Manchester Airport celebrates Chinese New Year as it heralds ever closer links to China

The Year of the Rat is set to be a significant one for the UK’s third large airport, Manchester, as flights to Shanghai commence in March with leading Chinese carrier, Juneyao Air.

The route will be of huge popularity with the 183,000 people in the airport’s catchment area who currently travel to the powerhouse of Shanghai via other means. As well as being a huge boost for Northern businesses, it will also be of great importance to the student and ethnic markets. Manchester boasts Europe’s third-largest Chinatown and the North has seen a nine per cent increase in Chinese students since Manchester’s route to Beijing launched three years ago.

Icelandair doesn't expect to have a 737 Max flying this summer.

In the light of recent news from Boeing regarding the ongoing safety issues with the 737 Max aircraft and its discussions with the FAA and international aviation authorities, Icelandair does not expect the MAX in operation within its route network during the high season of summer. 

This will have a minimal impact on Icelandair’s flight schedule the carrier says, as it was set up with the aim to minimize the impact of a possible further delay in the 737 max getting approval to fly.  In addition, Icelandair has already entered into leasing agreements regarding three Boeing 737-800 aircraft and a decision has been made to keep more Boeing 757 aircraft in operation during the year than originally planned.

More new routes from Turkish Airlines

One of the fastest-growing airlines in recent times, Turkish, has recently confirmed a raft of new services launching later this summer as it moves rapidly forward with its expansion programme.

The carrier is introducing a number of flights Europe from Antalya as well as a service from its new home base in Istanbul to Xi’an.

The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton Refurb Complete

Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the newest addition to Hilton’s upper upscale Curio Collection, The Reach Key West recently made its debut and will be the brand’s first property in the destination. The reimagined 150-room resort, owned by Park Hotels & Resorts, is positioned on the only natural sand beach in the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. in Key West. The resort also features a new oceanfront restaurant and bar, Four Marlins, with a completely modernized design that offers delicious cuisine amid sea breezes on the open-air wood deck.

Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N264DB: anniversary statement from the UK's Air Accidents, Air Accidents Investigation Branch

This week marks the anniversary of the accident involving Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N264DB, near Guernsey, 21 January 2019 in which footballer Emiliano Sala died.  

On Tuesday 21st, Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of the UK's Air Accidents, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: “Today marks the anniversary of the accident involving Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N264DB, near Guernsey, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of Mr Ibbotson and Mr Sala at this time.

“The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has conducted a thorough investigation looking at a number of elements including operational, technical, organisational and human factors that may have caused or contributed to this accident. We have worked closely with many specialist organisations including the aircraft and engine manufacturers and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the USA.

The AAIB has published two special bulletins about the accident, one which contained preliminary factual information, and the second which contained medical information for the general aviation community about the dangers of exposure to carbon monoxide.

Our investigation is now at an advanced stage and we intend to publish our final report by the end of March 2020.

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Delta launches an innovative solution for pet travel

An industry first: Delta launches an innovative solution for pet travel

• ​Exclusive partnership with CarePod
• A new standard of travel, with a state-of-the-art pet travel carrier providing real-time updates for customers
• Phased U.S. rollout, after a successful trial

Delta is ushering in a new best-in-class travel experience for pets and their owners with the exclusive launch of CarePod. The introduction of this state-of-the-art pet travel carrier, which provides many industry-leading features including real-time updates throughout the journey, heralds a new standard of first-class safety and care for pet air travel.

After five years of research, development and testing, on top of a successful two-month trial, CarePod will be exclusively offered at eight U.S. locations: Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York (JFK and LaGuardia), San Francisco and West Palm Beach. There will then be a phased approach to roll out the CarePod pet travel carrier across Delta’s U.S. network. 

Sheremetyevo International Airport Celebrates Official Opening of New Terminal C

Sheremetyevo International Airport's new passenger Terminal C was opened to the public on January 17.

The official opening ceremony was attended by Aleksandr Yurchik, Transport Deputy Minister of Russia; Aleksandr Neradko, Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency; Igor Bryntsalov, Head of the Moscow Region Duma; Alexander Ponomarenko, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC SIA; Mikhail Vasilenko, CEO of JSC SIA; and Andrey Chikhanchin, Deputy CEO of Aeroflot, as well as other officials, partners of the SIA Group, and Russian and international media. 

Terminal C was built as part of the Long-term Airport Development Program and forms part of the Northern Terminal Complex (Terminals B, C) of Sheremetyevo Airport and was built and equipped in compliance with the highest global standards.

The terminal complex will be home to international carriers and can accommodate 20 million passengers per year. It comprises the main seven-floor passenger terminal building with a total area of 127,375 square meters, a control tower to supervise aircraft ground movement, and a roofed, six-level parking lot for 2,500 vehicles that is connected with the terminal via a pedestrian crossing. The major challenge in the design and construction of Terminal С was to ensure a harmonious relationship between cutting-edge technology and a design plan that follows the traditions of Russian Constructivism.

Lufthansa Group and TripActions kick-off strategic partnership

Lufthansa Group and Silicon Valley based Travel Management Company TripActions announced a strategic partnership during the DLD conference. The two companies are set to proactively shape the distribution and corporate retailing landscape of the future digital era of Travel Management Companies. To manifest this multifaceted collaboration, Lufthansa Group acquired a minority stake in the business travel innovator through its digital business unit Lufthansa Innovation Hub in December 2019. This makes Lufthansa Group the first strategic investor of TripActions.

As first step of innovation partnership, Lufthansa Group is minority investor in travel management company TripActions
The collaboration is an important step for corporate customers to benefit from modern airline retailing and a better end-to-end experience
TripActions marks the fourth strategic tech investment of Lufthansa Group facilitated through the Lufthansa Innovation Hub

CALC signs purchase agreement for 40 additional A321neo aircraft

 CALC (China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited), a full value-chain aircraft solutions provider for global airlines, has reached an agreement with Airbus on its remaining backlog, and includes an additional order for 40 A321neo aircraft. It also includes a conversion of 15 of its existing A320neo backlog into A321neos. Together with a previous order for 11 A321neos, CALC’s total order for the type rises to 66.

CALC’s order is an endorsement for the A321neo and reaffirms the market demand for the aircraft.  With unbeatable fuel efficiency and lowest operating costs, it is the best match for CALC’s customers. To date, from CALC’s total order for 252 A320 Family aircraft, 87 have been delivered, of which one is an A321neo.

The A321neo is the largest member of the A320 Family, seating up to 240 passengers, depending on cabin configuration. Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances, and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of 20% as well as a 50% noise reduction. To date, the A320 Family has won more than 15,300 orders and more than 9,000 aircraft have been delivered worldwide.

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New firefighter apprentices make history at London Stansted

Two women are blazing a trail at London Stansted after becoming the first female firefighters to join the ranks of the airport’s fire and rescue service.

Hannah Inggs and Amber Popham, join Finn Edwards and Charlie Fry as the first intake of London Stansted’s newly created airport firefighter apprentice scheme. The fab four sparked off their careers when they were officially welcomed into the service in early January and will now begin a 22-week training course before joining operational duties from June.

Pictured above (Left to right) Watch Manager Garth Evans, Apprentice Firefighter Finn Edwards, Apprentice Firefighter Hannah Inggs, Firefighter Alli Gardiner (in the vehicle), Apprentice Firefighter Amber Popham, Apprentice Firefighter Charlie Fry, Head of Stansted Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service Alex Adams, Firefighter Peter Boon

Their training includes eight weeks at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, and 10 weeks on the job training at Stansted. The course concludes with two weeks at the International Fire Training Centre at Teesside Airport, before completing two weeks of assessments back at Stansted.

Airbus to add A321 production capabilities in Toulouse

Following its strategy to keep its overall production system at the leading edge of technology and to increase industrial capacity and flexibility, Airbus has decided to create new A321 production capabilities at its site in Toulouse.

By mid-2022 the current A380 Lagardère facility in Toulouse will accommodate a digitally-enabled A321 line as a step to modernise the A320 production system in Toulouse. The new facilities will provide more flexibility for A321 production while keeping the overall single-aisle industrial capacity in Toulouse flat.

“We are enjoying an unprecedented high demand for our winning A320neo Family and especially its A321 Long Range (LR) and Xtra Long Range (XLR) derivatives,” said Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. “In order to optimise the industrial flow, we have decided to increase our global A321 production capacity and flexibility as well as to establish a next-generation Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.”

£183m Boost for Military Helicopter Training

The MOD’s UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) has signed a £183 million contract to boost training services for new Rotary Wing pilots.

The contract amendment includes:

An uplift of four new Airbus H145 helicopters
A state-of-the-art simulator and infrastructure improvements
Support in attracting and training personnel to meet the increased helicopter demand from the frontline

The new H145 helicopters and simulator will enable students to learn how to fly a range of missions, covering expected scenarios on operational deployment. In addition, the H145s enable students to practice winching tasks and rear crew activities.

Defence Minister James Heappey said: “This £183m boost for our helicopter training will see our student pilots benefit from an ultra-modern simulator, new infrastructure at RAF Shawbury and four brand-new Airbus H145 helicopters. These crucial upgrades will help our students become the finest helicopter pilots in the world.”

American’s Miami Hub Reaches Record Passenger Numbers in 2019

Miami’s hometown airline surpassed 30 million passengers and achieved record

operational results

In 2019, American Airlines set new records at its hub at Miami International Airport (MIA). Last year the airline carried a record 30.3 million passengers through MIA, marking an increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year.

“For the first time since establishing the Miami hub 30 years ago, we transported more than 30 million passengers,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, Vice President – Miami Hub Operations. “We also had a record operational performance at MIA with our best baggage handling numbers as well as our second-best on-time performance in our history, all impressive metrics that highlight our focus on operational excellence.

Innovation, social responsibility land Delta No. 19 on World’s Most Admired list

Delta’s leadership in social responsibility, innovation, culture and more has once again resulted in the global airline today being named one of Fortune magazine’s Top 50 Most Admired Companies for the seventh consecutive year.  

Fortune also named Delta No. 1 on its Most Admired Airline list, “a direct result of [Delta people’s] dedication and passion for serving customers and each other,” shared Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a companywide memo. This is the ninth time over the last decade the airline has secured the top spot.  

The Most Admired Companies list – compiled from the surveys of thousands of executives, experts and analysts – is a ranking across industries of the world’s most respected and reputable brands, while the airline list is based on the results from industry-specific leaders.

  

South African axes flights as financial woes deepen

The troubled South African Airways has been cancelling a large number of flights this week as it fights for survival.  According to Reuters, the airline has axed more than 20 domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town and Durban this week as well as the scheduled operation to Munich in Germany.

SAA said it was “consolidating flights to match capacity and demand - These cancellations represent a responsible strategy to conserve cash,” and in a statement, it confirmed it would consider further schedule changes over the coming days as its financial troubles mount to what many see as inevitable - complete collapse. The airline promised to re-accommodate affected passengers on other flights.

The airline is running out of money, it had expected to receive some of the $137 million emergency funding from the government that was agreed on last month when the carrier went into bankruptcy protection, however, no money has yet been received.  Some Africa based aviation analysts believe that political opposition to the bailout funding will mount and the carrier will be forced to fold completely.