MIA wins approval for up to $5 billion in modernization projects

The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners today adopted a new capital improvement program at Miami International Airport that will fund up to $5 billion in airport-wide modernization projects over the next five to 15 years, paving the way for future growth in passenger and cargo traffic at MIA – projected to reach 77 million travelers and more than four million tons of freight by the year 2040.

Renderings of a redeveloped Concourse F and an expanded, consolidated Central Terminal security checkpoint

“MIA is Miami-Dade County’s leading economic engine and busiest gateway, generating nearly $31 billion in business revenue and welcoming 96 percent of all visitors to our community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “The goal of this new capital program is for MIA to provide even greater value, convenience and efficiency to our visitors, airline partners and cargo operators.”

The comprehensive program is designed to address all of the airport’s future capacity and operational needs through five sub-programs that include: a redevelopment of Central Terminal concourses E and F; an expanded South Terminal (concourses H and J); renovated Concourse D gates to accommodate additional wide- and narrow-body aircraft, as well as larger regional jets; two new hotels (one which will include a business and conference center with exhibition space) and other miscellaneous landside projects; and expanded aircraft parking positions and warehouses for cargo operations.

The multi-billion-dollar program is the latest in a string of historic milestones for MIA, which celebrated its 90^th anniversary last September. In 2018, MIA surpassed 45 million annual passengers for the first time ever – an increase of nearly one million over the previous year. The gateway of the Americas served 21.8 international passengers in 2018 – making it once again the busiest airport in Florida for international travelers and third-busiest U.S. gateway in that category. MIA continues to maintain its ranking as the busiest U.S. airport for international freight as well, setting a new record of 2.3 million total tons of freight in 2018 – up 60,000 tons from its 2017 total.

Transat A.T. acknowledges Group Mach Inc.’s efforts to privatize Transat

Transat A.I. Inc. issued this statement:

Transat A.T. Inc. confirms that it has taken note of the press release issued earlier by Group Mach Inc. regarding its expressed interest to privatize Transat.

Transat would like to reiterate that it has entered into an agreement with Air Canada, pursuant to which it has agreed to a 30-day binding period of exclusive negotiations, beginning upon the commencement of a formal due diligence review. During this exclusivity period it is contemplated that Air Canada will complete its due diligence review and the parties will finalize the negotiation of a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of all of the shares of Transat. This exclusivity period expires towards the end of June 2019 .

Transat does not intend to provide further updates or comments with respect to the foregoing except as required by law.

There is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be reached in relation to any proposed transaction.

The operations of Transat continue in their normal course and there will be no change for its clients, suppliers and employees. In particular, travellers and clients of Transat can continue to travel and book their flights and vacation packages with Transat as usual.

An update by Air Canada on the Transat AT acquisition

Air Canada issued this update statement on the Air Transit acquisition:

Air Canada on June 4 said that it is in the process of finalizing its binding agreement to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Transat AT Inc. and its combination with Air Canada to create an industry leading, Quebec-based leader in the global leisure travel industry. Air Canada announced on May 16, 2019 that it had entered into an exclusive agreement with Transat regarding the proposed transaction and that the agreement was subject to Air Canada completing a 30-day due diligence period now expected to be complete towards the end of June.

Air Canada’s acquisition will result in job creation and economic growth in Quebec, given the travel and tourism opportunities. Moreover, Air Canada has all necessary funding to complete the transaction and therefore it is not subject to financing conditions and does not require government or taxpayer assistance.

The transaction, valued at $520 million, remains subject to the finalization of definitive agreements, confirmatory due diligence, regulatory and shareholder approvals and other closing conditions usual in this type of transaction. There is no assurance that the transaction will be completed as described in this news release or at all.

Air Canada serves 11 airports across Quebec. The international reach of Air Canada’s network makes Quebec a gateway to the world and is an important tool for economic development, including tourism.

Montréal-Trudeau Airport is a strategic hub for Air Canada connecting its Quebec and Atlantic Canada domestic network, with its U.S. transborder, Caribbean, European, North African, Asian and South American flights. To the U.S. alone, Air Canada connects Montreal-Trudeau to some 24 cities.

Since 2012, Air Canada has launched 35 new routes from Montréal-Trudeau to global markets including Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Lima, Sao Paulo, and Casablanca. This growth has allowed Montreal to rank amongst the top 50 most internationally connected cities in the world and to become one of the largest North American hubs.

Air Canada served more than 10 million passengers in Montreal in 2018.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Transat Airbus A321-211 C-FTXW (msn 1921) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 946081.

Air Transat aircraft slide show:

The last Virgin America Airbus aircraft is repainted

Alaska Airlines formally merged its Virgin America acquisition into Alaska Airlines on April 25, 2018.

The last step in the retirement of the Virgin America brand was the repainting of the Airbus fleet.

The last piece of the puzzle was the repainting of the last Virgin America aircraft, Airbus A321neo, registered as N922VA at Victorville, CA.

Over the weekend it was repainted in Alaska’s livery. On June 2 it was ferried from Victorville back to the San Francisco base.

Today N922VA is flying from San Francisco to Boston. An era ends.

Top Copyright Photo: Virgin America Airbus A321-253N WL N922VA (msn 7639) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940209.

Virgin America aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot launches flights to Palma de Mallorca

Aeroflot launched flights from Moscow to Palma de Mallorca on June 1. Four weekly flights on Airbus A320 operate on the following schedule:

Route	Flight	Departure time	Arrival time	Days
Moscow – Palma de Mallorca	SU2518	12:15	16:00	Tue Fri Sun
Moscow – Palma de Mallorca	SU2518	12:05	15:55	Sat
Palma de Mallorca – Moscow	SU2519	17:00	22:50	Tue Fri Sun
Palma de Mallorca – Moscow	SU2519	16:45	22:35	Sat

All times local

Palma de Mallorca is the largest city of the Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea. The city is famous for its historical heritage and mild Mediterranean climate that attracts tourists all year round. On top of Palma de Mallorca this Summer Aeroflot will fly to six other destinations in Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Tenerife and Valencia.

Aeroflot is continuously expanding its route network and increasing flight frequencies to popular destinations. This Summer Aeroflot will fly to 159 destinations in 54 countries.

”Palma de Mallorca”

Emirates brings the Airbus A380 to Amman and Boston

Emirates has made this announcement:

Emirates’ first scheduled Airbus A380 services have just touched down in Boston and Amman for the summer season peak.

The first scheduled A380 service landed in Amman on June 1 at 1555hrs local time and the second A380 service from Dubai to Boston landed at 1350hrs local time. Led by Captain Arif Al Reyami and Jordanian First Officer Laith Saudi, the A380 Amman service was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute.

Emirates will operate its A380 aircraft to and from Amman until October 26 to cater to the increased demand for travel during the peak summer period. The airline has adjusted its schedule on one of its three daily flights (EK 903/904) with the A380.

Emirates A380 operations to Boston also coincide with high customer demand during the peak summer and winter travel season and will see overall capacity increase around 45% between June 1 to September 30, 2019 and December 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020. The move to deploy the popular A380 on both routes demonstrates the airline’s flexibility to optimise the usage of its fleet to cater to passenger demand within its network.

Emirates has been flying to Jordan for over 33 years, and has carried over 5 million passengers to and from Amman. Emirates has been serving Boston since 2014, consistently growing passenger demand over the past five years to and through Dubai. With the A380 being introduced for the summer, travellers have more choice to explore unique A380 destinations on the Emirates network, as well as experience the ultimate in travel comfort on the airline’s flagship aircraft.

The Emirates A380 flying to Amman is set in a three-class configuration, and will have 427 seats in Economy Class on the lower deck over the months of June and July, 76 flat-bed Business Class seats and 14 luxurious First Class Suites. First and Business Class customers can catch up, network and enjoy an extensive range of beverages and delicacies in the Onboard Lounge.

The Emirates A380 flying to Boston is also set in a three class cabin configuration, offering 14 private suites in First Class, 76 seats in Business Class, and 426 spacious seats in Economy Class. First Class passengers can relax and revitalize in one of the two A380 Shower Spas, and First and Business Class passengers are welcome in the Onboard Lounge to enjoy canapés and beverages prepared by the onboard bartender.

The Emirates A380 to Boston will operate until September 30, 2019 and will then resume on December 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020. Emirates flight EK 237 leaves Dubai at 0815hrs and lands in Boston at 1350hrs. EK 238 departs Boston at 2310hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1925hrs the next day.

All photos by Emirates.

Qatar Airways brings the Airbus A350-1000 to both Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston

Qatar Airways has made this announcement:

Qatar Airways most technologically advanced passenger aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, is now available on flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

The A350-1000, equipped with the airline’s luxurious Business Class seat Qsuite, currently operates commercial flights on its New York-Doha route.

One of the latest additions to the Airbus family of twin-aisle, wide-body jetliners, the A350-1000 offers 327 seats across two cabins – 46 Qsuite Business Class seats and 281 extra-wide 18-inch seats in Economy Class. Similar to the A350-900 – for which Qatar Airways was also the global launch customer – the high-performance A350-1000 boasts an advanced airframe with extensive use of composite materials. Coupled with a fuselage innovatively built with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, the jetliner burns lesser fuel, reducing harmful effects to the environment. On the inside, LED mood lighting mimics a natural sunrise and sunset to help reduce the effects of jet lag. The A350-1000 is seven meters longer than the A350 XWB and offers 28 per cent more capacity in the Premium class cabin.

The aircraft also features the airline’s groundbreaking Qsuite seat, which offers passengers a First Class experience in the Business Class cabin. Qsuite offers the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private space, offering an unmatched, customizable experience for international travel.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1041 A7-ANF (msn 161) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 946625.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Malay Mail: Malaysia Airlines CEO objects to shutting down the airline

Malaysia Airlines CEO Izham Ismail is pleading with investors to invest in the airline rather than shutting down the flag carrier according to Malay Mail.

Read the full story.

Image: Boeing.

British Airways launches its own English Sparkling Wine

British Airways has made this announcement:

British Airways is celebrating its centenary year in style with the launch of its own English Sparkling Wine. Customers will be able to enjoy the bubbles from the award-winning Hattingley Valley from July 1 and raise a toast to the airline’s milestone birthday.

British Airways’ team of wine experts worked with Hattingley Valley’s talented crew of wine makers to create a 2015 Blanc de Noir that will be exclusively available to customers from this summer.

The wine is a Pinot Noir dominant blend that will work perfectly at altitude. The grapes were hand-harvested and gently pressed, before being bottled at Hattingley Valley’s winery in Hampshire.

The premium sparkling wine will be available exclusively in British Airways’ First cabin as well as the airline’s flagship lounge, The Concorde Room in Heathrow Terminal 5, from July 1. Get a very first taste of the new sparkling at the winery’s Mad Hattingley Tea Party pop-up at TASTE of London in Regents Park from June 19 to June 23.

Founded in 2008, family-owned Hattingley Valley specialises in making premium English Sparkling Wine with distinctively rich flavours. A hallmark of their style is fermenting a small proportion of each year’s wine in oak barrels, creating award-winning wines including the Classic Reserve, Rose and Blanc de Blancs.

British Airways has released a series of centenary editions in partnership with British brands during its centenary. The airline has partnered with Scottish craft brewers, BrewDog, who created a transatlantic IPA for customers and Fife-based distillers, InchDairnie have created a limited-edition whisky. British Airways has also teamed up with Marmite, who have created a centenary branded jar. As Marmite is the most confiscated brand at airport security, the travel-sized jar is conveniently sized to fit within the liquid allowance.

Photos by British Airways.

SAS to eliminate tax-free sales onboard to reduce weight

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS has made this announcement:

Every step on the way to sustainable travel is important. From this autumn, tax-free sales will therefore cease on SAS flights. This will reduce the overall weight of our aircraft, which in turn will save fuel and cut emissions.

SAS’s efforts to improve the sustainability of its operations are split into two areas and involve a series of initiatives in each area: improved fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and innovation, sustainable products and services. As part of these efforts, a number of changes will be introduced onboard SAS flights over the coming months in order to reduce the weight of our aircraft.

Photo: SAS.

Tax-free sales have long been a popular service onboard our flights amongst passengers who have used it, but our passengers’ buying behaviour has changed and sustainability has become more important than ever before – for both our passengers and SAS. Withdrawing tax-free sales will reduce the overall weight of the aircraft, which in turn will reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Instead, SAS will develop solutions to offer passengers more modern ways of buying and receiving goods in connection with their journey.

“SAS is aiming to cut emissions by at least 25 percent by 2030. Every step on the way to sustainable travel is important. Every initiative to reduce weight and thereby cut fuel consumption helps,” says Karl Sandlund of EVP Commercial.

FACTBOX
Some of the sustainability initiatives currently being carried out by SAS:

• New, fuel-efficient aircraft with reduced emissions

• Weight reductions to existing aircraft to reduce fuel consumption

• Major initiative to improve access to high-quality biofuel

• Unique partnership with Airbus to develop electric and hybrid aircraft