FAA threatened to ground 38 Southwest Airlines 737's

According to US media, the Federal Aviation Administration warned the budget carrier Southwest that was going to ground 88 of the airlines second hand Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that last month the FAA said it was going to ground the jets that Southwest Airlines purchased from foreign carriers over an alleged lack of safety and repair documentation.  The airline bought the aircraft from 16 different airlines and the FAA documentation last year regarding repairs done to the aircraft. It had given the airline a two-year time frame to complete thorough checks on those aircraft and produce the relevant and related paperwork. 

Representatives from the FAA had been unhappy with the time  Southwest had taken to do a complete those nose to tail inspections of the aircraft in question. The carrier says it has completed the FAA’s requirements for most of the aircraft, however, some 38 are still flying of which it hasn't provided documentation for. It said that last year, the airline “discovered a small number of repairs on a few of these 88 pre-owned aircraft that had been performed but not properly classified by the previous owners due to differences in language and repair criteria,” 

“Our continuous assessment of the ongoing inspections has revealed nothing to warrant the expedited timeline, but we remain on track to have all aircraft involved inspected by the end of January,” a spokesperson said.

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Jetstar Asia launches only direct service from Singapore to Hefei

New low fares will go on sale this week as Jetstar Asia launches its new direct, five-hour, service from Singapore to Hefei, in mainland China.

From 28 November, Jetstar Asia will operate three services a week to Hefei, in the ancient province of Anhui, using the Airbus A320.

Hefei, located in mid-east China, is the capital of the province and a popular destination for travellers seeking access to natural attractions including Mount Huangshan, Jiuhua Mountain, Tianzhu Mountain, Chaohu, Fengyang and Shouxian.

The Anhui province is also critical to many business travellers as it’s home to a number of manufacturers including traditional rice wine, rice paper, medicinal herbs, tea and ink used in calligraphy as well as a number of manufacturing plants from engineering, electronics, iron and steel to agriculture machinery.

Air France strengthens its commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities

On 13 November 2019, Air France CEO Anne Rigail signed the Manifesto for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the working environment, in the presence of Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State in charge of People with Disabilities in the Philippe Government.

Through this Manifesto, which consists of 10 concrete measures, Air France is reaffirming its strong commitment to the employment and job security of workers with disabilities, at the heart of its human resources policy.

Improving accessibility and inclusion in air travel – first industry event wraps up in Dubai

Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) concluded its inaugural Global Accessibility Symposium, the first event of its kind seeking to improve the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities.

Hosted by Emirates in their home city of Dubai, the Symposium welcomed guests from airlines, regulators and accessibility advocacy groups. The event is in line with an industry resolution agreed upon by IATA member airlines in June 2019, which commits to bettering the passenger experience for travellers with disabilities, both visible and invisible.

“This event showed that collaboration and feedback are crucial. Through this gathering and other initiatives, airlines are seeking to establish a better dialogue between industry, advocacy groups and passengers themselves. While the industry has had standards for persons travelling with disabilities for some time, we realize there are still gaps and we need to do more. We’re excited to be on this journey to make air travel more accessible and inclusive,” said Linda Ristagno, External Affairs Manager at IATA.

KLM boss Elsevier economy lecture 2019

Pieter Elbers on the value of air transport and how to keep it fit for the future

A year ago, Royal Dutch Shell CEO Ben van Beurden delivered the first Elsevier Economics Lecture on the need for an energy transition. Yesterday, KLM President and CEO Pieter Elbers took an in-depth look at the global drive for sustainability in the air transport sector. He presented his case for the broader value of air transport and how innovation can keep flight fit for the future.

Five functions of air transport

In line with KLM’s hundredth anniversary, Elbers spoke about the five functions of air transport and the industry’s added value over time. In the beginning, of course, flight was a new exploration. It was also a catalyst for confirming peace and security by connecting countries and states. Air transport also serves as a driver for prosperity, since connecting economies promotes global trade. Over the decades, flight has developed from a privilege for the “happy few” into a means of travel for the “happy many”, contributing to the overall sense of wellbeing. Finally, air transport serves an important purpose as an innovator.

UK's Royal Air Force to patrol the Icelandic skies

RAF Typhoons have arrived in Iceland where they will spend the next month protecting the airspace as the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing Mission.

The jet fighters from 1(Fighter) Squadron will be stationed at Keflavik Air Base until mid-December before returning to their home at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

This is the first time in more than 10 years that the RAF has deployed aircraft to Iceland and is also the first time that the RAF has conducted the Icelandic NATO air Policing mission.  The mission is being conducted by a rotation of NATO Allies and started in 2008 following a request from Iceland, which does not have its own Air Force.

Commanding the detachment of just over 100 personnel is Wing Commander Mark Baker who said:

“We are very excited to be here and are looking forward to starting flying operations. We have come here at the request of the Icelandic Government to provide a capable force designed to offer reassurance and police the country’s airspace.”

Hyatt pledges to reduce single-use plastic by June 2021 with three new initiatives

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.” 

WestJet announces $100,000 commitment to help grow Indigenous Tourism across Canada

                                       The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada has significantly increased its wingspan after a $100,000, over three years, commitment with WestJet was announced today, during the International Indigenous Tourism Association Conference in Kelowna, Syilx Territory, BC (IITC). 

"From launching Indigenous itineraries with WestJet this summer to announcing this invaluable multi-year commitment,  WestJet is providing ITAC and our Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs endless opportunities to grow Indigenous tourism across Canada and showcase our experiences to global audiences," says Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC.

The strategic partnership will see WestJet and ITAC collaborate in the following areas:

Enhancing export readiness of selected Indigenous tourism businesses as they ready for international visitors.
Support the work and ambition of Indigenous youth entrepreneurs by supporting their participation at the IITC in 2020, 2021, 2022. 
Utilize WestJet's inflight entertainment system to tell the story of the range of Indigenous tourism experiences via its inflight entertainment system both domestically and internationally.
Collaborate on content and stories about Indigenous tourism to be featured in WestJet's inflight magazine throughout the year.
WestJet will become the official airline of the annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference which is held in new Canadian destinations every year.  

British Airways forms partnership with the British Red Cross

British Airways has as announced its partnership with the British Red Cross to support communities in crisis. The airline and the humanitarian charity will work together over the next year to show how kindness has the power to save lives.

Experiencing a house fire, flood or a similar distressing situation can have a major impact on people’s lives, and the practical and emotional assistance offered by the British Red Cross can be a vital lifeline, offering immediate care. The charity’s volunteers and staff are out in force helping those worst affected by the floods in Yorkshire and the Midlands this week.

Investment from British Airways will help ensure the British Red Cross can continue to recruit, train and support its staff and volunteers to offer its vital day-to-day emergency services in communities across the UK. The service helps people in crisis cope and recover by setting up rest centres for families affected, offering water, food, emergency shelter and necessities, as well as emotional support.

As part of the new partnership, British Airways will encourage its employees to undertake their own acts of kindness, including signing up to become a British Red Cross volunteer, supporting the charity to provide practical help to their local communities when emergency strikes.

Sheremetyevo Airport passenger traffic increased 9.2 percent in ten months, to more than 42 million

Sheremetyevo International Airport served 42,828,000 people from January through October 2019, an increase of 9.2 percent over the same period last year.

There were 325,890 take-off and landing operations in the ten-month period, which was 10.8 percent more than for the same period in 2018.

From January to October, passenger traffic on international air lines grew by 9.2% and totalled 22,925,000 people. The growth on domestic flights was 14.2 percent, a total of 19,904,000 passengers.

Getting to know Guyana: a pre-flight celebration at JFK

Getting to know Guyana: a pre-flight celebration at JFK

On a typical day, Customer Service Manager Vanita Jagnarain is busy supporting her team and helping customers on the concourses of Terminal 8 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). More recently, however, she put on a different hat in an effort to help educate our customers and fellow colleagues about her native country of Guyana, which American will begin serving from JFK. Service commences on Dec. 18 with a daily flight to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Georgetown.

Vanita and American’s Caribbean Employee Business Resource Group worked with the Consulate of Guyana in New York to teach others about the country’s history and rich culture with a special event — Get to know Guyana Day.

“When service was announced earlier this year, I was thrilled and felt a deep sense of pride knowing that the company I work for will now serve my home country and my fellow Guyanese,” Vanita said. “The thought of a legacy carrier serving the market was almost unimaginable.”

Conrad Chun, a nine-year Boeing employee, named vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes

 Boeing has announced the appointment of Conrad Chun as vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, effective immediately.

Chun most recently served as vice president of Communications for Boeing Global Services where he was responsible for media relations, employee and executive communications, digital communications, government and customer relations, and product and services marketing communications in support of Boeing's fastest-growing business unit.

Previously, Chun served as director of Communications for Global Services & Support and Boeing Military Aircraft, both of which were divisions of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

In his new role, Chun will continue reporting to Anne Toulouse, senior vice president of Communications, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"Stan and I are confident in Conrad's abilities to help us prepare to safely return the 737 MAX to service and continue to drive progress across our commercial aeroplanes business," Toulouse said.

WestJet and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada unite to share kindness

In hopes of inspiring and recognizing acts of kindness, WestJet Connections: Share kindness highlights the generosity and spirit of WestJetters who volunteer year after year to create special holiday experiences for youth and their families at the Gilbert Park location of Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg in Manitoba.

"Caring WestJetters continue to go above and beyond to create magical and meaningful experiences for Boys and Girls Clubs across the country," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President Marketing Communications. "Through their kindness came inspiration from the Gilbert Park Club members to celebrate the joy and positive impact that even the smallest act can bring to a community. We hope that this video inspires Canadians to share a little extra kindness with each other today and every day."

Ethiopian celebrates 20th anniversary of ShebaMiles

Ethiopian Celebrates 20th Anniversary of ShebaMiles

Ethiopian Airlines, the Largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline has colourfully celebrated the 20th anniversary of its loyalty programme, ShebaMiles, and Customers’ Day on 12 November 2019 at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. The grand anniversary event brought together high ranking government officials including ministers, ambassadors and the diplomatic community, ShebaMiles members management and board members of the airline and aviation stakeholders.

On the occasion, Ethiopian Airlines awarded its ShebaMiles platinum members and cargo customers for their continuous support and patronage to the airline. Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said” We are excited to offer our members with more ways to earn miles over the years. Throughout these years, our customers have immensely contributed to the development of the loyalty program. Our Frequent Flyer Program has teamed up with several airlines and non-airline partners to create a world of choices for members to accumulate miles. Going forward, we will continuously strive to offer enormous privileges for our customers underpinned by our digital solutions. We sincerely thank our loyal members and partners for their continued support throughout the years and for inspiring us to constantly enrich their travel and overall travel experiences.”

Allegiant Travel Company reported preliminary passenger traffic results for October 2019.

The Las Vegas based budget carrier Allegiant Travel Company has reported preliminary passenger traffic results for October 2019.  Passenger numbers on its scheduled services increased by 4.5 % over the same period last year.

Scheduled Service
	October 2019	October 2018	Change
Passengers	1,106,576	1,058,745	4.5%
Revenue passenger miles (000)	944,538	924,316	2.2%
Available seat miles (000)	1,136,093	1,116,902	1.7%
Load factor	83.1%	82.8%	0.3 pts
Departures	7,929	7,647	3.7%
Average stage length (miles)	838	857	(2.2%)

                                                                       

Total System*
	October 2019	October 2018	Change
Passengers	1,138,029	1,081,367	5.2%
Available seat miles (000)	1,219,562	1,172,720	4.0%
Departures	8,607	8,171	5.3%
Average stage length (miles)	828	841	(1.5%)