Air101

21 October, 2024

Rome pilot training centre opens.....

The European budget airline Wizz Air has opened its newest pilot training centre in Rome Fiumicino Airport, Italy. The state-of-the-art facility will serve as Wizz Air's second training centre, following the success of its initial Budapest location. The centre is poised to provide recurrent training for more than 4,800 pilots each year, a testament to the airline's commitment to the highest safety standards and innovation in aviation.

The grand opening ceremony took place on October 1, 2024, with key speeches delivered by Wizz Air CEO József Váradi, Aeroporti di Roma CEO Marco Troncone, and CAE’s Vice President, EMEA Commercial Aviation James Cahill.

Jozsef Varadi, Wizz Air's CEO, commented: "This new training centre in Rome signifies Wizz Air's commitment to investing in the future of aviation and our employees. Our pilots are at the heart of our operations, and this facility will ensure that they continue to receive the most advanced, rigorous training possible. This investment in Italy, one of the key markets for Wizz Air, where we already have five bases employing over 1000 crew members and over 20 most efficient single aisle aircraft with the best sustainability indicators in its class, further solidifies our long-term presence in the region."

Located within walking distance of Rome Fiumicino Airport’s Terminal 1, the 2,500+ square meter facility includes briefing rooms, theoretical training spaces, and a simulator hall furnished with two ultra-modern CAE Airbus A320 family full-flight simulators, the third to be installed in 2025. These simulators equipped with high-fidelity visuals, an immersive cockpit environment, and realistic flight dynamics will allow over 4,800 pilots to undergo recurrent training annually, supporting Wizz Air’s expanding operations.

Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo to Launch in March 2025

The organiser of the Singapore Airshow, Experia Events, is launching the Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx), which they say, will be the only international exhibition in Asia Pacific dedicated to the growing business aviation industry.

Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx) will be a biennial event with the first edition to be held from 4 – 6 March 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, a purpose-built exhibition centre for airshows with ample space for aircraft on static display.

The growth of business aviation in Asia Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia, means there is a need for the business aviation industry to have its own dedicated show in this region.

According to research from Asian Sky Group, the number of business jets in Asia Pacific, as of the end of 2023, was around 1200; making it the third largest market for business jets after North America and Europe.

The city-state of Singapore is an ideal location to hold the show because it is a popular business centre well-connected to the region and the world. According to WingX Advance data, the number of business aircraft departures from Singapore last year was 28 percent above 2019 levels.

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Emirates SkyCargo named as mystery customer for more Boeing 777 Freighters

Boeing and Emirates SkyCargo confirmed this week that Emirates was the mystery customer for more of Boeing's 777 Freighters.

The deal was finalized back in September and listed as unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website, only to be released when the US planemaker needed some good publicity.

With these new aircraft, Emirates' order book to 249 Boeing widebody aeroplanes, including 14 Boeing 777 Freighters.

As the cargo division of the world's largest international airline, Emirates SkyCargo plans to operate 21 777 Freighters in the coming years ─ nearly doubling its current fleet of 11 freighters as the carrier continues to expand capacity.

"We're investing in new freighter aircraft to meet surging demand and provide our customers around the world with even more flexibility, connectivity and options to leverage market opportunity," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, of Emirates Airline and Group. "Demand for Emirates' air cargo services has been booming. This reflects Dubai's growing prominence as a preferred and trusted global logistics hub, and also the success of Emirates SkyCargo's bespoke solutions that address the needs of shippers in different industry sectors."

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Finnair adding US and Asia flights next summer

Finnair has confirmed this week that it is adding flights to its popular U.S. destinations Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles for Summer 2025. The European carrier is also adding flights to Nagoya and Osaka in Japan and Shanghai in China for the season which runs between 30.3.2025 and 25.10.2025.

The airline will fly up to daily to Chicago next summer and to Dallas up to 11 times per week, which is five frequencies more than the service to Dallas this summer. In addition, both Seattle and Los Angeles will get two additional weekly frequencies.

Finnair’s Chief Revenue Officer Christine Rovelli said: “Increasing our capacity to the United States brings our customers excellent connectivity to North America and beyond. Customers can connect via Dallas and Chicago to our partner American Airlines’ extensive network in North and South America, while Seattle and Los Angeles offer a gateway to for example other parts of the West Coast and Hawaii, through our partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines”.

Finnair will also add capacity to Japan and China for next summer with daily flights to Osaka and Nagoya, which the airline restarted last summer, also gets one additional weekly flight, to make four each week. Japan is easy to explore from Nagoya and Osaka, thanks in part to a superior train system with the famous bullet trains.

Osaka also has a rich heritage, it was formerly known as Naniwa and was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known, back in the days when the capital city changed with the reign of each Emperor. Now, Osaka is Japan's second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and a city that offers all that a discerning traveller could wish for.

The airline says it will also add one weekly flight to Shanghai in China, thereby flying there four times per week during the summer season next year.

New pilot training centre opened in Italy for Wizz Air

SAS and Scandic enter strategic partnership

Two of the Nordic region's leading players in the travel industry, Scandic and SAS, have signed a strategic and commercial partnership agreement, aimed at offering unique and exclusive benefits to their loyalty members. Through this collaboration, the member benefits will become available starting in the first quarter of 2025.

The collaboration between SAS and Scandic Hotels, two Nordic travel giants, is named "Friends with benefits" to highlight the strong, mutually rewarding relationship between both brands and their customers. The name captures how SAS EuroBonus members and Scandic Friends can enjoy exclusive benefits, creating a more integrated and rewarding travel and hospitality experience.

The partnership is designed to offer competitive and attractive benefits across shared touchpoints, enhancing the experience for guests, travellers, and customers. With over 11 million members between two of the travel industry’s leading loyalty programs, the goal is to jointly deliver a more personalized and seamless journey.

As an initial phase, status matching between EuroBonus and Scandic Friends, as well as a streamlined point conversion process, will be introduced in the first quarter of 2025. Additional enhancements and benefits will be rolled out later in the year.

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Jason Shaw

Editor in Chief. Jason's many years within the media and aviation industries have seen him working for airlines, tour operators, travel agents, radio stations, magazines and media consultancy operations. He loves to travel, often more for the journey than arriving at the destination. Strolling along a beach at dusk, red wine, reading and cheesecake are some of his favourite things.

Cathay Pacific unveils Aria Suite, a new way to experience air travel

A whole new cabin experience in Business, Premium Economy and Economy onboard the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Cathay Pacific is once again raising the bar for customer experience with the official unveiling of its all-new Business class, Aria Suite, together with its new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The airline’s retrofitted 777-300ER debuted on its Hong Kong-Beijing route today (18 October) before progressively being deployed on other regional and long-haul routes. The new cabin experience was introduced at a special ceremony for distinguished guests, valued customers and Cathay members, members of the media and Cathay employees at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited’s (HAECO) hangar facility at Hong Kong International Airport on 16 October.

Cathay Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “At Cathay, we believe in moving people forward in life. This purpose goes beyond simply flying customers to their destinations; we are deeply woven into Hong Kong’s identity as a global aviation hub. To solidify our role in both the industry and the community, we’ve committed a significant investment of over HK$100 billion over the next seven years into our fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership, reflecting our confidence in Hong Kong’s long-term growth and its position as a key player in global aviation.

“As part of this evolution, we are excited to introduce new seat products over the next three years, each designed to elevate the inflight experience for our customers. First, we are launching our all-new Business and Premium Economy cabins, and a refreshed Economy cabin on our retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. These will be followed by a new world-leading First class experience onboard our 777-9s, and a brand-new flat-bed Business class product on our Airbus A330s. Through our investments in cutting-edge aircraft, innovative technology and groundbreaking facilities, we are dedicated to moving beyond expectations – in the air, on the ground and in every experience we create.”

In the highly anticipated Aria Suite, Cathay Pacific has placed customer experience at the heart of the design and conception of its new Business class. Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every detail to create a holistic and immersive experience where comfort, privacy and a sense of personal space are completely reimagined for customers. The result is an inflight journey that is intuitive and effortless.

Cathay Pacific unveiled the new Aria Suite at an exclusive event presented by special guest Fala Chen (fourth from left), Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam (third from left), Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau (third from right), Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan (second from right) and Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Sharpe (second from left).

Sustainable innovations in the aerospace and aviation industry

Back in July 2022, the Jet Zero Strategy was rolled out to bring together experts from the aviation and aerospace sectors, academies, innovators, international partners and the public.

The strategy was to form a Jet Zero Council that can work together to prevent the aviation sector from becoming one of the largest emitting sectors by 2050, and instead secure a more sustainable outlook. It was discussed that goals should be set for all domestic flights in the UK to become net-zero by 2040, and for all airport operations in England to produce zero emissions by the same year.

Ultimately, the intention are that the success of aviation must no-longer damage the planet. To do that, the aforementioned bodies are working towards creating new jobs and developing new industries with innovative new technologies that improve energy security across the nation.

Since its formation the unity has already made great progress, aiding the creation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK, which is produced by Phillips 66®. Commercial airline Jet2 have been utilising the fuel since 2023 and have managed to reduce their carbon emission by 80%. However, there are much more innovations needed to establish a more confident path towards net zero for the sector as a whole.

Commercial waste collection experts Skips and Bins, recently investigated other innovative efforts being and tested to help aid aviation commercial waste and sustainability goals.

SAF

SAF has already brought improvements to the sector. It is made from a variety of feedstocks. These feedstocks can be created from domestic and commercial waste, or from recycled carbon fuels (RCFS) and animal waste. The British government has committed to incentives for producing SAF from wastes, residues or low carbon energy, which places the UK as the current global leader for the development, production and use of SAF.

By the end of 2023 the UK had invested in 26 million litres of SAF. This ultimately lead to the RAF flying the first wide bodied plane in the world running on 100% SAF transatlantic flight, which took off from London to New York at the end of 2023.

Lignin polymer

Scientists at Washington State University (WSU) have demonstrated a potential fuel that comes from the conversion of lignin polymers, which is the main component of plant cells. It was discovered that it can be used to as jet fuel and aid the performance of sustainably produced aviation fuels, if rolled our commercially.

Lead scientist and Professor of WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Bin Yang, commented saying: “Our achievement takes this technology one step closer to real-world use by providing data that lets us better gauge its feasibility for commercial aviation.”

Lignin polymer, which makes up the tough and sturdiness of plants, would make sustainable fuels cleaner and more easily usable in jet engines because it is dense, efficient and has seal-swelling qualities. The end goal is that hydrocarbon catalysed from lignin could effectively replace fossil fuel-derived compounds, which are called aromatics.

e-kerosene

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Digital drone flight approval service now live at Southampton Airport

From today, drone pilots wanting to fly in or through the Flight Restriction Zone around Southampton Airport will be able to request access online or via the Altitude Angel Drone Assist app, with approvals being granted in as little as a few minutes.

This new digital service replaces a process that could take up to 14 days or more.

The deployment of Approval Services at Southampton Airport is the second following Aberdeen International Airport, where Approval Services went live at the end of September and is already helping drone users gain access to the airspace they need.

NATS Services says the deployment is an important step towards delivering a fully integrated airspace, where drones fly seamlessly and safely alongside other aircraft.

Richard Ellis, NATS Services New Airspace Users Director, said: “We want to support the growth of the UK drone industry, and this second deployment is part of our plan to deliver an ecosystem that can deliver certainty for drone operators. Deploying a digital flight approval service allows us to do just that, while ensuring our controllers maintain situational awareness of what is operating in the airspace around them.”

Gavin Williams, Managing Director of Southampton Airport, said: “We welcome this new innovative digital drone flight approval service streamlining the operation and enhancing the safety for our air traffic control partners, NATS.”

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Wizz Air ‘Blue Sky’ Scenario is Years Off in Ryanair Budget Duel

Wizz Air ‘Blue Sky’ Scenario is Years Off in Ryanair Budget Duel

According to a new report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI), Wizz Air's valuation, possibly reflecting further earnings-downgrade risk, may require solid passenger demand lasting to at least 2030 to bounce from depressed levels versus peers. Yet the budget carrier's grounded planes potentially returning to service in 2-3 years with 20%-plus annual seat growth coincides with rival Ryanair's slowdown.

Conroy Gaynor, Consumer Analyst at BI, commented: “Wizz Air is losing market share due to grounded planes, 40-45% on average for the next 18 months, amid geared turbofan engine (GTF) issues. The company now sees this lasting 2-3 more years (longer than previously), so we have a scenario analysis that 50% would return in the fiscal year ending March 2027 and the rest in the following 12 months. Allowing for constantly high utilisation, a requisite of the budget model, annualised seat growth may then surpass 20% in the five years to fiscal 2030. Wizz Air is at risk if too many planes come back to service in a given year, which might crater yields to accommodate up to 30% capacity growth. The potential support is that Ryanair may only achieve 1-2% growth during that time and travel demand could stay resilient as industry supply is squeezed.”

Wizz Air management sees untapped value in its A321neo orderbook, which it has been bringing forward using sale and leasebacks. Airbus delays are impacting the industry, as well as those from Boeing, weighing on Ryanair's schedules, so Wizz's goal to reach 500 planes has been pushed back two years to 2032. In the meantime, and while there remains supplier uncertainty, Wizz may be able to adjust fiscal 2028-30 deliveries to smooth capacity growth as GTF-impacted planes return.

Avoiding wet leases, less reliance on older aircraft and dilution of fixed costs as more efficient, larger A321neos enter an optimised fleet may be a boon for margin. Wizz's unit costs are broadly in line with Ryanair on an underlying basis, according to BI’s calculations, albeit from a larger mix of lower-yielding routes.

Conroy Gaynor, BI Consumer Analyst, added: “Wizz Air's strategic focus on core central and eastern European markets may better place it to compete with Ryanair on cost and drive profitability. Workers moving back to native lands, such as in Poland, and structural income gains could also mean demand tilting toward leisure vs. visiting family and friends. BI assumes that 30% of Wizz's routes are mature with scale, possibly having an underlying net income margin near 15%, while the other 70% still have upside and contain key battlegrounds for density and branding. Wizz only targets selective markets in western Europe, London, Italy and Austria, so has little overlap with EasyJet. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Middle East conflict and Saudi Arabia being limited to an inbound market, with ideas to set up a local airline scrapped, tempers its "Go East" plans.”.

Reopening of TownePlace Suites by Marriott London After Extensive Renovation

The grand reopening of the newly renovated TownePlace Suites by Marriott London, Ontario, Canada, a premier extended-stay hotel has taken place.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Mandy Choi (VP of Hotels Palm Holdings) and David Abraham (General Manager TPS), alongside local dignitaries.

Located at 800 Exeter Rd near Highway 401, the revamped property offers business and leisure travellers a modern and comfortable stay, with easy access to the city's main attractions and key businesses.

The hotel’s 126 suites, spanning three floors, have undergone a complete transformation, featuring the latest designs for the TownePlace Suites Brand and contemporary room designs that cater to the needs of today’s travelers. Each suite is equipped with spacious work areas, fully functional kitchens, and plush bedding to ensure a home-away-from-home experience. Guests can choose between king studio suites, two queen bedrooms and one-bedroom suites, both offering 55” flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and Marriott’s Guest Room Entertainment technology for streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.

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19 October, 2024

Indian airlines suffer a spate of bomb threats in recent days

Many airlines in India have been suffering a spate of bomb threats this week alone that have caused divertions, delays and expenses. More than seventy hoax calls and messages have been received and more than a dozen flights diverting.
One of the latest to be affected was a Vistara service from New Delhi to London, which had to divert to Frankfurt on Friday after a bomb threat was sent using the social media network formally known as Twitter. The jet with 147 people on board had to be evacuated and a full search was instigated by specialist police teams including those with explosive sniffer dogs. No device was found according to authorities.
On Monday, three international flights departing from Mumbai had to be diverted or delayed after bomb threats were posted on the same social media network. It is understood that Indian police traced these hoaxes to a teenager, who has since been arrested.

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Shenzhen Airlines A320 evacuated over smoke in cabin.

An A320neo of Shenzhen Airlines had to return to the airport shortly after taking off from Shijiazhuang Zhengding Airport after smoke was seen in the cabin. The jet made an emergency landing and passengers and crew evacuated via the inflatable slides.

Flight ZH9138 had taken off from Shijiazhuang and was en route to Shenzhen on 18 October 2024, when the smoke was spotted. According to the airline, the aircraft landed safely at 14:24 and an evacuation was ordered. There are no reported injuries and the affected passengers were accommodated or assisted with travel plans.

The aircraft, registration B-30FP is four years old and powered by Pratt & Whitney engines and whilst the cause of the smoke is not yet known, a full investigation is underway.

Shenzhen Airlines|Flight Shijiazhuang takes off after the cabin smokes and returns, passengers use the emergency slide to escape| Sing Tao Daily (stheadline.com)

Passenger Jet Makes Emergency Return After Cabin Fills with Smoke, Lands Safely (msn.com)

Incident Airbus A320-271N B-30FP, Friday 18 October 2024 (flightsafety.org)

Jason Shaw

RAF's first Wedgetail reveals new colours......

The Royal Air Force’s first Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft has received its new RAF paint scheme.

Wedgetail WT001 rolled out of the hangar at Southend Airport in the markings of VIII Squadron, who will operate the new aircraft in service.

The VIII Squadron badge, a sheathed Arabian dagger known as a Jambiya, was adopted in recognition of the Squadron’s long association with Arabia. The weapon is sheathed to symbolise the squadron's guardian duties and was approved by King George VI in December 1943.

As well as RAF markings and roundels, the aircraft also sports the emblem of NATO’s Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) - home to NATO’s ‘eyes in the sky’. The E-7 Wedgetail has also recently been selected by NATO as their next command and control aircraft. The RAF’s Wedgetails will join this NATO Force when in service, where they will play an important and unique role for the Alliance by protecting Allied airspace with their air and maritime surveillance capability.

The mission crew will utilise state-of-the-art workstations to deliver a multi-domain battle management capability: providing situational awareness to other assets, directing offensive and defensive forces whilst maintaining continuous surveillance of an area. The Wedgetail significantly enhances the capability of friendly combat aircraft and warships, enabling their missions and increasing their survivability in a hostile environment.

The UK’s Wedgetail will serve under No. VIII Squadron and will be located at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, alongside the nine-strong fleet of Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, both of which are based upon the widely used Boeing 737 Next Generation airframe, allowing the RAF to take advantage of synergies between the two fleets.

Following painting, the aircraft has returned to STS Aviation Services in Birmingham for further modification.

More about the RAF's E-7 Wedgetail aircraft

The E-7 Wedgetail AEW Mk1 is the RAF’s successor to the E-3D Sentry and will provide a 5th Generation Airborne Early Warning and Control capability (AEW&C), with a Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA), that is interoperable and interchangeable with key allies.

The Wedgetail is the most technologically advanced AEW&C system available and will provide UK Defence with eyes in the sky, for at least the next 20 years, to see far beyond ground-based systems and fighter aircraft sensors. Capable of generating a 360-degree view of the airspace and as a force multiplier, it will provide advanced warning of approaching threats to enable commanders to fight effectively in complex environments.   

Already in service and proven with the Royal Australian, Republic of South Korean and Turkish Air Forces, the UK’s Wedgetail will serve under No 8 Squadron. It will be located at RAF Lossiemouth alongside the Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft, both of which are based upon the widely used Boeing 737 Next Generation airframe, allowing the RAF to take advantage of synergies between the fleets.

Capability and Compatibility

Capable of fulfilling a wide range of missions, Wedgetail can provide high fidelity and accurate target information utilising its cutting-edge MESA sensor housed in a distinctive fin on the spine of the aircraft. The sensor, combined with an advanced communications suite, enables the crew to provide tactical control to other assets via voice and tactical data link whilst enhancing the situational awareness of Joint Force commanders. 

The mission crew will utilise the ten state-of-the-art workstations to deliver a multi-domain battle management capability: providing situational awareness to other assets, directing offensive and defensive forces whilst maintaining continuous surveillance of an area. The Wedgetail significantly enhances the capability of friendly combat aircraft and warships, enabling their missions and increasing their survivability in a hostile environment.

The E-7 Wedgetail RAF programme is already overdue and instead of getting the five aircraft the RAF originally wanted, they will only get three and the cost is just over £1.90 billion for the programme. The price tag for all five was £2.1 billion, which isn't perhaps the best deal or considered and the reduction for three isn't very much. The RAF will continue to get all five of the special Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radars, which they will use to ensure that it always has one E-7 available.

Other countries that have ordered the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing have also experienced problems and delays. The Royal Australian Air Force experienced initial delays and a number of technical challenges during the early stages of the E-7 Wedgetail programme, including integration issues with the radar and critical mission systems. Additionally, some systems failed during two operations, which raised questions about the ongoing suitability of the aircraft. As a result, technology upgrades were instigated and updates continue to be made. The Turkish Air Force has also encountered delays in the delivery and operational readiness of their E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. Some of these were due to technical issues, extra testing and modifications. The Republic of Korea Air Force reported some initial technical issues with the aircraft’s radar and communication systems, these needed further adjustments, testing and modification. In all cases, the aircraft spend far more time on the ground than they do flying according to defence analysts.

Jason Shaw

Etihad Airways to offer daily flights to Dusseldorf and Copenhagen from October 2025

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announces an enhancement to its European network. From 1 October 2025, the airline will offer daily services to both Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, further strengthening connections between the UAE and these European destinations.

The Dusseldorf route will see a substantial increase from its current schedule to a daily service. This expansion represents an addition of four weekly flights, providing passengers with greater flexibility and connectivity. Additionally, Dusseldorf will now be served year-round, offering consistent travel options throughout all seasons.

Similarly, the Copenhagen route will be enhanced from its present four-times-weekly schedule to daily operations. This change adds three more weekly flights to the Danish capital, further strengthening Etihad's presence in Scandinavia.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, commented: "This move to daily flights for Dusseldorf and Copenhagen marks an exciting chapter in our European expansion. It reflects our commitment to providing unparalleled connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. These enhanced frequencies allow us to offer our guests greater flexibility and improved connection options across our global network. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering our award-winning service and hospitality on these routes, ensuring every journey with Etihad is exceptional."

These enhancements reflect Etihad's commitment to expanding its global network and providing guests with even more flexible and reliable travel options between Abu Dhabi and key European cities.

Dusseldorf

A perfect blend of modernity and tradition, Dusseldorf offers a unique European experience. Known for its fashion industry and art scene, the city's Media Harbour showcases cutting-edge architecture. Visitors can enjoy luxury shopping along the famous Königsallee or explore the charming Altstadt (Old Town) for a taste of traditional German culture.

Copenhagen

The Danish capital presents a perfect mix of historical charm and contemporary design. Guests can explore the colourful Nyhavn waterfront, visit the iconic Little Mermaid statue, or experience the enchanting Tivoli Gardens – one of the world's oldest amusement parks. The city's renowned culinary scene, featuring numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, appeals to food enthusiasts from around the globe.

These expanded services reflect Etihad's dedication to connecting cultures and facilitating stronger business ties between our regions. The increased frequencies will provide travellers with more flexibility to explore these captivating destinations, whether for business or leisure.

Etihad points

Jason Shaw.

Jason Shaw's love of the aviation industry started at a young age when he used to watch the whirlybirds of Bristow Helicopters coming and going from the garden of his Surrey childhood home. Since those days he's worked in a number of key areas within the aviation industry from airlines, travel agents, holiday companies and product selection to reporting on it for local radio and making video travel brochures.

Jason is also an experienced broadcaster, having presented on radio, television, corporate videos and video travel brochures.

He's an avid reader and has also written a number of books, articles, features and reports.

Jason loves to travel, eat cheesecake and his favourite destinations include Port Douglas, Singapore and Copenhagen.

Joshua Jordan.

Josh loves to travel and has a passionate interest in the airline industry. He's worked in both travel and the media for a number of years. His voice can often be heard on Internet-based radio stations as well and the odd commercial! The destination he calls his favourite is - New York.

Adam Shaw

Adam is the youngest member of the team, no relation to Jason and like the rest of the team, he has a keen interest in airlines, aircraft and aviation. His favourite destination is Prague and has just started taking flying lessons.