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.

New route between Singapore and Perth for Jetstar Asia

Jetstar Asia has announced plans to relaunch services between Singapore and Perth from 12 February 2022, when two-way quarantine-free travel is expected to be available to travellers.

Jetstar Asia will operate four weekly services to the Western Australian capital, pending Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) approval for the route, to meet the pent-up demand for travellers wanting to return to this popular Australian destination.

Pre-pandemic, Singapore travellers^ made up the largest group of visitors to Perth and with thousands of Singaporeans calling Western Australia home, the route is expected to be as popular as ever.

Jetstar Asia’s Head of Commercial, Clive Ashmore Butler, said it was exciting to add another Australian destination back to the Jetstar network direct from Singapore.

“Perth has always been an incredibly popular destination for Singaporeans, one that they would return to time and again,” Mr. Ashmore Butler said.

“Western Australia offers stunning beaches, wineries and restaurants, not to mention easy access to incredible places such as Margaret River and Ningaloo, but with many Singaporeans living in Perth it importantly enables family and friends to reconnect, some for the first time in two years.

Dubai air show success for Airbus - 408 aircraft including the first A350F ordered

 In the first major airshow since the COVID-19 pandemic struck two years ago, customers demonstrated confidence in the recovery of the aviation sector and also in Airbus by placing orders and commitments totalling 408 aircraft (269 firm orders and 139 commitments). The agreements covered the full range of commercial aircraft families, including a first commitment for the A350F freighter derivative.

At a pre-show event, Airbus launched its latest global market forecast outlining progressively shifting demand from fleet growth to accelerated retirement of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft resulting in a need for some 39,000 new-build passenger and freighter aircraft. Of these,15,250 aircraft (around 40%) are for replacements.

With the UAE Universal expo showcasing themes on Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, on the eve of the airshow  Airbus lit up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, by displaying its Company purpose - “Pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world” - on the façade of this iconic Dubai landmark at a time when connecting with people and cultures has never been more important.

On the opening day of the show, Indigo Partners portfolio airlines placed a firm order for 255 A321neo Family aircraft, including 29 XLR. The order breakdown is as follows: Wizz Air 102 aircraft (75 A321neo + 27 A321XLR); Frontier 91 aircraft (A321neo); Volaris 39 aircraft (A321neo); JetSMART 23 aircraft (21 A321neo + 2 A321XLR).

The second day saw Air Lease Corporation sign a commitment for 111 aircraft covering the full range of aircraft families including the new A350 Freighter (25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos, seven A350Fs). Along with the orders, ALC and Airbus announced the first-ever joint ESG scheme in aircraft procurement  - a joint Sustainability Fund - to foster industry decarbonisation solutions. 

On the third day, Jazeera Airways committed to 28 A321neos and Nigeria’s Ibom Air became a new Airbus customer with a firm order for 10 A220s.

On the defence side, Airbus sold two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence, and secured a new export order for two A400M new generation airlifters from the  Indonesian Ministry of Defence.

At the show, Airbus also highlighted its ambition to play a leadi\]ng role in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for urban air mobility, leveraging partnerships and technologies to bring a product to the market by 2025.

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Finnair starts flights to Bergen and Tromsø in Norway in collaboration with Widerøe

Finnair will start flying between Helsinki and Bergen and Tromsø in Norway on 14 December 2021. The routes will be operated by Norwegian regional airline Widerøe, and the flights are sold and marketed by Finnair.  

“We are pleased to restart our services to Bergen and Tromsø,” says Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair. “Finnish travellers will enjoy direct flights to the Norwegian coast, known for its breathtaking scenery and ideal opportunities for exploring the beautiful fjords. We are also happy to be able to offer our customers in Norway great connections to Finnair's network in Europe, Asia and the United States.” 

During the winter season until the end of March, flights from Bergen to Helsinki are operated on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In the summer season from the beginning of April, Finnair will fly to Bergen daily. The flight between Tromsø and Helsinki takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flight schedules will offer customers convenient connections to Finnair’s European network, as well as Finnair’s extensive connections to Asia and the United States. 

The flights will be operated with DASH-8 Q400 aircraft. The onboard service will be based on the Finnair dual-class service concept. 

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Indonesia Ministry of Defence orders two Airbus A400Ms

The Indonesia Ministry of Defence has placed an order for two Airbus A400M aircraft in multirole tanker and transport configuration.

The contract, which will become effective in 2022, will bring the total number of A400M operators to ten nations. The agreement includes a complete maintenance and training support package. A Letter of Intent was also signed for the future acquisition of four additional A400M aircraft.

”This new order will further expand the A400M footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. The A400M offers outstanding capabilities to Indonesia, providing its air force with the perfect platform to deliver large and heavy loads into remote areas and multiplying its airpower projection thanks to reliable aerial refuelling capabilities,” said Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.

Capable of operating from rough and short runways, the A400M will strengthen the Indonesian Air Force’s airlift capabilities to rapidly respond to any crisis, demonstrated in the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the country in 2018. The A400M was the first large airlifter able to deliver heavy loads like fuel trucks and excavators as well as food, clothes and medical supplies using a damaged and short runway in Palu (Central Sulawesi, Indonesia).

Airbus gains first A220 and A330 Flight Hour Services customers in Africa with Air Tanzania and Uganda Airlines

Two new airline customers in Africa have selected Airbus’ Flight Hour Services (FHS) to support their respective Airbus fleets: Air Tanzania for its A220s and Uganda Airlines for its A330neos. 

These two airlines will benefit from comprehensive material services including on-site-stock, access to Airbus’ spares pools and components engineering and repair services around the world. Airbus will guarantee spare parts availability, generating value through increased fleet availability and operating maintenance costs savings.

Their selections mark the first African customers for Airbus’ FHS on two new aircraft types, the A220 and the A330. They also increase Airbus’ FHS footprint in the African continent, further demonstrating the growing trust placed in Airbus’ services, both for Widebody and Single-Aisle fleets. 

Airbus’ FHS helps to secure fleet entry into service through an easy maintenance set-up and access to an established industrial set-up, while maximising the aircraft availability through component reliability.

Notably, for A220 customers FHS offers a large stock availability, both for on-site stock management and parts pooling, and a dedicated operational supply chain already supporting the type’s growing customer base. 

Overall the global Airbus fleet covered by FHS has increased by more than 25% over the past two years to more than 1,100 aircraft, confirming the relevancy of flexible power-by-hour solutions for airlines to secure efficient operations and contain costs.

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Middle East Airlines becomes 50th customer for Airbus Skywise Health Monitoring

Middle East Airlines becomes 50th customer for Airbus Skywise Health Monitoring

 Middle East Airlines (MEA) has signed an agreement to join the community of Skywise Health Monitoring (SHM) users. The long-standing Airbus customer will be the 50th airline using this innovative tool to optimise the maintenance of its fleets. SHM will support the airline’s maintenance and engineering teams by enabling real-time management of aircraft events and troubleshooting. 

Using the Skywise aviation data platform, SHM collates and centralises alerts, flight-deck effects, maintenance messages etc., prioritises them, correlates any faults with the relevant troubleshooting procedures. It also highlights operational impacts, provides the maintenance history of the system (from the logbook and MIS* information collected through Skywise Core and stored in the data lake), allowing effective tracking of the alerts. Additionally, it can help airlines anticipate and provision for tools and parts’ to be available closest to the aircraft.

MEA will use the solution for its entire fleet. The Beirut based airline is operating an all-Airbus fleet comprising A320 and A330 Family aircraft.

Airbus’ SHM saves airlines time and cost associated with unscheduled maintenance. SHM also Interfaces with Skywise Predictive Maintenance (SPM) and Skywise Reliability (SR) to provide an integrated user experience. Additionally, it is ready to harness the powerful capabilities of the new on-board Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchanger (“FOMAX”) data router - which can capture and record over 24,000 real-time aircraft parameters for subsequent analysis.

*MIS (Maintenance Information System)

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easyJet wins sustainability award for recycled uniforms

easyJet’s new Pilot and Cabin crew uniform, which is produced from 100% recycled plastic bottles has won the 'Sustainability Award' at the 2021 Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide Awards.

The award, which recognises innovative individuals and organisations breaking boundaries for sustainability in the professional clothing industry, was accepted alongside partners Tailored Image, a Northern Ireland based professional clothing specialist which manufacture the innovative uniforms.

The new fabric, adapted to the airline's current style, is created using high-tech material made from around 45 recycled plastic bottles per uniform. The introduction of the new crew uniform is part of easyJet’s commitment to mitigate waste, increase re-use of materials and search for innovative change beyond carbon reduction initiatives.

WestJet to start service between Calgary and London Heathrow

The Canadian airline WestJet has confirmed it will start a new transatlantic flight between Calgary and London Heathrow from spring next year.

"As the airline with the most flights from Alberta, this is an important recovery milestone as we forge new connections between Canada and one of the world's most sought after global hubs," said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. "We continue to strengthen our network, offering more options for business and leisure travellers and these investments will expedite our industry's recovery while ensuring Western Canada builds back from the pandemic more connected than ever before."

As confidence in business and leisure travel continues to rise, WestJet's newest route will operate this spring on the airline's 787 Dreamliner. WestJet's 787 service features the airline's Business Cabin including lie-flat pods, dining on demand and elevated Premium and Economy Cabin options.

"We are committed to the expansion of our global hub in Calgary and supporting the recovery of many sectors who rely on travel and tourism," continued Weatherill. "As the airline with the most non-stop European destinations from YYC, we are looking forward to guests benefitting from more options and increased connectivity for travel between Canada and the UK."

With the addition of Heathrow to WestJet's network this spring, WestJet will connect Calgary to 77 non-stop destinations throughout the year.  WestJet will also continue to offer non-stop flights between Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax to London, Gatwick.

Additional network details for travel between Calgary and London-Heathrow including frequency, timing and introductory pricing will be available, and for sale, in the coming weeks.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO said: "WestJet is a fantastic airline with a strong history of providing top-notch service and excellent value for money, making it a great fit for Heathrow. As travel begins to reopen, we look forward to working with WestJet to improve the UK's connectivity with Canada and give passengers even more choice when flying across the Atlantic." 

Bob Sartor, President & CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority said: "WestJet's new non-stop route from YYC to London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, is welcomed by those looking to access the world's premier financial and business centre and those eager for a direct connection to explore London's culture and landmarks. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the pond to experience the traditional Indigenous lands and warm hospitality our region is known for."

David Goldstein, CEO Travel Alberta, commented: "Air access is key to our province's economic recovery and growth of the tourism industry We look forward to welcoming back UK travellers and showcasing Alberta as a top destination."

   

Rick Christiaanse, CEO, Invest Alberta Rick Christiaanse Invest Alberta welcomed the news, "Having direct flight access to Heathrow, enhancing connectivity to London, a global capital market and business hub will further enhance Alberta's competitiveness for investment and trade."

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Airbus launches Mission+, the first Electronic Flight Assistant that maximises flight efficiency

Airbus launches Mission+, the first Electronic Flight Assistant that maximises flight efficiency    Airbus’ Flight Operations subsidiary NAVBLUE has launched Mission+, the first Electronic Flight Assistant (EFA) that provides pilots with all the data and information that they need to perform their mission, via one modular digital solution.  This mission-centric approach integrates flight management data and documentation, cockpit check-list, navigation charts and airport maps, real-time weather conditions, aircraft performance data - usually only available to pilots via multiple sources.  “For us pilots, the user experience offered here compares with moving from an old mobile phone and paper diary to the latest generation smartphone,” said Airbus Pilot Captain Olivier Aspe. Accessible through an interactive display, Mission+ is the first EFA on the market to gather all information sources together with one single point of entry. For pilots, this means an integrated interface that allows quick, easy and seamless navigation.  In compiling data and information in this way, Mission+ is a significant upgrade from the current, widely used Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) and paper on-board cockpits. Pilot workload is optimised and the overall operational efficiency for the airline is improved. Mission+ has been developed in close cooperation with airlines from various regions around the world, incorporating their feedback. The solution ensures a flexible platform with optional modules that can be customised to airline-specific requirements. NAVBLUE is an Airbus Services company wholly owned by Airbus, dedicated to Flight Operations & Air Traffic Management solutions.  NAVBLUE provides products and services in support of both civil and military operations, on the ground and onboard any aircraft. Working in close co-operation with Airbus’ central Flight Operations, NAVBLUE offers expertise in a range of areas including digital cockpit operations, Operations Control Centre (OCC) systems, Flight Ops Engineering, Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). The Airbus subsidiary employs 460 employees around the world, with offices in Canada, France, Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the US, and representatives in several other countries across the globe.

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American Airlines, British Airways, American Express Global Business Travel and Qured to offer Complimentary COVID-19 Test Kits for Premium International Business Travelers

 

Customers travelling for business with premium cabin bookings on American and British Airways made through American Express Global Business Travel may choose to receive Qured COVID-19 test kits beginning in early 2022.

American and British Airways offer 45 peak daily flight options between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Joint business partners American Airlines and British Airways announced a collaboration with American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and global COVID-19 testing provider Qured to offer complimentary test kits to support the swift return of international business travel. 

Business travellers who book premium seats on American or British Airways between the United States and the United Kingdom, departing from either country, through GBT will be eligible to receive the kits*.

“Strong business relationships are built in person. We’re eager to help corporate travellers get back in the air to build those connections and keep the global economy moving,” said Kyle Mabry, Vice President of Global Sales for American Airlines. “Our industry had to link arms to move through the pandemic. Together, with our valued partners, we will support the return of business travel by creating more ease for customers than ever before.”

Routes between the United States and the United Kingdom are incredibly important to business travel. In 2019, GBT booked hundreds of thousands of air segments between the United Kingdom and the United States. As international travel has reopened, these flights have been increasingly popular for both American Airlines and British Airways.

“Ensuring corporate travellers have access to efficient, accurate testing is one of the key components to ramping up business travel across the trans-Atlantic corridor,” said Mark Muren, Head of Global Sales at British Airways. “We’re eager to give our mutual customers peace of mind that they will have what they need to fulfil an important requirement as they return to conducting business.”

The End of COP26: What Decisions Were Made and How Do They Affect You?

The End of COP26: What Decisions Were Made and How Do They Affect You?

In November 2021, representatives from over 200 nations around the world came together to address the global problem of climate change. The annual United Nations climate change conference took place in Glasgow, and ended on 13th November. 

But what was discussed? What decisions were made? And how will they reflect you as a consumer? Let’s take a look at how the decisions made at COP26 could affect households in the UK, and why some criticise the actions to be taken as being too little too late. 

What is COP26 and why is it important?

COP26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties. Following on from the Paris Agreement of 2016, it is attended by representatives of the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994. As well as world leaders, COP26 was attended by representatives from the world of business, charities, faith groups and non-government organisations.

Hundreds of nations from all over the world were in attendance from 27 EU member states as well as the US, Canada, Australia, India, Colombia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Korea and the Democratic Republic of Congo to name but a few. The event was the biggest summit ever hosted by the UK with over 30,000 attendees. 

Its goal is to address the biggest ecological crises facing our planet, tackling the climate crisis and creating a global infrastructure for more sustainable living. 

How did the COP26 end?

COP26 ended with some clear resolutions for further action to be taken around the world to address the current climate crisis. One key takeaway is that, after years of dancing around the issue, COP26 ended with a clear reference to the role of fossil fuels in perpetuating our climate crisis. However, some critics were frustrated by the lack of a more decisive stance on the use of coal. Following a late objection from Indian delegates, the language shifted from the “phasing out” of coal to a more gradual “phasing down” with a reduction of “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies.

Much of the action on the issue of phasing out fossil fuels was deferred to COP27 which will be hosted in Egypt. However, several decisive actions were decided upon in what became the “Glasgow Climate Pact”.