Russia's S7 to launch cargo only flights from November with Boeing 737-800BCF's

Image GECAS

The Russia airline S7 is all set to launch its new cargo operation this November with a pair of Boeing 737-800 converted cargo aircraft on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

S7’s air freight program currently utilizes belly capacity on passenger planes and these narrowbody freighters will mark the inauguration of dedicated air freighters for the Russian-based operator.

GECAS, has been Boeing’s launch customer for the 737-800BCF - BCF stands for Boeing Converted Freighter and while extending the useful life of the passenger 737-800NG, the 737-800BCF carries more payload – up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 lbs) – and has longer range – 2,000 nmi (3,750 km) than other standard-body freighters. The 737-800BCF freighter also offers operators newer technology, lower fuel consumption and better reliability than some other standard-body freighters. GRCAS expects the freighters to be delivered in November 2020 and January 2021 and the aircraft will fly medium and short-haul routes for S7.

Qantas to make 'care packages' out of business class amenity kits and snacks for $25 !

Qantas will turn some of its excess stock of pyjamas, amenity kits and snacks in to care packs that can be sent directly to the doors of people having it tough in lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis.

With all Qantas international flights and the majority of domestic flights currently suspended, the airline has an oversupply of items including the iconic Business Class pyjamas, Business Class amenity kits featuring ASPAR skin products, as well as Tim Tams and snacks that would normally be offered to passengers travelling in premium cabins.

Qantas has put these items together in a care package that can be sent anonymously as a surprise ‘random act of kindness’ to a friend, family member, anyone that might be doing it tough or as a “treat yourself” gift.

Never slow to make money, Qantas tell us that an individual can send up to 10 packs anywhere in Australia via Qantas.com for $25 per pack or 4,350 Qantas Points, including delivery. So perhaps less of a care package and more of a gift package, less of a good deed and more of a way to shift stock that's been over ordered. 

Earn bonus points quicker with Marriott Bonvoy’s new Summer/Fall promotion

For Marriott Bonvoy members planning a staycation or a getaway trip, the travel program and its participating hotel brands welcome you back with the launch of an exciting promotion. Beginning today through October 18, 2020, members who register for the promotion will receive 2,500 bonus points for their first and second upcoming paid stays, plus a one-time bonus of 5,000 additional points after their third paid stay. There is no limit to the number of bonus points members may earn with this promotion. This means members will continue to receive 2,500 bonus points for every paid stay thereafter throughout the promotional period.

Here are some additional helpful details:

It is important to register now (or as early as possible) because bonus points can only be earned on stays following registration
For a list of current participating hotels, visit www.marriott.com/loyalty/earn/hotels.mi
Only one room per hotel is counted toward a member’s nights or stay
There is no length of stay requirement
It is best to book directly on Marriott.com because rates available through most third-party online retailers and select travel agency rates do not qualify for this promotion
A “stay” is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/checkout activity on any points-eligible rate (“Qualifying Rate”).
Homes & Villas by Marriott International, ExecuStay®, Marriott Executive Apartments® and Marriott Vacation Club® owner-occupied weeks are not eligible for bonus points, and nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for bonus points.

Air France and staff taking action for Lebanon

Photo Air France

With the tragedy that has struck Lebanon in the heart of its capital, Beirut, the entire country is in a precarious situation. The explosions destroyed a large part of the city and the Lebanese people need help. Faced with this disaster, Air France and its staff wish to express their solidarity with the Lebanese people and are doing all they can to provide support.

A wave of solidarity

Staff have organized a major donation event called “Solidarity for Lebanon”. Donations, mainly comprising basic food products as well as childcare necessities, clothing, medical and hygiene supplies, are currently being collected and then forwarded and to the Air France team in Beirut, which redistributes them to local associations*. Within the company, the message has been spread far and wide. An entire network of volunteer staff is mobilizing to collect, pack and load the parcels on board flight AF566 to Beirut. The first shipments left on Thursday 13 August. To date, close to 3 tonnes of donations have been collected at Air France Head Office, representing 282 packages. This operation will continue until further notice. At the same time, Air France employees have set up “Air France Solidarity for Lebanon” groups on social networks to post numerous messages of support and spontaneously offer their help.

Air France assists its customers travelling to Lebanon

Faced with this situation, Air France has decided to offer an additional piece of baggage free of charge to each customer with a reservation on a flight from Paris to Beirut. This offer, valid until 20 September, enables customers to take essential items to Lebanon if they so wish.

Air France remains committed to helping the Lebanese people and is maintaining its service to Beirut 3 times a week.

* Donations received by the station and the Air France Regional Division in Beirut then given to local association.

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Pratt & Whitney engineers, UConn students explore disruptive propulsion concepts

Photo Pratt & Whitney

While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Pratt & Whitney Engineering from hosting a summer internship program, employee volunteers wouldn’t let it stop them from providing opportunities for students to experience the aerospace industry at Pratt & Whitney.

Through the company’s partnership with the University of Connecticut, employees designed a remote summer program for 32 engineering students to work on projects focusing on three disruptive propulsion concepts: alternate heat cycles, nuclear power and hybrid electric.

UConn Senior Hannah Aseltine worked on the hybrid-electric urban air mobility vehicle – or, as she calls it – a “flying taxi.” She said the summer experience not only taught her more about engineering, it taught her teamwork, leadership skills and how to think from different perspectives.

RAF Red Arrows Salute Llandudno WW2 Battle of Britain Hero

Photo RAF

Llandudno residents had an unexpected treat when the Red Arrows flew over the town. Their fly past was to acknowledge local hero Flight Lieutenant Glyn Griffiths DFM, who had fought as a Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain.  

Glyn was born in 1918 in Llandudno and attended John Bright County School. He worked at Llandudno Urban District Council’s gas department before joining the RAF just before the war. A Sergeant during the Battle of Britain, flying with 17 Squadron, Glyn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). The London Gazette of 26 November 1940 announced the award of his DFM and stated ‘This airman has shown splendid courage and initiative in his attacks against the enemy. He has destroyed at least six of their aircraft, two of which were shot down in one day’.

The Commanding Officer of the Red Arrows, Wing Commander David Montenegro, said: “Today, we were privileged to fly over Llandudno in aerial salute of Battle of Britain pilot Flight Lieutenant Glyn Griffiths DFM. The bravery and achievements of our Battle of Britain pilots remains an inspiration to all those who serve in the RAF today. It is hugely important that we continue to reflect on their incredible sacrifice, values and service. We will remember them.”

Air Asia India to offer 50,000 free seats to Indian Armed Forces

             

                                  Ahead of India’s 74th Independence Day, AirAsia India has announced the AirAsia RedPass initiative for Indian armed forces personnel in recognition of their contribution to the nation, defending democracy and security. In keeping with the long-standing commitment to nation-building, AirAsia India is offering 50,000 seats on flights across its domestic network as part of this initiative. In addition, the airline also offers Armed Forces personnel priority boarding and priority baggage service at all airport stations.

In June, at the height of the initial response to the pandemic, AirAsia India announced the AirAsia RedPass initiative offering a goodwill trip for doctors across the country, which received an overwhelming positive response. In recognition of their sacrifices and long stints away from their own homes to ensure that we all remain safe in ours, the airline now proudly extends the AirAsia RedPass to all Indian Armed Forces including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Paramilitary Forces and Under Trainee Cadets. The AirAsia RedPass offer is also extended to dependants of serving personnel and retired Indian Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their sacrifices and invites readers, guests and followers to #PassOnTheGoodwill by sharing the AirAsia RedPass application link https://air.asia/GCs2R with friends and family in the services.

Aeroflot head back to Geneva

The leading Russian airline, Aeroflot has confirmed that has resumed its flights from Moscow to Geneva, Switzerland from today, Saturday 15th August.  The airline will fly the route on a weekly basis initially, each Saturday with the possibility of adding an additional weekly frequency depending upon demand.  

The flights are operated on Saturdays on the following schedule:

Route	Flight	Departure time*	Arrival time*
Sheremetyevo —Geneva	SU2380	13:50	16:40
Geneva —Sheremetyevo	SU2381	18:25	23:00

 

Canadian aviation companies come together to comment on latest Coronavirus COVID-19 plans from Transport Canada

The document affirms that the four organizations meet or exceed international health and safety measures

Travellers assured of the highest levels of biosafety protocols when travelling

Framework now in place for Canada's next steps to allow aviation and economies to 

restart and succeed within new normal

Canada's two largest airlines and two largest airports today welcomed Transport Canada's long-awaited Flight Plan for Navigating COVID-19 as a major step forward in restarting Canada's air travel industry by confirming the country's biosafety standards. The document is a clear endorsement of biosafety programs already put in place by Air Canada, WestJet, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and the Vancouver Airport Authority.

Air Canada, WestJet, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, and Vancouver Airport Authority Jointly Comment on Transport Canada’s Flight Plan for Navigating COVID-19 (CNW Group/Air Canada)

Flight Plan contains international, proven best practices for proactively protecting air travellers at all stages of the journey and provides the framework for restarting the aviation sector in Canada. It encompasses such measures as health checks, face coverings, touchless technology and cleaning protocols, all of which are in effect at Air Canada, WestJet, Toronto Pearson and YVR. Moreover, it outlines potential future enhancements, many of which the organizations are already working to adopt.

The Cathay Pacific Group has released its combined traffic figures for July 2020

The Cathay Pacific Group yesterday released its combined traffic figures for July 2020 that reflected the airlines’ continued substantial capacity reductions in response to significantly reduced demand as well as travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in place in Hong Kong and other markets amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon carried a total of 42,984 passengers last month, a decrease of 98.7% compared to July 2019. The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) fell 98.1% year-on-year. Passenger load factor dropped by 62.6 percentage points to 23.4%, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), decreased by 92.9%. In the first seven months of 2020, the number of passengers carried dropped by 79.4% against a 69.9% decrease in capacity and a 76.6% decrease in RPKs, as compared to the same period for 2019.

Over 100 pilots to lose their jobs at Jet2

Jet2 is set to shed at least 100 pilot positions from the company soon according to pilots union BALPA after the carrier rejected the latest alternative jobs retention proposal.

The airline and holiday company has faced a tough few months recently following the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Back in June, the union was negotiating with the company based in Leeds over the loss of 102 pilots.  This weekend, the union has, reports PA media, that Jet2 is going ahead with the redundancies.

BALPA has put several other options to the company, which have not been accepted and the airline will continue with the job losses the union advises. General secretary Brian Strutton said: "This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector. Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs, the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies. This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year."

Strutton continued the union's demand for more support from the government,   "The Government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry. -  the Government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its best to get back on track but keeps being knocked back at every juncture."

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Castle Aviation moves into new home.

Photo Scott Heckel

Castle Aviation has moved into a new home at Akron-Canton Airport,  53,000-square-foot hangar, next to a historic former restaurant of the 356th Fighter Group.   The new office and hanger arrangement at the south end of the airport will provide the company with a great base from which to operate from and expend the company that was founded in 1986.

Good luck in the new home. 

Full story  https://www.beaconjournal.com/business/20200815/castle-aviation-cuts-ribbon-on-new-hangar-offices

Looking for work down under? HEVILIFT might have the answer... ATR42/72 Captains and First Officers needed in the front, Cabin Crew required in the back

Photo Hevilift

Working at HEVILIFT means every day is something entirely different, keeping things exciting and challenging. They are currently looking for experienced, motivated and driven individuals to  join their diverse and talented team.

Hevilift is a leading aviation charter service company operating throughout Southeast Asia & the Pacific. As part of its growth strategy, the firm is looking for ATR 42/72 Captain based in Brisbane, ATR 42/72 First Officer based in Brisbane,  ATR 42 Captain and First Officer based Full Time in Port Moresby and experienced Cabin Crew to be based in Townsville.

For more details you can visit Heavilift here.