Delta TechOps and Austrian Airlines sign multi-year exclusive engine maintenance agreement

Delta TechOps and Austria's largest carrier, Austrian Airlines, announced the signing of an engine maintenance agreement at the MRO Europe conference in London. The exclusive agreement covers PW4060 engine maintenance for up to six years supporting the airline's Boeing 767 fleet. 

As the maintenance division of Delta Air Lines, Delta TechOps has numerous years of experience both operating and maintaining PW4000 engines. Delta TechOps will conduct scheduled full overhaul shop visits. In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance on these engines, Delta TechOps will support any unscheduled engine work as required. 

Swoop expands Edmonton route network with flights to Puerto Vallarta

This weekend, Swoop, Canada's ultra-low-fare airline and subsidiary of WestJet Airlines Inc., takes-off with its new service from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). Swoop's first direct flight to Puerto Vallarta on October 19 at 5:35 AM MDT is the first of four new routes with service between Edmonton and Mexico to launch this winter.

"As winter draws closer, we are thrilled to offer Edmonton travellers an affordable way to escape to the sun," said Steven Greenway, President, Swoop. "With the continued growth of our network, we are expanding our presence across North America, providing Canadians with more travel options at an affordable price."

First look at new electric air taxi developed with F1 technology

The UK's Vertical Aerospace has released footage of its new eVTOL aircraft capable of carrying 250kg - the equivalent of a pilot and two passengers.

New technologies proven through the prototype will be integrated into Vertical Aerospace’s upcoming passenger model, due to be unveiled next year and comes as the Bristol-based startup announces the acquisition of leading Formula 1 engineering consultancy, MGI

Vertical Aerospace has revealed flight footage of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL). The prototype, named Seraph, completed its maiden flight at Llanbedr Airfield in Wales on August 22. It follows the successful flight of Vertical Aerospace’s first full-scale prototype in May 2018, the UK’s first eVTOL aircraft to be granted flight permission by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The Seraph was built to test new technologies and systems for integration into Vertical Aerospace’s upcoming passenger model, due to be unveiled next year. The aircraft is capable of carrying loads of up to 250kg and can reach speeds of up to 80km per hour. The aircraft develops concepts from their first aircraft and builds in capabilities which will be critical for eVTOL aircraft seeking certification from aviation authorities.

Norwegian and JetBlue set for partnership deal.....

Norwegian and JetBlue intend to offer an interline agreement partnership to allow customers to combine low fares in a convenient single booking for connecting flights between Europe and the Americas. Customers will have the possibility to book connecting flights on both airlines’ websites by combining the best of the complementary and expansive networks. The partnership is planned to launch in early Summer 2020 and bookable in early 2020.

“We are very excited to partner with JetBlue as this will make international travel even smoother and more available for our customers. JetBlue is the largest airline at several of our key gateways in the United States, specifically New York JFK, Boston and Fort Lauderdale, and this partnership will create a plethora of new route connections for customers on both sides of the Atlantic. The partnership will provide travellers throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America with more affordable fares to Europe and vice versa. And not least it will offer seamless connections with two of the most awarded low-cost airlines in the world,” said Norwegian’s Acting CEO and Chief Financial Officer, Geir Karlsen.

New Airline Riga-Stockholm: BRA World Premiere for Carbon Offsetted Flights for Everyone

BRAND NEW................Swedish Braathens Regional Airlines will open a new direct route from Riga International Airport to Stockholm City Airport Bromma, from 30 of March 2020. 

Flight are on sale now and fares start at just €60 including full carbon offset, beverages and a snack onboard. Braathens Regional Airlines is the only commercial airline in the world to include carbon offset for everyone in the ticket fare - at no extra charges.

It is the demand for sustainable international flights, followed by the flight shame in Sweden, that makes Braathens Regional Airlines expand into new, international markets.

Delta TechOps expanding predictive maintenance capabilities with new Airbus partnership

Delta TechOps expanding predictive maintenance capabilities with new Airbus partnership

Building on the foundation of innovative predictive maintenance successes in recent years, Delta is partnering with Airbus to make aviation maintenance more efficient and more economical for Delta Air Lines and operators worldwide through Delta TechOps, the maintenance, repair and overhaul provider business of Delta Air Lines.

Don Mitacek Headshot“This partnership with Airbus will further develop predictive maintenance capabilities, bringing the deep analytical prowess of Airbus’ Skywise platform in conjunction with the rich technical and operational knowledge of the Delta predictive maintenance team,” said Don Mitacek (right), Delta’s Senior Vice President – Technical Operations. “We look forward to significant enhancements of prediction accuracies through this combination.”

Air Transat introduces flights to San Diego, enhances U.S. offering

Air Transat introduces flights to San Diego, enhances U.S. offering

Air Transat, will launch the only direct flight between Montreal and San Diego, California, in the summer of 2020. In addition, in light of the great interest in New Orleans, a new destination Air Transat will be offering for the first time this winter, the airline will extend its flights to the summer of 2020. Finally, more flights to Florida from Montreal and Quebec City will be added to the programme.

"We are enriching our offering to the western and southern United States, in line with growing travellers' expectations," says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer of Transat. "The North American tourism market is strong, and as the No. 1 leisure airline in Canada, we are happy to increase our destinations and frequencies, all while strengthening our Montreal hub."

Air Canada drops Boeing 737 Max jets from its schedules until February 14, 2020

Air Canada confirmed on Wednesday that it had removed the Boeing 737 Max from its flying schedule until St Valentines Day,  February 14th next year. The carrier said the decision is based on operational considerations, as it launches a new reservation system beginning next month.

Boeing 737 Max operators in the US have started to reenter the grounded aircraft in their schedules for January next year, despite no firm date for regulatory approval to be granted by.  Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Lucie Guillemette said "Today we are extending to February 14, 2020, the removal of the Boeing 737 Max from our operating schedule. We are taking this prudent step as a result of the ongoing regulatory uncertainty about the timing of the aircraft returning to service."

Aeroflot opens sales for regional flights from Krasnoyarsk Airport

Aeroflot has opened sales of tickets for direct flights from the airport of Krasnoyarsk with launch destinations being Sochi, Irkutsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Simferopol, Ekaterinburg and Tomsk. The carrier continues to develop its route network; flights will open in the spring-summer schedule. This process is an essential part of establishing Aeroflot’s hub at Krasnoyarsk Airport.

Krasnoyarsk will be Aeroflot’s second base airport. Modern airliners Boeing 737 and Superjet 100 will be based at Krasnoyarsk Airport. Thanks to the creation of the new Krasnoyarsk hub passengers will get easy access to direct services to cities in the Urals, Siberia and the South as well as convenient connections to European Russia.

Airbus built CHEOPS satellite flies to Guiana

                                    CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite), built by Airbus in Madrid was loaded into the freighter aircraft that flew it today to Kourou, French Guiana. After arrival, the spacecraft will be prepared for its launch in mid-December on a Soyuz launcher.

Airbus will take charge of the satellite’s Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations as well as the In Orbit Commissioning, after which, the spacecraft will be delivered to the European Space Agency (ESA).

The CHEOPS satellite is a partnership between ESA and Switzerland. The mission will analyse, for at least three and a half years, the transit of exoplanets as they pass in front of their stars. It will operate from a Sun-synchronous orbit, at an altitude of 700 km.

CHEOPS is the first ESA satellite to study exoplanets. Interestingly, one of the first Europeans to study exoplanets, Michel Mayor, was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics while in Madrid last week. He laid the foundations for missions like CHEOPS.

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Spirit Airlines Adds New Nonstop Service to Cancun

Just in time for spring break, the US ultra-low-cost budget carrier, Spirit Airlines is giving passengers more ways to escape the cold for Mexico’s Riviera Maya. America’s fastest-growing airline will expand its nonstop service to Cancun from five new cities in the U.S., including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Austin, Nashville and Philadelphia. These new flights will begin operating in February and March 2020, bringing new options to one of the world’s best leisure destinations. Spirit’s expansion in Cancun will make it the largest ultra-low-cost carrier at the airport with eight flights a day.

“Spirit Airlines is pleased to expand our popular Cancun service with five new non-stops gateways including, Austin, Cleveland, Nashville, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,” said John Kirby, Spirit Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning. “Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway with friends or a dream family vacation, Cancun’s premier resorts, crystal blue waters and incredible attractions offer a myriad of vacation opportunities.”

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American Airlines Recognised for Commitment to Combating Human Trafficking

The Office of the Texas Secretary of State and Secretary Ruth Hughs have recognized American Airlines for its commitment to combating human trafficking, making the airline the latest company to join the Texas Businesses Against Trafficking (TBAT) initiative as a partner.

American was recognized by the Secretary of State for adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward human trafficking, for taking action to ensure compliance with that policy and for raising awareness of human trafficking among team members and the flying public.

During a TBAT forum held in Austin today, Patrick Sanders, Director of Government Contracts and Compliance for American, participated in a panel discussion with other Texas business representatives and accepted a certificate of recognition from Secretary Hughs.

Hyatt Place Aruba Airport opens

The Hyatt Place Aruba Airport is now officially open, marking the second Hyatt-branded hotel in Aruba and fourth Hyatt Place hotel in the Caribbean. The new hotel is managed by Pelca Development V.B.A, and features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, approachable atmosphere and elevated amenities for high-energy professional travellers, such as complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings.

Hyatt Place Aruba Airport is ideally located for business and leisure travellers, as it is situated within the Aruba Airport Business Center in Oranjestad, directly adjacent to the Reina Beatrix International Airport (AUA), just over three miles from the Aruba Ports Authority and a short drive away from Aruba’s most popular beaches, including Baby Beach and Surfside Beach.

Turkmenistan Airlines resumes European operations with the help of Lufthansa

EASA reauthorizes Turkmenistan's flag carrier as Third Country Operator

Thanks to the support of Lufthansa Consulting, Turkmenistan Airlines (TUA) has confirmed it is in compliance with technical requirements related to air operations of Third Country Operators in the EU (Part-TCO). After the on-site audit by EASA in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan at the end of September, the European Safety Agency re-authorised the airline as Third Country Operator (TCO) on 11 October 2019.

The carrier has been committed to raising its performance and took immediate action following the difficulties in satisfying relevant requirements in context with the EU Safety Authorizations for foreign air operators – EASA TCO at the beginning of this year. The project started with an assessment of the situation and the development of the recovery plan. In the course of the assignment experts of Lufthansa Consulting and a dedicated team from Turkmenistan Airlines specialized in quality, safety, flight operations and maintenance worked together on both the management system changes and the practical implementation. The team from Turkmenistan Airlines, supported by the management, demonstrated high flexibility during the implementation and commitment to change. They went the extra mile to achieve the goals.

General Dynamics' Gulfstream G500 Earns European Certification

General Dynamics announced today that the Gulfstream G500 has received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, clearing the way for European Union registrations and customer deliveries.

"The G500 has been very well received in Europe," said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. "Customers in the region have been drawn to the unprecedented level of technology and innovation in the flight deck and the impact that has on safety and efficiency. In the cabin, they can see the effect technology has on the passenger experience with a rejuvenating environment, advanced ergonomics, award-winning seats, and unmatched comfort."

The G500 entered service in September 2018. The aircraft has set 35 city-pair speed records across the world including Seville, Spain, to Abu Dhabi in 5 hours and 45 minutes; Geneva to Chicago in 8 hours; Doha, Qatar, to Shannon, Ireland, in just over 7 hours and 30 minutes; and Farnborough, England, to Las Vegas in 10 hours and 20 minutes.