Ryanair, ANPAC and ANPAV sign first recognition agreement for Italian Based Cabin Crew

Ryanair on June 6 confirmed that it has signed its first cabin crew union recognition agreement with ANPAC and ANPAV, who will be the representative body for Ryanair directly employed cabin crew in Italy. This agreement follows extensive negotiations with ANPAC and ANPAV since Ryanair’s December 2017 announcement that it was willing to recognise Unions for collective bargaining purposes.

Ryanair welcomed the constructive engagement of ANPAC and ANPAV which led to the signing of this first cabin crew recognition agreement, in Italy, which currently accounts for over 80 of Ryanair’s 400+ aircraft fleet and approx. 20% of Ryanair’s cabin crew. Ryanair looks forward to working with ANPAC and ANPAV and its newly elected Ryanair (Cabin Crew) Company Council to conclude an early CLA for our directly employed cabin crew based in Italy.

Ryanair’s Chief People Officer Eddie Wilson said:

“We are pleased to announce this recognition agreement with ANPAC and ANPAV on behalf of our directly employed cabin crew in Italy. This is our first cabin crew union recognition agreement (which follows recognition agreements with pilot unions in the UK and Italy earlier this year) and further demonstrates Ryanair’s progress on recognising and negotiating with unions across Europe for our people. We are making good progress with other cabin crew unions across Europe and we hope to sign more recognition agreements with both pilot and cabin crew unions in the coming weeks.”

Ryanair aircraft slide show:

Southwest expands on the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood – Havana route

Southwest Airlines will add a third daily flight on the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood – Havana route on August 7, 2018 according to Airline Route.

Southwest aircraft slide show:

Air Belgium launches its first flight to Hong Kong

Air Belgium (2nd) operated its first flight to Hong Kong on June 3, 2018.

The airline also announced the acquisition of the Russian overflight permit, allowing it to fly through Russian airspace.

The airline continued;

Given the impact of the delayed launch, Air Belgium has been forced to adapt the frequency of its flights to Hong Kong during the launch phase. The company will offer two flights per week in June, followed by three per week from July onward and, finally, four per week from October onward.

Meanwhile, we’re working hard to have the third plane ready by the end of June and are preparing the first flights to Mainland China, which are expected to launch in the coming months.

Air Belgium (2nd) aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian Airlines takes delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 6, 2018, once again leading the way in fleet expansion and modernization in Africa.

As part of Ethiopian Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, the new aircraft has ferried medical equipment from the Seattle-based NGO, Direct Relief, to St Paulos Hospital in Addis Ababa. The shipment includes surgical stools and other medical supplies to be used for both teaching and patient care.

Ethiopian was the first to avail jet service in the continent back in 1962, and operated the first African Boeing 767 in 1984, the first African Boeing 777-200LR in 2010, the first African Boeing 787- 8 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-200 freighter in 2012 and the first African Airbus A350 in 2016 and the first African Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2017.

Ethiopian now operates one of the youngest and most modern 100 aircraft, with an average age of less than 5 years. Fleet modernization and expansion is one of the four critical pillars of our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, in support of our fast expanding network, which has now reached over 110 international destinations covering 5 continents.

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Alaska simplifies its boarding process

Alaska Airlines made this announcement on its blog:

You may have a complicated relationship with boarding an aircraft. On the one hand, it means you will soon settle into your seat and you’re almost on your way. On the other hand, it can sometimes be stressful if you’re not sure when it’s your turn to board. At one point or another, you’ve probably seen a big queue of people – let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just a shapeless blob – that forms when people aren’t sure if it’s their time to board.

Starting July 18, Alaska will be launching a new group boarding process that will simplify the process for guests. This identifies which of the five groups – First Class, Group A, Group B, Group C or Group D – you belong to. You’ll simply approach the gate with the rest of your group when your group is announced.

Here’s a quick rundown on what this all means for you the next time you fly Alaska Airlines.

Boarding Pass

For flights on or after July 18, 2018, you will see some changes to the boarding pass design – such as larger fonts and more streamlined information.

2018 group boarding passes Alaska simplifies boarding process: Heres how Group Boarding will make life easier

Your boarding pass is really a guide for your journey. You want to know, first and foremost, where you need to be (your gate) and when you need to be there (your boarding time).

You’ll notice these two pieces of information are now big and bold. In tests, guests were quickly and easily able to get the information they needed from their boarding passes.

You will find your group letter listed on your boarding pass. If you have multiple flight segments, you’ll see each one on a separate line and an assigned group letter for each. If you’re a Mileage Plan MVP traveling with other people on the same reservation, you will all see the same boarding group noted on your boarding pass.

Gate announcements

Announcements at the gate for boarding will be simpler and more streamlined with the new boarding process. Group boarding announcements will also show up on the displays at your gate – so you’ll be able to glance at the screen to know if it’s your time to board. It means you won’t have to guess if you missed or misheard a boarding announcement – just check your boarding pass and check the display.

But what about guests who may need assistance or extra time to board, families with children under two, and active duty military members? Pre-boarding for these groups will be announced and they will be allowed to enter the aircraft as usual before group boarding begins.

Boarding Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the boarding timeline with the new process:

30 to 35 minutes before departure: Agents at your gate will make initial announcements letting you know that boarding will begin shortly. This is your cue to gather your things and be ready, but you don’t need to move to line up.

When boarding begins (approximate 5 minute intervals):

We’ll be boarding 4 groups – after pre-boarding (guests who need special services or additional time to board, and families with children under 2), active duty military, and First Class:

A: Million Milers, Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold status elites

B: Alaska Mileage Plan MVPs, Premium Class

C: Remaining guests seated in the back half of the aircraft

D: Remaining guests seated in the front half of the aircraft

Air China and Air Canada sign first China-North America airline joint venture

(CNW Group/Air Canada)

On June 6, 2018 at a ceremony in Beijing attended by Jianjiang Cai, Chairman of Air China; Zhiyong Song, President of Air China; and Calin Rovinescu, President & Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, Air China and Air Canada signed the first joint venture agreement between a Chinese and North American airline, deepening the two carriers’ longstanding partnership. The joint venture enables the two countries’ flag carriers and Star Alliance members to expand their existing codeshare relationship and deepen it by increasing commercial cooperation on flights between Canada and China and on key connecting domestic flights in both countries to provide customers travelling between the two countries with greater and sustainable benefits including an unparalleled range of flights, products and services.

As the joint venture is phased in over the course of the next six months, customers will be able to enjoy exceptional travel options through , It will also enabe us to bring flexible flight choices, favorable fare products and seamless travel experiences, optimized flight schedules, harmonized fare products, joint sales including corporate and marketing programs, aligned frequent flyer privileges, reciprocal lounge access and an overall enhanced travel experience.

The carriers’ recently expanded code-share, effective May 5, 2018, increases the number of Canada–China connecting flight opportunities for customers by 564 each day. In December 2017, Air China and Air Canada implemented an expanded reciprocal lounge agreement for customers and introduced the airlines’ first joint frequent flyer promotion for their respective PhoenixMiles and Aeroplan members.

In the last two years, Air China has launched flights directly linking Beijing with Montreal, and Air Canada has launched new non-stop flights between Montreal and Shanghai to meet growth in demand. The two carriers now operate up to a total of 52 trans-Pacific flights per week between Canada and China from Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to and from Beijing and Shanghai.

Photo: Air China.

Widerøe is coming to Liverpool

Widerøe has announced that it is planning to start operating a twice weekly service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Bergen in Norway.

The new service will commence on August 17, 2018 with departures on Mondays and Fridays with connections available in Bergen to other Scandinavian cities including Oslo and Helsinki.

Widerøe will use their 114 seat Embraer E190-E2 jet aircraft on the route, which will be the first time this new generation jet aircraft will have operated to a UK regional airport.

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and also the gateway to the Fjords, with this new direct service giving passengers across the North West the opportunity to either visit this popular city or the region’s beautiful fjordal area.

Photo: Widerøe.

PSA Airlines to open a new maintenance base operation at Pensacola International Airport

PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, announced its plans to open a new maintenance base operation at Pensacola International Airport (PNS).

PSA’s immense fleet expansion necessitates additional locations to support the maintenance and reliability of its growing fleet. The operation at PNS will mark PSA’s eighth maintenance facility, joining Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Dayton International Airport (DAY), Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Norfolk International Airport (ORF), and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV).

PSA plans to employ 30-35 team members to include mechanics, leads, inspectors and stores personnel. PNS is an ideal location for PSA to add to its network of facilities, providing greater facility flexibility for a terminal operation.

PNS has been identified as a sustainable workforce location with the presence of local military and the abundance of technical schools within the state. PSA is looking for the best and brightest to join the top maintenance workforce in the regional industry. The airline offers top-of-industry pay for A&P mechanics and prospective candidates can look forward to working for a rapidly growing airline where they can advance their career in maintenance.

Copyright Photo: American Eagle (2nd)-PSA Airlines (2nd) Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N218PS (msn 7885) CLT (Jay Selman). Image: 403747.

PSA Airlines aircraft slide show:

British Airways to connect with Fiji Airways

British Airways and Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Airline, have today announced a new partnership which will open up more routes between London and the South Pacific than ever before.

From today, British Airways will start selling flights between Singapore, Los Angeles and San Francisco and the Fijian gateway of Nadi direct on ba.com.

This new partnership comes just days after Fiji Airways signed up to become the first oneworld connect partner – a new platform for airlines to link up to the global airline alliance which includes British Airways as a founding member. British Airways is one of Fiji Airways’ oneworld connect sponsors – enabling customers to enjoy more services and benefits when flying on either airline.

Fiji Airways operates international and domestic services to 12 countries and 31 cities, including Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, the US, Hong Kong and Singapore.

British Airways aircraft slide show (Boeing):

Air China launches a new Chengdu – London route

Air China Ltd. launched a new, nonstop service between Chengdu and London on July 3, 2018. The nonstop route will carry Air China passengers from China’s “Land of Abundance” to the beautiful banks of the river Thames.

In recent years, Air China has been expanding its international and domestic route networks, centered around its main hub in Beijing, and supported by its three regional bases in Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen. As part of this effort, Air China has recently launched international routes between Chengdu and Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney and Bangkok. Given its geographical advantage, this year Air China will continue to develop Chengdu as a hub and expand its route coverage there, stepping up passenger throughput to European destinations.

Currently, Air China operates 82 routes out of Chengdu. These include 14 international/regional routes to destinations such as Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Rangoon, Kathmandu, Colombo, Hong Kong and Taipei, covering the continents of Asia, Europe and Oceania. As a member of the Star Alliance network, Air China also offers convenient routes to 1,330 airports in 192 countries.

Flight information:

The Chengdu – London route is operated under flight numbers CA423/4 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays every week. Outbound flights depart from Chengdu at 15:45 and arrive in London at 20:00; return flights depart from London at 22:00 and arrive in Chengdu at 15:40 the following day (all times are local). The new route is operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Business Class travellers enjoy lie-flat seats, while all booking classes enjoy personal in-flight entertainment, ensuring passengers can stretch out and travel in comfort.

Air China aircraft slide show: