Akasa Air launches operations in India

Akasa Air operated it inaugural flight this morning in India. Flight QP1101 departed from Mubai to Ahmedabad.

Thye new airline made this announcement:

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, today (August 7) commenced its commercial operations with its first flight taking off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, bound for Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The maiden flight took off from Mumbai at 10:05 am with a scheduled arrival at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 11:25 am.

As a symbolic gesture to mark the occasion during the ceremony, Akasa Air’s boarding pass was handed over to the Honourable Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia-ji and the Honourable Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Dr) V. K Singh-ji. Both guests-of-honour addressed the gathering and officially flagged off the event. The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis-ji extended his wishes on the commencement of Akasa Air’s operations while addressing the gathering. The ceremony was also graced by the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation Shri Rajiv Bansal-ji and Joint Secretary(J), Ministry of Civil Aviation Smt. Usha Padhee-ji.

Starting today, Akasa Air will offer weekly flights between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Progressively adding cities and routes to its network, the airline has already announced a total of five routes along five cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

With a fleet induction plan of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft each month, the airline is looking to establish a strong pan-India presence, with a focus on metro to tier 2 & 3 route connectivity. The fleet size will be raised to 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023 and over the next four years, the airline will add 54 aircraft, taking its total fleet size to 72.

IAM-represented employees at Alaska Airlines ratify two-year contract extension

Alaska Airlines’ airport customer service agents, stores, cargo, ground service and reservations agents, who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), have ratified a two-year contract extension. The contract passed overwhelmingly and includes increased pay with market reviews to ensure wage rates stay competitive, as well as increases in longevity pay. Job security has also been extended until Sept. 27, 2028.

Alaska’s airport customer service agents, stores, cargo, ground service and reservation agents are responsible for assisting guests with upcoming and day-of travel, managing aircraft material and parts, loading cargo and readying aircraft for departures and arrivals.

The previous contract became amendable on Sept. 27, 2024. Contracts in the airline industry do not expire. Once they become amendable, the current contract remains in effect until a new agreement is ratified.

Hans Airways’ first Airbus A330-200 arrives in the U.K.

Hans Airways, the UK’s new long-haul airline readying to fly to India, celebrated the arrival of its first Airbus A330-200 on UK soil this week.

The first aircraft is Airbus A330-202 registered as G-KJAS (msn 950).

The aircraft touched down from Palma Airport, Mallorca to Birmingham International Airport on August 2, welcomed by CEO Satnam Saini, COO Nathan Burkitt and CCO Martin Dunn for Hans Airways, ahead of formal technical handover and technical acceptance signing with the lessor.

Hans Airways has partnered with maintenance and repair overhaul specialist STS Aviation Services for Re-Registration tasks and Entry into service modifications ahead of its important route-proving flight for the UK Civil Aviation Authority in the coming weeks. The A330 will fly as newly re-registered G-KJAS.

Since 2020, Hans Airways has maintained a close dialogue with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on its progress. Prior to arriving in Palma, the aircraft underwent a thorough 200-hour inspection in Abu Dhabi (UAE) by Etihad Engineering (work previously contracted by its former airline operator, Air Europa). The aircraft was required to return to Spain, its original country of registration for final contractual, administration, financial transfer and customs clearance. In Palma work included a final internal inspection of the engines and rectification of any defect identified on the airworthiness and positioning flight.

First Hans Airways Airbus A330-200 arrives in United Kingdom

“Our first widebody Airbus arriving into the UK is a big and significant milestone on Hans Airways’ journey to launch,” said CEO Satnam Saini. These past 12 months we are very pleased to have added a wealth of competence and experience to our leadership and management team and recruited and trained up a full complement of exceptional pilots and cabin crew who will be ready to fly as soon as the airline’s AOC is awarded.

“We are delighted STS has been selected as a long-term key maintenance supplier to support Hans Airways’ Airbus A330,” stated Colby Payne, Head of Sales for STS. “As a result of this partnership, we have accepted the first aircraft for a maintenance visit at our state of the art, wide-body aircraft MRO facility in Birmingham and look forward to supporting Hans Airways with further projects as its growth continues.”

First Hans Airways Airbus A330-200 arrives in United Kingdom Amritsar / Golden Temple will be its first route

Once it has its AOC, together with similar accreditation from India’s DGCA, Hans Airways is planning an initial four times weekly service from Birmingham to Amritsar in North India. Amritsar is a major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of Punjab. The city is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion and home to the Harmandir Sahib, famously known as the Golden Temple.

As Hans Airways finalizes slots and timetable, it plans to operate ACMI / charter services, which will help with crew training ahead of the scheduled service operation, Satnam Saini said.

About Hans Airways

Hans Airways is the UK’s newest hybrid, long-haul airline venture, blending value for money fares with a quality inflight service offering. Hans Airways will offer two classes of cabins: Economy class with a 31-inch seat pitch and 274 seats, and Premium Economy (called “Anand Plus”), offering a 56″ pitch and 24 seats. It will offer high quality complementary inflight entertainment and catering as standard.

Sky Express adds three new routes to Milan, Munich and Sofia

Sky Express will add three new routes from Athens to Milan, Munich and Sofia staring on November 1.

Sky Express aircraft photo gallery:

Breeze Airways brings the first scheduled airline passenger service to San Bernardino, CA, adds Provo

Breeze Airways, as planned, on Friday, August 4, 2022 brought the first scheduled airline passenger service to San Bernardino International Airport.

Top Copyright Photo: The first scheduled airline passenger flight arrives at SBD. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N126BZ (msn 19000124) arrives at SBD from SFO (Michael B. Ing).

The airport issued this statement:

San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) marked local history on August 4 with the launch of first-ever scheduled passenger flights. Breeze Airways began daily nonstop service from SBD to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with one-stop, same-plane service to Provo Airport (PVU) in Utah. Book seats at FlySBD.com.

Breeze, an airline founded by aviation entrepreneur and JetBlue founder David Neeleman in 2021, focuses on connecting travelers in underserved cities with air service to the U.S. destinations they want to visit most, through efficient and affordable flights.

Passengers on the inaugural arriving Breeze Airways flight from SFO—which received a water arch welcome by San Bernardino County firefighters—included Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi, Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey, along with other Breeze team members. Arriving passengers were greeted in the terminal by airport staff, and each received a welcome gift bag filled with SBD-branded items.

“We have the rare honor of being the very first commercial airline to fly into San Bernardino, marking a major milestone for the airport and its community,” said Doxey. “We congratulate the government leaders and airport officials that helped make this happen and look forward to serving the residents of the region.”

To inaugurate the outbound Breeze Airways flight, airport and airline representatives christened the Embraer E-190 aircraft by spraying bottles of sparkling wine as journalists and other invited guests looked on from the airport tarmac.

Back at Gate 3, the departing flight ceremonies included a DJ playing upbeat San Francisco–themed music, trivia games, an inaugural cake cutting, event-themed balloon decor, remarks from airline and airport officials, and a ribbon cutting.

SBD marked history once again when Breeze Airways’ flight to SFO pushed back from the boarding gate as the airport’s first departing commercial flight, with passengers and crew members receiving a water cannon salute by airport firefighters.

The San Bernardino–San Francisco flight service details follow:

Flight Number	City Pair	Departs	Arrives
MX 603	SFO-SBD	10:10 a.m.	11:40 a.m.
MX 602*	SBD-SFO	1:55 p.m.	3:25 p.m.

Flights operate daily. All times are local. SBD-SFO flight time is 90 minutes.
*One-stop, same-plane service to PVU departs SFO at 4:00 p.m., arriving at 6:50 p.m. Flight time is 1 hour, 50 minutes.

In other news, the growing airline also opened the new destination of Provo, Utah:

Not only did we open our sixth base in Provo City Government with the help of Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and many others, but we also launched service in Provo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Bernardino International Airport – SBD. And, on top of it all we became the Official Hometown Airline for BYU Cougars. We are so grateful to our inaugural Guests that joined us on this incredible journey, the Seriously Nice™ team members and local officials in each location that welcomed us with open arms, and of course the wonderful communities that we now get to be a part of.

Breeze Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines arrives in Boise, Idaho

Spirit Airlines made this announcement:

Spirit Airlines on August 5 launched its first Idaho service at Boise Airport (BOI). The daily, nonstop route connects Las Vegas’ entertainment and attractions to Boise’s vibrant, tree-lined city and its surrounding outdoor recreation opportunities.

Las Vegas is one of Spirit’s largest airport operations with about 70 flights each day, which now provides one-stop options between BOI and more than a dozen cities across the airline’s route map.

Spirit Airlines Connection Options to/from BOI:
Atlanta (ATL)	Los Angeles (LAX)	Portland (PDX)
Charlotte (CLT)	Newark (EWR)	Sacramento (SMF)
Chicago (ORD)	Oakland (OAK)	San Diego (SAN)
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)	Orange County (SNA)	Seattle (SEA)
Detroit (DTW)	Orlando (MCO)	Tampa (TPA)
Houston (IAH)	Phoenix (PHX)

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

American reimagines its Admirals Clubs, DCA is the first

American Airlines made this announcement:

American Airlines is taking the ability to relax and unwind during travel to the next level through the redesign of its Admirals Club lounges across the United States. Customers will first experience the new look of the design at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) this fall. The club’s opening will signal the start of a reimagined premium Admirals Club design for the largest airline in the world.

Customers can access the Admirals Club lounge through their itinerary, select cobranded credit card, or their membership, which could be discounted depending on their AAdvantage® status.

Chicago-based DMAC Architecture & Interiors created a unique vision for American. When customers step inside, they will be welcomed by signature brand elements and references from local landscapes and landmarks that tell the story of each city and create a sense of place. Wellness will uniquely shine through selective design elements that set a tone of calm and familiarity. Sustainability is also built into the new design in intentional ways, such as branded elements made of renewable American walnut in every lounge.

“Our focus in working with American is to create a meaningful environment for guests to experience the airline’s inspirational brand and airport lounge in a fresh, new way,” comments Dwayne MacEwen, Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture & Interiors. “Lounges will include a collection of thoughtfully designed memorable spaces, with opportunities for guests to engage, retreat and rejuvenate. The new design of the Admirals Club lounges offers a bespoke hospitality experience in which every detail is curated for guests to feel cared for at each touch point during their visit.”

Fireplace and natural wood bring the comfort of home into the DCA Admirals Club

Admirals Club lounges currently in the works include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Denver International Airport (DEN), which will also feature the reimagined new design.

Avelo Airlines to add service to Palm Springs from Santa Rosa-Sonoma County, Eugene and Bend/Redmond

Avelo Airlines is coming to Palm Springs (PSP) with new nonstop service to Santa Rosa, CA, Eugene, OR, and Bend/Redmond, OR.

Avelo Airlines has announced new nonstop service to Palm Springs, California from the North Bay Area’s Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS). Avelo will fly this route twice weekly on Fridays and Mondays beginning on November 11.

The new routes will operate on 189-seat Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft. In addition to Palm Springs, Avelo flies nonstop between STS and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Flight dates and times below:

	Route	Departs	Arrives
Sonoma County / Santa Rosa, CA
Special Inaugural Flight Friday, November 11	STS-PSP	2:40 p.m.	4:20 p.m.
	PSP-STS	2:50 p.m.	4:30 p.m.
Effective November 14
Mondays and Fridays	STS-PSP	2:40 p.m.	4:20 p.m.
	PSP-STS	1:30 p.m.	3:10 p.m.