Alaska Airlines promotes Northern Lights travel

Alaska Airlines have made this announcement:

Chasing the Northern Lights is now within reach. Starting Jan. 13, flyers will have the opportunity to escape to the winter wonderland of Alaska for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and, yes, a chance to see the Northern Lights.

Using the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s aurora forecast, Alaska Airlines is offering up to 35% off airfare for travel between the Lower 48 and Fairbanks and Anchorage through Feb. 12. The more intense the Northern Lights forecast, the more flyers will save on flights.

Alaska Airlines harnesses Northern Lights forecast data for bucket list trip

On the blog: Northern Lights myths & tips to make your aurora adventure lit

The deal taps into a growing trend among U.S. travelers seeking more spontaneous, experience-based trips while also incorporating science into the adventure. It also comes at a popular time for travel planning – with people making their travel plans for the new year, January is one of the airline’s top months for bookings.

Fares will be discounted daily up to 35% depending on the Kp-index forecast during the travel time period. Scientists use the Kp-index to help predict how visible the Northern Lights might be. Alaska will discount fares based on aurora intensity:

0 to 3 Kp = 15% off
4 to 5 Kp = 20% off
6 to 7 Kp = 25% off
8 to 9 Kp = 35% off

Its northern latitude makes Fairbanks the perfect location for greater night sky visibility – far away from bustling cities and their light pollution. Travelers who keep an eye on the aurora and weather forecast and spend a few long winter nights aurora hunting have a good chance of experiencing the dazzling display.

Alaska offers the most flights of any airline to the state of Alaska, with 68 daily flights to 19 destinations including Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. Travelers can fly nonstop from Seattle to Fairbanks on four daily flights and connect easily from 25 West Coast cities.

Can Flybe avoid bankruptcy?

Flybe is due to become Virgin Connect later this year as previously reported after being acquired by Connect Airways, a consortium of Virgin Atlantic and the Stobart Group.

In the meantime, the airline is facing a financial crunch and is hoping to avoid administration (bankruptcy). The airline is now in talks to secure new financing according to Sky News.

The airline commented on social media:

“Flybe continues to focus on providing great service and connectivity for our customers, to ensure that they can continue to travel as planned. We don’t comment on rumour or speculation.”

Flybe aircraft photo gallery:

First photos: The first Airbus A380 is dismantled

Formerly operated by Singapore Airlines as 9V-SKA (msn 003), the airframe is the first Airbus A380 to be dismantled and broken up at Tarbes Airport by Tarmac Aerosave.

Photos: Eurospot.

First look of the new Buzz, by Ryanair

Buzz by Ryanair , the Polish subsidiary of Ryanair, is now available for viewing after the first aircraft was painted in the new livery by Boeing, pending re-certification and delivery.

The livery has been applied to Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, registered as SP-RZC (msn 62315, ln 7871).

IrAero drops its experiment with operating Boeing 777 wide bodies

IrAero Airlines (Irkutsk) has retired and returned its last leased Boeing 777-200, ending an experiment with operating wide body aircraft.

The airline started operating the type in June 2018 and had 3 in service. The three were formerly operated by VIM Airlines.

The last revenue flight was operated by VP-BSJ on December 12, 2019 between Varadero, Cuba and Moscow (Domodedovo).

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): IrAero Airlines Boeing 777-21H ER VP-BLI (msn 27250) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 943628.

Heavy rains disrupts operations at Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport has issued this statement:

Dubai Airports confirms that operations at Dubai International (DXB) continue to be hampered by the knock-on effects of water-logging caused by heavy rainfall earlier today which has resulted in a number of flight delays, cancellations and diversions. We continue to work closely with our service partners to clear the backlog, restore full operations and minimise the inconvenience to our customers. However, with additional rain expected later this evening, the disruption is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Accordingly, customers are advised to check directly with their airlines for more specific flight information and allow additional time to get to the airport.

TUI fly Germany to start long-haul Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights from Dusseldorf

TUI fly (Germany) has reportedly selected Dusseldorf International Airport as the launch airport for its new planned Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner long-haul flights.

Services are expected to be launched in November 2020 to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

TUI fly will base two Boeing 787-8s at DUS.

TUI AG, the world’s largest tour company, holds a majority of shares in TUI Travel PLC, London, to which the TUI fly airline company belongs. TUI fly uses 26 Boeing 737 aircraft to fly to the classic holiday destinations for TUI.

TUI fly Germany aircraft photo gallery:

Ernest Airlines suspends operations

Ernest Airlines made this announcement:

Ernest Airlines temporarily suspends flights starting on January 11, 2020.

We are truly sorry for this enormous inconvenience.

Regarding the suspension provision:

Following the provision of the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) of December 29, 2019 regarding the temporary suspension of our operating license, we find ourselves unable to operate flights as of January 11, 2020.

We therefore ask all our passengers not to go to the airport.

We have done everything possible to be able to operate and guarantee as many of our flights as possible during the holiday period, and to assist passengers who have traveled or had to fly with us during these two weeks and who have unfortunately suffered delays or cancellations.

Unfortunately, the provision released on December 29, 2019, resulted in a series of events, which caused various blockages and difficulties to our operations.

The license can be restored following the demonstration by Ernest S.p.A. to be in possession of the requirements prescribed by the current legislation on the matter and to obtain the revocation of the provision issued by ENAC.

We have activated all the actions aimed at obtaining the revocation of the same provision, and we need time to provide all the necessary evidence as per Regulation (EC) n.1008 of 2008 to demonstrate our financial sustainability necessary for the resumption of our operations.

We know that a simple apology, or just the reimbursement of the ticket, will be enough to remedy the problems caused, but I can assure you, that we all at Ernest Airlines are doing our best to assist all our passengers that have experienced delays or cancellations in this difficult moment. We apologize again for any inconvenience we may have caused.

Ernest and team

Additional details:

The last revenue flight was from Lviv to Bergamo on January 10 with Airbus A320-233 EI-GCC. The aircraft then ferried as flight ERN9483 from Bergamo to Lourdes.

In the last days several flights were operated on their own or by ACMI airlines such as Albastar and SmartLynx.

The planes were ferried with EG/ERN flight numbers and airline crews in the flight deck.

Currently A320-232 EI-LIN is in Amman, A320-214 EI-LIX is in Lourdes and A319-111 EI-FVG is in Shannon.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

Ernest Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Iran now admits it shot down UIA flight 752 by mistake

Iran now admits it accidentally shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight 752.

Read the full story from The Guardian.

UIA previously made this short statement:

UIA expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives of the victims.

Icelandair and JetBlue extend and strengthen cooperation

Icelandair has renewed an agreement with the US airline JetBlue on the airline’s scheduled flights. This is a partnership agreement which means that both airlines can sell and issue airline tickets with each other. Thus, Icelandair customers can purchase a ticket from Iceland to a number of JetBlue’s destinations in the US, the Caribbean, Central and South America. At the same time, JetBlue customers are able to purchase tickets to Iceland and many of Icelandair’s destinations in Europe.

The agreement between Icelandair and JetBlue, which first came into effect in 2011, has now been renewed until 2024. Since 2017, the airlines have also offered their customers the opportunity to collect loyalty points from both companies.

In other news, Icelandair has painted its Boeing 757-256 TF-FIS in a special National Geographic livery for NG’s around-the-world luxury 2020 tours.

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