATO in its 75th year, with deployments like this and thousands of personnel operating and exercising across the alliance to keep the UK and our allies safe.”

The countries involved in NATO’s air policing missions rotate on a regular basis, with the RAF having flown to intercept more than 50 Russian aircraft in the first half of last year while leading the Alliance’s enhanced air policing mission from Estonia. This will be the fifth time the RAF have participated in the air policing mission in Romania.

Improved load factor and on-time performance reports icelandair

Icelandair boosting passenger numbers

In March 2024, Icelandair transported 297,552 passengers, which represents a 25% increase in passenger traffic as measured by Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) on a capacity increase of 22% compared to March 2023. During the month, 39% of passengers were travelling to Iceland, 19% from Iceland, 34% were via passengers, and 8% were travelling within Iceland. Load factor was 83.1% and on-time performance was 88.5%, increasing by 4.7 ppt from the already solid performance in March 2023.

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Bogi Nils Bogason, Icelandair president and CEO said:  “We continue seeing strong traffic numbers, with 25% increase in passenger traffic as compared to March last year. The traffic figures are impacted by an unusually early Easter traffic. During the month, we saw 50% increase in the number of via passengers and 13% increase on the from market while the number of passengers on the to market grew by 4%. These figures underscore the flexibility of our route network, allowing us to align capacity to developments in demand and, in this case, focus our capacity and sales efforts on the via and from markets where the demand was stronger.

Furthermore, we maintain our strong on-time performance and consistently high load factor despite a 22% capacity increase. This success is thanks to the excellent performance of our employees.”

See below for more figures....

Passenger numbers rise at East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport saw annual passenger numbers soar above the 4m mark for the first time since the pandemic – with nearly 750,000 more people choosing it than a year ago.

Figures released last week show 240,000 passengers travelled through East Midlands in March, which was up 22.4% on the same month last year.

That drove the airport’s rolling annual total to 4.077m – the first time since 2020 it crossed the 4m threshold.

The new figures are released as EMA’s summer season starts to get underway, which is shaping up to be among its best yet. The aircraft stands are set to be full this summer after Tui and Jet2 each added new aircraft based at EMA, along with some new routes on offer. These include Jet2 now flying to Naples in Italy and Eastern Airways partnering with Air France so that EMA customers can connect to flights all around the globe via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – a great new destination for the summer when Paris hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Not only that, but some fantastic improvements have already taken shape at the start of a five-year, £120m investment programme. These include a new-look Castle Rock Tap Room & Kitchen along with modernised toilet facilities, improved customer wi-fi throughout the terminal, better seating, a large new JD Sports unit and even a fleet of new trolleys. And upgrades to the runway and taxiways will help to literally make people’s journeys smoother.