Aviation News

Oneworld alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airlineAlaska will add seven new airline partners and enhance its six existing partnerships with oneworld memberAlaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles when they fly any of the other 13 member airlines Marking a milestone in its 89-year history, Alaska Airlines today celebrated its first day as a member of oneworld. Alaska becomes the 14th full member of the global alliance, just eight months after receiving a formal invitation from oneworld in July 2020. “Joining oneworld is joining a family of the best airlines in the world,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines‘ CEO. “Being a part of the alliance allows us to provide fantastic global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests. This alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airline, connecting our strong West Coast network and destinations across North America with the worldwide reach of our oneworld partners.” With safety protocols in place due to the pandemic, Alaska and oneworld hosted a virtual celebration and news conference today in Seattle, the airline’s hometown. Fellow airline members from around the world welcomed Alaska to the alliance with video greetings and provided versions of employees performing the Alaska Safety Dance, briefly renamed the Global Safety Dance. “With Alaska Airlines now part of oneworld, we are excited to offer to customers even more destinations and flights, strengthened by Alaska’s leading network on the U.S. West Coast,” said oneworld CEO Rob Gurney, who joined Minicucci in Seattle for the event. “For oneworld top-tier customers, the joining of Alaska will provide even more opportunities for their status to be recognized as we look forward to a recovery in international travel.” For Alaska and its guests, oneworld provides a global network of flights to as many as 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories. With its membership in the alliance, Alaska will add seven new airline partners and enhance its six existing partnerships with oneworld members. “We’re delighted to welcome Alaska to the oneworld family. As the industry recovers from COVID, airline alliances are going to be more important than ever. Alaska will be an asset to the alliance, positioning oneworld to deliver even more value to our customers and member airlines,” said oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. Effective today, all Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles when they fly any of the other 13 member airlines. Mileage redemption for flights on airlines that Alaska did not have previous partnerships with will occur in the coming months.

Internationally recognized, digital test certificate CommonPass facilitates travel in times of pandemicIntegration now possible on all flights from Frankfurt to the USAPre-Check of digital test certificates now also available before all return flights from Palma de Mallorca to Germany up to 72 hours before departure Lufthansa introduces new offer for travel to the U.S.: Passengers who have had a COVID-19 test done at Lufthansa partner Centogene before departure can now conveniently receive their test results in the internationally recognized app CommonPass. This applies to all Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to the United States as well as the corresponding feeder flights via Frankfurt from Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and Düsseldorf. Lufthansa is thus realizes another step in the digitization of test certificates, making travel easier in times of pandemic. In addition to the new digital certificate, the airline recommends that its guests continue to carry their original printed certificates with them when traveling until further notice. Customers can conveniently download the app from the Android or IOS App Store and then upload their test results to the app – after receiving an access code from Lufthansa by e-mail 72 hours before their departure. The app then automatically compares the test certificates with the relevant current entry restrictions of the destination country and creates a travel certificate on this basis, provided it is a valid test document for the relevant destination. The certificate shows only the really relevant information, such as the test result, the test method, validity period and an hour counter since the time of testing, and thus does not reveal any other personal health information. In addition, Lufthansa passengers who use the CommonPass app before their flights to the U.S. will receive free access to the Senator Lounge at Frankfurt Airport between 8 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. in the morning. CommonPass can be used not only at boarding, but also takes a cross-industry approach. The added value for travelers will be further enhanced by the fact that in future other establishments can also be able to integrate the test results, such as concert halls or cinemas. Proof of vaccination can also be saved in the app in future. Pre-check of digital test certificates

Corsair will benefit from cost-effective and eco-efficient solutionsThe aircraft features 352 seats in a three-class layoutCorsair already operates an Airbus fleet of five A330 Family aircraft Corsair has taken delivery of its first A330-900, on lease from Avolon, to join the French airline’s fleet. By selecting a total of five Airbus A330neos, Corsair is executing its strategy to become an all-A330 operator. Thanks to the A330neo’s latest technologies, Corsair will benefit from cost-effective and eco-efficient solutions, while providing passengers with the best comfort standards in the quietest cabins in its class.   The aircraft features 352 seats in a three-class layout, providing all the comfort and amenities of Airbus’ leading ‘Airspace’ cabin, including state-of-the-art passenger in-flight entertainment (IFE) and full WiFi connectivity throughout the cabin. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines. The Corsair aircraft will also be the first A330neo to feature an increased maximum take-off weight of 251 tonnes. This capability will allow the airline to fly long-haul destinations up to 13,400 km (7,200nm) or benefit from ten tons more payload on board. The A330neo is a new-generation aircraft and successor to the hugely popular A330ceo widebody family. As well as the new engine option, the aircraft benefits from a host of innovations, including aerodynamic improvements and new wings and winglets that together contribute to 25% fuel-burn and CO2 reductions. Corsair, which already operates an Airbus fleet of five A330 Family aircraft, became a member of the Airbus Skywise ‘Open Data Platform’ in 2020, thus benefiting from several Skywise-based services, such as  a real-time in-service fleet performance analysis capability (aircraft health monitoring), reliability analysis and predictive maintenance.

Tourists attracted by easy access, reasonable restrictions, low COVID cases, good vaccination rates and a natural environment with quiet beachesEmirates increases weekly schedule to Maldives & Seychelles over Easter holidays as Middle East demand soarsSri Lanka, Cyprus and Greek islands also preparing for summer influx of international arrivals Island resorts around the world will lead the recovery in leisure travel, according to the latest industry research. Many island economies are dependent on tourism and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives (28% of GDP) and the Seychelles (over 55% of GDP), which are both expecting a bumper Easter holiday period. With both islands less than four hours 30 minutes away, Emirates has added an extra four flights taking its weekly schedule to 28 flights. Meanwhile, Air Seychelles is launching a weekly flight to Dubai to cope with the increased demand, which is in addition to two extra flights a week that Emirates is adding to its existing schedule of five weekly flights to Mahe. “Both islands tick all of the proverbial boxes for tourists,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “Even though demand maybe pent-up, visitors will still want direct flights, easy access, reasonable restrictions, low COVID cases, good vaccination rates, open and in some cases isolated resorts, with a natural environment including quiet beaches,” added Curtis. The Maldives is expecting to have its 500,000 inhabitants vaccinated by August and with less than 100,000 citizens, the Seychelles is hoping for 100% vaccination within the coming months.  And although both countries have a list of approved countries, the Seychelles and the Maldives only require visitors to provide a negative PCR test 72 or 96 hours respectively, prior to arrival, no proof of vaccination or quarantine is required.

Deal raises Southwest’s 737 MAX commitment to more than 600 jets between the 737-7 and larger 737-8Southwest aims to modernize future fleet with improved fuel efficiency, environmental performance and operational flexibilityOrder brings stability to Boeing’s largest commercial program and its suppliers Boeing and Southwest Airlines today announced the carrier will continue to build its business around the 737 MAX family with a new order for 100 airplanes and 155 options across two models. The deal comes after a multi-year fleet evaluation by Southwest and means that Boeing and its suppliers could build more than 600 new 737 MAX jets for the airline through 2031. Southwest Airlines had been exploring options to modernize the largest component of its fleet: the 737-700 that serves the airline’s needs for a 140-150 seat airplane. With the new agreement, the airline reaffirmed the 737-7 as its preferred replacement and growth airplane. The jet will complement the 737-8, which serves Southwest’s needs for a 175-seat model. Both 737 MAX family members will reduce fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes they replace, helping to improve operating costs and environmental performance. Southwest said the solution allows it to maintain the operational efficiencies of an all-Boeing 737 fleet to support its low-cost, point-to-point route network. “Southwest Airlines has been operating the Boeing 737 series for nearly 50 years, and the aircraft has made significant contributions to our unparalleled success. Today’s commitment to the 737 MAX solidifies our continued appreciation for the aircraft and confirms our plans to offer the Boeing 737 series of aircraft to our Employees and Customers for years to come,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s chairman and CEO. “We are proud to continue our tradition of being the world’s largest operator of an all-Boeing fleet.” “In addition to supporting our efforts to operate sustainably and efficiently, the 737 MAX offers Employees and Customers travel comforts such as a quieter cabin, larger overhead bin spaces, seating with adjustable headrests, and more galley space for onboard service,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest’s chief operating officer. The new purchase agreement takes Southwest’s order book to 200 737-7s and 180 737-8s, more than 30 of which have already been delivered. Southwest will also have 270 options for either of the two models, taking the carrier’s direct-buy commitment to more than 600 airplanes. The airline also plans additional 737 MAX jets through third-party lessors. “Southwest Airlines has long been a leader and bellwether for the airline industry and this order is a big vote of confidence for commercial air travel. As vaccine distribution continues to pick-up, people are returning to the skies and fueling hopes for a full recovery and renewed growth across our industry,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are deeply honored by Southwest’s continuing trust in Boeing and the 737. Their fleet decision today brings more stability for our biggest commercial program and will ensure that our entire 737 family will be building new airplanes for Southwest for years to come.” As part of the agreement, Southwest will also expand its use of Boeing’s digital solutions to support its 737 MAX fleet, including Airplane Health Management, Maintenance Performance Toolbox and digital navigation charting tools. Boeing will also provide system software upgrades and new wireless communications-enabling equipment to support Southwest’s operations.

Fly Leasing Limited announces agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Carlyle Aviation PartnersFLY’s Board of Directors enthusiastically recommends this transaction to its shareholdersFLY shareholders will receive $17.05 per share in cash, representing a total equity valuation of approximately $520 million Fly Leasing Limited announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Carlyle Aviation Partners, the commercial aviation investment and servicing arm within The Carlyle Group’s $56 billion Global Credit platform.  Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, FLY shareholders will receive $17.05 per share in cash, representing a total equity valuation of approximately $520 million. The total enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $2.36 billion. FLY’s portfolio of 84 aircraft and seven engines is on lease to 37 airlines in 22 countries. “This transaction represents strong value for FLY shareholders at a time when airlines are facing an extremely difficult environment and smaller aircraft lessors are disadvantaged in the debt markets,” said Colm Barrington, CEO of FLY. “After a thorough review and evaluation of its options, FLY’s Board of Directors enthusiastically recommends this transaction to its shareholders.” The per share cash consideration represents a premium of approximately 29% to FLY’s closing price on March 26, 2021 and a 43% premium to the volume-weighted average share price during the last 30 trading days.  The Board of Directors of FLY has approved the Merger Agreement, acting upon the recommendation of a special committee appointed by the Board of Directors and consisting solely of independent and disinterested directors, and has recommended that FLY shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory clearance and the approval of FLY’s shareholders.  Given the pending transaction, FLY will not host a first quarter earnings call. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to FLY and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Clifford Chance US LLP, Conyers Dill & Pearman, and McCann FitzGerald are acting as FLY’s legal counsel. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to BBAM LP, FLY’s manager and servicer.  RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor and providing financing to Carlyle Aviation on the transaction. Milbank LLP and Wakefield Quin Limited are acting as legal counsel to Carlyle Aviation Partners.

United Returns to JFK with most premium seats from the NYC areaFlights feature a reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER airplane with 46 business class seats and 22 United Premium Plus seatsUnited now provides service from all three major airports in New York City area United Airlines is back at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), now operating direct service to the airline’s West Coast hubs – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) from New York City. The airline will use its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft which features 46 business class all-aisle-access seating, and 22 United Premium Plus® seats. The airline operates the most premium seats between the New York City area and Los Angeles and San Francisco combined. United Airlines is currently flying one round-trip flight, five days a week to each West Coast airport, with plans to double the number of flights as demand grows. The carrier is back at JFK following a five-year hiatus and now offers service from all three major airports in the New York City area. “United’s return to JFK reflects not only our strong commitment to the New York City area, but also to increasing service to and from the places our customers want to fly,” said Ankit Gupta, Vice President of Domestic Network Planning and Scheduling. “With the addition of JFK, United now offers unmatched service, greater convenience, more choice and a best-in-class product for travelers throughout the New York City region as they return to the skies.” “We’re happy to welcome United Airlines back to Kennedy Airport,” said Charles Everett, General Manager of John F. Kennedy International Airport. “We remain committed to providing the highest level of safety, accessibility and ease of travel for all of the passengers who use the Port Authority’s airport facilities, and United’s decision is a great step in that direction.” United’s operations at JFK’s Terminal 7 will provide seamless access for customers. The lobby area offers self-service kiosks, along with eight podiums which are conveniently located steps away from the TSA check point. Just a short walk from security screening, travelers will find the United-operated gates. Customers will also benefit from easy connections to more than a dozen Star Alliance partners at JFK, including access to 15 destinations in 14 countries as of March 2021.

WestJet offers new nonstop service for 15 communities across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and OntarioWestJet restarts previously suspended service to Atlantic Canada and Quebec CityStimulating air travel benefits all Canadians and supports those hardest hit WestJet today announced 11 new domestic routes across Western Canada. The routes will offer new nonstop service for 15 communities across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The enhancements follow an announcement made earlier in the week to return previously suspended service to Atlantic Canada and Quebec City.   “As we look to the coming months with cautious optimism, we know our restart agenda will be pivotal to Canada’s economic recovery,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “Stimulating air travel benefits all Canadians and supports those hardest hit; with one in every 10 Canadian jobs tied to travel and tourism, the ripple effect benefits our whole country.”   The new routes include service between Toronto (YYZ) and Comox (YQQ); between Ottawa (YOW) and Victoria (YYJ) and eight new routes connecting the prairie provinces to British Columbia tourism destinations, such as Regina (YQR) to Kelowna (YLW). Full schedule details and start dates are outlined below.  “We are at an inflection point; one that is buoyed by the rollout of vaccines, months of learning how to take appropriate precautions, and a view to Canada’s beautiful summer months that allows us to spend more time outdoors,” continued Sims. “If Canadians were to shift two-thirds of their planned international-leisure travel spend towards domestic tourism, it would help sustain 150,000 jobs and accelerate recovery by one year, all while seeing what Canada has to offer.”  New routes:  Route Frequency Effective from Toronto – Fort McMurray 2x weekly (Wed, Sun) June 6, 2021 Kelowna – Saskatoon 2x weekly (Thu, Sun) June 24, 2021 Kelowna – Regina 2x weekly (Thu, Sun) June 24, 2021 Saskatoon – Victoria 2x weekly (Thu, Sun) June 24, 2021 Winnipeg – Victoria 3x weekly (Thu, Sat, Sun) June 24, 2021 Edmonton – Kamloops 2x weekly (Thu, Sun) June 24, 2021 Edmonton – Penticton 2x weekly (Thu, Sun) June 24, 2021 Edmonton – Nanaimo 2x weekly (Fri, Sun) June 25, 2021 Prince George – Abbotsford 2x weekly (Fri, Sun) June 25, 2021 Ottawa – Victoria 1x weekly (Sat) June 26, 2021 Toronto – Comox 1x weekly (Sat) June 26, 2021 

The UK is closing its borders from Monday, March 29, until the end of June.British Airways and easyJet have suspended all summer flights to European tourist destinations.The traffic light system for travel is red list countries are prohibited, yellow countries require quarantine, and green list destinations require vaccination tests and/or certificates to get the go-ahead for travel. In news of the few last hours, in fact, the UK is closing its borders from Monday, March 29, until the end of June. From that date, anyone who does not have urgent reasons for health and work cannot leave the national borders. Anyone found not complying will be fined up to 5,000 pounds. To be signed into law and submitted to Parliament on Tuesday by the Johnson administration is the extension of emergency powers linked to the pandemic. This will be voted on this Thursday, April 1, but which is already given as a certainty. This measure comes as a blow on the anniversary of the first English lockdown, which began on March 23, 2020. The third wave of COVID that has brought Germany to a new squeeze frightened the British government. The United Kingdom, in fact, fears that it will compromise its vaccination campaign with importation of the variants. At the moment, those arriving from Europe have the obligation to remain in quarantine for 10 days. This could soon be extended to 14 days. The so-called “quarantine hotels” are reserved for people in isolation, which are responsible for taking over travelers from a red list of 33 countries at highest risk under strict surveillance. Restrictive measures – those imposed by Johnson – could also be extended in July and August with holidays allowed only in countries included in a sort of “green zone.”

As travel restarts, travelers need accurate COVID-19-related informationIATA Travel Pass initiative helps verify the authenticity of test information presented by travelersEthiopian Airlines has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact Ethiopian Airlines announced that it will trial IATA Travel Pass, a digital travel mobile app to enhance efficiency in testing or vaccine verifications and restart travel. As travel restarts, travelers need accurate COVID-19-related information like testing and vaccine requirements which vary among countries. The IATA Travel Pass initiative helps verify the authenticity of test information presented by travelers which is essential for ensuring the safety of passengers while complying with entry requirements of countries. In future it will also manage vaccine certificates for travel. Ethiopian Airlines has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact and combat the spread of the pandemic and now we embark on this initiative which will allow our passengers to relish unparalleled flight experience. Regarding the trial of the IATA travel pass, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO ofEthiopian Airlines said “Digital technology is vital to solve many of the problems that arise from the pandemic. We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel. Our customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport. As a safety first airline, we are going to be among the first to implement IATA’s travel pass initiative to facilitate travel. The new initiative will increase travelers’ confidence in travel, encourages governments to reopen their borders andexpedites industry restart. “ The Travel Pass will help create a digital passport, receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for their route, and share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel. The digital travel app will also avoid fraudulent documentation and make air travel more convenient. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO said, “Ethiopian Airlines is helping to lay the foundation for a re-connected world in which health credentials—COVID-19 test results to vaccination certificates—will play a role. IATA Travel Pass securely enables travelers to control verified health credential data while sharing it with airlines and authorities as may be required in the travel process. That’s going to be vitally important when governments are able to re-open borders for travel. As an IATA Travel Pass trial partner, Ethiopian Airline customers will be among the first to experience its benefits.”

Glenn Rutherford, Swissport Executive Vice President for Asia-Pacific, departs the company at the end of 2021Brad Moore will join Swissport from Qatar Airways as new Managing Director for APACBrad Moore joins Swissport with extensive international experience as an airline executive, most recently as Qatar Airways Senior VP Ground Operations Glenn Rutherford has decided to move on from his role as Swissport’s Executive Vice President Asia-Pacific. Brad Moore will join the company from Qatar Airways as Managing Director for the Australasia region. Rutherford will spend three months ensuring a smooth transition after Moore commences in early April, before moving to a role supporting Swissport Executive Management with post-Covid strategy until the end of 2021. “Over the past 23 years, Glenn Rutherford’s achievements have been extraordinary, growing the Australasian business from 35 employees to some 4,000, culminating in its acquisition by Swissport in 2018,” says Christoph Mueller, President & CEO of Swissport International AG. “We thank him for his impressive contributions to our business globally and to the sector in the region. We are delighted he has agreed to support Swissport until the end of the year, despite making the decision to follow his ambitions elsewhere.” Brad Moore joins Swissport with extensive international experience as an airline executive, most recently as Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Ground Operations. Brad was also a senior post holder at Air Canada and Qantas where he led the Ground Handling Business, Commercial and Operations at both airlines. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UNSW, a Master of Science from Pepperdine University, USA, and has furthered his executive education at INSEAD, France. Brad is passionate about aviation and holds a pilot’s license. “With Brad’s experience in business transformation and operational excellence, he is the ideal candidate to take Swissport forward in the Australasia region. Post-Covid, the opportunities in this part of the world are very exciting and I am confident that Brad is the right person for the job,” says Rutherford. Brad Moore’s appointment as Managing Director Australasia reflects Swissport’s commitment to Australia and New Zealand. As the regional number one, the company will focus on delivering great customer service, especially as airlines ramp up their flight programs and return to reliable operations in a post-Covid environment. Looking at Asia beyond Australia and New Zealand, Swissport expects air traffic demand to return relatively quickly to its dynamic pre-pandemic growth path. The company’s strong foothold in Japan and Korea together with its leading market position in Australia and New Zealand, will help us to capitalize on this trend. Swissport can rely on its new shareholders to support our growth plans and the ambition to expand our presence in Asia. “I am honored to join Swissport,” says Moore. “Having been a customer for many years, I know first-hand the depth of Swissport’s business and the quality of its team throughout the world. We have a big task ahead of us as we navigate out of the pandemic, but the potential for Swissport in the region is immense. I am looking forward to getting started, building on the incredible work that Glenn and his team have done in creating a highly respected, robust business and a strong culture that has delivered outstanding results over many years.”

The total number of accidents decreased from 52 in 2019 to 38 in 2020The total number of fatal accidents decreased from 8 in 2019 to 5 in 2020Fatality risk remained unchanged compared to the five-year average at 0.13 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the publication of the 2020 Safety Report and released data for the 2020 safety performance of the commercial airline industry.  The total number of accidents decreased from 52 in 2019 to 38 in 2020.  The total number of fatal accidents decreased from 8 in 2019 to 5 in 2020. The all accident rate was 1.71 accidents per million flights. This is higher than the 5-year (2016-2020) average rate which is 1.38 accidents per million flights. IATA member airlines’ accident rate was 0.83 per million flights, which was an improvement over the 5-year average rate of 0.96. Total flight operations reduced by 53% to 22 million in 2020. Fatality risk remained unchanged compared to the five-year average at 0.13. With a fatality risk of 0.13 for air travel, on average, a person would have to travel by air every day for 461 years before experiencing an accident with at least one fatality. On average, a person would have to travel every day for 20,932 years to experience a 100% fatal accident. “Flying is safe, although the industry did take a step back on performance in 2020. The severe reduction in flight numbers magnified the impact of each accident when we calculate rates. But numbers don’t lie, and we will not allow this to become a trend. We will have even sharper focus on safety during this period of reduced operations and as flight schedules are rebuilt when the world reopens,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.  For the first time in more than 15 years there were no Loss of Control Inflight (LOC-I) accidents, which have accounted for the largest share of fatalities since 2016.

WTTC research reveals global Travel & Tourism sector suffered a loss of almost US$4.5 trillion in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 2. Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP plunged a staggering 49.1% in 2020 3. Job retention schemes look to have saved millions of jobs – but the threat remains WTTC has not lost its faith in the recovery of the International Travel and Tourism Industry and releases its Economic Impact Report (EIR) today indicating a road to recovery, and its hope for international travel to resume by June, in just 2 1/2 months. How realistic this is with a deadly third wave attacking Europe and Brazil waits to be seen. Some may think it would be too good to be true, but the WTTC CEO Gloria Guervara needs to be applauded to keep her optimistic outlook alive. The report reveals the full devastating impact of COVID-19 had on the global Travel & Tourism sector last year, which suffered a massive loss of almost US$4.5 trillion. The annual EIR from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, shows the sector’s contribution to GDP dropped a staggering 49.1%, this compared to the overall global economy which dropped by just 3.7% last year. Vast losses run up during 2020, paint the first full picture of a sector struggling to survive in the face of crippling travel restrictions and unnecessary quarantines, which continue to threaten the urgent recovery of the world economy. Altogether, the sector’s contribution to global GDP plummeted to US$4.7 trillion in 2020 (5.5% of the global economy), from nearly US$9.2 trillion the previous year (10.4%).

Better social distancing on planes is attainable and would decrease the spread of COVID-19So far the airlines have been given merely a band-aid to the problem of depressed passenger demandThe FlyersRights.org plan requires airlines to limit passenger load factors to 50% or 65% FlyersRights.org released its Air Travel Social Distancing and Stimulus Plan in response to President Biden’s Executive Order calling on federal agencies to explore and implement additional COVID-19 mitigation measures in air travel.  Paul Hudson, President of FlyersRights.org, explained. “The purpose of the Social Distancing and Stimulus Plan is to increase passenger confidence in the safety of air travel by actually increasing the safety of air travel. Better social distancing on planes is attainable and would decrease the spread of COVID-19. What the airlines have asked for and have been given is merely a band-aid to the problem of depressed passenger demand.” The FlyersRights.org plan requires airlines to limit passenger load factors to 50% or 65%. The federal government would purchase a sufficient number of seats, and keep them unoccupied, to enable airlines to operate at a profit-generating 80% passenger load factor. In return, the federal government would get back a percentage of seats in the future for federal government employee travel. Throughout the pandemic, airlines have kept passenger load factors around 46% to 52% while increasing the number of flights offered, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.  “Many passengers see the horror stories of full flights and decide to not risk traveling, ” Paul Hudson noted. “If passengers were guaranteed their flight would not be more than 50% or 65% full, more people would travel. The cost of the plan is similar to the cost of the three airline bailouts in 2020-2021 but would result in a moderate profit for the airlines rather than a large loss.”  The federal government has not passed any air travel COVID-19 mitigation measures beyond a mask rule, and only one airline has a policy of not putting passengers in middle seats. Meanwhile, the CDC still recommends against air travel unless necessary.

The Greek isle famed for its windmills and its friendly atmosphere is opening up for visitors againQatar Airways will fly its modern twin-engine A320 aircraft three times a weekQatar Airways will connect Mykonos with over 35 cities in Asia and the Middle East Qatar Airways is resuming its service to Mykonos, Greece for the summer season as the islands welcome visitors once again. The airline is planning to operate three flights a week using a modern A320 aircraft featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. The news has been welcomed by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, who said: “We first started flying to Mykonos in May 2018 and the route proved very popular with our customers. Due to the global pandemic, we had to suspend services last summer so we are really delighted to be returning helping support Greece’s efforts to restart tourism.  “We know the authorities in Greece are taking precautions to ensure public safety and visitors will be required to adhere to public health measures put in place in view of the pandemic. Equally we will be maintaining our own very high standards. Qatar Airways was the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. We look forward to continuing to provide the safest possible experience for travelers across the world, and expanding upon our role in assisting the recovery of the commercial aviation industry.” The Greek Minister for Tourism, Harry Theoharis, said: “I am proud to welcome Qatar Airways back to Mykonos. It is very pleasing for us to have our luxury destination included in the planning of the airline’s new summer program. In this difficult time this development comes when all of our efforts have been put into the safe opening of Greek tourism. ‘All you want is Greece’ is our new motto and with this, we invite friends of Qatar Airways, from all over the world, to visit us.” Mykonos Flight Schedule: Monday, Friday, Saturday Doha (DOH) to Mykonos (JMK) QR311 departs: 07:30 arrives: 12:05 Mykonos (JMK) to Doha (DOH) QR312 departs: 13:05 arrives: 17:05

Travel and tourism is the industry hardest hit by the economic fallout of COVID-19The White House urged to develop a risk-based, data-driven roadmap to rescind inbound international travel restrictionsControlling the pandemic must remain a top priority Leaders of the U.S. travel and aviation industry called on the Biden administration Monday to set a May 1 deadline to commit to a plan for reopening the country to inbound international visitation. The U.S. Travel Association is among the 26 organizations to sign a letter urging the White House “to partner with us to develop… a risk-based, data-driven roadmap to rescind inbound international travel restrictions.” “Travel and tourism is the industry hardest hit by the economic fallout of COVID, and the damage is so severe that a broader economic recovery will stall if we can’t get travel off the ground,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “Fortunately, enough progress has been made on the health front that a rebound for domestic leisure travel looks possible this year, but that alone won’t get the job done. A full travel recovery will depend on reopening international markets, and we must also contend with the challenge of reviving business travel.” The industry letter to the White House notes that 2020 international arrivals to the U.S. fell 62% from Mexico versus the previous year, 77% from Canada, and a whopping 81% from overseas markets—for a total loss to the U.S. economy of $146 billion last year. The significant decline in that travel segment is a big reason why travel’s total economic output in the U.S. declined by more than a trillion dollars in 2020, with 5.6 million travel-supported jobs lost—65% of all U.S. jobs lost last year.

Innovation in commercial space transportation is increasing dramatically, and policy needs to keep up - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Thailand has low number of COVID-19 infections, but had always put safety over tourism. Starting in October the Kingdom sees a realistic chance to reopen tourism to its southern resort destinations for vaccinated visitors. - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Aviation leaders launch first in-flight 100% sustainable aviation fuel emissions study on commercial passenger jet - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Emirates will resume direct service between Milan Malpensa and New York John F Kennedy International AirportMilan-New York JFK flight will be an extension to Emirates’ existing flights to MilanResumed service between Dubai-Milan-JFK will offer more choice to travelers Emirates has announced it will resume its direct service between Milan Malpensa and New York John F Kennedy International Airport from June 1st, 2021, re-opening year round connectivity between Europe and the US. The Milan-New York JFK flight will be an extension to Emirates‘ existing flights to Milan EK205, operated by the Boeing 777-300 ER, offering 8 seats in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business and 304 ergonomically designed seats in Economy class. The airline’s service to and from New York JFK will increase to three times daily to support the newly resumed link, facilitating trade and tourism while providing customers worldwide with more connectivity, convenience and choice. Emirates flight EK205 will depart Dubai (DXB) at 09:45hrs, arriving in Milan (MXP) at 14:20hrs before departing again at 16:10hrs and arriving into New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 19:00hrs the same day. The return flight EK206 will depart JFK at 22:20 hrs, arriving in Milan at 12:15hrs the next day. EK206 will depart once again from Milan the next day at 14:05hrs bound for Dubai where it will arrive at 22:10 hrs (all times are local). Emirates has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the US with the resumption of services to 11 gateways (including Orlando and Newark in June). The resumed service between Dubai-Milan-JFK will offer more choice to travelers heading from Europe, the Middle East, West Asia, and Africa via Dubai or Milan as well as give seamless access to other US cities beyond New York via the airline’s codeshare agreement with Jetblue. The airline has safely and gradually restarted operations across its network. Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season. The city is open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences. It was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.

Airfare savings will be increasingly important in the months aheadTravelers shouldn’t assume they can just pick up where they left offMajor airlines are offering more rewards value in an attempt to lure people back into their planes With U.S. air travel expected to rebound in 2021, as coronavirus concerns decline and more areas open for business, airfare savings will be increasingly important in the months ahead. To help travelers make the best decisions for their wallets, travel experts today released a report on 2021’s Best Frequent Flyer Programs, which ranks the 10 largest domestic airlines based on 21 key metrics, ranging from the value of a point/mile to blackout dates for rewards flights. United MileagePlus is the best frequent flyer program of 2021, ending a five-year streak for Delta SkyMiles atop the rankings.The average airline rewards program gives frequent flyers 11% off their airline spending, and these programs are all free to join. Hawaiian Airlines offers the most rewards value per dollar spent, followed by Frontier Airlines.Five of the 10 largest airlines are offering more rewards in 2021 than in 2020, sweetening the pot by an average of 30%.The Citi Premier Card and the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard are 2021’s best airline credit cards. Are the best frequent flyer programs different than before the pandemic? The hierarchy of the best frequent flyer programs has changed a bit since the coronavirus pandemic began, so travelers shouldn’t assume they can just pick up where they left off. The biggest change is United MileagePlus dethroning Delta SkyMiles as the top program, ending Delta’s five-year run atop the rankings. Major airlines are also offering more rewards value in an attempt to lure people back into their planes. Five of the 10 largest carriers have increased their rewards value – by 30% on average. Will people be penalized for not flying in 2020? Frequent flyers will not be penalized for staying grounded due to COVID-19. Most of the major frequent flyer programs have adjusted their policies to give people extra time to meet elite-status requirements. For example, Delta SkyMiles, American Airlines AAdvantage, and United MileagePlus are all extending existing elite status through January 2022. What are some of the best ways to save on airfare? The best way to save on airfare is to join your favorite airlines’ frequent flyer programs for free, which will save you 11% on average, and then comparison shop for flights well ahead of your trip. Using the right credit card to pay for airfare can also be a smart way to save more. If you’re brand-loyal to a particular airline, you should use that airline’s credit card. Otherwise, a general travel rewards credit card will be a better way to earn free flights.

Under this trial, Hong Kong Airlines will work closely with IATA to test its Lab App, a key module in Travel PassPassengers on a selected route will be invited to participateThe app also enables passengers to link their COVID-19 test results to a digital version of their passport created through the appHong Kong Airlines will trial a digital health passport as part of the carrier’s ongoing contributions towards the safe reopening of borders and international travel. Developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a globally recognized trade organization and advocate for airlines, Travel Pass will provide travelers with easy access to COVID-19 entry requirements for their destination and accredited testing centers at their point of departure. The app also enables passengers to link their COVID-19 test results to a digital version of their passport created through the app. Under this trial, Hong Kong Airlines will work closely with IATA to test its Lab App, a key module in Travel Pass. Passengers on a selected route will be invited to participate by first downloading the app and creating a digital profile before selecting a participating medical service provider for testing. A secure, encrypted channel will then enable the registered laboratory to verify the passenger’s identity and directly send the outcome of the COVID-19 test, or proof of vaccination to the traveller’s mobile device. This will then be checked against IATA’s global registry of COVID-19 health requirements, a system used by the majority of airlines and airports globally, to ensure regulatory requirements are complied, before the passenger receives an “OK to Travel”. Hong Kong Airlines Director of Service Delivery Mr Chris Birt applauds the customer-oriented digital initiative from IATA, which will help both travelers and airlines manage verifiable health credentials for future travel. “Hong Kong Airlines has been working hard to make travel safe for our customers. We welcome the opportunity to contribute our inputs into the development of Travel Pass and will continue to support IATA’s efforts in leading the recovery of international travel. Given the constantly changing environment of the current pandemic and frequent modification of border restrictions by governments, Travel Pass is undoubtedly the best go-to app for passengers to access the most updated travel information, ensure they comply with the latest entry requirements and allowthem to manage their digital health documents in a safe and secure way,” he added. “Restarting international aviation safely has been at the forefront of IATA’s Travel Pass initiative. We are proud to partner Hong Kong Airlines to trial the app and demonstrate that this technology can securely, conveniently and efficiently help manage passenger travel health credentials,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Airport, Passenger, Cargo, Security. Hong Kong has recently announced the easing of quarantine requirements for inbound travelers. The 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated hotel, followed by a week of selfmonitoring will apply to travelers arriving from low-risk places as well as those arriving from medium-risk places and have been vaccinated. The government is also in discussions with 16 countries on allowing people who have been vaccinated to travel.

A380 flight to carry fully vaccinated crew and passengers onboardFlyers to experience Emirates’ newest A380 cabins and latest on-ground technologies that enable a smooth and speedy journey through the airportProceeds from the flight to be donated to the Emirates Airline Foundation Emirates is showcasing the UAE’s remarkable progress in its vaccination program with a special flight that will carry only fully vaccinated crew and passengers onboard. On 10 April 2021, special flight EK2021 will depart Dubai International Airport at 12:00hrs local time, to cruise over various areas across the UAE. The flight will return to Dubai at 14:30hrs local time. The one-off flight EK2021 is a unique event that not only celebrates the success of the UAE’s vaccination program to date, but also highlights Emirates‘ progress in vaccinating its staff and in particular its pilots and cabin crew. Aviation has been and continues to be an irreplaceable force for good, connecting people and cities, facilitating important trade flows and passenger journeys that bring economic prosperity and joy to millions of people. Passengers will have the opportunity to experience Emirates’ newest A380 aircraft which features the airline’s brand-new Premium Economy seats, and refreshed cabin interiors across all cabin classes. Passengers traveling on EK2021 will be able to experience all of Dubai International Airport’s services and amenities on the ground before boarding. In addition, customers can also try out first-hand, all the latest measures to help travelers enjoy a safe and smooth journey, including the new biometric and contactless technology which Emirates has recently implemented at the check-in areas and boarding gates at Dubai airport. This month, Airbus has launched a travel companion app called “Tripset”. The application aggregates and provides flight and travel information to ease and restore passenger’s trust in their end-to-end journey when traveling by air during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tripset allows for passengers to be informed with the latest and most relevant travel conditions, restrictions and health requirements in place, without having to consult a variety of sources.

Qatar Airways will operate over 1,200 weekly frequencies across 23 destinations in Africa, 14 in the Americas, 43 in Asia-Pacific, 43 in Europe and 19 in Middle EastQatar Airways offer passengers more flexible travel options via Hamad International AirportHaving never stopped flying throughout the pandemic the airline remains one of the world’s leading airlines for safety and innovation Qatar Airways is pleased to announce its summer schedule, maintaining its position as the leading international carrier providing reliable global connectivity. Having never stopped flying throughout the pandemic the airline has worked diligently to be the world’s leading airline for safety, innovation and customer experience. By the peak of the IATA Summer Season, the national carrier of the State of Qatar plans to operate over 1,200 weekly flights to more than 140 destinations. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are proud to lead the recovery of international aviation, implementing the highest standards of bio-safety and hygiene and investing in the latest innovations to simplify travel and restore passenger confidence during the most challenging period in aviation’s history. “Having never stopped flying throughout the pandemic, we have used our unrivalled experience and modern, fuel-efficient fleet to operate a sustainable and reliable network our passengers, trade partners and corporate customers can rely on. We also continue to offer the largest international network, including launching seven new destinations, to provide the connectivity our passengers and cargo customers need. “As the global vaccine rollout begins to gather pace, we look forward to a gradual easing of entry restrictions throughout 2021 and welcoming back our millions of passengers on board the World’s Best Airline.” Qatar Airways Cargo has played a vital role in maintaining a reliable schedule across the network of destinations. Since the onset of the pandemic, Qatar Airways has helped transport over 500,000 tonnes of medical supplies and delivered more than 15,000,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to over 20 countries. The cargo carrier continues to focus on supporting its customers’ business and enabling global trade, while supporting impacted regions worldwide. Qatar Airways continues to expand its network of destinations, offering more flights to international destinations than any other airline. By the middle of summer 2021, Qatar Airways’ plans to rebuild its network to more than 140 destinations including 23 in Africa, 14 in the Americas, 43 in Asia-Pacific, 43 in Europe and 19 in Middle East. Many cities will be served with a strong schedule with daily or more frequencies.

Airbus A350-900 will be carrying 40 crew members and scientists will be collecting measurement dataGerman Aerospace Center (DLR) with monitoring instruments will also be on boardReason for this second flight to Falkland Islands is to rotate Polarstern crew and to pick up the research expedition team Tomorrow, Lufthansa will be departing for its second non-stop flight from Hamburg to Mount Pleasant (MPN) in the Falkland Islands on behalf of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven. This time the Airbus A350-900 will be carrying 40 crew members of the research vessel Polarstern as well as scientists from the German Aerospace Center (Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt). During the flight, the scientists will be collecting measurement data that will provide further insights on the influence of the Earth’s magnetic field in regards to aviation. Therefore, the second flight to the Falkland Islands is already contributing to science on its way to the South Pole. The Airbus A350-900 will be transferred from Munich to Hamburg at 14:30 tomorrow, and is scheduled to arrive at Hamburg Airport at 3:40 p.m. with the flight number LH9923. The same evening, LH2574 will take off for Mount Pleasant at 9:30 p.m. The aircraft with the registration D-AIXQ, christened with the name of the city of Freiburg is the newest member of the Lufthansa A350 fleet and one of the world’s most sustainable and efficient long-haul aircraft. “With the second flight to the Falkland Islands, we are not only pleased  to be able to support the AWI’s polar research expedition, but also to make an important contribution to further research into the Earth’s magnetic field,” says Thomas Jahn, Fleet Captain and Falklands Project Manager. “We have already been supporting climate research projects for more than 25 years now.” The reason for this second flight to the Falkland Islands is to rotate the Polarstern crew and to pick up the research expedition team. Since the beginning of February, a team of about 50 researchers have been collecting important data on ocean currents, sea ice and the carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean, which, among other things, enable reliable climate predictions. On the way back from the research area in the southern Weddell Sea, Polarstern stopped at Atka Bay, where an additional 25 scientists boarded the ship: Specifically the summer staff as well as the winter team of Neumayer Station III, with the latter returning to Germany after more than 15 months in the Antarctic.  On 2 April, Lufthansa will be bringing AWI’s international research team and the DLR scientists back to Germany from the Falkland Islands. The landing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on April 3 at Munich Airport with the flight number LH2575. The first flight from Hamburg to the Falkland Islands, which took place at the end of January 2021, was the longest non-stop passenger flight in Lufthansa’s history. The Airbus A350-900 arrived at the Mount Pleasant military base after flying over 13,000 kilometers in more than 15 hours. In order to make the research as climate-friendly as possible, the Alfred-Wegener-Institut will also compensate the CO2 emissions of the flight.

February 17 Manila recorded a high 1,718 new COVID cases, on March 28 the same city recorded 10,000 new infectionsAuthorities in Manila locked down the capital city of the PhilippinesForeign travel is now restricted to 1,500 international arrivals to Manila International Airport. Manila and neighboring regions reported 10,000 new COVID-19 cases and are putting the city under lockdown until Easter Sunday. In addition, the Civil Aeronautics Board has issued guidelines concerning air transportation limiting the arrival of international travelers to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to a maximum of 1,500 passengers a day. This, however, shall subject to amendment as may be determined by the Department of Transportation. The board has warned all airline companies operating in NAIA not to exceed the allowed capacity, otherwise, hey will be penalized pursuant to Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-01 dated 08 January 2021, issued by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB); Domestic commercial operations shall be allowed subject to compliance with the requirements or restrictions on capacity and frequency of flights that may be imposed by all the LGUs outside of the NCR+ bubble, the board added.

Delta Air Lines announces nonstop connection from three U.S. hubs to Iceland’s stunning landscapesNew daily service from Boston to Reykjavík begins May 20Daily Minneapolis/St. Paul and New York-JFK service also resumes in May Beginning in May, Delta customers seeking a global escape will once again enjoy a nonstop connection from three U.S. hubs to Iceland’s stunning landscapes, world-renowned hot springs like the Blue Lagoon and the iconic capital city of Reykjavík. Delta Air Lines will launch new daily service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) beginning May 20 – as well as resume daily service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on May 1 and daily service from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) on May 27. This latest milestone in the airline’s growing network follows Iceland’s recent exemption of fully vaccinated Americans from the ban on non-essential travel and other restrictions like testing and quarantine requirements – making it the first leisure destination in Europe easily accessible to U.S. travelers since the pandemic began. “We know our customers are eager to safely get back out into the world, including exploring one of the globe’s most beautiful outdoor destinations,” said Joe Esposito, S.V.P. – Network Planning. “As confidence in travel rises, we hope more countries continue reopening to vaccinated travelers, which mean more opportunities to reconnect customers to the people and places that matter most.” Customers traveling to Iceland will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or recovery of COVID-19. Travelers returning to the U.S. will still require a negative COVID-19 test and can find a nearby location with Delta’s dedicated testing resource for international travel.

FlyArystan has taken delivery of two additional Airbus A320s, with the expanded fleet of nine aircraft having an average age of seven years. All aircraft are configured with 180 economy-class seats. Additional aircraft capacity will be used to increase flights to 65 per day across the domestic network in Kazakhstan and the recently launched international service between Turkistan and Istanbul. FlyArystan is a low-cost airline based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is the wholly owned low cost subsidiary of Air Astana, the country’s leading airline. FlyArystan’s foundation was approved by Air Astana’s joint shareholders, Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and BAE Systems PLC, and was endorsed by Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, on 2 November 2018. The company slogan is Eurasia’s Low Fares Airline.

Russia may introduce EAEU digital travel passMobile application will be designed exclusively for international flights within the EAEUEAEU digital travel pass would help to accelerate recovery of air travel after a year-long market collapse According to a representative of one of the Russian airlines, Russian Ministry of Transport is discussing with carriers an idea of creating a Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) digital travel pass – a mobile application designed exclusively for international flights within the EAEU. Introduction of the EAEU digital travel pass would help to accelerate the recovery of air travel after a year-long market collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the issue of accelerating the implementation of the digital IATA Travel Pass, which is already operating on some air routes abroad, is also being discussed. “Russia can create a digital travel pass for international air travel within the EAEU. The Ministry of Transport is discussing this issue with airlines. In particular, launching a separate application or accelerating the use of the IATA Travel Pass is being discussed. The goal is to speed up restoration of international air transportation as much as possible, to stimulate other countries to open bilateral traffic, partially or completely limited due to the coronavirus pandemic,” the source close to talks said.

Internationally, United plans to operate 52% of its overall schedule compared to May 2019United Airlines plans to resume more than 20 domestic routesUnited Airlines will start new service between Orange County, California, and Honolulu As more travelers begin to plan long-awaited getaways with family and friends, United Airlines is kicking off summer vacation season with a robust May schedule that includes the addition of 26 new nonstop routes between Midwest cities such as Cleveland, Cincinnati and Milwaukee and popular vacation destinations such as Hilton Head, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Portland, Maine. The airline also plans to resume more than 20 domestic routes and will start new service between Orange County, California, and Honolulu. Internationally, in May United Airlines will fly more than 100% of its pre-pandemic schedule to Latin America compared to what it operated in 2019, including more flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The airline also plans to resume flights between Chicago and Tokyo Haneda, resume passenger flights between New York/Newark and Milan and Rome, and restart service between Chicago and Amsterdam. In total, United plans to operate 52% of its overall schedule compared to May 2019, whereas in May 2020 United operated 14% of its overall schedule compared to May 2019. “In the past few weeks, we have seen the strongest flight bookings since the start of the pandemic,” said Ankit Gupta, vice president of United’s domestic network planning and scheduling. “As we rebuild our schedule to meet that demand, adding in seasonal point-to-point flying is just one of the ways we are finding opportunities to add new and exciting service. And as we have done throughout the entire pandemic, we will continue being nimble and strategic with our network to add the right service to the destinations our customers want to visit.” Domestic May Schedule Starting May 27, United will begin point-to-point service to Charleston, S.C.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla. and Portland, Maine from seven cities including Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Mo.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Milwaukee, Wis. and Indianapolis, Ind. United plans to operate these point-to-point routes through Labor Day weekend. Most customers on these flights will experience United’s new Bombardier CRJ-550 – the world’s first 50-seater aircraft with two cabins. The spacious CRJ-550 is equipped with 10 first class seats, 20 Economy Plus seats, 20 standard economy seats, Wi-Fi, more legroom and enough overhead bin space for every customer to bring a roller bag on board.

North America is driving the global business jet recoveryFlight activity month to date in the US is up 17% compared to last yearOnly Europe still lags March 2020 when the imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions sent business jet activity levels down 50% The business jet rebound from lockdown lows is well-established as the market enjoys strong growth. Business jet activity in the first three weeks of March is 11% up on the same period last year.  Activity is within 10% of the first three weeks in March 2019. Only Europe still lags March 2020 when the imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions sent business jet activity levels down 50%. By contrast global scheduled airline activity is 30% down and 40% lower than in 2019 with Europe suffering a 75% drop on 2019 levels. North America is driving the global business jet recovery with rolling 7-day average activity back at pre-pandemic pace last week – the 6,437 sectors flown on March 17th compares to 6,326 on the comparable day in March 2020 and 6,815 in March 2019. Flight activity month to date in the US is up 17% compared to last year with Fractional operations, up 21%; Private owners and corporate flight department traffic up 15%; and Charters up 14%. Branded Charter operations in the US are up 16%, suggesting that we are now seeing record levels of activity. Beyond the lockdown anniversary in Europe and North America, there is a rebound from the low points and the recovery towards normal activity levels. For Europe, the rebound is in early stages, particularly Western Europe. Outside Europe, normal flight activity has resumed. In the US, there are signs that business jet activity in 2021 may exceed 2019 activity in some States, particularly for the charter market.

WestJet committed to a safe restart of regional routesWestJet flights set to resume to airports across Atlantic Canada and Quebec CityService is set to resume to the five airports WestJet suspended service from in November, beginning June 24, 2021 through to June 30, 2021 WestJet today announced it will restore flights to the communities of Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton, Sydney and Quebec City after service was suspended as a result of COVID-19. The reinstatement of service will restore WestJet’s complete network of pre-COVID-19 domestic airports. “We committed to return to the communities we left, as a result of the pandemic, and we will be restoring flights to these regions in the coming months, of our own volition,” said Ed Sims, WestJet, President and CEO. “These communities have been a crucial factor in our success over our 25 years and it is critical for us to ensure they have access to affordable air service and domestic connectivity to drive their economic recovery.”  Service is set to resume to the five airports WestJet suspended service from in November, beginning June 24, 2021 through to June 30, 2021. In addition, service between St. John’s and Toronto, which was indefinitely suspended in October, will resume effective June 24, 2021. Following a temporary suspension, the restart of service between St. John’s and Halifax will be advanced from June 24, 2021 to May 6, 2021. Full schedule details and restart dates are outlined below.  “Our focus remains on the safe restart of air travel. We ask that federal and provincial governments work with us to provide clarity and certainty to Canadians, including travel policies that support economic recovery and restore jobs,” continued Sims.   Recognizing the investments that WestJet’s travel and tourism partners in the regions need to make to begin to recover from the pandemic, the airline will continue to encourage the Atlantic premiers to advance their efforts to ensure the region is open to Canadians this summer. 

4 in 10 eager Brits are holding out for an overseas holiday this yearYounger generations more likely to choose a package holiday than book a DIY tripThe research also shows that more women are likely to book a package holiday than men Twice as many under 25s surveyed will opt for a package holiday (55%) than those who are 55 and over (26%), according to the stats, proving that older is not necessarily wiser when it comes to being prepared for the unexpected in a COVID-19 world. Nearly 38% of people are planning to book 2021 overseas holiday this year with the Global Travel Taskforce report being announced on April 12. The research shows 25% of respondents are ONLY interested in taking a holiday abroad, while 13% plan to take both an overseas vacation AND a staycation after months of being stuck at home. Of the remainder, 40% are planning a UK-based holiday, with 21% not planning a holiday at all. The age groups that is most holding out a holiday abroad, and therefore the most likely to book, are the: 16-24s (32% of whom can’t wait to go abroad this year);followed by the 25-34s (29%);the 35-44s (28%) andthe 45-54s (25%).

Norse Atlantic Airways must learn from the mistake that Norwegian made if it is to surviveThere is little appetite for long-haul holidays, with just 36% of people willing to travel out of the continent they reside inLong-haul routes cannot turn enough profit to support low, attractive fares Just two months after Norwegian ceased its long-haul operations in January 2021, a new entrant into the market, Norse Atlantic Airways, plans to replace and improve upon Norwegian’s attempts to crack the low-cost transatlantic business model. Launching with a strategy from which an established airline has pulled back, especially in the COVID-19 recovery period, is a risky move and Norse Atlantic Airways must learn from the mistake that Norwegian made if it is to survive. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low and travelers will stay brand loyal due to heightened needs for trust and reliability. There is also little appetite for long-haul holidays currently, as, according to the latest data, just 36% of people are willing to travel out of the continent they reside in. While travel bans from Europe to the US are still in place, the new airline may gain little traction in the short-term. Norwegian’s main reason for its failure in terms of its long-haul low-cost operations is that the low-cost model is not suited to long-haul – these routes cannot turn enough profit to support low, attractive fares. Full-service carriers are now entering into this market by offering low-cost options. This will attract a type of traveler that may not have considered flying this way before and could have the potential to become loyal customers due to an increased standard of service and enticing loyalty programs. This increased competition will also make things harder for the new entrant. Norse Atlantic Airways must change its business model if it is to survive. The only way full-service carriers can succeed in this low-cost market is due to the provision of high yielding business and first-class cabins, making flights more profitable. To give itself the best possible chance of success, Norse Atlantic needs to take this into consideration and learn from the mistake that Norwegian made – namely not having such cabins.

Get Sick. Get Home. This is the guarantee COVAC GLOBAL gives to those traveling to a growing list of five star resorts. GLOBAL now added Domestic COVID-19 Repatriation Without Hospitalization to its Global Membership Program - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

New Center of Excellence to be an important dimension of positioning the Alliance to deliver on its post-Coronavirus strategy - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

New route from Alaska's largest city to the Twin Cities will provide more nonstops to the state of Alaska - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Travelport will roll out several enhanced functionalities to simplify how its tens of thousands of connected agencies shop and manage NDC bookings with American Airlines - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online