ITA AIrways has open reservations for the Rome (Fiumicino) – Delhi (New Delhi) route which will be launched on December 3, 2022.
The route will be operated three days a week with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
In other news, ITA Airways will transport Pope Francis from Rome to Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan on September 13.
ITA Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Hans Airways made this announcement:
Proving flights depart from Birmingham Airport
Hans Airways is pleased to confirm it performed its formal route proving flight for the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday, 31 August, aboard its newly re-registered Airbus A330-200, G-KJAS. Two sets of flight and cabin crew, led by COO Captain Nathan Burkitt and Neeru Prabhakar, Manager – Cabin Safety and Service, operated the flight, whilst Simon Prower, Director of Ground Operations, focused on dispatch and logistics, with ground handling managed by Swissport. With over 100 guests on board, flight time was a little over two hours, flying along the west coast towards the North Atlantic and back to Birmingham Airport.
The previous day, 30 August, CEO and founder of Hans Airways, Satnam Saini proudly welcomed 55 guests made up of family, friends and airline partners, for a familiarisation test flight replicating a full-service offering. The A330, still a white aircraft, took off from Birmingham and made landings at Glasgow Prestwick, Doncaster, and then back to Prestwick, before returning to Birmingham Airport.
โIt is my honour and privilege to take the controls on our first A330 flight,โ exclaimed COO and Captain Nathan Burkitt. On the first leg, to Prestwick, he was joined by Senior Captain Graham Ness (ex Oman Air, easyJet) – one of the first pilots to join the company.
Satnam Saini thanked STS Aviation Services at Birmingham Airport for working swiftly and enthusiastically over weekends to ready the aircraft for first flight โ and praised all his team โ who have, collectively, โcontributed so much to making this day happen, a culmination of four yearsโ planning and shaping.โ
The route proving flight for the CAA is the penultimate regulatory milestone in being able to start commercial revenue operations. On the award of its UK Air Operatorโs Certificate, Hans Airways will apply to Indiaโs equivalent regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its licence to fly from India.
It has ambitions to be the UKโs now third long-haul scheduled carrier, operating a hybrid, affordable, full-service model.
Hans Airways, with its community airline mission, intends to make Amritsar in Northern India its first destination from Birmingham Airport, and expects to be able to start flying in October (subject to licence approval).
The company is currently recruiting and looking to add 20 more cabin crew from its Birmingham, UK base.
About Hans Airways
Hans Airways is the UKโs newest hybrid, long-haul airline venture, blending value for money fares with a quality inflight service offering. Hans Airways will offer two classes of cabins: Economy class (called “Anand”), with a 31-inch seat pitch and 274 seats, and Premium Economy (called “Anand Plus”), offering a 56″ pitch and 24 seats. It will offer high quality complementary inflight entertainment and catering as standard.
A loyalty program is planned. To be known as FlyHAPEEI (Hans Airways Passengers Environment Education Initiative), it will reward passengers with all the regular benefits of a frequent flyer programme and with a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility, create opportunities to donate to childrenโs educational charities in India or conservation and water preservation projects.
Hans Airwaysโ senior management has identified a high demand for regular secondary city air links between the UK and India, drawing on its CEOโs considerable experience instigating a series of charter flights for Monarch Airlines and FlyJet.
It intends to have a close working relationship with travel agencies and travel management companies.
Hans Airways submitted its UK AOC application in March 2020, following extensive discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport.
Lufthansa has made this announcement:
The strike announced by the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) for Friday 2ย September in the period from 00:01 to 23:59 hrs. (Central European Summer Time; GMT +2 hrs) is having a massive impact on flight operations today – in the middle of the main return travel period at the end of the school holidays in Germany and other European countries. Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo departures at German airports are affected.
Lufthansa has to cancel 800 flights at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for Friday. An estimated 130,000 passengers will be affected, in view of the upcoming weekend, the end of the holidays in some parts of Europe. Lufthansa is working with joint forces to return its flight operations to a normal status as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the effects of the strike may still lead to individual flight cancellations or delays this Saturday and Sunday.
Eurowings and Eurowings Discover are not affected by the strike call and are scheduled to operate as planned. Passengers affected by cancellations will be informed immediately today and rebooked on alternative flights if possible.
As an alternative, VC has been offered the option of allocating all or part of this volume elsewhere, for example for structural changes such as adjustments to the pay scale. In addition, the Group is offering VC the opportunity to jointly conclude a new Perspective Agreement (German: โPerspektivvereinbarungโ / PPV), which Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo cockpit staff a minimum fleet size.
Lufthansa aircraft photo gallery:
Korean Air on September 1, 2022 restored the Seoul (Incheon) – Rome (Fiumicino) route.
The route was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea has now effectively eliminated all of the travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
The flight was operated with a Boeing 777-200 ER.
Ceremonies were held at gate E23 by Aeroporti di Roma and Korean Air.
Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.
Korean Air aircraft photo gallery:
Porter Airlines confirms that installation of the E195-E2 flight simulator by FlightSafety International at its Toronto site has been completed. This is the first simulator of its kind in North America and will support Porter’s pilot training as part of its previously-announced order for up to 100 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
The simulator is located at FlightSafety International’s Toronto Learning Centre, where over 650 Porter pilots will receive training for both the E195-E2 and Dash 8-400. Pilots are able to experience all aspects of real-world flying, including full motion simulation and actual airport environments, in a controlled setting. Porter Airlines finalized an eight-year agreement with FlightSafety International last year to continue as the airline’s exclusive pilot training partner.
Formal training in the E195-E2 simulator begins soon, following recently-completed certification by Transport Canada. Porter intends to begin flying the aircraft later in 2022.
Porter Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) on September 1, 2022 celebrated 20 years since the airlineโs very first flight. More than 300 million passengers have travelled with Norwegian since 2002.
On September 1, at 14.00 CET in 2002, the very first Boeing 737 flight with Norwegian from Oslo to Bergen took off, marking the birth of the new airline. During the past 20 years, Norwegian has welcomed more than 300 million passengers on board. On the Oslo-Bergen route alone, the airline has carried 15 million passengers.
Norwegian is Norwayโs largest airline with 4,000 employees, and with the Nordics as Norwegianโs main market, the airline today offers a large route network across Europe. In 2002, Norwegian operated four domestic routes in Norway, and by the summer season of 2022 the company operated 280 routes and 108 destinations across Norway, the Nordics and Europe.
In 2002, Norwegian operated seven aircraft with about 300 employees. The following year, which was the first full year of operation, more than 1.2 million passengers travelled with Norwegian. In comparison, the company carried about 2.2 million passengers in July 2022 only.
The 20th birthday was celebrated at Oslo airport in connection with the anniversary flight to Bergen, exactly 20 years after Norwegianโs very first flight. Norwegianโs founder Bjรธrn Kjos, State Secretary Jacob Bjelland from the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, and CEO Abraham Foss from the airport operator Avinor, were present to take part in the celebration.
From left: Norwegian’sย founder Bjรธrn Kjos andย CEO Geir Karlsenย attended the 20th anniversary at Oslo Gardermoen Airport.
The crew members areย wearing the same uniform that was used in 2002. Here together with CEOย Geir Karlsen.
All passengers on board the anniversary flight from Oslo to Bergen received a gift card. CEO Geir Karlsen is talking to passengers.
Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:
IPP Air Cargo, Vietnam’s first all all-cargo airlines is preparing to launch operations.
The new airline has received its Air Transport License but is awaiting it Air Operators Certificate (AOC) before launching operations.
The company intends to launch operations in November initially with four Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters.
The airline intends to grow the fleet to 14 aircraft.
Previously in June 202, IPPG issued this statement on the formation of the new airline:
IPP Air Cargo has just registered to establish an airline specializing in freight transport, with a VND 2,400 billion (US$ 100 million) investment, at a time when the sector is in chaos due to the pandemic. You and the aviation industry are not strangers to each other, but why did you put off joining until now?
When I noticed a spike in freight prices (according to Drewry Shipping statistics) at the peak of the pandemic, sometimes up 5 times, I became even more motivated. In terms of air freight, we had to spend three times as much on products travelling from Europe to Vietnam.
The more the demand for transportation, the higher the freight costs, while 88% of the air freight market share is held by foreign airlines. Foreign airlines are able to set their own pricing since they are nearly alone in the market, with no competition. If I do not start doing anything, the demand for air freight will remain congested, and price volatility will make it tough for domestic export-import businesses.
Currently, Vietnam lacks a specialized airline that transports goods. Domestic airlines have recently expanded freight delivery by passenger aircraft, although this is merely a short-term solution, fighting fires only for the current oversupply of aircraft.
Exporting businesses are facing serious difficulties. You won’t be able to discharge agricultural, aquatic, and marine products if you don’t launch the airline soon since the transportation costs are too high compared to what you can afford. Businesses are willing to pay premium rates, but they must occasionally wait in line for flights because the airline does not have enough slots. Foreign consumers from Europe and America want to buy fresh food at a higher price, but travelling by sea for nearly a month will not allow them to do so. Travelling via plane, on the other hand, takes a little over ten hours.
Therefore, I immediately thought to myself, “I can’t just sit here and sell branded products to make money.”, even though branded goods sold extremely well during the epidemic season. Since the customers were unable to travel overseas, we imported the new models for them to purchase, resulting in an 84 percent increase in sales.
Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen – Chairman of IPPG.ย
Airlines are presently controlled by the aviation agreement signed by Vietnam with other countries to guarantee the balance; they are also unable to expand the number of flights on their own.
At the same time, airlines carrying international goods by air are only permitted to land at Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports. After that, they must continue to arrange themselves in order to get the items to the distribution sites in alternative ways. International goods have not been delivered to all domestic airports in Vietnam.
Hence, our plan for this is to construct five logistics warehouses in Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Can Tho, and, eventually, Long Thanh airports to carry commodities from elsewhere to these centres. Then, IPP Air Cargo will employ cargo planes to service 16 additional domestic airports.
The IPP Air Cargo project costs US$100 million, but investing in 6 hubs and 16 warehouses costs significantly more. We can’t just build warehouses and counters as previously; we need conveyor belts and a sophisticated intelligent management system like other nations.
Furthermore, the General Department of Customs has consented to receive
e-commerce import and export management software, and upgrade the tax-free business networking software sponsored by our Bellazio Logistics. Currently, freight planes are required to declare each shipment separately. However, shortly, this new technology will let items swiftly pass through the inspection gate once the plane lands, shortening the declaration procedure for customs and businesses and reducing tax loss.
I understand that revolutionizing the air logistics sector would be difficult and costly. However, I do not hesitate, as I did previously in the premium market. Nobody thought of it, but I’ve built a reputation for bringing over 108 high-end brands from across the world to Vietnam to distribute.
Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen stated that he will be able to “fight” with the industry’s giants in the sector of air freight.ย
Foreign airlines only have access to two airports in the domestic market. IPP Air Cargo, which has a network of cargo planes that covers all domestic airports, is also negotiating with international airlines to continue carrying cargo to 16 airports in Vietnam.
Bellazio Logistics will be present in each location to manage small warehouses linked to IPP Air Cargo. At that point, the number of goods at airports will no longer be restricted, will rise fast as a result of the increased number of flights, and will significantly aid the development of domestic logistics firms. Consumers in all provinces, cities and rural locations may easily obtain items from across the world.
In terms of the global market, IPP Air Cargo will invest in a larger aircraft system as well as collaborate with other international airlines to transport commodities from overseas to Vietnam. Exporting vegetables, fresh food, and other essential import and export items will be carried directly at that time, rather than circumnavigating numerous ports at exorbitant prices as it is today.
Honestly, foreign air cargo carriers are also ecstatic about this news since, according to the International Aviation Agreement, the number of domestic cargo aircraft going out will boost the number of incoming flights. When IPP Air Cargo enters this market, international airlines may lose around 38 percent of their market share (based on our calculations), but their cargo volume will grow by about 50 percent due to more flights.
For the past six months, IPP Air Cargo has meticulously prepared. The airline is scheduled to begin domestic freight flights three months after the flying licence is issued, followed by international flights.
I take my time with everything. There are projects that require me to come up with ideas, concepts and plans for 10 years before they can be implemented, rather than just waiting for the water to reach my feet. I have many years of expertise in this field, so when the time comes, I want to grasp the opportunity as soon as possible. I’ll miss the potential chance if I don’t come out at the proper time.
The passenger aviation industry is challenging at this point, but creating a freight airline offers numerous advantages.
When it was announced that the IPPG had established an airline, up to six airlines selling and leasing aircraft approached, driving the price down further. Pilots are available during this time, in contrast to the pre-epidemic period. Our company has also received hundreds of applications for various roles in this project. Furthermore, unlike a passenger airline, a cargo airline does not have to spend as much money on things like service, ticket sales, marketing, etc.
According to the plan, IPP Air Cargo wants to operate 5 cargo aircraft in the first year, then 7 aircraft in the second year, and 10 aircraft in the third year. The airline intends to fly cargo as soon as feasible and expects to be profitable in three years.
Difficulties will arise for individuals who are new to the profession and do not fully comprehend it. I’ve been in the industry for 36 years, so I’m familiar with the market’s advantages and disadvantages.
Since 1985, I’ve worked with three industry titans: FedEx, DHL, UPS, and Philippines Airlines to transport presents from expatriates and humanitarian aid from around the world to Manila (Philippines). Following that, I proceeded to rent planes to transport individuals back to Vietnam and coordinate distribution through distribution centres.
I also served as the General Representative of Philippines Airlines in Indochina, overseeing passenger and cargo flights as well as functioning as a financial inspector of Boeing Subcontractors. As a result, I am fully aware of the expenditures associated with running an aeroplane.
This air freight industry is also extremely risky, and not just because the market is competitive. Prior to IPP Air Cargo, there were other names that reignited their objectives but then had to abandon them since the market was not ready at the time. Newcomers will suffer greatly, and if it were simple, domestic airlines would have done it.
However, I guarantee that whatever I do is done properly and with all my heart. I’ll figure out a way to defeat the giants. In the future, I believe the market will grow more open and friendly-competitive.
Interjet has been formally declared bankrupt by a Mexican judge according to Reuters.
Interjet ceased operations in December 2020, hampered by a crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interjet was the third largest airline in Mexico.
Former Interjet employees launched a strike in January 2021 and seized most of the Interjet’s assets, including its airport counters at Mexico City Benito Juรกrez International.
Interjet aircraft photo gallery:
Virgin Atlantic and IndiGo have announced a new codeshare between the UK and India, offering seamless connections and increased opportunities for frequent flyers to earn more points than ever before.
The codeshare partnership will mean customers booking a Virgin Atlantic ticket will be able to fly on the airlineโs London Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai flights and connect to and from 7 additional cities in India. Later this year the agreement will be expanded to cover a total of 16 destinations throughout India, as well as connections onto Virgin Atlanticโs extensive US network operated via London Heathrow.
The agreement will allow Virgin Atlantic to sell seats to passengers connecting onto IndiGo flights. The initial codeshare destinations in India include Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Delhi and Mumbai. The additional destinations will include Kochi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Pune, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Vadodara, Indore and Visakhapatnam.
The new codeshare agreement will allow Virgin Atlanticโs Flying Club members to reach their rewards faster, with opportunities to earn both Virgin Points and Tier Points available on every codeshare with IndiGo.
The codeshare flights will be available this week for booking for travel beyond 27th September, subject to government approval.
| Phase one | Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Delhi, Mumbai |
|---|---|
| Phase two | Kochi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Pune, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Vadodara, Indore and Vishakhapatnam.ย Connect on IndiGo to and from London Heathrow via Delhi / Mumbai |
Virgin Atlantic aircraft photo gallery:
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