MIAMI – Going from a flying-giant status to being a keyholder is not a conventional way to end the life of an Airbus A380 but this is what happened to three of them, namely 9V-SKA, 9V-SKB, and 9V-SKE. The three Airbus A380, all part of the Singapore Airlines (SQ) fleet, were retired in 2017 and …
Tag Archives: travel and tourism industry news
Alaska Airlines Adds More Boeing 737-9s to Its Fleet
MIAMI – Continuing in its drive to renew and extend its fleet, Alaska Airlines (AS) has exercised an option for 12 additional Boeing 737-9, thus transforming them into firm orders to be made available in 2023 and 2024. The total order, both firm and under option, stands at 93 aircraft out of which five are …
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Away’s new hard shell luggage are now expandable for extra storage
Summary List Placement We’ve tested and reviewed many products from Away luggage, from packing cubes to large checked luggage. We’re fans of their cleverly designed suitcases and accessories, which come with thoughtful features and attractive colors. Today, they released their newest offering, just a month after releasing a slew of new products. Meet the …
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Emirates livery celebrates UAE’s golden jubilee.
The United Arab Emirates has plenty to celebrate about its first 50 years and a new livery on Emirates aircraft will take the commemoration to the four corners of its sprawling network The Gulf carrier debuted the new livery on a flight to Frankfurt earlier this week and will introduce more golden jubilee aircraft over …
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Airlines avoid Afghan airspace as chaos grips Kabul airport
Airlines are avoiding Afghan airspace after a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warned there are no civilian air traffic control services and they enter uncontrolled airspace at their own risk. United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines are among the airlines avoiding the troubled nation’s airspace, while Flydubai and Emirates suspended flights to Kabul as …
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Florida’s humidity may have nobbled Starliner
Boeing engineers suspect Florida’s humid weather may have played a part in disrupting the August 3 launch of the company’s beleaguered Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner headed back to the factory after the company announced on August 13 that the capsule would be “destacked” from the Atlas V rocket that was supposed to launch it into …
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Alaska accelerates fleet renewal by converting 12 MAX options
The prospect of rising travel demand has prompted Alaska Airlines to accelerate its fleet growth and exercise options for 12 737-9 aircraft ahead of schedule. The decision by the Seattle-based airline to exercise the MAX options means the aircraft are now firm commitments for 2023 and 2024, bringing Alaska’s total firm 737-9 order to 93 …
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Emirates-Airlink South Africa Cooperation 2.0
MIAMI – Emirates (EK) and South Africa’s Airlink (4Z) expand their cooperation in the South African market by upgrading their existing partnership into a unilateral codeshare agreement so to give access to passengers traveling to and from South Africa access to more than 40 destinations over 12 African countries. Connectivity for EK customers under the …
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Emirates 50th Anniversary Special Livery
MIAMI – Emirates (EK) is celebrating its ‘Golden Jubilee’ by rolling out a special livery for its Airbus 380 and Boeing 777-300ER consisting of a ‘United Arab Emirates 50” design, to be shown on both sides of the aircraft, that retains the EK traditional and official logo, in Arabic and English. The design, with the …
Germany to Sell Part of Its Stake in Lufthansa
MIAMI – The German Government is selling part of the 20% stake it owns in Lufthansa (LH) as the airline group is reporting progress in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Reuters reports today that Germany’s Economic Stabilization Fund will sell up to one-quarter of its stake, which is equivalent to a 5% stake in the …
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The best credit card deals this week include new categories and benefits on one of the top travel credit cards and welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more
Table of Contents: Masthead StickySummary List Placement If you’re starting to plan travel again or just want a way to earn cash back on your everyday expenses, it’s a great time to open a new credit card. Nearly all of the big credit card issuers have recently launched huge offers and even brand-new cards, including …
Today in Aviation: Euravia Rebrands as Britannia Airways
MIAMI – Today in Aviation, the iconic charter carrier Britannia Airways (BY) is born after the rebranding of Euravia in 1964. Euravia commenced operations on May 5, 1962. With a fleet of three Lockheed Constellations the airline operated flights on behalf of Inclusive Tour company Universal Sky Holidays from its London Luton (LTN) base. The …
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What it’s like being one of a handful of tourists allowed on Thailand’s deserted island beaches thanks to a COVID travel scheme
Summary List Placement With almost 90% of Phuket’s economy relying on tourism, a plan had to be hatched to encourage tourists to return to Thailand’s largest island without worsening the spread of COVID-19. The sandbox program, launched on July 1, abolished Thailand’s two-week quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers who want to visit the island …
Sydney Airport bidders ‘extremely dispappointed’ by latest rejection
The consortium bidding for Sydney Airport says it is extremely disappointed with the rejection of its latest offer at $A8.45 per share and the failure of the airport’s board to engage with it. The Sydney Aviation Alliance put the revised proposal to the board on August 13 but received short shrift and the airport advised …
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Screwdriver tip left in engine causes rejected takeoff 100 flights later
The small screwdriver tip and some of the damage it caused. Photo: ATSB After the aircraft safely taxied back to the gate, engineers reported finding metallic debris in the tailpipe of the aircraft’s right engine. They discovered the engine’s high-pressure compressor had sustained significant damage and a removable screwdriver tip was found in the engine’s …
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Rex extends consumer reach with Flight Centre deal
Rex believes a newly-inked agreement with global travel company Flight Centre will significantly extend its consumer reach and commercial footprint. The airline said the agreement would allow Flight Centre to sell and promote Rex services to its large leisure and corporate travel customer base throughout Australia and the world. It said it was one of …
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Virgin to reopen elite lounges but Perth, Canberra miss out
Virgin Australia will reopen exclusive The Club lounges in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne under another name next year but not in the nation’s capital or for high-flyers in Perth. There had been doubts about whether the airline would reopen the invitation-only lounges after Virgin relaunched as a mid-market carrier focused mainly on small to medium …
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Call to extend aviation wage subsidy as stand downs widen
The Australian government has again been urged to extend a wage subsidy to all stood-down aviation workers as the COVID delta variant continues to devastate the industry. The call by the Transport Workers’ Union came as Rex and Virgin Australia join Qantas in standing down workers as lockdowns slash flying. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine …
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Awesome photo of the moon from 747 cockpit
Boeing 747 pilot Christiaan van Heijst has captured an awesome photo of the moon from his cockpit. Christiaan takes up the story. “My captain taking a few minutes to stretch his legs and enjoy his heated meal, leaving the flight deck to me. I love being alone up here at times, with total quietude and a …
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Squawking 7500: Your Aircraft Has Been Hijacked
MIAMI – A situation that no one dealing with the handling of aircraft and flights wishes to be involved with, a hijacking is something that you have to know how to control as an airport station manager. June 30, 1982, is a day like any other at a South East Asian airport. It is about …
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Today in Aviation: Delta Cargo Begins Operations
MIAMI – Today in Aviation, US legacy carrier Delta Air Lines (DL) began its cargo operations with the creation of Delta Cargo in 1946. The cargo arm of DL currently transports more than 2.2 billion ton-miles each year. The Setup and Early Fleet Established in 1924 with a fleet of 18 aircraft, Delta Air Corporation …
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Royal Caribbean bars passengers not vaccinated for COVID-19 from cruise to Alaska
Summary List Placement At least six Royal Caribbean passengers were left on the dock in Seattle, Washington, because they did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, KIRO 7 News reported. The barred passengers on the Ovation of the Seas liner to Alaska thought they only needed to show a negative COVID test from within 72 hours, …
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I toured La Compagnie, the all-business class airline flying between the US and France. It’s the closest thing to flying private across the Atlantic.
Summary List Placement France is open once again to US tourists, and also taking customers across the Atlantic once more is La Compagnie. The French boutique airline specializes in premium, yet discounted, transatlantic travel with an all-business class offering. Operating the flights is La Compagnie’s new flagship aircraft, the Airbus A321neo, boasting greater comfort and …
‘They’re trying to make their money back by hurting us’: Hotel staff are struggling to find work as their industry rebounds without them
Summary List Placement Meybel Landaverde has grappled with a tough calculus in the 18 months she has been unemployed. “I had to decide which bill was more important than others,” she said. “I was talking to my car insurance company all the time to see if they’d give me more time to figure out how …
Avianca Files to Exit Chapter 11, Launches 23 Routes
MIAMI – Colombian flag carrier Avianca (AV) has filed a Board-of-directors-approved reorganization plan, along with a disclosure statement, with the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as it moves ahead in its Chapter 11 process. The plan presented is the result of negotiations held with investors and other concerned parties. The reorganization …
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New Amazon Air Hub at Cincinnati Airport Inaugural Day
MIAMI – Over two years after breaking ground, the state-of-the-art Amazon Air (MZN) Hub at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) came into operation on August 11. The 800,000-ft2 facility, ideally located to serve Amazon customers all over the country, has welcomed the first of a 2,000-strong workforce that will bring the US$1.5bn for the e-commerce …
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Free Garbatella: A photo tour through Rome’s revolutionary ‘garden city’ known for its street art
Summary List Placement Garbatella is a working class neighborhood in the outskirts of Rome. It’s known for a century-old housing project that serves as a reminder of how good urban design can make for happy urban spaces. It’s also home to some of the most interesting street art in the Italian capital. Built in 1920 …