Royal Air Maroc now offers three direct flights per week between Casablanca, (CMN) and Beijing (PKX), starting 20th January 2025. The new service, utilizing Boeing 787-9 aircraft, adds 30 tons of weekly cargo uplift each way between China and Morocco. It also opens up a pioneering China-Morocco-Brazil link, establishing Morocco’s Casablanca as a global cargo hub.
With its first flight from Casablanca (CMN), Morocco, to Beijing’s Daxing International Airport (PKX), on 20th January 2025, Africa’s leading cargo airline, Royal Air Maroc Cargo, has reinstated an essential Sino-Moroccan trade link. On Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, a Boeing 787-9 will link the two cities, offering a weekly cargo uplift of approximately 30 tons each way. The three return flights to Casablanca will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. These scheduled, direct flights in both directions will ensure fast transit times for cargo customers, offer complete tracking transparency, and enable them to plan long term transport solutions.

“For many centuries, Morocco’s geographical location has rendered it the perfect gateway for shipping trade to Africa and Europe,” says Mr. Yassine Berrada, VP Cargo at Royal Air Maroc. “At Royal Air Maroc, we are proud to go even further, building Casablanca up as a true air bridge between Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Our newly launched, thrice-weekly service out of China’s largest airport, not only provides a highly efficient service for Chinese goods destined for Africa, but also offers a direct onward connection to Brazil, thanks to our recently commenced Sao Paolo (GRU) route.”

Royal Air Maroc enjoyed a successful business relationship with the Chinese market prior to the pandemic, with regular flights to Beijing. “Reinstating Chinese services was an obvious and natural decision as goods exchange is important,” Mr. Yassine Berrada explains. “We chose China’s largest airport in Beijing as our starting point, since demand is strongest here both in terms of passenger and cargo. In the future, we plan to expand connections to other major Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.”

Cargo demand into Beijing is strong given the growing Chinese interest in the vast array of African exports ranging from integrated circuits, electrical control panels and conductors, transistors, mineral and metallic products, copper products, zinc ore, copper-zinc alloy, copper anodes for electrolytic refining, silver ore, lead ore, copper scrap, aluminum alloy, and manganese ore, to textiles, accessories, leather goods, garments, fish oil, frozen fruits and vegetables, and agricultural products.

In China, Royal Air Maroc is competently represented by Globe Air Cargo China, a subsidiary of ECS Group. The GSSA will be filling inbound Moroccan flights with Chinese goods such as: electricals, electronic equipment, furniture, lighting signs, prefabricated buildings, iron/steel goods, knitted or crocheted fabrics, manmade filaments, toys, games, and sports equipment among other commodities. Many of these will enjoy direct onforwarding to Brazil via Morocco, on board Royal Air Maroc’s recently launched CMN-GRU flights. In addition, ECS Group will provide robust technological support using its proprietary solutions and enabling access to CargoTech’s comprehensive suite of digital tools. These advanced platforms, covering revenue management, e-booking, and capacity optimization, will enhance Royal Air Maroc’s operational efficiency, maximize its cargo potential and market reach through data-driven insights.

Adrien Thominet, Executive Chairman of ECS Group stated: “We are incredibly proud to support Royal Air Maroc in establishing this vital link between China and Morocco. Our dedicated teams at Globe Air Cargo China are committed to ensuring the success of this route by optimizing cargo flows and leveraging our advanced digital solutions. By combining our expertise with Royal Air Maroc’s ambitious vision, we are helping to build efficient and sustainable air freight solutions that drive economic growth and connectivity across continents.”

Riga – As the spring season begins, the Latvian airline airBaltic reveals that its most popular destinations from Riga this season are Amsterdam, Alicante, Barcelona, London, Vienna, Malaga, and Tivat. By analyzing booking trends, passenger demand, and seasonal travel preferences, the airline has identified a strong demand for sunny escapes and city getaways this spring, along with a growth in business travel to and from Latvia.

airBaltic offers up to three daily flights from Riga to Amsterdam, two weekly flights to Alicante, five weekly flights to Barcelona, up to two daily flights to London and Vienna, three weekly flights to Malaga, and two weekly flights to Tivat. These destinations are providing passengers with seamless connectivity and variety of travel options for leisure, business and onward connectivity needs.

The airline offers both Economy and Business Class on all its flights. Business Class passengers can enjoy a comprehensive full-service package, including priority check-in and boarding, a front-of-cabin seat with a free seat for added privacy, a gourmet meal perfectly paired with a curated selection of premium beverages, and quicker disembarking upon arrival. Throughout the flight, a dedicated Business Class cabin crew ensures exceptional service.

airBaltic is the first European airline to provide free SpaceX Starlink high-speed internet on its flights and plans to equip its entire Airbus A220-300 fleet with the service by the end of the year.

airBaltic operates more than 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and, seasonally, Gran Canaria, offering connections to a wide range of destinations in the airline’s route network in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets is available on the airline’s homepage at www.airbaltic.com.

From Sam Chui:

[Hamilton, Bermuda – February 26, 2025] – Hahnair is pleased to welcome BermudAir (2T), Bermuda’s national air carrier, to its leading partner portfolio. A globally recognised distribution provider, Hahnair will expand the distribution reach of BermudAir to 100,000 travel consultants in 190 markets worldwide. Effective immediately, BermudAir flights are available for booking under Hahnair Systems` H1 code in Amadeus and Travelport+ Global Distribution Systems and can be issued on the HR-169 ticket plate.
With this collaboration, BermudAir achieves global distribution reach, making it easier for travel trade partners to book flights to and from Bermuda.
“Partnering with Hahnair is a significant step forward in our commitment to our travel partners,” said Leslie Peden, SVP Sales & Distribution at BermudAir. “By aligning with Hahnair, a widely respected distribution leader, we are strengthening our presence in the U.S. and Canada, while also expanding our global accessibility. This initiative ensures that travel advisors, OTAs, TMCs, and corporate clients can easily do business with us, reinforcing our mission to offer seamless travel experiences to and from Bermuda.”
“We are pleased to welcome BermudAir to our leading network of more than 350 partner airlines,” says Adriana C. Carrelli, Vice President Airline Business at Hahnair. “BermudAir offers exceptional travel experiences, connecting the East Coasts of the US and Canada with Bermuda. We are happy to make their flights available to travel agents worldwide and to support BermudAir in their journey of growth.”
BermudAir currently operates year-round flights from L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) to key destinations, including White Plains (HPN), Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Halifax (YHZ), Orlando (MCO), Toronto (YYZ), Bradley Hartford (BDL) effective April 3rd, Raleigh-Durham (RDU) from April 11th and Charleston (CHS) from April 19th.The airline is poised for further growth with the introduction of new service to Richmond (RIC) on Jul 7th, Providence (PVD) on May 22nd, and Montreal (YUL) on Jun 12th, pending regulatory approval.
Travel advisors are invited to join BermudAir’s growing travel advisor group on Facebook by searching BermudAir Travel Advisor Community.

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. {NYSE: CPA}, and a member of the global Star Alliance airline network, announces the launch of its new service to and from San Diego, California, starting on June 25, 2025. This expansion reinforces the airline’s goal of strengthening connectivity between Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States, establishing San Diego as Copa Airlines’ third destination in California and its 17th U.S. route. The addition of San Diego to the airlines’ route network will not only enhance access to this key region in Southern California but also drive tourism and business growth between the regions.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9927CMP (msn 44189) (Panama – Live For More) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 964796.

“The launch of this new route strengthens our destination network and expands travel options for our passengers, reaffirming Copa’s commitment to efficiency, punctuality, and the high service standards that set us apart. With the addition of San Diego, we enhance connectivity between Southern California and Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, fostering tourism and commercial exchange across the continent. This new connection will allow more travelers to comfortably and reliably access one of the most dynamic cities in the United States while integrating them into Latin America’s most extensive route network through the Hub of the Americas® in Panama,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

San Diego, known as “America’s Finest City,” is renowned for its cultural diversity, high quality of life, and vibrant culinary and music scene. Its beaches and theme parks make it a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Among its top attractions are Coronado Beach, famous for its white sand and the historic Hotel del Coronado, and La Jolla Cove, a scenic bay surrounded by cliffs where sea lions can be spotted, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed. Additionally, the San Diego Zoo, recognized as one of the best in the world, and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, with its colonial architecture and diverse dining options, showcase the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

“We are thrilled to welcome Copa Airlines to San Diego International Airport and celebrate this exciting new nonstop service to Panama City,” said Kimberly Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This route will boost opportunities for business and leisure travel to Central and South America like never before. We look forward to a successful partnership with Copa.”

The Copa Airlines non-stop flight to and from San Diego to Panama City, Panama will operate with four (4) weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing from Tocumen International Airport at 1:16 p.m. (local time) and arriving at San Diego International Airport at 6:15 p.m. (local time). The return flight will operate on the same days, departing from San Diego at 8:58 p.m. (local time) and arriving in Panama City at 5:20 a.m. (local time).

With the addition of San Diego, Copa Airlines will offer direct connections to 86 destinations in 32 countries across North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean, through its Hub of the Americas® in Panama City. The new route will provide passengers with a convenient and seamless connection to and from San Diego, facilitating easier and more efficient access to Southern California.

Travelers interested in this new service, or any other Copa Airlines destination can make reservations by visiting copa.com, sales offices, or customer service call centers.

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About Copa Airlines 

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, is a leading airline in passengers and cargo in Latin America. In its 76 years of operation, it has established the Hub of the Americas® in Panama City as the continent’s premier connections center. With a very modern fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Copa Airlines serves countries in North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean. The airline consistently achieves top on-time performance results on the continent and among the best in the world. Copa Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, the world’s most relevant airline network, and offers the ConnectMiles frequent traveler program, allowing accumulation and redemption of miles across more than 25 airlines worldwide. To plan your trip, purchase tickets and manage reservations, use Web Check-in, and find information on travel policies and requirements, please visit www.copa.com. 

About San Diego International Airport (SAN)

Owned and operated by San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority), San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the busiest single-runway commercial service airports in the world and the third-busiest airport in California. SAN contributes nearly $12 billion in economic activity for the region by connecting the world to San Diego and San Diego to the world. In November 2021, the Airport Authority began construction on the New T1 which includes the replacement of the current Terminal 1, improvements to the airfield, improved transportation connectivity to the airport, and a new administration building. The New T1’s project budget is $3.8 billion and is estimated to create between 15,000 to 20,000 construction-related jobs. For more information about the New T1 please visit newt1.com. For more information about SAN please visit san.org.

A new study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and global management consulting firm Kearney reveals that the total capital expenditures required to meet SAF demand by 2030 could reach $45 billion.

According to the new report, Financing Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Case Studies and Implications for Investment, global SAF demand is expected to reach 17 million tons per year by 2030, representing about 5 percent of total jet fuel consumption. At the end of 2024, production capacity reached 4.4 million tons per year, but total capacity is expected to expand by another 6.9 million tons per year based on confirmed facility expansions and new refineries opening. The research also reveals that reaching the anticipated level of demand in 2030 will require an additional 5.8 million tons of production capacity to secure financial investment decisions by 2026.

Scaling up SAF requires action now

Considering the 5.8 million tons of required additional production capacity and the average investment costs, the total capex needed to meet SAF demand is estimated to be between $19 billion and $45 billion, depending on the technology mix, according to the study, which is part of the WEF’s Airports of Tomorrow initiative.

The capital landscape for SAF investments is complex, with the refinery life cycle requiring effective navigation of the policy, market, technology and feedstock risks, particularly through long-term policy consistency and feedstock security needed to attract capital.

10 ways to bolster SAF investments

The joint report identifies 10 financial methods that could improve SAF investments, calling on producers, governments, and investors to work together to provide the best mix of approaches to alleviate the risks:

• Research and innovation grants for early-stage, high-risk SAF technologies to reduce upfront costs
• Multilateral development bank support, particularly in developing regions with complex regulatory landscapes
• Guarantees and insurance, such as loan guarantees, first-loss capital, and insurance solutions
• Strategic investments, such as collaboration with airlines, airports, original equipment manufacturers, and energy players to provide demand assurance and foster a supportive ecosystem
• Long-term offtake agreements to provide stable revenue and alleviate demand uncertainty
• Book-and-claim mechanisms that allow corporate travelers to take an active role in funding SAF
• Green bonds tied to SAF production to serve as a powerful tool for raising impact-driven capital
• Private equity capital and operational expertise to accelerate commercialization and scale SAF projects
• Infrastructure investors with lower capital costs and a long-term investment horizon
• Tolling models that mitigate market risks by charging a fixed fee for refinery capacity while customers supply feedstock and retain ownership

New greenfield SAF refineries will be essential if the industry expects to meet its 2030 climate goals. The combination of collaboration structures and financing models do not work in isolation. To effectively scale up SAF, project developers will need to explore as many of these 10 avenues as possible.

“If we are serious about hitting SAF targets by 2030, SAF producers, governments, and investors will need to work together to de-risk production and scale employment,” Kearney’s Global Sustainability Director Claudia Galea said. “There are a number of financing roadblocks for SAF to scale up effectively. Addressing these barriers will require a multifaceted approach with technological innovation, policy frameworks, and innovative financial structures to enhance the investment appeal for SAF projects across their life cycle.”

World Economic Forum Aviation Decarbonization Lead Giorgio Parolini added, “Banks will often view SAF projects as high risk due to their novelty, extended timelines, and reliance on emerging technologies. Project developers must bear this in mind when attempting to attract capital. For SAF to reach scalable production, a shift in financing mechanisms will be necessary, leveraging both private and public capital to mitigate the perceived risks and catalyze a substantial cash flow into the sector.”

Methodology

Kearney’s analysis is based on voluntarily announced 2030 SAF commitments from the following carriers: Scandinavian Airlines/SAS (about 35 percent), FedEx (30 percent), UPS (30 percent), DHL (30 percent), Airbus (30 percent), Norwegian (20 percent), Ryanair (12.5 percent), American Airlines (10 percent), Delta Air Lines (10 percent), Air France-KLM (10 percent), International Airlines Group/IAG (10 percent), Southwest Airlines (10 percent), Qatar Airways (10 percent), All Nippon Airways/ANA (10 percent), Cathay Pacific (10 percent), Japan Airlines/JAL (10 percent), Qantas (10 percent), JetBlue (10 percent), Alaska Airlines (10 percent), WizzAir (10 percent), TAP Air Portugal (10 percent), Virgin Atlantic (10 percent), Finnair (10 percent), Hawaiian Airlines (10 percent), SkyWest Airlines (10 percent), United Airlines (10 percent), Lufthansa Group (5 percent), Singapore Airlines (5 percent), Malaysia Airlines (5 percent), Aeromexico (5 percent), Philippine Airlines (5 percent), GOL Airlines (1 percent in 2025), and AirCanada (1 percent in 2025).

About Kearney

Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm. For nearly 100 years, we have been a trusted advisor to C-suites, government bodies, and nonprofit organizations. Our people make us who we are. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we work alongside our clients to regenerate their businesses to create a future that works for everyone.

kearney.com

About the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the international organization for public–private cooperation. The WEF engages the foremost political, business, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.