Monthly Archives: June 2021

Green Airlines to fly from Cologne/Bonn to Sylt

Green Airlines made this announcement:

From July 9, 2021, travelers from Cologne-Bonn Airport will be able to fly to Sylt with Green Airlines. The new German airline will connect Cologne-Bonn to the popular North Sea island, via a stopover in Paderborn, every Friday and Sunday.

Green Airlines will take off from Cologne Bonn Airport at 17:00 on Friday. With a stopover at Paderborn Lippstadt Airport, the journey will continue to Sylt at 18:00, arriving on the island at 19;00. The return flight from Sylt via Paderborn to Cologne Bonn will be at 18:00 on Sunday.

A German Airways Embraer 190 with space for 100 passengers will be used for the flights.

Note: Green Airlines is a virtual airline using other airlines to operate their flights.

Ryanair expands in Finland

Ryanair on June 23 announced its expansion in Finland which sees its return to Helsinki where it will operate 29 departing flights per week across eight destinations to a host of international hotspots including London, Paris, Brussels and many more this winter.

Ryanair also adds one new route to London Stansted from Tampere, operating 2 flights per week. Already operating from Lappeenranta, the launch of these nine new routes demonstrates Ryanair’s commitment to the happiest country in the world and will play a key role in the recovery of jobs and the local economy.

AIRPORT	NEW ROUTES FROM	DEPARTING FLIGHTS PER WEEK
Helsinki	London Stansted	7
	Milan Bergamo	4
	Riga	4
	Warsaw Modlin	4
	Brussels Charleroi	3
	Kaunas	3
	Paris Beauvais	2
	Poznan	2
Tampere	London Stansted	2

Air France tests IATA travel pass app on its flights between Montreal-Trudeau and Paris

Biron Health Group issued this statement:

First pilot program digitizing negative COVID-19 test results for travellers in Quebec

Montreal, June 23, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – By adding Montreal-Paris to its flights trialing the IATA Travel Pass app, Air France becomes the first airline to introduce a pilot program for outbound flights at the Montréal-Trudeau airport digitizing negative COVID-19 test results. It is carrying out the program jointly with the Biron Health Group.

The pilot program will focus strictly on outbound Air France flights from Montréal-Trudeau to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, as of June 24 until July 15, 2021. Its purpose is to test the International Air Transport Association’s IATA Travel Pass mobile application which will enable travelers to:

Check up on the latest COVID-19 related entry requirements for their country of destination
Have the results of their COVID-19 test performed at partner laboratories sent directly into the app
Securely store these documents in the app so they can demonstrate to airlines and authorities that they meet the relevant entry requirements, without having to divulge further information about their personal health

This trial is free of charge for customers and offered on a voluntary basis. It is open to customers travelling on Air France-operated flights with Paris as a final destination.

Testing will be carried out at the Biron Health Group’s onsite facilities at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. Eligible passengers will receive a notification a few days before departing for Paris. Testing is possible on the day of departure for travellers ages 11 and up who have not been vaccinated or have only received their first dose, as they are required to present proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result issued within 72 hours of their departure to enter France.

Ethiopian starts operating flights with fully-vaccinated crew

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest carrier, has started operating flights with fully vaccinated crew against COVID-19 to keep travelers safe in light of the pandemic.

Ethiopian has been rigorously implementing COVID-19 precautionary measures including the launch of its own testing and isolation center and digitization of its operation among others. It has been at the forefront in the fight against the pandemic carrying essential medical supplies and vaccines across the globe as well as repatriating stranded people back to their home.

Finnair and Juneyao Air enter into a joint business partnership on the Helsinki-Shanghai route and beyond

Finnair and Shanghai-based Juneyao Air will enter to a joint business partnership on July 1, 2021, where the two carriers will cooperate commercially on flights between Helsinki and Shanghai as well points beyond in China and Europe.

Finnair and Juneyao Air started a codeshare cooperation in July 2019, when Juneyao Air launched its Shanghai-Helsinki route. The joint business further deepens the partnership, providing corporate and leisure customers with more flexible routing options, attractive fares and enhanced benefits for frequent flyer members. Finnair’s and Juneyao’s customers will benefit from more consistent customer policies for example with baggage allowances, integrated customer care and enhanced frequent flyer award point accrual across the two airlines.

Finnair and Juneyao Air currently operate 2 flights per week between Helsinki and Shanghai and look forward to increasing frequencies as soon as the pandemic situation allows. In 2019, Finnair and Juneyao Air both operated daily flights between Helsinki and Shanghai.

Juneyao Air launched its route from Shanghai to Helsinki in July 2019, and since then both Finnair and Juneyao have been codesharing on each other’s Helsinki-Shanghai services and on selected connecting flights from Helsinki to Europe and from Shanghai to other destinations in China. A reciprocal agreement for Finnair Plus and Juneyao Air Club frequent flyer members was also implemented in August 2019, allowing customers to earn and redeem miles and points throughout each partner’s entire network.

Sky Cana is a new airline in the Dominican Republic

Sky Cana (Dominican Sky) (Sky Cana Holding Inc.) (Santo Domingo and Miami) is a new airline based in the Dominican Republic.

Two Airbus A321-231s (9H-AMD and 9H-AME) have been leased from Avion Express Malta.

The aircraft promote popular destinations in the D.R. such as Samana and Puerto Plata.

Operations commenced on January 30, 2021.

Frank Diaz is the CEO (above).

Route Map: Current and planned routes:

Top Copyright Photo: Sky Cana-Go Samana Dominican Republic (Avion Express Malta) Airbus A321-231 9H-AME (msn 2234) (Thomas Cook colors) MIA (L. Apso). Image: 954219.

WestJet to operate Boeing 737-800BCF freighters

WestJet today announced that it is launching a new dedicated cargo service, using 737-800 Boeing Converted Freights (BCF), as dedicated aircraft, to fulfill the larger-scale needs of Canadian businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers. The first of these dedicated 737-800BCFs are expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2022.

(CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

Throughout 2022, WestJet Cargo will grow its fleet of 737-800BCFs, to work in tandem with the current offering of WestJet’s existing Cargo business. The 737-800 narrow body aircraft is quick to load and fly, enabling WestJet Cargo to offer greater fuel efficiency, flexibility and frequency for its customers. WestJet Cargo routes and scheduled services will accommodate the diverse needs of cargo customers using WestJet’s existing network and highly skilled 737 pilots.

WestJet Cargo’s ability to ship on dedicated freighters or in the cargo hold on commercial routes provides cargo customers with increased reliability, flexibility and capacity to transport their diverse shipments to their chosen destination.

Southwest’s CEO Gary Kelly to become Executive Chairman

Southwest Airlines has announced that Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly will transition roles in early 2022, becoming the carrier’s Executive Chairman with the desire to serve in that role through at least 2026 at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Executive Vice President Corporate Services Robert Jordan will become Kelly’s successor as CEO effective Feb. 1, 2022. Jordan also will join the Board at that time.

“On behalf of the Southwest Airlines Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce Bob Jordan as CEO,”Kelly said. “Bob and I have worked side by side for more than 30 years. He is a gifted and experienced executive and well-prepared to take on this important role. Working closely with President Tom Nealon and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven, we will begin developing transition plans in the coming weeks and months. These three top-notch Leaders make for a powerful team to lead us forward.”

Serving as CEO since 2004, Kelly, 66, has led Southwest through some of the airline industry’s most turbulent times. Kelly is a 35-year Southwest veteran who began his career at Southwest Airlines as Controller, moving up to Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Finance, then Executive Vice President and CFO, before being promoted to CEO and Vice Chairman in July 2004. He assumed the roles of Chairman and President in 2008. In January 2017, Kelly relinquished the title of President and named former Southwest Board Member and Executive Tom Nealon to the executive team as President. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines in 1986, Kelly was a CPA for Arthur Young & Company in Dallas and Controller for Systems Center, Inc.

Kelly has often said his biggest source of pride is the fact that Southwest Airlines has never had a single layoff or furlough in the airline’s 50-year history. As CEO, he has guided the airline’s transformation through several major initiatives, including the acquisition of AirTran Airways, the repeal of the Wright Amendment, the launch of international destinations for the first time in Southwest’s history, the installment of a new reservation system, introduction of a new frequent flyer program, debut of the new Heart brand and livery, initiation of the long-awaited service to Hawaii, and the introduction of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 into the airline’s fleet —all while staying true to the Company’s core values and People-centric Culture.

“The airline has a strong Leadership team, and the Board has always taken seriously its role to oversee a strong succession plan for the top Leadership roles,”said William Cunningham, Southwest’s Lead Director on the Board. “Gary has been an outstanding CEO for Southwest for nearly two decades and has developed an excellent group of Senior Leaders to shepherd the airline into its next 50 years. We are thrilled he is willing to continue to serve as the Board’s Executive Chairman, subject to the annual elections process. Bob inherits a solid strategy and great momentum to continue the airline’s recovery as the COVID pandemic wanes. Bob has the Board’s full support.”

Jordan, 60, is a long-time Southwest Executive with broad and deep experience. Joining the airline in 1988, he has served in roles including Director of Revenue Accounting, Corporate Controller, Vice President Procurement, Vice President Technology, Senior Vice President Enterprise Spend Management, Executive Vice President Strategy and Technology, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, AirTran President and Executive Vice President Corporate Services. During his tenure, he has led numerous significant transformational projects, including the acquisition of AirTran Airways, the development of the new southwest.com e-commerce platform, the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, and our enhanced boarding process. Most recently, Jordan led the efforts for the Company’s voluntary leave and early separation programs, which were key to reducing the airline’s labor expenses during the pandemic and instrumental in avoiding layoffs and furlough actions.

Prior to Southwest, Jordan worked for Hewlett-Packard as a programmer and financial analyst. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University. He joined Coppell-based The Container Store’s Board of Directors in 2013 and currently serves as its Lead Director. He and wife, Kelly, live in Flower Mound and have two adult children and two grandchildren.

“I’m humbled, honored, and excited to be asked to serve as the next CEO,”Jordan said. “The Heart of Southwest is our People; they make the difference for our Customers, and I look forward to serving them. We have a terrific team of Leaders, many of whom I have had the joy of working alongside for decades. I’m looking forward to working with Gary, Mike and Tom on the transition effort and setting up Southwest for the next 50 years of giving Customers the Freedom to Fly.”

LeOne will launch flights from Italy to Croatia, Greece and Corsica

LeOne (FlyLeOne) is a new Italian airline based in Pescara.

Starting in mid July the new airline will launch Beech 1900D flights from Pescara, operated by Luxwing.

The summer routes from Pescara:

Lamezia from July 15, 2021 on Thursdays and Sundays

Corfu from July 17, 2021 to August 21, 2021 on Saturdays

Dubrovnik from July 16, 2021 to September 5, 2021 on Fridays and Sundays

Figari from July 16, 2021 to September 3, 2021 on Fridays

Pantelleria from July 17, 2021 to September 4, 2021 on Saturdays

Split from July 16, 2021 to September 5, 2021 on Fridays and Saturdays

In the the fall the airline will concentrate on these routes:

Genoa from September 5, 2021

Trieste from September 6, 2021

Verona from September 6, 2021

Genoa to Trieste from September 6, 2021

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

Air Dolomiti launches the Forli – Munich route

The first flight of Air Dolomiti landed on the morning of June 21 at Luigi Ridolfi airport. The aircraft, an Embraer 195, left Munich at 07:50 and arrived punctually in Forlì at 9:00.