Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines now form a single joint venture

Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines announced in Amsterdam recently, the merger of their existing joint venture agreements. The aim is to create even stronger links between the partners and offer customers smoother, seamless travel solutions.

By connecting the four airlines’ networks, the joint venture offers customers a wide choice of destinations connecting Europe (Paris and Amsterdam) to China (Beijing*, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Xiamen). Transfer and connection times are also optimized.

A European carrier will be the first to lease Hi Fly's A380

It didn't take the team at Hi Fly long to find a carrier wishing to lease the shiny colourful A380 the wet lease specialists recently added to its all Airbus fleet.  Indeed, less than 24 hours after the presentation of the Airbus A380 to the industry at the Farnborough International Airshow and the start of related marketing activities, Hi Fly has agreed its first wet lease contract for the A380 with an undisclosed, but well established European Carrier. 

There is no indication on the which airline has snapped up the first lease for the double-decked beauty, complete with its beautiful new paint job. All we know at this stage is that aircraft will be flying long-haul sectors during the summer period with possible extension into winter. Hi Fly also remain tight-lipped as to which direction those long-haul flights would be operating in from Europe, would it be transatlantic or the Far East? However, one aviation correspondent told us she thinks the first client for Hi Fly's A380 is Norweigan!

Heathrow's Expansion is going backwards.....

If you thought the government giving the go-ahead for the third runway at London Heathrow was the final say on the matter before construction would start, then you'll be sorely disappointed.  Five London boroughs are joining forces to call for a judicial review of the government's approval of the scheme that would greatly increase the airports already maxed-out capacity. 

Hammersmith, Fulham, Wandsworth, Hillingdon and Richmond and the leading voices in the review demands. They've already advised the Department for Transport (DfT) of their intention to take legal action. Plus they are supported by the council for neighbouring Windsor & Maidenhead, the constituency of one Mrs T May! 

WestJet pulling out of Sudbury

WestJet has decided to call a halt to its Toronto - Sudbury service with effect from 27th October this year, citing poor performance. 

The service is currently operated under the WestJet Encore brand on Bombardier Q400 aircraft three times a day, the airline has confirmed it will axe all three flights. 

Both Air Canada and Porter will continue to operate flights between Sudbury and Toronto's airports of Pearson and Billy Bishop, respectively. Although Air Canada may now reverse its proposed plan to reduce services to one a day from the end of March next year in light of WestJet's decision.

Greater Sudbury Airport thinks it is unfortunate that WestJet were dropping the service, "Our team intends on working together to mitigate any negative impacts this may have over the next few months” said Greater Sudbury Airport CEO, Todd Tripp. "We are committed to servicing our community, and ensuring this transition period it is as smooth as possible.”

Cash strapped MoD to sell off the home of the Red Arrows-

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed today that the home of the RAF's premier aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows is to be sold off by 2022.

 RAF Scampton is where the world-famous display team is based, which will be closed in 2022 and sold off as the MoD needs to make savings of at least £3billion by the year 2040.  RAF Scampton has a long and illustrious history, not only being the UK base of the Red Arrows, it was also home to 617 Squadron as they prepared for the daring Dambusters raid during World War II. It was also a home for the famous Vulcan bombers at the height of the cold war. Currently, around six hundred people work at RAF Scampton, however, as that number is made up of service personnel, civilian contractors and civil servants, undoubtedly there will be jobs losses. The MoD has so far refused to say how many jobs would be axed due to the spending cuts. 

The MoD has also confirmed the RAF is already looking for a new home for The Red Arrows, however, the future for the display team beyond 2022 is in doubt. One option that is being considered, we have been told, is relocating the team to its winter practice base in Cyprus on a year-round basis. 

Hopping over to Hong Kong on a roo.......

The leading Australian airline, Qantas, has said it will deploy its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on routes to Hong Kong from December this year.

Brisbane to Hong Kong from 19 December 2018
Melbourne to Hong Kong between 13 December 2018 until 29 March 2019
Sydney to Hong Kong from 30 March 2019.

The changes are timed with the arrival of Qantas’ eighth Dreamliner and will join the national carrier’s A330 and A380 aircraft that also fly to Hong Kong.

Swoop releases domestic winter schedule

One of the newest Canadian airlines, Swoop, has released its domestic winter schedule this week as well as welcoming its third aircraft.

The new aircrafts inaugural flight will be from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) to Edmonton International Airport (YEG), departing 25th July 2018 at 7.10am Service between Edmonton, AB and Abbotsford, BC will be offered three-times daily.

Swoop started its flying operations on 30th June 2018 and seems to be bedding in well with the Canadian public with regularly full flights. "Swoop has been endorsed by Canadian travellers in the way that matters most, they are buying seats," said Michael Claeren, Senior Leader of Revenue and Pricing. "With strong sales going into the fall and full aircraft throughout the summer, we are proud to offer non-stop ultra-low-cost flight options from coast-to-coast."

American Airlines, TSA Testing New State-of-the-Art Screening Technology in New York

 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), working collaboratively with American Airlines, is demonstrating a new computed tomography (CT) scanner at the Terminal 8 security checkpoint at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Research and development efforts have shown that CT

 is the most consequential technology available today for airport checkpoints worldwide.

State-of-the-art CT checkpoint technology is an enhancement to today’s two-dimensional (2-D) X-ray technology platforms scanning equipment, which is used at the majority of security checkpoints worldwide. Because CT technology is three dimensional (3-D), this new checkpoint technology has the potential to provide better visibility and allow the operator to rotate the bag’s image 360 degrees to show the contents of carry-on items at every angle. CT provides the capability to virtually see beyond unwanted clutter and greatly enhances the ability to visually inspect the contents of carry-on bags for explosives and other prohibited items.

Icelandair introduce 'Customer Experience' division during structural review.

Icelandair is introducing a whole new division, 'Customer Experience' which will assume responsibility for all aspects of the company's operations relating to customers, as it undergoes a major restructuring. 

Birna Ósk Einarsdóttir, will lead the new division which among other things will be responsible for on-board services, frontline services, the customer loyalty programme, ancillary revenue and product development.

10 Ways to Improve The Customer Journey

The operations of Icelandair’s Sales and Marketing division and Icelandair Cargo will be lead by the Chief Commercial Officer. Gunnar Már Sigurfinnsson, who has been MD of Icelandair Cargo for the last ten years. He served as SVP of Sales and Marketing at Icelandair from 2005-2008. Following the changes, Sales and Marketing will assume responsibility for the Company’s sales in all markets, marketing affairs, revenue control, pricing, route network and distribution.

Icelandair Group CEO Björgólfur Jóhannsson said, “We have in recent months been working on an extensive analysis of the Company’s business, its strategy and future focus. A large group has been involved in this work over the past months, including some 600 employees of the Company. The changes we are making now are the results of this work. The objective is to sharpen still further the focus in our sales and marketing, on the one hand, and services to customers on the other hand, thereby strengthening the Company for the future.”

BA Steward sold sex on stopovers!

A senior cabin crew member for British Airways has been supplementing his income whilst away on overseas layovers as a male prostitute it's been reported this week.

The airline has confirmed that the cabin manager has had his wings clipped, at least on a temporary basis. 'We have removed a member of cabin crew from duty pending further investigation. "We expect all our staff to maintain the very highest standards and levels of professionalism at all times." A spokesperson said on Monday. 

The man, who hasn't been named, apparently advertised his services online, based them around his flight rota and raked in as much as £800 for an overnight stay with a client. At the same time, he was still being paid by British Airways on the overseas stopovers.

Royal Air Maroc cancel more flights over 'Social Tensions'

The strike action by pilots at Royal Air Maroc is having a devastating effect on the airlines normal flying schedule.  The carrier has cancelled dozens of flights since the unrest came to ahead on 20th July. On Monday the airline cancelled four flights, however, Tuesday the carrier has so far cancelled 12 flights and there may be more to come.

Here's the current list of flights that have been cancelled or at risk of cancellation or delay. 

Jeju Air gets first 737-800 Next Generation

Jeju Air celebrated the delivery of the airline's first direct-buy Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft from Boeing today during a ceremony at the Seattle Delivery Center. 

Jeju Air will now become the first low-cost carrier in Korea to own and operate a Next-Generation 737-800.  "This milestone delivery marks the beginning of a new era for Jeju Air as we continue to revolutionize Korea's dynamic commercial aviation industry," said Seok-Joo Lee, President and CEO of Jeju Air. "Owning and operating our own airplanes will further differentiate Jeju Air and our local competitors. We are fully prepared to introduce this new airplane into our expanding fleet and they will play an integral role in our growth strategy."

This delivery marks the first of three Next-Generation 737-800s the airline has on order with Boeing. Based in Jeju Island and serves 40 domestic and international routes with approximately 150 daily flights. The carrier is also a founding member of the Value Alliance, the first pan-regional low-cost carrier alliance formed in 2016 comprising of eight airlines based in Asia.  

ATR at Farnborough 2018

Hokkaido Air System Company, part of the JAL Group Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ATR for the purchase of two firm ATR 42-600s with an option for a third. 

It is planned that Hokkaido Air will begin operating these aircraft from 2020 to replace the airlines fleet of aging Saab 340's.  The carriers President, Yoichiro Kuwano said, “The ATR 42-600 benefits from a wide cabin, comparable to that of medium-sized aircraft and will significantly improve cabin comfort for our passengers. Also, the aircraft has extensive experience with operations in cold winter, which will increase the reliability of the operation in cold Hokkaido. With this new aircraft and the safe operation system we’ve established, we will continue to provide reliable and comfortable travel to local businesses and communities.”

WoW heating up Iceland's price war.

Iceland's popular low-cost airline WOW air is stepping up its price war with  Icelandair with the introduction of special $99 one way fares from a number of US cities to its Keflavík International Airport hub.

The low price deal is available from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, New York, Pittsburg and San Francisco. Travel is valid in August, September and October.   "We are excited to invite visitors from the United States to experience all that Iceland has to offer in the fall," said Skúli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air. "We continue to see demand for our affordable transatlantic offerings and we hope that Americans can take advantage of these low prices and enjoy Iceland in the coming months."

However, you'll have to be fast if you want to take advantage of that fare, for it only applies to 800 seats, on select flights, for travel between 6th August and 26th October and is subject to availability.  

Icelandair recently cited the increased capacity across the Atlantic and the reduced peak-season fare trend as reasons for a predicted reduction in its EBITDA for 2018. 

New Monterey - Denver service to start 4 Oct

The Monterey Peninsula Airport District and United Airlines have announced a new twice daily non-stop service between Monterey Regional Airport and Denver International Airport, starting in October this year. 

The new service from Monterey will connect California's Central Coast with the airline's Denver hub offering connections to 100 other destinations throughout the US Midwest and East Coast. It will also complement United's existing flights between Monterey and Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Denver flights 

"I'd like to thank United Airlines for their commitment to the Central Coast market as demonstrated by today's exciting announcement," said Carl Miller, Chairman of Monterey Peninsula Airport District.

"We are pleased to respond to the needs of our customers by expanding our presence in Monterey and offering our customers more service and more opportunities to connect to United's domestic and international route network," said Janet Lamkin, United's President of California. 

The flights will be operated by SkyWest under the United Express brand on a CRJ200 Regional Jet, flights are scheduled to depart Monterey at 0738 and 1303 arriving Denver at 1120 and 1645 respectively. On the return, the flights leave Denver at 1116 and 1900 landing in Monterey 1317 and 1900