Aeroflot wins two top prizes at global stage of World Travel Awards

 Aeroflot has won at the Grand Final of the prestigious World Travel Awards 2020. Aeroflot retained its titles as World’s Leading Airline Brand and World's Leading Airline - Business Class. 

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 in the UK. Every year they are awarded to leading names in the global travel, hospitality and civil aviation industry. Winners are decided by an online vote that attracts hundreds of thousands of travel professionals and consumers. 

A record number of travellers and industry experts took part in the voting this year as the organizers of the award noted.

Aeroflot traditionally receives high praise from both the professional community and travellers. 

The carrier has recently confirmed its titles as Europe’s Leading Airline Brand, Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class, and Europe’s Leading Airline to Asia at the European stage of World Travel Awards. 

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SWISS and the Romantik Hôtel L’Etoile present culinary creations from Canton Fribourg

SWISS will soon be offering inflight food delights concocted by Michelin-starred chef Alexandra Müller of the Romantik Hôtel L’Etoile in Charmey, Canton Fribourg. These latest culinary creations under the popular “SWISS Taste of Switzerland” programme, which will be served for a six-month period from the beginning of December, are centred on typical cantonal specialities, and will be accompanied by selected regional cheeses.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be offering its First and Business Class guests on long-haul services from Switzerland new food creations from Canton Fribourg from 2 December until the end of May 2021, in the latest chapter of its “SWISS Taste of Switzerland” inflight culinary programme. The meals have been concocted by Alexandra Müller, head chef at the Romantik Hôtel L’Etoile in Charmey, with inspiration from modern French cuisine and a particular emphasis on local regional specialities.

easyJet has reported seeing growing confidence for domestic and international travel after experiencing a significant increase in demand for flights and holidays this week

Following the news that UK-wide restrictions over the Christmas period would be eased, searches for flights and holidays increased by over 200% week-on-week. The airline also saw a significant rise in demand for December flights, with domestic connections between London and Bristol to Belfast and London to Edinburgh proving amongst the most popular. 

easyJet launched its Black Friday sale which resulted in a positive response in international bookings, suggesting a growing confidence to make travel plans. Brits have been taking advantage of the deals to book trips next Spring and Summer, with Beach favourites Faro, Palma, Alicante and Malaga as well as Turkey and the Canary Islands among the top destinations. 

IAG Cargo restarts its important trade route between London and Seoul, with regular flights commencing three times a week

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced a return of its direct service from the United Kingdom to South Korea. A route that was paused due to the pandemic.  

South Korea is a high growth market for UK exports, and is one of the largest exporters in the world, with its top exports being electronics and automotive parts. The London Heathrow – Seoul-Incheon is route is also significant for the export of pharmaceutical goods across the world, which can be moved seamlessly using IAG Cargo’s Constant Climate service. The London Heathrow – Seoul-Incheon service, will run year-round, three times per week on 787s and marks another important development in IAG Cargo’s work to support key trade routes for its customers. 

Alec Rayner, Area Commercial Manager for Japan & Korea, IAG Cargo, said: “South Korea is an important part of our network and we are delighted to be re-opening London Heathrow-Seoul for our customers. 

“Last year the UK-Korea Free Trade Agreement was signed allowing businesses between South Korea and United Kingdom to guarantee a continued free flow of goods, supporting the movement of South Korean pharmaceutical, automotive and e-commerce goods to reach hundreds of destinations and British goods to reach South Korea”. 

The return of this route is the latest in a series of restarts for IAG Cargo, such as its London Heathrow service into Japan restarting last month. Additionally, its customers can book charter flights for their bespoke needs. 

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Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Rafed and SkyCell collaboration to deliver more than 1.8bn vaccine vials by end of 2021

       Amid an anticipated surge in vaccine logistics demand, Abu Dhabi is poised to cement its  position as the global logistics hub to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine distribution across the world, after spearheading the launch of the Hope Consortium.

Comprising leading Abu Dhabi and global entities, the Hope Consortium represents a complete supply chain solution to address vaccine transport, demand planning, sourcing, training, and digital technology infrastructure, and facilitate vaccine availability across the world.

The news follows Hope Consortium member Etihad Cargo transporting five million vaccines in November on behalf of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, which is spearheading the consortium and will oversee regulatory compliance, full chain expertise and scientific insight. The consortium also includes Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Rafed, the healthcare purchasing arm of Abu Dhabi-based ADQ, and Switzerland’s award-winning SkyCell, which develops next-generation, temperature-controlled logistics containers for the pharmaceutical industry. As part of the Hope Consortium, SkyCell will establish a regional service and manufacturing centre in Abu Dhabi.  

Iberia’s New Inflight Dining Service Features Seasonal Items and Freshly Prepared Dishes Exquisitely Presented

The Spanish airline Iberia is continuing to restore the services that ensure a great flying experience for its customers whilst ensuring maximum hygiene and safety. 

Iberia’s new catering provider DO&CO adheres to the strictest health and safety protocols in preparing meals to be served to the airline’s customers.

Freshly Made with Seasonal Ingredients 

In designing its new menu offerings, Iberia has focused on the tastiest dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, using local and seasonal products where possible. 

The new food service is also presented exquisitely, with new tableware and linen in all short, medium and long haul USA flights. This new equipment will be gradually implemented in the remaining destinations.

Short and Medium haul Flights 

In Business Class on short- and medium-haul routes, Iberia serves hot breakfasts, which may include an omelette served with salted spinach, or a Spanish-style omelette accompanied by fresh tomato concassé and roasted green peppers, or an omelette with avocado and red onion accompanied by oven-baked tomatoes. Freshly made butter croissants are also served alongside fresh seasonal fruit, a superfood bowl of craft yoghurt with seeds and berries plus coffee, tea and fruit juices. On longer flights, a plate of Spanish cheese and cold cuts is included.

Preparing for a Vaccine: American Cargo Operations Conducting Trial Flights From Miami to South America

Commercial airlines to play an essential role in transporting COVID-19 vaccines in the US and around the world

The American Airlines Cargo team is preparing for its critical role in transporting the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine once approved. In mid-November, American’s cargo operation began conducting trial flights, in conjunction with pharmaceutical and cargo partners, from Miami to South America on its Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The trial flights simulate the conditions required for the COVID-19 vaccine to stress test the thermal packaging and operational handling process that will ultimately ensure it remains stable as it moves across the globe.

While the situation will be unique, the task is not new to American — the airline’s cargo operation has been shipping life-saving medicine for more than eight decades. Since the beginning of the pandemic, American has been transporting hundreds of thousands of pounds of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical equipment, COVID-19 test kits and pharmaceuticals to help battle the coronavirus. As a recognized expert in cold chain logistics, American has been involved in transporting components for Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trials, including quickly and safely carrying test vaccines and specimens to research facilities around the world.

Finnair's famous blueberry drink now available on the ground.

Finnish customers of the Helsinki-based Finnair will be has a sip of the carrier's famous signature blueberry juice drink without leaving the ground for a while. 

The hugely popular delicious blueberry juice drink will be on sale at 300 K-group supermarkets across Finland from tomorrow.

Finnish cuisine is known worldwide for its use of tasty wild berries, and Finnair introduced blueberry juice as its signature drink in 2014. Since then, a staggering up to one million litres of blueberry juice has been served onboard Finnair flights every single year. 

Marika Nieminen, VP Finnair Kitchen, said: “Blueberry juice has been a distinctive part of the Finnair customer experience and it is loved by many of our customers. We wanted to offer this delicious drink, which has become a firm favourite of the Finnair in-flight experience to our customers who have a taste for travel and want to enjoy Finnair from the comfort of their own homes.”

Air France is tripling capacity on its domestic network over the festive period.

Air France is making some changes to its operational route network over this coming festive period to help ensure as many passengers can fly with the carrier as possible. 

The airline has confirmed it will be tripling capacity on its domestic network compared to the current capacity during lockdown, reaching up to 55% of the flight schedule operated during the same period in 2019.

This increase in frequencies will concern services on departure from Paris as well as inter-regional routes, with the resumption of Air France routes suspended since lockdown, such as Bordeaux-Marseille, Bordeaux-Nice, Lille-Marseille, Lille-Toulouse, Lille-Nice, Lyon-Biarritz, Paris-Charles de Gaulle-Biarritz, Paris-Charles de Gaulle-Rennes, Paris-Orly-Pau, Rennes-Toulouse, Strasbourg-Toulouse and Strasbourg-Nice.

From 18 December 2020 to 3 January 2021, Air France will also operate 13 seasonal domestic routes: Biarritz-Nice, Bordeaux-Lille, Brest-Toulon, Caen-Marseille, Caen-Nice, Strasbourg-Marseille, Strasbourg-Biarritz, Strasbourg-Brest, Strasbourg-Pau, Rennes-Marseille, Rennes-Nice, Paris CDG-Ajaccio and Paris CDG-Bastia.

Just in time for Christmas: German holiday airline Condor resumes flights to Dominican Republic and Maldives

Germany's popular leisure airline is once again flying to the Dominican Republic and the Maldives: From 18 December 2020, Condor will take off from Frankfurt three times a week to Punta Cana and once a week to Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo. The Maldives will also be included in the program again with two weekly flights from Frankfurt. The connections to the Canary Islands will be increased: From Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich, Condor will take vacationers to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Tenerife and Madeira. Holidays with Condor can be booked online, over the phone and with travel agents. 

"We are very happy to have managed the restart of the flights to Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo together with our longtime partner Condor. This shows that the plan for the reactivation of responsible tourism, which was launched by the President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader and the Minister of Tourism David Collado on September 15th, is successful", said Petra Cruz, European Director of the Tourist Board Dominican Republic.

Belfast City Airport Because...We Can Get You Where You Need to Go!

Belfast City Airport Because...We Can Get You Where You Need to Go!

Whether you're planning to come home for the Christmas holidays or want to get ahead with planning for 2021, the small and super friendly Belfast City Airport can get you where you need to go.

With a strong route network of 16 destinations, Belfast City Airport serves the length and breadth of Great Britain and beyond. Choose from direct and speedy flights to London Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, or get off the beaten track with an outdoor adventure to Scotland. 

Air Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart partner to deliver a COVID-19 testing solution for customers

Air Canada has partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada's leading pharmacy retailer, which will provide Air Canada customers with the opportunity to take a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test in order to comply with international travel requirements.

Beginning Dec. 7, eligible Air Canada customers can book and purchase a COVID-19 test at participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours.

"Many countries now require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test and we are pleased to facilitate this process for our customers, making their travel experience easier and safer by recommending the RT-PCR test at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations. We believe that testing is one of the keys to protecting employees and customers, and an important step to safely reopen travel around the world, easing travel restrictions by providing alternative testing solutions in managing risk," said Dr. Jim Chung, Air Canada's Chief Medical Officer.

AirAsia Group Berhad Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

                          AirAsia Group Berhad has reported its results for the quarter ended 30 September 2020, this week with some surprises.  The Consolidated Group posted a revenue of RM443 million, up 272% quarter-on-quarter for the third quarter of this year, but declined 86% year-on-year (“YoY”). Airline revenue decreased 87% YoY but grew 5 times QoQ with the gradual increase in capacity in line with demand as countries began to ease lockdowns and travel restrictions. Less impacted in the quarter, non-airline revenue declined 45% YoY. 

The Consolidated Group posted a 3Q2020 EBITDA loss of RM454 million, as compared to EBITDA of RM691 million in 3Q2019. Net operating loss for the period was RM1.2 billion, compared to RM2 million in profit in the previous corresponding quarter. While the Group successfully reduced fixed costs by 50% YoY, the loss was primarily attributed to a shortfall in revenue amidst subdued travel demand as international borders remained closed. A significant RM663 million of the loss was related to depreciation of right-of-use assets and lease interest costs. In addition, the Consolidated Group was impacted by a fuel hedging loss of RM281 million and one-off impairment of receivables amounting to RM444 million, which was offset by a gain on disposal of RM394 million.