Aviation News

International arrivals fell by 72% over the first ten months of 2020, with restrictions on travel, low consumer confidence and a global struggle to contain the COVID-19 virus, all contributing to the worst year on record in the history of tourism. According to the latest tourism data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), destinations welcomed 900 million fewer international tourists between January and October when compared with the same period of 2019. Continue reading Global tourism back to 1990 levels as arrivals fall 72% at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Air Greenland, the flag-carrier for Greenland, is the latest airline to order Airbus’ next generation A330neo widebody aircraft. The new A330-800 will replace the airline’s ageing Airbus A330-200ceo to secure operations linking the Arctic island with Denmark from end of 2022 onwards and beyond. Air Greenland’s CEO’s Jacob Nitter Sørensen said: “The A330neo is a fundamental part of Air Greenland’s fleet strategy. Continue reading Air Greenland places Christmas order for Airbus A330neo at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Beginning February 11, JetBlue Airways is to add seasonal nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport  (JFK)  and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Key West International Airport (EYW). Service from JFK to EYW is scheduled Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, with flights arriving in Key West at 1:22 p.m. Continue reading JetBlue announces Key West flights from New York City and Boston at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Earlier today, the UK Prime Minister convened a meeting of the Incident Response Group to discuss the new variant of COVID-19 identified in the United Kingdom. Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, and Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne participated in the meeting Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is guided by the latest science and research. Continue reading Canada suspends all flights from the UK at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Uganda Airlines, the country’s  flag-carrier, has taken delivery of its first A330neo, the latest version of the most popular widebody airliner. It is the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019.  In line with the Company’s strategy to keep offering its customers unbeatable economics, increased operational efficiency and superior passenger comfort, the A330-800 is the latest addition to Airbus’ commercial aircraft product line. Continue reading Airbus delivers first A330neo jet to Uganda Airlines at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. All persons who have entered Switzerland from these two countries since 14 December must go into quarantine for 10 days. Continue reading Switzerland announces entry ban, retroactive quarantine for travelers from UK and South Africa at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia has been ranked a Five-Star Global Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ is the first airline rating program based solely on certified passenger feedback.  The industry’s most anticipated honor is based on neutral, third-party passenger feedback and insights. Continue reading Saudi Arabian Airlines ranked a Five-Star Global Airline at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Boeing and Alaska Airlines announced that the carrier is buying 23 more 737-9 airplanes, building on its original order and an agreement last month to acquire new 737-9s through lease. The new deal brings Alaska Airlines’ total 737 MAX orders and options to 120 airplanes, which will give the fifth largest U.S. Continue reading Alaska Airlines ups Boeing 737 MAX orders and options to 120 jets at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Jamaica is being hailed as “the next big thing” for Nigerian tourists by that country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama, following the arrival of the first non-stop flight from Nigeria to Jamaica, which touched down at the Sangster International Airport last night (December 21). “We really expect to see it (tourism) take off in a big way,” said Minister Onyeama, who was among some 140 passengers on the inaugural flight, which landed just after 10:00 p.m. Continue reading Jamaica ‘Next Big Thing’ for Nigerian tourists at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it has granted Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh special operating authority to engage in interstate air-cargo-delivery services directly to rooftops throughout the United States on Christmas Eve.  In addition, for the first time ever, the FAA issued Santa a special commercial space license for a crewed mission to the International Space Station using his StarSleigh-1 space capsule powered by the Rudolph Rocket. Continue reading FAA grants Santa Claus special flight and launch permissions at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Singapore Airlines announced that it had started the trials of the world’s first “health verification process”, that the company described as the “new normal” for travel. Singapore’s flag carrier has become the first major airline to introduce a digital certificate developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and used to verify a traveler’s COVID-19 test results and vaccination status. Continue reading Singapore Airlines launches ‘digital health passport’ at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Star Air, after running successful operations in Ahmedabad, has now expanded its wings further, by launching its services to one more city of Gujarat. This airline vertical of prominent Indian business conglomerate – Sanjay Ghodawat Group recently commenced its operations in the Silk City of India i.e. Surat from 21st December 2020. Continue reading Star Air flies nonstop to Surat from Belagavi and Ajmer at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

The Montenegro Minister of Capital Investment in the newly elected Government announced yesterday, on Christmas Eve, that the Government will not grant any more state aid to the national airline Montenegro Airlines. The decision equals a death verdict for the airline, as it’s the only chance of survival was the 2019 Law on Investment into Consolidation and Development of the Company for Air Transport of Passengers and Goods “Montenegro Airlines” According to a report in Serbia based BDK media, on 3 September 2020, the Montenegrin Agency for Protection of Competition issued a decision to open a formal investigation procedure into the compatibility with the state aid rules of the state aid granted by virtue of Lex MA. Continue reading Montenegro kills its National Airline to Start a New one at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Chorus Aviation Inc. announced today the delivery of two new Airbus A220-300 aircraft to airBaltic of Latvia. The aircraft (MSNs 55094 and 55095) are the final two of five units placed on long-term lease with the airline through a committed sale and leaseback transaction announced on November 20, 2019. In December 2013, airBaltic became the […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it has granted Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh special operating authority to engage in interstate air-cargo-delivery services directly to rooftops throughout the United States on Christmas Eve.  In addition, for the first time ever, the FAA issued Santa a special commercial space license for a crewed mission […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce it will begin incrementally increasing flights to Montréal from 16 January 2021 and operate daily frequencies by 25 February 2021, up from the previously scheduled four weekly frequencies. The Montréal service is operated by Qatar Airways’ state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite Business Class and […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Qatar Airways has announced that it will offer passengers unlimited date changes and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued before 30 April 2021 for travel completed by 31 December 2021. The airline’s latest enhancement to its industry-leading flexible booking policy has been designed to continue providing customers with peace of mind that they can change […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Why is the United States Government putting its citizens and visitors in harm’s way? Coronavirus is out of control, 120 countries require COVID-19 tests before an airline passenger may board a flight to such countries. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to make it 120 counties and the State of New York. So far, more […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Uganda Airlines, the country’s  flag-carrier, has taken delivery of its first A330neo, the latest version of the most popular widebody airliner. It is the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019.  In line with the Company’s strategy to keep offering its customers unbeatable economics, increased operational efficiency and superior passenger […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways fully committed today to one of its New Year’s resolutions: launch first-ever flights at Miami International Airport. JetBlue has set February 11, 2021 – the airline’s 21st birthday – as the start date for its Miami route expansion, which will include service to four U.S. Continue reading JetBlue adds Miami flights to its New Year’s resolutions at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Latest travel analytics research reveals that despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent collapse in aviation, there has been a last-minute surge in flight bookings for the Christmas period. In a normal year, tickets issued for travel in the week before Christmas tend to grow progressively throughout the year.  However, in 2020, the pattern has been different, with a late rush taking place during November. Continue reading Last-minute surge in flight bookings for Christmas period at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

German authorities on Sunday issued an emergency order to ban all fights between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom as of immediately. This was also expanded for flights from Germany to South Africa. German based aircrafts currently in the UK are allowed to fly back. Continue reading All Flights stopped from Germany to UK and South Africa at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

The Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), commercially launches its Test Before Boarding (TBB) process for passengers flying from Manila, after its successful pilot run with the local government of General Santos. This process makes use of an antigen test taken just hours before the scheduled time of departure, with results released within 30 minutes.   Continue reading Cebu Pacific now offers antigen tests to passengers at 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 20, 2020.   Tickets Issued for All Itineraries:   7-Day Period EndingTicket Variance vs. Continue reading US travel agencies’ air ticket sales still down nearly 70% at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Why is the United States Government putting its citizens and visitors in harm’s way? Coronavirus is out of control, 120 countries require COVID-19 tests before an airline passenger may board a flight to such countries. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to make it 120 counties and the State of New York. Continue reading 120 countries plus New York while the US remains silent at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Qatar Airways has announced that it will offer passengers unlimited date changes and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued before 30 April 2021 for travel completed by 31 December 2021. The airline’s latest enhancement to its industry-leading flexible booking policy has been designed to continue providing customers with peace of mind that they can change their plans with ease. Continue reading Qatar Airways: Full year of flexibility in 2021 at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

In a decision dated December 21, 2020, federal Administrative Law Judge Scott R. Morris found Delta Air Lines, Inc. guilty of having used a compulsory psychiatric examination as a “weapon” against Dr. Karlene Petitt after she raised safety issues related to the airline’s flight operations.   Dr. Continue reading Judge finds Delta Air Lines liable for retaliation against female pilot whistleblower at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Following an announcement by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee, effective 24 December 2020, entry restrictions into Abu Dhabi will be relaxed. International tourists, residents and travelers from selected destinations, flying with Etihad Airways, will be allowed to enter the emirate without the need to self-isolate for 14 days.  Continue reading Etihad Airways welcomes Abu Dhabi re-opening at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Chorus Aviation Inc. announced today the delivery of two new Airbus A220-300 aircraft to airBaltic of Latvia. The aircraft (MSNs 55094 and 55095) are the final two of five units placed on long-term lease with the airline through a committed sale and leaseback transaction announced on November 20, 2019. In December 2013, airBaltic became the first operator of the A220-300 aircraft and in May 2020, the carrier re-launched as an all Airbus A220 airline. Continue reading Chorus Aviation delivers two Airbus A220-300 aircraft to airBaltic at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

The Montenegro Minister of Capital Investment in the newly elected Government announced yesterday, on Christmas Eve, that the Government will not grant any more state aid to the national airline Montenegro Airlines. The decision equals a death verdict for the airline, as it’s the only chance of survival was the 2019 Law on Investment into Consolidation and Development of the Company for Air Transport of Passengers and Goods “Montenegro Airlines” According to a report in Serbia based BDK media, on 3 September 2020, the Montenegrin Agency for Protection of Competition issued a decision to open a formal investigation procedure into the compatibility with the state aid rules of the state aid granted by virtue of Lex MA. Continue reading Montenegro kills its National Airline to Start a New one at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Star Air, after running successful operations in Ahmedabad, has now expanded its wings further, by launching its services to one more city of Gujarat. This airline vertical of prominent Indian business conglomerate – Sanjay Ghodawat Group recently commenced its operations in the Silk City of India i.e. Surat from 21st December 2020. Continue reading Star Air flies nonstop to Surat from Belagavi and Ajmer at eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online.

Singapore Airlines announced that it had started the trials of the world’s first “health verification process”, that the company described as the “new normal” for travel. Singapore’s flag carrier has become the first major airline to introduce a digital certificate developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and used to verify a traveler’s COVID-19 test […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Uganda Airlines took delivery of the first of 2 brand-new Airbus A330-800 neo. The aircraft captained by Capt. Michael Etyang touched down at Entebbbe International Airport on December 22, 2020, at 10:30 am to a water salute. Receiving the aircraft was Uganda’s President HE Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who cautioned the airline against corruption. Ahead […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced today that Abu Dhabi will reopen to international travelers starting 24 December 2020. While the emirate will welcome the world once again, Abu Dhabi will continue to implement rigorous health and safety measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

In a decision dated December 21, 2020, federal Administrative Law Judge Scott R. Morris found Delta Air Lines, Inc. guilty of having used a compulsory psychiatric examination as a “weapon” against Dr. Karlene Petitt after she raised safety issues related to the airline’s flight operations.   Dr. Petitt has been a pilot for over forty […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. All persons who have entered Switzerland from these two countries since 14 December must go into quarantine for 10 […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia has been ranked a Five-Star Global Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ is the first airline rating program based solely on certified passenger feedback.  The industry’s most anticipated honor is based on neutral, third-party passenger feedback and […] - 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 20, 2020.   Tickets Issued for All Itineraries:   7-Day […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News Online