NewsRyanair agrees to meet with cabin crew unionsIrish LCC Ryanair, which has historically resisted working with unions, has confirmed it will also engage with cabin crew bodies just days after relaxing its stance on pilot negotiations.
LinkVolaris Costa Rica to launch US routes in March 2018Ultra LCC Volaris Costa Rica was granted a foreign air carrier permit by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Dec. 19, opening the Central American subsidiary of Mexico City-based ULCC Volaris to begin flights to the US. Volaris Costa Rica plans to launch round-trip flights to the US March 15, 2018, and has already initiated sales of four routes from San Jose, Costa Rica to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York JFK and Washington Dulles (IAD).
LinkAerCap to sell 21 aircraft to Peregrine AviationDublin-based lessor AerCap has agreed to sell 21 aircraft worth $800 million to Peregrine Aviation Co., which is indirectly owned by Saudi Arabia’s National Commercial Bank. Announcing the transaction Dec. 19, AerCap said the portfolio includes both a mix of wide- and narrowbody aircraft.
LinkCathay Pacific to begin Washington Dulles A350 service in 2018Cathay Pacific will launch 4X-weekly Airbus A350-1000 service to Washington Dulles (IAD) from Sept. 15, 2018. The new route expands the Hong Kong-based carrier’s existing US east coast services to Boston, and New York JFK and Newark Liberty airports. Cathay said it expects to take delivery of the first of 20 A350-1000s in spring 2018.
LinkBritish Airways begins biometric boarding at LAXBritish Airways (BA) has begun trialing self-service biometric boarding gates on international flights out of the US, working in partnership with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The new technology, created by Vision-Box, will create a smoother, quicker boarding process as passengers will no longer need to present their passport or boarding pass at the gate—only at check-in and security. Instead travelers look into a camera prior to boarding, wait for their biometric data to be verified, and then walk onto the aircraft.
LinkKLM begins A330 business class refitDutch carrier KLM is aiming to refit its fleet of Airbus A330s with a new business class cabin by October 2018, joining its Boeing 777s and 747s that have already been upgraded. On Dec. 19, KLM announced it completed work on its first A330-300, fitting the aircraft with a new world business class cabin. The initial aircraft, registered PH-AKA, operated the first flight with the new facilities operating as KL455 to Kuwait.
LinkHong Kong Airlines launches A350 service to Los AngelesHong Kong Airlines has opened a new service from Hong to Los Angeles, the carrier’s first US route operated by the Airbus A350. The Hong Kong-based carrier ordered 21 A350s and has taken delivery of three of the type, which is set to become the backbone of the airline’s long-haul fleet.
LinkTrump’s Ex-Im chief nominee rejected; commercial aircraft deals uncertainThe US Senate Banking Committee has narrowly rejected the Trump administration’s nominee to head the US Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), Scott Garrett (a Republican former congressman from New Jersey), leaving the export credit agency with more uncertainty for the foreseeable future.
LinkTravelers embrace airport spasUS airports and airlines are making room for spas in retail areas and lounges where busy passengers are waiting for flights. "I like to plan my trips around any spas or other areas that can help me at all to relax," said modeling agency executive Emily Lyons.
LinkAlaska Airlines, Sabre agree to 5-year deal renewalAlaska Airlines has agreed to renew its deal with Sabre Corp. for five years. "Renewing and strengthening our distribution and technology partnership with Sabre enables Alaska Airlines to extend our brand, enhance our merchandising capabilities and offer guests more options in a competitive environment," said Alaska Airlines executive Shane Tackett.
LinkAmerican Airlines to start daily Wilmington, N.C.-Washington, D.C., serviceIn May, American Airlines will launch daily, year-round service between North Carolina's Wilmington International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The carrier will begin daily seasonal service between Wilmington and Chicago O'Hare International Airport in June.
LinkJetBlue reports 2.8% traffic increaseUnited Airlines announced that it will offer nonstop daily service between Montana's Great Falls International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport beginning June 7.
LinkUnited Airlines to offer daily service between Chicago and Great Falls, Mont.United Airlines announced that it will offer nonstop daily service between Montana's Great Falls International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport beginning June 7.
LinkAir Canada begins service between Montreal and Lima, PeruAir Canada has launched twice-weekly service between Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Lima, Peru's Jorge Chavez International Airport.
LinkSan Francisco airport restaurants serve up local favoritesSan Francisco International Airport's new 3,241-square-foot Manufactory Food Hall, located in the international terminal, will feature dining options offering some of the same dishes available in local three-star restaurants.
LinkDassault tries to put 5X woes behind itFaced with yet another delay to the development schedule for its Falcon 5X business jet, Dassault made a bold move in December to axe the ultra-wide-cabin aircraft and end its increasingly fractured relationship with Safran, whose troubled Silvercrest engine program has been major source of frustration for the French airframer.
LinkBell V-280 tiltrotor conducts maiden flightThe Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor has conducted its maiden flight at Amarillo, Texas. A video and photographs from Bell shows the tiltrotor take off vertically, hover momentarily, and then land. The sortie does not appear to have involved forward flight. The aircraft's GE Aviation T64 engines remained fixed in the upright position for the entire flight.
LinkSouthern hemisphere gets first H175 helicoptersOffshore services provider Babcock International has introduced the first two Airbus Helicopters H175 rotorcraft to be deployed in the southern hemisphere. The helicopters will operate from Dili, Timor Leste to provide transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuation services in the Timor Sea, says Airbus Helicopters in a statement.
LinkBoeing offers revealing sneak-peek of MQ-25 bidBoeing has revealed a narrow, nose-on view of the company’s bid to win a three-way competition to build the MQ-25 Stingray, a carrier-based unmanned air system (UAS) that the US Navy plans to use as an in-flight refueler to extend the range of manned fighters. The image reveals a design likely derived from a concept that Boeing first developed for the unmanned carrier launched surveillance and strike (UCLASS) programme, which the Navy replaced with the MQ-25 tanker concept.
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