Air Premia to launch operations on August 11

Air Premia has announced plans to launch its first flight, a domestic route in South Korea, on August 11, 2021.

The new airline will commence operations from Seoul – Gimpo International Airport to the resort island of Jeju.

As previously reported, Air Premia was established on July 27, 2017 by the ex-president of Jeju Air , Kim Jong-Chul.

The carrier advertises itself as the “Hybrid Service Carrier”.

Announced in April 2019, the airline intended to launch long-range operations in 2020 and lease three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Aircraft Lease Corporation (ALC), but announced and later agreed to buy five aircraft.

COVID-19 has delayed their long-range plans. The company is now planning routes to the United States and Australia later this year, pandemic permitting.

Videos:

Top Copyright Photo: Air Premia Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HL8387 (msn 66407) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 953323.

Historic Photo: Air India Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALA (msn 36300) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 954663.

Copyright Photo: Rare photo of first 2007 AI livery – never adopted, changed before delivery: Air India Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALA (msn 36300) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 954663.

Skytrax: Hamad International Airport is named the World’s Best Airport

From Skytrax:

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar is voted the Best Airport in the World at the 2021 World Airport Awards

The 2021 World Airport Awards recognize the efforts of global airports in adapting and meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The past 18 months has been the most challenging and financially difficult period ever experienced by the world air transport industry, and airports have invested to provide the safest possible environment for their customers and staff during the global pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted some regions and airports more than others, with many areas having few, if any, international routes operating for more than a year.

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “It is with great pride that we announce that Qatar’s Hamad International Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport at the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. This is not only a truly remarkable achievement for HIA and the State of Qatar, but an endorsement from our travellers for our commitment to service excellence. HIA continues to serve as a global benchmark for airports around the world, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of our team and stakeholders. To this day, HIA’s crisis preparedness, business continuity strategy, and agile and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be recognised by leading industry institutions. As we look towards the future, HIA remains devoted to boosting our efforts in providing the best airport experience to all our passengers.”

Hamad International Airport rounded off its success at the 2021 World Airport Awards by winning the awards for the Best Airport in the Middle East, the World’s Best Airport in the 25 to 35 million Passenger category, and for the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East.

Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “We are delighted to announce that Hamad International Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport 2021. Inaugurated in 2014, Hamad International Airport has rapidly become a customer favourite and moved from No 3 in the world in 2020 to be ranked World’s Best Airport this year. Achieving this honour is very much a team effort, and our congratulations go to the Management, staff and stakeholders at Hamad International Airport that help make this happen. As travel hubs worldwide have been impacted by the pandemic, Hamad International Airport was undeterred by the global travel disruptions and continued with its expansion plans while introducing additional airport health and safety standards. As the Official Airport Partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 we wish Hamad International Airport every success in helping to host such a major event.”

The World’s Top 10 Airports of 2021

Hamad International Airport
Tokyo Haneda Airport
Singapore Changi Airport
Incheon International Airport
Narita International Airport
Munich Airport
Zurich Airport
London Heathrow Airport
Kansai International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport

View the: » Top 100 Airports in 2021 Awards

Amongst the other major airport Awards announced today, Istanbul Airport is named the World’s Most Improved Airport in 2021, moving from No 102 in 2020 to No 17 in the 2021 results.

Changi Airport Singapore, a frequent, previous winner of the World’s Best Airport title was named the World’s Best Airport in the 10 to 15 million Passenger category, and took the awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia.

Another major winner of awards is Tokyo Haneda Airport, ranked No 2 in the world. In 2021, Tokyo Haneda wins the awards as the Best Airport in Asia, the World’s Best Domestic Airport, the World’s Best Airport Cleanliness and the Best Airport PRM / Accessible Facilities.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport was named the Best Airport in China, the World’s Best Airport in the 35 to 45 million Passenger category and also took the awards for the Best Airport Staff in China. The airport also achieved its highest global ranking at No 14, up from No 30 in the 2020 Awards.

Munich Airport retained its stronghold at the awards, being named the Best Airport in Europe, whilst London’s Heathrow Airport was named World’s Best Airport in the 20 to 25 million Passenger category, as well as the Best Airport in Western Europe.

View the full 2021 World Airport Awards results: » A-Z of 2021 Airport Award Winners

Read the full report:

https://www.worldairportawards.com/hamad-international-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport/

Historic Photo: Ghana Airways McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 9G-ANA (msn 48286) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 912792.

FedEx Express to add Paine Field in the north Seattle area

FedEx Express will expand its Seattle-area operations with a new ramp operation at Paine Field Snohomish County Airport in Everett, Wash., beginning in the fall of 2021.

A new daily Boeing 757-200 flight will operate Monday through Friday between Paine Field and the FedEx Express World Hub in Memphis, Tenn. offering north Seattle-area customers in 37 ZIP codes extended pickup times by up to two hours. The new flight will also offer earlier market delivery times, additional dry ice capabilities, and increased overall market capacity.

FedEx will occupy a 19.24-acre, 68,745-square foot facility, and the grounds offer the ability to expand with additional gates.

Top Copyright Photo: FedEx Express Boeing 757-23A (F) N938FD (msn 24292) ONT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 954655.

FedEx Express slide show:

Qatar Airways adds two new African destinations

Qatar Airways enhanced its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.

Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). The country’s largest city and commercial centre, Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival.

The airline has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to Africa throughout the pandemic having significantly grown its network by adding four routes to Accra, Abidjan, Abuja, Luanda and restarting services to Alexandria, Cairo and Khartoum bringing its footprint to 27 destinations in 21 countries. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways also signed an interline agreement with RwandAir giving customers greater access to the combined networks of both airlines.

Flight Schedule:

Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (all times local)

Doha (DOH) to Lusaka (LUN) QR1455 departs: 02:20 arrives: 08:50

Lusaka (LUN) to Harare (HRE) QR1455 departs: 10:20 arrives: 11:20

Harare (HRE) to Lusaka (LUN) QR1456 departs: 18:55 arrives 19:55

Lusaka (LUN) to Doha (DOH) QR1456 departs: 21:25 arrive 05:55 (+1)

Photo: SKY-Skymark Airlines Boeing 737-800 WL JA73AB (msn 63408) (Pokémon – Pikachu Jet BC) HND (Akira Uekawa). Image: 954650.

Copyright Photo: SKY-Skymark Airlines Boeing 737-800 WL JA73AB (msn 63408) (Pokémon – Pikachu Jet BC) HND (Akira Uekawa). Image: 954650.

Historic Photo: Dominicana Douglas DC-6B (F) HI-92 (msn 43532) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105568.

Historic Photo: Hãng Không Việt Nam (Air Viet Nam) Douglas DC-6 XV-NUD (msn 42876) SGN (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 954642.

Copyright Photo: Hãng Không Việt Nam (Air Viet Nam) Douglas DC-6 XV-NUD (msn 42876) SGN (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 954642.

Dash Air Shuttle to fly from Port Angeles to Seattle/Tacoma

Dash Air Shuttle is a new Pacific Northwest based airline. The airline previously announced plans to begin service from William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM) in Port Angeles, WA to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) during the third quarter of 2021.

Dash intends to serve the Port Angeles – Seattle market with up to four daily flights timed for making connections to other airlines at SEA. Schedule, fares, and other service details will be announced over the next couple of months as the airline receives regulatory approvals.