Swoop adds the Halifax – Ottawa route, will add six MAX 8s in 2022

Swoop on June 19launched new service from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to Ottawa International Airport (YOW).

Swoop flight WO580 departed from Halifax at 4:55 p.m. local time.

Swoop celebrated its first flight in Halifax four years ago, on June 21, 2018, and the airline has significantly grown connectivity over the years. Earlier this summer, Swoop began offering non-stop service between Halifax and Edmonton in addition to existing services to Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Toronto.

Swoop’s fleet of ten Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft will grow to 16 with the addition of six Boeing MAX-8 in summer 2022.

Victorville, California, 15/6/22 SMBC Aviation Capital is pleased to announce the delivery of one Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft (MSN 63976) equipped with two CFM LEAP engines to Swoop. This is the first of six aircraft delivering to Swoop during summer 2022. pic.twitter.com/r7U8rEnAOg

— SMBC AviationCapital (@SMBCAVIATION) June 15, 2022

LATAM projects operation of 74% for June, and resumes domestic routes in Peru and Brazil

LATAM group projects a passenger operation of up to 74% for June (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same month in 2019 (pre-pandemic scenario). The group will also begin operations between Puerto Maldonado and Cusco, in Peru, and will resume three routes from Belém (Brazil) to Macapá, Fortaleza, and Manaus.

LATAM plans to operate approximately 1,123 daily domestic and international flights during June, connecting 133 destinations in 21 countries.

The group’s cargo business has scheduled more than 1,220 flights on cargo freighters. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic in the countries where the group operates.

In May 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometers – RPK) was 69.6% in relation to the same period in 2019, based on an operation of 73.1% compared to May 2019 (measured in ASK). As a result, the load factor decreased 4.0 percentage points, reaching 79.6%.

The load factor of cargo operations was 58.0%, which corresponds to an increase of 1.6 percentage points in relation to May 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – June 2022

(Passenger operations measured in ASK / Cargo operations measured in ATK)

Brazil

80% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2022 projection reference: 78% 102% domestic and 60% international Total June destinations: 50 domestic (equivalent to 540 daily flights on average) and 19 international Updates: Domestic: Resumption of routes between Belém-Macapá (2 flights/week), Belém-Fortaleza (7 flights/week) y Belém-Manaus (3 flights/week).

Chile

59% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2022 projection reference: 62% 74% domestic and 46% international Total June destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 111 daily flights on average) and 22 international

Colombia

104% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2022 projection reference: 114% 148% domestic and 58% international Total June destinations: 17 domestic (equivalent to 191 daily flights on average) and 5 international

Ecuador

44% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2022 projection reference: 41% 122% domestic and 21% international Total June destinations: 8 domestic (equivalent to 39 daily flights on average) and 3 international

Peru

70% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2022 projection reference: 68% 92% domestic and 62% international Total June destinations: 19 domestic (equivalent to 161 daily flights on average) and 22 international Updates: Domestic: New route – Puerto Maldonado-Cusco (4 flights/week).

Carga

94% projected operation (versus June 2019). May 2021 projection reference: 94% 77% domestic belly and 65% international belly* 163% dedicated freighter

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries

83%

Domestic Brazil

102%

International

55%

Consolidated Total

74%

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

The last DeHavilland aircraft departs from Downsview Airport (YZD)

Downsview Airport (YZD) is located in the North York district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The airport started as a basic air field, then became an air force base

YZD has been an assembly and testing facility for Bombardier Aerospace since 1994.

Bombardier has sold the facility.

The last Bombardier/de Havilland Canada aircraft has now departed the airport. The pictured C-FJJA is the original prototype aircraft for the Q400 program.

C-FJJA departed YZD on June 17 bound for Calgary.

This past weekend, our heritage was on full display at Downsview. Together, we united most of the De Havilland Canada aircraft family to celebrate nearly a century of innovation built at Downsview. Thank you, Downsview.

Photos 📸 Andy Cline, Heath Moffat, Gus & Clara Corujo pic.twitter.com/hL90oy9KYB

— De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (@dehavillandAIR) June 15, 2022

Qatar Airways Group announces a record profit in its 25 Year history of US $1.54 billion for the FY 2021-2022

Qatar Airways Group celebrates its milestone 25^th Anniversary year of operation with its strongest financial performance reflected in its published annual report for 2021/22, 200 per cent above its highest annual historical profit. In the most difficult period ever in the global airline industry, the airline credits its positive results to its agility and successful strategy which continued to focus on customer needs and evolving market opportunities, as well as efficiency and the commitment of its worldwide employees. This profit is not only a record for Qatar Airways Group, but also a record among all other airlines that have published financial results for this financial year worldwide.

Qatar Airways Group reported a record net profit of QAR 5.6 billion (US $1.54 billion) during the fiscal year 2021/22. Overall revenue increased to QAR 52.3 billion (US$ 14.4 billion), up 78 per cent compared to last year and a remarkable two per cent higher than the full financial year pre-COVID (i.e., 2019/20). Passenger revenue increased by 210 per cent over the last year, due to the growth of the Qatar Airways network, increase in market share and higher unit revenue, for the second financial year in a row. Qatar Airways carried 18.5 million passengers, an increase of 218 per cent over last year.

Qatar Airways Cargo remained the leading player in the world as its revenue experienced an impressive growth of 25 per cent over last year with the growth in cargo capacity (Available Tonne Kilometres) of 25 per cent annually.

The Group generated strong EBITDA Margin of 34 percent at QAR 17.7 billion (US$ 4.9 billion). EBITDA was higher than the previous year by QAR 11.8 billion (US$ 3.2 billion) due to streamlined, agile and fit-for-purpose operations across all business areas. These record earnings are the result of decisions made during the pandemic to expand the Qatar Airways’ passenger and cargo networks, with a more accurate forecast of the global market recovery, building further customer and trade loyalty and product excellence combined with strong cost control.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the national carrier of the State of Qatar grew to more than 140 destinations in 2021/22, opening new routes including Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Lusaka, Zambia; Harare, Zimbabwe; Almaty, Kazakhstan and Kano and Port Harcourt, Nigeria in addition to resuming flights to key markets across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The company has operated continuously the largest network among all Middle Eastern airlines, as measured by number or destinations as well as weekly flights.

Minister of state for Energy and Qatar Airways Group Chairman, His Excellency Mr. Saad Bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, said: “Qatar Airways Group has demonstrated a robust role in the aviation industry, and these financial results are a clear indication of the Group’s strong performance. Against challenges during the previous period, I am delighted by the achievements that have been accomplished this year and by the way the Group has swiftly responded to these challenges.”

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker (above), said: “This year Qatar Airways Group celebrates a quarter of a century of history since its relaunch, whilst maintaining strong performance and growing profitability. Our commitment to providing the greatest choices to our passengers, maintaining the highest levels of safety in the industry and earning trust have made us proudly become the airline of choice for millions of travellers around the world. We have pursued every business opportunity and left no stone unturned as we aimed to meet our targets.”

“In 2021, we grew significantly to become the world’s largest global long-haul carrier in 2021 by RPKs. We also received the industry’s most prestigious accolade ‘Airline of the Year’ for a record-breaking sixth time in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in addition to recognition for the airline’s hub, Hamad International Airport as ‘Best Airport in the World’ 2021. The Qatar Airways Cargo division also earned three major industry awards including Cargo Operator of the Year at the ATW Airline Awards; Cargo Airline of the Year, and Air Cargo Industry Achievement Award at Air Cargo Week’s World Air Cargo Awards. These achievements not only highlight our exceptional brand reputation but also our outstanding hard work across the Qatar Airways Group family.”

“I am extremely proud of the decisions we have made to embrace efficiency and achieve strong cost control across several operational departments whilst engaging in environmental and sustainable initiatives. This has positioned us at the forefront in the field of sustainability, including environmental protection and social commitment. Our strategic investments in a varied fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft has helped us overcome the significant challenges related to capacity constraints while balancing commercial needs as swiftly as possible.”

Throughout this year, the Qatar Airways Group maintained a highly-successful and wealthy portfolio of regional and global partnerships to champion the brand across the world including global sporting clubs – Al Sadd SC, Boca Juniors, Brooklyn Nets, FC Bayern München, and Paris Saint-Germain, the partnership with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and FIFA. The group also continued to showcase its unwavering commitment to giving back and supporting communities and charitable initiatives throughout 2021/22. Alongside this, Qatar Airways Group is constantly setting new milestones on environmental sustainability for the aviation industry, and recently released its Sustainability Report 2021 to highlight key initiatives and the Group’s commitment towards the environment and sustainability.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic disruption, Qatar Airways Cargo transported more than 3 million tonnes of air freight and securing eight per cent share in the global market. Cargo also transported more than 600 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the course of the pandemic to date and also concentrated its efforts in enhancing its renowned Pharma product and industry presence, while also ensuring commitment to its ground-breaking WeQare initiative, which consists of a series of positive and impactful actions in the form of chapters based on the core pillars of sustainability – environment, society, economy and culture.

As the world continues its recovery from the devastating impact of COVID-19, Qatar Airways remains committed to keeping passengers and cargo moving across the globe, maintaining and building on the exceptional standards of our first 25 years of operation, that has earnt us the accolade of being the Best Airline in the World.

Please find below the Qatar Airways Group Consolidated Financial Statement:

Qatar Airways Group Consolidated Financial Statement 2021/22

Please find below the Qatar Airways Group Annual Report:

Qatar Airways Group Annual Report Fiscal 2021/22

Qatar Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Ryanair announces its Winter 2022/23 schedule for Hungary, denounces Hungarian tax

Ryanair has announced its upcoming Hungarian Winter 2022/23 schedule with one new route to the exciting destination of Lanzarote.

This brings Ryanair’s total Winter 2022/23 routes to/from Hungary to 53, giving customers more Winter travel options and driving further inbound tourism throughout the off-peak season.

With 90 bases and over 2,500 routes operating across 36 European countries this Winter, Ryanair continues to drive traffic recovery and create jobs across Europe sustainably with a growing fleet of new Boeing 737 “Gamechanger” aircraft, which burn 16% less fuel and 40% less noise emissions, while adding 4% more seats.

In other news, Ryanair has called on Minister of Economic Development, Márton Nagy, to explain why;

Airlines are being levied an excess profits ‘tax’, to ‘protect Hungarian families’, when airlines are reporting record losses due to Covid and the Ukraine invasion.
Why are Hungarian families and visitors being asked to pay higher fares when air travel to/from Hungary has suffered 2 years of Covid and Ukraine losses?
How does raising taxes on air travel ‘help’ Hungarian families.

This is not an ‘excess profits’ tax, it is just highway robbery by a Government that is completely out of touch with reality. When other EU Govt’s are cutting travel taxes/airport charges to recover traffic, tourism and jobs post Covid (and the Ukraine invasion), Hungary’s Minister Nagy is following a new and failed economic strategy of imposing ‘excess profits’ tax on loss making airlines like Ryanair and Wizz, which will further reduce the competitiveness of Hungary’s air travel and tourism industries.

Ryanair welcomes the proposed consumer protection investigation and calls on the Budapest City Council to extend this probe to investigate how the Hungarian Government is introducing an ‘excess profits’ tax on a loss-making industry such as airlines. When the loss-making airlines are trying to recover from Covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the last thing we or passengers need is an ‘excess profits’ tax. Perhaps Minister Nagy can explain why this idiotic tax is being imposed on the loss-making airline sector.

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary said:

“One can understand why the Hungarians might impose an excess profits tax on the oil and gas sectors, who are making windfall profits as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. But to extend this ‘excess profits’ tax to a loss making industry like air travel, which is struggling to recover from 2 years of Covid, and the more recent impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, shows that Minister Nagy has forgotten his economics. We will be sending him a new booklet ‘Economics for Dummies’, which we hope he will study so he can now explain why an ‘excess profits’ tax is being imposed on a loss-making industry like airlines. These taxes cannot be borneby loss-making airlines, hard-pressed passengers or their families, and will therefore lead to a dramatic fall in air traffic in Hungary at a time when Hungary’s tourism sector is preparing for post-Covid recovery.

At a time when many other EU countries are lowering taxes and fees to recover traffic, tourism and jobs, the Hungarian Govt. is doing the opposite by making air travel to/from Hungary more expensive and less competitive, which will damage Hungarian air-traffic, tourism and jobs recovery. We call on Minister Nagy to reverse this idiotic ‘excess profits’ tax, or at least confine it to industries like oil or gas who are making windfall profits, and not airlines who are reporting record losses”.

Ryanair aircraft photo gallery:

New Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program testing 30 sustainable technologies on a 777-200ER

Boeing has unveiled its 2022 ecoDemonstrator with a livery that honors a decade of testing to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise. The latest ecoDemonstrator, a Boeing-owned 777-200ER, will test about 30 new technologies aimed at improving sustainability and safety for the aerospace industry, including a water conservation system and technologies to improve operational efficiency.

During six months of flight and ground tests starting this summer, the 2022 ecoDemonstrator will evaluate:

In collaboration with NASA, SMART vortex generators – small vertical vanes on the wing – that improve aerodynamic efficiency during takeoff and landing
A system to conserve onboard water and reduce weight as well as fuel use
Additively manufactured airplane and engine parts to help reduce fuel use and manufacturing waste
An environmentally preferred refrigerant and a new fire suppression agent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
A heads-up enhanced vision system for pilots to improve operational efficiency
Continued comprehensive study of the impact of sustainable aviation fuel toward the reduction of emissions
For all flight tests, the 777-200ER will fly on a highest approved blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) available

Shown here, the 2022 ecoDemonstrator – a Boeing-owned 777-200 ER (Extended Range) — after its livery was painted in San Bernardino, Calif., in June. (Photo: Boeing)

Since its initial flights in 2012, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program has accelerated innovation by taking new technologies out of the lab and testing them in an operational environment. Including this year’s platform, the program has tested about 230 technologies to help decarbonize aviation, improve operational efficiency and enhance safety and the passenger experience. Approximately a third of tested technologies have progressed onto Boeing’s products and services.

Photo: koala.sk – tiptravel.sk (Corendon Airlines Turkey) (AirExplore) Boeing 737-8BK WL OM-IEX (msn 33016) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 957823.

Copyright Photo: koala.sk – tiptravel.sk (Corendon Airlines Turkey) (AirExplore) Boeing 737-8BK WL OM-IEX (msn 33016) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 957823.

Corendon Airlines (Turkey) aircraft photo gallery:

Saudia unveils its operational plans for the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage season

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has announced its operational plans to transport pilgrims to the Kingdom for the upcoming Hajj season this year.

Pilgrims visiting the Kingdom are set be flown in from all over the world to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. From there, the guests will embark on their journey of faith and gratitude to the holy city of Makkah. After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, they will be flown back to their home countries following the successful completion of their pilgrimage.

SAUDIA has ensured that it has all required flights and adequate seating capacity in place to meet the demands of its passengers. The airline is well-equipped to provide pilgrims with world-class services at every service point throughout their trip.

SAUDIA’s has dedicated a fleet of 14 aircraft for pilgrims, which are expected to make 268 international flights from and to 15 stations, as well as 32 domestic flights from and to six stations. In total, the airline will be responsible for providing 107,000 international and 12,800 domestic seats during Hajj Season.

The flag-carrying airline’s Hajj and Umrah business division is tasked with selecting markets with the highest demand for pilgrimage travelers, and is responsible for sealing agreements with official agencies in these countries. In addition, SAUDIA runs regular additional flights to and from these destinations, which amount to more than 100 domestic and international flights.

Pilgrims will enjoy many in-flight perks, including hearing the Hajj call, as well as a notice half an hour prior to the flight reaching the Miqat. Guests can also enjoy in-flight entertainment content including informative documentaries about Hajj and Umrah through a dedicated channel, with 162 minutes of audio content, 70 minutes of motion graphics, 210 minutes of information programming, and 210 minutes of Da’wah and guidance content in both Arabic and English. The flights will also display content to prepare pilgrims for their Hajj rites on both the main and overhead screens.

With its strategic plan in place, SAUDIA aims to fly more pilgrims from locations that are seeing increased demand for Hajj and Umrah travel. The airline intends to maintain its 100-percent safety record while providing every comfort to pilgrims to ensure a safe and memorable experience. To this end, SAUDIA has mobilized a specialized team working around the clock, the members of which are equipped with the technical prowess to ensure seamless service of every step of the journey. The airline is also coordinating with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and all other government agencies operating at airports, as well as other entities involved in the delivery of Hajj services including Hajj associations, the Automotive Association, and trip organizers in the Kingdom and beyond.

SAUDIA’s additional services include prearranging flight crew and ground officers who speak the languages of the pilgrims, transporting Zam Zam water containers to the pilgrims’ home countries, and providing additional flights to those who wish to visit Madinah. The airline also ensures that there is adequate manpower and ground equipment to meet the expected operational volume.

To streamline operations and ease the pressure on airports, SAUDIA will transport the pilgrims’ luggage to their places of residence in Makkah or Madinah, and then back to the luggage processing areas at the departure airports. The airline will also hold an awareness campaign to familiarize pilgrims with the rules and regulations of luggage handling and related procedures to ensure the smooth processing of their belongings.

تتشرف #الخطوط_السعودية بنقل ضيوف الرحمن من شتى أنحاء العالم وتقديم أرقى الخدمات وتوفير أجواء إيمانية على متن طائراتها.. وشعارها.. #ضيوف_الرحمن_أهم_ضيوفنا pic.twitter.com/YTb8xLWtD1

— Saudia Group | مجموعة السعودية (@SaudiaGroup) June 9, 2022

Saudia aircraft photo gallery:

Pilots and cabin crews are set to strike at Brussels Airlines on June 23-25

Brussels Airlines is facing a strike from its pilots and cabin crews on June 23 through June 25.

This coincides with the European Union summit in Brussels.

The unions are upset at the high work pressure.

Brussels Airlines issued this statement:

Towards and about our passengers:

“Our first priority right now are our passengers. We sincerely regret the impact these actions have on our customers. At the moment we do not yet know how many flights will be impacted by the social action and how many will be operated as planned. We are doing everything possible to revise our flights schedule as soon as we have a view on the participation rate of our crews in the strike actions. We will inform all passengers travelling on 23, 24 and 25 June about the status of their flight and if needed, alternative travel options. We ask our passengers for their patience and to not call our service centres at this moment as they can’t provide any further information yet. Passengers can check on our website if their contact details are included in their booking (Manage My Booking) and add them if not yet done. Passengers who have booked via a tour operator or (online) travel agency need to contact their respective agency.”

About the social discussions:

“We regret that the talks with our social partners have not led to an agreement for our cockpit and cabin crew departments.

In the past weeks and months we have taken a series of initiatives to relieve the work pressure for our operational departments in this exceptional summer. Amongst others, we have taken out 148 flights to ease the operations. We recruited 225 additional cabin crew members and we have adapted flight duties as a response to the requests from our staff about the heavy workload.

As we were loss making in 2020, in 2021 and still as well in Quarter 1, 2022, our financial situation does not allow us to reverse or reopen the current CLAs, which were signed as part of our agreement with the Belgian Government by all our social partners in 2020 to guarantee a future for our company.

We have succeeded fairly well in fulfilling our staffing needs, customers are eager to fly with us again to their holiday destinations after two years of isolation, booking numbers are rising at high speed,… all good reasons to be optimistic for our future. After our turnaround program Reboot Plus and two years of fighting the worst crisis in our history, we are now scrambling to keep up with the fast recovery of our industry.
Recovery, in the sense that demand is coming back at an unseen speed for the summer, but not a recovery of the heavy losses we have suffered. In aviation it is imperative that we take the opportunity of the summer months to make a profit. Furthermore, we are battling significantly increased costs, mainly but not only, due to the fuel price. A three-day strike will have a very large impact on our company’s bottom line and would force us to review the growth we had planned.”

Additional info:

At this time 525 flights are planned for June 23, 24 and 25. We do not yet know how many of those will be cancelled as this depends on the participation rate of our crews in the strike action. We will keep you posted on further developments.

Brussels Airlines aircraft photo gallery: