Norwegian is the most fuel-efficient airline on transatlantic routes and British Airways is the worst

A new white paper report from The International Council on Clean Transportation analysing the fuel efficiency of the 20 leading airlines on routes between Europe and the United States during 2017 has been released today.

According to the study, the long-haul low-cost airline Norwegian was the most-fuel efficient carrier across the Atlantic on sample routes from New York to London, Los Angeles to London and New York to Paris. In fact, on the New York to London route, Norwegian’s competition including Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta, United and British Airways burned 33% to 78% more fuel per passenger-km. The results show that British Airways, which ranked last in the results, burned a staggering 63% more fuel per passenger kilometre than Norwegian, a marked increase since the last assessment in 2014. Additionally, Norwegian has reduced its per passenger emissions by 30% since 2008, thanks to its investment in new aircraft.

The report also showed Norwegian, on average, achieved 44 passenger kilometres (pax-km/L), which is 33% higher than the industry average - soaring past 19 of its competitors. Norwegian, flies one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprised of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 737-800s and 737-MAXs.

Read on for more details including the reports airline comparisons.

Passenger numbers up for Allegiant in August

The US ultra-low-cost airline, Las Vegas-based Allegiant has reported preliminary passenger traffic results for August 2018, this week. The airline saw a jump in passenger numbers, up 15.7% year on year, with the airline carrying 1,180,474 people during August this year.

The budget airline also saw rises in revenues, loads and available seat miles. The airline says it continues to be focused on linking travellers from small underserved cities to world-class leisure destinations. The airline offers low fares on an all-jet fleet of over 85 aircraft, flying on some 350 routes.  

Ryanair to introduce Cardiff - Malta route in 2019

Europe's largest budget carrier, Ryanair, announced a new route from Cardiff to Malta on Tuesday, promising a twice-weekly service linking the two from April next year.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said,  “Ryanair is pleased to announce a new Cardiff route to Malta, commencing in April 2019, which will operate twice weekly as part of our Summer 2019 schedule."

Deb Barber, CEO of Cardiff Airport, added, “Our customers have been asking for the return of flights to Malta for some time, so we’re absolutely thrilled with today’s announcement that Ryanair will operate regular, low-cost services to this popular Mediterranean destination from early 2019. South Wales is home to a thriving Maltese community and so this service makes it easier to travel between both destinations, whilst also serving as another access point for European visitors seeking to explore Wales.”

(Photo David O'Brien /Ryanair)

Mombasa four times a week from Doha - Qatar Airways

Mombasa is the next new destination for Doha-based Qatar Airways, the company has revealed this week.  The airline will start flying to Kenya’s second city from 11th December and operate the route direct four times each week.

The airline is scheduling an Airbus A320, with 12 Business Class seats and 120 Economy Class seats to the route which will complete the journey in a little over.  CEO of Qatar Airways,  Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways sees Kenya as an important market for our passengers, so we are delighted to offer this new service to a second Kenyan destination. We are sure our new direct daily service to Mombasa will prove very popular with tourists interested in exploring Kenya’s beautiful tropical beaches and coastline, as well as immersing themselves in the city’s fascinating diverse cultural mix.

Dmitry Saprykin steps down as CEO of Rossiya Airlines

Earlier this week the Board of Directors of Rossiya Airlines announced they had approved the early termination of CEO, Dmitry Saprykin's contract which would have expired in November 2018.

Dmitry Saprykin led Rossiya since November 2015, when Aeroflot Group management was tasked with integrating a number of regional carriers belonging to the Group under the Rossiya brand. The new carrier absorbed the experience and best practices of Rossiya, the largest carrier in north-west Russia, as well as Donavia and Orenair. The new mid-market airline launched nationwide in March 2016. In its first year, the new Rossiya achieved significant operational success. In 2017 it was the second biggest carrier in Russia, carrying 11 million passengers, an increase of 27% year-on-year. As of June 2018, Rossiya Airlines served more than 130 destinations in Russia and abroad.

Sergey Alexandrovsky, Deputy CEO for Sales and Property, has been named as acting CEO of Rossiya Airlines,  “The outstanding qualities of Rossiya’s management team are its youth, understanding of contemporary trends and high level of professionalism,” PJSC Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev said. “Dmitry Saprykin not only combined all of these qualities but was able to create an efficient, creative and innovative team capable of delivering against highly challenging tasks. I have no doubt that a manager of his class will find success in any area of business that he chooses to pursue.”.

(Image Rossiya Airlines)

The August sun shone brightly for Azul

One of the leading airlines of Brazil and the largest by the number of cities served, Azul has released its latest figures for the month of August. 

Consolidated passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 21.5% compared to August 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 20.3%. As a result, load factor was 82.4%, just 0.8 percentage points higher than August last year. Domestic load factor was 81.2% and international was 85.7%.

"In addition to the healthy demand environment we are seeing, we have recently received our 17th A320neo, the key driver of our margin expansion plan going forward. We are just at the beginning of our fleet transformation process and I couldn't be more excited", says John Rodgerson, Azul's CEO.

Virgin Australia leads Australian first with delivery of sustainable aviation fuel at Brisbane Airport

One of the leading Antipodean air carriers, Virgin Australia announced it has achieved an Australian first, with the successful completion of a trial to deliver sustainable aviation fuel through Brisbane Airport’s general fuel supply system.

Working in partnership with the Queensland Government, Brisbane Airport Corporation, US-based biofuel producer Gevo, Inc. and supply chain partners Caltex and DB Schenker, Virgin Australia led the procurement and blending of sustainable aviation fuel, or biojet, with traditional jet fuel for supply into the fuel infrastructure at Brisbane Airport.

This is the first time that sustainable aviation fuel has been delivered through the general fuel supply system at any airport in Australia and makes Brisbane Airport one of the few airports globally where this has occurred.  

Exeter to get three new routes next summer whilst airline staff ignore illegal drug taking during flight

Exeter Airport will have three new jet services for Summer 2019 when the low-cost-high-fee airline Ryanair starts its first ever flights from the airport.

The new services will be to Malaga, Malta and Naples and are due to start during April next year, as part of the budget carriers Summer 2019 schedule.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “We’re pleased to announce Ryanair’s low fares have arrived at Exeter, our newest airport and 21st in the UK. Our three new routes to Malaga, Malta and Naples start in summer 2019, each operating twice weekly, ensuring customers in the Devon region can book low fare flights to the sun."

Exeter Airport MD, Matt Roach said,  “This is a significant vote of confidence in the continued growth of Exeter Airport and we are delighted to be welcoming Ryanair for the very first time. These routes are popular destinations and offer customers even more choice and greater connectivity from their local airport.”

It is the last straw, according to Virgin Australia.

The last straw........   

A leading Australian airline is helping to lead the aviation industry. both locally and internationally by completely removing plastic straws and stirrers from both its lounges and its in-flight service product.

Virgin Australia says the move will see more than 260,000 plastic straws and 7.5 million plastic stirrers a year removed from operations and have been replaced with paper straws and bamboo stirrers. This is just one step that Virgin Australia is undertaking to ensure that its products and services are aligned with greener solutions.

Virgin Australia General Manager of Group Sustainability, Rob Wood, said that introducing paper straws and bamboo stirrers, although being small changes, will have a positive impact both in the air and on the ground. “We are proud to have eliminated plastic straws and stirrers from our services. This is part of our focus to improve the sustainability of the packaging we use as a business and to reduce the amount of single-use plastic across our in-flight and Lounge offerings.

August was a bumper month for the Lufthansa group of airlines.

Lufthansa Group Airlines welcome around 13.8 million passengers on board in August 2018

Passenger numbers were 10% up in August for the Lufthansa Group the airline has confirmed this week. The group's airlines welcomed around 13.8 million passengers, 10% more than they did last year.

The available seat kilometres were up 8.2% over the previous year, at the same time, sales increased by 8.7%. In addition as compared to August 2017, the seat load factor increased by 0.5 percentage points to 86.4 %. 

Aeroflot orders 100 more Sukhoi SSJ100 Superjets

The Russian national carrier and one of the worlds most recognised aviation brands, Aeroflot and plane manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation have signed an agreement for 100 Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft. 

Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev and President of PJSC United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar signed the deal at the Eastern Economic Forum in the presence of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.  The aircraft will be deliver between 2019 and 2026 and will adopt Aeroflot's standard configuration for the type, with 12 seats in business class and 75 seats in economy class.

Vitaly Saveliev, CEO of PJSC Aeroflot, said, “We have signed the largest aircraft delivery agreement in Aeroflot’s history, under which the Company will receive 100 modern Russian-built SSJ100 aircraft. Including the expected delivery of 50 MC-21, by 2026 Aeroflot will operate 200 Russian-built aircraft. Aeroflot has historically been the largest operator of Russian aircraft and has helped to improve all Russian aircraft models currently in operation. It is Aeroflot’s top priority to act in the interests of Russian aviation and our country.” 

How did United Airlines do in August?

How did United Airlines do in August? 

The mega US airline released its figures for August this week, which showed it the carrier had a good August, increasing load fact by 2 points over last years figures. The airlines consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) also increased, up  7.8% and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 5.4 % compared to August 2017. 

Other August Highlights

Announced several new international routes including year-round nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Tel Aviv, daily, year-round service between San Francisco and Amsterdam, and nonstop seasonal summer service between Newark/New York and Naples, Italy and Newark/New York and Prague, all subject to government approval.

Finished in the top-tier among largest competitors in on-time departure and completion performance.

As part of a previously announced $8 million commitment, announced a $1 million grant to the San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network.

United's MileagePlus loyalty program awarded Favorite Frequent-Flyer program at the annual Trazee Awards.

Debuted United Corporate Preferred, the industry's newest corporate travel program designed to offer top travel benefits to the airline's most loyal business customers.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines orders three Bombardia Q400 Turboprops

The national flag carrier of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has ordered three new Q400 turboprop aircraft from the Canadian manufacturer, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.  

“We are very pleased that Biman is expanding its Q400 fleet with this order for three new aircraft,” said François Cognard, VP, Sales, Asia Pacific. “The Q400’s greater seating and cargo capacity really set it apart from the competition. Furthermore, the Q400’s mix of turboprop economics and jet-like performance were the best match for Biman’s mix of short and long-range routes. Operators coming back for more Q400 aircraft really validates the benefits of the aircraft’s unique characteristics.”

The order was announced this week and based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$106 million.

August results from Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines announced its system-wide traffic statistics for the month of August this week, which showed the airline welcomed more than one million guests during the month.

Total traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 7.6% on an increase of 9.9 % in capacity (available seat miles).  Load factor decreased by 1.8 points to 84.4%.  The airline is now in its 89th year of continuous service. It currently offers non-stop services from Hawai'i to more U.S. gateway cities (12) than any other airline. The carrier also offers flights to Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti.

Finnair adds capacity to Lisbon, Alanya-Gazipasa and Brussels

Finnair adds capacity to Lisbon, Alanya-Gazipasa and Brussels  

Finland's leading airline, Finnair will add flights between its Helsinki hub and Lisbon, Portugal and Alanya (Gazipasa), Turkey for the winter season 2018-2019 the carrier revealed today. 

Finnair opened its Lisbon route during the summer 2018 season, and due to strong demand, it will now fly the route daily year-round. The frequencies added to the Lisbon route increase the capacity on this route by 70% during the winter season.  

Finnair is also adding flights to Alanya (Gazipasa), a popular holiday destination in Turkey, and flies there twice a week during the winter season (October 28, 2018 to March 31, 2019). This is the first time a destination on the Turkish Mediterranean coast will now be available on Finnair scheduled flights year-round. 

In addition, capacity will be added to Finnair’s Brussels route as of October 31 when Finnair will start to fly one of its daily frequencies, on both Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a wide-body Airbus A330. This change will offer added passenger and cargo capacity between both cities and an excellent business class product with full-flat seats for this busy route. 

“These additions are a direct response to the strong demand and wishes from our customers and serve both our Nordic customers as well as our customers connecting from Asia,” says Juha Järvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair.