AirBridgeCargo to set up its European hub at Liege Airport

Liege Airport and AirBridgeCargo Airlines have signed an historic lease agreement for 10 years. This arrangement will bring the scale of cooperation between two companies to the next level of development, boosting air cargo volumes of ABC to/from the airport and placing Liege Airport among the top 5 cargo airports in Europe by 2020.

The agreement comes as a logical extension of Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed between Liege Airport and Volga-Dnepr Group earlier this year during the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 in July, and will contribute to the development of the regional economy in general, creating numerous amounts of jobs and favouring growth of air cargo sector, and the airport development in particular, heating up cargo infrastructure and freight flows to/from the airport.

Under new agreement AirBridgeCargo will lease warehouse premises for the total area of 25,000 sq. m. for effective and seamless cargo operations in the airport. The investment amounts to 25 million euros and includes 2,000 sq. m. of office space to guarantee smooth daily flight management.

airBaltic introduces new uniforms

airBaltic starting from October 15, 2018 will gradually introduce new, improved uniforms for flight attendants and pilots.

In order to guarantee the best uniform design that would meet all flight crew needs, first an internal sketch contest was held. Designer Inese Alhimoviča then created the new airBaltic uniform collection.

The new uniform collection is stylish, comfortable and practical, with simple elegance and attention to detail. The dark blue uniform collection is highlighted with a few light green accents in accordance of airBaltic corporate colours. For the first time in the history of airBaltic the captain suits have changed colour – from classic black to elegant dark blue.

Photo: airBaltic.

American Airlines employees “go pink” this month

American Airlines has made this announcement:

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, American Airlines and its team members and customers are “going pink” this month to raise awareness and critical funds for long-time partner Susan G. Komen®.

Winnie Su, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based Envoy Flight Attendant, is all too familiar with breast cancer. She loves her job, and her calm, positive demeanor is well known among customers and her colleagues. But when Winnie went from not knowing she had breast cancer to a stage 2B diagnosis overnight, she was shocked. Hear Winnie share her story of who helped her make it through to the other side of breast cancer in the video below.

JetBlue to retrofit Airbus fleet with vortex generators

JetBlue Airways, today announces plans to retrofit its entire Airbus fleet with noise-reducing vortex generators. This move reflects JetBlue’s continued commitment to the communities where its customers and crewmembers live and work. Beginning in 2015, JetBlue began taking delivery of new aircraft with vortex generators already installed. JetBlue is committing to add the devices to its 138 remaining Airbus A320 family aircraft through 2021. The small devices disrupt wind over ports on the wing which can produce a “whistling” tone during approach into an airport.

JetBlue is following the lead of Lufthansa.

Photos: Lufthansa and Supercraft.

“While the airline industry has benefited from advances in technology and efficiency leading to quieter planes and engines, the work is never done,” said Joe Bertapelle, Director Strategic Airspace Programs, JetBlue. “We’re pleased to incorporate this advancement across our Airbus fleet and contribute to our communities in a meaningful way as good corporate citizens.”

Vortex generators will be installed on 130 existing JetBlue A320 aircraft and eight JetBlue A321 aircraft during their existing scheduled heavy checks with the full fleet wide install expected to be complete in 2021. All future Airbus orders will be delivered with vortex generators already installed. The cost to retrofit the full Airbus fleet is less than $1 million.

British Airways opens a new First Class lounge at New York JFK

British Airways has officially opened the doors to a luxurious new First lounge at New York’s JFK Terminal 7, to gold cardholders and customers travelling in the airline’s First cabin on the airline’s most coveted route across the Atlantic.

The space is the airline’s first long-haul lounge to showcase the new design direction that customers are already enjoying in Rome and Aberdeen, and which will be rolled out across other destinations including Geneva, San Francisco and Johannesburg. The refurbishment forms part of a £52 million investment in the British Airways customer experience at JFK’s Terminal 7.

At 60 percent larger than its predecessor, and covering more than 5,480 square feet the lounge has been designed with thoughtfully tailored zones.

A new wine room forms the centre piece boasting an enomatic dispenser, which enables customers to enjoy wines at exactly the right temperature that have been oxidized to the correct level. Customers will also be able to enjoy “Flights of Wine” – a selection of different wines linked to a theme. The current theme is “Chardonnays of the World”.

Other features includes an opulent First bar with a wide range of premium beverages and a quiet work area. Customers can also dine in the airline’s upgraded dining room before they fly to maximise rest on their flight. A new boutique menu created by Executive chefs Gavin Mackenzie and Waylon Walker will include dishes influenced by the season, as well as a new ‘bowl food’ concept designed to offer customers a chance for a lighter option before they fly.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “We fly thousands of customers between London and New York every week so we’re absolutely dedicated to making the experience as relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

“We are investing £52 million in to our home at JFK this year as part of the £4.5 billion investment we’re making in our customer experience globally, and there will be further investments at JFK planned for the future. We hope our guests enjoy using the new facilities as much as we’ve enjoyed designing them.”

The opening of British Airways’ new First lounge at Terminal 7, is one of a number of changes the airline has already made to improve the customer experience this year. The Concorde Room at JFK, for First customers was refreshed earlier this year and customers flying in First and Club World now also enjoy an enhanced check-in experience at the exclusive new Premium Zone, with direct access to Fast Track security. The new First Wing and First check-in are also open to ensure a smooth start to the journey.

The airline has upgraded the main concourse for all customers adding extra seating in the gate areas and increasing access to power for customers to charge their electronic devices before flying. Security and check-in zones have been redesigned to enhance the look and feel of the terminal and speed up the process of travelling through the airport. Customers also now benefit from updated washrooms and a new customer service desk, providing further assistance in the departures area.

British Airways will complete its refurbishment of Terminal 7 in 2019, after the upgrade of the Galleries (business class) lounge has been completed.

Photos: British Airways.

Finnair wet leases an Airbus A330 from Air Italy for its Chicago and Miami routes for the rest of October

Finnair will wet lease an Airbus A330 aircraft and crew from Air Italy for its Chicago and Miami routes for the period of October 12-31, 2019.

One of Finnair’s long-haul aircraft was damaged at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on September 25 when a high loader accidentally hit it. With the wet lease from Air Italy, Finnair ensures that flights to Chicago and Miami can be operated normally while the damaged aircraft is being repaired.

Air Italy aircraft and crew will be operating Finnair flights to Chicago and Miami as follows:

All flights between Helsinki and Chicago (AY09/AY10) from Oct 12 to Oct 29. Finnair has four weekly return flights between Helsinki and Chicago, the flight days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Five return flights between Helsinki and Miami (AY07/AY08) on the following dates: Oct 14, Oct 16, Oct 21, Oct 23 and Oct 30.

The wet leased aircraft from Air Italy has 24 full-flat seats in business class and 232 seats in economy class, all with a seat-back inflight entertainment system. With the wet lease, the cockpit and cabin crew come from Air Italy, and the flights will have two Finnair cabin crew members on board to support the delivery of Finnair’s customer service concept.

Finnair contacts customers with bookings on the flights to be operated with the wet leased aircraft directly to inform them of the change in carrier. Customers can cancel their flight or change the departure date due to the change in carrier. Cancellations or changes can be made by contacting Finnair customer service.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airlines): Air Italy (3rd) Airbus A330-202 EI-GGP (msn 521) MXP (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 942618.

Air Italy aircraft slide show:

WestJet announces Calgary as home to the initial Dreamliner hub

WestJet today announced that it’s connecting Alberta to the world as it launches its first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner international destinations from Calgary. WestJet becomes the first Canadian airline to base its Dreamliner aircraft out of YYC Calgary International Airport.

WestJet is launching nonstop service on board its Dreamliners from Calgary to London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin on April 28, May 17 and June 1, 2019, respectively.

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The international scheduled service between Calgary and London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin will support 650 full-time jobs and $100 million in total economic output. This is in addition to WestJet’s yearly economic output of more than $5 billion, that supports more than 32,000 direct and indirect jobs in Alberta. Overall WestJet’s national economic impact on Canada annually generates $17.4 billion and supports more than 153,000 jobs.*

The three new flights from the UK and Western Europe are expected to eventually bring up to 185,000 visitors to Calgary on a yearly basis, helping also increase local tourism.

The first of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners ordered by WestJet will arrive in Calgary early in 2019, with two more arriving by April. The aircraft will operate on domestic flights for crew training and regulatory compliance before the first scheduled international flight in April. WestJet also has options for an additional 10 aircraft to arrive between 2020 and 2024. Hub locations and routes for the remaining seven aircraft have not yet been announced.

WestJet’s Dreamliners will carry 320 guests in a three-class cabin configuration including the airline’s newly revealed Business cabin featuring 16 private pods with lie-flat seats, an upscale Premium cabin and an updated Economy cabin. The Dreamliner route from Calgary to London (Gatwick) will replace the Boeing 767 service that currently operates the route from Calgary.

WestJet has optimized connections to and from the airline’s network across Canada and Western U.S. through the airline’s YYC hub.

WestJet is Calgary’s largest airline, and by June 2019, will offer flights to 65 non-stop destinations with an average of 1,100 flights per week from YYC. More Calgarians choose WestJet for their air travel than any other airline.

Details of WestJet’s new non-stop Dreamliner service:

Route	Frequency	Departing	Arriving	Effective
Calgary – London (Gatwick)	Daily	7:20 p.m.	11:00 a.m. +1	April 28, 2019
London (Gatwick) – Calgary	Daily	1:30 p.m.	3:40 p.m.	April 29, 2019
Calgary – Paris	Four times weekly	7:20 p.m.	12:10 p.m. +1	May 17, 2019
Paris – Calgary	Four times weekly	2:10 p.m.	3:30 p.m.	May 18, 2019
Calgary – Dublin	Three times weekly	8:45 p.m.	11:38 a.m. +1	June 1, 2019
Dublin– Calgary	Three times weekly	1:45 p.m.	3:05 p.m.	June 2, 2019

*The Economic Impact of WestJet (2019) B787-900 International Scheduled Air Services: Calgary – Dublin/London Gatwick/Paris prepared by RP ERICKSON & ASSOCIATES AVIATION CONSULTANTS CALGARY, ALBERTA

WestJet today unveiled its refreshed brand including a national advertising campaign, its first three international Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner routes and a new Platinum WestJet Rewards tier at an event in downtown Calgary.

Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, was joined for the announcement by Canadian community and business leaders.

The refreshed brand image outlines WestJet’s global ambitions and heralds new products aimed at international and Premium travellers. Called, Love Where You’re Going, the new WestJet commercial is seen below.

“Today’s announcement marks a pivotal time for WestJet,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “Love where you’re going embodies both the thrill of travel and the sheer ambition we at WestJet have for our airline. Our 13,000 WestJetters are unique assets, and what we deliver for our 24 million guests is something that cannot be replicated.”

Guests will start to see the updated brand image and positioning reflected in many of WestJet’s assets including westjet.com, WestJet’s airport presence over time across Canada and gradually across the fleet.

In addition to the announcement of the brand refresh, Sims also revealed today in Calgary that WestJet will launch its first three 787 Dreamliner non-stop routes from Calgary to Paris, Dublin and London to become the first Canadian airline to base its Dreamliner aircraft out of YYC Calgary International Airport. Both announcements will have substantial beneficial economic impacts on the Alberta region.

Finally, as part of the new WestJet, Sims also announced that WestJet Rewards will introduce a new Platinum tier, making it easier for WestJet Rewards members to get even more value from the frequent flyer program as the airline heads global. The tier is targeted for launch later this year. Details on the new WestJet Rewards Platinum tier and other changes to the program can be found here.

All images by WestJet.

Videos:

Saudia increases flights to Los Angeles, Singapore and Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has announced additional seat capacity and frequencies on a number of its international routes.

The airline currently flies 3 frequencies per week to Singapore from Jeddah, which will increase to 4 weekly, with the addition of one more weekly flight effective October 29 this year.

The Singapore route is operated with the airline’s new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat seats in Business Class and spacious Guest Class (Economy seating).

During the upcoming peak holiday period, two more nonstop flights to Los Angeles will start from December 10 until January 13, 2019 taking it up to five-weekly-flights for a limited time.

Additional seats will also become available on the Manchester route, from the period December 18 to January 13, 2019. The route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER during this period, with 115 additional seats per flight. Saudia currently flies to Manchester 5 frequencies per week from Jeddah with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Guests flying to Manchester can experience the latest inflight dining service in Guest Class (Economy) – Bistro by Saudia.

With increased demand to Abu Dhabi, Saudia will also begin offering an additional weekly frequency from Jeddah, taking it up to 8 flights per week.

Most flights feature Saudia’s latest state-of-the-art Panasonic inflight entertainment system, and features onboard WiFi and more than 4000 hours of Hollywood premiere and latest television shows, box sets, music, multi-language, international and children’s programming, as well as digital and audio books, and much more.

Since April this year, a free-of-charge WhatsApp texting plan was introduced for all guests to have the convenience of staying connected onboard, regardless of class of travel.*

As of September 15, Saudia has expanded the plan to now include free access to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, in addition to the already available WhatsApp.

Saudia is the first airline in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions to introduce a complimentary social media messaging plan onboard flights.

Guests traveling with Saudia onboard all flights enabled with WiFi connectivity, will be able to access the social messaging plan through a simple three-step process. To select the service, guests can connect their device to the “SAUDIA_ONAIR” network, and then select the plan and provide an email address in order to activate.

Saudia flies to more than 90 destinations worldwide, with a modern, mixed fleet of 155 narrow and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline’s growing route network and double-digit growth has resulted in highest-ever passenger numbers – flying more than 22 million guests from the beginning of the year until end of July this year.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Saudia): Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARF (msn 41549) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 939178.

Saudia aircraft slide show:

Latest study reveals the 10 fastest growing and declining airports in the U.S.

In a new study just released by Upgraded Points, data compiled from 2007 through 2017 highlights spikes in growth as well as sharp declines in some of America’s most iconic airports. Though the numbers revealed some obvious names on the list, there were some surprising downward trends in a few of the biggest airports. Upgraded Points also examined possible reasons to explain the growing or declining rates.

Analysis Methodology

Using data compiled by the Federal Aviation Administration, Upgraded Points examined each individual year between 2007 and 2017 (the last full year for which data was available). The study focuses on passenger enplanement, which is a count of all revenue boarding passengers at each airport, including through passengers. Only airports that had over three million passengers in 2007 were considered, serving as a baseline for data studied throughout the decade.

Fastest Growing Airports in the U.S.

Those airports that had more than 25 percent growth in 10 years placed in the Top 10. The top two were revealed as:

1. Dallas Love Field (DAL): Dallas Love Field expanded its flight destinations after certain competition laws were rescinded in 2014. DAL’s location is also close to downtown, and the boom of Southwest has helped make it the fastest growing airport in this study.

2. Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS): In 10 years, the explosive growth of the Austin airport is undeniable. In a trend that is not expected to slow soon, Austinexperienced as much as 12 percent growth in the years 2016 and 2017 alone. Though the airport is expanding to try and keep up, the increased domestic routes provided by AUS make facility expansion challenging.

Fastest Declining Airports in the U.S.

Airports making the Top 10 Fastest Declining list all had greater than 10 percent decline in the past 10 years. Those airports include:

1. Memphis International (MEM): Although Memphis is a growing region with a healthy economy, the decline in the airport traffic out of Memphis is clearly indicated. Those numbers reflect Delta’s decision to gradually phase out its hub in Memphis and transfer that traffic to Atlanta though, rather than reflect any particular economic trend taking place in Memphis.

2. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG): Another casualty of Delta’s hub shift, CVG also saw a steep decline in traffic over the past 10 years. But with Southwest entering the market in 2017, along with Frontier and Allegiant, airports like CVG are receiving a recent boost in revitalization that may continue to raise its flight traffic numbers over a long period.

The study includes all airports that made both Top 10 lists, a discussion of future predictions, as well as an overall analysis of trends related to a wide variety of airports. Many of the airports discussed serve as hubs for big carriers like United, American, Delta and JetBlue.

KLM and QANTAS sign a code-sharing agreement

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and QANTAS Airways, Australia’s national carrier, have signed a code-sharing agreement, allowing both airlines to expand their networks substantially.

For KLM passengers, this means they can fly from anywhere in the world, on a single ticket, with full baggage transfers, via Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.

The code-share begins on October 31, 2018. KLM will attach its flight number to daily flights between Singapore and the four key Australian destinations listed above. QANTAS will attach its QF code to KLM flights between Amsterdam and Singapore.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by KLM): KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner PH-BHO (msn 42509) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 943707.

KLM aircraft slide show: