19 March, 2024

One A320-200 arrives for Canada Jetlines

Aviation Capital Group has confirmed the delivery of one Airbus A320-200 on long-term lease to Canada Jetlines. 


“ACG is proud to broaden its footprint in North America and is pleased to welcome Canada Jetlines as a new lessee,” said Alan Mangels, Vice President of Marketing for ACG. “We look forward to this new, long-term partnership.”

“Canada Jetlines is delighted to join forces with ACG as we continue to strengthen our fleet and expand our reach,” said Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines. “This partnership exemplifies our dedication to working with industry leaders.”

ACG specializes in commercial aircraft leasing and aviation finance. In addition to aircraft leasing services, ACG provides aircraft asset management solutions tailored to meet our customers’ fleet management needs. The firm has approximately 490 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of December 31, 2023, 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.

Canada Jetlines, is a Canadian leisure airline committed to providing an exciting travel experience to its passengers. With a growing network of destinations, Canada Jetlines is dedicated to connecting Canadians with some of the world’s most captivating and sought-after locations.


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Mark Johnston named as new as permanent Chief Operating Officer

Mark Johnston has been appointed permanent Chief Operating Officer at London Gatwick Airport
Mark Johnston has been appointed permanent Chief Operating Officer at London Gatwick Airport.  As COO Mark will play a critical leadership role at London Gatwick, focussing on delivering the safe, efficient and smooth running of day-to-day airport operations.

Mark will drive the delivery of key strategic projects such as the roll out of next generation security and aerodrome performance. He will also oversee key departments including passenger operations, security and aerodrome.

Johnston was COO of AGS Airports, the owners of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, where he was in post for more than three years.  Before working at AGS, he joined Glasgow Airport in 2004 after various roles working in the global semiconductor industry. He then went on to hold various positions within Glasgow Airport, including the Operations Director, before being appointed Managing Director in May 2018. Mark was appointed Chief Operating Officer of AGS Airports in November 2020.

Mark Johnston said: “I am thrilled to be joining the UK’s second busiest airport where we operate the world’s most efficient runway.

London Gatwick has exceptional people who work hard every day to deliver a personalised experience, that is easy and efficient for all.

It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining London Gatwick and I am thoroughly looking forward to getting started and meeting all the team.”

Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick, said: “Mark will join London Gatwick with a wealth of experience and a proven track record as a COO. He is ideally placed to oversee the airports operations, strategic partnerships and ensuring a great Gatwick experience for passengers.

As we continue to grow, our vision is to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey, and we are thrilled to have Mark join us at such an exciting time for the airport.

I’d like to thank John Higgins for stepping into the role of interim Chief Operating Officer for the last 15 months and leading the operation at an extremely busy time.”

Mark Johnston will take over from John Higgins, who stepped in as interim Chief Operating Officer in January 2023 in addition to his role of Business Improvement Director at the airport.

Airport facilities and infrastructure - International Departure Lounge, South Terminal, London Gatwick Airport


London Gatwick is investing in its long-term future and its planning application to bring the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use has now entered the examination phase with the Planning Inspectorate. This low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and new jobs.   



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New interline deal for Rex and Etihad

Rex unveils new interline partnership with Etihad Airways.

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 57 Saab 340 and nine Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 56 destinations throughout all states in  Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries  Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator), the Australian Airline Pilot  Academy with campuses in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat, and propeller maintenance  organisation, Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance. Rex is also a 50% shareholder of  National Jet Express (NJE), a premier Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO), charter and freight operator.
This exciting partnership between Australia's Rex and Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, provides passengers on Rex's domestic routes convenient connections with Etihad's global network.

“Partnering with a world-class airline like Etihad brings a new era of choice and connection for 
Rex passengers,” said Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge. “Passengers will be able to fly to either Sydney or Melbourne on Rex and thereafter connect 
on Etihad to a further 72 destinations across the globe. Etihad's extensive international network includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the USA.  “The entire journey, including Etihad and Rex connecting flights, can be booked under one booking and passengers can enjoy the convenience of through-check baggage (where permitted).”

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer said: "This exciting new partnership significantly expands connectivity options for Etihad guests, providing them with effortless access from our gateways in Sydney and Melbourne to pivotal destinations within the Rex network, including Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Equally, we are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Rex customers, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into our expanding global network."

Future of Flight action plan.......... the age of the flying taxi is getting ever closer

Drone technology could transform our skies and boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.


Image Vertical Aerospace
Flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical 999 care deliveries could all be a reality by 2030 thanks to the government and industry’s joint Future of Flight action plan, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) this week.  

Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, the plan details how technology once confined to the realm of sci-fi could transform our skies, with studies estimating drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.

It details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030 – transforming how people and goods are transported.

Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said:  "Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality. 

From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation – improving people’s lives and boosting the economy."

The plan was unveiled on the same day the minister is due to visit Vertical Aerospace in Bristol – one of the UK companies making flying taxis and at the cutting edge of innovation in aviation.

These greener, quieter flying taxis are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process and have been made possible thanks to rapid advances in battery technology, meaning they are light enough to stay in the air and powerful enough to cover the distances needed.

Some of the other actions set out in the plan include:  

allowing drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft)
developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
engaging communities and local authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies
First imagined in the Flightpath to the Future in 2022, this joint plan between industry and government sets out the strategic direction of the sector over the next 5 years, striking a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions.

The benefits of this new technology are already being seen in the UK. West Midlands Police uses drones to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour. In July 2023, a drone team was deployed, successfully identifying 2 offenders and another suspect at a speed and distance that would have taken ground officers hours to track down.

Drones are also helping frontline NHS staff save lives. For 6 months between October 2022 and March 2023, the UK drone service provider Skyfarer partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Medical Logistics UK to test drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites. In one case, drones reliably helped cut delivery times of surgical implants between Coventry and Rugby hospitals from up to an hour to just 18 minutes – a 70% decrease.

The Future of Flight action plan contains measures to make drone applications and assessments easier by creating new and simple digital platforms that operators can use – ensuring companies and public services are no longer shackled by red tape and get drones up and flying quicker.

Belfast City Airport named Most Punctual UK Airport in 2023

Belfast City Airport named Most Punctual UK Airport in 2023
George Best Belfast City Airport has been confirmed as the UK’s Most Punctual Airport for 2023 following the publication of the latest performance figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
 

The data analyses arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights throughout the year, with results revealing that Belfast City Airport was the most punctual of the 25 UK airports included in the survey.
 
Mark Beattie, Chief Operating Officer at Belfast City Airport said:  “At Belfast City Airport we always aim to deliver a passenger experience that is convenient and hassle free, and we are thrilled to have the best on-time-performance of any airport in the UK across the calendar year 2023.

This achievement is owing to our team’s dedication to going above and beyond to maximise performance and efficiencies to ensure our passengers can move through the airport, and get to their destination, as quickly as possible.
 
Our unrivalled punctuality combined with our prime location, only five minutes from the heart of Belfast City Centre, and an average security processing time of just 6 minutes allows our passengers to enjoy a smooth start to every journey.”
 
Belfast City Airport currently operates routes to 30 destinations across the UK and beyond in partnership with its six airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Loganair, Lufthansa, and charter partners Royal Caribbean, Travel Solutions and TUI.

Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman at Emerald Airlines & Dublin Aerospace said "As George Best Belfast City Airport’s largest airline, serving 11 destinations in the UK, for Aer Lingus Regional. Emerald Airlines are very proud to have been part of this achievement.  Well done to all the hard-working crews, engineers and handling agents who made this happen."








18 March, 2024

Phenix Jet adds Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft to its fleet

Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong), a leader in luxury private aviation, has added a new jet to its Asia-based charter fleet: a brand-new Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft. This state-of-the-art, ultra-long-range jet is now ready to provide unparalleled luxury travel experiences to meet clients.

The Global 7500 is the pinnacle of private aviation, offering the ultimate in comfort, speed, and range. It is capable of non-stop flights between distant continents, ensuring that Phenix Jet's clients can reach their global destinations with ease and efficiency. The aircraft boasts a spacious and opulent cabin, configured to provide an environment of productivity and relaxation.

"We are very excited to add another top-of-the-line, brand new, offering to our ultra-long haul fleet. We continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing the best lineup of luxury aircraft to our beloved clients." said Andrew Svoboda, CEO at Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong)
As Phenix Jet continues to enhance its offerings, the addition of another Global 7500 reinforces its commitment to providing an elite selection of ultra-long-range aircraft for its clients. The fleet expansion is a testament to its commitment to meeting the growing demand and travel needs of its customers, providing them with the most exclusive and bespoke charter services available.

The Global 7500 is immediately available for charter. We invite you to experience the epitome of luxury air travel, with the reliability and service excellence that is synonymous with Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong).




Air Samarkand gets ready for scheduled flights launch and appoints a new CEO


Photo Air Samarkand
Air Samarkand is to commence its scheduled flight programme on Thursday, 21st March, operating on the Samarkand - Istanbul - Samarkand route with its Airbus A321neo aircraft. In the initial phase, return services will operate twice a week, departing on Mondays and Thursdays from Samarkand International Airport (SKD) to Istanbul International Airport (IST), with a scheduled flight time of about 5 hours.

Air Samarkand has also announced the appointment of Zafar Butaev as its new CEO, succeeding Anton Khodiayan, who will continue serving as an advisor to the airline while reverting to his position as Director General of the airport management company Air Marakanda.  Zafar Butaev is an Uzbekistani entrepreneur who has spent more than 15 years working in the tourism, hospitality and service sectors, creating two companies that together now employ more than 500 people. Currently, he is also CEO of Silk Road Samarkand, the first multi-functional international tourism centre in Asia. Mr Butaev is a business degree graduate of Tashkent State Economic University and is fluent in four languages.

Istanbul is one of the most sought-after destinations from Samarkand, connecting the largest city in Turkey with Uzbekistan through centuries-old cultural, business and tourism ties. Istanbul airport also offers extensive onward travel opportunities to cities worldwide, and Air Samarkand plans to add further flight options on the city pairing in the near future.

Departures from Samarkand are scheduled for 8 am, arriving in Istanbul at 11.10 am, with return services departing from Istanbul at 12:30 pm and arriving back in Samarkand at 7:00 pm (all are local times).

The inaugural scheduled service marks a significant milestone for any airline, and Air Samarkand will offer passengers a world-class standard of comfort and service on the direct flights. There is also significant demand for tourism, cultural and business customers on this route and Air Samarkand looks forward to developing close commercial ties in Turkey as it establishes this new service.

Its modern Airbus A321 is widely used by leading airlines globally and has a proven record for safety, reliability and exceptional passenger comfort. Air Samarkand will operate the latest 'neo' variant of the A321, which is equipped with the new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines that ensure low noise levels during the flight. The aircraft accommodates 221 passengers in a full economy-class cabin.

Air Samarkand will be offering customers an unprecedented baggage allowance of two checked bags weighing up to 23kg each, plus 8kg of carry-on cabin baggage.

Tickets for flights to Istanbul are available for purchase at easybooking.uz, as well as at travel agencies connected to the Easy Booking system, and at biletbank.com. Further sales will soon open on the airline's own airsamarkand.com website, as well as on other popular online ticket platforms and aggregators.




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British Airways is embarking on a multi-million-pound investment programme to overhaul its ground support equipment at Heathrow Airport

Photo British Airways
British Airways is embarking on a multi-million-pound investment programme to overhaul its ground support equipment at Heathrow Airport, as part of its commitment to reducing emissions both in the air and on the ground. The airline will gradually be replacing its ground vehicles at Heathrow, such as vans and cars, cargo transporters and passenger steps, moving towards hybrid or electric alternatives where available. Already, more than 90% of British Airways’ vehicles and ground equipment at Heathrow are either zero emissions electrical equipment when being used or driven, (hybrids) or are operating on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel. 

Improvements include:  

Replacing more than 750 pieces of ground equipment, including fuel bowsers from fossil fuel to HVO. HVO is an interim measure whilst the airline gradually transitions to zero-emissions (when being used or driven) or hybrid equipment. Supplied by the airline’s current sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplier, Phillips 66, the use of HVO is anticipated to save more than 6,000 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to traditional diesel fuel, the equivalent of more than 8,000 round-trip economy passenger journeys between London Heathrow and JFK*.  
Replacing all diesel passenger aircraft steps with electric alternatives. This aims to reduce fuel consumption by more than 370 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, based on previous diesel usage, which is the equivalent of more than 500 round-trip economy passenger journeys between London Heathrow and JFK*. Many of the electric steps will be in full service by the end of the year. 
Phasing out its fleet of 20 diesel-powered vehicles which support the loading and unloading of cargo containers onto aircraft, replacing them with Hybrid Electric models.  
Introducing 135 new electric baggage tugs, accounting for 40% of our tugs, to transport customer's luggage. This improved battery and charging technology utilises highly efficient lithium-ion battery technology, requiring less energy and producing 30% less C02 when in use compared to traditional lead acid batteries. We are working closely with our supply chain in order to recycle as many battery components as possible at the end of life. 
Gradually phasing out all 38 diesel passenger buses over the next two years, with 23 expected to be fully electric and the remaining 15 operating on HVO fuel, with a large charging park at Heathrow now in the early stages of development. The use of these vehicles is expected to save 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, helping to reduce negative air quality impacts around the Heathrow area. 
Tom Moran, British Airways’ Director of Heathrow, said: “At British Airways, we are committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner and our focus isn’t just about reducing emissions in the air, but on the ground too. This major investment into our vehicles at Heathrow is our largest investment in more sustainable airport ground operations to date and is part of our wider environmental objective to minimise emissions from our airside ground operation. We’re proud of the work we are doing in this space and are excited to continue improving the running of our ground operations at Heathrow.” 

Artemis Aerospace explores a day in the life of a flight trainer

 
Everyone remembers a good teacher. However, a flight instructor for the commercial aviation industry is mentoring students who will go on to be responsible for thousands of people's lives over the course of their careers. Artemis Aerospace looks at the work of the people who teach pilots to fly.


Artemis Aerospace explores a day in the life of a flight trainer
Becoming a qualified pilot is a major undertaking, and for many people, it's the realisation of a lifelong dream. The responsibility of getting them to that stage falls on the flight instructor, and it's a complex, but incredibly rewarding job. Currently, there's a shortage of both pilots and trainers, so now is a great time for pilots to consider utilising their flying skills to bring on the next cohort.

To become a flight instructor, you will need to undertake a course lasting around five or six weeks if done on a full-time basis. There are stringent pre-entry requirements for this, and applicants are usually required to have:

A UK CAA CPL (Commercial Pilot's Licence) or PPL (Private Pilot's Licence) plus at least 200 hours flying time of which 150 should be as PIC (Pilot in Command).
A pass in CPL-level theoretical flight knowledge exams.
Ten hours instrument flight training and twenty hours VFR (Visual Flight Rules) cross country flying as PIC including landing at different aerodromes.
A required number of hours of SEP (Safety and Emergency Procedures) training.
A pass in a pre-course flight test no longer than six months before entry to the course.
A flying instructor's course will usually involve around 30 hours of teaching and learning tuition, 100 hours of theory, and 30 hours of flight training, leading to a final exam and FI certification.

There isn't a typical day in the life of a flight instructor. As a multi-crew co-operation instructor, you will be training students to operate as both pilot and co-pilot in a multi-engine commercial aeroplane, involving VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and all the complexities associated with optimum decision-making, communication, teamwork, and flying in all weather conditions and emergency situations.

An instructor at British Airways' Global Learning Academy might be tutoring students from airlines all over the world on a Flight Technical Training conversion course, designed for pilots to familiarise themselves with a specific type of aeroplane such as an Airbus A380 or a Boeing 787.

BA's Speedbird Pilot Academy has instructors teaching 60 future BA pilots a year – aside from flying, this will involve systems checks, cockpit instrumentation lessons, practical skills, customer service and leadership development.

A crucial part of all pilot training is time spent on an aircraft simulator. A synthetic flight instructor teaches the basic principles of flight, take-off and landing, safety, and instrument familiarisation within a safe environment. Students can practise approaching every airport in the world, fly any type of aeroplane and encounter every possible weather condition and emergency scenario. In addition, all qualified pilots must undergo regular evaluation by an instructor in a simulator in order to renew or revalidate their licence.

IAG Cargo launches new service between Barcelona and Miami


IAG Cargo announces a new service between Barcelona and Miami with flights operating up to three times a week from 31st March

Miami is IAG Cargo’s fifth connection between Barcelona and the U.S. 

IAG Cargo also restarts services between Barcelona and San Francisco from 31st March

 

Photo LEVEL / IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced a new service between Barcelona and Miami. The route will run three times a week to Miami International Airport from 31st March 2024, increasing to four services from June to September. 

Barcelona is one of IAG Cargo’s four hubs, alongside London Heathrow, Madrid, and Dublin, and is home to two of the IAG Group’s airlines, LEVEL and Vueling. Miami will mark IAG Cargo’s fifth direct connection to the United States from Barcelona, which already encompasses Boston, Los Angeles, New York’s JFK and San Francisco. This new route adds to almost 200 weekly connections between Spain and the United States. Barcelona is well positioned to connect the United States and the rest of Europe, with an extensive trucking network into nearby countries. 

Miami is the world’s largest gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean and offers two-way cargo traffic, linking the Americas with Europe. It is renowned as a hub for the distribution of perishable products, hi-tech commodities, telecommunications equipment, textiles, pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery. The introduction of this service is being made possible by adding a sixth aircraft to LEVEL’s fleet. 

Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo said: “The transatlantic corridor is an important part of our network and supports so many of our customers. Miami is a thriving logistics hub, strategic for air freight. With our already well-established network connecting major cities in the United States with Europe, this new route will enhance our connectivity even more.” 

IAG Cargo also restarts services between Barcelona and San Francisco from 31st March, with four weekly frequencies. In 2023 IAG Cargo had a commercial revenue of €1,156 million. It has a combined workforce of more than 2,250 people. Its parent company, International Airlines Group, is one of the world's largest airline groups with 582 aircraft at 31st December 2023.


 




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IAE AG successfully tests V2500 engine on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The test demonstrates a commitment to supporting greater use of SAF


Photo IAE / Pratt & Whitney
IAE International Aero Engines AG (IAE) announced it has successfully tested the V2500 engine with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at MTU Maintenance Hannover, Germany. IAE is a multinational consortium comprised of Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines AG. The V2500 engine currently powers the A320ceo family aircraft and the Embraer C-390 Millenium.


IAE AG successfully tests V2500 engine on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel


"This test with 100% SAF demonstrates that V2500 engines can continue contributing towards making aviation more sustainable in the decades ahead," said Kim Kinsley, president, IAE AG, and vice president, Mature Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "With nearly 3,000 V2500-powered aircraft in service today, IAE recognizes our important role in supporting the industry's goal to meet net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We anticipate the majority of our eight IAE company shops will be prepared to use SAF in their operations in the next few years."

The V2500 engine test was run on 100% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosine (HEFA-SPK) fuel supplied by Neste. HEFA-SPK is produced by hydrotreating renewable raw materials, such as waste oils or fats, into an aviation turbine fuel and is a prominent sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuels. Pratt & Whitney continues collaborating closely with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) and ASTM International towards the goal of developing future specifications for 100% SAF.

"MTU Maintenance Hannover is the first maintenance, repair and overhaul facility worldwide to carry out a 100% SAF test on a V2500," said Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines. "This test demonstrates our commitment to supporting greater use of SAF across both our entire network and the broader industry. We remain dedicated to working with IAE, suppliers and partners to ensure not only that our products are capable of operating with SAF but also that our maintenance, repair and overhaul infrastructure can support all operators and owners with their SAF testing requirements."

Passenger numbers rise at Vinci Airports.

The airport operating arm of the Vinci group has released the latest figures from February 2024 which show passenger numbers are on the rise. Globally, the number of passengers in February 2024 exceeds its pre-pandemic level by more than 3%


Change in VINCI Airports commercial movements (ATM)







Cathay Cargo Terminal first air cargo terminal in Hong Kong to enable ePayments...........Providing seamless payment for cargo collection

Cathay Cargo Terminal has become the first air cargo terminal in Hong Kong to introduce a business-to-business (B2B) ePayment solution, partnering with leading global cargo payment platform PayCargo to offer a secure, user-friendly, and efficient digital payment method for import cargo collection.


Photo Cathay Pacific
Cathay Cargo Terminal
Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts said: “We are delighted to have selected PayCargo as our ePayment solution, providing more choice and convenience for freight forwarders and their trucking agents. This marks yet another milestone in our digital journey after enabling eAWBs (electronic airwaybills) and introducing eSRF (electronic Shipment Release Forms) at our terminal, reaffirming our commitment to digital leadership.”

Benefits to freight forwarders include the convenience of settling transactions anytime anywhere, eliminating queuing for cash payments, enhanced security, and expediting the entire cargo release process. This initiative has also been welcomed by the terminal’s customer airlines, who value the ease with which their customers will be able to settle payments in future.

Icelandic budget airline PLAY picks new CEO

Einar Örn Ólafsson Chairman
In an unexpected move, the Icelandic budget airline PLAY has picked a new CEO in the shape of its biggest shareholder and Chairman Einar Örn Ólafsson.  He is also chairman of the board at Terra hf. Einar was previously the general manager of Fjarðlax, CEO of Skeljungur and before that held various management positions in banking.

Birgir Jónsson, who will continue to work at PLAY until 2nd April said:  "Being involved in building up PLAY airlines has been a real adventure. In a relatively short period of time, we have created a powerful Icelandic low-cost airline with outstanding products, services and a bright future. A competitive landscape in the aviation industry will result in lower fares, a diverse selection of destinations and valuable foreign tourists, which is especially important for an island like us."

Adding: "I’d like to thank our passengers and partners for this particularly enjoyable period. I will say goodbye to my incredible colleagues in person in the next few days."

Einar Örn said: "I am really looking forward to this new role. After a great ramp-up phase these past few years under Birgir’s strong leadership, the Company is now at a turning point. As the Company’s largest shareholder, I’d like to see my investment through."








Your travel planning isn’t complete without learning the language—or at least some essential phrases. Fully immerse yourself in the language, or use Phrasebook to learn travel essentials—the choice is yours!

World-first high-tech time-capsule lands at East Midlands Airport

World-first high-tech time-capsule lands at East Midlands Airport
High-tech time capsule arrives
Hundreds of children have submitted their predictions of the future to the UK’s children’s radio station, Fun Kids, to be locked into the time capsule to be discovered by future generations. 

Created by US design studio CW&T, the capsule is made from a decommissioned scuba tank with custom electronics. Once sealed, a countdown clock in the capsule’s lid displays how long remains before the time capsule unlocks itself. It’s the first-ever electronic time capsule and can seal its contents for up to 100 years.

The time capsule was delivered from Brooklyn NY to East Midlands Airport via DHL. It’s due to be displayed at We The Curious Science Centre in Bristol when it reopens later this year.

Lloydie James Lloyd, Content Controller at Fun Kids said: “We’ve had entries about everything from futures where homework tastes like strawberries to the invention of teleportation devices! It’s great that they’re going to be kept safe in a time-capsule that’s as high-tech as these predictions.”

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