WestJet and TELUS partner on Trusted Boarding trial

WestJet, together with TELUS, trialled Trusted Boarding, a touchless process that uses safe and secure facial verification technology to verify travellers' identity prior to boarding a flight. The trial was the first-of-its-kind in Canada and took place at the YYC Calgary International Airport.

"The travel experience is evolving to include many touchless processes and WestJet is innovating to ensure our guests' travel journey improves to become more seamless and efficient, while prioritizing safety above all," said Stuart McDonald, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer. "The Trusted Boarding trial is a union between technology and WestJet that would in the future help our agents and our guests with contactless document validation." 

WestJet's Trusted Boarding trial demonstrated that the responsible use of biometric boarding technology provides sufficient document validation and prevents non-authorized individuals from boarding an aircraft. Trial guests boarded WestJet flight 8901 through facial verification with their digital identity wallet on Embross' Canadian made biometric hardware and boarding application at Gate 88. The trial marked the first step towards the implementation of the technology as WestJet works with the Government of Canada to seek full approval for its use as a safe and secure alternative for future WestJet boarding at Canadian airports. 

easyJet launches first ever festive ‘Advent(ure) Calendar’

easyJet launches first ever festive ‘Advent(ure) Calendar’

The airline is launching its first ever, limited-edition advent calendar featuring festive travel treats

·    Dubbed the ‘Advent(ure) Calendar’ it is created for adventurous travellers who want more experiences in 2022, the calendar features 12 drawers each containing a travel gift – including four pairs of return flights for two, a year’s easyJet plus membership worth £215, travel experience vouchers with GetYourGuide, car hire and Bistro vouchers to spend onboard

·      Retailing for £695, with a RRP value of over £1500, the limited run of calendars is on sale online from Friday 26th November 2021 – with all proceeds going to Age UK

·      The launch of the calendar comes following research that reveals nearly two-thirds (65%) of Brits are yearning for adventure in 2022 now that international travel is returning to normal.

 

Budget Airline easyJet has launched its first ever festive ‘Advent(ure) Calendar’, filled with extraordinary travel experiences and extras. The new, limited-edition product features 12 drawers each containing special travel treats to be enjoyed next year.  

The calendar includes four pairs of return flights for two including hold luggage, as well as one year’s easyJet plus membership worth £215, vouchers to spend on easyJet’s onboard Bistro and on tours and excursions with ‘GetYourGuide’, as well as car hire, all for people to enjoy more adventures abroad in 2022.

The easyJet Advent(ure) Calendar is  on sale from Friday 26th November 2021 at easyJet.com/advent-calendar. Priced at £695, the calendar offers amazing value with the flights, experiences and travel extras included worth over £1500. All proceeds of the sales from the calendars will be donated to Age UK Bedford.

The airline has launched the calendar following new research that revealed adventuring abroad was the number one desire for Brits when it comes to planning for 2022, just in time for giving the gift of adventure this festive season. The nationwide study also discovered that over half (52%) of Brits said that planning trips and adventures abroad are top of their priority list.  This Christmas, half of Brits (50%) said they would prefer the gift of travel and adventure over material gifts – with 56% preferring experiences over physical presents.

First ever naval combat H225M delivered to the Brazilian Navy

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H225M in naval combat configuration to the Brazilian Navy. Stationed at the naval base in São Pedro d'Aldeia, the aircraft will boost the Brazilian Navy’s mission capabilities including anti-surface warfare and maritime surveillance.

 

Developed by the engineering team at Helibras (the Brazilian subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters), this naval version of the H225M aircraft is the most complex configuration that has ever been produced for this multirole helicopter. The aircraft’s embedded systems include the EWS IDAS-3 (countermeasure system), MBDA Exocet AM39 B2M2 missiles, the APS143 tactical radar and the naval mission system N-TDMS (Naval Tactical Data Management System) developed in partnership with Atech and Airbus Defense and Space, which is responsible for making the command and control of all embedded systems, including the missile system.

“We are very proud of this achievement, which proves the industrial and technological capability of the Airbus Helicopters teams in France and Brazil to deliver one of the most modern solutions in the world to the Brazilian Armed Forces," said Alberto Robles, Head of Latin America at Airbus Helicopters. "Designed to meet the most demanding requirements of the Brazilian Navy, the advanced anti-surface warfare and tactical capabilities open new mission capabilities for the H225M utility helicopter."

 

The last stage of the firing campaign with the Exocet AM39 B2M2 missiles was successfully carried out last June, representing a major milestone in the programme, which led the way to qualification and delivery.

The naval H225M is part of the contract signed by the Brazilian government in 2008 and which includes 50 H225Ms to be operated by the three armed forces. So far, 39 H225Ms have been delivered to the Brazilian Armed Forces, all of them assembled locally by Helibras.

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Transaction process started at bankrupt Frankfurt-Hahn Airport in Germany

The provisional insolvency administrator of the companies of the Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Group, Dr Jan Markus Plathner, has commissioned the renowned Düsseldorf-based M&A consultancy Falkensteg to look for one or more investors for the German Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Group or its assets including the property. Investors have the option of acquiring all assets, units to be defined or single assets. Among other things, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (ICAO code: EDFH) in Rhineland-Palatinate is comprised of various operating properties and expansion areas, a 3,800-metre runway, as well as a 24-hour operating permit which enables flight operations around the clock, 365 days a year.

Several airlines offer numerous connections in passenger traffic, worldwide cargo connections are also in existence. At the airport, hangars with a separate truck access road are available for air cargo handling. Since 2017, the demand for air cargo has been steadily increasing at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. A total of around 233,000 tonnes were handled in 2020, making Frankfurt-Hahn the number 4 in German air cargo, after the airports of Frankfurt am Main, Leipzig/Halle and Cologne/Bonn, and well ahead of the air traffic hub Munich. Frankfurt-Hahn is located in the middle of one of the most important economic areas in Europe: the so-called "Blue Banana", which stretches across western Europe from Marseille to London via Switzerland, western Germany and the Benelux countries.

Falkensteg will conduct a broad market approach addressing national and international investors in a public tender procedure. Interested parties will be informed about Frankfurt-Hahn Airport by means of a special data room.

Qantas international flights from Melbourne resumed this week, for the first time in 20 months

Qantas international flights from Melbourne take off again this week for the first time in 20 months after the pandemic grounded international travel.

The national carrier will recommence scheduled international flights from Melbourne today with flight QF35 bound for Singapore departing at 11.50am.

Qantas has also announced it will launch a brand-new international route from Melbourne to Delhi from 22 December 2021, connecting Victoria to the Indian capital on a Qantas-operated flight for the first time in the airline’s history.

The new Melbourne-Delhi flight will operate four times a week, year-round. Same-day connections will also be available from Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. Flights from Melbourne to Delhi will initially operate via Adelaide, while flights from Delhi to Melbourne will operate nonstop.

This follows the recent announcement of flights from Sydney to Delhi, which start next month. When this route went on sale, Qantas saw the fastest booking surge for flights leaving Australia since the airline announced its international restart plans in August.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the relaunch of international flights from Victoria will pave the way for long-awaited reunions with loved ones, as well as help the state retain its position as one of Australia’s premier destinations for global travellers.

“Victorians have done it tougher than most over the past two years and we think many will see the restart of Qantas international flights as another important step towards life getting back to normal,” Mr Joyce said.

Jetstar Asia to operate vaccinated travel lane services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

Jetstar has received approval to operate Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, helping restore one of the world’s busiest international air links. Starting on 29 November, seven of Jetstar Asia’s 15 weekly return services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore will be designated VTL flights, enabling fully vaccinated customers to enter Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, quarantine-free. 

Jetstar Asia’s Head of Commercial and RGM SEA, Woo Wai Keong, said the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route was always a critical link between two of Southeast Asia’s leading cities.

“It is wonderful to be able to offer customers travelling between Malaysia and Singapore a quarantine-free travel option, and play a part bringing families, friends and colleagues back together again for the first time in nearly two years.” Mr. Woo said.

In line with Malaysia and Singapore Government requirements, only fully vaccinated passengers (exemptions apply to passengers 12 years and below) who meet all the necessary VTL conditions can travel on designated VTL flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Customers who book a Jetstar Asia (3K) flight on jetstar.com before 31 December 2021 for travel before 30 June 2023, will be given one ‘fee free’ date change as part of Jetstar’s Fly Flexible policy*.

Jetstar’s Fly Well safety measures offer an added layer of protection and demonstrate our commitment to keeping our people and our customers safe.

Schedule from week commencing 29 November 2021:

Flight number	Route	Frequency	Schedule time
VTL services#	3K683 3K684	SIN KUL KUL SIN	Daily	07:15am - 08:25am 09:05am - 10:15am

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Icelandair Group is taking significant steps in aligning the company’s organizational structure

Icelandair Group is taking significant steps in aligning the firm's organizational structure as it struggles to make inroads on a strategy to sustainable growth, digital transformation and central focus on customer experience.

Commercial responsibilities split into two divisions to sharpen focus

The Commercial division will be split into customer and revenue-focused divisions. The establishment of the Customer division will foster a strong customer-centric focus across the organization and continue to strengthen the Icelandair brand. The Revenue division will combine the Company’s revenue-focused functions of Network, Revenue Management and Sales in a single division with the aim of reaching Icelandair’s full revenue potential. Each division will be led by a member of the Executive Committee (Chief Customer Officer and Chief Revenue Officer).

Digital transformation a priority

Furthermore, a Digital & Data division will enable Icelandair Group’s digital and data journey from a central position within the Company, led by a Chief Digital Officer. The division will support the business units on their quest to develop simple and enjoyable journeys for Icelandair’s customers and further enable data-driven decision making across the Company.

Clear emphasis on Sustainability and Corporate Strategy

Sustainability is central to Icelandair’s long-term strategy and will be strengthened further and positioned within the CEO office along with Strategy. The Managing Directors of Icelandair Cargo and Loftleidir-Icelandic continue to represent the subsidiaries in the Company’s Executive Committee. Their operations continue to be vital in supplementing the Company’s core business, aviation, by seizing opportunities on the international air freight and leasing markets, and by reducing seasonal fluctuations within Icelandair Group’s operations.

Tomas Ingason appointed Chief Revenue Officer

Tomas Ingason has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer of Icelandair Group. Tomas has served as the Chief Information Officer/Chief Business Development Officer of the Company since re-joining Icelandair in 2019. He was Chief Commercial Officer of WOW air from 2018-2019 and Director of Rapid Digitization at Arion Bank between 2016 and 2018. Tomas was Chief Business Development Officer of WOW air in 2014. Prior to that he was Management Consultant at Bain & Comp­any in Copenhagen and served as Director of Revenue Management and Pricing at Icelandair for several years. Tom­as holds an MBA Degree from MIT Sloan School of Mana­gement in Bost­on, MSc. Degree of Engineering in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and a BSc. Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland.

Recruitment for the Chief Customer Officer and Chief Digital Officer positions will be initiated immediately.

Bogi Nils Bogason, President & CEO:

“We live in a changed world as we continue on the path to recovery from the global pandemic and where the importance to ensure a sustainable future is paramount. With a clear vision and strategy supported by a focused organizational structure, Icelandair is well equipped to adapt to this new reality. We aim to drive performance by ensuring sustainable growth, continuing to maintain an agile and sustainable network, ensuring excellence in all our operations and digital transformation – all through a strong company culture that puts the customer at the centre and by emphasizing our contribution to economic, social and environmental sustainability.”

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easyJet recruitment drive underway for 1500 cabin crew for summer 2022 ramp up

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, has launched its annual recruitment drive for seasonal cabin crew to fly next summer, to serve the predicted ramp up in demand. easyJet is recruiting for 1500 seasonal crew roles across Europe for its summer operations between March and October next year. Of these, 1100 of the jobs being advertised are set to be based in the UK alongside 250 seasonal crew who are set to return to the airline having operated last summer.

With sufficient pilots already in place to support operations for summer 2022, the airline is now looking to reopen its cadet pipeline, starting with taking on 150 newly-qualified cadet pilots in the UK who had originally been due to join the airline at the beginning of the pandemic. They will now join between January and April 2022. In addition to this, the airline is planning to begin recruitment in the coming weeks for experienced Airbus pilots, to be based in Europe.

easyJet has opened recruitment for 1500 seasonal cabin crew for next summer with around 11,000 applications received to date

Many newly-qualified cadet pilots set to begin flying with the airline early next year

Recruitment for additional Airbus qualified pilots across Europe will commence soon to further support the airline’s ambitions in the recovery

Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO commented: “With the recovery underway, we are ready and able to seize opportunities and our seasonal crew are integral to this. As the largest UK airline, we are proud to employ thousands of people across the country, as well as in Europe, and have been delighted with the overwhelming response so far with more than 11,000 applicants for the 1500 crew roles. We are particularly pleased that, in line with our commitment to them, we will see many cadet pilots finally join us after they were delayed by the onset of the pandemic. 

“We will continue to take decisive action to capture additional opportunities alongside our planned organic growth. We look forward to bringing these crew onboard with us for summer, so we can offer the greatest choice and best value across our unrivalled European network, for leisure and business customers alike.”

Last week, easyJet confirmed it would be expanding its UK fleet with three more aircraft across its Bristol and Manchester bases for the summer 2022 season. The Manchester base will be larger than ever with 20 aircraft based there connecting the North-West to key cities and holidays destinations across Europe.

For more information visit careers.easyJet.com  

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Keys to Safely Restoring Global Mobility: Simplicity, Predictability, Practicality

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to adopt simple, predictable and practical measures to safely and efficiently facilitate the ramping-up of international travel as borders re-open. 

Specifically, IATA urged governments to focus on three key areas:

1. Simplified health protocols
2. Digital solutions to process health credentials
3. COVID-19 measures proportionate to risk levels with a continuous review process

The industry’s vision to address the complexity is outlined in the newly released policy paper: From Restart to Recovery: A Blueprint for Simplifying Travel. 

“As governments are establishing processes to re-open borders, in line with what they agreed in the Ministerial Declaration of the ICAO High Level Conference of COVID-19, the Blueprint will help them with good practices and practical considerations. Over the next months we need to move from individual border openings to the restoration of a global air transport network that can reconnect communities and facilitate economic recovery,” said Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Deputy Director General.

The Blueprint aims to facilitate the efficient ramping-up of global connectivity. “We must have processes in place to safely and efficiently manage the ramping-up of international travel as borders re-open. With over 18 months of pandemic operational experience and traveler feedback we know that a laser-focus on simplicity, predictability and practicality is essential. That is not the reality today. Over 100,000 COVID-19 related measures have been implemented by governments worldwide. This complexity is a barrier to global mobility that is exacerbated by the inconsistencies these measures have created among states,” said Clifford.

First Airbus built Inmarsat-6 satellite shipped to Japan ready for launch

The first Airbus built Inmarsat-6 , I-6 F1, satellite has been shipped from Airbus in Toulouse to Tanegashima in Japan ready for launch.

The first satellite of the Inmarsat-6 series is due to be launched on an H-IIA launch vehicle built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in December. Inmarsat-6 F1 is based on Airbus’ ultra-reliable Eurostar E3000 spacecraft and will be the 54th Eurostar E3000 launched. It will be the fifth Eurostar in orbit that is equipped with electric propulsion for orbit raising reinforcing Airbus’ position as the world leader in electric propulsion.

The reduced mass by using electric propulsion allows for a dual payload mission (Ka and L-band) with an exceptionally large next generation digitally processed payload giving greater flexibility to Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communication services.

Singapore Airlines Unveils All-New Narrowbody Aircraft Cabin Products

Singapore Airlines Unveils All-New

Narrowbody Aircraft Cabin Products

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched its highly-anticipated new cabin products, which will be rolled out on its Boeing 737-MAX fleet in the coming weeks. This elevates the customer experience onboard the Airline’s narrowbody aircraft fleet to a level similar to its widebody aircraft, offering a consistent and premium travel journey across the entire Singapore Airlines network.

All of SIA’s 737-MAX 8 aircraft will have 154 seats in two classes, 10 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class, with new cabin products featuring bespoke elements that have been designed especially for the SIA customer.

The lie-flat Business Class seats have been designed by London-based Factorydesign and manufactured for Singapore Airlines by Thompson Aero Seating. The Economy Class cabin will feature the latest generation sleek and slim-line seats, which have been built by Collins Aerospace. The 737- MAX 8 cabin has been designed with a special focus on ergonomics, helping to ensure that everything is within easy reach for customers.

The aircraft feature Panasonic’s X-Series seat-back in-flight entertainment, allowing all customers to enjoy the latest KrisWorld entertainment content. The fleet is also fitted with Panasonic’s in-flight Wi-Fi service, as well as mobile data connectivity services.

Air Canada Adding Extra Cargo Capacity Into Vancouver to Help Maintain British Columbia's Economic Supply Chain

In response to flooding that disrupted transportation supply chain network in the province

586 tonnes of additional capacity added into and out of YVR, an increase of 45% over originally planned levels

Air Canada Express Dash 8-400 aircraft being converted into special freighter configuration to transport cargo

 

Air Canada has confirmed it has significantly increased cargo capacity into and out of Vancouver between November 21 and 30 from its hubs in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary as it works to ensure that the vital economic supply chain links in British Columbia are maintained following the impacts of last week's flooding. In total, Air Canada is adding 586 tonnes of cargo capacity, representing 3,223 cubic metres to support B.C.'s economic supply chain and the needs of its communities. The additional capacity is equivalent in weight to approximately 860 adult moose.

"The economic supply chain is vital, and to help support the urgent transport of goods into and out of British Columbia, we have increased capacity to our YVR hub by using the flexibility of Air Canada's fleet to reschedule 28 passenger flights from narrow-body aircraft to be operated with wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777, and Airbus A330-300 aircraft. These changes will allow an additional 282 tonnes of goods to be moved across the country on our scheduled passenger flights," said Jason Berry, Vice President, Cargo, at Air Canada.

"Additionally, Air Canada Cargo will operate an additional 13 all-cargo flights between our Toronto, Montreal and Calgary cargo hubs and YVR using widebody aircraft, providing approximately 304 tonnes of additional capacity. These aircraft will help move mail and perishables such as seafood, as well as automotive parts and other industrial goods," concluded Mr. Berry.

For more information and bookings please visit Air Canada's site here.

Air Canada is also working with its regional partner Jazz Aviation to provide additional regional cargo capacity by temporarily converting an Air Canada Express De Havilland Dash 8-400 from its normal passenger configuration into a special freighter configuration. This Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighter operated by Jazz can carry a total of 18,000 lbs. (8,165 kg) of cargo and will be deployed to transport critical goods, as well as consumer and industrial goods and will be in service as early as this week.

Last week, as the impact of the devastating floods became apparent, Air Canada quickly added capacity to the Air Canada Cargo network by substituting larger widebody aircraft on 14 passenger flights into Vancouver.

Additional capacity added for passengers

In addition to the extra cargo capacity, Air Canada had also increased the number of seats available for customers in Kelowna and Kamloops since November 17, adding approximately 1,500 seats into both communities by utilizing larger aircraft on routes. This enabled people affected by the highway closures to fly into and out from these airports, and through the cargo capacity of these passenger aircraft, also allowed for the important transport of emergency medical supplies into these regions.

For more information and bookings please visit Air Canada's site here.

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Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines significantly expand codeshare deal

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced that they will reactivate their codeshare arrangement between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and expand it to include 15 domestic points in Malaysia, seven destinations in Europe, and two cities in South Africa.

 

This follows the announcement that Malaysia and Singapore will launch a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangement beginning 29 November 2021, providing customers with seamless journeys for their business or leisure travel.

 

The substantial expansion of the codeshare arrangements, within Malaysia and beyond the two countries, comes amid the gradual reopening of international borders and an increase in the demand for air travel. 

 

From 29 November 2021, Singapore Airlines customers will be able to progressively connect on Malaysia Airlines services out of Kuala Lumpur as the carrier adds 15 new codeshare destinations in Malaysia. These are Alor Setar, Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Kuching, Labuan, Langkawi, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Sibu, and Tawau. 

 

From 1 January 2022, Malaysia Airlines customers will be able to connect on SIA’s flights from Singapore to seven points in Europe – Barcelona, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Moscow, Munich, Rome, and Zurich – as well as Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa.

 

Other points in the Singapore Airlines or Malaysia Airlines network will be progressively added to the codeshare arrangements. 

 

October U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Increase Nearly 200% Year Over Year

Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) today released data showing ARC-accredited travel agency air ticket sales increased 199% year over year in October 2021. The consolidated dollar value of tickets sold by agencies during October totalled $4.3 billion, the third month in 2021 for which sales have topped $4 billion.*

Month over month, October 2021 results showed:

Total sales up 33%.

Total passenger trips increased 14%.

U.S. domestic trips increased 11%.

International trips increased 21%.

“The announcement that the U.S. would open its borders to vaccinated international travellers on November 8 led to a significant increase in airline ticket purchases throughout October,” said Steve Solomon, vice president of global sales, marketing, operations and customer experience at ARC. “We saw double-digit percentage increases in new tickets from European countries to the U.S., a positive sign for the travel industry as we enter the holiday months.”

Total passenger trips settled by ARC in October 2021 increased 115% year over year from 8.1 million to 17.6 million. U.S. domestic passenger trips increased 112% to 12.1 million YOY. International passenger trips increased 123% to 5.4 million over the same period. The average U.S. round-trip ticket price in October 2021 was $425, a 13% increase from $377 in October 2020.

Airbus and CMA CGM Group sign for four A350F freighters

CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, and Airbus have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of four A350F freighter aircraft. The order, which is subject to finalisation in the coming weeks, will lift CMA CGM’s total Airbus fleet to nine aircraft, including five A330-200F.

The aircraft will be operated by CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the recently launched air cargo activity of CMA CGM Group.

“We are proud to welcome CMA CGM AIR CARGO in the group of operators for the A350F and we are equally pleased to support the company’s future strategic development,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. ”The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s existing fleet of Airbus freighters. Thanks to its composite airframe and latest technology engines, it will bring unbeatable efficiency in terms of fuel burn, economics and CO₂  emissions, empowering the long-term sustainable growth of the Group.” Scherer adds: “Having an early endorsement by such an international cargo powerhouse as the CMA CGM Group is very gratifying.”

The A350F is based on the world's most modern long range leader, the A350. The aircraft features a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials resulting in a 30t lighter take-off weight, generating an at least 20% lower fuel burn over its current closest competitor. With a 109t payload capability (+3t payload/ 11% more volume than its competition), the A350F serves all cargo markets (Express, general cargo, special cargo…) and is in the large freighter category the only new generation freighter aircraft ready for the enhanced 2027 ICAO CO ₂ emissions standards.

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Alaska Airlines launches first flights to Belize City from Seattle and Los Angeles

U.S budget carrier,  Alaska Airlines has started nonstop flights to Belize City from both its bases at Seattle and Los Angeles. 

"For nearly two decades the Belizean market has been on our radar. We're thrilled to now be inaugurating service from both Seattle and Los Angeles," said Brett Catlin, vice president of network and alliances at Alaska Airlines. "Belize offers terrific family-friendly, eco-conscious possibilities – from iconic islands to lush jungles and ancient sites. And it's closer than you might think: From L.A., it's only a five-hour flight, and from Seattle, it's six hours."

"In addition to attracting greater business investment and human capital, this new flight will also spur tourism which is essential for Belize's prosperity. It comes at a very opportune time as it further boosts the industry's recovery efforts," noted Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations. "We, therefore, value our partnership with Alaska Airlines in providing such a vital connectivity for travellers from the West Coast interested in reinvigorating themselves and relaxing in our tropical jewel while immersing in a rich, unique cultural experience."

Starts	Ends	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
Nov. 19	Year-round	LAX – BZE	11:00 a.m.	5:30 p.m.	M, W, F, Sa	737-800
Nov. 20	Year-round	BZE – LAX	10:00 a.m.	1:30 p.m.	T, Th, Sa, Su	737-800
Nov. 19	May 21	SEA – BZE	8:30 a.m.	4:35 p.m.	F, Sa	737-800
Nov. 20	May 22	BZE – SEA	11:00 a.m.	3:55 p.m.	Sa, Su	737-800

All times are local times

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Air Canada Exits Government of Canada Financial Support as Industry Recovery Continues

On Friday, Air Canada announced it was withdrawing from further Government of Canada financial support after better than expected results as it emerged from the pandemic shutdown.  The support package, announced in April 2021, provided the carrier access to interest-bearing loans of $5.375 billion through several separate credit facilities. To date, Air Canada has only accessed the facility solely dedicated to refunding customers' non-refundable tickets, while all other remaining facilities totalling $3.975 billion have not been used.

"Air Canada's recovery from COVID-19 continues. We are recalling employees, adding new routes and frequencies to our network, and restoring services, and, last quarter, we completed a $7.1-billion financing. Today, in another convincing sign of our progress, we are announcing our withdrawal from the major funding provisions of our support agreement with the Government of Canada for the $3.975 billion in facilities that were never accessed and remain unused," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We deeply appreciate the Government of Canada's support as this helped maintain a level playing field at a time when governments around the world, recognizing the importance of air travel to their economies, were also assisting their national carriers in the face of the unprecedented downturn caused by COVID-19. In addition to helping preserve thousands of jobs and travel choice for Canadians, the assistance offered to Air Canada importantly served as an extra level of insurance that enabled us to raise additional liquidity on our own to manage the pandemic and give us sufficient resources to effectively compete in the post-pandemic marketplace."

Swedish innovation can save the planet from plastic lids

Swedish innovation can save the planet from plastic lids

Every year, more than 300 billion plastic lids – 1,500,000,000 kg of plastic – are used on our coffee and beverage cups. The lids leak, and we spill and burn ourselves. And because they are made of plastic, the lids are harmful to the environment – and are slated to be banned in the EU. 

Swedish company UniCup Scandinavia AB has now created an entirely new bio-based lid made of spruce and pine. The “Liplid” is placed inside, rather than on, the cup, and improves the stability and drinking experience of on-the-go beverages.

UniCup Scandinavia founders Lars Bendix and Håkan Löfholm have been developing products for on-the-go food and beverages for more than 20 years. Across these years they have seen and experienced major problems associated with plastic lids that are fitted onto beverage cups. When used for cold drinks or hot tea and coffee, these lids fail to meet the needs of today’s consumers in terms of both functionality and sustainability. The lids are difficult to put on properly. Spills are common occurrences. It is hard to drink through the lid and to cool down the beverage. The plastic lids are also a major environmental problem. More than 300 billion lids are produced globally each year, and many of these end up in nature.

Now the idea, hatched and drawn up on a paper napkin by Lars and Håkan over a cup of coffee in Stockholm is a reality that can solve these problems.

Qantas Frequent Flyer and Accor do tie up

As Australians prepare to travel again, members of Qantas Frequent Flyer and Accor’s loyalty program, ALL – Accor Live Limitless, can for the first time be rewarded twice when they fly with Qantas and stay at one of Accor’s hotels.

From today, members who link their Qantas Frequent Flyer and ALL – Accor Live Limitless accounts can earn points in both programs on eligible hotel bookings and Qantas flights.

Almost 30 million members across both programs in Australia and the Asia Pacific are set to be rewarded for staying at Accor and flying on Qantas’ domestic and international flights. Details of the program include:

Points earn on the ground:

• Earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar as well as the usual ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward points on eligible Accor hotel stays in Australia or across the Asia Pacific.
• Plus, earn 3 Qantas Points for every dollar on eligible transactions while staying at Accor hotels, including dining and room service while also earning Reward points.

Points earn in the air:

• Members who hold Qantas Platinum, Platinum One or ALL Gold, Platinum and Diamond status can earn up to 2 ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward points per A$10 spent on eligible Qantas flights in addition to the usual Qantas Points.

Accor brands include: SO/, Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Grand Mercure, Peppers, Swissotel, The Sebel, Mantra, Novotel, Mercure, Mövenpick, Tribe, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis Budget.

Accor Pacific CEO Simon McGrath said this was a major milestone for the travel industry, enabling greater benefits for loyalty members across more than 1,200 Accor hotels, apartments and resorts in the Asia Pacific region.

“We are joining forces to reward our customers, delivering exceptional travel benefits and unrivalled service for people who enjoy our two much-loved brands,” Mr McGrath said.

“Customers are at the heart of this partnership which is set to bring significant extended benefits for travellers. This is a first for a hospitality group and airline in Australia.