Ethiopian-DHL, AeTrade Group Partner to Transport Historical Parcels Under AfCFTA

Ethiopian Airlines-DHL and African Electronic Trade Group partner to transport  historical parcels in the African Continental Free Trade Area. The partnership is meant  to invoke the start of trading of the African Continental Free Trade Area market and  the operations of the African E-Commerce Platform in the continent.  

The first batch of the goods has arrived at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on  01 January 2021 at a ceremony graced by high-level officials from the public and  private sectors, AU, DHL and Ethiopian Airlines Group.  

Working in collaboration with African Union Commission and the African business  community with a vision to enhance intra-and inter-African trade, the African  Electronic Trade Group transports fragile trophies to various African countries as  African Continental Free Trade Area commences. The smooth and reliable connection  between the source and the final destination is possible because of the partnership  between Ethiopian Airlines and the African Electronic Trade Group. This partnership  joins the pre-existing continental partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and DHL  that has strengthened the multimodal logistics systems established by Ethiopian at its hub in Addis Ababa. 

JetBlue welcomes new Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

JetBlue has formally taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marking the start of a new era for the airline's fleet. 

The aircraft – tail N3008J – is scheduled to arrive at JetBlue's home at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) this evening from Airbus's U.S. production facility in Mobile, Ala. It is the first delivery of 70 A220 aircraft JetBlue has on order, which will be phased in to ultimately replace the existing fleet of 60 Embraer 190 aircraft.

"The A220 is a next-generation aircraft our customers and crewmembers will love, featuring impressive range and superior economics to support critical financial and operating priorities along with new network planning flexibility,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. "And as we evolve our fleet for the future, the A220’s significant reduction in per-seat emissions supports our ongoing commitment to carbon neutrality for all our domestic flights, and moves us closer to achieving our pledge of net-zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2040.”

Guizhou Airlines receives first colourful Airbus A320neo assembled in Tianjin from GECAS orderbook

Guizhou Airlines has taken delivery of a new A320neo (MSN10037), marking the first neo from GECAS’ orderbook to enter service having been assembled at the Airbus Tianjin facility. Completing the commitment announced at the 2019 Paris Air Show, this aircraft is the fourth CFM LEAP-powered narrowbody on lease from GECAS to enter the Colorful Guizhou Airlines fleet.

While this delivery is the first from the lessor’s own orderbook and first to enter service with a Chinese operator, GECAS has an impressive history working with the Airbus Tianjin Facility. It also took delivery of the first-ever A320neo assembled at the Chinese Facility through a purchase-leaseback arrangement for aircraft operated by AirAsia.

Aeroflot updates children’s meal in business class

Aeroflot has introduced an updated children’s menu in business class on flights from Moscow. The dishes were developed to cater to tastes and nutritional needs of young travellers. Improving inflight catering will enhance the airline’s service quality.  

The selection of dishes from the new kids’ menu depends on flight duration.  

Hot meals include meat types with high dietary value and widely preferred by kids: turkey, chicken, veal, and beef. The menu contains more vegetables and fruits. 

Breakfast service offers a choice of traditional children’s favourites: oatmeal, cottage cheese pancakes, pancakes with jam.  

Royal Air Force Disbands Historical D-Day Group

On 31st December 2020, the Royal Air Force marked the end of yet another chapter in the rich and diverse history of Number 38 Group with its disbandment.

Originally formed mid-way through the Second World War as part of Fighter Command, the Group’s motto is ‘Par Nobile Fratrum’, or ‘A Noble Pair of Brothers’, reflecting the interoperability between the newly formed Group and Airborne forces that endured throughout its early years.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: “Number 38 Group has contributed immeasurably to operations in the UK and worldwide since its reformation six years ago. Its disbandment marks a new chapter in the way we enable future air and space operations. The newly-formed RAF Support Force in No. 2 Group will have the structure, connectivity and resources we need to sustain our battle-winning next-generation Royal Air Force.”

It is not just aircraft Icelandair completes sales and lease back deals on..........troubled carrier completes similar deal on its HQ

Finacially troubled Icelandair sells off its headoffice for nearly $18 million to keep flying in 2021.  The Reykjavik based carrier confirmed, that like its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, it has agreed a sale and lease back arrangement on the building.

The sale will took place on 30 December 2020, for a ISK 2,250 million (USD 17.6 million) price tag.  The Icelandair Group will lease the office building for a period of three years, until year-end 2023. 

Pilots agree collective bargaining agreement with ABX Air.

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. confirmed this week that pilot employees of its ABX Air, Inc. subsidiary have voted in favor of an amendment to their Collective Bargaining Agreement with ABX Air.

ABX Air’s pilots are represented by the Airline Professionals Association of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 1224 (IBT).

“This affirmative vote demonstrates a renewed sense of unity at ABX Air, paving the way for us to work together toward our shared goals of growth and superior customer service,” ABX Air President David Soaper said. “I want to express my appreciation to the leadership and members of Local 1224 for their endorsement of this amended agreement. It represents a crucial step as we pursue future growth opportunities for our airline.”

The amended agreement will become effective January 1, 2021, and amendable six years thereafter. Terms of the amended agreement were not disclosed by ABX Air.

Recommended for you...

Earthshot Prize

This time last year, we announced the most prestigious environmental project in history, The Earthshot Prize, designed to incentivise change, inspire collective action, and help repair our planet over the next ten years. 

Over the past year, our work has been met with enthusiasm from around the world, and we have been inspired to hear just how many people want to play their part. As we look ahead at the start of a new year, The Earthshot Prize is proud to collaborate with ‘Count Us In’, to show some of the simple steps we can all take to support the global effort to create a better future for our planet. 

Count us In is an initiative convened by TED Countdown, a Global Alliance Partner of The Earthshot Prize, focussed  on mobilizing people all around the world to take practical steps that when aggregated, will make a significant impact.  

By taking these small but impactful steps – whether it’s pledging to reduce food waste, switching to greener energy or eating seasonally, we can all join the movement and be part of the solution. 

Find out more at: earthshotprize.count-us-in.org

Volga-Dnepr Airlines returns AN-124-100 to service following recent crash.

Photo Volga-Dnepr Group

The heavy and odd-shaped cargo specialist freight carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines has confirmed the restart of flying operations of the Antonov An-124-100 commercial operations following a crash in November grounded the fleet.

The first plane ready after the completion of technical checks and execution of service directives to a full extent was RA-82077 completing a flight from Leipzig to Shanghai on 26th December.  

The airline suspended operations after the incident on the 13th of November 2020 which saw one of the fleet suffer an uncontained engine fan disk failure of series D-18T shortly after take-off. The failure resulted in engine failure and the loss of control systems. The bulk carrier was carrying 84 tons of cargo with full fuel tanks at the time of the incident. Despite suffering engine failure and loss of control elements, the crew still managed to avert a major disaster by making a 180-degree turn, land the aircraft, managing to keep the aircraft on the runway before skidding off the end of the runway.

American Airlines earns STAR Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council

American is the first airline to achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) for its entire fleet of aircraft and Admirals Club lounges. STAR is a performance-based program based on American establishing effective cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention work practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics such as the coronavirus (COVID-19).

UK's CAA updates Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness document

Update to CAP 747 'Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness'

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has updated and published issue 4 of CAP 747 ‘Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness’ to reflect the fact that the UK leaves the European Union aviation system at 23.00 on 31 December 2020 and the CAA will no longer be a member of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

As a result, the CAA will take on State of Design responsibilities from EASA for products where the UK is State of Design. The CAA will be responsible for fulfilling the UK’s obligations as State of Design or Manufacture as specified in Annex 8 of the ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Section 1, Part 1 of CAP 747 provides new flowcharts to assist in identifying the applicable mandatory requirements for airworthiness relating to your product. The revision history in CAP 747 provides more details.

Issue 4 available here. 

Recommended for you...

Rossiya’s Superjet 100 will operate the first passenger flight on January 1

Photo Stanislav2003

The Russian airline Rossiya has now confirmed it is completely ready to operate flights on Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100, which is the latest addition to the fleet from parent airline Aeroflot.

The start of operations of Superjet SSJ100 is part of a major new strategy of The Aeroflot Group, which according to Rossiya, will see the carrier focus on the implementation of mainline and regional air transportation within Russia.  Its main function will be to provide convenient connections, both with its own flights and with Aeroflot flights at new base of  Sheremetyevo International Airport.

It is this new strategy that will see the vast bulk of Aeroflot's SSJ100s passed to Rossiya, which should see around 66 of the jets eventually fly in Rossiya's colours by the end of 2021.   

Nizhny Novgorod and Belgorod will be the first destinations in Rossiya’s route network, which will begin to operate flights on Superjet 100 from 1st January.

Hyatt Celebrates the Opening of the First Five UrCove Hotels in China

The new openings reinforce Hyatt’s commitment to reach China’s underserved upper-midscale segment and strategically grow the Hyatt brand in China.

UrCove Shanghai Jing’an

Hyatt together with its partners and affiliates have opened its first five properties – UrCove Shanghai Jing’an, UrCove Shanghai Lujiazui EXPO, UrCove Shanghai Wujiaochang, UrCove Chengdu City Centre and UrCove Nanjing South Railway Station. 

These new additions to Hyatt’s portfolio in these popular destination cities in China aim to better serve the highly mobile travellers in the upper-mid segment.  This will further help to demonstrate the hotel groups commitment to achieve meaningful growth in the region. 

“China remains a priority market for Hyatt’s growth, and we are committed to unlocking the huge potential of the country’s emerging middle class and growing domestic travel trends,” said Stephen Ho, president of growth and operations, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “UrCove hotels cater to the underserved premium upper-midscale segment and with five UrCove hotels open in the major gateway cities of Shanghai, Chengdu and Nanjing, the brand is more accessible for this large, attractive and growing customer base."

Discounted flights to Shanghai here.

How to Plan a “Revenge Vacation” at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Take that, 2020 - here’s how to experience an Orlando vacation that puts “true revenge” on the year that travel was on hold.

For many, it’s safe to say 2020 put a real wrench in one’s travel plans. With this New Year, many travellers are ready to take a much-needed, long-awaited vacation, and Orlando ranks among the top 2021 trending travel destinations.  Below are ways to make a 2021 Orlando vacation at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort “next level” and make up for lost travel memories:

Reserve a vacation now and save 20 percent, with the Resort’s Advance Purchase package.  Planning ahead has its perks; this package is the best value offer available. With inclusions such as a complimentary daily kids’ camp for ages 4 and older, kids 5 and younger dine free, complimentary access to The Spa’s relaxation lounges, and an exclusive five-acre (two-hectare) water park, there are numerous added values included with a stay. Plus, the guest rooms and suites have all undergone a recent enhancement, and Four Seasons Lead With Care program puts the health, safety and comfort of guests at the forefront.

Book flights to Orlando at discount prices

Air Asia Group scales back investment in Air Asia India

Is the mighty AirAsia Group starting to consolidate its global holdings and operational footprint?  Could this be an indication that a sale is on the way in the not too distant future. That may be the case, as the group has just confirmed it has disposed of 32.67% of its equity shares in AirAsia
(India) Limited (AAI) held by the Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AirAsia Investment Limited (AAIL). This brings down its shareholding in AAI to 16.33%. 

Bo Lingam President of the airline's division of the AirAsia Group, said, “This transaction is in line with our initiatives towards reducing cash utilisation for the Group and will allow us to use cash to grow market share in our core markets in Asean, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines as well as for our future expansion into Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. 

“AirAsia Group has been reviewing its forward business strategy regularly, including its investment in AAI. This transaction will ensure strict cost containment for AirAsia Group in the short term, and strengthen our presence in Asean while continuing our market dominance for travel from Asean to India and North Asia.

CSO-2 French military Earth observation satellite launched successfully

                                     Airbus-built CSO-2 (Composante spatiale optique) Earth observation satellites for the French Armed Forces, has been successfully launched on a Soyuz launcher from the Kourou European Spaceport in French Guyana.

CSO-2 is the second of the three-satellite CSO constellation, which will provide extremely high-resolution geo information intelligence to the French Armed Forces and to its partners in the frame of the MUSIS cooperation programme (Multinational Space-based Imaging System for surveillance, reconnaissance and observation). The CSO satellites are equipped with a very agile pointing system and are controlled via a secure ground control operations centre. The constellation will offer 3D and very high-resolution imaging capability, in visible and infrared bandwidths, enabling acquisition during night and day and maximize the operational use.

Second of three next-generation very high-resolution optical observation satellites

More CRJ-900s for Mesa Airlines to service American routes

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Airlines, the regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 104 cities in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, has confirmed it will be adding more aircraft to its fleet.

The airline is amending its new Capacity Purchase Agreement with American Airlines, which will see it picking up more flights and increase its fleet by 5 Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft.

"We appreciate the opportunity to add this additional capacity at the request of American Airlines," said Brad Rich, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We remain optimistic about our relationship with American Airlines and are well prepared to respond positively to future opportunities."

Recommended for you...

Helicopter-Based Transportation Market Research 2021-2025 | 36% Growth to Come from North America

Technvaio forecast the global helicopter-based transportation market to grow by USD 1.29 billion during 2021-2025. This marks a significant market slow down compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. However, healthy growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 3%.

21 Years of Airline Passenger Traffic Growth Wiped out in 2020: Cirium Report Reveals

 Global passenger traffic was down an estimated 67% this year versus 2019 and was reduced to 1999 levels

Travel restrictions to curb COVID-19 forced airlines to cut flights by 49%, from 33.2 million in 2019 to 16.8 million during 2020

Only 3.8 million flights flown internationally in 2020; 77% of all flights were domestic

30% of global commercial fleet remains in storage

Global aviation data firm Cirium has released its new Airline Insights Review 2020 which reveals the shocking impact on aviation of worldwide travel restrictions to curb COVID-19.

The report shows that the pandemic and its consequences wiped out 21 years of global passenger traffic growth in a matter of months, reducing traffic this year to levels last seen in 1999. In comparison to last year, passenger traffic is estimated to be down 67% in 2020.

At the peak of the disruption in April, scheduled passenger flights dropped significantly to just 13,600 globally on April 25, compared to the year’s busiest day on January 3 when Cirium tracked over 95,000 scheduled passenger flights globally. This marks an extraordinary 86% reduction in flights.

From January to December airlines operated 49% fewer flights in 2020 compared to 2019 – down from 33.2 million flights to just 16.8 million (to December 20).

Emirates takes A380 experience to new heights, unveils Premium Economy plus enhancements across all cabins

Whilst other airlines are retiring, storing or in the case of Air France, breaking up their superjumbo double-decked Airbus A380s, the Dubai based Emirates is taking its signature A380 experience to the next level with the unveiling of a brand new Premium Economy cabin product, together with enhancements and a refreshed look across all cabins onboard its newest A380 aircraft.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the skies, and now we’ve made it even better. While others cut back, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we’ve had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions and introduce new offerings and enhancements. True to our fly better promise, Emirates continues to invest to offer our customers the best possible experience.”

The airline received its newest A380 aircraft from Airbus’ Hamburg facility last week, and its remaining order of 5 A380s will also be delivered with premium economy cabins over 2021 and 2022. Emirates’ premium economy seats will also be installed on some of its Boeing 777X aircraft which are only due to join the fleet in 2023. Emirates is considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet.

The Eurofighter is already the most successful European defence project ever - and the best is yet to come.

Eurofighter GmbH CEO,  Herman Claesen, explains how Europe’s future airpower requirements and Typhoon’s future capability journey are converging. 

Eurofighter is already the most successful European defence project ever. But anyone who believes that Eurofighter has reached its peak could not be more mistaken — the truth is, as 2020 demonstrated, the best years are yet to come.

In November Germany announced it is replacing its existing Tranche 1 aircraft under the Quadriga programme. Under the deal, announced in the Bundestag in November, Germany has committed to 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the Luftwaffe. The aircraft will be built to the latest standard and will include the E-Scan radar Mk1. This news is a further boost for the Eurofighter programme, following the E-Scan radar retro-embodiment contracts for the Spanish and German Luftwaffe Typhoon fleets and the continuation of the development of E-Scan version Mk2 announced in the summer.

Alaska Airlines announces revisions to its service animal policy - no more emotional support animals

Following recent changes to U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) rules, Alaska Airlines will no longer accept emotional support animals on its flights. Effective Jan. 11, 2021, Alaska will only transport service dogs, which are specially trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. 

Earlier this month the DOT said it will no longer require airlines to make the same accommodations for emotional support animals as is required for trained service dogs. Changes to the DOT rules came after feedback from the airline industry and disability community regarding numerous instances of emotional support animal misbehaviour which caused injuries, health hazards and damage to aircraft cabins. 

Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport opens reconstructed runway one and makes first Sputnik V vaccine delivery to Argentina

Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow has commissioned its newly reconstructed runway one (Runway-1).  The ceremony took place on December 24th with a special parade of airfield equipment and welcomed into action by numerous government, airport and airline dignitaries.  

Watch a video of the opening below. 

Runway-1, features two new high-speed-exit taxiways, the capacity of Sheremetyevo airfield's three runways will increase to 110 million passengers per year.  

"We were able to do the reconstruction of Runway-1, which is an important stage in the development of the airfield complex thanks to the current concession agreement between the government, represented by Rosaviatsia, and Sheremetyevo airport," said Alexander Ponomarenko. "As a result, today we have three runways, which, together with the development of terminal capacity and in the context of normalizing passenger traffic volume, provide an opportunity to achieve our strategic goal: serving 110 million passengers per year."

Engine trouble for Air Canada 737 MAX makes news

A troubling restart for the Boeing 737 MAX as an Air Canada example fresh from storage suffered a serious engine issue on its ferry flight back to Canada, ay least according to various mainstream media outlets.

The event took place on 22nd December when the aircraft, C-FSNQ  was operating a ferry flight from Pinal Airpark Marana, Arizona where the aircraft had been in temporary storage, to one of Air Canada's main hubs, Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal.  

The jet was in the early stages of the flight when things started to go wrong, despite the jet having a full check on the ground, the crew had a number of warnings, regarding low hydraulic pressure from the left engine and then had warnings of a fuel imbalance from the left-hand wing.

According to Air Canada, the crew "received an engine notification and, according to the standard operating procedure for such a situation, they decided to shut down an engine" before rerouting to Tucson, Arizona.

After burning fuel, the crew landed on runway 11L at Tucson around 80 minutes after departure. The Canadian TSB reported the aircraft was brought to a stop, inspected by safety vehicles and was subsequently escorted to the apron.

The heightened level of scrutiny surrounding the Boeing 737 MAX's return to service ensured this story made it to many mainstream media platforms, sites and papers. Yet, this was a ferry flight, with just the crew onboard and therefore no passengers safety had been impacted. Of course, it shouldn't have happened, the pressure was checked on the ground, as part of the 'wake-up' tests and checks, but these two issues are not related the causes of the two disasters that cost the lives of over 340 people which led to the nearly two-year grounding of the MAX jets.  

Recommended for you...

Montenegro Airlines forced to close

The Government of Montenegro made a surprising move on Christmas Day this year and pulled the plug on its ailing national carrier Montenegro Airlines after 23 years of flying operations.

The airline said the decision to end its flying, instigated by the government was totally unexpected and prevented them from giving advance notice to passengers and the firm's bank accounts were blocked by the tax administration which halted the airline's ability to provide refunds or assistance to stranded passengers. "As of December 25, the company has no funds on the account with which it could refund any purchased and unused tickets. In addition to this, the partner companies have decided not to accept the passengers with our tickets on their flights, and the so-called involuntary rerouting procedure cannot be applied." Montenegro Airlines said in a statement posted to its website. 

"We are immensely sorry that you find yourself in a situation like this." the statement reads and at present, it is unknown if the government will provide funds to recompense those passengers with cancelled bookings,  worthless tickets or those having to find alternative means of returning home.