More delays for the reintroduction of the Boeing 737 MAX to service

The US manufacturer Boeing has issued a statement regarding the reintroduction of the 737 Max jets, delaying it until mid-2020.

The firm says its best estimate for the "ungrounding" will begin during mid-2020. This updated estimate is informed by Boeing's experience to date with the certification process. "It is subject to our ongoing attempts to address known schedule risks and further developments that may arise in connection with the certification process. It also accounts for the rigorous scrutiny that regulatory authorities are rightly applying at every step of their review of the 737 MAX's flight control system and the Joint Operations Evaluation Board process which determines pilot training requirements."

Returning the MAX safely to service is Boeing's number one priority, it regrets the continued difficulties its grounding has had on customers, regulators, suppliers, and featuring last in Boeing's list in order of importance is the flying public. 

More details on the costs of the 737 Max grounding will be released by Boeing next week in its quarterly financial disclosures.

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WestJet issues a statement in 737 Max

WestJet statement on Boeing 737 MAX

                      Following Boeing's announcement regarding the 737-MAX aircraft, WestJet today announced it will be updating its schedule to remove the aircraft through to June 24, 2020. Any affected guests will be proactively contacted once work is complete.

"We thank our guests for their patience and our WestJetters for their commitment to keeping our airline moving safely and on time as we continue to adjust our schedule," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "We remain confident in the regulatory process undertaken by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and Transport Canada to ensure the safe return of the aircraft."

WestJet has completed more than 98 per cent of its planned departures even while its 13 MAX aircraft remain on the ground.

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CDB Aviation completed 89 aircraft transactions during 2019

China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co, subsidiary CDB Aviation has confirmed its 2019 performance this week which showed strong business activity and growth last year.  The firm executed 89 aircraft transactions during the year.

“This past year’s continued growth in our operations is evidence of our unwavering commitment to execution and progressing our highly competitive position in the world’s key markets,” summed newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Patrick Hannigan.

CDB Aviation’s strong activity in 2019 was underpinned by its leadership’s ongoing focus on the long-term vision and strategies rooted in the past three years of successful evolution of business model into a full-service, global platform, and the continued robust performance of its global team.

Brazil's GOL expects Boeing 737 Max to be flying in April

GOL the Brazilian low-cost carrier expects to have some of its Boeing 737 Max back in the air by April this year according to the carriers chief financial officer.

The airline has an order for around 130 of grounded jets is currently in deep negotiations with Boeing over a compensation deal that will include a cash payout, spare parts, reduction of deposit costs and help with further training for flight crews. Chief Financial Officer Richard Lark said the carrier hopes to secure the deal within a few months. 

Lark expects its seven grounded jets in Brazil to be flying in April and the airline to be flying 23 or 24 of the jets by the end of the year.  If all goes well it should then take delivery of 12 each year thereafter.  On Tuesday, Lark told the media that “within a short period of time” after the US regulators - the  FAA declares the aircraft safe to fly and airworthy the Brazillian authorities would follow suit. 

There is less customer reticence to fly the 737 Max in Brazil according to Lark because there had been less publicity about the crashes and the shortcomings of both Boeing and the FAA in the airworthiness certification process and rushed production. But GOL would work hard to reassure the travelling public “You will see owners and executives flying the aircraft with their families - things like that,” he said.

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American Airlines Earns Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for 18th Consecutive Year

                         American Airlines has been honoured once again by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) with the highest possible rating in the prestigious 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). American was the only airline to achieve a perfect score when the CEI launched in 2002 and continues to be one of only a handful of corporations – and the only airline — to do so every year since.

The CEI is a nationally recognized benchmark that evaluates America’s top workplaces and their inclusion of LGBTQ employees and their allies. Companies like American that earn the top CEI score of 100% also are named the “Best Places to Work” in the U.S.

“American’s continued support of our LGBTQ team members and customers is unwavering,” said Patrick O’Keeffe, American’s Senior Vice President of People. “It’s always an honour to be recognized for the actions we take to foster diversity, equity and inclusion.”

American has long been an ally for LGBTQ team members and customers. The airline was the first major U.S. airline to protect LGBTQ team members by including gender identity and sexual orientation in workplace nondiscrimination policies and strongly opposed discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ legislation proposed in Washington, D.C., and individual states, including Texas, Arizona and North Carolina.

Recently, the airline has taken public stands for transgender rights, endorsed the Equality Act and was the first global airline to endorse the historic United Nations LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business, aimed at tackling discrimination globally against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people globally.

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Norwegian wins two coveted accolades at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 Awards

Geir Karlsen, Norwegian Chief Financial Officer -
Morten Korsveien, Norwegian Manager Corporate Finance

Norwegian received two coveted accolades at The Aviation 100 Awards held in Dublin, Ireland on Monday 20th January. The Aviation 100 awards ceremony celebrates the years’ most outstanding performers in the aerospace industry. The top ten rankings for each category are based primarily on an industry survey vote, with nominations for each category also accepted and judged using a combination of points awarded for specific criteria.

Geir Karlsen, Norwegian Air Shuttle Chief Financial Officer, accepted the award for ‘CFO /Treasury Team of the Year’, which was awarded based on the best finance deal in past 12 months and the consistency of performance. Members of the Norwegian treasury team were also on hand to accept the award for ‘Equity Deal of the Year’ which was in recognition for the joint venture deal with CCB Leasing and Arctic Aviation Assets, represented by Hogan Lovells LLP.

Airline wins CFO / Treasury Team of the Year and the

 Aviation 100 Equity Deal of the Year

Norwegian recognised for multiple milestones throughout 2019 as the airline continues strategic change moving from growth to profitability

UK Regional Air Connectivity Review: aviation minister visits Liverpool John Lennon Airport to launch UK tour of regional airports

The Aviation Minister, Paul Maynard, visited Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Monday, 20th January to launch his UK tour of regional airports, as part of the Department for Transport’s Regional Air Connectivity Review.

the Department for Transport seeks the views of local airports to identify how best to support connectivity across the UK

The review was launched last week as part of a series of measures to support regional connectivity across the UK, to ensure that people in all corners of the country benefit from prosperity and economic growth in years to come.

The Department for Transport will work closely with the aviation industry, local regions and devolved nations, to identify how it can support connectivity, starting with meeting the CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, John Irving."

Bombardier Gets Green Light for Avionics Upgrade on Learjet Aircraft

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certifies update to the popular Garmin G5000 avionics suite
This leading-edge technology will be standard on new Learjet aircraft and available as a retrofit on in-service Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft
Upgrade brings enhanced capabilities to the renowned Bombardier Vision flight deck and paves the way for future advancements
Bombardier’s newest Learjet, the Learjet 75 Liberty, is getting strong interest on the market, boasting the smoothest ride and the most spacious cabin as well as the latest avionAs part of its continuing commitment to the legendary Learjet product line, Bombardier is pleased to announce that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the latest update to the popular Garmin G5000 avionics suite aboard Learjet aircraft.

As part of its continuing commitment to the legendary Learjet product line, Bombardier is pleased to announce that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the latest update to the popular Garmin G5000 avionics suite aboard Learjet aircraft.

The upgrade will be incorporated on new Learjet aircraft deliveries. In a few months’ time, the new Garmin G5000 avionics suite will also be a standard feature on Bombardier’s newest Learjet, the Learjet 75 Liberty, which is expected to enter service in mid-2020. A retrofit for in-service Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft will be available in early 2020.

“The latest Garmin G5000 avionics suite is one of many reasons to love Learjet,” said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With a steady stream of acclaimed enhancements and the upcoming entry-into-service of the new Learjet 75 Liberty, Bombardier is making the world’s best light jet an irresistible choice for more operators than ever before.”

Quickest Transatlantic route launches from Manchester Airport as WestJet flights start this summer

Manchester Airport is excitedly looking forward to its quickest ever trans-Atlantic route that will launch later this year. Direct flights to Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada, will start in June with WestJet, which will start operating from the Northern gateway for the first time.

The service will cross the Atlantic in just more than six hours on the way to Halifax, and five hours on the return. It will be Manchester Airport’s shortest long-haul route and is the latest addition to its departure board, with services to Dhaka, Sylhet, Shanghai and Boston already announced for this year.

Halifax is the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and is a major economic centre with a large concentration of government and private sector companies. The route will enable passengers to connect onto a wide range of services to other Canadian destinations, such as Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.

JetBlue adding extra flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

JetBlue Touches Down for the Big Game With Extra Flights in the Airline’s South Florida Focus City

JetBlue Adds Flights from San Francisco and New York Over Game Day Weekend to Complement Existing Service From More Than 50 Cities

Customers on All JetBlue Flights Enjoy Live TV, Complimentary Fly-Fi®, Unlimited Snacks and Special Beverage Offerings on Game Day

JetBlue announced it is gearing up for the big game by adding flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), the airline’s South Florida focus city and just 14 miles from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The airline known for the most legroom in coach (a) will also offer an unbeatable onboard entertainment experience for football fans flying throughout the U.S. on game day.

City of Champions
Between January 30 and February 3, JetBlue will add more than a dozen flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Fort Lauderdale to help fans from the winning west coast city cheer on their team in South Florida.

In San Francisco, where JetBlue typically operates up to three daily flights to Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue will offer up to five daily flights on peak travel days. Flight schedules have been expanded to ensure travelers arrive in South Florida in time for the big game, with return direction flights offered across a variety of convenient times.

Qatar Airways to bring its award-winning Qsuite to its Manchester route from February

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that its award-winning Business Class experience, Qsuite, will launch on flights to and from Manchester in February. Qsuite is due to launch on the QR027/28 service from 14 February and then added to the QR021/022 service from 1 March.

The announcement comes just six months after Qatar Airways increased its flight frequency from Manchester Airport to three flights a day, demonstrating the airline’s confidence in and commitment to the UK market. Qsuite will operate on two of the three services by March 1.

Patented by Qatar Airways, Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, as well as private cabins for up to four people with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.

Qantas Freight brings in new pet measures

Qantas Freight today announced plans to introduce additional precautions to help reduce the risks of carrying snub-nosed dog breeds including boxers, bulldogs and pugs.

These increasingly popular breeds are at significantly higher risk of health complications due to their short snouts and respiratory systems. These risks are compounded in warm weather.

The airline is working with the RSPCA and other animal experts to finalise the additional measures, which include:

Requiring all snub-nosed dogs to be cleared to fly by a registered vet immediately prior to travel;
Strongly recommending customers to use registered animal shipping companies, who have vets based at major capital city airports;
A longer term review of airport equipment to provide further tarmac protection for vulnerable breeds in extreme weather; and
Reinforcing existing procedures designed to minimise the time animals are required to spend on the tarmac prior to being loaded.
These changes will not apply to non snub-nosed breeds, which will also not require a vet’s approval for travel.

Volunteers from London Stansted fly in to spruce up Saffron Walden’s Fairycroft Centre

Staff from London Stansted’s security compliance team swapped high-viz jackets for paint and brushes as they volunteered for a day of decorating at Fairycroft Arts and Media Centre in Saffron Walden.

Rising to the team challenge organised by Volunteer Uttlesford, the team spruced up the foyer and main hall at the centre which puts on activities for young people and hosts free music and arts events for the community.

"The Fairycroft Centre got in touch with Volunteer Uttlesford (VU) asking us to find a group of willing volunteers to help them out with the project. We immediately approached Stansted who have a big community volunteering programme at the airport, and they offered up a team of budding DIYers to take on the challenge. The team did a great job decorating the foyer and main hall and we and the centre are absolutely delighted with how it looks." Said, Pat Lodge from Volunteer Uttlesford.

WestJet drives increased domestic tourism with new flight bridging Charlottetown and Calgary

WestJet has confirmed it will introduce a new domestic connection between the east and the west with the introduction of new non-stop seasonal service between Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Calgary beginning June 25, 2020.

"As the official airline of Destination Canada's domestic tourism campaign, we are proud to invest in this historic new connection," said Charles Duncan, WestJet Chief Strategy Officer. "Our partners in both P.E.I and Alberta are excited with the opportunity this service represents as both have a new opportunity to market their world-class tourism assets. This flight is a unique opportunity for Canadians looking to explore our country."

Delta bolsters Miami network to support industry-leading partnership with LATAM

Delta Air Lines will add 13 new daily nonstop flights to Miami International Airport (MIA) from hubs and top corporate travel destinations around the U.S., including new service from Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City and Tampa.

New schedule will kick off special deals for customers

With this expanded network, Delta will offer 41 daily non-stop options between 10 U.S. airports and Miami, with all flights offering Delta’s award-winning First Class and Delta Comfort+ product, in addition to the carrier’s signature operational reliability and industry-leading service. Delta’s partnerships today extend its Miami reach across the globe to 12 international nonstop destinations, with LATAM offering 10 additional international destinations from Miami.

“As our new industry-leading partnership with LATAM develops, this announcement broadens our footprint in South Florida to provide our customers with better connections between the U.S. and South America,” said S.V.P. Network Planning Joe Esposito. “With this expansion, we are now well-positioned to provide superior service and a convenient network for customers connecting between our airlines as well as for travellers going to and from South Florida.”