RTX's Collins Aerospace receives EASA approval for Pro Line Fusion® retrofits on Cessna aircraft

       Cessna Citation CJ1+/2+ aircraft registered in Europe can now be upgraded with the advanced functionality of the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion® integrated avionics system after receiving certification approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Collins Aerospace is an RTX business.

"Clearing this certification hurdle is a major step forward in providing European CJ customers with a solution that not only enhances their aircraft operations but can also extend the life and functionality of an aircraft," said Nathan Voight, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Avionics at Collins Aerospace. "This milestone underscores Collins' commitment to supporting the global network of CJ operators with the flight deck technology that makes operations safer, more efficient and predictable each and every flight."

Fusion's modularity and intuitive technology integration improves pilot workload, providing real-time data, visual clarity and predictability that simplifies operations during the most critical stages of flight.  

As European airspace continues to modernize, Fusion's suite of technology enhancements work together to enable precision approaches, facilitate efficient flight paths and ensure pinpoint positioning, even in remote areas – enabling pilots to confidently navigate evolving and diverse airspace regulations.

A Pro Line Fusion demo is on display at Collins Aerospace booth K72 during the 2024 EBACE show in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Porter Launches Service Between Montréal and Calgary

Porter Airlines is inaugurating its second Alberta route from Montréal, with daily roundtrip service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

Connecting the largest cities of Alberta and Québec, the new route is served by the 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. All passengers will enjoy Porter’s generous hospitality and elevated economy experience. Porter is the only airline on this route promising free, fast WiFi, no middle seats, and free beer and wine served in glassware.

Priority check-in, ticketing flexibility, extra legroom seats, fresh, healthy meals and premium pre-mixed cocktails are part of the all-inclusive PorterReserve fares, and available à la carte with PorterClassic fares.

Through Porter’s partnership with Air Transat, passengers can connect seamlessly to their extensive transatlantic network out of Montréal-Trudeau, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris and Rome.

The new Montréal-Calgary service complements existing Porter’s daily flights connecting Calgary with Toronto-Pearson and Ottawa.

The flight schedule is as follows:

Route	Departure	Arrival
Montréal-Trudeau - Calgary   Calgary - Montréal-Trudeau	6:20 p.m.   9:30 a.m.	9:05 p.m.   3:32 p.m.

All times are local

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Fokker Services Group Keeps Revving Up Sustainability and Innovation

Fokker Services Group Americas (FSG) proudly announces its sponsorship of students from THINC College & Career Academy in their 2024 submission to the Greenpower USA Foundation. The unveiling of this partnership will coincide with the celebration of FSG (Americas)'s newly upgraded sustainable aviation repair facility.

Set to take place on June 27th, from 2-5pm, the event will feature a thoughtful display of electric vehicles by Lagrange area car dealerships, highlighting the region's commitment to sustainability. Attendees will also enjoy a diverse selection of culinary delights from an array of local food trucks, adding flavour to the festivities.

FSG’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among young minds and sustainability. The Greenpower USA Foundation's mission aligns seamlessly with THINC's dedication to preparing students for success in both the workforce and higher education.

The Greenpower USA Foundation aims to advance the understanding of STEM topics and inspire innovation in young people through the immersive experience of designing, building, and racing electric-powered vehicles. By sponsoring and participating in this initiative, THINC students will not only gain invaluable hands-on experience but also develop crucial skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and project management. These are all highly celebrity skills within the FSG family.

Riyadh Air chooses Creative Director Ashi as its cabin crew fashion designer

                                     Riyadh Air has selected world-renowned Saudi Arabian fashion designer Ashi to design and create the airline's first-ever cabin crew fashion line. The partnership marks another groundbreaking milestone for the Kingdom's new start-up airline, which is set to combine spectacular high fashion and outstanding design with functionality ahead of its maiden flight in 2025.

The new uniform collection will be a stunning visual manifestation of cutting-edge design that reflects Riyadh Air's dynamic approach to doing things differently, along with setting new standards in customer service and style, as it positively disrupts the future of aviation through its digital-first mindset and relentless attention to detail. Riyadh Air and Ashi share a common DNA of luxury, style and a focus on the future, with both committed to showcasing the world-class ingenuity, excellence and innovation of Saudi Arabia to the world.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said: "It is a hugely proud moment for Riyadh Air to be working with an exceptionally talented designer such as Ashi for our beautiful cabin crew fashion line. Our cabin crew personify the panache and style that Riyadh Air represents, making it imperative to partner with a like-minded innovator who not only understands Saudi Arabian culture and hospitality, but also captures the essence of our brand with a bold, visual impact. The cabin crew fashion line is one of the first things our guests will see when they board our aircraft in 2025 and we are confident that Ashi's unique designs will leave a lasting impression, ensuring the experience lives long in their memory after they have landed."

AXON Aviation Group transfers business aircraft division to Jetcraft

AXON Aviation Group (AXON) has selected Jetcraft to take on its business jet activity as it seeks to streamline its service offering. The company will transfer all business aircraft sales and acquisitions to Jetcraft ensuring a smooth handover period for clients.

Niki Rokni, Partner and Head of Aircraft Sales at AXON, says: “Jetcraft is the global leader in business jet transactions and is a natural fit to take on our respected clients. The AXON team will remain the same, now with additional focus on our commercial aircraft sales and leasing services.”

The handover follows many years of successful collaboration between AXON and Jetcraft in navigating complex transactions around the world. AXON, who specialize in exclusive, off-market listings, will continue to work hand in hand with each customer to provide a seamless transition.

Jahid Fazal-Karim, Owner and Chairman of the Board at Jetcraft, says: “I want to thank Niki and all at AXON for placing their trust in us. Jetcraft is a global force in the industry, offering the best-in-class service for aircraft sales, acquisitions and trades. By taking on AXON’s elite customer base and quality aircraft we continue our growth trajectory, providing the expertise nobody else can match.”

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Air Cargo Demand Continues Strong Growth into Q2

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2024 global air cargo markets showing strong annual growth in demand into the second quarter (Q2). 

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 11.1% compared to April 2023 levels (11.6% for international operations). This is the fifth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 7.1% compared to April 2023 (10.2% for international operations). 

"Air cargo demand started Q2 with a solid 11.1% increase. While many economic uncertainties remain, it appears that the roots of air cargo’s strong performance are deepening. In recent months, air cargo demand grew even when the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) was indicating the potential for contraction. With the PMI now indicating growth, the prospects for continued strong demand are even more robust,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Air cargo market in detail - April 2024

April 2024 (% year-on-year) World share1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt) CLF (level) Total Market 100% 11.1% 7.1% 1.6% 43.9% Africa 2.0% 10.6% 18.7% -3.1% 42.9% Asia Pacific 33.3% 14.0% 7.8% 2.4% 44.5% Europe 21.4% 12.7% 10.3% 1.1% 51.5% Latin America 2.8% 11.7% 9.8% 0.6% 38.7% Middle East 13.5% 9.4% 5.7% 1.5% 44.7% North America 26.9% 7.0% 4.0% 1.1% 38.7%

1% of industry CTKs in 2023

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

Hanwha Phasor announces strategic partnership with Kontron

International satellite communications company Hanwha Phasor, today announced a new strategic partnership with Kontron, a German-based multinational company which designs and manufactures embedded computer modules, boards and systems. The agreement, expected to be worth tens of millions of GBP over the next 10 years, will see Kontron provide a key power component to ensure the viability of the Phasor A7700 user terminal, an Active Electronically Steered Antenna for satellite communications designed for the commercial and military aerospace market.

Kontron has been contracted to design and develop a KPSU (Ku/Ka-band Power Supply Unit), compatible with ARINC 792, to power Hanwha Phasor’s multi-orbit active electronically steered antenna – the Phasor A7700. The primary purpose of the KPSU is to convert the aircraft's 3-phase AC power supply to a steady, regulated DC-supply for the Antenna system. The KPSU also provides hold-up functionality to allow uninterrupted antenna operation in the event of a short brown-out to the main aircraft supply bus.

The design and development of the KPSU is a vital step for the Phasor A7700 which is expected to come to market in late 2025. With the KPSU development underway, it allows Hanwha Phasor to continue into the final airworthiness accreditation with authorities in the EU and US.

AIR Passenger Demand Up 11% in April

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

•    Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 11.0% compared to April 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 9.6% year-on-year. The April load factor was 82.4% (+1.0ppt compared to April 2023). 

•    International demand rose 15.8% compared to April 2023; capacity was up 14.8% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 82.2% (+0.7ppt on April 2023). 

•    Domestic demand rose 4.0% compared to April 2023; capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+1.5ppt compared to April 2023). 

“Passenger demand has been growing for 36 consecutive months. As we enter the peak northern summer travel season, there is every reason to feel optimistic for a strong summer with airlines offering a wide range of travel options. 97% of passengers asked in our recent survey said they were satisfied with their last flight. Every part of the travel value chain needs to be focused on maintaining that,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The IATA Passenger Survey also revealed 88% agreement that ’air travel makes my life better’.  “That’s an important motivation as our members gather for the IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai next week. This strong endorsement of the power of air connectivity to transform lives and boost economies brings with it a challenge that will also be on the minds of all attending. It is critically important that we achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 so that people can continue to rely on all the benefits of air travel,” said Walsh.

Air passenger market in detail - April 2024

April 2024 (% year-on-year) World share1 RPK ASK PLF (%-pt) PLF (level) Total Market 100% 11.0% 9.6% 1.0% 82.4% Africa 2.1% 15.7% 11.6% 2.6% 73.4% Asia Pacific 31.7% 17.4% 11.8% 3.9% 82.4% Europe 27.1% 9.3% 9.2% 0.1% 83.8% Latin America 5.5% 8.0% 7.2% 0.6% 82.2% Middle East 9.4% 14.1% 9.7% 3.1% 79.2% North America 24.2% 4.2% 7.6% -2.7% 83.0%

1% of industry RPKs in 2023

WestJet Encore and ALPA reach tentative agreement avoiding lockout and disruption to Encore service

Agreement to be put forward for ratification vote

WestJet today announced they have reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), representing WestJet Encore pilots, on the second collective bargaining agreement between the organizations. The agreement successfully averts a work stoppage and both parties await the second ratification vote to be put forward to membership.

Yesterday evening, following the issuance of a lockout notice, both ALPA and WestJet returned to the bargaining table. Following challenging, but meaningful discussions, a timely resolution was achieved, with the collective goal of avoiding the disruption of WestJet Encore operations and guests' travel plans.

"The tentative agreement we have reached today provides an offer that is fair and sustainable, and better aligns with key priorities as identified by ALPA, while firmly adhering to the financial parameters that set a critical foundation in the original agreement," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. "While we are pleased to have reached an agreement, we recognize the impact and the uncertainty a lockout notice has on our guests and our people. While our number one priority remains fulfilling our commitment to our guests, through affordable air service, we cannot compromise on what is reasonable and protects the future employment for everyone across the WestJet Group; I am confident our agreement achieves this."

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WestJet issues advance lockout notification to its Encore Pilot union, ALPA

A work stoppage could occur as early as Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. MT, unless a deal is reached

WestJet today has issued an advance lockout notice to the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the union that represents WestJet Encore pilots. As a result of today's lockout notice, a work stoppage could occur as early as Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. MT, unless a deal is reached. The announcement comes following the failed ratification of the tentative agreement between the two parties on Friday, May 10, 2024. 

"The decision to issue notice was not made lightly, and we sincerely apologize for the uncertainty this causes for our guests and the Western Canadian regions that rely on WestJet Encore service; we are hopeful that guest disruption can still be prevented," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airline and Group Chief Operating Officer. "Our tentative agreement represented a robust negotiation process that got us to our final offer. Given this, over the past two weeks, we have been working diligently to understand where we could better align priorities within the financial framework presented. Unfortunately, given the pace of progress and our steadfast priority to protect the summer travel plans of Canadians, a lockout notice was required to provide certainty for our guests and employees by bringing this to a final resolution."   

The WestJet Group has been in active labour negotiations with ALPA since September 2023. The rejected tentative agreement presented an offer that would make WestJet Encore pilots the highest paid regional pilots in Canada, while delivering industry leading work-life balance standards and commitments to career progression. 

Saudi Arabia’s Low-Cost Airline Chooses Mix of A320neos & A321neos

flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, today announced a landmark order for 51 narrowbody Airbus aircraft to fuel the next phase of its expansion plans. 

The historic agreement for 12 Airbus A320neos and 39 bigger capacity A321neos was signed as part of a wider announcement by parent Saudia Group for a record 105 aircraft order – the largest in Saudi aviation history. The announcement was made on the opening day of the Future Aviation Forum held in Riyadh last week. 

His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, presided over the official signing by His Excellency Eng Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudia Group Director General, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice-President Sales. 

flyadeal’s new fleet will support growth targets that will see a tripling in size from the current 32 all-Airbus A320neo and ceo variants to more than 100 aircraft by 2030, with its network reach rising sharply from 30 domestic and international destinations to over 100 within six years. 

New flights from New York to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Bonaire with JetBlue

New York's hometown airline JetBlue has announced a new Caribbean service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights between JFK and Argyle International Airport (SVD) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will launch on 9th October and operate on Wednesdays and Sundays. 

JetBlue’s flights to Bonaire’s Flamingo International Airport (BON) will start 5th November and operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. By the end of 2024, JetBlue will serve more than 80 nonstop destinations and offer an average of over 200 departures per day from New York City.

“This fall, we are excited to introduce Bonaire and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to our network as part of our strategy to serve underserved routes and our emphasis on adding flying into top leisure destinations,” said David Jehn, vice president, network planning and airline partnerships, JetBlue. “By offering nonstop service from New York’s JFK Airport to both islands, we look forward to strengthening our presence in Latin America and the Caribbean and bringing our low fares and great service to new markets, while giving our customers more travel options.”

JetBlue – currently the sixth largest airline in the U.S. – is known for having the most legroom in coach2, live television and on-demand entertainment on every seatback, free and fast Fly-Fi broadband internet3, complimentary snacks and soft drinks and great customer service.

Connecting New York to two new Caribbean destinations

JetBlue’s growth in the Caribbean is part of a broader reach into international markets where the airline’s great customer service and low fares have made it a leading airline. In recent years, the airline has built a robust network throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. With JetBlue’s entry into St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Bonaire, the airline will now operate in more than 25 countries in the region.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, comprised of 32 islands and cays, is renowned for its warm people, volcanic landscapes, black and white sand beaches, and pristine sailing waters, representing the quintessential Caribbean paradise. Service from New York-JFK to St. Vincent is set to launch on October 9. JetBlue is set to become the first U.S. carrier ever to offer service from New York-JFK to St. Vincent.

"The government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are thrilled to welcome JetBlue to the place we call home! This new service offers convenience, comfort, and exceptional service to visitors to our diverse destination,” said Honorable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture. “We look forward to seeing you in St. Vincent and the Grenadines soon!"

Panasonic Avionics and EVA Air sign deal for the installation of in-flight entertainment systems on 54 aircraft.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) and EVA Air have signed an agreement for the installation of in-flight engagement (IFE) and connectivity systems, and a range of digital services, on 54 of its widebody and narrowbody aircraft.

Panasonic Avionics' new Astrova seat end IFE solution will be installed on 18 of the airline's new Airbus A350-1000 and 14 of its existing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, along with its Marketplace e-commerce solution and Arc™ integrated moving map.

In addition, EVA will retrofit 17 of the airline's Airbus A321 fleet with Panasonic Avionics' eXW wireless IFE solution and will add five Boeing 787-9 aircraft fitted with Panasonic Avionics' NEXT and eX3 IFE, along with connectivity services.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: "We are proud to sign this agreement with our longstanding customer, EVA Air. The installation of our award-winning in-flight entertainment, connectivity, and digital solutions across their widebody and narrowbody fleets will elevate their brand, enhance their onboard experience, and boost engagement with their passengers."

Clay Sun, President of EVA Air, said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Panasonic Avionics and continue to provide an elevated passenger experience for our customers. We look forward to enhancing our services with the Astrova seat-end solution and improving our offerings with their advanced digital services for many years to come."

Air Canada Proudly Renews its Partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee Until 2030

Air Canada is proud to #FlytheFlag as Team Canada's Official Airline for the next four Olympic and Paralympic Games, including Paris 2024

Airline kicks off a series of Olympic and Paralympic-themed activations with the unveiling of a special Boeing 777 livery

Air Canada has also unveiled 10 Team Air Canada athlete ambassadors representing the best of Canadian values and sporting excellence

Air Canada has renewed its partnership as the Official Airline of Team Canada. The new agreement, showcasing the airline's deep passion for sport and commitment to sharing the best of Canada with the world, extends through the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and includes Paris 2024.

Adding to the excitement, Air Canada also unveiled at an event in Toronto a Boeing 777 with a special livery to transport Team Canada Olympians and Paralympians, coaches and support staff to and from the Games.

"We're honoured to extend our partnership with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees as Team Canada's Official Airline through 2030, including for Paris 2024," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. "We're looking forward to proudly sharing the very best of Canada with the world as we cheer the nation's top athletes on to Olympic and Paralympic success."

Air Canada will #FlyTheFlag as the Official Airline of Team Canada for the next four Olympic and Paralympic Games. This includes the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to which the airline will transport more than 1,000 Team Canada athletes and delegation members, supported by its Going for Gold employee program, ensuring a seamless and easy travel experience to and from the Games.

"We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Air Canada," said David Shoemaker, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "For more than 30 years, Air Canada's passion for Team Canada has been remarkable. We're grateful for the exceptional travel experience they consistently offer our athletes, helping them compete at their best on the world's biggest stage."

"Air Canada continues to be a world-class partner, committed to working collaboratively with the Paralympic community to provide the best possible services for Paralympic athletes to travel to the Games," said Karen O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "We look forward to a comfortable, safe, and efficient journey to Paris with Air Canada this summer, and to strengthening our relationship even further over the next six years in support of helping athletes to reach their Paralympic goals."

FAA issues final airworthiness criteria for Archer's Midnight Aircraft

Archer Aviation, a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, confirmed this week that the FAA issued for public inspection the final airworthiness criteria for Archer’s Midnight aircraft. This significant regulatory milestone provides the solidified path for Archer to achieve Type Certification for Midnight. Archer is one of two companies in the world to achieve this certification progress with the FAA for an eVTOL aircraft.

The finalization of Archer’s airworthiness criteria unlocks the ability for Archer to work with the FAA to obtain the remaining final approvals on its certification and test plans. This is a critical step as Archer continues to ramp up its “for credit” testing with the FAA and prepares to begin its piloted flight testing later this year.

“Midnight is one giant step closer to taking passengers into the sky in the coming years in the U.S. The final airworthiness criteria for Midnight is an important step on our journey to make electric flying taxis an everyday reality,” said Billy Nolen, Archer Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer and former Administrator of the FAA. “Thank you to the team at the FAA for their continued hard work in support of making the electrification of aviation a reality.”

Aviation Capital Group announces delivery of an Airbus A320neo to SAS

Aviation Capital Group, a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, announced the delivery of one new Airbus A320neo aircraft on long-term lease to Scandinavian Airlines. Featuring CFM International LEAP-1A engines, this is the last aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline as part of a 12-aircraft sale-leaseback transaction between ACG and SAS.

Aviation Capital Group is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with approximately 480 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2024, leased to roughly 90 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It specializes in commercial aircraft leasing and provides certain aircraft asset management services and aircraft financing solutions for third parties. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.

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Joby Partners with Mukamalah Aviation

Joby Aviation,  a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world’s largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby’s aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The MoU, signed today between Joby and Mukamalah, contemplates the parties working together to engage with key aviation stakeholders, including The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), to expedite Joby’s entry into the Saudi Arabia market, leading to the direct purchase of Joby aircraft to be used in Mukamalah’s operations.

The direct sale of aircraft to business customers such as Mukamalah and government partners like the U.S. Department of Defense forms one pillar of Joby’s commercialization strategy, alongside the direct operation of Joby aircraft in core markets such as the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates, and partnered operations in other markets.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said: “Saudi Arabia presents a remarkable opportunity for our technology and the scope and scale of Mukamalah’s operations make them a natural partner for us.

flyadeal Orders 51 Aircraft in Landmark Airbus Deal

flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest-growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, today announced a landmark order for 51 narrowbody Airbus aircraft to fuel the next phase of its expansion plans.

The historic agreement for 12 Airbus A320neos and 39 bigger capacity A321neos was signed as part of a wider announcement by parent Saudia Group for a record 105 aircraft order – the largest in Saudi aviation history. The announcement was made on the opening day of the Future Aviation Forum being held in Riyadh this week.

His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, presided over the official signing by His Excellency Eng Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudia Group Director General, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice-President Sales.

flyadeal’s new fleet will support growth targets that will see a tripling in size from the current 32 all-Airbus A320neo and ceo variants to more than 100 aircraft by 2030, with its network reach rising sharply from 30 domestic and international destinations to over 100 within six years.

Airbus awarded space weather spacecraft mission Vigil

Airbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to design and build the space weather forecasting satellite Vigil, the first operational mission in ESA’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Space Safety Programme (S2P). The spacecraft will give vital extra warning to Earth about incoming solar storms and coronal mass ejections which can potentially disrupt satellites in orbit and electronic and power distribution systems on Earth.

Patrick Wood, Head of Space Systems UK, Airbus Defence and Space said: “Vigil is one of the most exciting and important space missions that will not only improve our understanding of the Sun’s behaviour but crucially provide us with earlier warning and greater precision about potentially damaging solar weather. Space weather forecasters will be able to see what is coming from the Sun and provide more accurate alerts.”

Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “Space weather generates stunning phenomena like the recent displays of the Northern lights over our skies - but it also presents a real risk to our way of life which is increasingly dependent on space and satellite services. The Vigil mission will transform our understanding of the impact of potentially dangerous solar events and I congratulate Airbus here in the UK on taking the lead in this important mission.”

“Vigil will be Europe’s first 24/7 operational space weather satellite, providing valuable time to protect critical infrastructure such as power grids or mobile communication networks on Earth as well as valuable satellites in Earth orbit, including the International Space Station ISS,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General.  “Vigil will drastically improve both the lead time of space weather warnings as well as their level of detail from its unique vantage point in deep space.”

Vigil will be positioned at Lagrange point L5 on the same orbit as the Earth, 150 million km behind it as the Earth orbits the Sun. This will enable Vigil to see the Sun as it rotates, and see the size and speed of solar weather heading towards the Earth. Data from Vigil could provide notice of four to five days of solar winds streaming toward Earth.

From its particular vantage point, Vigil will complement other satellites monitoring the Sun from closer to the Earth. Among the most potentially damaging events are coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, consisting of a magnetised plasma containing protons, electrons and other charged particles. In 1989 a major geomagnetic storm struck Earth and caused a nine-hour outage of electricity transmission across Quebec.

Advance warning of incoming CME will enable power companies and authorities to shut down systems temporarily to protect them from power surges and ensure they can be powered up quickly after the danger has passed. This will avoid longer power outages and major damage to electronic systems used for global positioning and communication services.

Vigil, which will be built in the UK, will include a compact coronagraph developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, a heliographic imager from Florence-based Leonardo SpA and a photo-magnetospheric field Imager from Germany’s Max Planck Institute. In addition, Vigil will carry a plasma analyser from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in London and a magnetometer from Imperial College London. NASA is providing Vigil’s sixth instrument, an extreme ultraviolet imager.

The spacecraft platform will provide the best environment for high-quality scientific measurements, including tight magnetic cleanliness and contamination control measures. Being an operational mission, the design of the satellite has to be extremely resilient to ensure the continuous, flawless operation of its instruments and high reliability in data transmission for users, especially in case of a major solar event.

Vigil was selected by ESA in 2022 and is supported by the UK Space Agency and other member states of ESA. The UK’s Met Office has a dedicated space weather forecasting department which will use the data from Vigil to offer the world more accurate forecasts.

Vigil, due to be launched in 2031, will be the first ESA spacecraft to be positioned at L5 and is designed to operate in orbit for more than 7.5 years.

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The WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech outlines strategic achievements and calls for series of affordability measures

Soaring Together: the airline's strategic growth report offers nationwide update on being the home carrier of the west, leading in leisure coast-to-coast and safeguarding affordability

The WestJet Group CEO calls for government review of Canada's user-pay model for aviation infrastructure

The WestJet Group has released Soaring Together its first progress report highlighting the airline's accomplishments across Canada since the launch of its growth strategy nearly two years ago.  

"The WestJet Group continues to drive job creation, investment and economic prosperity through the deployment of our ambitious strategy that has enabled us to expand our network and unlock more affordable travel options for Canadians," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. "From coast-to-coast, communities depend on our reliable and affordable air service. As we build on our success to better serve our guests, we must take action to safeguard affordability."

Major Highlights:

In 2023, guests purchased more than 2.5 million tickets below $100 from The WestJet Group. Nearly 50 per cent of all tickets purchased were priced by WestJet under $200.

Across the last two years, The WestJet Group, has hired more than 5,400 employees and currently employs 15,000 people.

WestJet has positioned the YYC Calgary International Airport as its global hub, making it the best connected mid-sized city in North America. By the end of 2024, it's expected that The WestJet Group will grow its seat capacity in Calgary by 40 per cent from 2022 levels.

As Canada's western leader, WestJet is the number one carrier in eight of nine major Western Canadian airports.

WestJet is Canada's most dependable major airline, surpassing industry standards in on-time departures, arrivals, and completion rates. In April 2024, WestJet ranked second in on-time performance against all major North American carriers.

In 2023, WestJet completed its major acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations, bolstering scale and market presence to bring the best vacation offerings to all Canadians. Currently, one in two vacation packages sold in Canada will be sold through the various brands that make up Sunwing Vacations Group.

easyJet opens new AI equipped operations control centre

Brand new airline operations control centre will manage around half a million flights annually

Operations team have access to  a new generative AI tool, Jetstream, to help solve issues for pilots and crew on the ground more quickly, with plans to put this technology directly into pilot and crew’s hands in the coming months aiding real-time decision making to improve the customer experience

Data science is already embedded in many areas of the operation from aircraft technology, aircraft swaps and predictive maintenance

easyJet has opened a brand new operations Integrated Control Centre (ICC) in Luton to manage its daily flight programme of around 2000 flights. The new centre has embedded AI into its day to day practices to aid faster and better decision making to help improve the customer experience. For example, tools to help predict standby crew requirements and a crew planning tool which helps to recommend and select the best crew options for the needs of the operation. 

More than 250 specialists work in the 24/7 control centre managing more than 340 easyJet aircraft flying up to 300,000 customers to 35 countries on more than 1000 routes to 155 airports every day. The new state-of-the-art facility houses experts working across the operation to get flights off the ground and to their destination, safely and on time. Roles in the centre range from route planners,  crewing teams to ensure pilots and crew are correctly allocated to flights, teams dealing with aircraft allocation and aircraft maintenance as well as live customer communications. 

The new ICC facility has been thoughtfully designed to ensure the team have a calm environment where noise is limited, the team have natural daylight with dark desks and individual desk lighting so they can create the best working environment for them and a brand new rest room with reclining chairs and dark green walls and ceilings which is proven to engender a relaxing environment.

We have provided teams with a new generative AI tool called Jetstream, which gives them instant access to policies, procedures and information which will enable them to solve operational issues as they occur. And in the coming months, we plan for AI-led technology will be placed in the hands of our crew as well. This bespoke tool contains the information from eight operational manuals to aid ICC with a wealth of information making around 3000 pages of manuals available at their fingertips like never before.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, commented: 

“We are really pleased to have our new operations control centre up and running in time for the summer season ramp up, providing our operational team with a modern and bespoke facility from which to manage up to 13,000 flights a week. 

“At easyJet, we saw the potential early on for data to improve customer experience and operational efficiency which could help us provide a better flying experience for our customers, crew and pilots. And while you can’t always see it, the technology is already hard at work in the air and on the ground helping us predict exactly what food and drink we need for certain routes while minimising food waste, aiding predictive maintenance decisions and helping us to ensure we have the right aircraft on the right routes to best match demand. 

“We continue to invest in and deepen our knowledge and use of AI, with a rapid deployment team working on 250 live use cases across our operations and scheduling, customer service, the booking experience and easyJet holidays.”

Finnair adds flights to Lapland and Norway for next winter

Finnair adds flights to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, and Tromsø and Trondheim in Norway for the next winter season.* Finnair will have up to 63 weekly flights to Rovaniemi, which is 13 more than last winter. The additional frequencies will be focused on the most popular travel days, Wednesday, and the weekend. During the peak hours on Saturdays, there will be flights to Rovaniemi as often as every half an hour. 

Additionally, Finnair will fly from Rovaniemi to Tromsø in Northern Norway six days per week. Flights between Rovaniemi and Tromsø were first introduced back in December 2023, and the connections are operated as tag flights: Helsinki-Rovaniemi-Tromsø and Tromsø-Rovaniemi-Helsinki. Finnair also has direct year-round flights from Helsinki to Tromsø. 

In addition, Finnair will increase the number of flights to Trondheim and will fly to the popular Norwegian destination six times per week in the upcoming winter season. 

“Last winter showed that interest in our northern destinations continues to grow. The additional frequencies serve especially well the European network and guarantee smooth daily connections to the north via Helsinki”, says Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer of Finnair.  

The aviation industry’s winter season extends from October to March, so travelers can enjoy Lapland’s unique travel experiences not only in winter but also in late autumn and early spring. Finnair is the only airline that flies to Finnish Lapland all year round.

*Winter season 2024: 27.10.2024-29.3.2025

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Porter and Ottawa Airport Celebrate Grand Opening of Aircraft Maintenance Base

Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (PAHI), parent company of Porter Airlines, and the Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) are celebrating the grand opening of Porter’s YOW aircraft hangars and maintenance base. 

The two aircraft hangars are approximately 150,000 sq. ft. in combined size, supporting the maintenance of Porter’s growing Embraer E195-E2 fleet and existing De Havilland Dash 8-400s. The airline has up to 100 E195-E2s on order, with 33 currently in service. The Dash 8-400 fleet totals 29 aircraft.

OIAA has constructed a new taxiway and related infrastructure to support the hangar development. The growth at the airport represents a combined $125 million investment in YOW’s future.

YOW will be a primary maintenance base for Porter, with 200 local team members being hired to support its operation. This includes 160 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), plus shop technicians, stores clerks and administrative support. These represent highly-skilled roles that will be based in the city. To support this endeavor, Porter and Algonquin College are establishing a long-term strategic partnership to enhance work-integrated learning opportunities across all areas of the business, and to support program development and training, with specific activities taking place at the Ottawa hangars. Notable programs at Algonquin College include Aircraft Maintenance Technician and Aviation Management. These initiatives are designed to align with the growing needs of the aviation industry and demonstrate the shared commitment to the future of aviation professionals.

Ottawa is Porter’s fastest-growing market outside of Toronto, feeding into the airline’s strong Eastern Canada network and its growing western markets. This summer, Porter will offer more daily flights from YOW than any other carrier, with 16 non-stop routes and approximately two million passengers travelling through YOW in 2024. By the end of this year, Porter expects to employ more than 400 team members in Ottawa, representing customer service, pilots, flight attendants and maintenance.

OIAA invested $15 million constructing Taxiway Romeo in the airport’s north field area. This represents the first airside expansion project in the OIAA’s 20-year history. It accommodates Porter’s hangar development, as well as future federal government needs, and other commercial aviation-related development.

Michael Deluce, CEO, PAHI said:  “The investments we are making in the new aircraft hangars and local hiring are foundational to Porter’s future in Ottawa. Porter’s presence at YOW has grown significantly in the past year, with new non-stop routes using both our E195s and Dash 8s, and plans to add an E195-E2 crew base at the airport. Our partnership with Algonquin College is extremely valuable for both organizations, providing us with access to local talent and giving students career opportunities that are close to home. We are meaningfully investing in Canada’s Capital Region and see more growth in its future.”

Mark Laroche, president and CEO, OIAA commented:  “Porter Airlines’ commitment to YOW is transformational for Canada’s Capital Region, and the community will reap the economic and social benefits for decades. Today’s hangar opening celebration demonstrates how being an airline’s hub airport creates new levels of prosperity and connectivity.”

Mark Sutcliffe, mayor, City of Ottawa said:  "Thank you to the team at Porter Airlines for recognizing the enormous potential of Ottawa as the perfect place to expand their operations. More flights in and out of Ottawa is great news for our residents, entrepreneurs, tourists, and the economy."

Claude Brulé, President of Algonquin College remarked:  "Our collaboration with Porter Airlines is a cornerstone of our strategy to integrate industry-leading practices into our curriculum and provide our students with unmatched real-world experience. This partnership not only aligns with our mission to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success but also enhances our contributions to the aviation industry."

Sustainability

The hangars are designed and built with sustainability in mind, including the following features:

A predominantly electric fleet of vehicles that will be used for towing and servicing aircraft, as well as ground support.

Design criteria that exceeds current energy efficiency standards, including for insulation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting and electrical power systems.

The hangars are clad in Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs).

Superior to the standard metal siding usually found on aircraft hangars.

The anticipated lifespan is greater than 60 years.

Constructed with approximately 35% recycled steel and, at end of life, can in turn be recycled.

Constructed from materials that have a low embodied carbon footprint - 28% lower than conventional tilt-up assemblies.

The structure spans 85.6 m (280 ft.). This substantial clear span has been achieved using prefabricated trusses. The steel tonnage to span ratio is approximately 30% less than conventional rolled steel section beams.

Fire protection involves dual systems. In addition to a conventional sprinkler system, the aircraft parking and maintenance areas are equipped with an instantaneous foam deluge system. In the event of a fire, the multi-layers of fire suppression do not rely on a conventional single source of water supply. The city hydrant system is fully supplemented by an onsite underground water storage tank containing approximately 1.2 million litres of water.

Stormwater management has become an important factor in both commercial and industrial developments. Instead of rain/stormwater flowing directly to and overstressing existing city mains, two 173,000-litre underground tanks are being installed at the Porter hangars to capture excess.

The hangars are designed by Scott Associates Architects, with PCL Construction acting as Construction Manager, together with Span Construction & Engineering.

The Ottawa International Airport Authority - OIAA manages, operates and develops airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of Canada’s Capital Region, generating more than $2.2 billion annually in total economic activity in Ottawa and Gatineau.

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