Lufthansa and Fraport recycle up to 4 million PET bottles annually

In a move that is making a sustainable contribution to climate and environmental protection, Fraport and Lufthansa have teamed up to transfer recyclable PET bottles directly from the aircraft into a sustainable and closed recycling loop. Frankfurt Airport is the first airport in Europe involved with this process. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is the name of a clear, strong, lightweight and 100% recyclable plastic. Lufthansa and Fraport, together with Hassia Mineralquellen, a company that markets some of the finest mineral waters of Germany, intensely tested a closed loop recycling project in late 2021 and upon a successful completion, immediately transferred it to regular operation in Frankfurt.

Bottles are 100 percent recycled

Around 60 percent of the waste weight from an aircraft is accounted for by returned PET bottles and their contents. These bottles are collected separately, after landing, and handed over to Hassia Mineralquellen, which integrates the bottles into its own recycling process. The recovered PET granulate is then used to make new bottle blanks, which are filled with beverages again. This means that the collected PET bottles are 100 percent recycled.

Based on Lufthansa’s current air traffic volume, it is expected that around four million PET bottles weighing 72 tons can be collected this year alone. Based on flight movements and the load factor for 2019, the project partners could collect up to 10 million PET bottles per year in the future.

Allegiant opens a new base at Flint, MI

Flint Bishop Airport (FNT) made this announcement:

Flint Bishop Airport is now a base operation for Allegiant! It is the first time in FNT history a major commercial airline opens a base! In true FNT fashion, we celebrated big with our community partners who helped make this happen!

Avolon and AirAsia partner to create a transformational ride sharing platform in Southeast Asia

AirAsia has made this announcement:

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, today announces that one of the world’s leading airline groups, AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AirAsia), has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease a minimum of 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon.

These eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionize air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, transforming how we all connect more efficiently in our everyday lives.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialize zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility (‘UAM’) platform in Southeast Asia. Avolon and AirAsia will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for UAM. AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.

Avolon VX4 Order book

In June 2021, Avolon ordered 500 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) (‘Vertical’), valued at US $2 billion. Since announcing that order, Avolon placed 250 VX4 aircraft with Gol and Grupo Comporte in Brazil, up to 100 aircraft with Japan Airlines in Japan, and a minimum of 100 aircraft with AirAsia. As a result, Avolon has now placed up to 90% of its initial orderbook, underlining the demand for VX4 aircraft from the world’s leading airlines.

About VX4 eVTOL Aircraft

VX4 eVTOL Aircraft The four passenger, one pilot VX4 is projected to have speeds up to 200mph, a range over100 miles, near silent when in flight, zero operating emissions and low cost per passenger mile. The VX4 is expected to open up advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers and transform how we travel.

SAS shares plummet after analysts warn it risks going bankrupt

From The Local:

“The dramatic fall came after analysts at Norwegian bank DNB updated their sell recommendation, noting that the company’s debts of 40 billion kronor ($4.35 billion) are “unsustainable” and that “restructuring” is “needed to avoid bankruptcy”.

Since the start of the pandemic the airline has lost around 80 percent of its market value.”

Read the full report:

https://www.thelocal.fr/20220216/sas-shares-plummet-after-analysts-warn-it-risks-going-bankrupt/

Austrian Airlines to add four new Airbus A320neos as of August 2022

Austrian Airlines is taking an important step toward modernizing and renewing its short- and medium-haul fleet. Between August 2022 and spring 2023, four Airbus A320neos will be integrated in Austrian Airlines’ fleet. The “NEO” (“New Engine Option”) aircraft, will be delivered directly to Austrian Airlines from a Lufthansa order and replace older models in the A320 fleet. Depending on the route, an Airbus A320neo emits up to 3,700 tons of CO2 less per year and compared to the previous model, as they consume up to 20 percent less fuel due to modern engine technology and optimized aerodynamics. The new aircraft make an important contribution to Austrian Airlines’ environmental responsibility, they increase profitability and represent an important long-term investment in the Vienna hub.

Innovative airspace cabin enhances travel comfort

The A320neos will be operated by Austrian Airlines on continental flights and initially on routes to London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The new aircraft, with a capacity of 180 seats, will significantly enhance travel comfort on short- and medium-haul routes. Thanks to the innovative Airspace Cabin and slimmer side walls, passengers will benefit from more personal space, especially in the shoulder area. The new cabin concept also offers up to 60 percent more capacity for carryon luggage. To enhance passengers’ well-being, the Neos count with a new, flexible lighting system that adapts to the natural biorhythm. Depending on the phase of the flight and the time of day, the cabin and lavatories are bathed in warm reds or cooler shades of blue.

Top Copyright Photo: The new A320neos will supplement the existing A320ceo fleet: Austrian Airlines Airbus A320-214 OE-LBL (msn 2009) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 954985.

Austrian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Austrian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Other news:

Of course it had to be on the 155th birthday of the “Donauwalzer”, the anthem of Austrian Airlines, that our last B777, the “Spirit of Austria”, is being woken up from storage! 🎵 ✈️ 💤

1/2 pic.twitter.com/W38JDV4pAZ

— Austrian Airlines (@_austrian) February 15, 2022

Airlines need to negotiate Ukraine insurance cover for flights – Lloyd’s official

Photo: Lloyd’s.

From Reuters:

“Airlines will need to negotiate Ukraine aviation cover with their insurers, with some of the required war risk policies now being agreed on a daily basis, a senior Lloyd’s market official said on Monday.”

Read the full article:

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airlines-need-negotiate-ukraine-insurance-cover-flights-lloyds-official-2022-02-14/

British Airways starts a new podcast – The Check In

British Airways is launching a brand new podcast designed to give colleagues and customers a greater insight into how the airline ticks.

Each episode will see hosts joined by special guests who also work at British Airways, to delve into some of the exciting activity going on at the airline. Episode one features Carrie Harris, British Airways’ Head of Sustainability who chats about how the airline is putting sustainability at the heart of its operations, as well as answering hosts questions, from “What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?”, to “How is the airline reducing its reliance on single-use plastic?”

The podcast is a first for British Airways and will be hosted by four of its colleagues, who work in different areas of the business.

Julian Marshall, a British Airways 777 training captain; Paul Ewen, a customer service manager (CSM) based at London Gatwick airport; Molly Armstrong, a team leader based in the Manchester customer engagement centre; and Caroline Ali, a customer experience representative based at London Heathrow airport will spend each episode finding out more about little-known areas of the airline.

Julian used to fly for the Royal Air Force before joining British Airways almost 25 years ago, where he currently works as a training captain on the Boeing 777. He loves flying and enjoys cycling, running, and hiking in different locations across the globe. He’s really looking forward to sharing hosting duties, commenting: “The podcast is a great, modern initiative which is new to BA and will give us a chance to bring different views and information from all parts of the airline to our colleagues and the wider public in a fun and easily digestible way.”

Paul is based at London Gatwick airport and leads the crew and service on flights. Previously a Pontins Bluecoat, he loves performing magic and is excited to be involved with the podcast, saying: “I can’t wait to be a part of the new podcast series – it will be a great source of information as we talk about our products, trends, the future and we’ll be able to build a personal connection with our colleagues.”

Caroline, who is based at London Heathrow airport, is responsible for looking after British Airways customers from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they step on board. In her spare time, she plays an active role in her church by helping with Sunday school and readings, as well as keeping fit through her love of dancing and the gym. Commenting on ‘The Check In’, she said: “The thing I’m looking forward to with the podcast is being able to reconnect our colleagues and customers with BA. It’s an informative way of updating us all with changes that are occurring post-COVID. Like an audiobook, but better!”

Molly, who is currently based at the airline’s Manchester customer engagement centre, previously worked as Cabin Crew for British Airways. Like most colleagues, she’s a keen traveller and the next destination she’s planning to visit is Denver in the USA, where she plans to go hiking with her best friend. Molly said: “I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks about our podcast. It’s something very new we’re doing, and we’ve got some really good themes coming up – I can’t wait for everyone to give it a listen!”

The launch of ‘The Check In’ comes after British Airways’ Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle’s recent message to colleagues and customers, promising to give colleagues more of an insight about what’s happening at the airline, making it a place people love to work, and customers love to fly.

Michelle Lydon, British Airways’ new Chief People Officer said: “At British Airways we know our colleagues are our best asset, and that’s why we’re thrilled to launch a new podcast hosted by four fantastic people from all corners of our airline. We’re looking forward to taking listeners behind the scenes to find out more about BA.”

Episode one is now available to download from Apple Podcasts or at acast.com, with new episodes released on a regular basis.

Norse Atlantic’s 5th 787 Dreamliner is named ‘Everglades’

Norse Atlantic Airways has taken delivery of its fifth Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

LN-FNC is named “Everglades”.

The new airline made this announcement on social media yesterday:

Our fifth longship ‘Everglades’ arrived tonight in Oslo to join our other Dreamliner’s. Named after Florida’s famed subtropical national park, she will soon fly explorers visiting the United States’ many sunny destinations and we can’t wait!

The airline plans to have 15 Dreamliners.

Bees moves its Boeing 737-800s from Ukraine to France

Bees Airline (Kyiv), due to insurance concerns about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, has moved its four leased Boeing 737-800s from Ukraine to France.