Airbus, Delta Air Lines partner on Skywise open-data platform and predictive maintenance services

The US mega-carrier Delta has signed a multi-year contract with European aerospace giant Airbus to continue using the Skywise open-data platform and related predictive maintenance services. The airline will expand the use of the tool to its A320 and A330 fleets – comprising around 400 aircraft – to track and analyse their operations and performance data and assess failure probabilities in order to anticipate maintenance tasks.

                             

.• As a recognized leader in innovation, Delta Air Lines partnered with Airbus to enhance Skywise

• Through the agreement, an additional 400 Delta aircraft will be connected to Skywise

Delta was one of the airlines involved in the development of Skywise Predictive Maintenance by co-designing, testing and making improvement recommendations about some of its key features.

Kuwait Airways orders eight A330neo

Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the state of Kuwait, has ordered eight brand new Airbus A330neo's from Airbus today.

The A330 has become one of the most popular widebody twinjets ever, the European manufacturer has received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers over the years and the latest versions, the A330neo was launched in 2014 and has two variants, the -800 and -900, which share 99% commonality and share the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines which offer substantial savings over previous engine offerings.

  

“The A330-800 will seamlessly fit into our fleet expansion and growth plans. Its unbeatable operating economics and performance in addition to best in class passenger comfort make it a sound investment." Said Yousef Al-Jassim, Chairman Kuwait Airways, adding "We are confident that the A330-800 will support us to compete effectively on our expanding route network. Our relationship with Airbus extends beyond aircraft acquisitions and we look forward to further collaboration on technical fields.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer said, “We are delighted that Kuwait Airways has chosen the A330neo as a cornerstone of its future widebody fleet.  The A330-800 with its unique efficiency and versatility will support the carrier’s ambition to develop its expanding long-haul network.  The aircraft will seamlessly complement Kuwait Airways’  A320neos and A350 XWBs and deliver unbeatable operating economics, full operational commonality and unmatched passenger experience.”

The agreement was signed by Yousef Al-Jassim, Kuwait Airways Chairman and
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer,
at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse. 

Gaining strength from her daughter … and music.......American Airlines flight attendant Patricia Bustamante going pink

When Lima, Peru based Flight Attendant Patricia Bustamante, felt weak, she looked to her daughter for strength. At her own pace (and with a little help from one of her favorite songs), she kicked breast cancer to the curb. Now, she’s added nine cancer-fighter sisters to her support system. 

This is her journey......

To recognize the US Breast Cancer Awareness Month, American Airlines, its team members and its customers are going pink, with a number of ways to raise awareness and critical funds for long-time partner Susan G. Komen.

United airlines announces additional matching funds for hurricane Michael

United Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to lifting up communities in need by announcing the matching of an additional $100,000 for those affected by Hurricane Michael while continuing to award up to 5 million bonus miles for individuals who make donations of $50 or more for hurricane and typhoon relief efforts.

American Airlines flight attendant Winnie Su tells a pink and personal battle

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, American Airlines and its team members and customers are “going pink” this month to raise awareness and critical funds for long-time partner Susan G. Komen.

Winnie Su, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based Envoy Flight Attendant, is all too familiar with breast cancer. She loves her job, and her calm, positive demeanour is well known among customers and her colleagues. But when Winnie went from not knowing she had breast cancer to a stage 2B diagnosis overnight, she was shocked. Hear Winnie share her story of who helped her make it through to the other side of breast cancer in the video below...

Alaska Air Group reports its September 2018 operational results

Alaska Air Group today reported September and year-to-date operational results on a consolidated basis for its mainline operations operated by subsidiary Alaska Airlines Inc. and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries Inc. and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.

On Jan. 11, 2018, Alaska and Virgin America consolidated their operations onto a Single Operating Certificate. Results for Alaska and Virgin America have been combined into a single mainline operation.

SpiceJet get first Boeing 737 Max 8

Photo Craig Larson photo

One of India's leading airlines, SpiceJet recieved its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from the US manufacturer on Friday, October 12th October   The new arrival to the SpiceJet fleet is the first of up to 205 examples of the 737 MAX family the carrier has ordered from Boeing.

SpiceJet will be using the aircraft to both standardise its fleet as well as expand its global route network, "We are excited to take delivery of our very first 737 MAX 8," SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said, adding, "The induction of our first MAX is a huge milestone in SpiceJet's journey. These new aeroplanes will enable us to open new routes while reducing fuel and engineering costs, as well as emissions.  The 737 MAX will dramatically reduce noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Passengers will benefit from a large number of premium seats and, for the first time in India, broadband internet on board."

"India is a fast-growing market for commercial aeroplanes and services," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. "The 737 MAX for SpiceJet is the perfect aeroplane for this market and it will become a key ingredient for long-term success, especially as oil prices continue to put pressure on airlines."

The new aircraft are arriving at a pivotal time in the Indian commercial aviation industry, back on June 20th the Indian Government confirmed it had failed to find a buyer for its stake in debt-ridden national carrier Air India. While Etihad Airways backed rival Jet Airways has been struggling to pay wages on time to staff as costs and fuel prices soar. 

Virgin Australia customers will be able to use voice check-in from next week

Virgin Australia has announced earlier this week that it will become the first airline outside North America to launch voice check-in through Amazon Alexa, allowing passengers to check-in to their flight with the power of their voice.

From next week, passengers who have linked their Velocity membership to Alexa can say, “Alexa, ask Virgin Australia to check me in” enabling a seamless start to their journey with Virgin Australia. Guests will then be sent their boarding passes to a nominated mobile number.

Ryanair Launches New Liverpool Route To Corfu

Earlier this week the massive European low-fare-high-fee carrier, Ryanair, announced it was launching a new route from Liverpool to the Greek paradise of Corfu.

The budget carrier is starting the route in June next year and will operate it twice each week, “Ryanair is pleased to announce a new Liverpool route to Corfu commencing in June, which will operate twice weekly as part of our Summer 2019 schedule. Customers in the North West region can now book flights to the Greek sunshine as far out as October 2019, with our full schedule launching soon." Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Director of Aviation Development, Paul Winfield said: “Liverpool Airport is delighted to welcome this latest new route with Ryanair. This new route will allow passengers from across the North West to travel to Corfu from Liverpool, the Faster, Easier, Friendlier Airport in the North West.”.

Double win for Etihad Airways Engineering at the Aviation Business Awards

Etihad Airways Engineering, the largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East, have just received two prestigious honours at the Aviation Business Awards 2018 held in Dubai on Tuesday 9 October. 

The ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ and ‘Engineering Innovation of the Year’ awards recognise the company’s achievements in the past 12 months, by a panel of aviation industry experts.

The Technical Sales and Customer Service team at Etihad Airways Engineering was awarded the ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ award which recognised the multi-cultural team for playing a key role in enabling the UAE’s vision to become a global aerospace hub.

The worlds longest commercial flight returns.........Singapore to Newark takes off.........

Another milestone in aviation took place on Thursday 11th October when an Airbus A350-941 belonging to Singapore Airlines with the registration 9V-SGB departed its home base of Singapore to operate a non-stop flight to Newark, New Jersey in the USA.  

9V-SGB is one of a small number of special ultra-long-range versions of the Airbus A350 aeroplanes which Singapore has ordered to operate really long, long flights. The award-winning airline has configured the super efficient jets with just 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats. Which actually doesn't sound too bad when you consider the aircraft will cover a distance of approximately 9,000nm (16,700km), cruising at 37,000 feet and whizzing along at more than 600 miles an hour, you'll want to be comfortable for the 18 hour+ flight time. 

It isn't the first time Singapore Airlines have operated the route non-stop, they started it in 2004 with another Airbus aircraft, an A340-500. However, the four-engined long-haul jet proved to be uneconomical as fuel prices rose dramatically and Singapore Airlines called a halt to the service and those lovely A340s were handed back to Airbus.  

This time the well-respected carrier will initially operate the route in three times a week, then move to a daily schedule as another of the A350-900ULRs arrive. The direct flights are said to save passengers around six hours that a transfer on an in-direct flight would take, which business passengers welcome. It also sets the Asian carrier apart from its competitors and that should help it take an even bigger slice of the market.

Delta partners with American Red Cross to help those affected by Hurricane Michael

US carrier Delta has confirmed this afternoon that it will help the American Red Cross provide food, shelter and cleanup to those in need, as a result of Hurricane Michael.

The American Red Cross is Delta's longest-standing nonprofit partner, which has allowed the company, its employees and customers to help people in need for more than 75 years. In addition to ADGP funding, employees participate in corporate blood drives throughout the year, making Delta the largest corporate sponsor of American Red Cross blood drives with 11,085 pints in Fiscal Year 2018 (Year End June 30).

Wizz Air changes baggage policy........

One of the fastest growing airlines in Europe, Wizz Air, is changing its baggage policy from 1st November, the airline confirmed this week.

The new and transparent baggage policy is aimed at easing boarding for passengers and guarantees all passengers can bring one free carry-on bag. 

As of 1 November, every passenger is entitled to bring one free carry-on bag (40x30x20 cm) on board, while those passengers who purchase WIZZ Priority will be allowed to carry a trolley bag (55x40x23 cm) into the cabin as well. Based on customer feedback and the changing travel patterns, Wizz Air has introduced a 10kg checked-in bag to facilitate comfortable travel experience with prices starting from as low as €7.

It is hoped the new policy will give passengers a variety of options for baggage, Johan Eidhagen, Chief Marketing Officer of Wizz Air said: “Passengers want unbundled products and that is at the heart of the Ultra Low-Cost Model, Wizz Air applies too. We want to offer our customers the lowest possible fares as well as a transparent view into ticket pricing. By unbundling products and services, Wizz Air democratises the way of travelling and allows for a pay-per-need offer.”

Bournemouth to Dublin new route for Ryanair to start in April 19

The low-fare-high-fee airline Ryanair has revealed it will launch a new route from Bournemouth to Dublin, starting in April next year.  

The new jet service will run four times a week and is part of the airline's new Summer 2019 flying programme. The airline launched the route on Thursday with an offer on seats from just £9.99, for travel in October, November, December and January if they book before midnight on 13th October.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “Ryanair is pleased to announce a new Bournemouth route to Dublin commencing in April, which will operate four times weekly as part of our Summer 2019 schedule. To celebrate, we are releasing seats across our network from Bournemouth from just £9.99 for travel up to January 2019. This offer is available for booking until midnight Saturday."

Andrew Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Regional & City Airports (RCA), which is the owner and operator of Bournemouth Airport, said: “Ryanair’s Dublin route announcement is exciting news for local passengers – Dublin is up there with Amsterdam and Paris for city weekend breaks – and there is all of the convenience involved in flying from an airport on their doorstep."

A former yield controller from Dublin advised us that the airline usually has less than 5 'loss leader' fares on any single flight, so if you wanted one of those £9.99 fares, you've probably missed out already!

American Airlines awards $337,000 to aviation organizations dedicated to training tomorrow’s pilots

The US mega-carrier, American Airlines announced this week that it is awarding $337,000 to 17 aviation-focused schools and organizations around the USA that are dedicated to training the next generation of aviators. The grants are an example of the airlines continued efforts to help grow and diversify the nation’s pool of pilots.

“We believe we’re making the pilot profession more visible, accessible and obtainable to a broader range of people than ever before,” said Captain David Tatum, Director of Pilot Recruiting and Development for American.