Airport News

New Direct Flight from Almaty to Tel Aviv on Air Astana

Harry Johnson — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 15:45:24 +0000

Air Astana has opened ticket sales for a new direct flight from Almaty to Tel Aviv, Israel, which will be operated twice weekly by Airbus A321LR starting in September. This service represents an expansion of the airline’s route network in a new direction and provides the first direct air service between Kazakhstan and Israel.

The flight will depart Almaty at 04:30 and arrive in Tel Aviv at 08:15 on Thursdays, whilst on Sundays, it will depart at 04:10 with arrival at 07:55. Return flights will be operated at 09:30 with arrival in Almaty at 18:20. All times local. The duration of the flights will be 6 hours 45minutes outbound and 5hours 50 minutes inbound to Almaty.

The city of Tel Aviv is famous for its sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and offers tourists a unique blend of culture, architecture, history, entertainment and cuisine.

“We are delighted to offer our passengers the opportunity to take advantage of the new Air Astana service to Tel Aviv and discover a unique country in the Middle East,” said Adel Dauletbek, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “Tel Aviv is an exciting city with limitless opportunities for tourism and new discovery. The high level of comfort and quality of service on our flights will make this journey unforgettable.”

Booking tickets for the new service is now open on the airline’s official website, at ticket sales offices, accredited agencies and in the Booking and Information Center. Kazakhstan citizens require a visa to enter Israel.

Pittsburgh Airport Launches TrashBot

Harry Johnson — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:29:56 +0000

eTurboNews:

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and CleanRobotics announced a partnership to implement AI recycling bin TrashBot to assist with the airport’s waste management initiatives.

As part of PIT’s commitment to supporting innovative aviation technologies, TrashBot will join the facility to sort passenger waste and recyclables with 96% accuracy.

TrashBot is a smart bin that sorts waste at the point of disposal while gathering data and delivering education to users. Through AI and robotics, TrashBot’s technology identifies and sorts the item into its corresponding bin, reducing contamination and recovering more recyclables. TrashBot is ideal for high-traffic areas where contamination inhibits successful recycling and composting. For airports, TrashBot can significantly influence waste diversion rates and educate a traveling population, driving long-term sustainable impact.

“TrashBot’s implementation at PIT Airport, and the work we do together, embodies how AI and robotics can transform waste management and sustainability practices within airports. We’re eager to see how TrashBot and associated waste data can support and advance PIT’s commitment to solving operational challenges through innovation,” said CleanRobotics CEO Charles Yhap.
The project is facilitated by PIT’s xBridge Innovation Center.

Launched in 2020, xBridge is PIT’s proving ground for technologies and startups that solves for needs in today’s airports and tests and incubates strategic technologies for the future. The proof-of-concept and pilot site showcases new technologies in a real-world operating environment. The xBridge is designed to capitalize on and grow the region’s powerful tech economy right at the airport for the aviation industry and beyond. xBridge has partnered with firms ranging from global Fortune 500 companies to local start-ups for projects that have tackled air purification, deployed robotic floor scrubbers, and applied artificial intelligence to security wait times.

“The TrashBot is an innovative product that fits right into our vision of a more sustainable future,” said Cole Wolfson, xBridge Director. “Bringing AI and robotics into a sector like waste management, which affects the entire aviation industry, and giving us the ability to dramatically upgrade our recycling efforts is a game-changer. We’re really proud of this partnership with CleanRobotics.”

A mission-driven company, CleanRobotics disrupts waste management by applying AI- and data-driven solutions to recycling programs. The CleanRobotics team believes that sorting waste accurately at the source will ensure more recoverable materials are diverted from landfills.

New Doha to Trabzon, Turkey Flight on Qatar Airways

Harry Johnson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:35:14 +0000

eTurboNews:

Qatar Airways today landed its inaugural flight to the Turkish city of Trabzon. The non-stop service is operating with the Airbus A320 aircraft three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The new route expands Qatar Airways’ footprint in Türkiye and strengthens its global network of more than 160 destinations.

Onboard QR319, the flight was celebrated by the attendance of the Ambassador of The Republic of Türkiye in Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Goksu. Special celebrations took place in Premium and Economy Cabins, where passengers were welcomed with special Turkish desserts, and experienced a bespoke menu in addition to being presented with unique giveaways that embrace the Turkish culture.

The aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute upon landing, where a short airport ceremony took place which was attended by the Governor of Trabzon, Mr. İsmail Ustaoğlu. Passengers were handed red roses and Turkish baklava and enjoyed a dance performance by a traditional folk group.

Trabzon is Qatar Airways’ seventh destination in Türkiye, with the airline also operating to Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Istanbul, and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Located in the Northeast of Turkey, Trabzon is celebrated for its rich history, cultural offerings, and beautiful Black Sea coastline. The city boasts an array of natural and historic wonders, including the Sumela Monastery, Uzungol Lake, and the stunning Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum.

With this new route, Qatar Airways passengers will have the opportunity to explore Trabzon’s diverse offerings with ease and convenience. From sports activities, to hiking mountains and family getaways, Trabzon presents something unique to all travellers.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Trabzon is an exciting and important new route for Qatar Airways, which solidifies our strong commitment to Türkiye and delivers on the high demand for connectivity between Doha and Trabzon. Reaffirming our commitment to the strong partnership between Qatar and Turkey, Qatar Airways’ network in Türkiye has expanded to 58 weekly flights during the peak summer season. We look forward to bringing travellers to Trabzon from the Gulf region and beyond, through an unrivalled travel experience through our home, the outstanding Hamad International Airport.”

Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Goksu, said: “We are proud of the ongoing demand from the State of Qatar to The Republic of Türkiye, evident in Qatar Airways operations to not only one, but seven different airports.

“I am pleased to join the airline in its celebration today, and I know that my country will offer a world-class and unforgettable experience to all passengers coming to Trabzon, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation for being part of this memorable moment.”

Qatar Airways will service Trabzon throughout the summer season with the route operating between 16 June and 22 August 2023.

New Miami, Medellin, Lima and Atlanta flights on LATAM and Delta

Harry Johnson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:16:55 +0000

eTurboNews:

LATAM group and Delta Air Lines will add four routes to their global connectivity networks, as part of the strategic JV agreement between the leading airlines in the Americas.

LATAM Airlines Colombia will introduce a new daily service between Miami and Medellin starting October 29, which will operate with Airbus 320 aircraft equipped with Premium Economy and Economy cabins. On the same day, LATAM Airlines Peru will introduce three-times weekly flights between its Lima hub and Delta’s Atlanta hub. LATAM‘s first route to the Georgia state capital will be complementary to Delta’s current daily service and will operate with Boeing 767 aircraft with Premium Business, LATAM+ and Economy cabins.

Additionally, Delta Air Lines will offer service between its Atlanta hub and Cartagena, Colombia. The route will launch Dec. 22, with three-times weekly flights with Boeing 737 aircraft with First Class, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin service. Delta also will add a second daily flight between Atlanta and Bogota, Colombia, beginning Oct. 29 with Boeing 757 aircraft offering First Class, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin service. The new routes will be available for booking beginning June 17 on delta.com and latam.com.

North and South America, closer than ever

The strategic JV agreement between LATAM group and Delta has resulted in the best connectivity networks in the industry, joining more than 120 South American destinations served by LATAM group with the more than 200 North American destinations served by Delta. The routes added to the joint network will allow to explore Atlanta, Miami, Cartagena, Bogota, Lima and Medellin, and will increase opportunities to connect to other exciting destinations on both continents. From Atlanta, Delta offers more than 780 daily flights to 143 destinations in the U.S. and Canada. From Miami, Delta offers more than 30 daily flights to 11 U.S. destinations, while the LATAM group offers 102 weekly flights from Miami to 5 cities in South America. From Medellin, the LATAM group operates 33 daily flights to 11 destinations in South America, while from Lima, the LATAM group offers more than 108 daily flights to 37 destinations in South America. From its hub in Bogota, the LATAM group offers 84 flights to 21 destinations in South America.

“The mission of Delta and LATAM group’s JV partnership is to make travel between North and certain countries in South America easier and more enjoyable, and to bring the continents closer than ever,” said Alex Antilla, Delta’s Vice President for Latin America. “We’re grateful for the response from customers who are moving over to Delta and LATAM group. These exciting new routes, combined with our loyalty benefits, will provide even more ways to discover and do business in these dynamic markets. Just as importantly, we look forward to welcoming LATAM Airlines Peru on their first Atlanta route, to facilitating more connections through Delta’s largest hub, and to attracting new visitors to the Peach State.”

“We are very happy to announce the new route between Miami and Medellin by LATAM Airlines Colombia, one of the major financial, industrial and commercial centers in Colombia. At the same time, the service between Lima and Delta’s largest hub in Atlanta by LATAM Airlines Peru, also reinforces our joint commitment to deliver more and better connection options for the customers,” said Martin St. George, Chief Commercial Officer for LATAM Airlines Group. “We will continue to work hard to elevate the experience for the passengers with internationally acclaimed service and a determined emphasis on sustainability for the skies of the Americas and the world.”

The commercial JV agreement between North and South America
Since the implementation of their strategic agreement in October 2022, the LATAM group and Delta have increased capacity by 75% and is the No. 1 JV in market share, measured in passengers, and in number of flights between New York and Los Angeles on one side and certain countries in South America. With these latest routes, the agreement has more than doubled capacity from Delta’s Atlanta hub, and nearly doubled capacity to LATAM group hubs in certain countries in South America, while offering the best experience both on the ground and in the air. The agreement applies to specific markets, offering customer benefits and faster connections to more than 300 destinations between the U.S./Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay), including:

• Bogota-Orlando on July 1
• Sao Paulo-Los Angeles on Aug. 1
• Miami-Medellin on Oct. 29
• New York JFK-Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 16
• Cartagena-Atlanta on Dec. 22

LATAM Pass and Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer program members can earn and redeem points/miles and enjoy reciprocal Elite benefits when flying on each other’s services.

LATAM group and Delta continue working together behind the scenes to create a smooth travel experience for their customers. The airlines already share terminals at hub airports like New York/JFK, São Paulo/Guarulhos, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile, and mutual access to 53 Delta Sky Club lounges in the United States and five LATAM Lounges in South America.

Travel and Tourism Deal Activity Plummets 41%

Harry Johnson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:36:26 +0000

eTurboNews:

The travel and tourism industry has witnessed a massive 41% year-on-year (YoY) decline in deal activity from 475 deals announced during January-May 2022 to 282* during the first five of months of 2023.

The decline in deal activity in the industry indicates dampened sentiments and cautious approach of investors. The ongoing uncertainties and impact of the geopolitical tensions, inflation and recession fears have forced deal makers to adopt a more conservative approach.

All the deal types under coverage registered decline in volume. For instance, merger and acquisitions (M&A) deals volume decreased by 43% while the number of venture financing deals and private equity deals YoY declined by 34% and 44%, respectively, during January to May 2023.

The industry also witnessed a substantial YoY decline in deal activity across most of the regions worldwide during the period.

North America experienced a decline of 48% in deals volume during January to May 2023 compared to the same period during the previous year while Europe, Asia-Pacific and South and Central America regions registered decline of 49%, 27% and 36%, respectively.

Meanwhile, deals volume for the Middle East and Africa region remained unchanged.

The US, the UK, India, France, Australia and Japan witnessed significant YoY decline of 48%, 48%, 33%, 7%, 29% and 54%, respectively, in deals volume during January to May 2023.

On the other hand, easing of travel restrictions seems to be encouraging Chinese travelers. As a result, China stood out as a notable exception and registered a 19% YoY growth in the number of deals announced during the period.

*Mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and venture financing deals.

Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

ANA Enhances Safety with MedAire Security Solutions

Harry Johnson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:58:54 +0000

eTurboNews:

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has announced a partnership with international medical and security services company, MedAire Inc. (MedAire), to provide travel threat and security intelligence to its passengers and crew.

With over 200 destinations in 35 countries and an extensive domestic network, ANA’s top priority is the safety of its passengers. MedAire, a leader in aviation security solutions, will work closely with ANA’s security team to identify, assess and understand risks to flights, both in the air and on the ground.

The MedAire Portal provides advanced travel risk management resources and tools for aviation security departments to help assess and mitigate travel and safety risks. With more than 35 years of experience vetting threat data, MedAire delivers actionable advice in response to threats impacting operations.

The MedAire360 Security Portal provides a map-based interface with 360 degrees of analysis, including near real-time threat and aviation alerts, flight route visualisation, fleet tracking, airport risk assessment, airspace analysis, country and city guides and security consulting. With comprehensive security information, MedAire supports organizations with bespoke risk assessments, gap analyses and emergency response reviews.

Bill Dolny, MedAire CEO said, “We are proud to be chosen as ANA’s partner to provide world-class aviation security intelligence. Our team of experts, with military and government aviation experience, is well-equipped to guide ANA through any unanticipated risks and threats. Our goal is to deliver intel and advice in critical moments, allowing ANA to make informed decisions for their flights and passengers.”

Haru Kajiki, Vice President, Aviation Security of ANA said, “Ensuring the safety and security of our operations is the foundation of our business. Our partnership with MedAire will allow us to continue to gather the latest intelligence, data and expertise to proactively address emerging risks, and will enhance the safety and peace of mind of our customers as we expand our network.”

The partnership with MedAire is an important step in ANA’s ongoing initiative to ensure the safety and security of its passengers and crew members. With MedAire’s expertise in aviation security and team of experienced professionals, ANA is poised to make informed decisions that will keep operations running smoothly and securely. This collaboration showcases ANA’s commitment to providing the highest level of service to its customers and maintaining the highest standards in aviation safety.

Finnair Gets Runway Ready with Uniform Showcase

Harry Johnson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:56:07 +0000

eTurboNews:

Finnair has launched a new exhibition in its home hub, Helsinki Airport, as it gets ready to take-off on its centenary journey later this year.

The stylish showcase will give customers a never-seen-before view of Finnair’s vintage uniforms from the past 100 years, as the airline reflects on its history and heritage.

These colourful vintage uniforms are a visual representation of Finnair’s colourful and successful history, evolving through time as both fashion and technology have changed.

Customers travelling back in time will also have the chance to win two return flights to a European destination of choice, by voting for their favourite Finnair classic via the provided QR code.

The new exhibition can be found at Gate 29 in the Schengen area of Helsinki Airport, and will be available until 30 November, allowing customers to travel back in time, before going back to the future.

Earlier this month, Finnair celebrated their centenary with another fashion-focused event. The airline teamed up with iconic Finnish footwear and apparel brand Karhu to design an exclusive sneaker for its ground and air crew.

The new centenary sneaker has been designed with both comfort and style in mind, and reinforces Finnair’s commitment to the well-being of its staff.

Finnair is marking its momentous 100th birthday with a year-long program of activities, involving customers, colleagues and stakeholders around the airline, and will reveal further news in due course.

Fraport Passenger Volumes Growing Steadily in May

Harry Johnson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:40:16 +0000

eTurboNews:

In May 2023, some 5.1 million passengers traveled via Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – an increase of 12.2 percent year-on-year. Compared to pre-crisis May 2019, FRA’s passenger traffic was still down by 17.5 percent in the reporting month.

The cargo volume continued to decline in the month under review, reflecting an overall economic cooling. With 155,963 metric tons, FRA’s cargo throughput (comprising airfreight and airmail) was 10.2 percent below the level of May 2022. The number of aircraft movements edged up by 1.9 percent to a total of 37,278 takeoffs and landings, while accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) grew by 5.1 percent to about 2.3 million metric tons (in both cases, compared to May 2022).

Across the Group, Fraport’s global network of airports also recorded further growth. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in Slovenia counted 110,926 passengers in the reporting month (up 30.4 percent year-on-year). Traffic at Fraport’s Brazilian airports of Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) grew to over 1.0 million passengers (up 8.1 percent). Lima Airport (LIM) in Peru served about 1.7 million passengers in May 2023 (up 14.8 percent). The total passenger volume at the 14 Greek regional airports climbed to 3.3 million (up 16.7 percent). In Bulgaria, the two coastal airports of Burgas (BOJ) and Varna (VAR) experienced vigorous expansion by 30.3 percent to a total of 224,003 air travelers.

Antalya Airport (AYT) in Turkey recorded 3.4 million passengers, equivalent to a plus of 27.7 percent.

The total number of passengers at the airports actively managed by Fraport expanded by 16.7 percent year-on-year to 14.8 million travelers in May 2023.

San Bernardino International Airport is Voted “Best Airport”

Harry Johnson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:58:35 +0000

eTurboNews:

San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) is being recognized for its low fares, $5.00 parking, and easy-to-use service by being voted “Best Airport” in June 2023 by readers of the Inland Empire’s (IE) major newspapers: San Bernardino Sun and Redlands Daily Facts.

Receiving this top honor in the publications’ Readers’ Choice Awards is a point of pride for SBD, Southern California’s newest passenger airport.

“We truly appreciate the recognition from readers of the Inland Empire’s most important and established news organizations, the San Bernardino Sun and Redlands Daily Facts who voted SBD as the ‘Best Airport’ in our region. This welcome distinction validates what we have been hearing—that our community has embraced the ability to travel from their local airport,” said Director of Aviation Mark Gibbs.

“The SBD team—airport and airline staff, TSA, and our many other partners—continue the dedicated work of delivering an easy and affordable travel experience on a seriously nice airline that flies to places our residents and local businesses want to go,” Gibbs explained.

SBD was also voted “Favorite Airport” by readers of the Inland Valley Bulletin, another IE newspaper.

Since August 2022, SBD has been delivering passenger service with airline partner Breeze Airways. IE residents can now fly from their local airport to just about anywhere in the U.S. or the world with nonstop and one-stop flights. Breeze currently offers nonstop service from SBD to San Francisco—where travelers can take connecting flights from multiple airlines across the globe—and one-stop, BreezeThru service to Provo, UT. Nonstop flights to Las Vegas, with one-stop, BreezeThru service to Hartford, CT—a gateway to the East Coast—are also offered.

SBD has been a new and welcome choice for the region’s travelers due to its affordable fares, easy access, and inexpensive parking. New and returning passengers are discovering why SBD was voted “Best Airport” and “Favorite Airport” in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards: minimal freeway traffic, and $5.00 a day to park, just footsteps from the terminal.

Inside, the terminal is open and modern, security lines are short, and boarding gates are close, giving passengers time to relax at the Tarmac Lounge for lunch and catch up on work with the airport’s free Wi-Fi. Choosing SBD allows passengers to start close and travel far through their local airport.

Through May 2023, more than 45,000 happy passengers have used SBD.

Airline Groups Call for Global Alignment of Slot Regulations

Harry Johnson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:50:06 +0000

eTurboNews:

Airline associations around the world called for governments to ensure the global alignment of airport slot regulations to safeguard the consistent, fair, and transparent allocation of slots under the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG).

In a joint statement, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Airlines for America (A4A), Airlines International Representation in Europe (AIRE), Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA), European Express Association, European Regions Airline Association (ERAA), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) set out the benefits of the WASG, which has ensured decades of stability and consistency in the application of slot management. Under the WASG, consumers have benefitted from a consistent growth in reliable schedules and expansion to new markets, while airlines and airports have seen an increase in the utilisation of scarce airport capacity.

Fragmentation of slot regulation risks disruption to airline schedules and imperils the advances in global connectivity, efficiency, competition and choice which have characterized the aviation industry in recent decades. With the number of slot-regulated airports worldwide growing steadily, it is vital that governments recognize the importance of the harmonization of slot regulations in line with the WASG.

The WASG has undergone a significant revision in recent years, with improvements to the new entrant definition to increase competition and access opportunities at congested airports. Slot performance monitoring has also been better defined to ensure optimal use of allocated slots. It is therefore important that national or regional slot regulations are aligned dynamically with the WASG so that the aviation sector and travelers can immediately benefit from these and other enhancements to the system.

The Associations also urged governments thinking of incorporating the WASG or amending existing slot regulations to work with the Worldwide Airport Slot Board, a body comprising slot experts from airlines, airports, and slot coordinators, who oversee expert revisions to the WASG. Consulting with this group of experts can ensure that governments, their economies and citizens, will continue to reap the benefits of an increasingly more interconnected, sustainable and efficient air transport network.

“The air transport industry thrives on consistent global standards. The Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines are the unsung hero the air transport system. Because of the WASG, travelers, businesses and economies the world over have benefited from constant growth in air connectivity, strong competition, and route diversity while ensuring that utilization of scarce airport capacity also increased. Governments should align their slot rules with this global standard to benefit from better air connectivity, efficiency, and consumer choice,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The statement was issued at the 152nd Slot Conference in Dublin, Ireland. The Slot Conference attracts over 1,000 delegates, with representatives of more than 200 slot coordinated airports and 215 individual airlines.

This twice-yearly conference has been taking place since 1948 and is a significant moment in the aviation planning diary, allowing the opportunity to meet for quickfire optimization of planned schedules, while looking at new opportunities for route and network growth. The goal of the conference is for airlines to obtain the slots that will give them the best possible schedule to offer their customers at coordinated airports. The next conference will take place in Dubai, UAE, on14-17 November 2023.

New Cairo Flights from Budapest on Wizz Air

Harry Johnson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:19:53 +0000

eTurboNews:

Budapest Airport has announced a boost in the gateway’s capacity to Egypt, with the confirmation of Wizz Air’s new link to Cairo. The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) will launch a three times weekly service between the capital cities on 30 October, meaning Budapest will see its weekly capacity more than double to Cairo this winter.

While Budapest has existing connections to Cairo, the addition of the ULCC’s new service in the Egyptian market sees the first low-cost operation to Egypt’s largest city. Joining the airport’s established links to Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, the start of Wizz Air’s new link will see Budapest offer 13 flights, more than 2,400 one-way seats, to Egypt each week in W23/24.

“Wizz Air’s connection to Cairo is fantastic news for the large number of Egyptian tourists visiting us every year, and we’re thrilled to welcome the carrier’s latest addition to our route map,” enthuses Balázs Bogáts, CCO, Budapest Airport. “The announcement is just as great for the many Hungarians travelling to Egypt to experience the rich culture, heritage, and the incredible ancient architecture, as well as being the perfect setting for winter sun.”

Flown on the carrier’s fleet of 239-seat A321 Neos, the new service to Cairo will join Wizz Air’s established links to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

Wizz Air, legally incorporated as Wizz Air Hungary Ltd. is a Hungarian multinational ultra low-cost carrier with its head office in Budapest, Hungary. The airline serves many cities across Europe, as well as some destinations in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Leisure Travel Demand Normalizing from Post-Pandemic Surge

Harry Johnson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:04:01 +0000

eTurboNews:

Recently released US Travel biannual forecast for travel to and within the United States through 2026, shows a normalized rate of growth in the domestic leisure travel sector after months of elevated demand.

Robust domestic leisure travel demand has been the driving force in the overall industry’s post-pandemic comeback. Though the surge experienced in the last year is starting to moderate, the travel industry expects this segment to remain resilient in coming quarters.

Domestic Leisure Travel

Domestic leisure travel is expected to remain strong, but with normalized rates of growth (around 2%) in 2023 and 2024. Volume is expected to grow faster year-over-year (YOY) than inflation-adjusted spending in 2024 and beyond.

Domestic Business Travel

Both volume and spending in domestic business travel is expected to grow—albeit more slowly—largely due to economic conditions. While business travel will continue recovering, with both volume and spending at double-digit growth in 2023, it is expected that growth in inflation-adjusted spending will be slower than volume in 2024 and beyond.

Business travel volume is not expected to recover to 2019 levels until 2025, while inflation-adjusted spending is not expected to recover within the range of the forecast.

International Inbound Travel

The inbound travel forecast was upgraded due to strong demand from the Canadian market, as well as stronger expectations from key overseas markets such as Brazil. Year-over-year, inbound travel volume is projected to grow 31% in 2023 and 18% in 2024, while inflation-adjusted spending is projected to grow 34% in 2023 and 19% in 2024.

Volume in this sector is projected to recover by 2025, while inflation-adjusted spending will not recover until 2026.

Policies to Grow Travel

US Travel report cites four key federal policy areas to accelerate growth across travel sectors:

• Improve the overall air travel experience through the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill

• Lower US visitor visa interview wait times, which currently exceed an average of 500 days in top visa-requiring inbound markets

• Reduce Customs wait times at US airports and other ports of entry experiencing excessive delays

• Increase federal prioritization and focus on travel industry growth, as other countries have done

Travel is essential to growing the US economy and workforce, so the federal government must enact policies to ensure the industry is able to meet demand in coming years.

Istanbul Airport Breaks Frankfurt’s Flight Record Set in 2019

Harry Johnson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:11:00 +0000

eTurboNews:

According to the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), Istanbul Airport (IST) saw a 12% surge in daily traffic as football fans were returning home after attending the 2023 Champions League Final in Istanbul.

Turkey’s main air hub, which already enjoys the status of Europe’s busiest, serviced 1,684 flights last Sunday, breaking the record of 1,624 flights set by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on September 11, 2019.

The previous three daily arrival-departure records at a European airport were all set in quick succession in 2019 before the pandemic, according to Eurocontrol.

“The former record was held by Frankfurt, overtaking, in less than a month, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport (1,612 daily flights on 26 August 2019), which in turn replaced Madrid Barajas (1,600 daily flights on 2 June 2019),” the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation said.

There was also a significant increase in daily flows in the home cities of the Champions League finalists. Traffic at Milan Malpensa Airport, the largest international airport in northern Italy, surged 54% week-over-week. Meanwhile, Manchester Airport saw a comparatively modest increase by 5% in its daily traffic.

Last month, Turkish transportation and infrastructure minister Adil Karaismailoglu reported that Istanbul Airport broke a new record on the number of daily flights and passenger flow. On April 30, it handled 195,640 passengers aboard 1,301 flights.

Opened four and a half years ago, Istanbul’s new airport is the larger of two international hubs serving the city. It replaced the older Ataturk Airport and has developed into a busy modern air facility connecting Europe and Asia. The hub serves as the base of operations for Star Alliance carrier Turkish Airlines. On May 6, the airport announced that it had served over 200 million passengers.

Istanbul’s new airport was able to capture some of the extra demand, due to current geopolitical tensions caused by Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

Among the most popular international routes for the city are flights to London, Dubai, and Tel Aviv. Tehran flights, the most popular route, have been traveled by around six million passengers since the airport opened in 2018.

African Hospitality Leaders Discuss Supply Chain Challenges

Harry Johnson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:24:09 +0000

eTurboNews:

For too many years, African hospitality leaders have worked incredibly hard to maintain operational standards when critical products are unavailable to be sourced on time due to a myriad of reasons, from changing trade restrictions, poor transport infrastructure, currency fluctuations, and supply chain breakages.

This week leaders across the hospitality sector have descended into Nairobi city, the vibrant capital of Kenya and hub of East Africa, to join the annual African Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) to discuss growth opportunities in the region, and to share their learnings from the last year including developments across the trade and operational landscape. Attending is Toggle Market’s CEO, Fuad Sajdi, and VP of Africa, Abraham Muthogo Kamau, where they have been leading discussions on leveraging local and regional sourcing, and the innovative ways the sector is reducing operational costs.

Supply chain challenges in Africa have been one of the primary obstacles for economic growth and diversification, with businesses continuing to pay inflated prices for nearly every consumable and operational product that is not locally grown or manufactured – where even then it is more profitable to export outside the continent than to cater to the regional market due to weak intra-trade regulations.

Today there are promising signs that this status quo is changing fast

The African hospitality industry is in the throes of a massive transformation. The catalysts? Ground-breaking trade measures, rapidly evolving technology, and a fresh generation of visionary leaders. These forces are challenging the traditional “business as usual” mindset and reshaping the African hospitality landscape.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area globally since the formation of the World Trade Organization, is set to significantly bolster intra-African trade. By reducing trade barriers, it allows a more fluid movement of goods, services, and people across borders. The ripple effect will be profound, with the hospitality sector one of the many industries reaping the benefits of this regional integration.

Breaking with the Past

The lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic have been harshest on the world’s largest continent which has for so long relied on suppliers in far flung countries, most heavily on goods from China, European Union (EU) countries, United States and India.

Take for instance South Africa which remains the largest importing country in Africa at 17% of all imports in the region. Its largest import partners in 2023 were China at 21.9%, followed by United States at 8.8%, Germany at 7.3%, India 5.8% and the UAE 3.6%.[1] The next largest importing countries are Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana.

The elephant in the room is that Intra-African trade still stands at only 15.2%, a poor showing when compared with intra-continental trade figures for America, Asia, and Europe, which stand at 47%, 61%, and 67%, respectively, and which should be at the head of the pan regional efforts to support trade and business. Much of this is due to multiple trade restrictions that exist in the region and between neighbouring countries for instance.

The recent World Bank 2022 AfCFTA report[2] shows that the borders between African countries rank among the most restrictive in the world and is the main reason there is relatively little intra-African trade and investment.

The impact of this in real terms is putting the break on the growth of regional businesses while limiting the flow of the international supply chain which in turn heavily relies on intra-African trade routes (where goods are transported across several borders by land routes) due to poor infrastructure and lack of trade and custom harmonisation.

For locally grown African hospitality investors and operators, the supply chain challenges remain acute, and ramifications have meant consistent delays in the growing pipeline of projects, along with sometimes turbulent price fluctuations on shipping and logistics services, as well as effects of weakened domestic currencies.

Our research across Toggle Hospitality clients in Africa has shown examples of multiple duties paid in this way to receive goods crossing several borders resulting in highly inflated pricing for essential products and equipment.

Trade Cooperation and Collaboration

The good news is that there are signs across all industry sectors of more joined up thinking and increased regional cooperation. For instance, amongst East African nations there has been a noticeable increase in activities across both government backed and private sector efforts through the multiple alliances that exist such as the East Africa Business Council, the East African Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and the East African Association.

In addition, the highly lauded and anticipated rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is geared to be the largest free trade region in the world based on the number of countries – at once connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion and with a major potential as well to lift over 30 million people out of the poverty line.

For this to succeed there will need to be mutual and significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures to reduce red tape, simplify customs procedures, and make it easier for African businesses to integrate into global supply chains. The upside is a boost of income gains around $300 billion.

The role of technology and the importance of a knowledge-based economy will increasingly be a driving force for transforming economic prosperity. The latest report from UNCTAD has warned that neglecting the high knowledge-intensive services, such as information and communications technology services and financial services, will be a key reason holding back export diversification in Africa.[3]

A new generation of hospitality leaders in Africa making waves

Norse Atlantic Airways: One Year of Transatlantic Flying

Harry Johnson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:32:34 +0000

eTurboNews:

Today, Norse Atlantic Airways, the pioneering long-haul low-cost airline, is proudly celebrating the first anniversary of its inaugural flight between Oslo and New York, marking a remarkable year of connecting Europe to the US and making travel more accessible than ever before.

Since the first commercial flight 12 months ago, Norse Atlantic Airways has ramped up operations, now serving 12 destinations across Europe and the United States and employing over 1000 people across Norway, the UK, the US and Europe. In that time, the airline has flown more than 2630 flights, carrying nearly half a million passengers. Cargo operations have continued to grow throughout the year, with the airline transporting approximately 14,500 metric tonnes in total, including 4000 metric tonnes of fish between Europe and the US.

“We are thrilled to commemorate our first anniversary of connecting Oslo and New York. This milestone not only reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team but also highlights the growing demand for affordable, high-quality transatlantic travel. We are grateful for the trust our passengers have placed in us and we are looking forward to a busy year ahead,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and Founder of Norse Atlantic Airways.

Japan Tourism Reports Record High US Visitor Arrivals

Harry Johnson — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 19:41:33 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) announced that American visitor arrivals to Japan increased by 3.6 percent year-to-date in 2023 over the same period (January-April) in 2019, a year that broke the record for international travel to Japan.

In the month of April 2023 alone, nearly 184,000 Americans visited Japan, an 8 percent increase over April 2019 – making the US the only Western nation (aside from its North American neighbor, Mexico, which saw a 13.1 percent increase in its visitor numbers to Japan over the same period) to experience a rise in tourism to Japan.

“We have seen an exponential increase in the interest in travel to Japan from the American market,” says Michiaki Yamada, Executive Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization in New York.

“Following the reopening of our country’s borders to international tourism in late 2022 and the lifting of all Covid-related entry restrictions this spring, the incredible pent-up demand to experience the wonders of Japan post-pandemic means that we will likely be welcoming more Americans than ever before in the months to come.”

Japan is one of the most talked about travel destinations of 2023 with the country as a whole, along with its top cities and regions, appearing on some of the most coveted “Where to Go” Lists of the year, including: the Japanese cities of Morioka and Fukuoka in the New York Times’ annual list of “52 Places to Go in 2023”; Kyoto and Nagoya featured on Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Places of 2023”; The Washington Post named Japan on its list of “The Top Travel Destinations for 2023”; the “art islands” of Naoshima included in CNN Travel’s list of “Where to Travel in 2023: The Best Destinations to Visit”; Kyushu featured in Bloomberg Pursuits’ “Where to Go in 2023” list; Osaka named to The Daily Beast’s list of “Where to Travel in 2023”; Japan on the Reader’s Digest list of the “20 Best Places to Travel in 2023”; Japan included in the TripSavvy list of “Where to Go in 2023: The Most Exciting Destinations of the Year”; Tokyo featured on CNBC’s list of “The 7 Cities You Must Visit Before You Die”; and the list goes on.

Sabre and Aeromexico Launch NDC Content to Travel Agents

Harry Johnson — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:50:55 +0000

eTurboNews:

Sabre Corporation and Aeromexico, Mexico´s global airline, announced today that the carrier’s NDC content is now available through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS).

Aeromexico is rolling out its NDC offers in waves, starting in Mexico this month. The airline’s content is now available through the Sabre Offer and Order APIs, agency booking solution Sabre Red 360 and Sabre’s online booking tool, GetThere for travel agencies based in Mexico. Thousands of Sabre-connected agencies in more than 150 countries around the world are already shopping, booking, and servicing NDC content through the Sabre GDS.

“We are delighted to take this next step in our NDC journey with Sabre as our trusted technology partner. Our collaboration has been very productive for both companies, and the launch of NDC through GDS capability is another example of the great work both teams have done to improve the customer experience and increase premium revenue,” said Rastislav Martos, Senior Vice President of Administration and Revenue Distribution, Aeromexico.

“Aeromexico’s primary goal is to provide its customers with the best omnichannel experience when shopping and buying our products, and this implementation will certainly help us strengthen our value-based product distribution offering. Sabre’s Beyond NDC program enables us to provide NDC content consistently and efficiently to travel sellers across all channels. We are very excited to offer these new functionalities to our customers so that we can jointly maximize premium revenue and their experiences,” added Martos.

Sabre is the first GDS to distribute Aeromexico’s NDC content. The Sabre Beyond NDC program provides the technology infrastructure to expand offer- and order-based retailing from airlines to third-party travel sellers, such as travel agencies and online booking tools. By activating NDC through Sabre, travel sellers maintain their competitive edge by maximizing access to Aeromexico’s content.

“Sabre’s partnership with Aeromexico spans over 15 years. We have a shared commitment to advancing travel retailing to enhance the travel booking experience for travelers. NDC plays a key role in bringing this vision to life,” said Kathy Morgan, vice president, Product Management – Distribution Experiences, Sabre Travel Solutions. “We are excited to help airlines evolve their approach to travel retailing and to help travel sellers access real-time offers.”

Headquartered in Mexico City, Aeromexico operates more than 550 daily flights to 89 domestic and international destinations including destinations in Mexico, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

As a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, the carrier offers customers flight options in 184 countries served by the SkyTeam airline partners across the globe.

All Nippon Airways Updates Its 2023 Flight Schedule

Harry Johnson — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:19:14 +0000

eTurboNews:

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced updates to its flight schedule for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). The summary of today’s announcement regarding our international flights is given below.

ANA will resume the Narita – Perth route from October 29 with three roundtrips per week. The flights will resume operation for the first time in approximately three and a half years, since March 2020.

All Nippon Airways will continue to operate the Haneda – Beijing route and the Haneda – Shenzhen route, which had been under adjustment.

During the summer season, flights departing from the Tokyo metropolitan area to Singapore will be expanded to four roundtrips per day, with an additional seven roundtrips per week for Narita – Singapore.

Schedule for June 26～October 28, 2023:

Schedule for October 29, 2023 ～ March 29, 2024:

Air Canada Partners with Sabre

Harry Johnson — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:00:28 +0000

eTurboNews:

Sabre Corporation announced today the completion of a new multi-year distribution agreement that provides Sabre-connected agencies with long-term access to Air Canada’s full content via NDC channels. Under the agreement, Sabre will be able to provide agencies with significantly improved content and offers from Air Canada, including the airline’s dynamically priced fares and new ancillary services.

Canada’s flagship carrier Air Canada is actively working with Sabre on the launch of the airline’s NDC offers in the Sabre travel marketplace. The two companies expect to activate Air Canada’s NDC content in Sabre within the coming months. Once Air Canada’s NDC connection to Sabre is live, the Distribution Cost Recovery previously announced by Air Canada will be waived for Sabre-connected travel agencies using this path.

“We’re proud to be taking this next step with Sabre, providing the broadest range of rich Air Canada content, travel options and services to our customers and agency partners,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital for Air Canada. “Air Canada recognizes and appreciates Sabre’s progressive approach and the significant technology investments they’re making, which taken together, will deliver meaningful value to all travel industry stakeholders. This new partnership is the result of long-standing discussions, and it marks a significant next step towards delivering on Air Canada’s distribution promise: a smooth transition for agencies and travel buyers—both larger and smaller.”

A cornerstone of Air Canada’s distribution modernization strategy, NDC focuses on providing more personalized content as well as access to the best possible prices across channels. Improved distribution capabilities will likewise support the airline’s commercial strategy with fleet modernization and expansion plans, including investment in dozens of new, fuel-efficient Airbus A220 and A321XLR aircraft.

“NDC is a corporate priority for Sabre as an enabler of modern retailing. We share this vision with Air Canada and support its ambitious retailing and distribution goals, while ensuring agencies will benefit from the ample choice, efficiency and transparency of the Sabre Travel Marketplace,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer for Sabre Travel Solutions. “This agreement demonstrates Sabre’s deep commitment to driving value and serving the diverse interests of the global travel marketplace – airlines, travel agencies and the travelers they serve.”

Air Passenger Travel Between US and Europe Up 24% in May

Harry Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:20:16 +0000

eTurboNews:

The latest data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) shows that in May 2023, US-international air traffic passenger enplanements totaled 20.765 million, up 23.9% compared to May 2022, with enplanements reaching 94.3% of pre-pandemic May 2019 volume.

Originating Non-Stop Air Travel in May 2023

Non-U.S. citizen air passenger arrivals to the United States from foreign countries totaled:

4.407 million in May 2023, up 22.9% compared to May 2022.

This represents 80.4% of pre-pandemic May 2019 volume.

On a related note, overseas visitor arrivals2 totaled 2.588 million in May 2023, the nineteenth consecutive month overseas visitor arrivals exceeded 1.0 million. May overseas visitor arrivals reached 73.6% of pre-pandemic May 2019 volume, up from 72.6% in April 2023.

U.S. citizen air passenger departures from the United States to foreign countries totaled:

6.008 million in May 2023, up 23.5% compared to May 2022 and exceeding May 2019 volume by 8.1%.

World Region Highlights in April 2023

Total air passenger travel (arrivals and departures) between the United States and other countries were led by Mexico 3.071 million, Canada 2.444 million, the United Kingdom 1.916 million, Germany 937,000, and the Dominican Republic 867,000.

International regional air travel to/from the United States:

Europe totaled 6.575 million passengers, up 24.3% over May 2022, and down only (-7.4%) compared to May 2019.

South/Central America/Caribbean totaled 4.837 million, up 11.2% over May 2022, and up 1.0% compared to May 2019.

Asia totaled 2.094 million passengers, up 138.9% over May 2022, but still down (-36.3%) compared to May 2019.

Top U.S. ports serving international locations were New York (JFK) 2.917 million, Los Angeles (LAX) 1.869 million, Miami (MIA) 1.821 million, Newark (EWR) 1.335 million and San Francisco (SFO) 1.231 million.

Top foreign ports serving U.S. locations were London Heathrow (LHR) 1.642 million, Toronto (YYZ) 1.033 million, Cancun (CUN) 1.032 million, Paris (CDG) 699,000, and Frankfurt (FRA) 637,000.

The National Travel and Tourism Office is the official USG source for travel and tourism statistics, and works to create a positive climate for Travel.

In addition to providing statistics, the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) creates a positive climate for growth in travel and tourism by reducing institutional barriers to tourism, administers joint marketing efforts, provides official travel and tourism statistics, and coordinates efforts across federal agencies through the Tourism Policy Council.

The Office works to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and increase its exports, thereby creating U.S. employment and economic growth.

My 5-Star Qatar Airways 2-Star Airline Experience Was Still Excellent

Juergen T Steinmetz — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 17:00:50 +0000

eTurboNews:

Doha-based Qatar Airways has the best service in the sky but is not empowering call centers to handle customer issues.

Dubai’s headquartered Emirates follows closely with UAE’s second airline in Abu Dhabi, the National Carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad.

Qatar Airways always delivers for passengers looking for excellent service, especially when flying business or first class.

Therefore, it’s difficult to understand why the service provided by the 24-hour call center is lacking way behind services for premium customer service by airlines such as United Airlines.

Call center agents are not empowered to help efficiently, especially when a flight is interrupted by a cancellation or re-routing. Agents in call centers are primarily based in India and respond based on hard-to-reason policies set by Qatar Airlines management.

The second reason Qatar Airways fails to be 5-star airline is due to when a passenger travels on a ticket issued by a oneworld alliance partner airline, such as American Airlines, or by a travel agency.

Here is my latest experience, shares eTurboNews publisher Juergen Steinmetz.

Steinmetz is a Platinum Executive flyer with American Airlines and a 1K flyer with United Airlines. These are the top tiers for both airlines. American Airlines is part of the oneworld alliance, and United Airlines is part of the Star Alliance. He said:

“My latest flight on Qatar Airways took me from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Doha, Qatar, in business class then first class from Doha to Dubai, UAE.

“I arrived at the Qatar Airways business check-in on time at 4:00 pm for my 6:00 pm flight to Doha and was looking forward to spending one night in Qatar.

“Due to a weather situation, the incoming plane could not land in Kathmandu and was rerouted to Calcutta. This was done for security reasons and was understandable.

“It took more than an hour after it was known the plane could no longer fly from Calcutta to Kathmandu to finish this round during the same evening.

“Qatar Airways agents were friendly in escorting me to the business class lounge at Kathmandu Airport to await information on a hotel arrangement and alternate flight. I canceled my hotel in Doha and wanted to connect the next day to Dubai directly.

“After complaining to the lounge agent 3 times over the next 2 to 3 hours, she took me downstairs to talk to a Qatar Airways agent.

“Qatar Airways just finished caring for all economy passengers and left me, a business class passenger, last. I was told the flight would be leaving the following afternoon. I explained this would not be a good idea since I would miss a second night to get to my destination, Dubai.

“I found the station manager handling bags downstairs. He accommodated and booked me on an earlier flight with a 5-hour layover. I agreed.

“I was transported in a packed van to the Radisson Hotel with many other QR passengers. At the Radisson Hotel, I noticed a sign stating that the delayed flight would leave earlier than I was told at the airport. Going on the original flight would have cut 3 hours into my wait.

“I googled Qatar Airways and only found the US call center phone number. When I called, I was asked for my booking code, passport number, cell phone number (I have several), and credit card number (I have dozens of cards). It was an interrogation you only expect in a crime story.

“Finally, the agent said she could not re=book or do anything for me because my ticket was issued by American Airlines. She said I had to call American Airlines.

“When a flight is interrupted at United Airlines, I can easily talk to my 1K desk or find flight alternatives on the United Airlines app, allowing me to re-book with a few clicks.

Singapore’s Changi Tops World’s Best Layover Airports List

Harry Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:35:06 +0000

eTurboNews:

As the travel bug bites, and we gear up for our next escapade, the dreaded layover may seem like a roadblock. However, some airports have everything you need to make the most out of your connecting flight, from world-class amenities to jaw-dropping attractions.

With summer approaching, many of us are looking forward to packing our bags and embarking on our next adventure, but when your trip requires a stopover on the journey, which airports top the ranks as the best for a layover?

From a seed list of 40 of the world’s busiest airports, travel industry experts have revealed the best airports for a layover by considering factors such as the availability of shops, food and beverage options, hotels within a two-mile proximity to the airport as well as passenger ratings of airport facilities such as lounges, Wi-Fi and food and retail services.

Singapore’s Changi Airport was named as the best airport for a layover for travelers this summer.

Featuring a ‘magical garden’ and the world’s largest indoor waterfall, it’s no surprise that Singapore’s Changi Airport has been crowned the best airport for stopovers. However, the ranking was due to more than just the airport’s picturesque nature, as it also provides an abundance of shops (240) for retail lovers and around 200 food and beverage options for those looking for refreshments.

Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Hong Kong International Airport follow shortly behind in second and third place, both boasting significantly high lounge and Wi-Fi satisfaction scores for those looking to stay comfy and connected.

Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

2. Incheon International Airport, South Korea

3. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

4. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates

5. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, United States

6. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, United States

7. Munich Airport, Germany

8. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India

9. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands

10. Denver International Airport, United States

The United States seems like a stopover haven as three airports in the US feature in the top 10 rankings. Surprisingly the UK’s largest airports Gatwick and Heathrow, not only do not place in the top 10 but rank 15th and 39th in the index.

The best airports for foodies and retail lovers

Finally, an airport stopover wouldn’t be complete without refreshments and some retail therapy. To reveal the best airports for foodies and retail lovers, we ranked the airports based on their number of shops, food and beverage facilities, as well as their food and retail satisfaction score.

With a food and retail service satisfaction score of 90% Singapore’s Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport claimed first and second place as the best airport stopovers for foodies and retail lovers, shortly followed by Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Munich Airport.

1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
2. Incheon International Airport, South Korea
3. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, United States
4. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, United States
5. Munich Airport, Germany

Drastic Changes in Prague Airport Currency Exchange

Harry Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:32:43 +0000

eTurboNews:

Prague Airport is calling a concession procedure to select a new operator of currency exchange services and ATMs. The business model will be fundamentally changed and improved by the condition of capping the exchange rates of three core currencies at a maximum of 15 percent spread compared to the midpoint of the Czech National Bank (CNB). This set exchange rate policy is at the lower end of the scale among European airports.

The five-year agreement with the current operator terminates at the end of November this year, after which a new operator will launch their operations.

Jakub Puchalský, Member of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said, regarding the tender announcement, that the airport has based its conditions on thorough research across other international airports in order to review the offered exchange rates. “We are significantly improving the service with a set exchange rate spread. As part of the concession process, we require the new operator to have experience in providing foreign currency exchange services and VAT refunds at the minimum of three international airports, and that the spread for the euro, dollar, and British pound is contractually set – in our case as the difference between the offered exchange rate and the midpoint of the CNB published exchange rate. In the case of online currency reservations and currency collections at the airport, the cap for the mentioned three currencies is only 5 percent, which could be especially interesting for domestic travellers,” Puchalský added.

The required services of the new operator will include exchange services, operation of ATMs, processing and payments of VAT refunds, online advanced reservations of currencies with collections at the airport, and money services including cash transfers. The operator will enjoy exclusivity in the area of currency exchange services and ATMs in the non-public area of both airport terminal buildings.

The contractual fine in the amount of 10,000 crowns for each violation of the exchange rate cap is also new. In the case of persistent violations, Prague Airport will have the right to cancel the exclusive status of the operator or terminate the agreement. The new operator will also have an obligation beyond the scope of the law to process cancellations of transactions in the public airport area which were concluded in the restricted area of the airport, to which the client no longer has access.

More US Flights From Heathrow Than Any EU Airport

Harry Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:54:40 +0000

eTurboNews:

Heathrow Airport has increased its lead over the European Union (EU) rivals for flight connections to the United States.

London’s air hub currently has more daily flights than ever before between the UK and USA as airlines switch capacity to North Atlantic routes and away from European and East Asian markets, which have been slower to recover.

The triple bank holiday in May, helped drive monthly passengers at Heathrow up to 6.7 million. with 1.6 million Heathrow passengers flying across the North Atlantic in May alone.

Heathrow has also successfully managed eight days of strikes during the busiest days in May, with no delays at security and no flight cancellations thanks to a strong contingency resource. The airport has been building that contingency team ahead of the summer season and does not anticipate cancellations as a result of any future strike action.

One in four passengers flying between the USA and Europe in May passed through Heathrow thanks to the choice of destinations and frequency. 248 daily flights to and from Heathrow now connect Britain to 31 US destinations, building trade links with the UK’s most important export market. As well as having more flights to New York than any European hub (over 30 daily departures), Heathrow is the only hub with a direct flight to Cincinnati.

The benefits this brings through trade and tourism demonstrate that Heathrow remains critically important as the UK’s gateway to the world.

Heathrow would also like to see the UK Government reinstating Tax Free Shopping to let British businesses and the UK economy maximize the benefits from recovering markets, instead of losing out to neighbors in France, Italy and Spain, where visitors currently spend more than double, they do in the United Kingdom.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “The unrivalled choice of destinations and high frequency to cities like New York make flights from Heathrow vital trade routes with the USA, Britain’s most important export market. We have delivered excellent service to passengers, with no cancellations, over eight days of strikes on the busiest days in May, and do not anticipate cancellations as a result of strikes during the summer holiday getaway.”

Teamsters File Lawsuit Against Republic Airways and Cape Air

Harry Johnson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 19:18:49 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Teamsters have filed a lawsuit against Republic Airways and Cape Air for unlawfully requiring pilots to sign employment contracts with non-compete clauses that impose penalties ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

The lawsuit asserts the employment contracts are an attempt by the airlines to change pilots’ working conditions unilaterally, in violation of federal labor law under the Railway Labor Act. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

“The contracts that pilots at these two companies are forced to sign as a condition of employment are unlawful and we fully expect to win in court,” said Josh LeBlanc, President of Teamsters Local 357 and a Republic Airways pilot. “These punishing non-compete agreements are not a solution for the labor supply problem that these employers created of their own accord.”

The non-compete clauses that the companies are forcing on pilots require them to work at Republic Airways for a minimum of two years. In addition to the financial penalties, the pilots are barred from flying professionally for up to a year.

“If these companies are having a hard time recruiting pilots, then they should do what nearly every other airline has done in a competitive job market – increase wages and benefits,” said Joe Muckle, President of Teamsters Local 1224.

“Trying to retain professional pilots by handcuffing them with bogus contracts is illegal and bad business, which is why no other airline is doing this. The Teamsters will fight this with the full force of our union.”

Republic Airways Inc. is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 regional jets. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hyannis Air Service Inc., operating as Cape Air, is an airline headquartered at Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis, Massachusetts, United States. It operates scheduled passenger services in the Northeast, the Caribbean, Midwest, and Eastern Montana.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million workers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Allegiant Reaches Tentative Union Agreement for Flight Attendants

Harry Johnson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 19:05:19 +0000

eTurboNews:

Allegiant and The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 577 announced they have reached a tentative agreement on all remaining open issues for the successor to the parties’ first collective bargaining agreement.

The parties’ first collective bargaining agreement became amendable on December 21, 2022, and Allegiant and the TWU were able to secure the new five-year tentative agreement after just over 10 months of bargaining by building on their strong positive working relationship.

The Tentative Agreement covering Allegiant’s nearly 1,900 flight attendants includes significant increases to wages and deadhead pay, and includes improvements to retirement benefits, sick accrual, bonus flight hour calculations, vacation pay, annual vacation allocation and flex time. Additionally, there are meaningful quality of life improvements in scheduling, hours of service and leave of absence, and the parties have agreed to introduce a minimum day pay and the ability for flight attendants to earn commission from sales of buy on board items.

“We would like to commend the hard work and dedication of the negotiating teams for both Allegiant and the TWU for meaningfully improving our contract on behalf of our flight attendants,” said Allegiant President Greg Anderson. “This historic deal reflects our shared commitment of fostering a work environment that properly recognizes the invaluable contributions they provide. We look forward to the next step in the process.”

“The Tentative Agreement will catapult our workgroup to the top of the Low-Cost Carriers and greatly improve the quality of life for everyone,” said Christa Gifford, President of TWU Local 577. “The TWU 577 Negotiating Team is proud of the work that has been done by both sides to reach this historic second Contract.”

The deal still requires a ratification vote by the union’s full membership, which is expected to open later this month.

Delta Rolls Out Its Largest Trans-Atlantic Schedule Ever

Harry Johnson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:51:18 +0000

eTurboNews:

Delta Air Lines’ largest trans-Atlantic schedule ever is officially in full operation, and customers are flocking to idyllic locations like the golden beaches of France’s enchanting Cote d’Azur, sun-soaked Mediterranean islands and other vibrant cities brimming with history.

Customers traveling on Delta Air Lines can take advantage of more than 650 weekly flights across the pond in peak summer, a remarkable 30% increase in the airline’s seat capacity compared to 2022. The line-up features 77 total routes to 32 destinations across Europe and beyond, including many places where Delta operates as the largest U.S. carrier during peak summer: Italy, Iceland, France and Greece. In the past three months alone, the airline has launched or restarted 32 of these routes, most originating from key Delta hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York-JFK.

FROM ATLANTA

In March, Delta renewed a daily connection between Atlanta and Tel Aviv. In May, the airline also introduced new daily flights between Atlanta and Nice, France, complementing existing service from New York-JFK, which has become one of the airline’s most sought-after seasonal routes.

And Atlanta customers seeking to explore the scenic highlands or immerse themselves in majestic castles can now fly directly to Edinburgh, Scotland, following the launch of new daily service in May, which builds on existing service from New York-JFK and Boston.

FROM LOS ANGELES

As the largest global carrier at LAX, Delta reinforced its leading position by reconnecting customers to Paris — a year-round destination known for iconic landmarks, and a daily route that will serve as a crucial connection point for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and LA28.

Delta also responded to the high demand for summer travel by resuming daily nonstop service from Los Angeles to London Heathrow.

FROM NEW YORK-JFK

Delta has set new records at JFK with its largest trans-Atlantic schedule from that hub. Operating more than 230 weekly departures to 26 destinations, this schedule includes new additions like Geneva and the return of summer seasonal favorites like Reykjavík, Iceland; Venice, Italy; Prague; Nice; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Delta also made a highly anticipated comeback to London Gatwick after a 15-year absence and restored its flights to Berlin, bringing its flying capacity back to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

FROM DETROIT

Just this week, Delta launched daily flights from Detroit to Rome, offering customers an exciting opportunity to explore the majesty and mystery of the Ancient Roman era. Additionally, Delta’s recent introduction of brand-new daily service to Reykjavik opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for adventure-seeking customers.

Air Canada Doubles Flights to Grenada

Harry Johnson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:21:39 +0000

eTurboNews:

Canadians seeking warmth, adventure and relaxation this winter, will find it easier to find their respite in Grenada when Air Canada resumes service on October 29th with double the previous capacity. The carrier will double its frequency to the destination to four weekly flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND).

The Air Canada nonstop flights will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing at 9:30am from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and landing in Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at 3:55pm. The Grenada (GND) Toronto leg will depart at 4:55pm and arrive in Toronto (YYZ) at 9:55pm.

“We are pleased to be able to offer more connections between Grenada and Toronto with up to four flights per week,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations. “This enhanced schedule will allow Canadian travelers to experience the unspoiled natural gems and crystalline waters of Grenada. Customers can also escape to paradise with ease with Air Canada Vacations’ robust collection of vacation packages.”

“The return of direct service by Air Canada to Grenada is a positive development for air transport relations between the airline and our country,” said Hon. Consul General Dawne Francois. “We have a very significant diaspora presence in Toronto and demand for travel to Grenada is at an all-time high.”

“Canada is an extremely important market for Grenada and traditionally has been our fourth largest source market behind USA, UK and the Caribbean. We will be frontloading a very aggressive campaign to ensure that we capitalize on this doubling of seat capacity,” says Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority.

“The equipment being utilized is the Boeing 737 Max 8 with 16 business class seats and 153 economy seats. Travelers can look forward to major events like Grenada Rugby World 7s taking place from November 30 – December 2 and Carriacou Parang Festival from December 15-17, to name a few. Grenada will also welcome two new luxury hotels to the island in Q4 2023 – Beach House and Six Senses.”

International Visitors Spent $17.3 Billion on US Travel in April

Harry Johnson — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:54:45 +0000

eTurboNews:

Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in April 2023 international visitors spent more than $17.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States, an increase of nearly 26 percent compared to April 2022 and marking the twenty-fifth consecutive month of year-over-year gains (when compared to the same month, previous year).

Conversely, Americans spent a record-setting $17.2 billion traveling abroad, yielding a balance of trade surplus of $83 million for the month—reversing a trend of seven consecutive months of balance of trade deficits for U.S. travel and tourism.

Revised data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (monthly trade data were revised back to 2018) suggest that international visitors have spent nearly $67.2 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date (January through April 2023), an increase of more than 45 percent when compared to 2022. International visitors have injected, on average, nearly $560 million a day into the U.S. economy year to date.

Composition of Monthly Spending (Travel Exports)

• Travel Spending

Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $9.7 billion during April 2023 (compared to $7.2 billion in April 2022), an increase of nearly 35 percent when compared to the previous year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.

Travel receipts accounted for 56 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in April 2023.

• Passenger Fare Receipts

Fares received by U.S. carriers from international visitors totaled $3.1 billion in April 2023 (compared to $2.4 billion in the previous year), up 31 percent when compared to April 2022. These receipts represent expenditures by foreign residents on international flights provided by U.S. air carriers.

Passenger fare receipts accounted for 18 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in April 2023.

• Medical/Education/Short-Term Worker Spending

Southwest Airlines Extends Flight Schedule into Next Year

Harry Johnson — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:56:29 +0000

eTurboNews:

Southwest Airlines Co. today extended its flight schedule into early next year, allowing Customers to begin booking their travel for the 2023 holiday season.

“Our Summer operational performance is off to a strong start with Customers taking much-needed vacations and important business trips,” said Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines.

“We know some already are thinking about holiday plans and we want them to know we’re ready. Ahead of winter, we are delivering on our plans to add capabilities, tools, and equipment to reliably connect Customers to people and places that matter most in their lives.”

The carrier’s full schedule of service through Jan. 7, 2024, is now available for purchase.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries.

Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.

New Executive Vice-President and CFO at WestJet Group

Harry Johnson — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:37:44 +0000

eTurboNews:

The WestJet Group today announced Michael (Mike) Scott to the role of WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. The 30-year aviation industry veteran will start with the airline’s executive team on June 13, 2023.

Scott’s long-established career with StandardAero, included more than 13 years as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. There he led tremendous growth with revenue increases of more than 300 per cent, while delivering a 400 per cent increase in profitability through a combination of organic growth, cost management and synergistic mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Prior, he held a variety of senior level roles across the organization. In addition, throughout his tenure as CFO, Mike successfully worked with three different private equity sponsors.

“Mike brings a wealth of financial leadership experience and a notable track record to our organization,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. “We are a year into successfully executing on the WestJet Group’s strategy to resume a long-standing track record of profitability, as we get back to our low-cost roots in service of safe, reliable and affordable travel for Canadians. We are thrilled to welcome Mike at this pivotal time, as we continue our next exciting growth chapter at the WestJet Group.”

With expertise in asset and capital management, investor relations and M&A realization, Mike will oversee all financial management of the WestJet Group. This includes Accounting and Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax, Procurement, Supply Chain, Real Estate and Payment Services teams.

“The WestJet Group’s longstanding reputation as a leading low-cost and leisure airline and new strategic focus on returning back to its roots are just a few of the many reasons I am thrilled to join this Canadian aviation success story,” said Mike Scott. “Through its remarkable position as Canada’s leading vacation carrier and home airline to Western Canada, the WestJet Group is in a unique position to successfully grow its business and bring more accessible air travel to Canadians than ever before.”

A native of Winnipeg, Mike has his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation and is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA, FCMA) and recently served on the board for the Manitoba Aerospace Association.

Jenn Bue who has been serving as interim CFO of the WestJet Group for the last five months will now transition to the role of Senior Vice President, Finance & Deputy Chief Financial Officer reporting directly to Mike.

Pegasus Airlines: Biggest Summer Yet at London Stansted Airport

Harry Johnson — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:30:47 +0000

eTurboNews:

With more flights than ever before to popular destinations across Turkey (Türkiye), Pegasus Airlines is looking forward to its biggest flight schedule yet from London Stansted this summer.

Turkey’s (Türkiye) leading low-cost airline is offering more flexibility and choice to holidaymakers in London and the East of England this year by operating 55 direct flights per week to five top destinations across the country, including Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman, Ankara, and Izmir.

Since launching operations from Stansted in 2007 with a single scheduled flight to Istanbul, the airline has grown significantly carrying six million passengers on routes from the airport.

Chief Financial Officer, Pegasus Airlines’ Barbaros Kubatoğlu said:

“That more than six million passengers have flown with Pegasus Airlines from London Stansted since 2007 is a special milestone in our history.

“Connecting people, places, and cultures is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to continue this mission, taking passengers between the UK, Türkiye and beyond.

“We continually strive to offer the best possible experience on our well-connected low-cost flights and further our sustainability initiatives.”

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“We are delighted that Pegasus Airlines has expanded its summer schedule from London Stansted to its largest ever.

“Since launching here 16 years ago, the airline has built an incredibly popular network that connects passengers from the region to destinations across Turkey (Türkiye).

“By increasing capacity and frequency on existing routes, passengers will have more choice and flexibility without having to travel to other airports.

“Operating one of the most modern aircraft fleets in Europe, and in particular Airbus’ A321 neo, we are very proud to have them as a highly valued and key partner at the airport.

“We look forward to working with them for many years to come as they continue to develop and grow their services from London Stansted.”

Pegasus Airlines was founded in 2005 and flies to 129 destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, including 36 in Turkey (Türkiye). The airline operates a fleet of 93 aircraft, including the fuel-efficient, next generation Airbus A321 neo.

Hawaii Kīlauea Volcano Erupts, No Threat to Public Safety

Harry Johnson — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:46:25 +0000

eTurboNews:

The US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has reported that Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island is currently experiencing a new eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater that started at approximately 4:44 a.m. HST on June 7, 2023.

The summit eruption of Kīlauea that began within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at 4:44 a.m. HST today, June 7, 2023, continues at this time. All activity is confined to Kīlauea summit region, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. There are no indications of activity migrating out of the summit region.

Multiple minor fountains are active on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor; one fissure remains active on the southwest wall of the caldera. Fountain heights have decreased since the eruption onset and, as of approximately 3 p.m., were about 4-9 meters (13-30 feet) high. Initial lava flows inundated the crater floor (an area of approximately 1.5 square km or 370 acres) and added about 10 meters (32 feet) depth of new lava. A ring of elevated 1-2 meter-high (3-6 feet-high) lava surrounds the perimeter of the crater floor (like a bathtub ring), encircling continued lava flow activity across the crater floor.

Summit tilt switched from inflation to deflation around 5 a.m. HST, shortly after the eruption onset. Summit earthquake activity greatly diminished following the eruption onset and was replaced by continuous eruptive tremor (a signal associated with fluid movement). Volcanic gas emissions in the eruption area are elevated; a sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of approximately 65,000 tonnes per day was measured between approximately 8 and 9 a.m. this morning, June 7, 2023. Residents of Pāhala, 20 miles (30 km) downwind of Kīlaueaʻs summit) reported a very light dusting of gritty fine ash and Peleʻs hair this morning.

Kīlauea’s volcano alert level and aviation color code will remain at WARNING/RED as hazards associated with the eruption onset are evaluated overnight.  

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the eruption is currently confined to the crater area and does not pose an immediate threat to public safety. There is no need for travelers to modify or adjust their leisure or business plans to Hawaiʻi at this time.

Out of respect for the cultural and spiritual significance of a volcanic eruption and the crater area for many kamaʻāina, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority urges mindfulness when planning a visit to the volcano.

If you plan to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, stay on marked trails and drive safely. Expect delays and limited parking due to high visitation and consider viewing the eruption from less crowded areas.

New York JFK to St. Kitts Flight on JetBlue

Harry Johnson — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:37:30 +0000

eTurboNews:

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced its strategic collaboration with JetBlue, marking the commencement of direct, year-round service from New York (JFK) to St. Kitts, three times weekly beginning November 2nd. This partnership is an integral step towards expanding international travel opportunities and enhancing accessibility to the island.

Available year-round, these direct flights will offer seamless travel experiences to and from New York and St. Kitts. The service will operate weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays providing travelers with greater flexibility.

“The introduction of JetBlue‘s service to St. Kitts marks a significant milestone for our tourism-driven economy, as it enhances our accessibility and strengthens our global connectivity monumentally,” said Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, International Transport, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Employment, and Labor. “The additional airlift will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and pave the way for further destination development, ultimately benefiting the people and businesses of St. Kitts.”

“We look forward to introducing our low fares and great service to St Kitts customers and offering our Northeast customers a unique island getaway where they can find pristine beaches, adventure, world-class gastronomy and warm hospitality,” said David Jehn, vice president, network planning and partnerships, JetBlue. “This new nonstop route aims to continue to grow our presence in the Caribbean and bring more choices for our customers.”

JetBlue will operate the new route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach, live television and on-demand entertainment on every seatback, free and fast Fly-Fi broadband internet, complimentary snacks and soft drinks and great customer service.

“JetBlue’s service to St. Kitts heralds an exciting future for tourism, opening a world of possibilities for travelers seeking to experience our island’s authenticity and rich culture,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “As we work to further build brand awareness and generate demand, it is anticipated that this increased accessibility will bolster our tourism industry and enable new opportunities to further develop the tourism product.”

Seats are available for booking now, with service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to St. Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) commencing this fall ahead of the 2023 holiday season.

St. Kitts is experiencing continuous growth in connectivity internationally. With the introduction of the new JetBlue route, St. Kitts will now have year-round service from New York (JFK), London (Gatwick), and Miami.

New Miami to British Virgin Islands Flight on American Airlines

Harry Johnson — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:17:14 +0000

eTurboNews:

For the first time ever, travelers may now fly to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) with daily nonstop service from Miami to Beef Island via American Airlines.

The game-changing three-hour flight eliminates the need for travelers to connect in Puerto Rico or St. Thomas, getting them to the stunning Territory with ample time to enjoy their final destination, whether chartering a yacht or staying in a luxury villa, resort, or private island escape. American Airlines is the first airline to serve the British Virgin Islands (BVI) with nonstop flight service.

To mark the groundbreaking inaugural flight, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley and Hon. Kye Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, Government of the Virgin Islands (British) were joined by Ralph Cutié, MIA Director & CEO Miami International Airport, David Whitaker, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Migdoel Rosa, Senior Representative of Envoy and JC Liscano, Vice President of American Airlines MIA hub Operations at Miami International Airport (MIA) for remarks, a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony and celebratory steel pan music on Thursday, June 1. American Airlines pilots and British Virgin Islands natives Derrick Varlack and Kennard de Castro also celebrated the new service route.

“It’s a momentous day as we launch the highly anticipated nonstop service from the U.S. to the British Virgin Islands,” said Premier, Wheatley, Government of the Virgin Islands (British). “This is the first time in history that a flight has completely sold out in such a short amount of time, and we are grateful that American Airlines has partnered with us to bring this long-awaited service to fruition, bringing ease and accessibility to our treasured destination. Miami is the ideal hub to attract more North American travelers to the Sailing Capital of the World!”

With the new ease of the route, travelers may take advantage of numerous cultural events happening this summer such as Summer Sizzle, the BVI’s annual week-long event celebrating fashion, art, and music. While visiting the BVI, there is no shortage of accommodation options as the destination is renowned for its yachting, villa rentals, and private island resorts, with more expanded offerings than ever before. New offerings include The Aerial, BVI, which is the first and only devoted all-inclusive resort in the BVI as of May 19 when the property expanded from a buyout-only model to welcome single-room bookings for any length of stay as well as The Hideout, which is the only luxury resort steps away from White Bay Beach on Jost Van Dyke. For boat lovers, a chic new catamaran dubbed “Nomada at Sea” is now available for charter throughout the BVI, and it packages all the style and luxury one would expect from a super yacht in the intimacy of a catamaran.

The new airlift, a first-of-its-kind nonstop route from the U.S., will run through August 14 and restart in November after the fall low season. The new air service is expected to bring in an estimated 2,128 monthly passengers to the BVI. Daily flights from Miami to Beef Island will depart at 10:07 a.m. and arrive at 1:06 p.m. Return flights will depart at 1:47 p.m. and arrive at 4:25 p.m.

Additional flights have been added on the following dates:

June 1
June 3
June 9
June 16
June 30

The newly added flights depart from Miami, Florida (MIA) at 12:30pm and arrive to Beef Island (EIS) at 3:23pm. Return flights depart Beef Island (EIS) at 4:30pm and arrive in Miami, Florida (MIA) at 7:19pm.

IATA: Airline Profitability Outlook Strengthens

Harry Johnson — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:53:00 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced an expected strengthening of airline industry profitability in an upgrade of its outlook for 2023.

Highlights include:

• Airline industry net profits are expected to reach $9.8 billion in 2023 (1.2% net profit margin) which is more than double the previous forecast of $4.7 billion (December 2022).

• Airline industry operating profits are expected to reach $22.4 billion in 2023, much improved over the December forecast of a $3.2 billion operating profit. It is also more than double the $10.1 billion operating profit estimated for 2022.

• Some 4.35 billion people are expected to travel in 2023, which is closing in on the 4.54 billion who flew in 2019.

• Cargo volumes are expected to be 57.8 million tons, which has slipped below the 61.5 million tons carried in 2019 with a sharp slowing of international trade volumes.

• Total revenues are expected to grow 9.7% year over year to $803 billion. This is the first time that industry revenues will top the $800 billion mark since 2019 ($838 billion). Expense growth is expected to be contained to an 8.1% annual increase.

“Airline financial performance in 2023 is beating expectations. Stronger profitability is supported by several positive developments. China lifted COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the year than anticipated. Cargo revenues remain above pre-pandemic levels even though volumes have not. And, on the cost side, there is some relief. Jet fuel prices, although still high, have moderated over the first half of the year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The return to net profitability, even with a 1.2% net profit margin, is a major achievement. First, it was achieved at a time of significant economic uncertainties. And second, it follows the deepest losses in aviation’s history ($183.3 billion of net losses for 2020-2022 (inclusive) for an average net profit margin of -11.3% over that period). It should be noted that the airline industry entered the COVID-19 crisis at the end of a historic profit streak that saw an average net profit margin of 4.2% for the 2015-2019 period.

“Economic uncertainties have not dampened the desire to travel, even as ticket prices absorbed elevated fuel costs. After deep COVID-19 losses, even a net profit margin of 1.2% is something to celebrate! But with airlines just making $2.25 per passenger on average, repairing damaged balance sheets and providing investors with sustainable returns on their capital will continue to be a challenge for many airlines,” said Walsh.

Outlook Drivers

Revenues are rising (9.7%) faster than expenses (8.1%), strengthening profitability.

Revenue: Industry revenues are expected to reach $803 billion in 2023 (+9.7% on 2022 and -4.1% on 2019). An inventory of 34.4 million flights is expected to be available in 2023 (+24.4% on 2022, -11.5% on 2019).

• Passenger revenues are expected to reach $546 billion (+27% on 2022, -10% on 2019). With COVID-19 restrictions now removed in all major markets, the industry is expected to reach 87.8% of 2019 levels of revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) for the year with strengthening passenger traffic as the year progresses. The high demand for travel in many markets is keeping yields strong with a modest 1.1% decline expected in 2023 compared to 2022 levels (following increases of 9.8% in 2022 and 3.7% in 2021).

Efficiency levels are high with an expected average passenger load factor of 80.9% for 2023. That is very near the 2019 record performance of 82.6%.

IATA’s May 2023 passenger polling data supports the optimistic outlook, with 41% of travelers indicating they expect to travel more in the next 12 months than in the previous year and 49% expect to undertake the same level of travel. Moreover, 77% of respondents indicated that they were already traveling as much or more than they did pre-pandemic.

• Cargo revenues are expected to be $142.3 billion. While that is down sharply from $210 billion in 2021 and $207 billion in 2022, it is well above the $100 billion earned in 2019. Yields will be negatively impacted by two factors: (1) the ramping-up of passenger capacity which automatically increases available belly capacity for cargo and (2) the potential negative effects on international trade of economic cooling measures introduced to fight inflation. Yields are expected to correct with a 28.6% decline this year, but still remain high by all historical comparisons. Note that yield increases of 54.7% were recorded in 2020, 25.9% in 2021 and 7.4% in 2022.

Expenses are expected to grow to $781 billion (+8.1% on 2022 and -1.8% on 2019).

• Jet fuel costs are expected to average $98.5/barrel in 2023 for a total fuel bill of $215 billion. That is cheaper than the $111.9 / barrel previously expected (December 2022) and the average cost of $135.6 experienced in 2022.

High crude oil prices were exaggerated for airlines as the crack spread (premium paid to refine crude oil into jet fuel) averaged more than 34% for 2022—significantly above the long-run average.

Solomon Islands Tourism Numbers Recovering

Harry Johnson — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:47:18 +0000

eTurboNews:

Newly released Solomon Islands visitor arrival figures for Q1 2023 show the destination has equalled numbers achieved for the same period in 2020 before the country initiated a border closure which saw the country cut off from the world for more than 800 days.

The figures, released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), reveal a total of 3,940 international visitors traveled through Honiara International Airport between January and March 2023, the figure pipping the Q1 2020 3,880 result by 1.5 percent.

Australians again continue to make up the bulk of the visitors, accounting for 36.2 percent of the Q1 total with a total of 1,426, a slight drop (minus 2.5 percent) on the 1,463 figure achieved in Q1 2020.

The biggest growth for the quarter came from the US market where numbers increased from 208 in Q1 2020 to 351 across the same period this year – a jump of 68.7 percent.

Arrivals from Papua New Guinea rose from 261 to 319, an increase of 22.2 percent while Fiji figures dipped 9 percent.

New Zealand visitor arrivals for Q1 also showed a slight downturn over the corresponding period in 2020, dropping 11.6 percent from 267 to 236.

Tourism Solomons CEO (Acting) Dagnal Dereveke said the tourism office was keeping a very close eye on the New Zealand market where he hopes numbers will climb strongly going forward as a result of Solomon Airlines’ recent decision to commence an Auckland-Port Vila-Honiara service on 05 June.

Mr Dereveke said he remains cautiously confident that continuing efforts, good marketing, and ever-building international confidence in the Solomon Islands, the destination will meet its 2023 targets across all target markets.

“Our international marketing strategy remains fixed on promoting core product offerings where we hold a competitive edge or can compete with our opposition,” he said.

New Las Vegas, Dallas and San Diego Spirit Flights from San Jose

Harry Johnson — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:26:50 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Golden State and sunny Silicon Valley are shining brighter today as Spirit Airlines launches its new, nonstop service from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC).

The launch introduces affordable travel options for South Bay travelers, including two daily flights to Las Vegas (LAS) and daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and San Diego (SAN). It also provides an easy gateway for visitors flying into the Bay Area.

“There couldn’t be a better way to kick off summer than by welcoming Spirit’s bright yellow planes to San José for the very first time,” said John Aitken, San Jose Mineta International Airport Director. “We pride ourselves on providing the best customer experience in North America, and now with Spirit’s Ultra Low Cost fares, the award-winning experience at SJC will now be available to many more travelers.”

“We can’t wait to welcome our Silicon Valley Guests onboard one of the youngest fleets in the industry and fly them to these three great destinations, as well as give back to the community through the Spirit Charitable Foundation,” said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. “San José has so much to offer travelers and our affordable fares will make it easier for our Guests to discover the Bay Area.”

SJC and Spirit are also celebrating the new service with a celebration in the terminals, including a marching band procession to the departure gate to welcome the first passengers, and a social media sweepstakes with chances to win tickets from Spirit.

New Flight from New York City JFK to Belize on JetBlue

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 20:43:33 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announced a new partnership with JetBlue Airlines, which today revealed the first-ever nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Belize’s Phillip S.W. Goldson.

Marking New York as the 11th U.S. city to offer nonstop service to the Central American nation, JetBlue will operate year-round roundtrip flights three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – with the inaugural flight scheduled for Dec. 6, 2023.
“We’re thrilled to announce the new partnership between Belize and JetBlue and can’t wait to welcome JetBlue’s first-ever flight to our country in December,” said Hon. Anthony Mahler, Belize’s Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations.

“This is a huge win for our ongoing efforts to make Belize accessible to more U.S. visitors, with JFK being one of the biggest air travel hubs for tens of millions of travelers. We’re excited for JetBlue to join the family of airline partners offering nonstop flight options to Belize and we invite everyone to visit and discover the beauty of this enchanting country and all that it has to offer.”

“JetBlue is committed to delivering exceptional travel experiences to our customers and our expansion to Belize reflects our dedication to connecting customers to the most popular and unique destinations,” said David Jehn, vice president of network planning and partnerships, JetBlue.

“We look forward to not only introducing our low fares and great service to Belize customers but also providing access to all the cities we serve from New York.”

Belize is quickly becoming a popular destination for American travelers. As of April 2023, more than 68% of all overnight arrivals to the destination came from the United States. This is expected to increase thanks to the new direct flight service and represents a very optimistic outlook for the dynamic growth of the Belizean tourism industry.

As one of Central America’s most biodiverse countries, Belize is home to the largest Barrier Reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres, indigenous cultures, mystical Maya caves, pristine Caribbean waters, wondrous aquatic habitats, lush tropical jungles, wildlife reserves, and cascading flora and fauna. Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region where the U.S. dollar is widely accepted making it an ideal vacation destination where numerous adventures are waiting to be had.

New Daily Los Angeles to Taipei Flights on STARLUX

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:34:25 +0000

eTurboNews:

STARLUX’s first intercontinental route between Los Angeles and Taipei, which launched April 26, has increased from five flights a week to daily.

In addition, travelers flying on these flights are able to experience the airline’s new, unique “Home-in-the-Air” amenities, a special series of co-branded amenity kits exclusively designed by Italian luxury brands FPM and Bric’s Milano, along with Samsonite RED.

Starting this month, this new route also features a variety of sports themed amenities—LA Dodgers-themed amenities on the LAX-TPE route, and LA Clippers-themed amenities on the TPE-LAX route.

For all Asian routes, STARLUX also announced the launch of Spider-Verse-themed flights in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation’s film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which just hit theaters June 2. The “Travel Like a Superhero” campaign, which runs through August, will feature Spider-Verse goodies on board in all classes.

“With rising demand, the increased frequency of our LAX-TPE route will allow passengers to travel comfortably and conveniently to and from major cities in North America and Asia,” said STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai. “And our exclusive amenities from luxury brands, as well as our unique Dodgers and Clippers themed amenities align with STARLUX’s mission to make flying a truly memorable and luxurious experience.”

ANA and WestJet Join IATA Turbulence Aware Platform

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:02:04 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that ANA and WestJet have joined its Turbulence Aware Platform on the sidelines of the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting.

Turbulence Aware was launched in 2018 to help airlines mitigate the impact of turbulence which is a leading cause of passenger and crew injuries and higher fuel costs each year. The platform pools anonymized turbulence data from thousands of flights operated by participating airlines. The real-time, accurate information enables pilots and dispatchers to choose optimal flight paths, avoiding turbulence and flying at optimum levels to maximize fuel efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 carbon emissions.

The challenge of managing turbulence is expected to grow as climate change continues to impact weather patterns. This has implications for both safety and efficiency of flight. Turbulence Aware is a significant improvement in turbulence reporting and avoiding excess fuel consumption.

“Accurate and timely data empowers crews to improve safety by avoiding turbulence. The more contributors we have, the more everyone benefits. The addition of ANA and WestJet enhances our coverage especially in Asia Pacific and North America,” said Walsh.
At present, 20 airlines participate in the IATA Turbulence Aware Platform with more than 1,900 aircraft providing data daily. In 2022, a total of 31 million reports were generated.

• ANA will initially start providing data from its Boeing 737 aircraft with plans to expand to the rest of the fleet in the future.

• WestJet is already capturing data from 24 aircraft and will expand this to 60 aircraft in the coming three years.

To gather additional feedback from airlines and engage with OEMs and other solution providers, IATA is organizing a Turbulence Aware User Forum, taking place at the WestJet Campus in Calgary, Canada on June 19-20, 2023.

New London Heathrow to Cincinnati Flight on British Airways

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:44:52 +0000

eTurboNews:

British Airways (BA) today announced it has officially arrived at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) with the airline’s inaugural flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) touching down just before 7:30 p.m. local time. The Ohio city becomes the 27th American destination served by British Airways and further advances the United Kingdom flag carrier’s position as the largest overseas airline in the United States.

The central Cincinnati metropolitan area – straddling the Ohio River – is spread across southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and extends into portions of southeastern Indiana. This unique positioning introduces British Airways‘ superior service to an all-new region of the United States home to more than 11 million people within a 120 mile radius of Cincinnati’s airport.

“When we look at the Cincinnati region, we see a vibrant part of the U.S. with a great mix of business and leisure travelers who have long asked for more international service and global connectivity, which is what made it so attractive to us and why we’re confident this new route will be a success,” said Neil Chernoff, director of networks and alliances, British Airways. “Our incredibly positive and welcoming conversations with the airport team, the business development community and tourism partners – combined with all the region has to offer visitors from outside the U.S. – were a clear sign that Cincinnati was the right place to expand our flying in America.”

Cincinnati-based customers are now just a convenient nonstop flight away from the U.K.’s capital city and all the iconic landmarks and attractions London has to offer. From some of the most well-known like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace to hip hot spots like Borough Market, Shoreditch, Battersea and Notting Hill, there’s something for every kind of explorer. Cincinnati’s corporate community also benefit from service to one of the world’s key business centers.

Additionally, British Airways offers convenient connections onward from its home at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to nearly 200 destinations in 65 countries around the world, including routes with its partnership airlines. The arrival of British Airways links Cincinnati to the globe unlike any other airline in the region.

“We are thrilled this day has come when CVG has nonstop service to and from London-Heathrow,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “This flight offers tremendous growth opportunities for business travel, economic development, and tourism between the UK and our region. We are grateful to our partners in Ohio and Kentucky who have supported this flight that will benefit travelers for years to come. I offer a personal thanks to our new friends at British Airways for this opportunity.”

British Airways customers arriving to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will be met with a region in the U.S. packed with things to do. Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are home to variety of sports teams, performing arts venues, museums and parks. Unique neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and Covington offer an eclectic mix of restaurants, breweries, cocktail bars and art galleries. And for a taste of history and fine spirits, a trip along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail – which stretches south into the central region of the state – offers visitors a uniquely American experience.

Service between Cincinnati and London operates five times weekly during the current summer flying season and four times weekly during the winter flying season. The all-new new nonstop flights will be flown by various aircraft in the British Airway fleet including the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787. All aircraft serving Cincinnati offer a variety of quintessentially British onboard experiences with three distinct cabins – Club World (business), World Traveler Plus (premium economy) and World Traveler (economy).

Summer Schedule between London (LHR) and Cincinnati (CVG)

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

LHR – CVG Flight #121	CVG – LHR Flight #120
4:05 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.	9:30 p.m. – 10:15 a.m. (+1)

Winter Schedule between London (LHR) and Cincinnati (CVG)

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

IATA: SAF Production Needs Diversification

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:16:06 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its expectation for overall renewable fuel production to reach an estimated capacity of at least 69 billion liters (55 million tons) by 2028. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will comprise a portion of this growing output which is being achieved through new renewable fuel refineries and the expansion of existing facilities. Importantly, the expected production has a wide geographic footprint covering North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

“The expected production increase is extremely encouraging. Seeing this, we need governments to act to ensure that SAF gets its fair production share. That means, in the first instance, production incentives, to support aviation’s energy transition. And we need continued approval for more diversification of methods and feedstocks available for SAF production. With these two measures successfully in place, we can be confident that the expected 2028 production levels will be realistically aligned with our recently published roadmaps to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That is important as we are counting on SAF to provide about 62% of the carbon mitigation needed in 2050,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Trends supporting this optimistic outlook are already visible. In 2022, SAF production tripled to some 300 million liters (240,000 tons) and project announcements for potential SAF producers are rapidly growing. IATA counts over 130 relevant renewable fuel projects announced by more than 85 producers across 30 countries. Each of these projects has either announced the intent or commitment to produce SAF within their wider product slate of renewable fuels. Typically, there is a 3 –5-year lag between a project announcement and its commercialization date. This implies that further renewable fuel capacity out until 2030 could still be announced over the following years.

If renewable energy production reaches 69 billion liters by 2028 as estimated, the trajectory to 100 billion liters (80 million tonnes) by 2030 would be on track. If just 30% of that produced SAF, the industry could achieve 30 billion liters (24 million tonnes) of SAF production by 2030.

“Achieving the necessary SAF percentage output from these new and expanding facilities is not a given. But with governments the world-over agreeing at ICAO to a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net zero by 2050, they now share accountability for aviation’s decarbonization. That means establishing a policy framework to ensure that aviation gets the needed share of renewable energy production in SAF,” said Walsh.

Policy Support & Government Investment

The case for diversification, within current sustainability criteria, is clear. At present, it is expected that 85% of future SAF volume over the next five years will be derived from just one of nine certified pathways, being Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which is dependent on limited availability of feedstock such as waste fat, oil and grease feedstocks (FOGs, recognized by industry as second-generation feedstock).

IATA identifies three main avenues to achieve SAF diversification:

Scale already certified SAF pathways, such as Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) & Fischer-Tropsch (FT)
Accelerated R&D for SAF production pathways that are currently in development
Scale up of feedstock/feedstock conversion technology

Accelerating these avenues to commercialized levels will require policy leadership from governments. To start, there is an impending need for the harmonization of core SAF policies, as a means of reducing administrative, logistical and geographic barriers to entry for new market entrants, including producers, feedstock providers, and offtakers.

More fundamentally, the challenge is finding the capital needed to fund the development of new technology and production facilities. Governments must look at the broader sustainability picture with these investments. SAF can be produced from surplus forestry and agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, food waste and wet wastes (third generation feedstocks). Producing SAF from these can create long-term return on investment opportunities for governments, with the potential of financing the clean-up of the environment, supporting developing economies and delivering a future-proofed intersection of energy transition and energy security.

Passenger Support

A recent IATA survey revealed significant public support for SAF. Some 85% of travelers agreed that governments should provide incentives for airlines to use SAF.

“People have experienced governments’ role in the transition to green energy for electricity. They now expect it for SAF. The G7 leaders are among the latest to reiterate their understanding that SAF is critical for sustainable aviation. Now they must support their declarations with effective policies. To promote SAF production, there are many tried and tested tools including tax credits, grants, or even direct investments in emerging technologies and solutions. The market is there. Airlines want to purchase SAF. Anything to meaningfully incentivize SAF production will be a step forward,” added Walsh.

Highest Operational Airline in Turkey is Not Turkish Airlines

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:49:34 +0000

eTurboNews:

Pegasus Airlines held a press conference on Tuesday 6 June 2023 as part of the 79th IATA General Assembly and World Air Transport Summit, hosted by Pegasus. Presenting the latest developments at Pegasus, plans for 2023 and future goals, Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, said: “We started 2022 operationally and financially well-prepared and became the airline with the highest operational profitability in the world with our performance. In the first quarter of 2023, we maintained our strong performance despite the hardships we experienced in Türkiye. This successful performance also led to an increase in our credit rating.”

Assessing the year 2022, which began and continued under challenging conditions, Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, said: “2022 was a year in which we achieved significant success thanks to the rapid increase in travel demand, especially in the summer season. In line with our expectation that travel demand may pick up with strong momentum after the easing of restrictions, we kept our operational network and colleagues in all our business units ready to meet the potential demand and increased our capacity to meet the rise in demand.”

Öztürk continued: “In 2022, we increased our total number of guests by 34% to 26.9 million. Compared to the previous year, the number of guests on our international routes increased by 96%, a much better performance than the overall market. We increased our revenue by 139% to 2.45 billion euros. Compared to 2019, the last normal year, our revenues increased by 41%. Compared to 2019, our total ASK capacity increased by 8% and international capacity by 23%. Our EBITDA margin reached 34.1% at the end of the year, the best performance in the world for this metric. Our net profit for the year was 431 million euros.

“We are pleased with the momentum we have achieved ahead of the peak summer season.”

Commenting on the first months of 2023, Güliz Öztürk said: “We started 2023 under challenging conditions due to global macroeconomic concerns, and subsequently as our country unfortunately experienced a major earthquake disaster. We are also in the midst of a period where global inflationary pressures are causing challenges with planning. As Pegasus Airlines, in the first four months of 2023, we have increased our capacity by 32% and the number of our guests by 31% compared to last year. International passenger numbers were up 43% and we are pleased with this momentum ahead of the peak summer season. We aim to continue to develop and improve our key operational and financial performance results in 2023.

100th aircraft in the 100th year of the Turkish Republic

With the aim of increasing its total capacity by around 20% in 2023, Pegasus Airlines plans to pass the 100 aircraft mark in the 100th year of the Republic and continue to grow its fleet. Pegasus plans to take delivery of 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft in the remainder of 2023, 21 in 2024 and 11 in 2025. Pegasus will continue to focus on digital transformation, sustainability, diversity, equality, and inclusion, and wholeheartedly supports aviation’s sustainability goals. Pegasus’ pioneering digital transformation efforts, fleet transformation with new generation aircraft, rapidly expanding flight network, investment in technology and people, sustainable aviation initiatives and commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion will be the pillars of its sustainable success.

“Moving towards a sustainable future”

Emphasising that Pegasus is taking firm steps towards its environmental and social goals as well as its strong economic performance, Güliz Öztürk said: “We are determined to do our part. In 2021, we set a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reinforced this with our emission intensity reduction target for 2030. On the way to net zero, we are building on the momentum created by many initiatives that not only directly reduce carbon emissions through investments in the new generation fleet and the use of alternative energy sources, but also indirectly contribute to this goal, such as waste management and the transformation of our business processes. The Export Credit Agency-backed aircraft financing model, in which we made emission intensity reduction and gender equality commitments for the financing of 10 of the 17 Airbus A321neo aircraft that joined our fleet last year, was the first of its kind in its category for being the first ever sustainability-linked aircraft-secured term loan. While we continue to work with stakeholders on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, particularly in Türkiye, we are also increasing our experience and impact in the use of SAF. We are moving forward in line with our 2050 and 2030 environmental goals.

Öztürk continued her speech: “We also place great importance to diversity, equality and inclusion. Through our initiative called ‘Harmony’, we are setting our targets for a more equal and pluralistic future by implementing various projects within the framework of spreading an inclusive culture, with a focus on gender equality. As of May 2023, 35% of our employees are made up of women. Aligned with IATA’s ’25 in 2025′ targets, we aim to increase the proportion of female pilots, engineers, and technicians, and as well as the ratio of female managers to at least 32%.

Commenting that the 79th IATA General Assembly was a first in terms of environmental impact, Güliz Öztürk said, “In all industry events we attend, we talk about our goals in line with the 2050 net zero target, but we also need actions that show we can achieve our goals. With this in mind, we wanted to set an example by taking action to mitigate the flight-related greenhouse gas emissions of all IATA AGM attendees and cargo flying with Pegasus Airlines through the corresponding amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With this initiative we want to send two strong messages to our industry and to the public. On the one hand, we are highlighting the importance and impact of effective use of SAF on aviation’s net-zero goal. At the same time, this initiative sets an important example for future industry activities in terms of commitment to the Net Zero goal.”

AFCAC, AASA Join Forces with IATA on Focus Africa

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:38:29 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Focus Africa” drive is gaining momentum, spurred on by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) as its newest partners.

Focus Africa will strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. It will see private and public stakeholders deliver measurable progress in six critical areas: safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability and skills development.

“Focus Africa is all about establishing a coalition of partners committing to pool their resources and delivering a set of African air transport solutions that let the continent, its people and economies play a greater, more meaningful and representative role in the global economy. The combined contributions of AFCAC and AASA will be critical to Focus Africa’s success. Africa accounts for 18% of the global population but less than 3% of global GDP and just 2.1% of air passenger and cargo transport activity. With the right interventions those gaps will be closed, and Africa will benefit from the connectivity, jobs and growth that aviation enables,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“The ability to access, serve and develop intra-African markets is crucial as the continent’s populace is set to increase by over a billion people by 2050. For this to be sustainable, economic opportunities must be created. As other regions have demonstrated, air transport connectivity unlocks broad prosperity. As the African Union’s civil aviation agency, we will support Focus Africa through our work developing a set of harmonized rules and regulations designed to make this connectivity a reality and drive our strategic objectives,” said AFCAC Secretary-General, Adefunke Adeyemi.

“Time is not on our side as AASA’s members and the communities they serve face rising costs, unprecedented unemployment, obsolete constraints on trade and market access, inadequate infrastructure and a looming skills shortage. These demand urgent action, so we do not get stranded on the runway. It is why we have no hesitation standing with IATA and other Focus Africa partners,” added AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi.

Leaders and decision-makers from airlines, airports, air navigation services, government agencies, aircraft manufacturers, industry suppliers and other stakeholders will convene at the IATA Focus Africa Conference, hosted by Ethiopian Airlines, in Addis Ababa on 20-21 June, to address the six priority task areas in detail.

IATA and ATPCO Partner For Flight Emissions Data Calculation

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:17:29 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ATPCO have announced a partnership which will see ATPCO use IATA’s CO2 Connect data in its Routehappy API offering later this year.

Routehappy is an API that helps airlines and sales channels to convey expected “Amenities” of the onboard experience, including seat pitch and type, Wi-Fi, power, entertainment, and more, to consumers at the time of booking. ATPCO plans to create a new Amenity that will use IATA CO2 Connect data to help shoppers understand the carbon cost of various itinerary options.

The agreement was signed between Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General and Alex Zoghlin, President and CEO of ATPCO during IATA’s 79th Annual General Meeting.

“We know travelers want to understand their flight’s environmental impact in a consistent, transparent and trustworthy way. IATA CO2 Connect is the most accurate tool providing this information. ATPCO customers will be able to make travel decisions using carbon calculations benefitting from top quality,” said Walsh.

“Routehappy data has been the one-stop shop for airline merchandising data for years. Adding this needed data is another way for ATPCO to provide more value back to our airline and channel partners, and in turn the consumers. It’s clear there is a growing interest from passengers, corporate, travel management companies, and travel agents to receive CO2 information so they can use it to compare flights and make a more sustainable choice. IATA’s CO2 Connect offers airline specific fuel burn data and we are looking forward to making this available to our growing list of Routehappy Rich Content partners,” said Zoghlin.

This answers a major consumer concern. Multiple studies have shown that consumers and corporate travelers want access to carbon emissions data, and that this information can influence purchasing decisions.

• A recent IATA survey shows that nearly two-thirds of travelers believe they have a responsibility to know the carbon emissions of their flights, and that a third of air travelers believe carbon emissions is the most important factor in future travel decisions.

• Trip.com’s 2022 sustainable travel report found that 78.7% of respondents agree that sustainable travel is vital, while 74.9% are likely to book sustainable travel in the future.

• ATPCO’s annual consumer shopper survey, published in February 2022 found that 62% of shoppers think it’s extremely important to compare carbon emissions when flight shopping and that 63% claim that aircraft specific sustainability practices would influence the flight they book.

IATA and UNEP Address Environmental Challenges in Aviation

Harry Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:01:57 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to address sustainability challenges in the aviation industry.

Reduction of problematic single use plastics products (SUPP) and improving the circularity in the use of plastics by the industry is the initial focus of the partnership as UNEP leads global efforts to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, by the end of 2024.

Making aircraft cabins more sustainable is a priority for airlines and their passengers. The complex and asymmetrical regulatory environment, however, often poses an obstacle by preventing circular economy best practices. In the absence of a global approach, differing regulations at both ends of a journey severely limit the actions that airlines can take.

IATA advocates for a simplified and harmonized regulatory environment that would enable a reduction in plastic utilization and greater reuse, and recycling of cabin waste, including plastics, where they are needed. To this end, the partnership will step-up IATA’s engagement with UNEP to ensure that aviation’s unique challenges and opportunities are represented in the upcoming international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution.

Already, IATA and UNEP are working on joint guidance on Re-thinking Plastics in Aviation. This comprehensive resource will encompass an overview of regulations, guidance on SUPP replacement, and recommended best practices for both industry and regulators.

“World Environment Day reminds us that sustainability is our number one global challenge. Formalizing IATA’s longstanding collaboration with UNEP will help airlines move even faster on improving the sustainability of the aircraft cabin. It’s critical that we achieve a harmonized global regulatory framework to enable airlines to implement more comprehensive and common circular economic solutions in all markets. For example, currently our hands are tied with outdated regulations focused on incineration rather than reuse and recycling. Modernizing that will be a big step forward for sustainability,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist.

“UNEP is looking forward to working with IATA, to helping the industry transition to net zero, reduce food waste and move away from SUPP. The aviation industry can also help by raising awareness among passengers and staff, and ensure that all stakeholders of the aviation value chain are engaged, and most importantly act in a joined-up way to end plastic pollution,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division.

More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, only nine percent is recycled, with the pollution it generates making it extremely urgent that global action is taken.

Under this partnership, IATA and UNEP also plan to work together on knowledge sharing, guidance and networking in other key sustainability challenges including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), sustainable finance, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation including preventing wildlife trafficking and sustainable tourism.

2023 Winners of IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards Announced

Harry Johnson — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 20:19:19 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the winners of the 2023 edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards.

• Inspirational Role Model: Poppy Khoza – Director of Civil Aviation, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

• High Flyer: Camila Turrieta – Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Committee, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and First Officer, JetBlue Airways

• Diversity & Inclusion Team: Virgin Atlantic Airways

“In their fourth year, the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards play an important role in recognizing the work done by those who go above and beyond in engraining diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry. Through breaking taboos to introducing innovations and changing the status quo, this year’s winners exemplify the true nature of the industry: resilience, persistence and unhindered motivation to drive change,” said Karen Walker, Editor in Chief, Air Transport World and chair of the judging panel.

The other members of the judging panel include the winners of the 2022 awards: Güliz Öztürk, CEO, Pegasus Airlines; Kanchana Gamage, Founder and Director of the Aviatrix Project, and Alina Aronberga, SVP Human Resources, airBaltic.

“I congratulate the winners of the 2023 awards. By their example, they are leading the way to a gender balanced aviation industry. They have pushed boundaries to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion is fundamental to business success. Congratulations to three truly inspirational winners. Women are still under-represented in aviation, but with the help and example of these and previous award winners, we are making progress,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Qatar Airways is the sponsor of the Diversity & Inclusion Awards for the fifth consecutive year. Each winner receives a prize of $25,000, payable to the winner in each of the categories or to their nominated charities.

The 2023 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards were presented during the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) which followed the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Profiles:

• Inspirational Role Model: Poppy Khoza – Director of Civil Aviation, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

The international respect for Poppy Khoza was evident in her unanimous election to serve as President for the 41st Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2022. She was the first ever woman to hold that role in ICAO’s 78-year history.
At SACAA, Khoza’s work focuses on providing equal opportunities for women and she has led the transformation of the organization which now boasts women in 50% of executive roles. In her work, Khoza spares no effort in mentoring and coaching other women to challenge the status quo and create a more gender balanced aviation industry.

She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Aviation Sector and Regional Leader Award, Best Chief Executive Officer Award (2015 and 2018). She was also named the Business Leader of the Year during the annual Oliver Empowerment Awards (2018).

• High Flyer: Camila Turrieta – Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Committee, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and First Officer, JetBlue Airways

At ALPA, Turrieta is the voice for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the Association’s 63,000 pilots at 40 airlines. She leads ALPA’s efforts to use gender inclusive terms, expand the Association’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy to promote an environment of inclusiveness in the piloting profession. This led to the FAA requesting her assistance in creating an inclusive culture through positive regulatory changes within the aviation sector.

Camila is a leader and mentor through her work with non-profit affinity organizations such as the Latino Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Women in Aviation, and the International Society of Women Airline Pilots which have the common goal of promoting the piloting profession to underrepresented and marginalized communities.

All this led Camila to receive the President’s Call to Service Award under former US Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama.

• Diversity & Inclusion Team: Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Atlantic Airways is a true pioneer in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. To support the refresh of the airline’s “Be Yourself” strategy, the company introduced bold changes which included:

• Revising policies to allow visible tattoos while in uniform,

Emirates Hosts 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai

Harry Johnson — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 20:11:41 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Emirates will host the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 2-4 June 2024.

“We look forward to gathering the aviation industry in Dubai for the 80th IATA AGM in 2024. Dubai is a dynamic city and a major aviation hub connecting the world. The UAE’s positive approach to aviation has built a strong airline with a strong hub airport. Together, these make an enormously powerful and positive contribution to the society and economy of the UAE. Holding the AGM in Dubai will be a showcase of what can be achieved by aviation with supportive government policies and decisions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“Emirates is delighted to host the 80th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit. We look forward to welcoming all our aviation industry colleagues to Dubai in 2024,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

The decision to host the 80th IATA AGM was made by the 79th AGM in Istanbul.

This will be the first time the UAE and Dubai will host the global gathering of aviation’s top leaders.

IATA: Countries Must Publish Timely Aviation Accident Reports

Harry Johnson — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 19:14:35 +0000

eTurboNews:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to live up to longstanding international treaty obligations to publish timely and thorough aviation accident reports.

Safety is aviation’s highest priority and failure to publish prompt and complete accident investigation reports deprives operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators, infrastructure providers and other concerned stakeholders of critical information that could make flying even safer.

“The accident investigation process is one of our most important learning tools when building global safety standards. But to learn from an accident, we need reports that are complete, accessible and timely,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The requirements of the Convention of International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) Annex 13 are clear. States in charge of an accident investigation must:

• Submit a preliminary report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within 30 days of the accident.

• Publish the final report, that is publicly available, as soon as possible and within 12 months of the accident.

• Publish interim statements annually should a final report not be possible within 12 months.

Only 96 of the 214 accident investigations during the period 2018-2022 conform with the requirements of the Chicago Convention. Just 31 reports were published in less than one year of the accident with the majority (58) taking between 1–3 years.

In addition to the fact that final reports regularly take more than a year, interim statements often provide little more than what was presented in the preliminary report.

“Over the past five years, fewer than half of the required accident reports meet the standards for thoroughness and timeliness. This is an inexcusable violation of requirements stated clearly in the Chicago Convention. As an industry we must raise our voice to governments in defense of the accident investigation process enshrined in Annex 13. And we count on ICAO to remind states that the publication of a complete accident report is not optional, it is an obligation under Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention,” said Walsh.