RTX's Pratt & Whitney, Embraer and OGMA announce first GTF engine induction

Pratt & Whitney and OGMA Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A. ("OGMA"), an Embraer company, announced today the induction of the first Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine at OGMA during the inaugural opening of the Alverca-based facility.

"This marks a significant milestone in our expanding relationship with OGMA and Embraer, furthering our commitment to providing global industry-leading service and support to increase GTF MRO capacity," said Marc Meredith, vice president of aftermarket for GTF engines at Pratt & Whitney. "OGMA brings more than a century of maintenance expertise to the network and will provide critical support for the growing GTF fleet in Europe."

The Embraer company joined the GTF MRO network in 2020 to provide disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1100G-JM engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo aircraft family. In 2021, OGMA announced that it will add capability for the PW1900G engine, which powers the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft.

Greece becomes newest member of the F-35 Lightning II global alliance

The increasing European presence of the 

F-35 bolsters interoperability

Greece government finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft.

"We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. "The F-35 will provide exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO."

"For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program," said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece's sovereignty and operational capability with allies."

The F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter of choice, offering unparalleled interoperability with NATO and other allied assets. This capability stands as a significant advantage for the U.S. and its allies, ensuring strategic superiority for decades. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.

lynas signs agreement for additional 75 A320neo Family aircraft and 15 A330neo

flynas, Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 75 A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900. This strategic agreement will expand the airline's capacity, range and enhance its overall fleet capabilities.

Signed during Farnborough International Airshow in the presence of  President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding Ayed Al Jeaid, flynas Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Bandar Almohanna, and Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft, Christian Scherer.

The new aircraft will join the carrier’s all Airbus fleet serving international, domestic and regional routes. The new A330-900 aircraft will boast a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers.

"We are excited to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Airbus," said Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas. "The A320neo Family provides exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, allowing us to offer unique, low-cost travel experiences. Additionally, the A330neowill enhance our long-haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s pilgrim program."

72% of aviation workers experience verbal or physical abuse during travel disruption

Aviation workers say that 72% of airline or airport staff have been intimidated, shouted at or physically hurt during disruptions to customer travel. Shockingly, 71% of air travel workers say they see an increase in staff being abused by customers when disruption occurs. This number correlates closely with customer anger, as 73% of aviation workers see customers "furious or frustrated" in the face of travel disruption. 

Research conducted by travel technology specialist IBS Software and Aviation Business News finds that 55% of workers in the air travel sector have seen their mental health negatively impacted by the fallout of flight disruption. What's more, 47% say that disruption affects their work-life balance, as they often think about issues faced during the day when they get home from work.

Encouragingly, despite widespread customer frustration, 65% of airline or airport workers think the airline industry manages disruption well. However, they identify access to accurate information, the impact of disruption on operations and getting information to customers as the top three challenges faced by airlines when disruption occurs.

Ignoring these challenges can have a lasting impact on airlines, with 62% of air travel workers agreeing that customers now choose an airline based on its reputation for handling disruption. 

JetBlue adds more New England services

JetBlue adds 20 percent more seats in New England this winter

JetBlue is adding new services aimed at connecting more New Englanders to leisure destinations with more routes from Boston Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester, New Hampshire.

JetBlue proudly leads the way in both Boston and New England, boasting the most mainline service from Boston, approximately 30 percent more mainline seats than the next largest carrier; the most nonstop destinations of any carrier out of Boston; the most flights from Boston and New England to California, Florida and the Caribbean. Now, this network expansion in the region will provide even more flexibility and convenience for New England customers as JetBlue sets out to continue to deliver sought-after vacation hot spots.

"We are incredibly proud of our strong roots in Boston and New England, a place that has always embraced our vision for low fares and superior travel experiences,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. “Our commitment to Boston and our loyal customers across New England is unwavering as we continue to innovate and enhance our product. With each new development, each new route, we aim to deliver even greater comfort and convenience, ensuring that our customers’ choice is easy, and they always receive the best that JetBlue has to offer."

Manchester, meet JetBlue

Manchester will be the tenth airport with JetBlue service in New England, including recently announced service from Presque Isle, Maine, which launches in September. JetBlue flights from Manchester are set to launch in January with service to Florida including year-round daily flights to Orlando, and winter seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale - the only nonstop flight scheduled on this route - and Fort Myers. Manchester flights are on sale now and will complement JetBlue’s focus city operation at Boston Logan, giving loyal JetBlue customers across the region more selection.

New service for Boston and beyond

Proudly serving Boston Logan for more than 20 years, the airline’s focus city will see more flights to customers’ favorite vacation spots, including Aruba, Barbados, Cancún, Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Liberia, Miami, Montego Bay, Nassau, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Punta Cana, Providenciales, Sarasota, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Tampa and more. Additionally, JetBlue will begin operating a second daily nonstop flight between Boston and Phoenix, and for the first time on the route will feature the airline's premium Mint® service, which will be offered on all flights between the two cities.

The airline will also experience significant growth in Providence, where JetBlue seats will nearly triple this winter compared to last, while Hartford will see a 30 percent increase in JetBlue seats over the same period. Added with the new service in Manchester, the airline will average 18 new daily departures from New England this winter, with six new routes between New England and the Sunshine State.

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New routes in New York

New York’s Hometown Airline will also be making investments in the Empire State with additional service in Buffalo, Albany and Syracuse. Beginning in October, JetBlue is excited to launch the only nonstop service from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on a seasonal basis. Designed to give customers in Upstate New York more options to connect to sunny Florida in the winter months, Buffalo and Albany will each see a second daily flight added this winter to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, while Syracuse will get the convenience of a second daily flight to Orlando.

Volaris reports financial results for the second quarter 2024

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, has released its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

Enrique Beltranena, President & Chief Executive Officer, said: “Volaris continues to perform positively, achieving our highest absolute EBITDAR for a second quarter despite the fleet groundings due to accelerated engine inspections. Volaris’ unwavering focus on execution and efficient cost control has enabled us to deliver strong results. Our mitigation plan is on track with favorable outcomes, and we have largely achieved our goals since the inspections began. In fact, we are improving our full-year ASM guidance to -14%3. We currently have a well-balanced market mix, with an increased presence in the cross-border market that has strengthened our TRASM, and our booking curves indicate ongoing robust performance for the summer high season.

With recent updates from Pratt & Whitney, we are cautiously optimistic about this evolving situation, but we recognize that the engine's time on wing remains a challenge. Looking ahead, as grounded aircraft gradually return to our productive fleet, we expect recent unit revenue levels to remain resilient and remain committed to prudent and rational growth, prioritizing profitability.”

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 2Q 2023 unless otherwise noted)

Net income of $10 million. Earnings per American Depositary Shares (ADS) of $9 cents.

Total operating revenue of $726 million, a 7.2% decrease.

Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 12% to $8.89 cents.

Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased by 17% to 8.2 billion.

Total operating expenses of $660 million, representing 91% of total operating revenue.

Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) increased 9.1% to $8.08 cents.

Average economic fuel cost increased 6.1% to $2.86 per gallon.

CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $5.33 cents.

EBITDAR of $261 million, a 23% increase.

EBITDAR margin was 35.9%, an increase of 8.8 percentage points.

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $774 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months’ total operating revenue.

Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR2 ratio decreased to 2.9x, compared to 3.1x in the previous quarter.

1 The financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

2 Includes short-term investments.

KLM and ZeroAvia Plan Zero-Emission Demonstration Flight Using Liquid Hydrogen

KLM and ZeroAvia Plan Zero-Emission Demonstration Flight Using Liquid Hydrogen

ZeroAvia and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today announced that they will work towards a demonstration flight using ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 zero-emission, hydrogen-electric engines for large regional turboprop.

Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is low-temperature water vapour, with studies therefore estimating an up to 90% reduction in climate impact when compared with typical kerosene-fueled flights.[1] 

As a first major target milestone, the companies aim to conduct an initial A-to-B flight demonstration between two airport locations in 2026. As well as identifying the optimal airport pair, immediate workstreams will be working towards regulatory permits to fly and ensuring supply of liquid hydrogen fuel and putting in place the supporting infrastructure for aircraft fueling. 

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and BCG extend partnership for digital airline operations

Building Competitive Advantage Through Optimized Airline Operations

In an increasingly complex and volatile environment, reliable operational performance is a differentiator for airlines. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, a pioneer in the airline industry, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, today announced a further extension of their partnership, aimed at improving airline operations worldwide. The partnership was first established in 2018 and was previously extended in 2021. 

 

Image KLM

Over the past six years, KLM and BCG have developed a comprehensive suite of AI-based tools to digitize and optimize airline operations. These AI-powered tools are tailored to the evolving needs of airlines, particularly post-pandemic as airlines must be resilient in the face of unprecedented volatility in the market and operations. Covering all planning horizons, from day-of-operations to long-term strategic planning, these products help airlines tackle complex decisions across all functional areas, including ground, fleet and maintenance, crew, and network departments. 

Airlines must continually make tradeoffs that affect flights, crew, ground staff, customer experience, and profitability. Unfortunately, these tradeoffs are often based on siloed information. KLM and BCG’s fully customized, in-house solutions constantly measure real-time performance and offer decision-support around a single source of truth in data. This approach enables front-line operations staff to see the full picture and make informed, consistent, and data-driven decisions with a clear sense of how they will play out across the network. 

Some notable products include: 

Pathfinder: A best-in-class schedule optimization tool, which empowers airlines to optimize their fleet and tail-assignment processes for robustness and cost in the days leading up to operations 

Sentry & Runway: Two disruption management tools for the day of operations, which resolve major and minor operational disruptions for flight and crew schedules, and help minimize delay costs and disruption for passengers 

CrewVision: A long-term cockpit and cabin crew resource management and planning tool, which calculates an optimal crew plan for the future, including hiring, training, and attrition 

Terra: A tool designed to improve the resource allocation process for ground resources on the day of operations (DoO)—taking into account available resources, equal distribution of workload for employees (employee satisfaction), delay probability, delay costs, and enhanced task times based on a number of factors, such as actual load 

Proven Results 

The implementation of these solutions has led to improvements in KLM’s operations across functions, from boosting airline operational efficiency to enhancing airline disruption management to data-driven integral resources planning. KLM has reduced non-performance costs and increased in value delivery within operations and delivered a strong ROI on the initiative. Staff at the Operations Control Center and other operational and network departments are performing with new levels of engagement, insights, confidence, and satisfaction. 

Since the partnership’s last extension in 2021, KLM and BCG have expanded their tailored solutions to other airlines. Today, the KLM-BCG partnership serves a prominent network of carriers of all sizes, business models, and geographies—such as point-to-point, single-hub, and multi-hub—and for both full-service and low-cost carriers.

Maarten Stienen, COO of KLM said: "Our Partnership with BCG continues to be one of the building blocks supporting KLM operations that bring value to our customers. Thanks to the continuous extension of our suite of tools and the KLM in-house capabilities that we have built up in recent years and our world-class people, KLM was able to derive a lot of value from its Operations Decision Support set of tools. KLM is excited to continue to innovate and improve through this unique cooperation with BCG."

Dirk-Maarten Molenaar, a BCG managing director and senior partner said: "We are thrilled to extend our partnership with KLM. Together, we have cemented our position as a leading player in digital airline operations over the past six years.  As the needs of airlines evolve, we are excited to continue engaging and innovating with the world’s leading carriers and supporting the digital transformation and optimization of their operations."

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UK Protector fleet grows as trials continue

The Royal Air Force recently imported a second Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).

Engineers from 31 Squadron have completed the build and initial testing of this second aircraft, prior to further test and evaluation, led by 56 Squadron over the coming months.

The RAF, working with Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) expect 5 more aircraft to be delivered by the end of this year as Protector prepares to establish Aircrew and Technician training in the UK this year and take over operations from Reaper (MQ-9A) in 2025.

The delivery of this aircraft completes a busy period for the Programme, with initial flight-testing using aircraft one conducted in November 2023. Initial training is taking place at GA-ASI’s facilities in the US, utilising three other RAF owned aircraft, where a Protector Technician Course began in February, and the first Protector crews graduated from Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) in April. Training will transition to the UK later this year utilising the first phase of infrastructure work recently completed at RAF Waddington, the home of Protector in the UK. An international MQ-9B symposium was hosted by the RAF at RAF Cranwell in April this year.

Simon Holford, Uncrewed Air Systems Delivery Team Leader at Defence Equipment & Support said:  “Seeing delivery and assembly of the second Protector aircraft in the UK is yet another measure of the significant progress on this project and testament to the hard work of everyone involved.  Together with the three aircraft we have already taken delivery of in the US (which remain in the US for use in trials and/or training), we have now taken delivery of five of the sixteen aircraft we have ordered.”

RAF Typhoon completes first public display on blend of sustainable fuel

Last weekend the RAF Typhoon made history when it completed its first public display on a blend of sustainable fuel and regular jet fuel at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).

The aircraft’s eight-minute display, flown by Flight Lieutenant David ‘Turbo’ Turnbull, flew on a 35% blend of sustainable fuel in collaboration with RIAT under the airshow’s theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’.

RAF Typhoons are highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft and capable of speeds of nearly 1,400 mph.

The Royal International Air Tattoo, UK’s most prestigious airshow, welcomes 150,000 people to RAF Fairford every year with all proceeds from the event being donated to its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, Director Support said:  “The Royal Air Force was delighted to be able to perform a world first at RIAT, displaying a UK combat aircraft using a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

Having cleared all of our aircraft to use blends of up to 50% in 2020, and conducting the world’s first military transport aircraft flight on 100% SAF in 2022, we remain at the forefront of this important work with industry partners.

RTX's Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines Surpass 950 Orders and Commitments in 2024

More than 11,000 GTF orders and commitments programme to date

Pratt & Whitney, announced more than 950 GTF engine orders and commitments since the beginning of 2024. Airlines and lessors that have announced orders include Avolon, Breeze Airways, Cebu Pacific, Icelandair, JetSMART, Mexicana, SKY Airline, SMBC, and Vietjet. In total, more than 11,000 GTF engine orders and commitments have been placed by more than 90 customers worldwide.

"These orders demonstrate continued customer confidence in Pratt & Whitney and the value the GTF engine offers with its world-class economic and environmental benefits," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The GTF Advantage engine will extend this lead while providing more thrust and higher durability. We remain focused on executing all elements of the GTF fleet management plan including industrial output and material flow, GTF maintenance, repair and overhaul network expansion and ongoing customer support."  

The GTF delivers up to 20% better fuel efficiency than previous generation engines, saving airlines more than 1.7 billion gallons of fuel and the planet over 17 million metric tons of carbon emissions. GTF engines will continue to drive reductions in operating costs, new routes and revenue, and progress towards meeting the industry's sustainability goals. The engine's revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for even more efficient propulsion technologies in the decades ahead.

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WestJet and TELUS form partnership to revolutionize guest experience, including free inflight Wi-Fi, delivered by Starlink

WestJet and TELUS will be Canada's first to leverage Starlink technology to bring Canadians best-in-class, high-speed internet onboard beginning December 2024

WestJet and TELUS unveiled the first step in a multi-year strategic partnership that will transform the inflight experience for WestJet guests by providing industry-leading, fast and free internet, presented by TELUS and delivered by Starlink onboard WestJet aircraft. This announcement marks the beginning of a fully integrated partnership between WestJet and TELUS, and a significant leap forward for the airline's inflight connectivity. 

"Through our strategic partnership with TELUS, we are setting a new standard in the Canadian airline industry by offering Starlink's revolutionary inflight connectivity, and thanks to TELUS we are able to bring this inflight experience to WestJet Rewards guests for free," said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. 

In the coming months, WestJet and TELUS will announce additional, exclusive benefits and perks for WestJet Rewards members and TELUS customers.

Five Escapes with Unique Dining Options in Celebration of US National Couples Day

National Couples Day on August 18 celebrates love with opportunities for couples to rejuvenate and reconnect through travel. Booking.com reveals that 54% of global travellers plan leisure trips with their partners in 2024, with 35% focusing on food experiences. Offering over 29 million listings across 175,000 destinations, Booking.com suggests five stays with unique dining options, from dining in the African wilderness to enjoying a meal in a lush rainforest, catering to couples seeking memorable getaways.

La Bastide De Moustiers - Hôtel et Restaurant - Teritoria, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France

La Bastide De Moustiers, a restored 17th-century country house in Provence's Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, is close to the Verdon Gorges and Sainte-Croix Lake. Owned by a renowned French chef, its restaurant offers seasonal Provençal cuisine using produce from the hotel’s garden or local market. Guests can enjoy meals on the terrace surrounded by olive trees and lavender, or dine in themed lounges, including a romantic lounge with a single table. The picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with its charming squares and winding streets, is perfect for romantic strolls.

Suryagarh Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer, India

Located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Suryagarh Jaisalmer is a luxurious hotel designed like a fort, with intricate stone carvings and scenic courtyards overlooking the Thar Desert. The property offers unique dining experiences such as dinner on the dunes, oasis picnics, and intimate candlelit dinners using locally sourced ingredients. After dining, couples can explore Jaisalmer, renowned for its sandstone architecture and the UNESCO-listed Jaisalmer Fort. Visitors can enjoy camel safaris and overnight stays under the stars for an unforgettable experience.

Geiger's Camp in Timbavati Game Reserve by NEWMARK, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

Delivering Excellence in On-Time Performance and Exceptional Services

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has successfully concluded Hajj Season 1445H operations, marking the end of a 74-day journey. The final flight, SV5712, departed from Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina, carrying 320 pilgrims to Magelang, Indonesia. A farewell ceremony was held at the airport's departure hall in the presence of Mr. Mohammed Baakdah, the Vice President of Ground Operations at Saudia. 

Throughout the Hajj season, Saudia maintained a high level of operational efficiency, achieving exceptional on-time performance despite the challenges of coinciding the Hajj season with peak summer season 2024 operations. The airline offered a comprehensive array of quality services designed to enhance the pilgrims' spiritual journey. These services included digital platforms to streamline the travel process, facilitation at airports to expedite procedures, exceptional in-flight services and catering, and informative programs on the in-flight entertainment screens in multiple languages. 

Mohammed Baakdah, the Vice President of Ground Operations at Saudia, said: “The success of Hajj Season 1445H operations is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our entire staff. We worked tirelessly throughout this busy period, including holidays and Eid, to ensure our guests had a safe and fulfilling experience. We are grateful for the cooperation of all Hajj-related authorities and look forward to building on this success as we begin planning for Hajj Season 1446H”.

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Ryanair adds Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 electronic flight bag from Boeing.

Boeing and Ryanair, Europe's largest airline group, are elevating efficiency across Ryanair's fleet of primarily 737s with the addition of Boeing's Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 electronic flight bag (EFB) solution.

This strategic multi-year agreement, providing support for the carrier's Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX fleet, underscores Ryanair's dedication to continuous improvement and innovation in airline operations.

"We are excited to integrate Boeing's newest electronic flight bag into our operations. This advanced tool will optimize our flight operations, minimize disruptions, and enhance efficiency across our expanding fleet," said Neal McMahon, chief operations officer of Ryanair. 

FliteDeck Pro will provide Ryanair with tailored route information and the latest technology, including Smart Airport Maps to optimize taxi routes, reduce fuel consumption and improve ground safety.