Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ largest carrier, continues to extend the validity of its flexible options for passengers traveling until March 31, 2021. These options include Unlimited Rebooking and a Travel Fund valid for two years. “We will continue to monitor the operating environment and listen to the concerns of our passengers. We are encouraged by […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Following the launch of the Etihad Greenliner Program at the 2019 Dubai Airshow, and the arrival of the flagship Greenliner in January 2020, Etihad Airways today officially inaugurated the latest aircraft in its journey towards sustainability, with the pioneering 2020 ecoDemonstrator entering commercial service following a series of industry-leading test flights across the United States. […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) today reported the following consolidated airline ticketing volume variances, compared to the same period in 2019. These totals represent sales generated by U.S. travel agencies* and processed through the ARC settlement system. Data figures are for the seven days ending December 13, 2020.   Tickets Issued for All Itineraries:   7-Day […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Air Canada said today it is the first Canadian airline to offer its customers the safety and convenience of a new boarding option utilizing facial biometrics.  The technology is now available for customers departing San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with plans to progressively roll it out for customers at other US airports where the airline […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Passenger numbers at Heathrow fell by 88% in November, as travel restrictions and a second lockdown took their toll. Based on current forecasts and continued decline in passengers, the decision has been taken for Terminal 4 to remain non-operational until the end of 2021. Heathrow is calling for targeted, sector specific Government support to protect […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ largest carrier, increases flight frequency between Manila and key Asian destinations, including Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Dubai and Japan. The airline is on track with its efforts to gradually rebuild its international flight network. As border restrictions begin to ease, CEB has beefed up the frequency of its international flights to cater to increased demands for flights during the festive season. Flights between […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium has achieved a major milestone in steering the global logistics industry towards worldwide COVID-19 vaccine distribution after facilitating the transportation and storage of two million vaccine doses in partnership with G42 Healthcare. Supported by consortium members, Etihad Cargo chartered seven Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to fly the temperature-sensitive cargo into Abu Dhabi […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Just over a month after moving from Tegel to the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, the Lufthansa Group is showing positive results. The airlines’ relocation went according to plan and operating procedures at BER are working very well with the current low traffic volume. Lufthansa Group airlines are operating from Pier North in Terminal 1, which is […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Air Astana has added a second frequency on the service between Almaty and Tashkent, Uzbekistan with effect from today, with flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Additionally, the service between Nur-Sultan and Tashkent will resume on 10th December, with initial once a week frequency on Thursdays. All passengers arriving in Uzbekistan are required to provide a […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to add market stimulation measures to the support they are giving to keep aviation financially viable. Such measures would encourage travel while systematic testing protocols enable a safe re-opening of borders.    Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have helped airlines survive the crisis […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Discover Qatar, the destination management subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the launch of its very first expedition cruise series, which will offer guests an awe-inspiring experience while travelling in luxury and comfort around Qatar’s coastline. The cruises, which are designed for seasoned and adventurous travelers, provide a unique opportunity to observe the largest gathering […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Airbus’ 2020 gross orders totaled 381 aircraft by 30th November, with net orders of 297. The Company registered no new orders during November 2020. Airbus delivered a total of 64 aircraft in November to 31 customers. These included the first A320neo to Sky Express. Total number of deliveries for 2020 stands at 477 deliveries to […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) jointly called on governments to follow the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) guidelines to exempt crews from COVID-19 testing that is applied to air travelers. The CART guidelines specifically recommend that crew members […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously adopted a tax benefits preservation plan (the Plan) to preserve and protect the Company’s ability to use its large net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) and other tax assets under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). The Plan is similar […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Philippines’ airline, Cebu Pacific, introduced Test Before Boarding (TBB), so passengers can undergo antigen COVID-19 testing conveniently at the airport just before their flight. A first-of-its-kind in the Philippine, TBB aims to reduce the risk of infection between testing and boarding, finding infected passengers in a timelier manner.  Only passengers with negative antigen test results […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Heathrow has announced it is exploring a proposal to implement a Forecourt Access Charge (FAC) for vehicles in late 2021 to prevent a car led airport recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The charge, expected to be around £5, is part of several revisions to the airport’s surface access plan as a result of the near […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

This week the US Department of Transportation released their final ruling regarding service animals on airplanes. A service animal is defined as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Embraer‘s newly published 2020 Commercial Market Outlook examines passenger demand for air travel and new aircraft deliveries over the next 10 years with special emphasis on Embraer’s product segment – aircraft up to 150 seats. The report identifies emerging trends that will influence growth, factors shaping future airline fleets, and the regions of the world […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

In December 2019, Lufthansa Group and gategroup concluded a purchase agreement for the European operations of LSG Group. This accounts for about one third of LSG Group’s total business. gategroup now meets all requirements of the European Commission. Thus, the purchase agreement could now be executed, the so-called “Closing” has taken place. Both parties have […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Delta Air Lines‘ customers with essential travel needs can now fly from Atlanta to Amsterdam without having to quarantine after arrival, and with the knowledge that their fellow passengers and crew are COVID-19 negative after undergoing pre-flight testing protocols.   Tuesday’s COVID-tested flight, with no quarantine after arrival, is the first of two the global carrier is launching this week, with an Atlanta to Rome option starting Saturday, December  19.   “Air travel is the backbone of the global economy. In normal times, it supports more than 87 […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Russia’s Prime Minister announced today that the country’s government has extended subsidy programs to support airports and airlines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The government decided to extend the programs to subsidize airports and airlines, to increase the amount of state support for carriers, and the corresponding government decree has already been signed,” Prime Minister said. […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada’s holiday travel leader, announces its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. “Our results reflect COVID-19’s devastating impact across the travel industry,” stated Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat.  “During the year, we took […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Alaska Airlines guests traveling to Hawaii can now pre-clear on the West Coast, avoiding lines and bypassing the airport screening process after they arrive in Hawaii with an approved negative COVID-19 test. Alaska’s Pre-Clear program, launched this week in coordination with the State of Hawaii, is the first of its kind to allow guests to […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Once again, the Lufthansa Group has received a positive score on climate protection from the rating organization CDP. For the third time in a row, the aviation group was rated “B” in the world’s largest climate ranking, maintaining its top position among the airlines in Europe. In particular, the ranking confirms the Lufthansa Group’s high […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

A COVID-19-fighting robot is poised to begin patrolling Key West International Airport’s interior spaces after hours beginning Tuesday, Dec. 15. The robot emits high-intensity ultraviolet UV-C wavelength light that kills harmful pathogens in the air and on surfaces. The ultraviolet disinfection robot, developed by UVD Robots, is designed to remove 99.9% of pathogens including COVID-19. […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Ethiopian Airlines has introduced its second weekly flight to Addis Ababa from Domodedovo Airport. The carrier performs regular flights on Thursdays and Saturdays. The flights arrive at Domodedovo Airport at 08.15, departing at 21.30 (Moscow time). Ethiopian Airlines decided to add new frequencies to meet rising demand among Russian travelers for connecting flights to Tanzania, […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

As customers consider travel in 2021 and beyond, they can look forward to more choice and control over managing their plans as Delta Air Lines is expanding on its customer-first flexibility promise. “No year has better demonstrated the value of flexibility than this one,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Our approach has always been to […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

United Airlines‘ passengers will soon have access to virtual, on demand customer service at the airline’s hubs, giving people an easy, contact-free option to get real-time information and support. Customers can access “Agent on Demand” on any mobile device to call, text or video chat live with an agent and get answers on everything from seat […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Brazilian GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. announced to the market, in compliance with article 156, paragraph 4, of Law No. 6.404/76 and CVM Rule No. 358, of January 3, 2002, the following: Corporate Merger Proposal GOL, jointly with Gol Linhas Aéreas S.A., sent a letter today to the Board of Directors of Smiles Fidelidade S.A. […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

German airline Lufthansa intends to reduce its foreign staff by 20,000 people by the end of this year. The carrier is also selling its LSG division, which deals with in-flight catering, which employs 7,500 people. All Lufthansa’s subsidiaries – Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian and Brussels Airlines are reducing the frequency of flights, fleet and personnel, in […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) today reported the following consolidated airline ticketing volume variances, compared to the same period in 2019. These totals represent sales generated by U.S. travel agencies* and processed through the ARC settlement system. Data figures are for the seven days ending December 6, 2020. Tickets Issued for All Itineraries:   7-Day Period […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has joined the £65 million Digital Aviation Research and Technology Center (DARTeC) consortium, due to open next year at Cranfield University in the UK. As the first airline to join the DARTeC consortium and a leading industry innovator, Etihad’s expertise across the fundamental fields of […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Trans-Atlantic partners Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are launching COVID-tested flights from Atlanta to Amsterdam, effective Dec. 15. The airline partners have worked with the Dutch government, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program that will allow eligible customers to be exempt from quarantine […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

US consumer protection group FlyersRights today published the following letter to the four U.S. operators of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft: December 3, 2020  Chairman and CEO Doug Parker American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly  Southwest Airlines Chairman Oscar Munoz and CEO Scott Kirby United Airlines Chairman and CEO Bradley Tilden  Alaska Airlines To […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Lufthansa is recording a sharp rise in intercontinental and intra-European bookings for the upcoming Christmas and New Year travel season. Last week, up to 400 percent more people booked destinations overseas as well as Southern and Northern Europe than in the previous week. Particularly in demand were flight destinations in South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg), […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States and Central America, reports November 2020 preliminary traffic results, with a strong recovery in ASMs and healthy load factor. We believe that Volaris is set to lead the way for a post COVID-19 recovery among all carriers in North America. Volaris’ ultra low-cost structure has given […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Qatar Airways announced that it will resume three-weekly flights to Tokyo Haneda, Japan from 11 December 2020. Services to the capital city of Japan will be operated by the modern, Boeing 77W offering 42 flatbed seats in Business Class, and 312 seats in Economy Class. The airline also currently operates seven-weekly flights between Tokyo Narita […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

FlyArystan, the LCC division of the Air Astana Group, is the first carrier to operate services from Nur-Sultan to Turkistan in southern Kazakhstan. Air Astana Group President, Peter Foster, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee, Talgat Lastayev, Deputy Oblast Akim, Arman Zhetpisbay, and the Chairman of YDA Group, Huseyin Arslan and Deputy chairman of […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online