Leading UK aerospace designs: funding for projects

Leading UK aerospace designs: funding for projects

Photo Innovate UK

Innovative projects delivering smart, energy-efficient technologies that could bolster the UK aerospace industry are invited to a regular call for ideas.

The UK’s aerospace sector is among the best in the world, with a turnover of £35 billion and hosting 123,000 direct employees in 2017. To remain at its peak, the UK needs to explore emerging opportunities and markets.

Organisations are invited to express an interest in a competition worth £150 million a year with their innovative ideas for future aerospace design and manufacture. The best projects will then be invited to apply for grant funding.

The investment is part of the £3.9 billion UK Aerospace Research and Technology (UKART) programme, a partnership between government and industry, managed by Innovate UK, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Self flying taxi for five unveiled

Photo Lilium

Lilium, a German start-up has unveiled what it claims is the World's first five-seater self-flying taxi, which had its first test flight earlier this month.

Nothing like the Lilium Jet has ever existed before and the firm says its iconic design and pioneering technology will bring the vision of fully-electric transition flight to reality. It is claimed to be the new mobility service for the modern, urbanised age.

The prototype is powered by 36 all-electric jet engines that allow the craft to take-off and land vertically while achieving remarkably efficient horizontal, or cruise, flight. The simplicity of the aircraft design, with no tail, no rudder, no propellers, no gearbox and only one moving part in the engine not only contributes to the safety and affordability of the aircraft, but it has also allowed the design team to focus their efforts on creating a magical customer experience in the cabin, from panoramic windows to gull-wing doors.

Brexit named as a cause of Thomas Cook's woes.

One of the most well known UK travel firms, Thomas Cook has reported losses of £1.5 billion in the first half of the year and the news sent its share price tumbling on Thursday 16th May.

The firm firmly put the blame partly on Brexit,  it says there was "now little doubt" that uncertainty over the British exit from the European Union had caused customers to delay their summer holiday plans. However, much for the loss (£1.1 billion)  was attributed to the firm's decision to write-down the value of My Travel, a business it took over in 2007. It also blames the good weather in the UK and higher prices in the Canary Islands. 

A non-flexible cable tie lead to a nose gear up landing for a FlyBe Bombardier Q400

Photo AAIB

The UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch has issued its final report into an incident involving a FlyBe    Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop at Belfast International Airport.

The aircraft, registration G-JEDU made an emergency landing during a commercial passenger flight on 10 November 2017.  The aircraft was travelling from Belfast City to Inverness when cockpit indications showed that the nose landing gear doors had not closed after landing gear retraction. The crew diverted to Belfast International and carried out all relevant procedures but were unable to lower the landing gear. The aircraft landed with the nose landing gear up. There was an emergency evacuation and two of the 53 passengers sustained minor injuries.

RAF Typhoons scramble twice in two days to intercept Russian aircraft

Typhoon jets intercepted two Russian SU-27 Flanker fighter aircraft &
 one IL-22 aircraft flying along the Baltic coast. Photo MoD

The UK's Royal Air Force Typhoons deployed in Estonia scramble for the first time since taking over the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in the country.

On Tuesday 14 May Typhoon jets launched a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) scramble out of Ämari Air Base in response to two Russian SU-27 Flanker fighter aircraft and one IL-22 aircraft that were flying along the Baltic coast heading towards Kaliningrad.

On Wednesday 15 May Typhoons once again launched from Ämari to intercept another two SU-27 aircraft and an IL-22 and escorted the formation towards Russia.

Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said: "At the same time as our troops forge stronger ties with NATO Allies in Estonia, our RAF Typhoons are policing Baltic skies and providing a rapid response to any approaches towards NATO airspace. Together it sends a clear message – we are committed to defending NATO’s borders and will support our Allies in deterring any threats."

Park Hotels & Resorts announces the reopening of the Caribe Hilton

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc announced that the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico has reopened this week, following a $150-million restoration. 

The 652-room resort sustained significant damage from Hurricane Maria in September 2017, however, since then work had been going on to restore and improve the resort. “We are thrilled to re-introduce the iconic Caribe Hilton to guests and locals alike,” said Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Park Hotels & Resorts. “We have worked tirelessly to restore, reimagine and enhance the hotel, and we are confident that the finished product is worthy of the hotel’s legendary history. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Resort and to the wonderful island of Puerto Rico.”

Photo Park Hotels & Resorts

American Airlines opens new flagship lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Flagship Lounge, Flagship First Dining and renovated Admirals Club now open in Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

The US mega-carrier, American has opened its newest Flagship Lounge, located in Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

“It made sense for us to go all-in on the Flagship experience at our largest hub,” said Kurt Stache, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Loyalty and Sales for American. “More of American’s premium customers fly through DFW than anywhere else, and we think they’ll agree the Flagship experience is unlike any other.”

Finnair starts codeshare cooperation with Juneyao Air, extending its network in China

                   Finnair and the Shanghai-based Juneyao Air have agreed on a new codeshare cooperation on the route operated by Juneyao Air and Finnair between Helsinki and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), as well as on selected Juneyao routes in China and selected Finnair routes in Finland. The new codeshare agreement adds eight new destinations to Finnair’s network in China.

From 28 June, 2019 onwards Finnair customers can connect with Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Xi´an, Chongqing, Kunming, Xiamen and Fuzhou. In addition, the Finnair code will be added on Juneyao Air routes between Nanjing and Xi´an, Chongqing and Zhangjiajie. At the same time, Juneyao Air code will be added to Finnair´s route between Shanghai and Helsinki, and to Finnair’s domestic routes from Helsinki to Ivalo, Rovaniemi, Kemi, Kuopio and Oulu. The Finnish Lapland has become a popular destination for Chinese tourists. 

These new codeshare flights can be booked from 16 May, 2019. 

BA says its whisky worth waiting for.....

British Airways has pored over its 100 year-old history to create a limited-edition whisky with InchDairnie, the modern Scottish distillers.  The partnership will culminate with a centenary dram being served up in 2031.

To mark World Whisky Day on May 18, the two British brands have come together to start the 12-year process of creating a limited-edition pour for the airline’s centenary.

British Airways joined the expert distillers at the Fife based distillery to mix malted barley, water and yeast before distilling and pouring it into a bespoke American oak cask once used to mature bourbon. The cask heads are from a red wine cask, made from French oak, in a tribute to the first flight operated by AT&T, the forerunner company of today’s British Airways which flew to Paris in 1919.  The American oak is a nod to British Airways, as the airline now makes up to 30 journeys across the Atlantic every day.

Boom Supersonic and Dassault Systèmes Partnership

Dassault Systèmes confirmed this week that it will be working with Boom Supersonic accelerate the design and development of Overture, its Mach-2.2 commercial airliner, with its 3DEXPERIENCE.

Boom Supersonic is using Dassault Systèmes’ “Reinvent the Sky” industry solution experience based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to support product development from concept through manufacturing and certification. By using this industry-leading solution, Boom Supersonic can cut development time of its first prototype in half and improve product quality by reducing programme complexity, inefficiency, costs and resources, thus lowering the barriers to market entry.

More losses at Tui as Boeing 737 Max groundings bite

More dramatic losses at the holiday firm Tui as the Boeing 737 Max groundings bite into the holiday company's finances.  In the six months to 31st March, the losses rose from £148m to £261m, blamed partly on the 737 Max problems, but also on tough market conditions, Bexit uncertainty, the UK's warm weather last year and rising competition.

Tui boss Fritz Joussen insists the firm is on a sound footing, despite twice having to issue profits warnings over the 737 groundings, 'Tui is on track, both strategically and operationally, and is well positioned. That is why 2019 will be another solid year." he said.

'Our core businesses with our own hotels, cruises and destination experiences and activities remain strong and currently deliver around 70 per cent of our earnings.

'Tui will emerge as a stronger, more efficient and more profitable group from the current consolidation of our sector in Europe.'

Tui has 15 Boeing 737 Max aircraft across its fleet,  with a further eight of the type on order from the US manufacturer.

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Jet2 to sell Nando's boxes.

The UK's holiday airline Jet2 is to get a little spicy this summer, at least in terms of meals on offer!  The airline is launching Nando’s PERi–PERi Flight Bites’, two sky-high snacks infused with Southern African PERi–PERi spice.

The products include a dip, drizzle and dunk ‘Nando’s Box’ which includes creamy houmous, smoky PERi-PERi drizzle and lightly salted pitta chips, the box costs £4. 

Passengers can also take their taste buds on a trip with Nando’s Half-popped Corn, a mild and delicious snacking option where fluffy popcorn meets crunchy corn, for £1.50 for a 35g bag. 

Hyatt Hotels to open more than 20 hotels in Canada by 2022

Hyatt Hotels announced this week that more than 20 new hotels are expected to open in Canada by the end of 2022, driving the global hospitality brand’s growth in the country by 50%.

The newly announced properties include three hotels in the heart of downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario, expected to open in 2022: a dual-branded Hyatt Centric Niagara Falls and Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls project, with 150 guestrooms and 350 guestrooms, respectively, and the 200-room Hyatt Place Niagara Falls.

This announcement includes properties that will mark the first Hyatt House and Hyatt Centric hotels in Canada and the first Hyatt hotels in the Niagara Falls market, as well as hotels across its other full service and select service brands including Hyatt Regency, Park Hyatt, Andaz and Hyatt Place.   

Air Transat to deploy A321neoLR on transatlantic flights to Europe

Photo Airbus

The Canadian holiday airline Air Transat will be deploying its brand new Airbus A321neo LR - Long Range aircraft on transatlantic routes to the United Kingdom from this summer, the airline has confirmed.

The airline says it will fly the single-aisle aircraft on the daily service between Toronto and London Gatwick from summer next year.  Whilst it will put the new generation aircraft on the Toronto to Glasgow route which operates twice a week from this October.

The Airbus A321neoLR in Air Transat colours will be configured with 187 economy seats in a three and three layout and then another 12 seats in a two by two arrangement in what the airline terms as Club Class.  The seats have seatback video screens and USB charge points and have a recline, the aircraft also enjoys LED mood lighting. 

More information on Air Transat's Airbus A321neoLR is available here.

Air Transat launches flights between Montreal and New Orleans

Photo AirTransat

Top Canadian leisure airline, Air Transat, has announced that it will start a non-stop direct flight between Montreal and New Orleans, Louisiana, starting in November 2019.

The airline will offer two direct flights a week from Montreal, allowing passengers to have a short or long stay in the popular city where some of the best music lives.  "With the steady demand for New Orleans, Air Transat is pleased to be the only airline to offer non-stop service from Montreal to this unique vacation destination, and to be enhancing its offering for next winter with this distinctive option," says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer, Transat. "Adding this new route strengthens Air Transat's status as a Canadian leader in leisure travel while also providing greater flexibility to business travellers visiting Louisiana, who will have the option of extending their stay."

Some suggestions of top places to stay in New Orleans can be found below. 

More new routes from Aberdeen with Loganair

Photo Loganair

The regional airline Loganair is continuing its expansion with more new routes from the North-East Scottish city of Aberdeen. 

On Sunday the airline started flights to London Southend Airport with one of the Embraer jets that were rapidly transferred to the company just before sister airline flybmi went into administration. The route to Southend is to be operated up to three times a day, six times a week with fares starting around £49.99 one way - including 20kgs luggage allowance.

Loganair will also be introducing up to three non-stop weekday services to Newcastle and up to three non-stop weekday services to Norwich from September 1st from the granite city. Non-stop Sunday services will also be offered on both routes.

Loganair already has strong operational bases in both Aberdeen and Norwich – a route which can be served with a strong level of resilience due to the availability of aircraft and engineering support at both ends – making the routes a natural fit in the Loganair network.  The new Loganair service will also offer early morning northbound flights from Norwich and later evening return flights from Aberdeen heading south.

Cathay Pacific gets fresh........

Cathay Pacific, the airline from Hong Kong has a long and proud history of being first at something,  for it was the first international airline to fly to Osaka in 1960,  It was the first to fly non-stop from Hong Kong to Vancouver in 1982. Whilst less than a year later it was first to fly non-stop from Hong Kong to London and the first Asian airline to offer First, Business and Economy services on every flight. Now, its become the first airline to be awarded CEIV Fresh from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In association with aviation industry stakeholders and regulators, IATA created the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) with the aim of helping organisations involved in the air cargo supply chain achieve handling excellence.

The CEIV Fresh certification ensures quality assurance and works towards a reduction in spoilage and wastage, whilst also highlighting Cathay Pacific’s specialism in air cargo services.

Passenger numbers up for Lufthansa in April as the group mulls over buying Thomas Cook

The European giant group of airlines, Lufthansa, welcomed 12.5 million passengers during the month of April this year, the latest results released from the airline indicated.  The airline group also saw an increase in its load factor, up by 2% to 83.3%.

The airline group is also interested in buying at least part of the aviation businesses put up for sale by Thomas Cook earlier this year.  Lufthansa has put in a bid to by the German leisure airline Condor, part of Thomas Cook, the firms CEO Carsten Spohr said: "We believe that we can offer Condor good prospects and maintain the business as a whole, both long- and short-haul operations.".  

Whilst the bid at the moment is just for Condor, the Lufthansa Group may widen its sights to more of Thomas Cooks airlines, “The offer would be for the short- and long-haul business (of Condor), with the opportunity to extend this to all Thomas Cook airlines. But right now, the offer is only valid for Condor.” a spokesperson for Lufthansa told the UK's TTG.

Looking at April's results in more detail now, Lufthansa's network airlines including Lufthansa German Airlines, SWISS and Austrian Airlines carried more than 9.3 million passengers in April – 5.0% more than in the prior-year period. Compared to the previous year, the available seat kilometres increased by 4.1% in April. The sales volume was up by 6.7% over the same period, with an increasing seat load factor by 2.0 percentage points to 83.3 %.

Passenger numbers continue to grow at Manchester

A busy Easter helped Manchester Airport continue its growth!

Photo Manchester Airport

One of the UK's leading airports, Manchester, has seen another month of growth, with an 8% year on year increase in its passenger numbers in April. It sees the annual rolling passenger total reach 28.8 million for the first time ever.

Some may not realise it, but Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest airport and has the space and capacity to grow larger and busier. Nearly 2.4 million people flew through its three terminals last month as passengers jetted off over the Easter holidays. The most popular of the airport’s 210 destinations in April included: Dublin, Amsterdam, Dubai, Tenerife and Alicante, as passengers enjoyed both sun and city breaks.