easyJet to launch new domestic route from Edinburgh to Birmingham

easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines, has announced it will start a new route between Edinburgh and Birmingham from 29th March 2020.  The domestic city connection will operate 13 times a week throughout the year.

Over 180,000 passengers are expected to use the new service during the first 12 months of operation on the airline’s A320 family aircraft, eight of which it currently bases at Edinburgh. Seats are due to go on sale in the coming weeks.

This is the second new Edinburgh route easyJet has announced in as many weeks, following the news that the airline will operate a twice-weekly winter route to Verona in Italy, with the inaugural flight due to take off in December.

SAS offers passengers the option to buy biofuel

Travellers flying with SAS can now voluntarily choose to buy biofuel and so help reduce climate-affecting CO2 emissions by up to 80%. The new non-profit service aims to pioneer a large-scale and competitive market for biofuel within aviation, in line with SAS’ sustainability strategy.

SAS is now launching a new ancillary product that gives travellers the option to reduce their climate impact. This means that travellers can purchase biofuel when booking a ticket, or at any time before departure.

“We are continuously developing more sustainable products and services, including the option to buy biofuel. We are now inviting our travellers to be part of the transition to a more sustainable way of travelling,” says Karl Sandlund, Executive Vice President Commercial, SAS.

Stansted Airport College builds on successful first year by exploring plans for the UK’s first aviation education and skills campus

Stansted Airport College builds on successful first year by exploring plans for the UK’s first aviation education and skills campus

Stansted Airport College – the first purpose-built further education college at a UK airport – has marked the start of the new school year by unveiling ambitious plans for the future of the facility.

As a new intake of students pass through the college’s doors, London Stansted and the College are considering options to enlarge the existing 500-student capacity building to cope with future demand as well as creating the UK’s first aviation education and skills campus at the site.

Pascall+Watson, architects of the college building, have unveiled concept designs to outline how a dedicated education zone on the existing site could be created to bring together the airport’s award-winning Aerozone education centre and the Stansted Airport Employment and Skills Academy.

The Aerozone is an aviation-themed learning hub to inspire children and young adults about the key STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, maths and careers in the aviation industry. Since opening its doors in 2015 it has so far welcomed over 15,000 visitors. The Stansted Airport Employment and Skills Academy promotes on-site job vacancies and offers tailored aviation training programmes and apprenticeship schemes to help jobs seekers gain the necessary skills to enable them to secure employment at the airport.

Lufthansa flies directly to Ottawa for the first time

Photo Lufthansa

Starting from 16 May 2020, Lufthansa for the first time will be including the Canadian capital Ottawa in its flight schedule from Frankfurt.  Ottawa is located in southeastern Canada and is a popular destination for both tourists and business travellers.

From Germany's largest hub, Lufthansa will depart for the North American destination five times a week - on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flight LH472 will leave Frankfurt at 1.45 p.m. and arrive at its destination at 4.05 p.m. local time. The return flight LH473 will depart Ottawa at 5.50 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 7.15 a.m. the next day. An Airbus A340-300 with a total of 279 seats on board will carry out the flight. The booking classes are Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.

Take-off for the world’s largest Oktoberfest: Lufthansa flights featuring the biggest ‘Trachten’ crew of all time

Take-off for the world’s largest Oktoberfest: Lufthansa flights featuring the biggest ‘Trachten’ crew of all time

Just in time for the Oktoberfest in Munich, Lufthansa’s Trachten-crew is getting ready for takeoff. This year, the world’s largest crew in folk costume will take off in Lufthansa’s flagship Airbus A380 for the first time. A total of 21 Lufthansa flight attendants will be trading their uniforms for traditional Bavarian garb. The first Lufthansa ‘Trachten’ flight will take off from Munich on 23 September and head to Beijing while the flight on 3 October will be from Munich to Los Angeles. In addition to this, crews on a selection of European routes will also be taking off in traditional costume. 

 Cabin crews in folk costume on A380 flights from Munich to Beijing and Los Angeles

Leberkäs’, pretzels and Weißwurst: Oktoberfest comes to the Lufthansa lounges

Aeroflot to develop a strategy to harmonise anti-corruption requirements for Russian business

Aeroflot has proposed to develop Russia’s first-ever global Transnational Anticorruption Compliance Strategy. The initiative was put forward by Vladimir Alexandrov, Deputy CEO of PJSC “Aeroflot”, speaking at a conference hosted by the Prosecutor General’s office of the Russian Federation. The conference was dedicated to the role of organisations in сountering corruption.

The Strategy will be implemented on a unified platform with the involvement of major Russian companies running business abroad, international organisations and government institutions. The project will embrace an audit of international anti-corruption standards for subsequent introduction in the framework of anti-corruption policies of Russian companies. Consistent solutions will be designed to streamline the Russian legislation based on the world’s best anti-corruption practices.   

Delta taps young environmentalists for advisory board on sustainability future in aviation

Delta is committed to finding new ways to protect the environment and has tapped the generation next in line to inherit the Earth — 

a group of young, passionate eco-warriors, as part of the airline's inaugural Youth Advisory Board on Sustainability.

The board made up of 16 members from 11 U.S. states and American Samoa aged 12-18, includes environmental club leaders, social impact entrepreneurs and founders of multiple green nonprofits. The Youth Advisory Board was created to engage young people in the communities Delta serves, who would help guide and support its sustainability initiatives, particularly around reducing waste in the operation. Board members benefit from personal and professional development, and in return, Delta benefits by better understanding the way the younger generation thinks about sustainability.

"This group of passionate, forward-thinking young adults is dedicated to creating a healthier planet," said Alison Lathrop, Delta's Managing Director — Global Environment, Sustainability and Compliance. "They're future global leaders in this space, and we want their insight into how our business can produce more impactful results for the long-term. No generation right now has a greater stake in protecting the environment than theirs, and that's why their vision for the future is invaluable."

More choice......Virgin unveils plans for Heathrow airport expansion

Virgin Atlantic has released details of its planned long haul and new short-haul route network, as it seeks to rapidly expand at London Heathrow.

A possible future Virgin Atlantic route map shows the intention for the carrier to serve up to 84 new destinations in the UK, Europe, and across the globe - when the third runway is complete.

Virgin Atlantic wants to challenge IAG’s dominance at London Heathrow according to new plans released this week.  The airline that is majority-owned by the US mega-carrier Delta said it will significantly increase its long haul route network and launch a new comprehensive network of domestic and European routes when the airport expands. 

The new route maps illustrate how the airline’s flying programme could grow to deliver real competition to British Airways but only, it says "if the Government reforms the way new Heathrow slots are allocated".

Emirates introduces Bavarian delicacies and typical Oktoberfest treats

The Dubai based Emirates is serving its guests' Bavarian specialities on its flights and in its airport lounges to celebrate Oktoberfest this year. From 21 September to 6 October 2019, customers between Dubai and Germany will be able to enjoy regional food and drinks in all classes of travel on board.

Bavarian snacks in the Onboard Lounge

American Airlines Applauds Team Members’ Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion with 11th Annual Earl G. Graves Award

American Airlines hosted its 11th annual Earl G. Graves Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion luncheon recognising team members across the company for their advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion at work and in the community.

2019 Earl Graves Award winners, from left: Larry Boles, Global Reservations Coordinator; Abina Phillips, Revenue Accounting Specialist; Mylene Flecha, Flight Service Base Manager; and Jeni Sutton, Customer Service Delivery Manager. Photo American

“Caring for people on life’s journey is our why,” said Patrick O’Keeffe, American’s Senior Vice President of People. “And one of the ways we care for team members and customers alike is by fostering diverse and inclusive spaces where people are invited to bring their authentic selves to the forefront. We encourage sharing different backgrounds, cultures and experiences that enrich our work culture, decision-making skills and business strategy. These honorees drive the innovation, creativity and results we need to promote diversity and inclusion.”

The 2019 Earl G. Graves Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion honorees are:

Passenger growth reaches +28% in August for airBaltic

Photo airBaltic

The Latvian airline airBaltic is celebrating a passenger growth rate of 28% in SAugust the carrier has revealed today.  The airline carried 566 093 passengers during August 2019 up 28% from the same month last year.  During August 2019, airBaltic has operated 6 088 flights or 14% more than in August 2019. During the first eight months of the 2019 airBaltic has operated 42 023 flights.

During the first eight months of 2019, airBaltic has transported a total of 3 373 718 passengers to its network spanning Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, CIS and the Middle East.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “Summer season is the peak of the year for us. We had a busy summer season and we are delighted to see a stable growth. airBaltic consistently improves its service and expands its route. We are happy that our passengers appreciate our offer and choose to travel with us more often.”

The airline’s load factor was a respectful 85% in August 2019, although for the first eight months of 2019, it was an average of just 76%.

Air Lease Corp deliver a new Boeing 787-9 to Neos

One of the world's leading aircraft leasing specialist, Air Lease Corporation has confirmed the delivery of one new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on long-term lease to Neos (Italy). Featuring Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, this aircraft delivered from ALC’s order book with Boeing.

Established in 2001, Neos is an Italian leisure airline with its headquarters in Somma Lombardo and main base at Milan-Malpensa Airport. Neos operates an all-Boeing fleet with flights to destinations in southern Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and Brazil. Neos became the first Italian operator of the Boeing 787 when its first 787-9 entered service in December 2017.

“We are pleased to announce this new Boeing 787-9 delivery to Neos,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This new ALC Dreamliner will be deployed to service Neos’ intercontinental routes from Italy and Europe to the Americas, Asia and Africa, as well as add to the airline’s ongoing fleet upgrade to the latest technology 787s.”

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Virgin Hyperloop One and KPMG estimate 1.8 million new jobs and $36 billion in socioeconomic benefits in India

As India moves to create the first hyperloop project in the world, Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) has released new jobs figures for the entire project verified by KPMG, a strategic partner, estimating that it will create over 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs in the region through the creation of a hyperloop route.

The proposed hyperloop directly addresses all key targets of the new Industrial Policy released in April 2019 which intends to make Maharashtra a trillion dollar economy, and the project would directly or indirectly promote 9 out of 14 “thrust sectors” identified by the new policy.

American Airlines awarded best North American Airline by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific & earns APEX Five Star award

Asia Pacific Sales Managing Director Shane Hodges, left, accepted the award at a ceremony held in Hong Kong last week.

American Airlines wins two prestigious awards based on feedback from business travellers. Last week, American was awarded Best North American Airline in Asia Pacific for the second year in a row at the region's most prestigious travel awards hosted by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. The recognition is based on the votes of approximately 30,000 of the magazine's subscribers, who are among the region's most frequent business travellers. “Asia Pacific is a fiercely competitive market, and we're proud to be recognized. This is a testament to the hard work of our team and the significant investment we've made in our people, planes and products,” said Shane Hodges, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Sales, who accepted the award on American's behalf.

Over the past six years, American has invested more than $28 billion in improvements for customers and team members, a record for the airline industry. American is the only U.S. airline to offer a true international Flagship First Class, and it has the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet of any U.S. network carrier.

Southwest Airlines makes staff changes

                             Southwest Airlines has announced several Leadership changes within the Company's Marketing and Technology Departments. The budget carrier has promoted Tony Roach to Managing Director Customer Experience. Roach most recently held the position of Senior Director Customer Experience, and in his new role he will continue to lead all of the Company's Customer Experience efforts. Under Roach's Leadership, his Team has developed a Customer Experience Vision, built a governance structure, formed a cross-functional Customer plan, and delivered a range of enhancements to the Company's Customer-facing channels, the experience in airports and onboard, and the reaccommodation experience during travel disruptions.