Odys Aviation and Aramex Announce Partnership to Develop Cargo Operations in the United Arab Emirates and Oman

Odys Aviation, a sustainable aviation company building hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and Aramex, a market-leading provider of express delivery and logistics services to the Middle East and other emerging economies, today announced a partnership to develop cargo operations in the UAE, Oman and further afield in the region. Odys Aviation's state-of-the-art aircraft, designed in multiple configurations for cargo, will be capable of delivering all-electric propulsion for distances up to 320 kilometres and will offer a hybrid-electric range of more than 1,200 kilometres. As a result, flights operated via these aircraft have the potential to reduce carbon emissions on pan-GCC flights by up to 76 per cent and provide a zero-carbon air cargo alternative for routes across the UAE, Oman and beyond.

Under the terms of the partnership, Odys Aviation and Aramex intend to collaborate on the development of autonomous logistics programs which will ultimately introduce cargo flights leveraging Odys Aviation’s cargo aircraft and Aramex’s fleet management capabilities. The first pilot programs will utilize Odys Aviation’s Laila aircraft (22 ft wingspan and 130 lbs payload) and will expand to include the company’s Alta aircraft, a full-scale vehicle with payload capabilities up to one ton. Aramex intends to support pilot training and a test flight program which will demonstrate the movement of cargo between its regional locations. The teams will further work jointly to tailor the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that will develop Odys Aviation’s aircraft to serve specific local environments. Upon approval from regional regulatory bodies, the two companies intend to launch operations and commercial activities and expand beyond test programs to demonstrable routes and new markets within the GCC.

Sabre and IAG expand partnership with multi-year distribution agreement including NDC content

Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider to the global travel industry, has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with International Airlines Group (IAG) that will expand their existing partnership and further promote modern travel retailing practices.

The agreement will allow Sabre-connected travel buyers and agencies to sell traditional EDIFACT content as well as having competitive access to NDC offers from British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling – including Additional Price Points and ancillaries – through the Sabre travel marketplace globally. This enhanced content will provide travel agencies with a wider range of options to compare and shop for, while travelers will benefit from an improved experience with more choice and transparency. Sabre and IAG's airlines are working closely together and will communicate as NDC content is rolled out to Sabre-connected travel agencies on a carrier-by-carrier basis.

The agreement between Sabre and IAG underscores the industry's shift towards modern travel retailing, where airlines can differentiate their offerings and provide more personalized experiences to travelers. Both Sabre and IAG are committed to advancing the NDC standard as a key component in the industry's evolution towards modern airline retailing enabled by offers and orders.

Rocket Lab USA has set the launch window for its first mission of 2024.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has set the launch window for its first mission of 2024.

Rocket Lab will also attempt to recover Electron’s first stage from the mission in next step for reusability.

The ‘Four of a Kind’ mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 18 between 19:15-20:00 NZT (January 18 between 06:15-07:00 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission will deploy four Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites for Spire Global, Inc’s (Spire) customer NorthStar Earth & Space (NorthStar). NorthStar´s satellites, built and operated by Spire, will be the first to simultaneously monitor all near-Earth orbits from space, delivering a radically enhanced level of SSA services to the global satellite community, with timely and precise information for space object detection, tracking, orbit determination, collision avoidance, navigation, and proximity alerts.

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab will be attempting to splash down and retrieve Electron’s first stage as part of the Company’s plan to evolve Electron into a reusable rocket. After launch and stage separation, Electron’s first stage will return to Earth under a parachute and splash down in the Pacific Ocean several hundred kilometers down range from Launch Complex 1. Rocket Lab’s recovery vessel will extract the stage from the water for transportation back to Rocket Lab’s production complex where it will undergo detailed analysis. Rocket Lab is not launching any pre-flown engines as part of this mission.

“With each recovery mission we iterate toward Electron reusability and with recent launches we’ve made significant leaps forward with more successful splashdowns, recoveries and the first launch of a pre-flown Rutherford engine,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “We’re looking forward to putting advanced heat-shielding and waterproofing systems to the test on this mission as one of the final steps before re-flying an entire first stage. To launch an advanced mission like this with Spire as a mission partner is a real privilege, as they were on our very first orbital mission in 2018. To be partnered up again and both still pushing boundaries with new technology and capabilities all these years later is a great full circle moment.”

US charter carrier JSX signs up for 100 Heart Aerospace ES-30 aircraft

                                            Swedish hybrid-electric aeroplane maker Heart Aerospace and US charter carrier JSX have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of 50 of the Swedish company's regional ES-30 aeroplanes, with an option for an additional 50.

SX, which was launched in 2016, is now the biggest public charter carrier in the US, operating point-to-point flights to 24 destinations.

The Letter of Intent forms part of JSX's commitment to sustainable regional transportation in the US, and it is the first carrier in its category to adopt this impactful cutting-edge technology.

"Today's order of the Heart Aerospace ES-30 hybrid-electric aircraft exemplifies our commitment to customer-friendly, carbon-reducing solutions that will offer the lower costs essential to providing vital air service to small communities across the country," says Alex Wilcox, JSX CEO and co-founder. "Heart is a visionary organization that will help JSX serve smaller communities, weaving sustainable regional air travel back into the fabric of American commerce and freedom of movement."

The ES-30 is a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers offering low emissions, low noise pollution and lower operating costs on short-haul routes. It will have a fully electric zero-emissions range of 200 kilometres, an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometres with 30 passengers and the flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometres with 25 passengers, all including typical airline reserves.

"We're really excited to be part of JSX commitment toward sustainable regional air travel," said Simon Newitt, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Heart Aerospace. "The ES-30, with its competitive economics and green credentials, fits very well with JSX's vision, and we see not only the opportunity to reconnect many regional routes lost over the years, but also open many more new ones. We believe this transformation will be good for the consumer, good for the economy as well as for the environment." 

Heart Aerospace now has a total of 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 planes. Including the LOI from JSX, the company also has letters of intent for a further 191 aeroplanes.

 

Volocopter Wins Over Young Hearts with First Osaka & Hyogo Flight

 
                          

Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), successfully conducted a multi-day flight test campaign between 7 and 13 December with a crewed 2X aircraft in the Japanese cities of Osaka and Amagasaki. This week-long testing campaign signifies the completion of the first steps of local flight testing to acclimate the crew, communications tools, and flight test procedures in preparation for the 2025 World Exposition, Osaka Kansai EXPO. The 500-day countdown to the 2025 EXPO has begun, and Volocopter remains committed to flying at this international exhibition with its commercial air taxi, the VoloCity.  

The purpose of these flights was two-fold: to test aircraft operations under conditions like those expected during the EXPO and to accelerate the public awareness of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Japan. Local guests, including the Osaka governor, Osaka City mayor, prefectorial representatives, city officials, partners, and media, witnessed today's final flight test day event, co-hosted by Sumitomo Corporation, Volocopter's strategic partner and investor in Japan. In addition, over 200 local primary and secondary school students joined a Q&A session with guests around the innovative eVTOL aircraft technology. 

Successful flight operations at the 2025 EXPO require preparation time and assessment on the ground. These flight tests were conducted at the Osaka Heliport in proximity to the planned 2025 EXPO pavilion location in Osaka Bay. This locational advantage gives insight and data into how Volocopter could shape eVTOL operations when the exhibition starts. Working with local authorities such as the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), local air traffic controllers, and infrastructure owners now will aid in a faster transition from testing to the industry's commercial future, as well as for the VoloCity in 2025 EXPO. 

Air New Zealand announces BETA’s ALIA as launch aircraft for Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme

Air New Zealand selects BETA’s ALIA CTOL as its first next generation aircraft

The electric aircraft has been purchased to meet the airline’s goal of flying a commercial demonstrator by 2026

NZ Post announced as cargo partner for commercial demonstrator

Announcement in early 2024 revealing the two frontrunner airports to be home to next-generation aircraft

Air New Zealand has announced the ALIA as the airline’s first purchase of a next-generation aircraft in its Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme.

Designed by electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, the battery-powered all-electric aircraft is expected to join Air New Zealand’s fleet in 2026. Air New Zealand is purchasing the conventional take-off and landing version of the ALIA.

The announcement follows an 18-month period of evaluation and diligence by Air New Zealand. Through the airline’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme, it sought and received ideas and insights from 30 organisations, selecting four partners to work closely with on its goal of launching commercial flights using next generation aircraft in 2026. BETA’s ALIA is the first commercial order in the programme. 

Air New Zealand will initially operate the aircraft as a cargo only service in partnership with New Zealand Post, on a route being selected through an expressions of interest (EOI) process with airports across Aotearoa.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says the purchase cements Air New Zealand’s commitment to flying lower-emissions aircraft in New Zealand.

“This is a small but important step in a much larger journey for Air New Zealand. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we are incredibly committed, and this purchase marks a new chapter for the airline.”

Reliable Robotics flies large cargo aircraft with no one on board

FAA-approved uncrewed flight test, supervised by a remote pilot, is an important step forward for the aviation industry.

Reliable Robotics, a leader in aircraft automation systems, today announced a significant milestone in its work to bring advanced safety-enhancing technologies to market in the United States. Last month’s successful flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan with no one on board was a first for aviation. A remote pilot supervised the uncrewed aircraft from Reliable’s control centre 50 miles away.

The Reliable autonomous flight system enables the aircraft to be remotely operated by a pilot on the ground and improves safety by fully automating the aircraft through all phases of operation including taxi, takeoff and landing. Reliable’s system is aircraft agnostic and utilizes multiple layers of redundancy and advanced navigation technology to achieve the levels of integrity and reliability necessary for uncrewed flight. The system will prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and loss of control in flight (LOC-I), which account for the majority of fatal aviation accidents.

The Cessna Caravan is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc. Reliable Robotics has been collaborating with Textron Aviation, which includes the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, and Textron eAviation focused on sustainable flying. Textron Aviation has delivered more than 3,000 Caravans, proving it to be the world’s most popular turboprop utility aircraft.

“Textron Aviation is committed to delivering continuous aviation improvements and our relationship with Reliable Robotics advances this work,” said Chris Hearne, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Programs, Textron Aviation. “Reliable’s successful flight of an uncrewed Cessna 208 Caravan represents a milestone for the industry in bringing new technology to aviation.”

Flight trials integrate uncrewed aircraft into controlled airspace

A partnership of aviation leaders come together to demonstrate that uncrewed aircraft can be safely integrated into controlled airspace among piloted aircraft through multiple test flights.

A partnership of aviation leaders has successfully completed a first-of-its-kind trial, including a series of test flights aimed at evaluating the operational integration of uncrewed aircraft flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) into controlled airspace. The successful completion of these trial test flights in New Zealand demonstrates that safe, uncrewed flight operations are possible, today, in controlled airspace among other piloted aircraft.

Through this trial program, the partnership has established a safe process for uncrewed aircraft to access controlled airspace and created a significant new understanding and capability for commercial autonomous flight operations. The trials offer key insights for regulators and industry players globally to facilitate further testing and inform rule-making.

Led by Wisk Aero, the trials included the New Zealand Government and industry partners, including Insitu Pacific as the approved Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operator, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) as the regulatory observer and Part 102 approver, Airways New Zealand as the air navigation service provider alongside Airways International’s uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system AirShare, and indigenous-led aerospace venture, Tāwhaki, providing the flight testing site.

The latest test flights were part of Wisk’s multi-phased testing programme under the New Zealand Government’s Airspace Integration Trial Programme (AITP). This latest phase of testing involved multiple flights that took place between November 17 and December 1, 2023, which demonstrated that a RPA can be operated under instrument flight rules (IFR) in controlled airspace and integrated with regular crewed traffic. The flights took place at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, involving take-offs, landings, and uncontrolled and controlled airspace navigation.

“The successful completion of this phase of testing demonstrates that it is possible to safely integrate autonomous aircraft into controlled airspace that is shared with piloted aircraft,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s Vice President of APAC and Air Operations. “The processes, data, and learnings from these trial flights will help shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the broader aviation industry.”

Airbus starts Galileo Second Generation satellite production

Manufacturing of six state-of-the-art GNSS satellites to augment the current Galileo constellation

Full production has begun on the six Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at Airbus’ site in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the arrival of the first satellite Flight Model structure from Beyond Gravity in Zurich. After initial preparation the panels will be dispatched to other Airbus sites before final integration and testing at Friedrichshafen. The Galileo G2 satellites are scheduled for launch in the coming years to support the initial deployment and validation of the G2 System.

Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “After the successful design phase we are now kicking off production in earnest of the state-of-the-art Galileo G2 satellites. Our teams in Friedrichshafen are working with engineers across Europe to meet the challenging schedule and finalise these sophisticated satellites which will further improve the global Galileo system opening up even more opportunities for services on Earth.”

To meet the demanding schedule to deliver all six satellites in less than two years, Airbus has developed a coordinated production programme to leverage the spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and testing expertise across Airbus sites including Backnang (near Stuttgart), Friedrichshafen, Madrid, Ottobrunn (near Munich) and Toulouse. The second satellite structure is due to arrive in early 2024 and the third towards the end of next year. Airbus’ modular approach to the manufacturing of the G2 satellites will see three spacecraft being produced in parallel at any one time.

The G2 satellites will incorporate enhanced navigation antennas which will help improve accuracy of the flagship European Global Navigation Satellite System. The spacecraft, equipped with electric propulsion for the first time and higher-strength navigation antennas, will also feature fully digital payloads which will be easily reconfigured in orbit, enabling them to actively respond to the evolving needs of users with novel signals and services.

 

A waste of money? 80% of people think AI investment should be spent elsewhere

The latest research from digital identity security specialists, ID Crypt Global, reveals that 80% of the UK public believe Jeremy Hunt’s recent Autumn Statement announcement of increased government investment into the AI sector is money that would be better spent elsewhere. 

In his recent Autumn Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremey Hunt, announced that the government will invest a further £500 million in AI research and development over the next two years, which will ‘allow researchers and SMEs to develop new foundation models and maximise the UK’s potential in AI’.

But how do the people of the UK feel about their government pledging this sort of investment at a time when the economy seems to be hanging on by a thread? To find out, ID Crypt commissioned a survey of 1,052 members of the UK public, asking them what they thought about Mr Hunt’s recent pledge. 

The results show that news of another £500 million investment into AI is not particularly popular among the people of the UK, with 68% saying they do not welcome the announcement. 

More directly, 79% say that the money could be better spent on other areas of the economy at such a financially difficult time. 

Intelsat Inflight Connectivity Coming to Aerolíneas Argentinas

Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, today was selected by Aerolíneas Argentinas to provide multi-orbit inflight connectivity service on 18 Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline will become the first in Latin America to offer service using Intelsat’s new electronically steered array (ESA) antenna.

“Aerolíneas Argentinas’ passengers will soon benefit from multi-orbit connectivity that will provide the same fast and dependable internet access they enjoy at home,” said Dave Bijur, Senior Vice President for Commercial Aviation. “Intelsat’s partnerships with innovative Latin American airlines highlight how the region’s carriers are leading the way when it comes to the most advanced connectivity.”

The airline’s Airbus and Boeing aircraft will soon offer Intelsat’s new ESA, which is less than seven centimeters tall and interoperates on both Intelsat’s family of geo-stationary satellites and its partner’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites.

United introduces more tech innovations to save passengers time during the thanksgiving holiday season.

                        United is gearing up for a record-setting Thanksgiving travel season, with more than 5.9 million people expected to fly the airline between Nov. 17-29. Knowing that every minute will count for travellers eager to reunite with loved ones for the holiday, United's customer experience team has been working all year on industry-first innovations that help travellers skip lines, get through security faster, make tight connections and improve the overall travel experience.  

"This time of year is all about connecting with family and friends, and we're preparing to help all customers – whether they're a seasoned traveller or once-a-year passenger – get to their destinations on time," said Linda Jojo, United's Chief Customer Officer. "Nearly three-quarters of our customers travel with the United mobile app, and they tell us that they like the ability to skip many lines, enjoy prompt personalized service when they need it and appreciate the peace of mind they get from the information on the United app."

Since the start of the year, United has launched or enhanced dozens of new innovations in its mobile app, at its airports and onboard its aircraft to help travellers prepare for their trips – offering more transparency, saving time and reducing stress from booking to departure.

Singapore Airlines and TATA Communications partner for employee productivity enhancements.......

Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA), the national carrier of Singapore, announced a multi-year agreement to transform the airlines communications and collaboration tools to enhance employee productivity and boost user experience.

SIA and Tata Communications have a successful, long-standing association that has been strengthened over several years. This new transformative initiative delivered on Tata Communications GlobalRapide platform enables SIA users to be connected and collaborative anytime and anywhere globally.

"We take great pride in our long-standing relationship with Singapore Airlines. As a global CommTech player, we are privileged to be chosen as their partner in progress as they emerge stronger than ever and strive to create new benchmarks in customer experiences," said Amitabh Sarkar, Vice President & Head of Asia Pacific and Japan – Enterprise, Tata Communications.

Cyprus Airways has selected AirFi as its wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

      Cyprus Airways has become the latest carrier to deploy airline technology provider AirFi’s wireless in-flight entertainment across its fleet of Airbus jets.  

The newly resurrected flag carrier of Cyprus is gearing up for both fleet and route expansions, with new aircraft on the horizon and a commitment to be a catalyst for tourism growth on the island. As part of its focus on innovation and customer service, the airline is installing AirFi’s portable wireless streaming solutions onboard its all-Airbus fleet of two A320 and two A220 aircraft. It will also seek to outfit new aircraft that are added to the fleet with AirFi’s products in the near-term.  

Each aircraft will be equipped with two AirFi boxes, enabling passengers to access digital entertainment on their personal electronic devices including movies, TV games, music, a moving map, and destination-based video content. AirFi’s streaming in-flight entertainment solution is set to go live with Cyprus Airways in time for the holiday season, thanks to a swift rollout by the AirFi team. 

Excitingly, Cyprus Airways has chosen to include AirFi’s Dance24 channel as part of its entertainment offering. With a special focus on electronic dance music, the channel is well suited to a considerable demographic of the airline’s market, who will be travelling to and from the country’s music festivals and party resorts, such as Ayia Napa.  

Riyadh Air and IBM sign collaboration agreement to establish technology foundation of the digitally led airline

Riyadh Air and IBM recently announced the signing of a strategic agreement in which IBM Consulting will be the lead systems integrator to support creating, building and orchestrating the technology foundation that can help the digitally native airline offer exceptional and seamless travel experiences.

Together, Riyadh Air and IBM Consulting have already created the airline's digital and technology strategy. Now, Riyadh Air has selected IBM Consulting to support building the key business and technology capabilities that underpin the strategy. That includes implementing and integrating more than 50 airline industry solutions and core technology capabilities, including security, infrastructure, integration and data platforms, using a hybrid cloud approach. IBM will also orchestrate the work of over 40 partners by providing program and technical governance, project management, quality assurance, change and communications management and training.

The collaboration is expected to help position Riyadh Air strategically within the broader ecosystem to offer digital innovations and exceptional experiences for travellers and guests. Riyadh Air aims to create a world-class airline with personalized and seamless guest experiences powered by AI and state-of-the-art digital technology, taking obsessive care for details that create memorable micro-moments across the traveller journey. It also includes empowering employees with data-driven insights and new ways of working to help Riyadh Air better serve their guests.

"Our ambition is to launch our first flight in 2025 and put Riyadh Air at the cutting edge of digital technology and innovation within the aviation industry, adopting the best international sustainability and safety practices to deliver an exceptional travel experience, for our guests locally and internationally," said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air. "IBM Consulting will be our principal partner driving us towards our vision with their deep expertise in managing large complex systems and integration programs as well as their expertise in the travel industry."

TUI Group deepens partnership with IBS Software to optimise operations

TUI Group (TUI) has extended its decade-strong partnership with IBS Software, to optimise its Airline IT operations platform, allowing TUI to disrupt its existing business models, enhance scalability and accelerate speed to market, all while enhancing the customer experience.

IBS Software, a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, has a long-standing partnership with TUI to overhaul its IT processes to deliver transformational value. IBS Software currently maintains all 35+ airline backend systems at TUI, across legacy and modern technology stacks.

This renewed partnership will see IBS Software continue to own, operate and enhance TUI's Integrated Disposition Planning and Statistics product (IDPS), which manages flight planning and control, crewing and rostering, flight operations, maintenance planning, HR, and statistics and reporting across all five of TUI's airlines. The IDPS platform is a strategic priority for TUI in its mission to build a virtual airline and future-proofing its airlines by finding economies of scale that deliver growth.

Isabelle Droll, Chief Information Officer, Holiday Experience and Corporate & Sustainability, TUI, said, "IBS Software is passionate about developing a strategic approach to optimise our Airline IT operations platform, adapting constantly to our business model. Partnering with IBS Software and utilising its expertise in airline operations and business processes as well as technology has enabled us to realise the full potential of our IDPS system."

"Our long collaboration with TUI has been marked by mutual trust and exceptional service, resulting in the successful evolution of the IDPS platform to meet TUI's dynamic business requirements. With this renewed commitment, we look forward to playing a crucial role in enabling TUI's growth and success in the ever-evolving travel market," said Latha Rani, Vice President & Head of Service Delivery at IBS Software.

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To explore how IBS Software enabled continuous digital transformation at TUI Group through collaborative technology partnership, download the case study here.

IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise, hospitality, and energy resources industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air cargo management. 

JR Technologies and IAG Loyalty partner to provide a multi-product retailing solution to the airline industry

The industry-first B2C solution incorporates modern airline retailing concepts, creating a better transaction experience and boosting revenue

JR Technologies, a pioneer in airline retailing, has partnered with IAG Loyalty (IAGL), a leader in loyalty who own and manage Avios, the global loyalty currency of the Aer Lingus AerClub, the British Airways Executive Club and other international airlines, to offer a comprehensive, simplified loyalty booking solution, including one of the airline industry's first multi-product shopping carts with loyalty currency + cash settlement capability.

IAGL uses JR Technologies' Aerostream platform, specifically its Order Management solution, to create a streamlined multi-product shopping flow, resulting in a seamless and fast checkout experience for the traveller.

The technology enables travellers and members to earn and redeem Avios on each product in their cart, including flights, hotels, and ancillary products, all within the same transaction. Additionally, travellers and members have the option to pay for individual products with cash, the Avios currency or a combination of both. IAGL also uses the Aerostream Offer Management platform for its hotel and car rental products.

Aerostream, JR Technologies' latest travel technology solution, is a highly configurable retailing platform developed for airlines and the travel industry. Built on NDC and ONE Order concepts, Aerostream's Offer and Order Management solutions provide the foundation for an effortless travel booking and post-booking experience incorporating e-commerce best practices that have upgraded online retailing in other industries.

Aero Design Labs hits fuel and carbon emission reduction targets with its drag reduction kit for the Boeing 737-800

Aero Design Labs (ADL) has this week reported the results of its in-service data validation aboard a Boeing 737-800 equipped with ADL's proprietary drag reduction kit.

"Over the last several months since the installation and certification of our drag reduction kit on a 737-800 aircraft, we have gathered and studied results from several hundred in-service revenue flights at multiple altitudes, speeds and operating weights to verify the cruise fuel benefit of our kits," said Jeff Martin, ADL President and CEO. "We are delighted to share that we have measured cruise fuel burn reductions of between 1.5 and to 2.0 percent. This is consistent with our computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations with results verified by an independent third party."

"With solid fuel reduction data in hand, we can turn our efforts towards assisting airlines around the world," commented Chris Jones, ADL's Chief Commercial Officer. "Whether airlines are looking at saving on the cost side or the carbon reduction side, we have a very relevant product that delivers on both for airlines operating the 737NG family of aircraft. With delivery delays of new aircraft impacting plans for airlines to modernize their fleets, our kit can immediately deliver lower fuel costs and an alternative to carbon offsets. Our teams are actively working on kit designs for other aircraft which will help airlines achieve their cost and carbon reduction goals and build out our portfolio of product offerings."

Our manufacturing partner, NORDAM, will be ramping up production in accordance with customer demand in the second half of 2023 and the process of certifying our 737-800 drag reduction kit with other regional authorities, including in Europe and Latin America will follow accordingly."

The Endeavour Scholarship Class of 2023 graduated from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp “Advanced Academy” last month .....

The Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Class of 2023, four teams of students and educators representing Australia, Bahrain, France, and the United States, graduated from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp “Advanced Academy” last month. The event and related activities in Huntsville, AL and Washington, DC capped the growing programs’ fourth year of building influential “nation-to-nation" partnerships to promote STEM education around the world and advance the global engineering workforce.

Launched by Tom Kallman, President and CEO of USA Partnership Pavilion organizer Kallman Worldwide at the 2019 International Paris Air Show, the program honors its namesake Worden, pilot of the Apollo 15 Command Module “Endeavour,” for his lifetime commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math education. From 2014 until his passing in 2020, Worden served as Kallman’s STEM Ambassador at industry trade events around the world.

In established and emerging space communities, scholarship selection committees choose four students and an educator annually to represent their countries as “Mission Teams” in an all-expenses paid, week-long, hands-on astronaut training experience at the renowned Huntsville campus. The 2023 Endeavour class joins alumni from Chile, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Singapore on the program’s growing roster.

“Every country we work in — and we’ve worked in at least 50 of them since our company was founded in 1963 — is facing the same challenges to prepare its young people for the future. Many also see that future in space,” Kallman said. “As an extension of our work advancing global trade in exhibition halls around the world, and with the support of global partners in government, industry, the military, and academia, the Endeavour Scholarship mission is to connect with worldwide interest in space to promote STEM careers.”

There's more.....

Royal Jordanian selects Medallia and Kantar to power new Voice of the Customer programme

Royal Jordanian enhances end-to-end flyer journey through new CX initiative

Royal Jordanian announced the launch of its new Voice of the Customer programme, powered by technology from Medallia, the global leader in customer and employee experience, and delivered by Kantar. The new initiative has been designed to further enhance the end-to-end journey of passengers across RJ’s flight network covering 141 destinations.

Royal Jordanian’s Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali commented: “Improving the customer experience is at the heart of RJ’s mission, as we strive to better our business performance and deliver class-leading quality products at all journey touchpoints. Our new Voice of the Customer programme has been engaging different customer segments, and we have already received 17,000 pieces of valuable feedback, which we will use to drive the RJ brand towards greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.” 

RJ’s new Voice of the Customer programme will capture feedback from its flyers from the moment of booking right the way through to their final destination, gathering insight at eight key touchpoints across the end-to-end journey. Using the Medallia Experience Cloud and its AI-powered text analytics capability, RJ will be able to easily identify key trends in passenger feedback and use these insights to drive meaningful change to enhance customer journeys for its growing base of flyers.