Reaffirming Open Skies between the UAE and US

As we reported yesterday the US and UAE appear to have resolved the difficulties that have plagues harmonious relations between the air carries of each region.  Following those reports, The UAE embassy in Washington released the following statement. 

The UAE welcomed the outcome of recent discussions on civil aviation with the United States in which both countries strongly reaffirmed the 2002 UAE-US Air Transport Agreement (ATA) and the fundamental principles of Open Skies. 

"The UAE is very pleased that our understanding with the US preserves all of the benefits of Open Skies for travelers, airlines, communities and aerospace companies in both countries and around the world," said UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba.  "All the terms and provisions of the Air Transport Agreement including Fifth Freedom rights remain fully in place, with UAE and US airlines free to continue to add and adjust routes and services."

In a Record of Discussion signed and released by the two governments, the UAE and the US "reaffirmed their strong support for the Air Transport Agreement . . . including all rights to conduct international air transportation contained therein."  In the Record of Discussion, the UAE maintained that the "UAE and its designated carriers are and have been at all times in full compliance with the Agreement."

Three New Flights, Two New Airlines, One New Cool Destination for DFW Airport Customers

Customers at Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport have three new, nonstop flights to Iceland just in time for the peak summer travel season. Two Icelandic-based airlines, Wow air and Icelandair, will begin flying from DFW to Reykjavík–Keflavík (KEF) International Airport in late May and American Airlines will launch its KEF flight in early June.

New options for travel from DFW to Iceland 

begin in time for summer vacation season

"The new flights to Iceland represent even more choices for our customers and the entire Dallas Fort Worth region," said John Ackerman, DFW's executive vice president of Global Strategy and Development. "One of our top goals at DFW Airport is to grow international passenger and cargo air service to kindle new business and travel opportunities in our home region. The addition of three routes to this beautiful new destination shows the strength of demand for international travel to and from North Texas."

UAE and US deal signed

It's been revealed by our aviation sources that The United States and the United Arab Emirates have signed a deal today that aims to resolve US claims that Gulf carriers had over the years received unfair government subsidies.

It appears that the voluntary agreement that will apply to Etihad and Emirates airlines, will be announced next week. Our sources indicate that the deal is a very similar one that that agreed between Qatar and the US back in January

That deal ensures that detailed financial information and accounts from Qatar Airways, a state-owned airline is shared with the US.  More details will follow

Azul in April

Azul, Brazil's largest airline by the number of cities served has announced its April preliminary results.  Which showed an increase in passenger traffic of 17.2% compared to the same period last year. As a result, load factor was 81.4%, 0.3 percentage points lower than in the same period last year.  And crucially for passengers, Azul continues to be the most on-time airline in Brazil with 90% of flights departing within 15 minutes of departure time, according to FlightStats. 

Southwest Airlines Recognized At This Year's Freddie Awards

 Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards®, held onto its title of Best Customer Service for the sixth consecutive year at InsideFlyer Magazine's Freddie Awards. Rapid Rewards was also named Program of the Year for the third in a row.

Delta and Aeromexico celebrate successful first year of joint cooperation agreement

One year ago, Delta Air Lines and Grupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V. launched the first transborder airline alliance with antitrust immunity between Mexico and the United States. Since then, more than 7 million passengers have enjoyed improved connectivity, more convenient schedules and increasingly seamless service between the two carriers.

Today, Delta and Aeromexico together offer more than 1,100 weekly flights on 64 routes between 10 cities in Mexico and 33 in the U.S. The partnership has launched eight new routes and two new joint destinations in Mexico and allowed co-location in nine airports in the U.S., six of which are Delta hubs, and three Aeromexico hubs in Mexico, making travel between the two airlines easier for customers.

Copa Holdings Reports Net Income of $136.5 million and EPS of $3.22 for the First Quarter of 2018

A little earlier this week, Copa Holdings announced financial results for the first quarter of 2018.  The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the first quarter of 2017.

Lufthansa Group Complete Order for Four 777

Lufthansa Group completed an order for four more 777 aircraft at 37.5% off list prices as part of the group's plans to modernise its fleet with newer widebody aircraft.   

"The order for the new long-haul aircraft highlights the strategy of Lufthansa Group to predominantly allocate the growth within its multi-hub system where cost and quality offer the best conditions for profitable investments," said the Lufthansa Group in a company statement.

The order provides two more Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aeroplanes International Air Lines (SWISS), the national carrier of Switzerland and a member of the Lufthansa Group.

South African Airlines to get 5 billion capital injection

The South African Government has promised another 5 billion rand that is around $400 million, capital injection to help rescue the struggling national flag carrier South African Airlines meet its obligations.

The CEO of South African Airways, Vuyani Jarana, told news agency Reuters that “Government has committed to inject another 5 billion rand into SAA. Part of that 5 billion rand we will repay some of the creditors, suppliers, then the balance will support us for working capital until around October/November,” 

The troubled carrier will be seeking to negotiate some breathing space while the South African Treasury work through the regulatory normal budgetary process, it is required to follow, which also entails seeking cabinet approval.  “If Treasury needs a certain period of time to do this, lets say up to September, between now and then, we are negotiating with lenders to give us a bridging facility on the back of that commitment,” Mr Jarana said.

SAA has long been seen by many as a huge drain of the country's finances and has a long history of losses, however, it is hoped by the government that the new executive leadership led by Mr Jarana, will soon return the carrier to a more profitable situation.  The government is also looking for an equity partner to invest in the airline and to help with the implementation of the turnaround plan. 

SkyWest, Inc. Reports Combined April 2018 Traffic for SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines

SkyWest reported 144,600 block hours in April 2018, compared to 152,100 block hours in April 2017, a decrease of 7,600 or five percent. The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest's fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new E175 aircraft while reducing its 50-seat jets.

The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 6,800 additional block hours from SkyWest's E175 aircraft (includes the E175 aircraft and the E175 SC aircraft) and a decrease of approximately 14,400 block hours from its other aircraft types.  

40 years and counting......Delta in the UK

Can you remember when Boney M were topping the charts and "Grease" was on the verge of becoming the movie of the summer?  It was a time when Delta was operating its maiden flight to the U.K?

Yet, ut while the dastardly J.R Ewing is no longer on our TVs and perms and bell bottoms fell out of fashion, 40 years on Delta is stronger than ever in the U.K.

In May 1978, Delta flew to London-Gatwick from New Orleans via Atlanta using a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft. Fast-forward to 2018, and Delta flies its popular A330 with upgraded interiors from London-Heathrow to Atlanta, New York-JFK and Detroit. The airline also serves four other U.S. cities nonstop from Heathrow, as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow from JFK. But what's really striking is the on-board experience. Who could have predicted that Wi-Fi would now be standard and that customers could keep in touch with friends and family on the ground – for free – using Delta's in-flight messaging service?

Read on for more....

Tianjin Airlines Launches London-Xi'an Flight

Xi'an just got easier to get to for UK travellers as Tianjin Airlines launches a new direct flight from London on Monday. The service connects London to the eastern departure point of the ancient Silk Road for the first time. Xi'an is the capital city of Shaanxi province and a destination growing in popularity for the adventurous tourist. 

Tianjin Airlines will operate an Airbus A330 aircraft on the route, which departs at 3:15 pm from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and will arrive at London Heathrow Airport after a 14-hour journey. Flight GS7987 offers a twice-a-week service on every Monday and Friday, with a capacity of 260 passengers. With return flight prices from just £380 return, there has never been a better time to explore an exceptional region steeped in history and tradition. 

The new route is the second Britain-China air route offered by the airline after the Tianjin-Chongqing-London flight that started in June 2017, linking Beijing neighbouring megacity Tianjin and Chongqing to Britain.

The business class of Tianjin Airlines A330-200 has Zodiac Aura Lite Seat with 2-2-2 configuration, with 18 seats in total. The Seat Pitch is 75 inches (191 cm), and the width is 21 inches (54 cm). It could be turned into a 78-inches (198 cm) length full-flat bed.

Hainan Airlines Ships Bamboo from Chengdu to Canada for Calgary Pandas

Four giant pandas named Da Mao, Er Shun, Jia Yueyue and Jia Panpan made their debut at the Calgary Zoo earlier this month from their exclusive, newly constructed home, Panda Passage. 

The first two pandas in Canada can be dated back to February 1988. At the time, "International Ambassadors of Friendship", Qun Qun and Xi Xi, came for a short stay of seven months.

To best prepare for the new group of pandas' arrival, Calgary zoo not only constructed the Panda Passage with four carefully-designed areas but also organized a team of panda experts to take care of the family's eating and living. What's more, Calgary zoo collaborated with Hainan Airlines to ship bamboo directly from Chengdu to Calgary. Calgary zoo is one of the first zoos outside of China to provide pandas with the 'taste of home'.

BA passengers can now use Avios for seat selection.

British Airways has revealed that its customers can now use their Avios points to pay for all or part of the cost to select their seats on BA flights.

Until last week, customers who did not have access to free seat selection could choose to pay to select their seats. Now, customers will also have the option to choose to use Avios, the currency of the British Airways Executive Club, to reduce the cost of seat selection, or to cover the cost in full.

British Airways offers free seat selection for Gold and Silver members of its Executive Club from the time they book, and also offers free seat selection for Bronze members seven days before their flight departs. The move, therefore, will be of the biggest benefit to Blue members who can now choose to use their Avios, instead of cash, to select their seat.

James Hillier from the British Airways Executive Club said: “It will be of particular benefit to those in the Blue tier, and we hope this further demonstrates to these members the benefit of being part of, and collecting Avios through, the Executive Club.” 

BA's Durban Delight

From 29th October British Airways will introduce a new route to South Africa, the airline is starting a direct service to Durban on one f the carriers new 787 aircraft.

The service will be the only non-stop link between Europe and Durban and flights will have a morning arrival in Durban and an evening arrival into Heathrow. The new route is part of the carriers £4.5 billion, five-year customer investment plan, which will see the airline adopted a more 'low-cost' for its economy passengers and a greatly increased premium offering, with a focus on excellence.  

Durban has hot sultry summers and rather mild and dry winters which makes it an ideal destination all year long.  It has long since been a popular destination for holidaying South Africans as well as those from around the region. It is also considered a much safer destination when compared to Cape Town and Johannesburg.