WICHITA, Kan. (Feb. 3, 2025) — Textron Aviation today announced the first delivery into Canada for its twin-engine, large-utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier, to Air Bravo Corporation. Air Bravo is a passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight service company based in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie and Meaford, Ontario. The aircraft – a freighter variant – will be used to transport cargo throughout the region.  

The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and produced by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.  

With the ability to be operated by a single pilot, the SkyCourier is an ideal solution for air freight, passenger and special missions. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can easily adjust configurations to effectively complete virtually any mission, supporting a significant return on investment. The aircraft also has capabilities to support a wide range of operational activities in remote areas. 

Air Bravo, which was founded in 2001, has grown to become one of Ontario’s most successful air carriers. The company offers reliable passenger, cargo and air ambulance flight services to nearly any airstrip in North America. 

“We’re proud to be the first SkyCourier customer in Canada, and this aircraft is a perfect fit for supporting the cargo side of our business,” said Rick Horwath, president and CEO, Air Bravo. “The aircraft has a roomy cockpit, it’s easy to fly and the avionics are user friendly. We look forward to putting it to use.”  

About the Cessna SkyCourier    

Textron Aviation announced the Cessna SkyCourier was awarded type certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in late 2024. The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. It’s available in both freighter and passenger variants, as well with a Combi configuration or gravel kit for maximum flexibility. 

The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability.  The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds.    

The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminum four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.   

About Textron Aviation    

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit http://www.txtav.com| http://www.defense.txtav.com| http://www.scorpionjet.com.     

About Textron Inc.     

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: http://www.textron.com    

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

BermudAir is expanding its reach with the addition of nonstop services this spring from Richmond, Virginia (RIC), Providence, Rhode Island (PVD) and Montreal, Quebec (YUL) to Bermuda. The new routes offer holiday and business visitors alike non-stop comfort and convenience to Bermuda, as well as greater connectivity for Bermudians travelling to the US and Canada. 

Beginning in spring 2025, BermudAir will operate twice-weekly flights from these cities to Bermuda. With BermudAir’s renowned in-flight service that reflects Bermuda’s tradition of welcoming guests, customers can enjoy a choice of Business or Economy class travel, both providing a full selection of signature drinks and refreshments inspired by Bermuda’s vibrant culture, as well as complimentary inflight entertainment. 

To make travel to Bermuda even easier, the airline offers inclusive air and hotel packages through BermudAir Holidays, which include golf, family, and short-break getaways. 

BermudAir also recently announced the addition of two Embraer E190 aircraft to its fleet, which are set to enter service in Spring 2025. The fleet expansion supports the airline’s growth strategy, which includes the provisioning of a spare aircraft in its fleet, the launch of new routes, and increased frequencies to existing cities, including Orlando, Toronto and Halifax, Nova Scotia, in spring 2025. 

Providence, RI service starts on 22 May; Richmond, VA, on 7 June, and Montreal, QC, on 12 June 2025. Flights are operated on BermudAir’s Embraer E175 and E190 aircraft. 

“Expanding our network with these new routes underscores our commitment to strengthening Bermuda’s global connectivity,” said Adam Scott, Founder & CEO at BermudAir. “By adding direct service to these key cities, we’re not only making travel more accessible and convenient, but we’re also positioning BermudAir to serve our customers with even greater convenience, reliability and flexibility.” 

For more details on flight schedules and bookings, customers are encouraged to visit http://www.flybermudair.com or http://www.bermudairholidays.com. 

All flight schedules are subject to regulatory approval. 

Regional freighter KONA will transport equipment and supplies to remote locations with minimal infrastructure

SAN DIEGO and MONTREAL, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nolinor Aviation, Canada’s largest commercial charter airline, announced the purchase of multiple aircraft production slots from Natilus, a U.S. aerospace manufacturer developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft. As part of the agreement, Nolinor has purchased production slots for Natilus’s regional freight aircraft, the KONA. The addition of KONA to its existing fleet will support Nolinor’s goal of expanding its services to remote operations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut while reducing emissions in these ecologically sensitive areas.

As global electrification drives substantial growth in mining activities across northern Canada, Nolinor is experiencing an increase in flight demand for the transportation of workers, equipment and supplies in its key service regions. Operating amid limited road infrastructure and challenging weather conditions, Nolinor serves as a lifeline to remote regions in rural Canada, transporting essentials and equipment during the summer months.

Nolinor is the world’s largest operator of the B737-200 aircraft, which are equipped to land on dirt, gravel, or ice runways. The B737-200 allows for greater cargo capacity and requires fewer trips to transport essential cargo – making it particularly suited for deliveries to the northern regions. To maintain its competitive edge in the market, Nolinor is investing in fleet expansion and looking for new airframe designs – such as the blended-wing body – to meet its future needs.

“This partnership marks a pivotal step in our commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” said Marco Prud’Homme, President of Nolinor Aviation. “During our visit to Natilus’s head office in San Diego last fall, we were impressed by their groundbreaking approach to aircraft design and their dedication to addressing the unique challenges of the cargo industry. The KONA’s gravel runway capability is a perfect match for our operations, and we are eager to leverage its potential to better serve our customers across Canada and beyond.”

The first to commercialize the blended-wing-body design for commercial freight operations, Natilus is developing a family of sustainable blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to unlock improved aviation economics by reducing fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%. Like the B737-200, Natilus’s regional cargo aircraft, the KONA, can take off and land in challenging environments, including unpaved, shorter gravel runways typically found in northern Canada. The KONA also offers 50% lower operating costs when compared to similarly sized tube-and-wing aircraft.

“For isolated communities in northern Canada, air freight serves as a lifeline to access essential goods and services and enables connectivity to other territories,” said Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and Co-Founder of Natilus. “As Nolinor continues to evolve its specialized air freight service for passenger and cargo transit, Natilus is committed to supporting their efforts to improve logistics efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of their fleet operations.”

Natilus is expected to begin production of KONA before the end of the decade, followed by its passenger aircraft, the Horizon, in the early 2030s.

About Nolinor Aviation
Founded in 1992, Nolinor Aviation is a leading provider of specialized commercial charter flights. The airline operates across Canada, the United States, and various international destinations. Nolinor Aviation is recognized for its commitment to safety in both its equipment and services. As a private company, Nolinor Aviation (IATA code N5) is wholly owned by the Prud’homme family trust. The company has established a strong presence in the charter flight sector, offering tailored services to meet diverse transportation needs. For additional information about Nolinor Aviation and its services, please visit www.nolinor.com. Updates and news can also be found by following @nolinor_aviation on Instagram.

About Natilus
Natilus is a San Diego-based company developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to transport people and cargo more sustainably and efficiently than ever before. Natilus’s BWB aircraft unlocks improved aviation economics by reducing fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%. Founded in 2016, the Natilus team is comprised of innovators from General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks, SpaceX and Piper Aircraft. Learn more at natilus.co.

SOURCE Natilus

Per airBaltic –

The Latvian airline airBaltic is proud to announce the outstanding success of its new mobile app, launched in July 2024 as a replacement for the previous version. Created to enhance the travel experience for the airline’s customers, the app has delivered impressive results during its first six months.

The mobile app doubled its share of the airline’s website bookings, growing from 7% in the first half of 2024 – when the previous app was still available – to 14% in the second half. Ancillary revenue surged by 122%, with passengers increasingly using the new app to purchase additional services like extra luggage, seat reservations, meal pre-orders, and more.

Māris Rudens, Head of Marketing Loyalty, Customer experience, and Partnership at airBaltic: “We are pleased with the outstanding results the new airBaltic mobile app has achieved in just six months since its launch. This remarkable growth underscores our commitment to innovation and enhancing the customer experience. We remain committed to further developing this platform to deliver an even better experience for our customers in the future. We invite everyone to download the new airBaltic mobile app, join the airBaltic Club, and enjoy the benefits and improved travel experience when flying with us.”

In its first six months, the app attained 409 000 unique users, underscoring its importance as an essential tool for travelers. Additionally, interactive features, such as the popular Shake & Win campaigns, further contributed to the app’s success. The most recent campaign, celebrating airBaltic’s 29^th anniversary, surpassed all previous engagement records.

The app also gained industry recognition by reaching the first position in the free category on the Apple App Store in Latvia. Among the most frequently booked routes via the mobile app are Vilnius-Riga, Tallinn-Riga, and Helsinki-Riga.

The new mobile app, available on both iOS and Android platforms, is designed to make the travel experience for airBaltic customers smoother and more convenient. Passengers’ upcoming flight information is displayed in one place, allowing to easily view their future travels with the airline. Boarding passes are now accessible directly through the app, ensuring a seamless boarding process. Additionally, the app sends timely notifications on essential flight details, such as opening of check-in’s and other important updates, keeping passengers informed and prepared.

Furthermore, the new mobile app includes an improved airBaltic Club section, which provides information on point transactions, highlights membership level benefits and progression. Users can easily track their point balance, differentiate between private and family/friends accounts, and access account summaries detailing member information and redemption options. Users can also manually add reservations if their membership number was not included during the booking process.

SAS is launching new crew uniforms for its 9,000 representatives, combining Scandinavian tradition with a fresh, forward-looking design. For nearly 80 years, SAS uniforms have reflected the airline’s identity as a trusted Scandinavian carrier. With a growing and diverse crew and customer base, the new uniforms embrace functionality and innovation while honoring the airline’s rich heritage, symbolizing its transformation and commitment to the future. 

30 million passengers encounter SAS crew every year. For hundreds of thousands of people traveling to Scandinavia annually, they are the very first introduction to the Scandinavian aesthetic.  

“Updating the uniform policy was a significant step forward in refreshing who we are as an airline. These changes reflect a more modern expression while maintaining our commitment to professionalism, safety, and care,” says Pernille Ormholt Vang, Chief People Officer at SAS. 

The updated uniform design was created through close collaboration across departments at SAS, with insights that inspired a modern, functional, inclusive, and sustainable design — perfectly embodying SAS’ Scandinavian values. 

“The uniform is more than just a recognizable feature — it’s a vital work tool for our colleagues and an expression of our strong heritage and identity,” says Kristine Mayer, SAS Design Director. “Uniform trends often reflect the era in which they are worn, serving as a core expression of an airline’s identity. As SAS has embarked on a new and exciting chapter, it’s only fitting that we update our look. I believe this uniform will become iconic, representing modern Scandinavia on the global stage, as we always have.” 

Key features of the uniform 

• Timeless meets modern:  The silhouette draws inspiration from the iconic SAS uniforms of the past, designed by legendary names like Christian Dior and Calvin Klein. It blends a modern, approachable aesthetic with premium materials and dynamic accents, creating a look that is both timeless and refreshing. 
• Inclusivity and individuality: Gender inclusive uniform with neutral items, optional sneakers, and allowances for visible tattoos and piercings enable team members to showcase their personality. 
• Sustainability in focus: Materials were chosen with longevity in mind, and some existing items will be reused or upcycled to minimize waste. 
• Functionality and adaptability: The uniform balances form and function, with pieces suited to varying roles, seasons, and weather conditions. 

“Everyone in our company is unique, and it’s important that we create a culture where colleagues feel confident expressing their identity,” says Pernille Ormholt Vang. “People are at the heart of everything we do, and by welcoming greater diversity of personal expression through initiatives like our gender-neutral uniform, we believe we become more relevant to the people and communities we serve.” 
 
The updated uniform builds on recent changes to SAS’ appearance policies, including allowances for optional sneakers, visible tattoos, and piercings. Introduced last summer, these updates reflect SAS’ commitment to fostering a workplace where individuality is respected and celebrated.  

The rollout will commence in February 2025, with old and new items coexisting during a yearlong transition.  

ONTARIO, Calif: Ontario International Airport (ONT) ended 2024 on a high note by welcoming more than 7 million air travelers for the year, it was announced at the meeting of Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners on Thursday (Jan. 23).

The Southern California gateway reported 7,084,864 passengers in 2024, 10.2% more than 2023 and 27% more than pre-pandemic 2019, making it the fastest growing among medium- and large-size airports in California. The 2024 count also represents a 67% increase since 2016, when ONT was transferred to local control from the City of Los Angeles.

The number of domestic travelers totaled 6,645,968, an increase of 10.5% year-over-year, while the number of international fliers grew by 5.1% to 438,896, the highest in the airport’s history.

“We believed the 7 million passenger mark was achievable in 2024 and indeed it was,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “It was a milestone year that positions our airport to handle increasing demand for air travel in the region. While some California airports are still trying to restore passenger volumes post-pandemic, Ontario is prospering thanks to the economic and population growth in the Inland Empire, the faith and trust of our airline partners and the confidence of air travelers who know they’ll have a world-class experience with us.”

Atif Elkadi, OIAA chief executive officer, noted that December passenger volume grew by nearly 10% to 603,886, marking the 46^th straight month of year-over-year increases. December was also the eighth consecutive month with the passenger count exceeding 600,000.

“We pride ourselves on strong performances month after month and delivering the first-rate, hassle-free experiences our customers expect. The December and year-end numbers are testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and partners to make Ontario the airport of choice in Southern California,” Elkadi said.

The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares for the full year 2024 were:

1. Southwest Airlines (35.9%)
2. American Airlines (15.7%)
3. Frontier Airlines (14.6%)
4. Delta Air Lines (10.1%)
5. Alaska Airlines (7.3%)

Air cargo in 2024, meanwhile, remained strong, reflecting ONT’s status as a top 10 cargo hub in the U.S. For the year, air freight and mail combined grew by 5.5% over 2023 to the highest level since air shipments surged during the pandemic. In December cargo increased by nearly 4% compared to the same month in 2023.

During Thursday’s Board meeting, OIAA officials expressed support for victims of the recent wildfires.

“As we begin 2025, we grieve for those who perished in the fires that have devastated communities across Los Angeles County and extend our heartfelt sympathy to their family and friends, as well as those who lost homes, valued personal possessions and business properties,” Wapner said.

Elkadi noted that ONT became a safe haven for aircraft affected by high winds and smoke following the onset of the fires, receiving flights diverted from airports in Burbank, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.

“The managers and staff of Ontario International Airport were honored to do our part in helping to keep air travelers safe during such a turbulent time,” Elkadi said.

Santiago, January 10, 2025 — LATAM Group, Latin America’s leading airline conglomerate, has announced significant milestones for the year 2024, showcasing both passenger growth and expanded operations across the region.

Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers in December

In December 2024, LATAM transported 7.3 million passengers, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the same month in 2023. This is part of a larger trend throughout the year, with the group surpassing 82 million passengers between January and December 2024, marking an 11.0% increase over the previous year. This milestone represents the highest number of passengers ever transported by LATAM.

Increased Capacity and New Routes

LATAM also saw impressive growth in its capacity. The group increased its consolidated capacity, measured in available seat-kilometers (ASK), by 10.9% in December 2024 compared to December 2023. Notably, a 16.1% increase in international operations played a significant role in this expansion. The airline also launched several new international routes, including:

• Santiago to Bariloche (Argentina)
• Santiago to Recife (Brazil)
• Santiago to Punta del Este (Uruguay)
• Lima to Montego Bay (Jamaica)
• Lima to Rosario (Argentina)

On an annual basis, LATAM’s consolidated capacity for the year increased by 15.1% compared to 2023, in line with the group’s guidance from October.

High Load Factor and Cargo Expansion

LATAM’s load factor, which measures the percentage of available seating filled with passengers, was 84.8% in December. For the full year, the load factor reached 84.3%, marking an improvement of 1.2 percentage points compared to 2023.

In terms of cargo, LATAM also saw growth. The group’s cargo capacity, measured in available ton-kilometers (ATK), increased by 11.8% in December, totaling 747 million ATK. This growth reflects the ongoing strength of LATAM’s cargo operations.

LATAM Group Overview

LATAM Airlines Group S.A., along with its subsidiaries, is the largest airline group in Latin America, with operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The group also provides international services to Europe, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and the Caribbean.

LATAM’s fleet includes a range of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, such as the Boeing 767, 777, 787 and Airbus A320, A321, alongside newer A320neo and A321neo models. The group’s cargo subsidiaries, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia, and LATAM Cargo Brazil, operate a combined fleet of 22 freighters in addition to using the bellies of passenger aircraft. These cargo divisions serve both the LATAM group’s network and exclusive international routes, providing a modern infrastructure and a wide array of services to meet customer needs.