United Airlines releases "Travel-Ready Center" app.

United's "Travel-Ready Center" will allow customers to upload and validate test results, review local entry requirements, find testing providers, and store vaccination records - all in the United app and United.com

Leading U.S. airline, United today launched the "Travel-Ready Center" - a new, digital solution where customers can review COVID-19 entry requirements, find local testing options and upload any required testing and vaccination records for domestic and international travel, all in one place. United is the first airline to integrate all these features into its mobile app and website.

"While pre-travel testing and documentation are key to safely reopening global travel, we know it can be confusing for customers when they're preparing for a flight," said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for Technology and Chief Digital Officer, United. "Starting today, our 'Travel-Ready Center' gives customers a personalized, step-by-step guide of what is needed for their trip, a simple way to upload required documents and quickly get their boarding pass, fully integrated within our app and website."

In the weeks and months ahead, United will add more innovative, industry-first features to the Travel-Ready Center platform to make navigating evolving entry requirements even easier. United customers will soon be able to:

Alaska Airlines pushing for 1st March operational date for its first Boeing 737 MAX 9 that arrived over the weekend.

The Seattle based U.S carrier Alaska Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft which it plans to put into commercial operations from 1st March. 

The aircraft was flown from Boeing's Delivery Center at Boeing Field in Seattle to the company's hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport by the airlines own pilots and with a small group of Alaska's top leadership on board on 24th January.

"We've eagerly waited for this day. It was a proud moment to board our newest 737 aircraft and fly it home," said Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci. "This plane is a significant part of our future. We believe in it, we believe in Boeing and we believe in our employees who will spend the next five weeks in training to ensure we're ready to safely fly our guests."

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded for nearly two years over a series of safety flaws and issues after two deadly crashes involving the model claimed the lives of over 320 people.

SkyCell and Korean Air partner to promote stable and sustainable cold container supply management in growing Korean market

 SkyCell, one of the leading manufacturer of data-driven temperature-controlled containers for the pharmaceutical industry, has partnered with Korean Air Cargo as it focuses on business development in Korea. The partnership follows SkyCell’s recent launch of a service centre in Seoul and the appointment of Charlie Cho as Business Development Director for Korea as of January 1st. 

The partnership comes at a crucial point with the increase in demand for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments this year. Cold-chain maintenance for vaccine transportation is a significant challenge for the global logistics industry, and together SkyCell and Korean Air ensure these lifesaving medicines reach patients timely and in pristine condition. 

Air Cargo in 2021: Supporting the COVID-19 Crisis and Key Policy Challenges

Air cargo has proven essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has ensured the continuity of global value chains — supporting the survival of European businesses. It has also played a pivotal role in the transport of essential goods ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) to medicines, medical equipment, and vaccines.

The European Commission (EC) launched several important initiatives since the outbreak of the pandemic to ensure that air cargo could continue to fulfil its vital role for European citizens and businesses. First and foremost, it introduced “Green Lanes” to streamline cross-border cargo transport, ease the administrative and logistical burden on cargo operators and ensure the effective and continued free movement of goods. The EC also issued airfreight-specific measures. These include recommendations to Member States to grant temporary traffic rights for additional cargo operations from outside the EU; removing night curfews and/or slot restrictions at airports for essential air cargo operations; enabling the use of passenger aircraft for cargo-only operations (so-called “preighters”) and exempting cargo pilots and crew from travel restrictions.

Cathay Pacific and disaster response nonprofit Airlink announce community partnership

 Cathay Pacific and disaster response nonprofit Airlink announce community partnership   

Cathay Pacific Airways and rapid response disaster relief nonprofit, Airlink, have announced a community partnership in the Americas, giving Airlink and its 130 nonprofit humanitarian relief partners access to Cathay Pacific’s extensive Asia network from its 16 passenger and cargo ports in Canada, the US and Mexico.

Working with Airlink’s partners, Convoy of Hope and Flexport.org, Cathay Pacific recently delivered a consignment of blankets and tarps from Chicago to Manila via its state-of-the-art Hong Kong Cargo Terminal in response to Super Typhoon Goni (locally named Rolly) in the Philippines. The typhoon affected an estimated 1.6 million individuals over six regions, with around 125 cities and towns left without electricity.

KLM statement rapid testing for fight crew

KLM statement rapid test for crew

After constructive consultations with the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), KLM has developed a safe alternative testing protocol for crews leaving the airport in countries that are not on the governmental list of safe countries. This includes an alternative whereby, among other things, the rapid antigen test for this crew will be arranged at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before departing from and after returning to the Netherlands. In addition, there are local safety guidelines at the destinations. The government has indicated that this protocol meets the requirements.

KLM has also implemented the flight ban from the United Kingdom, South Africa and South America to the Netherlands as of 23 January. Cargo flights are excepted in the government measures.

New online tool to locate approved COVID-19 testing centres across Delta's international network

Following a new order from the Centres for Disease Control, Delta is helping customers around the world obtain approved COVID-19 tests prior to their travel to the U.S. Starting Jan. 26, 2021, all customers over the age of two entering or transiting through the U.S. from any location outside of the U.S. must obtain a negative test result from a viral test taken within three days of departure.

Delta has developed a dedicated COVID-19 testing resource available on delta.com, highlighting testing locations across our international network that offer one or more of the approved tests. Customers can also use any laboratory or test provider offering one of the following tests: molecular test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), RT-PCR test, LAMP test, or antigen test. Antibody tests are not accepted. For those taking connecting flights to the U.S., the test must be taken within three days of the initial flight and the connection time must not exceed 24 hours. 

KLM to further restructure organisation

KLM to further restructure the organisation

KLM is compelled to further downsize its organisation. We have already taken an unbelievable array of measures to cope with the crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. Regrettably, this resulted, among other things, in the loss of 5,000 jobs and colleagues at KLM in 2020.

This number was based on the premise that air traffic would begin to recover in 2021. However, KLM has repeatedly warned that this recovery might be delayed, which means a downgrading of the scenario and consequently the loss of more jobs. The current reality is that the recovery of long-haul traffic will be delayed longer than anticipated, primarily due to existing and new international measures and travel restrictions. This means KLM will have to shed a further 800-1,000 jobs, including 500 FTEs in the Cabin domain, 100 in the Cockpit domain, and 200 to 400 in the Ground domain. The total number of jobs KLM has then reduced will be close to 6,000.

Kaman Announces New Order for the K-MAX Helicopter

Kaman Air Vehicles, a division of Kaman Corporation, announced this week the receipt of a signed purchase agreement for a K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopter. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in the first quarter of 2021 and follows the delivery of two aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2020. We continue to see demand and interest in the capabilities of the K-MAX across multiple markets.

“We are excited for the opportunity to deliver our third K-MAX aircraft in the last two quarters. Our industry and our operators are benefiting from the cost effective repetitive lift mission capability of the K-MAX,” stated Roger Wassmuth Senior Director, Business Development. “This demand and our recent type certification in Brazil solidifies the need and value proposition that K-MAX offers in the global external lift market.”

Going Green with Silver Eagle - American Airlines' new paint will save money, weight and

After 12 days the newly painted aircraft is ready to fly again.                   Photo American Airlines

Every eight to 10 years, commercial aircraft require a paint refresh to keep them operating smoothly and reliably. By that time, on average, a plane will have flown 13,000 flights, taking on a lot of wear and tear. It’s hard to believe that the current American Airlines livery, first introduced in 2013, is quickly approaching that milestone.

Starting this month, as aircraft approach their regularly scheduled paint refresh date, American will begin repainting them with a new, non-mica grey paint that looks nearly identical to what is soaring across the skies today, but is less expensive, lighter, more fuel-efficient and better for the environment.

The repaint will update American’s current livery with a new, mica-free paint colour created specifically for the airline: Silver Eagle™.

Helsinki Airport Development Programme moves forward faster than planned due to the low passenger volumes

In 2020, a total of 5 million (2019: 21.9) passengers travelled from Helsinki Airport, of which 4 million on international routes. The number of passengers at Helsinki Airport fell by a total of 77 per cent from the previous year. In spite of the COVID-19 crisis, Finavia has decided to continue Helsinki Airport Development Programme.

International transfer travel, which has enabled the airport's rapid growth in recent years, fell by 80 per cent. The number of passengers with connecting international flights was 713,000 (3,571,900).

The number of passengers at Finavia's 21 airports remained at a record low in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2020, airports served a total of 6,4 million passengers, which is almost 20 million less than in the previous year. The number decreased by 75 per cent compared to 2019.

Airbus prepares for a strong presence at ‘Aero India 2021’

Airbus C295                                                                 Photo Airbus 

Airbus will showcase a wide selection of its advanced sustainable aerospace technologies and services at the prestigious ‘Aero India 2021’ exhibition to be held in Bengaluru from February 3 to 5, 2021.

The display will include Airbus’ cutting-edge innovative products along with its customer services and training capabilities. A section will be dedicated to highlighting the company’s strategic local industrial partnerships focused on developing a sustainable aerospace ecosystem in the country.

Swedish Space Corporation and Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands to Collaborate in Optical Communication

Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands (Airbus DS NL) have signed a memorandum of understanding for collaborative activities regarding ground equipment for space-to-ground optical communication. The agreement will accelerate the development of commercially viable optical ground stations that will be offered by Airbus DS NL and used by SSC in delivering ground network services.

One of the collaborative activities in developing this capability includes optical communication tests against the CubeLCT optical terminal on the Photo Images Cross Laser (PIXL-1) Mission, organised in close co-operation with project partner TESAT. PIXL-1 will be launched the 22nd of January (https://www.tesat.de/pixl)

Finnair re-starts passenger flights from the UK and Ireland to Finland

Negative covid-19 test certificate required from all passengers travelling to Finland from January 28th onwards

Finnair will re-start passenger flights from the UK and Ireland to Finland as of 25 January 2021, following the decision by the Finnish traffic authority, Traficom, to allow passenger flights from these countries.

In line with the recommendation by the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Finnair will also from 28 January onwards require that passengers present a certificate of a negative covid-19 test result, or a certificate of a previous covid-19 infection if they travel on any Finnair flight to Finland. This requirement does not apply to customers transferring at Helsinki Airport for their international connecting flights. The certificate requirement is in force until further notice.  

Turkmenistan Airlines becomes a new Airbus customer with an order for two A330-200 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) converted aircraft

Turkmenistan Airlines has placed an order for two A330-200 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted aircraft, becoming a new Airbus customer. The order marks the first time an Airbus aircraft is sold in Turkmenistan. The A330-200P2F will enable the airline to further develop and boost its international cargo route network. The deliveries of the aircraft are planned in 2022, making Turkmenistan Airlines the first operator of this type in Central Asia.

SKYbrary - making flying safer......

SKYbrary is an electronic repository of safety knowledge related to flight operations, air traffic management (ATM) and aviation safety in general.

Its main objective is to become a single point of reference for aviation safety knowledge by making universally available and accessible the safety knowledge accumulated by various aviation organisations, entities and initiatives.

 It is also a portal, a common entry point, that enables users to access the safety data made available on the websites of various aviation organisations - regulators, service providers, industry.

 The SKYbrary knowledgebase is a dynamic enterprise and has taken several years to develop. To develop further, and maintain the accuracy and relevance of the knowledgebase, will require the support and active participation of all those interested in promoting best practice and knowledge in aviation safety.

SKYbrary content development priorities have been to focus on:

Who: Flight Operations and Air Traffic Management

Where: Globally

What: Operational Risks

Aviation sector: Commercial Air Transport

SKYclips are a growing collection of short animations of around 2 minutes duration which focus on a single safety topic in aviation.

Visit the home page here.

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Airbus unveils its helicopter Flightlab to test tomorrow’s technologies

Copyright © Airbus Helicopters, Jerome Deulin

                        Airbus Helicopters has started in-flight tests onboard its Flightlab, a platform-agnostic flying laboratory exclusively dedicated to maturing new technologies. Airbus Helicopters’ Flightlab provides an agile and efficient test bed to quickly test technologies that could later equip Airbus’ current helicopter range, and even more disruptive ones for future fixed-wing aircraft or (e)VTOL platforms.

 

Airbus Helicopters intends to pursue the testing of hybrid and electric propulsion technologies with its Flightlab demonstrator, as well as exploring autonomy, and other technologies aimed at reducing helicopter sound levels or improving maintenance and flight safety. 

 

“Investing in the future remains essential, even in times of crisis, especially when those innovations bring added value to our customers by targeting increased safety, reduced pilot workload, and reduced sound levels,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “Having a dedicated platform to test these new technologies brings the future of flight a step closer and is a clear reflection of our priorities at Airbus Helicopters,” he added. 

Voyager Announces the Lease Conversion of a Second 747-8F

Voyager Aviation Holdings,  announced this week that it has entered into an agreement with AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Group to convert the operating lease on one (1) of the Company’s 747-8F aircraft into a finance lease. The transaction is the second conversion of a 747-8F operating lease with AirBridgeCargo (part of Volga-Dnepr Group) to a finance lease.

“This second lease conversion, following the first transaction announced on December 14, 2020, is indicative of the continued strength of the cargo market and performance of AirBridgeCargo and Volga-Dnepr,” said Voyager’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Mike Lungariello. “Voyager is pleased to offer innovative financing solutions to our customers, and we will continue to do so in the future when opportunities present themselves.”

FLYJETS Launches Version 2.0 Application with New Route-Sharing Program, Adds Helicopter Services to Aircraft Offerings

FLYJETS, an innovative aviation marketplace and travel planning system, has launched its Version 2.0 web application with a new fleet of features for charter jets and helicopter flights. FLYJETS is the product of FLY I Corporation (d/b/a FLYJETS), a New York State Benefit Corporation with the goal of facilitating access to air travel. The company is focused on aircraft utilization, sustainability and vehicles of the future.

US budget Spirit Airlines launches new Free Spirit Loyalty Programme

The low-cost-carrier Spirit Airlines aims to give regular passengers a boost with the launch of the new Free Spirit loyalty programme—which offers the fastest way to earn rewards and status—alongside the new Spirit Saver$ Club. Spirit also unveiled a pair of new credit cards with benefits that make every aspect of the new Free Spirit fly faster and further.

“Points are useless if you have to wait forever to use them,” said Bobby Schroeter, Spirit Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We started with a clean sheet of paper so we could focus on what travellers and their families want, which is points that add up fast and generate rewards just as quickly. We know our guests want to be able to earn and redeem their points without jumping through hoops.”

Airbus increasing production rates.

 European planemaker Airbus will be slowly increasing its production rate the firm has advised this week. 

The new average production rates for the A320 Family will now lead to a gradual increase in production from the current rate of 40 per month to 43 in Q3 and 45 in Q4 2021. This latest production plan represents a slower ramp up than the previously anticipated 47 aircraft per month from July.

The A220 monthly production rate will increase from four to five aircraft per month from the end of Q1 2021 as previously foreseen.

Widebody production is expected to remain stable at current levels, with monthly production rates of around five and two for the A350 and A330, respectively. This decision postpones a potential rate increase for the A350 to a later stage.

Airbus continues to monitor the market closely. With these revised rates, Airbus preserves its ability to meet customer demand while protecting its ability to further adapt as the global market evolves. Airbus expects the commercial aircraft market to return to pre-COVID levels by 2023 to 2025.

 

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Norwegian to get a new bailout from the government

In a strange u-turn of position, the Norwegian government has decided to give the budget carrier a new trounce of funding. 

Iselin Nyboe, the Industry Minister for Norway confirmed the government was willing to help refinance the ailing airline. It is a move widely welcomed by many in the Norwegian aviation industry, not lease by Jacob Schram, CEO of  Norwegian.  

“On behalf of everyone at Norwegian, I would like to sincerely thank the government for their support. Norwegian has been faced with a very challenging and demanding situation due to the pandemic, and the government’s support significantly increases our chances of raising new capital and getting us through the reconstruction process we are currently in. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but a participation from the government underscores that we are heading in the right direction,” said Norwegian CEO, Jacob Schram.

This move significantly increases Norwegian’s chances of working through the crisis caused by the pandemic and to position itself as a key player within Norwegian and European aviation.

Norwegian entered into an Irish examinership process and a supplementary reconstruction negotiation in Norway late last year. On January 14, 2021, the airline presented a new business plan based on a simplified business structure with a focus on a European route network and discontinuing its long-haul operations, as well as significantly reducing its debt. The plan comprises a fleet of around 50 aircraft in operation this year, and to gradually increase to approximately 70 aircraft in 2022, pending demand and potential travel restrictions. The debt will be reduced to around NOK 20 billion, and the company will raise four to five billion NOK in new capital.

“With a new business plan, and a participation from the government, we are confident we can attract investors and get through the Examinership and reconstruction process. We have received extensive support from political parties, customers, colleagues, shareholders, and business partners, for which we are extremely grateful, especially during these challenging times. Furthermore, the government’s support will contribute to help securing jobs and maintain healthy competition within the aviation sector,”

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Daniel Elwell joins the board of Alaska Airlines

Alaska Air Group announced that Daniel Elwell has joined the firm's board of directors effective immediately and he will also join the boards of directors of the company's airline subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc.

Elwell, a former military and commercial pilot, served as Deputy and Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from June 2017 to November 2020, where he was responsible for the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world, which operates more than 50,000 flights a day. Elwell also had oversight of the FAA's multibillion-dollar NextGen air traffic control modernization program to accelerate the shift from ground-based radar to state-of-the-art satellite technology with operational, community and environmental benefits.

"We are thrilled to have someone with Dan's expertise and background in the airline and aviation industry join our board," said Brad Tilden, Alaska Air Group Chair and CEO. "He has been a pilot, public servant and innovator to advance aviation safety in our country – a value we hold dear. At a both critical and exciting time in our industry, Dan clearly understands the challenges and opportunities ahead, and we welcome his trusted perspective and ideas."

Nectar points can now be converted into Avios for British Airways travel bookings

 Nectar and British Airways announced a new partnership this week, giving customers the opportunity to convert Nectar points into Avios and plan for some truly incredible travel memories.

It means that for the first time ever, customers who collect Nectar points will be able to convert their points balance to Avios through the British Airways Executive Club, which can be put towards flights with British Airways, as well as upgrades, hotel stays, car hire and more. The partnership will turn everyday spending into special travel experiences and help travellers as they think ahead for future trips.  

From 25 January, existing balances and future points collected with Nectar can be converted into Avios, which can be redeemed through the British Airways Executive Club on flights, upgrades, hotel stays and more

400 Nectar points collected can be converted into 250 Avios and if customers wish to receive more Nectar points, then they can convert 250 Avios into 400 Nectar points

Just 4,000 Avios are needed to get members a flight to Amsterdam, meaning Nectar customers can turn everyday spending into some special travel experiences

To celebrate, customers will receive a one-off bonus 500 Avios when they convert 1,600 Nectar points, lending a helping hand as travellers begin to think ahead for future trips. Customers will also be rewarded with 2x Nectar points at Sainsbury’s until 19 April 2021

Avios joins more than 300 existing Nectar partners including Sainsbury’s, Argos, eBay, Café Nero, Vue and more, while Nectar adds to British Airways’ extensive partner list

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The European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus have agreed on service orders for two independent payload missions.

Photo NASA

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus have agreed on service orders for two independent payload missions to be launched to the Bartolomeo payload hosting facility on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

 

The first payload mission is ESA’s Exobiology Platform (EXPO). This facility carries a set of radiation experiments aimed at better understanding the evolution of organic molecules and organisms in the space. Placed in a Zenith-facing slot, the facility will connect two scientific modules to Bartolomeo. These modules will host everything needed for the experiments, including the scientific sample containers, fluidics systems and sensors related to the individual experiments called Exocube, IceCold and OREOcube. At the end of the three-year mission, the samples will be returned to Earth for detailed investigation and analysis.

 

The second payload is the Euro Material Ageing experiment platform (SESAME), developed by the French Space Agency (CNES). This mission will study the ageing behaviour of new materials in space and will also make use of Bartolomeo’s payload return option. After a year of exposure in space, the experiments will be returned to Earth, allowing scientists to thoroughly investigate the samples and fully understand the effects of the space environment on the materials.