The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its response to the Department for Transport consultation on reforming the airport slot allocation system.

The CMA responded to the Airport slot allocation system reform consultation, led by the Department for Transport (DfT). This consultation was run under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government, and following the election period the CMA is publishing in line with usual practice.

The CMA’s response endorses the proposed changes in the consultation, aimed at improving the current system. The response also explains why the CMA recommends going further and makes the case for market-based mechanisms to allocate airport slots, by drawing upon the CMA’s previous advice and consultation responses in this sector.

The CMA is the UK’s principal competition and consumer authority. It is an independent non-ministerial government department, and its responsibilities include carrying out investigations into mergers and markets and enforcing competition and consumer law. The CMA helps people, businesses and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour.1 The CMA has a role in providing information and advice to government and public authorities.2 The CMA’s advice and recommendations are made with a view to ensuring that policy decisions take account of the impacts on competition and consumers. 

The CMA’s strategy includes “getting about and travelling” as an area of focus and which continues in the CMA’s Annual Plan 2024-25. The transport sector has great significance in supporting economic activity. The aviation sector helps the UK trade and allows people to travel internationally and domestically for work and pleasure. The air transport sector alone contributed £5.47 billion to the UK economy in 2019, with the entire aviation industry contributing almost £22 billion. 

However, airport capacity is scarce and needs to be allocated efficiently. We welcome measures to improve competition in this sector in the interests of passengers, such as through reform to airport slot allocation.

The CMA has engaged extensively with the Department for Transport (DfT) on the issue of airport slot allocation system reform since 2018. We have consistently made the case for using market-based approaches in allocating airport slots. The CMA believes that, as well as improving competition in the interests of passengers, market-based approaches can improve dynamism and innovation in one of the UK’s largest services export markets, making a sizeable difference to the economy. 

25 years of help alliance: Lufthansa Airbus takes off in fall with special ’helping hands’ livery

Exactly 25 years ago, Lufthansa Group employees in Frankfurt am Main founded the Help Alliance, Lufthansa Group’s aid organization. To mark this anniversary, Europe’s largest aviation company is sending a clear sign of support across the continent: an Airbus A321neo with the lettering ’help alliance’ and many colourful “helping hands” will be flying in Lufthansa’s European route network from autumn.

The aircraft with the help alliance sticker pays tribute to all the people who have shown great commitment to the aid organization over the past 25 years and collects donations. Those who hurry can symbolically leave a colourful handprint on the plane. There is space for a total of 300 handprints on the aircraft - they can be purchased at helpalliance.org. The money will be used to provide children in Africa and India with school books and meals, among other things.

Wales Air Ambulance deploys Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform

Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has announced Wales Air Ambulance is the latest organisation to deploy its Approval Services platform allowing drone operators the ability to request and pay for operations which involve taking-off and landing from a landowner’s property.

Wales Air Ambulance delivers advanced medical help to people across Wales and relies on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.   

Every year, Wales Air Ambulance’s four helicopters and fleet of rapid response vehicles attend thousands of missions, covering rural countryside, towns, and cities, along the Welsh coastline and across vast mountain ranges. The Approval Service platform will deploy across two of the Charity’s airbases, Cardiff Heliport, and its headquarters at Dafen. 

Described on its launch by [then] Aviation Minister Baroness Vere, as ‘a key step to [the UK] achieving its ambitious outcomes we are setting through the Future of Flight Industry Group’, Approval Services allows drone operators to submit flight plans, which take place wholly or in part, within an airport’s FRZ or require take-off and landing permissions from a landowner, quickly and securely, as well as facilitating any charges the airport/landowner have in place when a flight is approved. 

On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, Deborah Stephens, Wales Air Ambulance, Airbase Manager, said: “As a lifesaving service, carrying out sometimes multiple missions a day, airspace safety is a priority. By utilising the Approval Services platform, we can ensure the safety of our crews and other airspace users on and in the vicinity of our airbases and can manage drone flight request permission and standardisation of the process for all parties. Altitude Angel has an excellent reputation and its technology will now be deployed at our airbases in Cardiff and Dafen.” 

Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Being able to deploy our technology at sites operated by blue-light services, such as Wales Air Ambulance, is testament to the platform we have developed which is being used daily, in the real world. Approvals Services will help ensure the skies around where the air ambulances operate from remain safe for all airspace users.”

AirAsia Indonesia arrives in Cairns

Air Asia has started a new service linking Cairns and Denpasar, the first time the carrier has flown into the Queensland airport. 

The inaugural flight landed in Cairns about 6am on Thursday 15th August and reloaded with local passengers before departing back to Bali (Denpasar) just after 7am. Services will operate three times a week, injecting more than 28,000 seats into the Cairns market in the first year. 

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the inaugural flight was a significant milestone for the wider Tropical North Queensland region, “AirAsia is one of the world’s most recognisable airline brands and is renowned in the industry as Asia’s first low cost, low fare carrier. 

We are thrilled to welcome AirAsia Indonesia to Cairns Airport today, for the first time ever. This new service will offer immense benefits to our region and many key industries. Providing seamless, affordable connections to Cairns from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and domestic Indonesia will bolster visitation and business opportunities from these major, populous markets. 

Bali is also a highly popular destination for locals, and we know this new service has been well- received by holidaymakers across Tropical North Queensland.” 

AirAsia Indonesia Chief Executive Officer Veranita Yosephine said: “We are thrilled to touch down in Cairns for the first time ever today, with great value services for local residents to Bali and onto over 130 destinations on the AirAsia Group network. At the same time, we are connecting millions of Indonesians and many more millions of guests from Asia and beyond via Bali to Tropical North Queensland’s gateway.

We see great demand, not only for this new direct route. Everyone loves Bali but at the same time we see many opportunities to promote the incredible tourism highlights in the far north of Queensland to our international guests like the Great Barrier Reef - one of the seven wonders of the world and to visit the amazing world-renowned rainforests. Conversely, Indonesia and Asia in general continues to be a leisure favourite region for Australians wanting an affordable and unique experience.

We also invite guests from Queensland to visit and enjoy the beauty of Indonesia. From the world- famous Labuan Bajo (Komodo Island) - home of the Komodo Dragon, and Tanjung Setia Surf-Beach in Lampung, to the new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, there is something for everyone. Explore the vibrant cultural heritage, the unique culinary delights and immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of our people. 

Indonesia is not just a destination; it is an experience that promises unforgettable memories. We are committed to providing seamless travel options and great value to our passengers, ensuring they have the best possible journey whether they are visiting for leisure or business." 

Cathay Pacific releases traffic figures for July 2024

Cathay Pacific has just released its traffic figures for July 2024, which showed that the airline achieved a new milestone by carrying more than two million passengers in a single month for the first time since the pandemic.

Cathay Pacific carried a total of 2,008,225 passengers in July 2024, an increase of 15.1% compared with July 2023. The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 16.1% year on year. Passenger load factor decreased by 3.8 percentage points to 85.5%, while available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased by 21.2% year on year. In the first seven months of 2024, the number of passengers carried increased by 32.5% to a total of 12,667,826, against a 39% increase in ASKs and a 31.6% increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2023.

The airline carried 126,797 tonnes of cargo in July 2024, an increase of 9.6% compared with July 2023. The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) decreased 0.5% year on year. The cargo load factor decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 58.3%, while available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 2.1% year on year. In the first seven months of 2024, the tonnage increased by 10.3% to a total of 846,261 tonnes, against a 9.9% increase in AFTKs and a 3.8% increase in RFTKs, as compared with the same period for 2023.

 

Travel

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Marking the start of the traditional summer travel peak, July was a milestone month for Cathay Pacific as the airline carried over two million passengers for the first time in a single month since our rebuild, while the 85.5% load factor was the highest of any month so far this year.

“Such robust demand was driven by the increased popularity of long-haul flights to and from Hong Kong in the first half of the month among students and those visiting friends and relatives. This was followed by a surge in demand for travel to popular short-haul destinations in Japan and Southeast Asia in the second half of July. In addition, we saw strong demand for flights to Paris due to the Olympic Games, and we were delighted to carry a significant number of athletes and spectators to attend this momentous sporting occasion.

 

Cargo

Lufthansa Airbus takes off in fall with special ’helping hands’ livery

Exactly 25 years ago, Lufthansa Group employees in Frankfurt am Main founded the Help Alliance, Lufthansa Group’s aid organization. To mark this anniversary, Europe’s largest aviation company is sending a clear sign of support across the continent: an Airbus A321neo with the lettering ’help alliance’ and many colourful “helping hands” will be flying in Lufthansa’s European route network from autumn.

The aircraft with the help alliance sticker pays tribute to all the people who have shown great commitment to the aid organization over the past 25 years and collects donations. Those who hurry can symbolically leave a colourful handprint on the plane. There is space for a total of 300 handprints on the aircraft - they can be purchased at helpalliance.org. The money will be used to provide children in Africa and India with school books and meals, among other things.

Vivian Spohr, patroness of Help Alliance, says:  “It makes me proud and grateful that Lufthansa is sending out a strong and highly visible signal on the 25th anniversary of Help Alliance. The aid organization would be inconceivable without people who care for those who need support - either actively in projects around the world or as donors. The ”helping hands“ on the plane are a tribute to their great work. Every donation helps to give children all over the world a better future. With help alliance, we are taking responsibility - in the past and in the future, because we still have a lot to do.”

Interested parties can find more information and make a donation on the Help Alliance website. Link to the donation website: Helping Hands - help alliance

About Help Alliance:

help alliance was founded in 1999 by dedicated Lufthansa employees in order to bundle the commitment of many individual coworkers. To date, the organization has developed into a driving force and central pillar of the social commitment of the entire Lufthansa Group. With a focus on education, training and work, the help alliance is currently involved in over 60 projects in 29 countries, working together with competent local partners and using the strengths of the Lufthansa Group to create future prospects for children, young people and young adults.

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Alaska Airlines believes in JetZero's flying wing design for the future of passenger flight....

Alaska Airlines has set its sights on future aircraft development at JetZero's blended-wing body aircraft that will, according to the hype, provide up to 50% less fuel burn and lower emissions. The innovative design in which the fuselage and wings are merged into a single shape will, they say, greatly reduce aerodynamic drag. This will result in lower fuel costs and also lower carbon emissions. Plus, the carrier will be able to come up with unique seating arrangements that are simply not possible with the tube and wings design of the current aircraft designs. 

Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-founder, JetZero, "The biggest challenge for airlines is lowering fuel burn and emissions. Of all the great new technologies in work, the BWB design delivers the biggest impact by far. Airlines will see immediate benefit in cost savings, dramatically lower emissions and improved customer experience, compared to aeroplanes flying today. We’re thrilled to welcome Alaska to our team of innovators, and our belief that this aircraft will reshape aviation."

Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines said: "At Alaska, we are always looking for ways to innovate and shape the future of air travel for our guests, employees, and industry. - We are proud to invest in JetZero’s development of this innovative next-generation aircraft, with a significant step-change in fuel efficiency. We and JetZero share a vision for more sustainable aviation, and we are excited to partner with them in creating that future."

The investment in JetZero, which includes options for future aircraft orders, was made through Alaska Star Ventures (ASV), the airline’s investment arm whose purpose is to influence the future of the aviation industry.

 

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RAF defends UK's skies using sustainable aviation fuel

The Royal Air Force is ensuring Britain is secure in a more sustainable manner by using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with normal jet fuel on routine operations for the first time.

Aircraft including Typhoon and Poseidon submarine hunters, operating from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, have been using a blend of conventional and SAF in a first for the air force as they take to the skies to defend the UK and allies.

Between November 2023 to February 2024, four million litres of blended sustainable aviation fuel were delivered to the Royal Air Force through a contract with World Fuel Services. A further five million one hundred and fifty thousand litres of fuel are being delivered over the period July to October 2024.

The fuel is used to power aircraft operating from Lossiemouth in Morayshire, northern Scotland. RAF Lossiemouth is one of the UK’s busiest RAF stations and is home to Typhoon aircraft that are ready to deploy 24/7, 365 as part of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert – keeping Britain secure.

Sustainable fuel sources include hydrogenated fats and oils, wood waste, alcohols, sugars, household waste, biomass and algae. As aviation currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of fuel used across defence, this first for the RAF demonstrates the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions with no compromise to national security.

In 2020, the Ministry of Defence updated aviation fuel standards to allow up to 50% sustainable sources to be used in fuel mixes for defence aircraft. Using blended SAF can cut aircraft carbon emissions by up to 80% and it is a significant step towards bolstering both operational capability and climate change and sustainability efforts.

The RAF has been trialling different types of fuel since the update to fuel standards. In November 2021, an RAF pilot flew a microlight aircraft powered by synthetic fuel created from air and water in a world first. In Spring 2022, a drone was flown on synthetic kerosene made by genetically modified bacteria and the RAF has tested an electric aircraft flown at RAF Cranwell.

In November 2022, an RAF Voyager successfully trialled the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel, flying for 90 minutes from RAF Brize Norton – a world first for a wide-bodied military aircraft, a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel supplied by Air bp.

In 2023, the Royal Air Force successfully used SAF to achieve the first SAF blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft. This was followed by the RAF’s display typhoon being powered on blended SAF at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the first time this aircraft has been displayed to the public on this fuel.

This work has helped to pave the way for the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the commercial sector, including a Government-funded transatlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic last year.

The use of sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant milestone in the RAF’s journey towards helping mitigate against climate change. By integrating sustainable practices into our operations, we are not only enhancing our ability to protect the nation and deliver excellence on operations, but also contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come."

Group Captain Sarah Brewin

Station Commander, RAF Lossiemouth

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United Nigeria Airlines scores 98% reliability in July and passes IATA Operational Safety Audit

United Nigeria Airlines recently confirmed it successfully achieved its second IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.  IOSA certification is a globally recognized benchmark for operational safety, and this achievement demonstrates United Nigeria Airlines' dedication to maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality in its operations.

July Performance

In July the airline achieved 98% schedule reliability, operating 599 out of 610 scheduled flights, however, on-time performance was down to 67%, which the carrier was mainly due to adverse weather conditions.

Only 15 flights were cancelled, and 199 flights experienced delays. Of these delays, 80 percent were under one hour. The delays were mainly caused by unfavourable weather and unscheduled aircraft maintenance.

Current routes include;

Lagos-Abuja-Lagos

Lagos-Asaba-Lagos

Abuja-Asaba-Abuja

Lagos-Owerri-Lagos

Abuja-Owerri-Abuja

Lagos-Port Harcourt-Lagos

Abuja-Port Harcourt-Lagos

Lagos-Yenagoa-Lagos

Abuja-Yenagoa-Abuja

Lagos-Enugu-Lagos

Abuja-Enugu-Abuja

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Alaska Airlines celebrates the opening of Portland’s new terminal....

Alaska Airlines has been celebrating the grand opening of its beautifully renovated, world-class terminal at Portland International Airport, which has been years in the making. 

The carrier has also confirmed that Portland is the first location where they are using new proprietary and innovative technology and processes to transform the airport experience and move passengers more seamlessly through the lobby and into security in five minutes or less. 

Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products and real estate at Alaska Airlines stated:  “As our second largest hub, Portland is an essential part of Alaska’s future. Our deep collaboration and joint investment with the Port of Portland on this new world-class terminal highlights our focus on improving how our guests travel.”

Charu Jain, senior vice president of innovation and merchandising at the carrier remarked: “With nearly 90% of our passengers now checking in before they arrive at the airport, we’ve launched our lobby of the future experience in Portland which simplifies dropping off bags and gets guests quickly through the lobby so they can enjoy everything the new terminal has to offer,”

Alaska Airlines has been the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years and the presence at the airport continues to expand — Alaska and Horizon Air flights have increased by 17% from 2023 to 2024. That translates to 110 peak daily flights to 55 nonstop destinations from PDX, with 29 of those locations served exclusively by Alaska, providing a crucial transportation link to smaller cities and communities. The airline recently started a new nonstop service to Miami and Nashville from PDX, and in the coming months, they will be adding nonstop flights to Atlanta and New Orleans. 

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Maxar’s Third and Fourth WorldView Legion Satellites Performing Well After Launch

Maxar Intelligence, a provider of secure, precise geospatial intelligence, has confirmed that its third and fourth WorldView Legion satellites are performing well after being launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket earlier today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The satellites are successfully communicating with Maxar’s ground teams. They are now going through the commissioning process, with first images expected in the early fall.

These two spacecrafts were launched into mid-inclination orbit (MIO), greatly expanding the capabilities of Maxar’s industry-leading Earth imaging constellation and enabling dawn-to-dusk collection. With this successful launch, Maxar’s constellation now includes eight satellites on orbit, including four next-generation WorldView Legion satellites. The first two WorldView Legion satellites were launched in May 2024, with first images released by Maxar in July 2024.

“Maxar is on a mission to push the geospatial industry forward through secure solutions that deliver more real-time insights for our government and commercial customers, and this successful launch plays a pivotal role in that journey,” said Maxar Intelligence CEO Dan Smoot. “Having multiple WorldView Legion satellites in MIO dramatically increases our ability to collect high-resolution, 30 cm-class imagery across more times of day and gain more visibility in areas that face frequent weather events like morning fog.”

Archer Delivers First Midnight Aircraft To The United States Air Force

Archer Aviation Inc. confirmed this week that it has delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the USAF to evaluate as part of its AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142M*.

The delivery comes after the U.S. Department of Defense accepted Midnight’s military airworthiness assessment, a critical approval that confirms Midnight’s readiness for flight testing by AFWERX. This allows AFWERX to conduct government-directed testing of the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and validate operational and military-specific mission concepts.

A team of USAF personnel worked alongside Archer’s flight test team to ramp up operations with Midnight at Salinas. Together, these teams executed simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights.

"This delivery represents a pivotal moment not only for Archer but for the future of military aviation," said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation. "Together, our goal is to prove Midnight’s potential and ensure the United States continues to lead the way with the world’s most advanced technology."

"Archer's Midnight aircraft has the potential to significantly enhance our operational capabilities," said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX Director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force. "We look forward to continuing our work with our industry partners as we explore the ways that this advanced aircraft can contribute to the mission."

With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, proprietary electric powertrain and low noise profile, Archer's Midnight aircraft is well-suited for military aviation operations.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is expected to provide a much safer, cost-effective and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options. As such, it holds the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles.

*The “up to” contract value is subject to certain conditions being met as defined in the contracts.

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Lufthansa Airlines has opened its new premium lounge in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport

Lufthansa Airlines has opened its new premium lounge in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey. Guests can relax or work in the 600 square meter space before their flight. 

The centrepiece of the lounge is the central Skyline Bar. There, passengers will find a large selection of cocktails, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. Plus craft beer on tap from New Jersey, the “Garden State”. On the culinary front, the Lufthansa Group offers its guests a selection of fresh regional products in the bistro area. In summer, the menu includes cornbread from Jersey with candied tomato jam and sandwiches with trumpet mushrooms, bacon, crisp lettuce and tomato chutney on sourdough bread. 

First Class passengers and HON Circle members have the opportunity to enjoy an à la carte menu in a private dining area. They can also choose from a selection of top wines and champagne. 

A total of around 10 million euros was invested in the new lounge.

Victoria Schuster, Vice President Product & Customer Experience Lufthansa Airlines, says: “We are proud to be able to present our guests in Newark with a new lounge that sets new standards. It offers private travellers cozy retreats for relaxation and our business customers generous workspaces. This lounge is a testament to our commitment to the customer as we strive to continually improve the experience for our guests, on the ground and in the air. That’s why we continue to invest in our offering around the world, whether in New Jersey or elsewhere, to meet Lufthansa’s premium standards and, above all, those of our guests.”

American Express to open a new Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport in 2025

American Express has released its plans to open a new Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in 2025.

Inspired by Utah’s breathtaking topography, the nearly 16,000 square foot lounge will give eligible Card Members a place to relax, work and enjoy a delicious meal before boarding their flight, an outdoor terrace with views of the Wasatch Mountains, a full bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages1, a full-service coffee bar featuring beans from a local roaster, a dedicated wellness room, and other signature Centurion Lounge amenities. The newly constructed lounge is scheduled to open in the new Concourse B in 2025 as part of Phase 4 of The New SLC Airport Redevelopment programme.

“American Express has strong roots in the Salt Lake City community. It’s home to many of our colleagues and Card Members and a popular vacation destination for US and global Card Members” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “The new Centurion Lounge will give eligible Card Members a taste of what this beautiful destination has to offer and feature premium amenities for all types of travelers.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Centurion Lounge to The New SLC International Airport,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director, Salt Lake City International Airport. “Guests will enjoy what promises to be an inviting atmosphere to relax and refresh during their journey. We’re excited to work with American Express to bring this never before seen offering at SLC to life.”

The Centurion Lounge at SLC will feature local design elements and artwork, luxury amenities, and premium food and beverage offerings, including:

An Outdoor Terrace with Picturesque Mountain Views: The outdoor seating area will be equipped with heaters and fans for use year-round, providing guests with views of the airfield and the Wasatch Mountains.

Delicious Food from an Award-Winning, Resy Chef featuring Fresh, Local Ingredients: Guests will be able to enjoy a hot breakfast, a rotating selection of main courses, sides, salads, and soups throughout the day, and freshly made desserts.

“Blue Roast by American Express” Coffee Bar: A coffee bar with counter service featuring espresso beverages, cold brew, and rotating seasonal specialty coffee drinks from a local roaster.

Full Bar with Bespoke Cocktail Menu and Wine List: A wide selection of drinks will be available to order from two bars, including a locally inspired cocktail menu featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages designed by Centurion Lounge Mixologist Jim Meehan and a selection of wines hand-picked by Anthony Giglio, Centurion Lounge Wine Director and sommelier.

Comfortable Seating Areas All Types of Travelers: Guests will have a wide range of seating options to choose from, including cozy armchairs, cafe seating and dining banquettes, quiet workspaces, a dedicated wellness room, and more.

A Longstanding Supporter of the Salt Lake City Community

American Express has strong ties to the Salt Lake City area and is committed to continuing to support the local community. The American Express National Bank headquarters is in Sandy, Utah. Since 2019 the American Express Center for Community Development has provided over $500 million in community development loans, investments, and grants to support small business resilience and growth in the state of Utah. Salt Lake City is home to many Card Members and a popular travel destination for those looking to enjoy all that the area has to offer, from world famous ski resorts and national parks to cultural and sporting events. Delta Center, the home of the Utah Jazz NBA franchise and Utah Hockey Club of the NHL, is the region’s premier sports and entertainment venue and part of the American Express Venue Collection™, where eligible Card Members can enjoy on-site benefits including dedicated entrances or fast lanes and 10% off concessions (excluding alcohol) when they use their eligible Card, plus special ticket access to select events (while supplies last).

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Iraqi Airways renews its contract with SITA

Iraqi Airways has renewed its partnership agreement with SITA, the leading provider of information technology services in the air transport sector, to maintain its track record of continuous innovation in passenger and baggage management systems, boosting the travel experience on board the Green Bird and its partner airlines.

Key in upgrading the travel experience will be the implementation of SITA’s Flex Hybrid system. This will speed up passenger processing at Baghdad and Basra airports, providing staff quick and secure access to airline systems and applications through cloud infrastructure with high flexibility and scalability to meet fluctuating demand.

Iraqi Airways will also boost its baggage management capabilities with SITA Bag Manager Online, which offers advanced visibility of each bag’s journey. The solution tracks every bag that is loaded onto a plane, a ULD, or a cart, matching each bag with departing passengers, tracking them in real time throughout the airport, and ensuring they are loaded onto the correct plane, offering passengers peace of mind and allowing staff to focus on more complex tasks.

Introducing Toronto-Pearson - Thunder Bay new route with Porter Airlines Embraer E195-E2 jets

The Canadian regional carrier, Porter Airlines is introducing the newest route with its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Thunder Bay International Airport. Flights will operate with three roundtrips per week.

Porter has been serving the Thunder Bay community since 2009, currently with up to five times daily roundtrip flights between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and twice daily flights between Ottawa using the 78-seat Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Toronto-Pearson service begins October 16, 2024.

Flying on the new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2, all passengers will enjoy Porter’s elevated economy experience with no middle seats, complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, free premium snacks, and free, fast WiFi.

“This new Toronto-Pearson service will increase our passenger capacity in Thunder Bay by more than 10%, providing everyone with more options to fly with Porter,” said Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines. “Thunder Bay has been very loyal to Porter, and we are committed to providing the community with a variety of service options at competitive fares. We hope to increase flights on this route as we introduce more new E195-E2s into our fleet next year.”

Air Canada to resume Ottawa to London Heathrow service

Air Canada has confirmed it will be resuming scheduled service between Ottawa and London Heathrow from 31st March 2025.  The airline will operate the route four times a week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

"We are very pleased to solidify Air Canada's leadership serving our country's capital with the resumption of trans-Atlantic services beginning next spring. In addition to London being a top global destination, Heathrow is one of the world's primary global gateways as well as home to Air Canada's largest international operations. Conveniently located together with our Star Alliance partner airlines in The Queen's Terminal, Air Canada offers customers easy connections to a vast array of more than 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa with our airline partners. With continued demand for visiting friends, relatives, leisure and tourism, as well as supporting business and corporate travel, this route gives customers from both the National Capital Region and abroad direct, convenient international travel options to and from Ottawa," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President – Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.

"We are looking forward to the future delivery of Air Canada's new Airbus A321XLR fleet. The economics, optimum cabin size and range of the XLR which is expected to begin arriving in late 2025, will enable us to consider operating this important international route with greater frequencies and potentially with year-round service," concluded Mr. Galardo.

Surf Air Mobility reports second quarter financial results.....

Surf Air Mobility, has its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, showing a net loss of $27million.

“Our financial results for the second quarter demonstrate strong execution by the Surf Air Mobility team. Revenue exceeded our expectations and Adjusted EBITDA was materially higher than our initial plan. We remain focused on executing our strategy and on our unwavering commitment to expand our footprint and leadership position in the regional air mobility market,” said Deanna White, Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO of Surf Air Mobility.

She continued, “In the last 90 days, we have moved rapidly to implement operational improvements and stringent management of operating expenses. These efforts resulted in second quarter positive adjusted EBITDA for our regional airline operations, formerly known as Southern Airways, reversing a longstanding trend. In addition to driving substantive improvement in those operations, we are simultaneously advancing our Technology operations, including the ‘SurfOS’ technology platform and our EP1 Caravan electrification initiative.

She concluded, “We are fundamentally improving our operating model and refining strategies to reduce our cost of operations. In addition, we plan to sub-capitalize key initiatives to drive efficiencies and more effectively manage capital. To that end, we recently announced a ground-breaking new venture, Surf Air Technologies, powered by Palantir Technologies. Together with Palantir, we will develop, market and sell AI-powered software tools to create a category-defining operating system for the advanced air mobility industry. This venture uniquely places Surf Air Mobility at the forefront of innovation in our industry.”

Unical expands European sales & support with new office in Surrey, UK

Unical Aviation, a leader in the commercial aerospace Used Serviceable Material market, is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Surrey, United Kingdom. This expansion underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its footprint across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), allowing for enhanced service delivery and closer client engagement in these vital markets.

Located in the scenic town of Dorking in Surrey, the new office will serve as a strategic hub for sales and regional support operations. The new office will support stronger relationships with partners and customers throughout the EMEA region.

Omio and Ryanair announce key partnership as Omio's expands travel options for travellers

 Omio, the leading global platform for booking trains, planes, buses, and ferries, and Ryanair, have announced a new partnership. This collaboration enables Omio to offer Ryanair's low-fare flights to its travellers, enhancing traveller choices and experiences for those seeking value and convenience.

The partnership between Omio and Ryanair continues to redefine the travel experience and the seamless integration enables travellers to search and book international and domestic flights effortlessly via the Omio app.

Omio's President B2C Europe, Veronica Diquattro, said:  "This is a major milestone in our collaboration with Ryanair. Soon, travellers will have direct access to Ryanair flights on Omio, which enables customers with options and empowers choice. By combining Ryanair's wide range of budget-friendly flights with Omio's extensive travel options, Ryanair and Omio alliance helps our goal for travellers which is to offer seamless, convenient, and multimodal travel experiences to people worldwide."

The collaboration with Ryanair is intended to strengthen Omio's standing as the leading global platform for ground transportation and multi-modal services. With a strong emphasis on a business-to-consumer (B2C) approach, Omio's commitment to direct partnerships, expanding inventory, and customer-focused vision all contribute to positioning Omio as the preferred platform for travellers.

EL AL Israel Airlines completes order for up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX jets

Boeing and EL AL Israel Airlines confirmed this week that the Israeli flag carrier finalized an agreement for up to 31 737 MAX jets, supporting the airline's plans to renew its fleet of Next-Generation 737 aeroplanes.

"This is a significant milestone for EL AL, which will allow us to offer our customers the most advanced service and technology experience in the industry," said Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia. CEO EL AL Israel Airlines. "The implementation of the long-term procurement plan, which began with the purchase of an additional 787 Dreamliners earlier this year and culminates in the current deal, once again demonstrates our commitment to the Israeli public and the state."

Ben-Tal Ganancia added: "EL AL has a central role in ensuring open skies for Israel. The implementation of our strategic plan - which aims to expand the fleet, increase the value proposition for customers and increase capacity and seating - will ensure a strong and growing company for many years to come."

With the 737 MAX family, EL AL will achieve the best per-seat economics in its class, improved environmental performance and increased passenger comfort. In particular, the 737 MAX will reduce fuel use and emissions 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces and have a 50% smaller noise footprint.

"We are honoured EL AL has chosen Boeing aeroplanes to power its past, present and future as we continue to build on seven decades of partnership," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We know EL AL depends on the versatility and reliability of Boeing aeroplanes, and we look forward to delivering the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets that will reshape and grow the airline in the coming decades."

EL AL's 737 MAX order follows its purchase earlier this year of three additional 787-9 aircraft with options for six more as the airline further expands its 787 Dreamliner fleet. The carrier will take delivery of a new 787-9 this year and plans to receive two more new 787-9s on lease in the coming years.

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American Airlines and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) campaign takes off to accelerate funding for cancer research

              American Airlines, in collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C), is launching its annual campaign to raise funds for innovative and life-saving cancer research and is inviting customers to contribute. The campaign kicked off with a powerful new public service announcement featuring actress, film producer and SU2C celebrity ambassador Rosario Dawson.

From now through Sept. 30, customers will receive 25 AAdvantage® bonus miles for every dollar they donate of $25 or more to Stand Up To Cancer.

Additionally, anyone who uses their AAdvantage® Mastercard® credit card to contribute between $25 and $10,000 will receive 50 AAdvantage® bonus miles per dollar through Sept. 30, or until $3 million has been donated, whichever comes first. To donate, customers can visit SU2C.org/AA.

"Cancer affects countless lives, including many of our own team members and their loved ones. Our eight-year partnership with Stand Up To Cancer has become an important part of our airline. It truly allows us to live out our purpose of caring for people on life’s journey while supporting Stand Up's vital mission of advancing life-saving research," said Ron DeFeo, American’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer.

Since joining forces in 2016, American has raised more than $20 million through fundraising efforts to benefit SU2C. In 2019, American debuted a campaign that allowed those who donated the chance to honor a loved one by including their name on an Airbus A321 aircraft wrapped in a special SU2C livery.

This year, to further highlight the campaign and give customers an opportunity to support the campaign’s important cause, American will launch a limited-edition specialty amenity kit design created in collaboration with sustainable fashion brand Raven + Lily.

The new Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class kits feature the SU2C yellow, orange and red colors, along with Raven + Lily’s recognizable zig-zag trim, while the Premium Economy kit features the SU2C yellow. The limited-edition kits will feature new skincare brands and offerings. Customers can scan a QR code within the kits to easily donate to the campaign. The SU2C specialty kits will take flight later this year. This kit marks American’s second limited-edition amenity kit since the airline launched a new amenity kit program earlier this year.

“Cancer is a terrible thing to face alone. That’s why Stand Up To Cancer is proud to join American Airlines to highlight the incredible stories of how showing up can mean so much during a cancer journey,” said Rusty Robertson, Co-Founder of SU2C. “We thank Rosario Dawson for lending her voice to this campaign, as well as American Airlines and its customers, whose generous donations are putting essential funding into the hands of the top minds in science working tirelessly to accelerate the research and save lives now.”

Hey Canada....its time to get in the Vacation Mood

                                     

              Air Canada Vacations is thrilled to announce the launch of its ‘Vacation Mood’ fall/winter brand campaign. The social-first campaign was designed to put Canadian travellers at the forefront by inviting them to share their vacation mood on social media with the hashtag #MyVacationMood and tagging @aircanadavacations for a chance to be featured on Air Canada Vacations’ social channels. The campaign aims to create a travel community of real people on real vacations, exchanging and sharing unique travel experiences.

“We want to inspire Canadians to dream about their next vacation by inviting them to have a voice in our campaign,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations. “By creating authentic, emotional connections through travel, we celebrate the way it makes us feel and brings us together.”

The campaign, which runs from August 15 – September 8, 2024, includes digital and social media, a ‘My Vacation Mood’ contest, and out-of-home media placements in key cities across the country, each depicting a series of playful vacation moods and moments.

“When you consider that travel planning is often inspired by social media and recommendations from friends and family, it seemed like a natural fit to ask Canadians to share their vacation moods so that others can discover new adventures, destinations, and unique travel experiences,” said Selma Filali, Senior Director of Marketing & E-Commerce at Air Canada Vacations. 

Virgin Australia Group has placed eight firm orders for Embraer E190-E2 aircraft

Virgin Australia Group has placed eight firm orders for Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in a significant investment which will secure the future growth of its WA-based regional and charter business, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).

The E190-E2, which is the world’s most fuel efficient single-aisle jet aircraft [1] with the lowest noise profile of any aircraft in its segment [2], will complement VARA’s fleet of larger narrowbodies and ultimately replace its long-serving Fokker 100 fleet.

The new aircraft will support the creation of 150 new, WA-based jobs in the VARA business over the next three years.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new aircraft would improve performance, reliability and customer comfort. “When the first new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025 [3], it will become the first brand new aircraft in the WA charter market this century,” she said.

The E190-E2 is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its segment and will reduce emissions by about 30 per cent compared to the outgoing F100 [4]. These aircraft also feature significantly lower noise profiles and enhanced passenger comfort. 

When the E190-E2 joins the fleet from late next year it will predominantly operate charter flights for VARA, bolstering its position as a leading operator in the WA charter market.  This is a huge vote of confidence by the Virgin Australia Group in our charter business and the WA market.”

Robinson Helicopter Company’s fourth ‘climb higher’ series demonstrates modern capability of the R66 law enforcement helicopter

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC), the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters shares a new ‘Climb Higher’ series featuring one of America’s premier law enforcement agencies, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Polk County Florida. In these videos, PCSO highlights the pivotal role the Robinson R66 plays in their fleet, emphasizing the aircraft’s ability to modernize operations, reduce costs, and expand aerial coverage, enhancing public safety for their community covering 2,000 square miles.

Designed specifically for the demanding needs of law enforcement and public safety, the Robinson offers unparalleled technology, performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. In this four-video series, PSCO shows how their fleet of Robinson R66s equipped straight from the factory with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced cameras, tactical radios, and night vision compatibility, empowers their officers to respond swiftly and effectively to a wide range of challenges.

“Because of the technology in the R66, we can be proactive. We can spend more time preventing problems from happening than just chasing problems after they occur,” said Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd. “We chose Robinson to give the best service to the people of Polk County. The R66 does everything we need to get the job done.”

In 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was faced with an aging fleet and escalating costs. The department transitioned to Robinson helicopters, experiencing a dramatic reduction in operating and maintenance expenses, more than 50 percent. These cost savings, coupled with increased flight hours and mission capabilities, have significantly enhanced the department’s ability to protect and serve its community.