Routes and Aviation Week Network Relaunch a Powerful New Media Portfolio

The Aviation Week Network today announced the relaunch of print and digital services from its Routes media portfolio, consisting of a magazine, community enewsletter, website focused on aviation route development, onsite event publication and custom media solutions.  Launching now throughout 2020, the new Routes media portfolio provides expanded insight for airlines, airports and tourism authorities involved in route development decision-making.

“Our expanded Routes media portfolio is the product of a comprehensive redesign. We refined everything from our editorial strategy, now being led by our Group Editor in Chief of Air Transport, Karen Walker and Editor in Chief of Routes magazine, Wes Charnock, to the analytical and sales management teams,” said Greg Hamilton, president of the Aviation Week Network. “We are now uniquely positioned to deliver even more essential news, analysis, business intelligence and data across multiple platforms while producing the most innovative and impactful marketing programs.” 

Alternative Airlines announce their new Global Airlines Relationship Manager

Alternative Airlines announce their new Global Airlines Relationship Manager

Alternative Airlines has appointed Thomas Garrett as their new Global Airlines Relationship Manager, to help build and foster relationships with airlines from around the world.

Alternative Airlines, a UK-based global flight booking platform, is excited to announce that Thomas Garrett is to fulfil the new role of Global Airlines Relationship Manager. Thomas will play a vital role, as the main point of contact at Alternative Airlines for all airline partners. 

Alternative Airlines currently works with over 600 global airlines to provide customers with a greater choice of flights. Through an easy-to-use interface, Alternative Airlines is the flight booking platform of choice for a growing number of global travellers and travel agents alike.

Qantas to trial London to Sydney direct non-stop flight

Australia’s national carrier is preparing for its second ultra-long-haul research flight, as part of scientific studies into minimising jetlag for passengers and improving crew wellbeing.

The first research flight operated between New York and Sydney non-stop four weeks ago with 49 passengers and crew. It cut around three hours off the typical gate-to-gate travel time of current one-stop flights.

The airline has re-purposed the delivery flights of three brand new 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which would otherwise ferry empty from Seattle to Australia. A third research flight, repeating the New York-Sydney route, will take place in December.

Tomorrow’s flight marks only the second time in history that a commercial airline has flown direct from London to Sydney. The first was 30 years ago in 1989, when Qantas operated a 747-400 ferry flight between the two cities. The aircraft that performed that flight (VH-OJA) is now on public display at an aviation museum, south of Sydney.

Around the World with American Express Travel: Announcing 2020 Trending Destinations

World Traveler, Tennis Champion and Entrepreneur, Venus Williams Teams Up with American Express Travel to Reveal the Top Places to Visit and Where to Stay in 2020

With 2019 coming to a close and 2020 travel planning on the horizon, global authority American Express Travel is here to help with your wanderlust needs – starting with where to explore and the best properties to book for your stay.

To back Platinum Card Members while visiting the 2020 Trending Destinations, American Express Travel added a number of new properties to its Fine Hotels & Resorts program, a selection of 1,000+ carefully curated luxury properties around the globe

With over 100 years of experience backing our customers through travel and the ability to leverage resources from all over to world, American Express Travel is at the forefront of travel trends. According to a recent American Express Travel survey*, 92% of leisure travellers feel overwhelmed by the number of travel options available to book, and more than half of all travellers say they’d pay extra for a personalized itinerary. To inspire Card Members on where to travel next, American Express Travel revealed its 2020 Trending Destinations.

Hyatt introduces three major global initiatives to significantly reduce single-use plastics

One of the globes major hotel groups has announced three important initiatives to reduce waste and single-use plastics at its branded hotels around the world.

The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has said they will be introducing large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion in bathrooms.  The group will also increase the number of water stations for guests to refill water bottles as well as reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. 

Hyatt will aim to make the changes as soon as possible at its properties around the world, and no later than June 2021.

Transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.

Increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles.

Serving water in carafes or other containers for meetings and events; bottled water will be available by request.

“At Hyatt, our purpose – we care for people so they can be their best – guides all business decisions, including our global sustainability framework, which focuses on using resources responsibly and helping address today’s most pressing environmental issues,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt. “Plastic pollution is a global issue, and we hope our efforts will motivate guests, customers and, indeed, ourselves to think more critically about our use of plastic.” 

RAF sends Chinook to help with flood defences

RAF Odiham Chinook Force has been called in to assist at a pumping station near Doncaster following heavy rainfall. The team dropped 40 tonnes of aggregate at specific points to ensure flood defences could continue to work properly.

The RAF Chinook flown by 18(B) Squadron was called in late on Sunday 10th November by the environment agency to move 40 tonnes of aggregate from a local quarry on to an inaccessible spit of land in order for their engineers to bolster drainage channels and improve the flow of water into the designated flood plains East of Bentley.

Not a stranger to being called to support local authorities, the Chinook with its immense lift was able to move all the aggregate in 10 sorties, stopping for a refuel after the first 12 tonnes.  Expertly assisted by a team from the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron from RAF Benson, the loads were moved with precision utilising the underslung load capability of the aircraft. 

Allegiant announces five new routes

Allegiant announces five new nonstop routes, including two new routes to the Gulf Coast and three new routes to Nashville. To celebrate this expansion, the company is offering fares on the new routes each way as low as $55.*

“We’re excited to continue the phenomenal growth of 2019 by adding five new route options to the Allegiant network,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue. “We know customers will love having new nonstop travel options out of their hometown airports to fun destinations just in time for spring break and summer vacations.”

Virgin Galactic's latest results

Virgin Galactic Holdings, a vertically integrated aerospace company, today announced financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2019.

Third-quarter results for VG reflect the three months ended September 30, 2019, prior to the closing on October 25, 2019 of the recent business combination (the “Business Combination”) between VG’s predecessor, VGH, LLC, and Social Capital Hedosophia, a public investment vehicle. The Business Combination provided net proceeds to VG of over $430 million, which VG intends to use to fund its operations. Pre-transaction owners of VGH, LLC retained over 58% ownership of VG following the Business Combination.

“We believe our third quarter results reflect our ongoing progress as we execute on our strategy toward commercial launch,” said George Whitesides, Chief Executive Officer of VG. “We are thrilled to have completed our merger with Social Capital Hedosophia and to be trading publicly, both of which are major steps forward in the Company’s mission to open space for everyone.”

FAA expands area to inspect for cracks in Boeing 737 NG planes

                                              The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Tuesday it was revising its order requiring checks for structural cracks in Boeing  737 NG planes to cover a larger area after the company said additional cracks had been found. The FAA first said in September it was ordering checks for cracks on what is known as the “pickle fork,” a part that attaches the plane’s fuselage, or body, to the wing structure. Checks were required within seven days on planes with heavy usage, Reuters is reporting.

Boeing said on Tuesday after completing a round of inspections for cracking on some 737 NGs with a large number of take-offs and landings, one aeroplane was found to have a small crack in an adjacent location.

“Boeing has asked those operators to also inspect the adjacent area to ensure any potential issue is identified and repaired,” the company said in a statement.

“The additional inspections are already underway. We regret the impact to our customers and have a repair plan in place to address any findings.”

London Stansted introduces certified ‘Friendly WiFi’ across the airport

London Stansted has become one of the first UK airports to be certified as offering safe, child-Friendly WiFi to its passengers. The accreditation comes on the back of Stansted’s parent company, MAG, signing up to the Government-initiated scheme.

The move means that passengers at Stansted will now have the ultimate reassurance that the airport’s free Wi-Fi network will filter out inappropriate content, so they can be confident that it is safe for everyone to use. Stansted’s passenger mix differs from other large UK airports in that it reflects a much younger demographic with 48% being aged between 16-34 years old, and with many young families with children travelling through the airport the accreditation will provide extra reassurance to them.

KLM saw an increase in passenger numbers in October and MBO College Airport and KLM opens aviation logistics school

The month of October showed an increase in KLM passenger numbers. KLM had 3.6% more passengers on board this month compared to the same month last year. With a higher transport of 3.0% in passenger-kilometres and a higher capacity of seat kilometres of 2.4%, the load factor increased slightly compared to the same month last year. Passenger growth was particularly visible at destinations in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America.

"In October we recorded higher traffic results compared to the same month last year. A good increase in customers with both KLM Passage and Transavia. The cargo business, on the other hand, is having a hard time with a significant drop in volumes. Because costs are rising and revenues remain under pressure across the entire breadth of the business, saving costs remains our priority. " Said Pieter Elbers - KLM President & CEO

Air Italy appoints Yousef Elzaro as Chief Financial Officer

Air Italy is delighted to announce that Yousef Elzaro has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer for Air Italy starting November 8th, 2019.

Mr Elzaro joins Air Italy after more than 25 successful years in the aviation industry in the USA, the Gulf and the Middle East region as a finance professional, assisting in the growth of multiple airlines and airports, including start-up and global leaders.

In his new role, Mr Elzaro will be responsible for overseeing all financial strategies and operations of Air Italy, including Procurement.

Air Italy Chief Operating Officer Rossen Dimitrov said: "As we continue to evolve and grow, it is vital that we enhance our management team and I am therefore delighted to welcome Elzaro on board.

KLM confirms Embraer order

Embraer and KLM Cityhopper have signed a firm order for 21 E195-E2 aircraft, plus 14 purchase rights. The 21 firm positions will be acquired via operating lease from Embraer lessor partners Aircastle and ICBC Aviation Leasing. The order was previously announced as a Letter of Intent for 15 firm orders with 20 purchase rights at the Paris Air Show earlier this year. With all purchase rights exercised the deal would have a value of USD 2.48 billion.

The aircraft for this order will come from the existing backlogs of lessors Aircastle and ICBC Aviation Leasing; each providing KLM with 11 and 10 E195-E2s, respectively.

GDC Technics and Air India announce intent to form strategic alliance partnership

GDC Technics, an industry leader in aircraft engineering & technical services, modifications, electronic systems, R&D, government services, and MRO services, announced a Letter of Intent ("LOI") was signed with Air India Engineering Services Limited ("AIESL")— the largest MRO in India and wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India— with the aim to form a long-term strategic alliance partnership in order to pursue MRO and modification opportunities for both the country's flag carrier, Air India, and other commercial aircraft throughout the region.

Sabre leaders showcase innovation

Leaders from Sabre Corporation will take the stage at this year's T2RL PSS event to highlight their airline 'trailblazers' and share the latest product innovation in the company's journey to enable airlines to reimagine retailing through the Sabre Commercial Platform, the industry's only end-to-end personalized retailing platform. The leading travel technology provider is a Platinum Sponsor of this year's T2RL event, which is built around the theme of 'retail excellence' and will take place in London, November 12-14.