Shaping the future of flying

Delta CEO Ed Bastian emailed the message below to customers Thursday this week as the airline continues to reintroduce services to its network. 

Throughout the challenges of 2020, the character of our healthcare heroes and essential workers has shown through. I have tremendous hope for the year ahead thanks to the people who have carried us through one of the most challenging periods in our history. While we continue to work to prevent the spread of the virus, I am optimistic that 2021 is going to be a year of recovery for our world thanks to the amazing scientists and researchers who have developed vaccines in an extraordinarily short period of time.

Ethiopian Airlines takes the honour of leading African carrier at Decade of Airline Excellence Awards

Ethiopian Airlines has been recognised by the judges in the Decade of Airline Excellence Awards as Africa’s best-performing airline of the past 10 years. The carrier took the accolade in the African regional category of the Awards. 

The full roster of awards, organised by FlightGlobal in association with Airline Business and Korn Ferry, are being announced over the 1-3 December. 

Operating in an incredibly challenging region for airlines, state-owned Ethiopian evolved over the decade from a national carrier to the first true pan-African airline, based on a strategy that leveraged its hub in Addis Ababa and strategic equity investments in smaller national African operators.

“Under the leadership of Tewolde Gebremariam since 2011 – the year in which the carrier also joined the Star Alliance - Ethiopian’s core strategy has been underpinned by disciplined management and a productive relationship with its government owners,” said Lewis Harper, Managing Editor of Airline Business magazine. 

Star Alliance named as the World's Leading Airline Alliance - Plus 12 member airlines scoop 20 awards.

Star Alliance has been named the World’s Leading Airline Alliance in this year’s World Travel Awards.  

The annual awards cover multiple categories and are awarded based on a  worldwide poll of qualified executives working within travel and tourism, and the consumer travel buyer. The awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. 

Earlier, the Star Alliance’s branded airport lounge at Los Angeles  International Airport (LAX) was recognized as the best in North America by the World Travel Awards. The lounge at LAX is one of eight such lounges globally.  

Ryanair orders 75 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft despite them still being unflyable anywhere Ryanair currently flies to.

Boeing and the Irish budget carrier Ryanair have confirmed a massive order for the disastrous Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, despite the planes still not being allowed to fly anywhere Ryanair currently operates to.

Photo Woodys Aeroimages

The airline is placing a firm order for 75 additional 737 MAX aeroplanes, increasing its order book to 210 jets, Boeing said on Thursday.  And in a deliberate and cynical attempt to mislead future passengers the airline and the manufacturer are wiping out the MAX name from the aircraft and reverting to using the model number of 8200. This will be used on documentation and pained on the fuselage of each aircraft. 

England's Quarantine rules set to be waived for high ranking business bosses

In a clear case of one rule for the elite and another for everyone else,  the UK government is set to waive the quarantine rules for top business travellers coming to in from a country not on the safe travel corridor list, while everyone else will still have to abide by the 14-day quarantine requirements.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary took a leaf out of President Donald Trumps rule book and announced the new plans on Twitter, before advising others, including officials at Border Force. 

Top executives at foreign multinational firms and leaders of companies looking ti invest in the UK will be able to skip quarantine regulations. According to the Department for Transport, these business trips must result in a deal which creates or preserves 50 jobs or leads to a £100,000 investment or order. These 'high value' travellers will need to demonstrate in an exemption letter that they are delivering these business benefits to the UK and apparently this letter is supposed to be checked by police or Border Force officers.

Interestingly, top performing arts workers, some sports professionals, TV production staff and journalists will also have an exemption whilst everyone else will still be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days or face a £1000 fine, rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders.

New Business Traveller exemption: From 4am on Sat 5th Dec high-value business travellers💼will no longer need to self-isolate when returning to ENGLAND from a country NOT in a travel corridor, allowing more travel to support the economy and jobs. Conditions apply.

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 3, 2020

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Cardiff to be next UK base for Wizz Air

The low-cost airline Wizz Air will open a base that Cardiff airport creating nearly 300 jobs the airline has revealed.

The new base will offer nine new routes from the airport, directly employing 40 people, whilst it expects that a further 250 jobs will be created in the supply chain and support industries. The new routes are said to be Alicante, Faro, Tenerife, Corfu, Palma, Arrecife and Sharm El Sheikh.

Transport Minister Ken Skates said: "This is a positive step for the airport to emerge from the impact of Covid-19."

Managing Director Owain Jones said: "This reflects Wizz Air's continued commitment to serving the UK market and generating economic growth, as we create local jobs, stimulate the tourism and hospitality industries and deliver on our promise of providing affordable, direct flights to exciting holiday destinations."

Spencer Birns, Interim chief executive at the airport said this was fantastic news for Wales and "We know many people living in Wales are craving a well-deserved holiday after such a challenging year and these new flights will give so many more opportunities for holidays to be planned now that will give us all something to look forward to for next year."

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No more free overhead luggage lockers for the majority of easyJet passengers - no baggage policy to start next year.

So it has now been confirmed that easyJet is changing its luggage policy and start charging extra for bags in the overhead luggage lockers.

If you want to use the overhead baggage bins you'll need to buy a higher-priced ticket, or you'll need to put your cabin bag under the seat in front of you.  Of course, that will reduce the room for your feet and shrink the already limited legroom even further.  More DVT's on the way, I'd expect.

From 10th  February 2021, the new policy will come into effect and means all customers can take a small under-seat bag onboard flights free of charge, of course, this must fit under the seat in front  (max 45x36x20cm).   

People who have paid for extra legroom seats or seats in the Up Front of the aircraft will be able to take a larger (max 56x45x25cm) bag to go in the overhead lockers.  But worth bearing in mind is that there are between 42 and 63 'up front' and 'extra' legroom seats on each flight, depending on the aircraft type, so you might not be as close to the front as you might have wished or thought you would be. 

Hyatt Announces Plans for Hyatt Regency London Olympia

Hyatt announced this week that with Olympus Property Holding Limited its plans to develop a new Hyatt Regency hotel in London. 

The 196-room hotel is slated to open in 2024 and will mark the eighth Hyatt-branded property and the second Hyatt Regency hotel in London. Hyatt Regency London Olympia will add to the current portfolio of Hyatt Regency hotels in the United Kingdom, joining Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Hyatt Regency Manchester, and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.

Situated in a new development in West London, Hyatt Regency London Olympia will mark the second Hyatt Regency hotel in the capital

Hyatt Regency London Olympia will deliver personalized and energizing guest experiences as well as the stress-free environment that embodies the Hyatt Regency brand ethos. Business and leisure travelers alike will enjoy seamless, intuitive service alongside memorable dining experiences as well as flexible spaces to work, collaborate, or relax.

Flexjet ploughs on with European expansion with first Embraer Praetor 600

Flexjet Ltd. has accepted delivery of the first Praetor 600 aircraft in its European-based fleet, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the company’s global business. 

Flexjet is the only shared-ownership/fractional provider of the Praetor 600, part of a US$1.4 billion order for Embraer Executive Jets,  that was announced in October 2019.

European Managing Director Marine Eugène leads the team headquartered at Flexjet House in Mayfair, London. It also has its European Tactical Control Centre in the United Kingdom to coordinate flight logistics, while the firm has a maintenance facility in Milan 

“Flexjet has taken the time to lay the groundwork to properly serve those entering the shared aircraft ownership market in Europe,” said Eugène. “Now that we have the infrastructure in place, we are growing our fleet with the addition of our new Praetor 600 aircraft. The Praetor 600 will form part of our Red Label by Flexjet offering, bringing to European-based travelers a unique combination of innovative technology, luxury and premium service. Our objective is to give Owners the ability to travel not just in North America but throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East without leaving the safety and security of the Flexjet family.”

The secrets behind the hangar doors - How Finnair recycles an aircraft.

When an aircraft reaches the end of its design service goal, Finnair makes sure that as many of its parts as possible are reused or recycled.

With sustainability so vital to Finnair’s business, that means teaming up with responsible partners to help dismantle older planes and make the best use of their components, either as spare parts on other aircraft or as recycled materials for other industries.

The latest Finnair aircraft to start its afterlife is an Airbus A319-112. This 21-year-old aircraft, part of the A32S fleet, has undertaken a massive 32,710 flights, totalling some 55,367 hours. Having reached its service goal, it’s fair to say that it has been a good servant.

The Finnair logos were covered with blue paint, as we had some blue paint that we needed to get rid of.

The aircraft has been flown by Finnair pilots to an airfield in the Cotswold, in western England, where it will be carefully taken apart by our expert partners. 90 percent of the plane can be reused or recycled, meaning its parts will help to maintain other aircraft, while other materials such as aluminum will be available for use in various industries.

Miika Haatio, Director of Fleet Management at Finnair, explains:  “The fuselage of an aircraft can only withstand a certain amount of pressurization cycles, after which it must be taken out of service according to aviation authority requirements. The plane has around two thousand interchangeable parts, many of which still have a lot of life left in them even if the fuselage is retired. These can be removed and reinstalled on flying aircraft after inspection.”

The good news is that all major parts can find a new life elsewhere.

“Almost all aircraft equipment such as engines, landing gear, computers, actuators, pumps, batteries and valves can be reused. In addition, all structural parts removed from the fuselage, such as doors, hatches and control surfaces, can be easily installed on other aircraft. The recyclability of the aircraft and its components is always considered during the manufacturing phase.”

Safety is, of course, paramount, with all equipment inspected by specialist workshops before reinstallation. Part manufacturers specify what kind of inspections need to be completed, with some equipment undergoing extensive repairs before being ready for reuse.

“After the parts have been inspected and repaired, most of them can be installed directly back on other Finnair aircraft or sold to other airlines,” says Miika.

The aim, he says, is to make the best use of all parts and materials when the aircraft is dismantled. Hazardous materials such as fuel and hydraulic fluid are disposed of in a safe manner, with some sold off to be used in other industries. All plastics are separated from electrical wiring so that everything can be easily recycled.

“Finnair’s decommissioning decisions always take into account sustainability and responsibility with a view to achieve the best economic outcome.”

Photos: Mikko Pylkkö

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The Republic of Mali orders an additional Airbus C295

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Mali has placed a firm order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter in the transport configuration. This second aircraft, to be delivered in 2021, will supplement the first C295 already in operation since December 2016 which has already accumulated 1,770 flight hours and transported more than 38,000 passengers and 900 tonnes of cargo in less than four years of operations.

This new order also includes an integrated logistics support package with spare parts for the two aircraft and training for flight crews and mechanics.

This acquisition is in response to the urgent need of the authorities of the Republic of Mali to have permanent air transport capacity within a very short timeframe, providing a vital link supporting operations and actions for the development of isolated areas in the northern regions of the country. Bernhard Brenner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “This repeat order demonstrates the excellent capabilities and performance of our aircraft. The C295 is becoming the 21st century standard tactical airlifter in Africa with 37 aircraft ordered in the region, from Algeria, Egypt and Ghana to Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali.”

The Airbus C295 is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment. It is robust and reliable but also highly versatile in terms of the number of different missions it can perform.

The C295 conducts multi-role operations worldwide under all weather conditions. It is fully certified and routinely operates day and night in combat missions in all weather extremes, from desert to maritime environments, from extremely hot to extremely cold temperatures.

With the new C295W version equipped with winglets, the aircraft is capable of transporting more payload over larger distances in the hot and high conditions, resulting in fuel consumption savings of around 4% and increased safety margins in mountainous regions.

Today’s armed forces have increasing demands for various air transport missions. And no matter what the requirements for an operation are, the C295 stands ready to conduct its mission successfully.

Previously produced by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA, a Spanish aircraft manufacturer that is now part of Airbus Defence and Space), the C295’s production takes place at Airbus’ facility in Spain. The aircraft has received orders from military and civil operators all over the world, from Canada and Egypt to Spain and Indonesia.

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World of Hyatt members can now enjoy greater flexibility and more offers for 2021

World of Hyatt has released more details of its latest promotions to help members plan for the year ahead with a lot less to worry about.  

World of Hyatt is making significant changes to its elite status qualifications for the 2021 calendar year by reducing the Base Point and Tier-Qualifying Night requirements by 50 percent for members to earn or maintain elite status, as compared to the program’s standard requirements. Additionally, World of Hyatt is extending several rewarding offers through the beginning of 2021, giving members more time to accelerate point earnings and boost tier status when they are ready to travel again.

“In talking with our members and understanding some are not ready or able to travel as often as they hoped, we want to make sure they feel cared for and recognized for their loyalty. That is why we are offering members even more flexibility when it comes to achieving elite status next year, in addition to giving them more time to take advantage of compelling offers,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, loyalty, brand marketing and consumer insights, Hyatt. “2020 was unprecedented in many ways and as we look toward 2021, our priority remains staying close to our World of Hyatt members to understand their needs and instill confidence as they plan for future travels.”

Cainiao Partners Ethiopian Airlines to Launch Cold Chain Air Freight for Temperature-Controlled Vaccine Transportation

 Temperature-controlled medicines will be distributed twice a week from Shenzhen to Africa, and to the rest of the world via Dubai and Addis Ababa. 

Flight will depart from Shenzhen Airport, the fourth airport in Mainland China to be CEIV-certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA.

Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arms of Alibaba Group Holdings Limited, announced its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines to launch  a special cold chain air freight for the transportation of temperature-controlled medicines from Shenzhen Airport, China's first medical cross-border cold chain facility. Temperature-controlled medicines will be distributed twice a week from Shenzhen to Africa, and to the rest of the world via Dubai and Addis Ababa. 

This is China's first cross-border medical cold chain route to be operated regularly and is certified to  transport temperature-controlled medicines including COVID-19 vaccines. 

The end-to-end transportation process requires a highly effective cold chain management. During air  freight, the entire cold chain cabin is equipped with a temperature control system that monitors the cabin’s  temperature in real-time. As the fourth airport in Mainland China that obtained International Air Transport  Association (IATA)’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification  for pharmaceutical logistics, Shenzhen Airport is also well-equipped to handle biotechnology products.  The cargo terminal in Ethiopia is outfitted with compartmentalized cold storage facilities with temperature  between -23℃ to 25℃. It occupies an area of 54,000 square metres, with dedicated cool dollies and  pharma team, as well as real-time temperature monitoring system to ensure a safe and seamless cold  chain logistics for handling temperature sensitive healthcare products.  

“Cainiao’s global logistics network spans over 200 countries and regions, providing end-to-end integrated  logistics services, including digital customs clearance capabilities,” said James Zhao, General Manager of  Cainiao International Supply Chain. “The launch of the cold chain air freight has further bolstered our  global logistics capabilities, and allow us to offer a one-stop solution for the global distribution of medical  products such as the Covid-19 vaccines.” 

Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Group CEO said “Ethiopian Airlines will repeat its remarkable  and globally recognized success in leading the fast delivery of PPEs few months ago with similar  delivery speed, professional handling and maintaining the cold chain during the forthcoming  global distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine. In anticipation of the Covid-19 vaccine release, we will  be at the forefront to further discharge our responsibility in the distribution of the vaccine across  the globe.”

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