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·November 16, 2021

Nigerian Ibom Air buys ten new Airbus A220 jets

Ibom Air currently flies to Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt using two A220s.The purchase of the new A220s will enable the airline to continue on its growth path, offering new routes across not just Nigeria, but to the west African region and to Africa at large.Airbus A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market. Akwa Ibom state government owned airline in Nigeria, Ibom Air has signed a firm order for ten (10) A220s at the Dubai Airshow. The signing was done by Mfon Udom, the chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, and Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International in the presence of the Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa and the largest GDP, offers substantial growth potential in both domestic and regional travel. The A220 is therefore the ideal choice for a full range of services from very short-haul segments to intra-continental air routes. “It gives me great pleasure to be here to announce Ibom Air’s order for 10 Airbus A220s”, said Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air. “As an organization, we at Ibom Air are delighted with the steep growth we have achieved in just over two and a half years since we commenced operations, a growth chiefly driven by the massive embrace of our product and brand by the Nigerian domestic flying public. The addition of the A220 to our fleet will support our growth strategy and boost operational efficiency. It will also offer our passengers more space and enhanced cabin experience, as a value add for choosing us.” “The A220 will allow us to increase the number of annual passengers through Akwa Ibom Airport, in Uyo, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travelers to the region. These efforts reflect our commitment to supporting local commerce and making a positive contribution to socio-economic growth in Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.” said the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Ibom Air currently operates two A220s. The airline flies to Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. The purchase of the new A220s will enable the airline to continue on its growth path, offering new routes across not just Nigeria, but to the west African region and to Africa at large. “We are thrilled to add Ibom Air as a new Airbus customer. The A220 is ideally suited to Nigeria’s aviation needs, providing operational flexibility to grow the business by responding to demand for increased passenger services. Through this investment, Ibom Air is underscoring its ambition for regional and in due course, international connectivity and operational efficiency.”, said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market; it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and a wide body comfort experience in a single-aisle cabin, with extra wide seats, more leg room and onboard connectivity for entertainment and communication. By the end of October 2021, the A220 had accumulated 643 firm orders.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 16, 2021

Russia adds new Italy, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan flights

Russia increases frequencies to Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan from December 1.The number of flights to Baku, Azerbaijan from Moscow, Russia will grow to 14 per week.It will be possible to fly three times a week from Zhukovsky airport to Nur-Sultan, Alma-Ata and Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Russia’s anti-coronavirus crisis center announced today that the Russian Federation will increase the frequency of scheduled flights to Italy, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Vietnam starting from December 1, 2021. Flights to Rome from Zhukovsky airport will be operating twice a week and from Moscow to Vietnamese cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang also twice a week. Russian authorities also allowed to launch one flight per week from Zhukovsky to Bishkek and Osh in Kyrgyzstan, as well as one flight per week to Issyk-Kul from each Russian airport open for international air traffic. The number of flights to Baku from Moscow will grow to 14 per week, and from the airports of other cities open for international flights – up to two per week. It will be also possible to fly three times a week from Zhukovsky airport to Kazakhstan’s Nur-Sultan, Alma-Ata and Shymkent, from the Russian airports in Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Sochi, Orenburg and Mineralnye Vody – to Nur-Sultan and Alma-Ata (one flights per week). Also, flights with the same frequency are allowed between Nur-Sultan and Krasnoyarsk, as well as Alma-Ata and St. Petersburg, Omsk, Ufa and Rostov-on-Don. The crisis center also allowed one flight per week from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan to Aktobe, from St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Rostov-on-Don – to Aktau, from St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Sochi – to Atyrau. Additional routes also include Moscow – Ust-Kamenogorsk, St. Petersburg – Petropavlovsk and Rostov-on-Don – Karaganda (one flight per week).

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 15, 2021

Swoop launches new flights to Palm Springs from Edmonton

Having increased connections across Canada and beyond through Edmonton International Airport is vital for the region.The airline’s growth will see Swoop’s flight capacity in Alberta’s capital increase 76% compared to pre-pandemic levels.Swoop expansion supporting the creation of 140 additional direct and spin-off jobs and an anticipated $120 million of economic output activity in 2022. Today, Swoop, a Canadian ultra-low fare airline, reaffirmed its commitment to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region with the announcement of new service to one U.S. and eight domestic destinations from its Western Canadian base. The airline’s significant new investments were celebrated this morning alongside the unveiling of Swoop’s newest aircraft, which will fly with the name #Edmonton. The airline’s growth will see Swoop‘s flight capacity in Alberta’s capital increase 76% compared to pre-pandemic levels, supporting the creation of 140 additional direct and spin-off jobs and an anticipated $120M of economic output activity in 2022. “This is a major milestone for Swoop as we underscore our commitment to leading the way for ultra-low fare air travel in Canada and reaffirm our position as the airline with the most destinations from Edmonton,” said Charles Duncan, President of Swoop. “With a strong focus on growth and Edmonton as our partner, we will continue to provide our travelers with more non-stop flights and ultra-low fares while supporting the recovery of Canada’s travel and tourism economy.” The addition of eight new Canadian destinations to Swoop’s summer schedule will see non-stop service from Edmonton to Charlottetown, Comox, Halifax, Kelowna, Moncton, Ottawa, Regina and Saskatoon. Swoop will be the first carrier to bring non-stop connectivity from Edmonton International Airport to Charlottetown and Moncton and the airline’s summer schedule will also see the restoration of service to London, Ont. Beginning December 16, Swoop’s trans-border presence is growing from Edmonton with the addition of new service to Palm Springs. The scheduled non-stop service to Palm Springs will operate twice weekly.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 15, 2021

Uneven recovery ahead for business and international travel

Fully reopen and resume visitor visa processing at U.S embassies and consulates.Ensure Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration officers are adequately resourced.Pass the Restoring Brand USA Act to provide emergency relief funding to Brand USA, the United States’ destination marketing organization. Days after the U.S. reopened its land and air borders to vaccinated international visitors, U.S. Travel released its biannual forecast which shows an uneven recovery for the international inbound and business travel segments, while domestic leisure travel has returned to near pre-pandemic levels. The forecast, based on analysis from Tourism Economics, projects that domestic leisure travel will continue to drive the U.S. travel industry’s recovery in the near term. This segment is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and beyond. Domestic business travel spending is expected to reach 76% of 2019 levels in 2022 while the segment is not expected to fully recover until 2024. International inbound travel spending is forecasted to reach 72% of 2019 levels in 2022. The segment is not expected to fully recover until 2024 or 2025. While the experts see much reason for optimism on the horizon, their forecast reveals that travel’s recovery is uneven with much work ahead to ensure all segments reach pre-pandemic levels. The experts believe that the U.S. can implement smart, effective policies that bring back international visitors more quickly and spur business and professional travel to accelerate an economic and jobs rebound. Policies needed to accelerate the travel industry’s recovery: Fully reopen and resume visitor visa processing at U.S embassies and consulates Pass the Restoring Brand USA Act to provide emergency relief funding to Brand USA, the United States’ destination marketing organization Enact temporary tax credits to restore demand for in-person professional meetings and events Stabilizing policies can help ensure a more even recovery as US aims to restore the itself as the top destination in the world for global travelers.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 15, 2021

IATA names new Chief Economist

Owens Thomsen will come from Banque Lombard Odier, where she has served as Head of Global Trends and Sustainability.Owens Thomsen holds a PhD in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva and an MBA equivalent from the University of Gothenburg in International Economics and Business.Holding US, UK and Swiss nationalities, she has worked in the UK, France and Switzerland and is fluent in Swedish, English and French. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Marie Owens Thomsen will join the Association as its Chief Economist effective 4 January 2022. Owens Thomsen will come from Banque Lombard Odier, where she has served as Head of Global Trends and Sustainability since 2020. Prior to that she was the long-time Global Head of Investment Intelligence (2011-2020) at Indosuez Wealth Management. Additionally, she has served in Chief Economist and related roles for Merrill Lynch, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and HSBC. Her varied career also includes entrepreneurship and market development activities. “Marie’s work on macro-economic issues with a focus on sustainability will prepare her to address aviation’s top issues—namely recovery from COVID-19 and sustainability. Coming from outside the aviation sector, she will bring valuable new insights and perspectives. And I am confident that she will carry on IATA’s reputation for objective reporting and analysis that is essential for explaining aviation’s contribution to the global economy and advocating for the polices airlines need to be successful,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “I am joining IATA to contribute to the aviation sector which has been a formidable long-term driver of economic growth. I’ll do this with a research approach that identifies causal factors for critical issues and their high-priority solutions. This is important as aviation begins the recovery from COVID-19 and continues the journey to net zero emissions. I look forward to a future where aviation can flourish within a sustainable global economy,” said Owens Thomsen. Owens Thomsen holds a PhD in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva and an MBA equivalent from the University of Gothenburg in International Economics and Business. Holding US, UK and Swiss nationalities, she has worked in the UK, France and Switzerland and is fluent in Swedish, English and French. Owens Thomsen succeeds Brian Pearce who retired from IATA earlier this year after serving as Chief Economist since 2004.

New state-of-the-art missile and aircraft detection system will further increase Israel’s air defense capabilities.The Sky Dew will compliment existing Israeli land-based detection system by putting additional sensors at a high altitude.The system, jointly developed by Israel and the US, has undergone successful tests in recent months. Israel’s Defense Ministry announced that it is getting ready to launch a huge blimp that will carry a state-of-the-art air defense system. The ministry published a clip online on Wednesday, showing the giant balloon being inflated from different angles. [embedded content] According to the ministry, new state-of-the-art missile and aircraft detection system will further increase Israel’s air-defense capabilities. The exact specifications of the aircraft, which was dubbed ‘Sky Dew’, haven’t been announced, but it was described as one of the largest of its kind. Its radars are said to be able to detect incoming long-range missiles, cruise missiles and drones. The system, jointly developed by Israel and the US, has undergone successful tests in recent months and is planned to be put in service in the north of the country soon, according to the ministry. Sky Dew will complement existing Israeli land-based detection systems by putting additional sensors at a high altitude. Such elevated radars provide a significant technological and operational advantage for early and precise threat detection. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has hailed the blimp as “another technological breakthrough that will strengthen the defense of Israel’s skies and Israeli citizens.” The new system “fortifies the wall of defense that Israel has built in the face of the distant and imminent air threats being built by its enemies,” he said. Israel has been working hard to improve its air defenses in recent years due to concerns over the proliferation of Iranian-made drones and missiles in the Middle East region. The Jewish state is also frequently targeted by makeshift rockets and incendiary balloons, launched from Gaza by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. The death toll on the Israeli side from the intense exchange of fire, during the flare-up between Israel and Hamas in May, stood at 12 people, including two children.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 4, 2021

WTTC: Travel & Tourism sector in France set to recover more than a third this year

France is expected to recover Travel and Tourism sector ahead of the UK and Europe.If vital measures are followed, Travel & Tourism sector could see employment numbers surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2022.In 2019, France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented €211 billion (8.5% of the national economy). New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s recovery could achieve a growth of 34.9% this year. The news comes on the day WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism sector, its Members, and business leaders from around the world, head to Paris for the Destination France summit. Organized by President Emmanuel Macron and with an opening speech from WTTC Chairman and President & CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, Arnold W. Donald, the event will focus on driving travelers back to the destination which before the pandemic, was the world’s most popular destination. WTTC says the sector’s growth this year is set to soar ahead of Europe’s overall recovery at 23.9%, and the global recovery at 30.7%. In 2019, France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented €211 billion (8.5% of the national economy). In 2020, when the pandemic brought international travel to a grinding halt, the contribution of the Travel & Tourism sector fell to just €108 billion (4.7% of the national economy). However, according to the latest research, at the current rate of recovery, France’s Travel & Tourism sector can expect a year on year growth of almost 35%, representing an increase of €38 billion. The data also reveals that the country could see a year on year increase of 21.8% in 2022, contributing a further boost to the economy of €32 billion. The global tourism body says that whilst a rise in domestic travel has provided some relief to the nation, it is not enough to achieve the full recovery needed to salvage its economy and the millions of jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the results of its 2021 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), which delivered two main conclusions:Passengers want to use biometric identification if it expedites travel processes.Passengers want to spend less time queuing. “Passengers have spoken and want technology to work harder, so they spend less time ‘being processed’ or standing in queues. And they are willing to use biometric data if it delivers this result. Before traffic ramps up, we have a window of opportunity to ensure a smooth return to travel post-pandemic and deliver long-term efficiency improvements for passengers, airlines, airports, and governments,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security. Biometric Identification 73% of passengers are willing to share their biometric data to improve airport processes (up from 46% in 2019). 88% will share immigration information prior to departure for expedited processing. Just over a third of passengers (36%) have experienced the use of biometric data when traveling. Of these, 86% were satisfied with the experience. Data protection remains a key issue with 56% indicating concern about data breaches. And passengers want clarity on who their data is being shared with (52%) and how it is used/processed (51%). Queuing 55% of passengers identified queuing at boarding as a top area for improvement. 41% of passengers identified queuing at security screening as a top priority for improvement.38% of passenger identified queuing time at border control / immigration as a top area for improvement. The greatest wait increases are at check-in and border control (emigration and immigration) where travel health credentials are being checked mainly as paper documents. This exceeds the time that passengers want to spend on processes at the airport. The survey found that: 85% of passengers want to spend less than 45 mins on processes at the airport if they are traveling with only hand luggage.90% of passengers want to spend less than one hour on processes at the airport when traveling with a checked bag. Solutions IATA, working with industry stakeholders, has two mature programs which can support a successful ramping-up of aviation post-pandemic and provide travelers with the expedited experience they are demanding. IATA Travel Pass is a solution to manage the complex myriad of travel health credentials that governments require. The app offers a safe and secure way for travelers to check the requirements for their journey, receive test results and scan their vaccine certificates, verify that these meet the destination and transit requirements and share these effortlessly with health officials and airlines prior to departure and using e-gates. This will reduce queuing and congestion for document checks—to the benefit of travelers, airlines, airports and governments. One ID is an initiative that is helping transition industry towards a day when passengers can move from curb to gate using a single biometric travel token such as a face, fingerprint or iris scan. Airlines are strongly behind the initiative. The priority now is ensuring there is regulation in place to support the vision of a paperless travel experience. One ID will not only make processes more efficient for passengers, but also allow governments to utilize valuable resources more effectively. “We cannot just revert to how things were in 2019 and expect our customers to be satisfied. Pre-pandemic we were preparing to take self-service to the next level with One ID. The crisis makes its twin-promises of efficiency and cost-savings even more urgent. And we absolutely need technologies like IATA Travel Pass to re-enable self-service or the recovery will be overwhelmed by paper document checks. The GPS results are yet another proof point that change is needed,” said Careen. About the GPSGPS results are based on 13,579 responses from 186 countries. The survey provides insight into what passengers would like from their air travel experience. Visit this link to access the complete analysis.

Starting from November 19, 2021, the first international routes into AlUla will take off from Dubai and Kuwait.The first flight on November 19 is timed to coincide with the next musical event at Maraya. Faia Younan, the young soprano and her world-class band will perform live at Maraya on the same date. Flynas, the Saudi national air carrier and leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, has announced its latest flights expansion including the first ever direct international flights into AlUla International Airport. Starting from 19th November 2021, the first international routes into AlUla will take off from Dubai and Kuwait. Domestic routes added as part of the expansion include Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. The announcement marks the first time that international travelers will enjoy direct access to one of the most significant archeological and historical sites in the world. The first flight to AlUla will be inaugurated on 19th November 2021, from Dubai International Airport during a special ceremony that will celebrate the history and heritage of AlUla and promote flynas’ award-winning air travel services. Commenting on this milestone, CEO at flynas Mr. Bander Almohanna said, “We are excited to make AlUla more accessible to all travelers in the region, a destination that is truly unique and never fails to impress even the most experienced travelers.” He then added, “We are confident that our partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla will be one of many contributing factors to achieving the ambitious targets of Saudi Vision 2030 advancing the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional and global tourism destination.” Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer for Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) commented, “For millennia, AlUla has been a crossroads of civilizations. Our ancient oasis has welcomed travelers and settlers to share commodities, ideas and build communities. Today is a huge milestone for AlUla as we will once again be on the international travelers route. Visitors can directly access AlUla with flynas direct flights from Dubai and Kuwait we look to introducing more visitors to the monumentality of the destination.” The first flight on 19th November is timed to coincide with the next musical event at Maraya. Faia Younan, the young soprano and her world-class band will perform live at Maraya on the same date. The schedule of international and domestic flights from/to AlUla will be: 4 weekly flights between AlUla & Riyadh 3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dubai 3 weekly flights between AlUla & Jeddah 3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dammam 2 weekly flights between AlUla & Kuwait With this new milestone, flynas reiterates its commitment towards offering attractive and in-demand destination options that meet its passenger’s expectations. Furthermore, flynas seeks to keep pace with the growing demand in the travel and tourism industry that is anticipated to witness a major rebound in the coming phase as countries continue to recover from the unprecedented repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 9, 2021

Boeing 777X arrives in Dubai for 2021 Dubai Airshow

Boeing 777X will be on display at the Dubai Airshow starting November 14, 2021.Building on the best of the industry-leading 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, the 777-9 will be the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet.The 777X family has a total of 351 orders and commitments from eight leading customers around the globe. The new Boeing 777X arrived at Dubai World Central at 14:02 p.m. (GST) today, ahead of the upcoming Dubai Airshow. The airplane will be on static display and featured in the show’s flying program starting November 14. The 777-9 flight test airplane made a nearly 15-hour nonstop flight from Seattle’s Boeing Field to Dubai, the first international flight and longest flight to date for the 777X as it continues to undergo a rigorous test program. Building on the best of the industry-leading 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, the 777-9 will be the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, delivering 10% better fuel use, emissions and operating costs than the competition and an exceptional passenger experience. The 777X family has a total of 351 orders and commitments from eight leading customers around the globe. First delivery of the airplane is expected in late 2023. Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Linda S. Hohnholz·

Aviation Feature

·November 9, 2021

Jamaica Welcomes New Service from American Airlines

Representatives from Jamaica, American Airlines, and Philadelphia International Airport gathered to welcome passengers traveling to Jamaica on the new flight.These new flights to Jamaica from Philadelphia provide additional convenient options for visitors and Caribbean nationals from the Northeastern U.S. to travel to island.It is an ideal time of year to impact Jamaica’s high season arrivals. “We are very pleased to welcome this new service from our largest air passenger carrier, American Airlines,” said Director of Tourism, Jamaica, Donovan White. “These new flights to Jamaica from Philadelphia provide additional convenient options for visitors and Caribbean nationals from the Northeastern U.S. to travel to island. With a large diaspora population living in this region, it will now be easier than ever for them to fly right into Kingston. We’re further grateful to American for inaugurating this additional service at the ideal time of year to impact Jamaica’s high season arrivals.” Representatives from Jamaica, American Airlines, and Philadelphia International Airport gathered at the gate to welcome passengers traveling to Jamaica on the new flight, including dozens of travel agents being hosted for fam trips by the Jamaica Tourist Board. In addition to the ribbon-cutting, all were entertained with the upbeat sounds of Jamaican music and complimentary Jamaica back packs. Complimentary light bites, including traditional Jamaican patties, were also catered from Irie Entrée, an authentic Jamaican restaurant located in Philadelphia, giving travelers a taste of the island. Travelers further sampled Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain Coffee. According to Jim Tyrrell, Chief Revenue Officer, Philadelphia International Airport, Kingston is a destination that meets the criteria for what today’s travelers are seeking. “As passengers have resumed their travel, the top destinations we’ve seen people traveling to are those that have sun, sand and beaches and also those where they can visit their families and friends,” said Tyrell. “Kingston checks all the boxes. It is beautiful and also was one of the top unserved family and friends’ destinations out of Philadelphia. Now they can fly out of a hometown airport and get to the friends and beaches much quicker.” Upon landing in Jamaica, Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) welcomed the flight with a traditional water cannon salute and flag salute, with the Jamaican and US flags waving alongside each other in the cockpit of the plane. Officials from the Jamaican Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism and Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association were also in attendance to greet disembarking travelers while a high-spirited live musical performance took place in the background. Gifts were presented to the pilots and crews of the flights, in true island manner, to show appreciation of their service during welcome receptions. American Airlines’ non-stop flights to Kingston (KIN) are now operating three times weekly Mon/Thurs/Sun from Philadelphia (PHL) departing at 9:40AM and arriving in Kingston (KIN) at 1:32PM. This new service is American Airlines’ second nonstop route from PHL to Jamaica, complementing the carrier’s existing non-stop daily flights to Montego Bay. Flight schedules are subject to change without notice, so travelers are encouraged to check www.aa.com for the most updated schedule. As of this month, American Airlines has up gauged the aircraft utilized on flights to Montego Bay (MBJ) from their major city hubs of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Philadelphia (PHL) to utilize their new wide-bodied Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for these operations. The carrier operates multiple daily non-stop flights to the destination from several U.S. cities including Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW, and Charlotte (CLT).

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 9, 2021

Fraport Group: Revenue and net profit up significantly in nine months of 2021

Airline passenger traffic recovery leads to strong revenue growth in first 9 months of 2021. Demand for holiday travel during the summer months was relatively strong.The result has improved due to financial compensation received for pandemic-related losses incurred at various Group airports. The Fraport global airport company achieved a significant increase in revenue and the Group result (net profit) during both the third quarter and the first nine months (ended September 30) of the 2021 business year. Factors contributing to this increase included a positive operational performance and several one-off effects. Forecasts for the upcoming winter season are also optimistic. Therefore, Fraport has revised its full-year outlook for revenue and other key financial figures slightly upwards. Traffic development at Frankfurt Airport is forecast to reach the upper area of the expected performance range, between under 20 million to 25 million passengers. Fraport CEO, Dr. Stefan Schulte, explained: “Following the massive losses experienced in 2020 and the resulting sharp rise in debt, we are now seeing brighter prospects ahead. Demand for holiday travel during the summer months was relatively strong. Moreover, our result has improved due to financial compensation received for pandemic-related losses incurred at various Group airports. Now, we are also expecting intercontinental traffic to gradually recover – supported by the recent re-opening of the U.S. borders. Consequently, we are a bit more optimistic about the winter season than we were just a few months ago. Nevertheless, it is still a long way ahead until we reach pre-pandemic passenger levels again and are able to reduce our debt significantly.” Third quarter: revenue and net profit grow strongly Boosted by a noticeable recovery in holiday travel during the summer season, revenue soared in the third quarter of 2021 by 79.5 percent to €633.8 million compared to €353.1 million in the same quarter in 2020 (both values have been adjusted for IFRIC 12 related contract revenue from construction and expansion measures at Fraport’s subsidiaries worldwide). EBITDA rose to €288.6 million in the third quarter, up from minus €250.3 million in Q3/2020. However, this gain also reflects a number of one-off effects: In the third quarter of 2020, earnings were negatively impacted by the creation of provisions for personnel-reduction measures totaling €279.5 million. This year, in turn, a positive contribution in the third quarter came from COVID-related compensation to our subsidiaries in the U.S., Slovenia and Greece – which boosted the Group’s “Other Income” by some €30 million. Adjusting for these one-off effects, Fraport still posted strong EBITDA growth of 785.6 percent to €258.6 million in the third quarter of 2021, versus €29.2 million in the same period last year. The Group result – or net profit – grew to €102.6 million in Q3/2021 (including the aforementioned one-off effects), compared to minus €305.8 million in Q3/2020. First nine months of 2021: Fraport achieves solid operating result, supported by positive one-off effects During the first nine months of the current year, Group revenue rose by 18.3 percent year-on-year to nearly €1.4 billion (excluding IFRIC 12 effects). Along with passenger growth outside of Frankfurt, revenue was positively impacted by an agreement reached in the first quarter of 2021 between Fraport and the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) for remuneration of aviation security services provided by Fraport previously. The agreement generated extra revenue of €57.8 million. Other one-off effects also had a positive impact on the income side: These included compensation from the German and State of Hesse governments granted to Fraport for maintaining Frankfurt Airport’s operational readiness during lockdown, as well as pandemic compensation to the Group’s subsidiaries in Greece, the U.S. and Slovenia – which contributed a total of €275.1 million to Fraport’s “Other Income”. Combined with the remuneration payment from the German Federal Police, these non-recurring effects contributed a total of €332.9 million to other income, with a corresponding positive effect on the operating result (EBITDA).

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 8, 2021

Tweed-New Haven Airport to Tampa flights on Avelo Airlines now

This service on Boeing Next Generation 737-700 aircraft operates Monday, Friday and Saturday.The flight departs HVN at 2:30 p.m. arriving TPA at 5:25 p.m.The returning flight departs TPA at 6:15 p.m. arriving HVN at 9:00 p.m. Avelo Airlines will soar to its third Florida destination today from Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) — Tampa Bay. “We are excited to depart for Avelo’s third Florida destination this afternoon,” said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “We’re making it easier and more convenient for Southern Connecticut residents to get to Tampa. With our very low introductory fares, Tampa and the other five sun-soaked Florida destinations Avelo serves are now more affordable than ever.” This service on Boeing Next Generation 737-700 aircraft operates Monday, Friday and Saturday. The flight departs HVN at 2:30 p.m. arriving TPA at 5:25 p.m. The returning flight departs TPA at 6:15 p.m. arriving HVN at 9:00 p.m. “Today’s first departure destined for Tampa Bay is yet another exciting milestone in our rapidly-growing partnership with Avelo here at HVN,” said Tweed-New Haven Airport Executive Director Sean Scanlon. “The energy here at the airport and in the community in the last few days has been incredible as we kick off a new and more vibrant era at HVN.” Avelo Airlines initiated service from its East Coast base at HVN last Wednesday (November 3) with its inaugural flight to Orlando. Tampa Bay is the third of six popular Florida destinations Avelo Airlines serves from HVN. In addition to Fort Lauderdale (which initiated service last Friday), Orlando and Tampa Bay, Avelo will begin flying to Fort Myers, Palm Beach and Sarasota in the days and weeks ahead. Amidst the crowds, long lines, lengthy walks and traffic congestion encountered at other airports frequented by Connecticut travelers, HVN offers a refreshingly smooth and simple alternative hometown airport experience. HVN’s adjacency to multiple major highways and commuter railways make it Connecticut’s most convenient and easily accessible airport. Avelo is the first airline to offer nonstop flights between HVN and Florida. Avelo’s arrival to HVN also marks the largest expansion of service at HVN in more than 30 years. Avelo is investing $1.2 million to help upgrade and modernize facilities and operations as part of an overall $100 million project at HVN. The airport expansion will include a new terminal and extended runway spearheaded by airport operator Avports. Over the past 90 days, Avelo has hired more than 85 HVN-based Crewmembers (what the airline calls its employees), including flight attendants, pilots, airport customer service representatives, operations-related roles, as well as managers and supervisors. Avelo and HVN expect to have more than 100 aviation professionals based at the airport by the end of this year.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 8, 2021

60% of Americans unlikely to travel over holidays

Just one in three Americans plans to travel for Christmas, and even fewer plan to travel for Thanksgiving.68% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 22% plan to stay in a hotel.66% of Christmas travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 23% plan to stay in a hotel. While rising vaccination rates against COVID-19 have increased travelers’ comfort levels, most Americans are still opting to stay home this holiday season, according to a new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). The survey found that 29% of Americans are likely to travel for Thanksgiving and 33% are likely to travel for Christmas—an increase from 21% and 24%, respectively, compared to 2020. Those who do plan to travel over the holidays expect to drive, but rising gas prices may dampen those plans. The survey of 2,200 adults was conducted October 30 – November 1, 2021, by Morning Consult on behalf of AHLA. Key findings include the following: Just one in three Americans plans to travel for Christmas (33% likely to travel, 59% unlikely), and even fewer plan to travel for Thanksgiving (29% likely, 61% unlikely). 68% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 22% plan to stay in a hotel. 66% of Christmas travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 23% plan to stay in a hotel. 52% of Americans say they plan to take fewer trips and 53% plan to take shorter trips due to rising gas prices. Leisure travelers are making several adjustments to their travel plans based on the current state of the pandemic, including only traveling within driving distance (58%), taking fewer trips (48%), and taking shorter trips (46%). Among parents with children under the age of 12, 41% say the availability of vaccines for kids ages 5-11 will make them more likely to travel. 68% of Thanksgiving travelers and 64% of Christmas travelers plan to drive, compared to 11% and 14%, respectively, who plan to fly. While vaccines have helped travelers feel more comfortable, rising gas prices and continued concerns about the pandemic are making many Americans hesitant to travel during the holidays. Despite a slight expected uptick in holiday travel this year, hotels will continue to face economic fallout from the pandemic, underscoring the need for targeted federal relief, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, to support the industry and its workforce until travel fully returns. Despite being among the hardest hit, hotels are the only segment of the hospitality and leisure industry yet to receive direct pandemic relief from Congress.

Porter Airlines’ seasonal service begins December 17 and will be running until March 28, 2022.Connecting flights are also available from various Porter Airlines’ Canadian locations.All passengers over the age of 12 years and four months departing from a Canadian airport must provide proof of vaccination before boarding, effective November30. Porter Airlines is reintroducing its seasonal service to Mont-Tremblant, Que., in time for the holidays. Seasonal service begins December 17, running until March 28, 2022. “We’re ready to return to our first seasonal destination since restarting operations in September,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines. “Mont-Tremblant was among Porter’s first destinations when the airline was founded, and our passengers enjoy the variety of winter activities it has to offer.” In as little as 70 minutes, passengers can fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Mont-Tremblant International Airport. Connecting flights are also available from various Porter locations. The winter schedule includes up to four weekly flights. Following the Government of Canada’s vaccination mandate for air passengers, all passengers over the age of 12 years and four months departing from a Canadian airport must provide proof of vaccination before boarding, effective November 30. Porter Airlines is a regional airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned by Porter Aviation Holdings, formerly known as REGCO Holdings Inc., Porter operates regularly scheduled flights between Toronto and locations in Canada and the United States using Canadian-built Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.

Dmytro Makarov·

Aviation Feature

·November 3, 2021

Orlando to Nassau. New Frontier Airlines Flight

Frontier Airlines will connect Orlando International Airport and Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau with a new flight.The new nonstop flight will connect Orlando and Nassau once daily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.Nassau is a gateway to 16 islands with unique vacation offerings for tourists with different needs, budgets and goals. Live Junkanoo performances and a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon at the Orlando International Airport celebrated Frontier Airlines inaugural flight from Orlando to Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. The four-times weekly service brings passengers directly to the nation’s vibrant capital with fares as low as $69. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony during the Frontier Inaugural event at Orlando airport for service to Nassau Bahamas. From left to right is; Ken Wood, Assistant Station Manager-Orlando Frontier Airlines; Frontier’s Mascot, Pablo the bear; Brenda March, Manager for Parks & Recreation, City of Orlando; Betty Bethel-Moss, Director Sales & Marketing Florida, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Vicki Jaramillo, Sr. Director Marketing & Air Service Development & Stephen Howell, Sr. Director Inflight Experience, Frontier Airlines. Flights into Nassau serve as a gateway to 16 islands with unique vacation offerings to suit each traveller’s individual needs, spanning varied budgets and experiences. The Islands of The Bahamas welcome Floridian travellers with open arms, turquoise water and plenty of sunshine. Betty Bethel-Moss, Director Sales &Marketing Florida, Florida Bahamas Ministry of Tourism presents Stephen Howell, Sr. Director Inflight Experience, Frontier Airlines with a gift from The Islands of The Bahamas, a painting from world renowned Bahamian Artist Jamaal Rolle . “The inaugural Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando to Nassau is absolutely worth celebrating,” said Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “The newly added flight options allow Orlando residents who seek a short-haul vacation the opportunity to tap into an easier, more affordable way to travel to The Bahamas. Before booking their flight, I encourage visitors to learn about the many ways they can customize a vacation itinerary and get ready to see just why we say it’s better here.” The Passengers of the Inaugural flight of Frontier Airlines Orlando to Nassau service were entertained by a live Junkanoo performance. There are a host of new developments, hotel reopenings and experiences happening throughout Nassau and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the beloved Out Islands, making The Bahamas one of the Caribbean’s top must-visit destinations: Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts recently opened an all-new 300-room Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, complete with 11 distinct dining options and an on-site waterpark. Six-time James Beard Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson debuted his new restaurant, Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, at Baha Mar, sourcing the freshest local ingredients and Bahamian seafood, complete with a vibrant dining room and rooftop cocktail bar. Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, an all-inclusive resort located in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, reopened, boasting an oceanfront pool, watersports and 4,000 feet of beautiful white-sand beaches. Passengers of Frontier Airline’s Inaugural flight from Orlando to Nassau Bahamas were treated to gifts from The Islands of The Bahamas. Tina Lee-Anderson. District Sales Manager, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Florida (left) is shown. The new nonstop route will operate once daily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. To learn more about The Bahamas, head to Bahamas.com, while travellers ready to pack their bags can book their roundtrip flights today by visiting flyfrontier.com. The Bahamas is committed to the safety of its residents and visitors and continues to update on-island and arrival policies as necessary. To stay up-to-date on the latest protocols and entry requirements, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.