Fly Arna will add twice-weekly flights from its Yerevan base to Kuwait City starting on June 22.
Fly Arna to fly to Kuwait City
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Norse Atlantic Airways celebrates inaugural flights from London to Florida
Norse Atlantic Airways celebrated two inaugurals this week with the launch of flights to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood from London Gatwick. The flights, which took off on May 25 and 26 respectively, mark the beginning of a new era of travellers seeking affordable and convenient options to popular holiday destination.
Flights to Orlando operate four times a week in May and June and then increase to a daily service in July, at the height of the summer peak season, with fares starting from £438 return including taxes.
Flights to Fort Lauderdale operate three times a week in May and June and increase to four times a week in July for the rest of the summer season, with fares starting from £450 return including taxes.
ITA Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A330neo
ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-900, on lease from Air Lease Corporation, during a ceremony held in Toulouse. The A330neo will join the ITA Airways fleet in June to serve its long-haul routes and new intercontinental destinations.
The A330neo is the latest-generation aircraft type from Airbus to join the ITA Airways’ fleet. The airline already operates all Airbus aircraft Families with a fleet of 68 Airbus aircraft (4 A220s, 50 A320 Family, 8 A330-200s and 6 A350-900s).
Flyers are ‘skiplagging’ to try and save money on flight tickets – airlines hate it
airBaltic to overfly Riga and take home the Bronze Medal Hockey Team
Celebrating the historic success of the Latvian men’s ice-hockey team, by winning bronze medals at the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championship, the Latvian national airline airBaltic will carry the team home.
When approaching Riga, the Airbus A220-300 aircraft, decorated in red-white-red colors of the Latvian flag, will perform and overflight – the aircraft is expected to be visible flying over the Monument of Freedom around 11:45 local time.
Photos: airBaltic.
airBaltic receives its 42nd Airbus A220-300 aircraft
On May 27, 2023, the Latvian national airline airBaltic welcomed its 42nd Airbus A220-300 jet, registered as YL-ABP, in Riga. This was the third Airbus A220-300 delivery for airBaltic in 2023. It is a part of the 50 Airbus A220-300 which airBaltic has ordered. In addition, airBaltic holds 30 options and purchase rights for the same aircraft type.
Thus far, airBaltic has carried more than 11,600,000 passengers on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Airbus A220-300s of the airline have completed nearly 133 000 flights and flown over 289 000 block hours.
12 injured after passenger opens the emergency exit door on Asiana Airlines flight
At least 12 people were injured on May 26 on an Asiana Airlines flight OZ 8124 Airbus A321-200 en route to Daegu from Jeju Island.
The passenger opened the emergency exit when the aircraft was about 700 feet from the ground on its approach
Read the full story from USA Today:
Also from the BBC:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65705276
Northern Pacific Airways is now looking south to Mexico
Following its upcoming inaugural flight linking Ontario with Las Vegas, the new airline is now considering flying south to Mexico.
Plans for flight to Asia via Anchorage are currently on hold due to Russian airspace restrictions
Penelope Cruz becomes the new brand ambassador for Emirates
Introducing our new brand ambassador, Penélope Cruz! The Academy Award-winning actress has been a frequent flyer with Emirates for many years. Now, she’s taking that passion to new heights as the star of our latest ad campaign.
Lufthansa Group reaches agreement on the acquisition of 41 per cent stake in ITA Airways
Deutsche Lufthansa AG on May 25 reached an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze, MEF) to acquire a minority stake in the Italian national carrier ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.). Lufthansa will obtain a 41 percent stake in ITA for EUR 325m through a capital increase.
The capital contribution thus directly benefits the company. As part of the agreement, the MEF has also committed to a capital increase of EUR 250m into ITA. In addition, the MEF and Lufthansa agreed on options to enable a potential acquisition of the remaining shares by Lufthansa at a later date. The purchase price for the remaining shares will be based on the business development of ITA Airways.
The contractual finalization of the agreement is expected to be completed shortly. The acquisition of the minority stake is subject to approval by the relevant authorities. Upon closing of this transaction, ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group are expected to immediately start their cooperation at a commercial and operational level. As a network airline, ITA will closely cooperate with Lufthansa Group to benefit from group synergies.
ITA Airways will become the fifth network carrier in Lufthansa Group’s multi-brand and multi-hub system. Italy represents the most important market outside the Group’s home base countries and the United States. Italy is the third-largest economy in the EU in terms of gross domestic product, with a strong export-oriented economy. This is one among many reasons why business travel to and from Italy is important. For private travelers, the Mediterranean country is one of the most popular leisure destinations in the world.
Carsten Spohr, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG says: “Today’s agreement will lead to a win-win situation for Italy, ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group. And it is good news for Italian consumers and for Europe, because a stronger ITA will invigorate competition in the Italian market. As a young company with a modern fleet, and with its efficient and expanding hub in Rome, ITA is a perfect fit for Lufthansa Group. In Milan, ITA serves a strong catchment area which also offers potential for growth. As part of the Lufthansa Group family, ITA can develop into a sustainable and profitable airline, connecting Italy with Europe and the world. At the same time, this investment will enable us to continue our growth in one of our most important markets.”
ITA Airways was founded in November 2020 and has approximately 4,000 employees today. Headquartered in Rome, the airline welcomes more than 10 million passengers per year and is running a modern fleet of 66 Airbus aircraft. The hub in Rome is ideally situated to further diversify ITA’s network towards Africa and Latin America, offering its customers an improved connectivity to the Southern hemisphere. Currently, ITA serves 64 destinations: 21 domestic, 33 international and 10 intercontinental routes.
As part of Lufthansa Group, ITA will remain a standalone airline with its own management and a strong brand identity – in line with Lufthansa Group’s successful multi-hub, multi-brand and multi-AOC strategy. At the same time, ITA can benefit from synergies of the Group, such as access to the partner network, central revenue management and the use of Lufthansa Group’s global sales and marketing channels.
To ensure that ITA’s growth is sustainable, Lufthansa Group intends to extend the intermodal transport for feeder traffic within Italy. For this purpose, Lufthansa Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian state railroad company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane S.p.A. last February. The aim of the partnership is to increasingly transport passengers in Italy with rail connections to and from their respective flight connections at various Italian airports. Lufthansa Group already operates similar intermodal cooperation programs in its home markets, including Deutsche Bahn, Austrian ÖBB and Swiss Federal Railways.
easyJet and easyJet holidays announce nine new routes from the UK including Akureyri in Iceland
- easyJet has put nine new routes on sale today from nine UK airports to destinations across the UK, France, Morocco, Tunisia and Iceland
- The airline will fly to Akureyri in North Iceland for the first time, with easyJet now offering the only route from the UK
- Brand new packages are available on eight of the new routes with easyJet holidays, with city breaks starting from £269 and beach holidays from £299
- Seats are now on sale on easyJet.com and via the mobile app with fares starting £27.99*
The UK’s largest airline easyJet has today announced it will be launching nine new routes from the UK from next winter, including flights to a brand new destination in Iceland for the very first time. easyJet holidays will be offering brand new package holidays on eight of the new routes.
This winter, easyJet will become the only UK airline to operate to Akureyri in North Iceland when flights launch from London Gatwick twice a week from 31st October. Dubbed ‘The Capital of the North’, the town lies in the fjord Eyjafjörður in North Iceland and is located a short drive from many of Iceland’s top natural, cultural and historical attractions. Visitors can enjoy whale watching, hiking, viewing the Northern lights and geothermal bathing, all while taking in the stunning scenery.
easyJet holidays, the UK’s fastest growing tour operator, is offering packages to the brand new destination, including flights, hotel and 23kg luggage. The holiday company has put brand new hotels in sale in the Akureyri area, including the 4* Hotel Aiglo by Keahotels, with a pool overlooking fishing boats, and the 4* Myvatn, near the Myvatn nature baths. Holidaymakers can enjoy a huge range of excursions including whale watching, exploring the country’s stunning waterfalls, or catching the Northern Lights, all available through easyJet holidays’ excursion partner, Musement.
In other news, easyJet has announced the opening of a new seasonal base in Alicante. Operational from spring 2024, this will be the airline’s fourth base in Spain and 30th on its European network. The new base will create around 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew and many more indirect local jobs.
The new seasonal base will have three aircraft based in this region of the Mediterranean coast, which will allow the airline to offer 1.62 million seats in its first operational summer in 2024.
The airline is also expanding its UK network by opening a new base at Birmingham. The investment will create around 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the UK and support around 1200* jobs in total. easyJet is the largest airline in the UK and currently employs around ten thousand people across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The airline will base three 186-seat A320 aircraft at the airport. Investing in a ninth base in the UK strengthens easyJet’s network by positioning it as the carrier of choice to serve UK consumers and capture the continued demand for travel, further growing its share of the UK leisure market for both the airline and easyJet holidays.
This represents 16% growth compared to the current 2023 summer season, where easyJet will fly 1.4 million seats across 11 routes to key destinations such as Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Geneva and Basel, among o
airBaltic adds extra flights from Riga to Hockey Championship in Tampere
Following the historic success of the Latvian men’s national ice-hockey team at the 2023 Ice Hockey Championship and the demand of fans, the Latvian airline airBaltic announces adding extra flights from Riga to Tampere on May 27, 28, 29. The ticket price is set to be EUR 75 one way or EUR 139 round-trip, and tickets are already available at www.airbaltic.com. The flight schedule is especially adjusted, so that fans do not necessarily have to book a hotel. Additional charter flights will be provided by the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation for May 27 and May 29.
| Destination served | Date and Time |
| Riga–Tampere | May 27, 2023 at 6:00 |
| Tampere–Riga | May 27, 2023 at 23:00 |
| Riga–Tampere | May 28 at 8:00 |
| Tampere–Riga | May 29 at 01:00 |
To apply for additional charter flights, provided by the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation from Riga to Tampere (May 27 at 11:00) and from Tampere to Riga (May 29 at 11:00), please, contact: eva@kasatravel.com.
The flight time from Riga to Tampere is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Delta expects 2.8 million customers for the Memorial Day holiday
Delta Air Lines expects to fly nearly 2.8 million customers over the five-day Memorial Day holiday period, the unofficial kickoff to summer adventure. That’s a 17% increase over 2022 – and more significantly, with an average of 560,000 passengers a day, is expected to exceed the pre-pandemic holiday travel volume logged in 2019.
Click through for a by-the-numbers look at all the ways Delta plans to serve its customers over the Memorial Day weekend, and what you can expect anytime you fly with us.
Read more:
A message to Delta SkyMiles members from CEO Ed Bastian: More to enjoy this summer
There’s an energy in the air. It’s a feeling of joy and anticipation for the summer ahead. And with more than 1,500 weekly flights to 80 international cities this season, including brand-new routes like New York-JFK to Geneva and Atlanta to Nice, the world is ripe for exploration.
We deeply value the trust you place in us to get you to your destination safely and on time. We’ve spent months preparing for this busy travel season, investing heavily to ensure our team of 90,000 worldwide is ready to deliver a reliable, high-quality experience, paired with the signature warmth and compassion you’ve come to expect when you fly with us.
Whether you’re embarking on a new adventure or returning to a favorite summer spot, here are some things to look forward to this season.
A MORE CONNECTED JOURNEY
Fast, free Wi-Fi is now available on most domestic flights, so as a SkyMiles Member, you can browse, stream or message just like you would on the ground. And as our Delta Sync Exclusives experience rolls out, you’ll soon be able to unlock even more relevant and tailored content, plus other offers from brands you know and love. We also have the most seatback screens of any U.S.-based carrier by far, with countless options to keep you entertained. And you can expect to see free Wi-Fi on all international and regional flights by the end of 2024.
Starting in June, you can also look for a special documentary on board called “The Steepest Climb.” It’s a behind-the-scenes story featuring the heroic efforts of Delta people to carry us safely through the pandemic. It’s a project that’s near and dear to my heart, and I’d encourage you to give it a viewing while you’re on board.
AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE, ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR
If you’ve flown through Los Angeles, Chicago-O’Hare or New York-LaGuardia lately, you’ve experienced first-hand the investments that we’ve made to transform our airports from coast to coast. We’ve also taken measures to reduce the volumes in our Delta Sky Clubs, including robust expansion plans and beautiful new Clubs in Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City, with a second Club in New York-JFK opening later this summer. And we’re trying out a new “on the go” Club experience in select cities, a convenient food and beverage option for Delta Sky Club customers who are short on time.
On board, we’re delivering purpose-driven products that are better for you, our communities and the planet. We’ve introduced healthy snacks across the plane and kid-friendly meals for our youngest travelers. In Delta Premium Select, we’re now serving Delta One-inspired meals on eco-conscious dining ware and have expanded our popular, artisan-crafted Someone Somewhere amenity kits that have helped bring more than 1 million hours of paid work to rural communities in Mexico. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, customers flying in Delta One can enjoy premium rosé and the return of our beloved dessert cart on international flights.
DIGITAL TOOLS FOR A SMOOTH JOURNEY
There are many tools available right at your fingertips to ensure a smooth journey, and to assist you if your plans change. You can adjust your flight directly in the Fly Delta app, on delta.com, or by using our Messaging feature for more assistance. The Fly Delta app will also allow you to check in, select or upgrade your seat on most flights, and get your boarding pass to make your travel day that much simpler.
At the airport, keep an eye out in select cities for digital ID lanes that enable a touchless experience as you check bags and move through security with TSA PreCheck.
As we continue to elevate Delta’s world-class travel experience, our top priority has never changed: That you arrive at your destination safe, on time, with your bags – having experienced the warmth and professionalism of our people along the way. Last year Cirium recognized Delta as the most on-time airline in North America for the second year in a row – a strong foundation we’ve built on to ensure a great summer ahead.
We’ve recruited and trained more than 25,000 Delta people to meet the rise in demand and have incorporated learnings from last summer into our crew scheduling, with more pilots standing by to fly when needed. We’ve invested heavily in aircraft maintenance in key cities around the world so we can more quickly address any mechanical issues to get you on your way. And we’re continuing to partner with the Federal Aviation Administration to help minimize delays and cancels due to weather and congested airspace.
We’re ready to serve you this summer, and we can’t wait to see you in the skies. Thank you for your continued loyalty and the trust you place in us to connect you to the people and places you love most.
Sincerely,
Ed Bastian
A CUSTOMER GUIDE TO TRAVELING WITH DELTA
Editor’s note: This article was updated April 24 with the most up-to-date information.
At Delta, our team of 90,000 is focused on delivering a reliable, high-quality experience and minimizing inconvenience when circumstances disrupt scheduled operations. We deeply value the trust customers place in us to get them to their destination safely and on time. That said, we also understand the journey to people and places that connect the world sometimes doesn’t go as expected.
Our culture is founded on the principle of having our customers’ backs, particularly if they experience a delay, misconnect or cancellation. We stand by our commitment to ensure customers get to where they need to be on a safe and clean flight, on time and with their bags. That said, to improve the customer experience and operational resilience at our hub airports for the busy summer 2023 travel season – particularly at New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports, where weather and air traffic constraints often disrupt operations – we have reduced our planned summer 2023 flying schedule. The below provides steps you can take to make the most of your Delta travel experience – not only while traveling in and out of New York, but in every city you choose to fly Delta.
We remain committed to taking care of all customers – supporting every individual throughout their travel journey. Here’s what we can do to help when it’s needed:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
JOIN DELTA SKYMILES® TO HELP OUR TEAMS BETTER SERVE YOU AND STAY CONNECTED IN THE AIR
When you create a SkyMiles account, you get more than just miles earned toward your next trip. Your SkyMiles account ensures Delta people more seamlessly know your travel details and preferences and can aid with reaccommodating should disruptions in your travel occur. Knowing you is better for serving you. Keeping your SkyMiles profile information up to date can help Delta teams reach you quickly and allows for direct contact and updates when needed.
Additionally, as of Feb. 1, customers with SkyMiles accounts can access fast, free Wi-Fi onboard most domestic mainline flights to stay connected throughout the journey. Free Wi-Fi is designed to fuel our version of more personalized travel, powered by your SkyMiles Membership.
PASSPORT CHECK: RENEW EARLY AND VALIDATE
With the upcoming surge in summer travel, wait times for passport renewal are back to record highs. If you have plans to travel internationally, make sure to confirm your destination’s passport requirements and cushion enough time to get your passport renewed. Many countries will not grant entry to a traveler unless the passport expires at least six months after the final day of travel. That said, if your passport has less than six months remaining until it expires, plan and allow for enough time to renew before you go.
A pro tip: After renewing your passport and creating a SkyMiles account, be sure to add your passport credentials into the Fly Delta app and get it verified when you are ready to check in – it’ll save time during your next trip!
DOWNLOAD OR UPDATE THE FLY DELTA APP
Delta’s digital tools offer quick and seamless options to make changes to your itinerary – either in the Fly Delta app, on delta.com or by using our messaging feature for further assistance.
Most times, the app provides the same tools and flexibility as a call to our Reservations center – allowing customers to make changes in real-time while on the go. Click on the “Today” tab in the app for boarding information, upgrade status, baggage location and key self-service shortcuts like same-day changes. The tab is updated in real-time with the latest and most important information customers need to make sure you never miss gate changes or a change in boarding times.
If you’re a SkyMiles member, logging into the app with your unique SkyMiles membership number and mobile number will allow us to contact you if needed and better serve you as you travel (make sure your mobile number is updated and accurate for day-of travel!).
Turned off notifications by mistake? Find the notifications selection in your device’s Settings app and ensure Fly Delta app notifications are turned on. Manage your device’s sleep mode settings accordingly, too, to avoid notifications being silenced.
Make sure to keep an eye out for any emails or text messages you receive from Delta with essential updates on your flight status, travel documents and what to know before you go to the airport. (This information is also available in My Trips.)
BREEZE THROUGH SECURITY
To speed up your airport experience, enroll in CLEAR to breeze through security with either an eye or a fingerprint scan. U.S.-based SkyMiles members can enjoy preferred pricing on CLEAR memberships, and U.S.-based Diamond Medallion members can enjoy complimentary access to the program.
You can also consider applying for TSA PreCheck®. Customers with PreCheck not only have access to an expedited security line; thanks to Delta’s partnership with the TSA, qualifying PreCheck customers in ATL and DTW can move quickly and easily through the airport without scanning a boarding pass or showing a government ID. Digital ID uses facial matching technology to let customers check bags, move through security and board their flights completely hands-free.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH RESOURCES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
If you or one of your travel companions needs special assistance due to sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities, Delta and the TSA have a number of resources available to you.
- Atlanta and Minneapolis hubs offer familiarization tours that allow families with disabilities to practice the process of traveling through an airport in preparation for travel. At MSP, customers can tour a mock cabinand meet with volunteers to ready themselves for their journeys.
- Many airports, including Delta hubs ATL, LGA and SEA, offer sensory rooms for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. To use a sensory room, locate a Delta Red Coat for assistance. Review more resources for customers on the autism spectrum, including a complete list of available sensory rooms, here.
- Visit Delta.com for complete accessible travel services, including information on wheelchair assistance, service animals, dietary needs and allergies, and more.
Alaska Airlines has a new sports hero – this time it is Julio Rodriguez for baseball
Baseball is back! And we’re stoked to add Seattle Mariners’ Center Fielder Julio Rodriguez (aka J-Rod) to our roster as his official airline. Not only will T-Mobile Park’s center field be a “No Fly Zone” this season because of Julio, but fans can also score Alaska flights whenever he hits a home run. Learn more below.
Fly, Fly Away Fridays
Baseball fans who use the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can earn 2X miles for purchases during Mariners’ Friday home games at T-Mobile Park. And if a Mariner hits a home run during the fourth inning of each home game, one lucky fan will win 100,000 Alaska Airlines miles.
Julio’s home runs = free flights
Ready for Flights With #44? Starting this season, each time Julio launches a ball over the fence for a home run, number 44 is sending 44 fans to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice with a round trip flight. Wherever Julio’s home run lands, 44 fans sitting in that section will win. Belize? Hawaii? You name it and Julio could help get you there.
“We’re so excited to be teaming up with Julio,” said Eric Edge, MD of marketing & advertising. “He represents a new era in baseball and has already inspired so many people in the Seattle community. He’s a great partner for the Alaska brand!”
Does this center fielder feel at home in a middle seat?
We talked to Julio about how he prefers to travel, and his answers might inspire your next trip to a tropical destination or the ballpark.
✈ Window, middle or aisle seat?
Window!
🎧 What is something you always make sure to pack when you travel?
An iPad and always headphones.
📺 What are your favorite movies or shows to watch on board?
When I’m not watching film preparing for our next game, I’m watching anime (Naruto is my favorite).
🌴 What is your favorite Alaska destination to fly to?
Florida! I train there in the offseason and the weather is always nice and warm.
Related
Air Canada announces new winter destinations and routes
Air Canada today announced the strategic expansion of its winter sun network that includes four new routes from Toronto and Montreal to Monterrey* and Los Cabos* in Mexico and, La Romana and Fort-de-France in the Caribbean. The airline is also deploying a substantial increase in capacity from its Vancouver hub to sought after sun destinations such as Mexico, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego, and additional flights from coast to coast to popular winter vacation destinations in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.
- New flights from Toronto to Monterrey and Fort-de-France
- New flights from Montreal to La Romana and Los Cabos
- Overall 8% more sun capacity versus 2019 pre-pandemic schedule
- Up to 50% more capacity from Vancouver to Mexico, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas
Air Canada’s winter sun schedule anticipates an 11 per cent capacity increase from 2022 and plans to operate eight per cent more than its 2019 pre-pandemic sun schedule. Key highlights include up to 20 routes from across Canada to Florida, increased flights from across Canada to Cancun, Montreal to Palm Beach, Toronto to Fort Myers, and from Vancouver to Miami, Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Las Vegas and Phoenix.
New route details:
Toronto – Monterrey, Mexico (year-round)*
- Air Canada becomes the only Canadian airline to offer flights between Canada and Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest metropolis that is home to business headquarters and commercial interests as well as historical culture, art and architectural attractions. Flights have been timed for convenient connections between Monterrey and Europethrough Air Canada’s Toronto global hub.
| Flight | From | To | Days of Week | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Flight Begins |
| AC1359 | Toronto (YYZ) | Monterrey (MTY) | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | 18:00 | 21:35 | Oct. 29 |
| AC1358 | Monterrey (MTY) | Toronto (YYZ) | Mon, Tue, Thur, Sat | 10:05 | 14:55 | Oct. 30 |
Toronto-Fort-de-France, Martinique (seasonal)
- Air Canada is the leading carrier between Canada and the French Caribbean, featuring new flights from its Torontohub this winter complementing its year-round flights from Montreal. With 7 weekly flights from Canada to Martinique this winter peak, Air Canada has also optimized connections to and from its Toronto and Montrealhubs, bringing more people to discover Martinique.
| Flight | From | To | Days of Week | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Flight Begins |
| AC950 | Toronto(YYZ) | Fort-de-France (FDF) | Sat | 08:15 | 14:20 | Dec. 16 |
| AC951 | Fort-de-France (FDF) | Toronto (YYZ) | Sat | 15:25 | 20:05 | Dec. 16 |
Montreal- Los Cabos, Mexico (seasonal)*
- New flights from Montreal complements services from Toronto and Vancouver to this popular Mexican leisure destination.
| Flight | From | To | Days of Week | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Flight Begins |
| AC975 | Montreal (YUL) | Los Cabos (SJD) | Fri | 08:00 | 12:40 | Dec. 1 |
| AC974 | Los Cabos (SJD) | Montreal (YUL) | Fri | 13:40 | 21:05 | Dec. 1 |
Montreal-La Romana (seasonal)
| Flight | From | To | Days of Week | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Flight Begins |
| AC1756 | Montreal (YUL) | La Romana (LRM) | Sun | 09:10 | 15:10 | Dec. 17 |
| AC1757 | La Romana (LRM) | Montreal (YUL) | Sun | 16:10 | 20:05 | Dec. 17 |
Increased capacity from Vancouver year-over-year is as follows:
| Route | Increase from 2022 |
| Vancouver-Las Vegas | 14 weekly flights (up from 7) |
| Vancouver-Phoenix | 14 weekly flights (up from 7) |
| Vancouver-Puerto Vallarta | 7 weekly flights (up from 3) |
| Vancouver-Cancun | 7 weekly flights (up from 4) |
| Vancouver-Miami | 6 weekly flights (up from 3) |
| Vancouver-Los Cabos | 5 weekly flights (up from 3) |
| Vancouver-San Diego | +110% capacity increase with larger aircraft |
Increased capacity from across Canada on key routes year-over-year are as follows:
| Route | Increase from 2022 |
| Halifax-Cancun | 3 weekly (up from 2) |
| Montreal-Cancun | 14 weekly (up from 11) |
| Montreal-Barbados | 4 weekly (up from 3) |
| Montreal-Fort-de-France | 6 weekly (up from 4) |
| Quebec City-Cancun | 4 weekly (up from 3) |
| Ottawa-Cancun | 3 weekly (up from 2) |
| Ottawa-Punta Cana | 4 weekly (up from 2) |
| Toronto-Cancun | 21 weekly flights (up from 11) |
| Toronto-Fort Myers | 21 weekly flights (up from 14) |
| Toronto-Grenada | 4 weekly flights (up from 2) |
| Toronto-Punta Cana | 14 weekly flights (up from 10) |
| Toronto- Saint Vincent | 4 weekly flights (up from 2) |
| Edmonton-Cancun | 3 weekly flights (up from 2) |
*subject to final government approval
SKS Airways orders 10 Embraer E195-E2s
Malaysia’s SKS Airways has chosen the Embraer E195-E2, the world’s most efficient and quietest single-aisle aircraft, to drive its growth plans for the region. The deal for 10 E195-E2s was announced at a signing ceremony at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’23).
The E195-E2s will form the core of SKS Airways’ expansion plans and will be based at Kuala Lumpur’s city airport, Subang, from 2024.
The E195-E2 jet has a range of 2,600nm, the equivalent of about seven hours of flight. The aircraft will be comfortably configured with 136 seats.
SKS Airways will be the first E195-E2 operator in the Southeast Asian region, growing Embraer’s E-Jets presence in the broader Asia Pacific region which currently stands close to 200. SKS Airways are Island flight specialists operating Twin Otters aircrafts – ideal for short take-offs and landings (STOL) airports. The airline is a wholly Malaysian owned airline, part of the SKS Group of companies, awarded Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) effective October 1, 2021.
SKS Airways are Island flight specialists operating Twin Otters aircraft – ideal for short take-offs and landings (STOL) airports. The airline is a wholly Malaysian owned airline, part of the SKS Group of companies, awarded Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) effective October 1, 2021.
Route Map:
Scoot orders the Embraer E190-E2
Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, has selected the Embraer E190-E2 to unlock growth in the region.
Nine E190-E2 will join Scoot’s fleet in a lease arrangement with Azorra.
The first delivery of the E190-E2, the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft under 150 seats, is scheduled for delivery in 2024. The aircraft will come from Azorra’s existing backlog with Embraer.
Lufthansa and Airbus mark delivery of 600th Lufthansa aircraft at Airbus’s Hamburg-Finkenwerder site
- Lufthansa Group has received more Airbus aircraft than any other customer worldwide
- Four-time launching customer and the third-biggest A350 customer
- 600th Lufthansa aircraft formally named ‘Münster’
- Special livery for the milestone A321neo unveiled in delivery ceremony at Hamburg-Finkenwerder
- Shared commitment to sustainable aviation and research & development
The delivery to Lufthansa of its first Airbus A300B2 on February 9, 1976 laid the foundation for a strong partnership within European civil aviation that has now extended almost 50 years. With more than ten different Airbus aircraft types supplied since then to almost every air operator in the Lufthansa Group, today saw the 600th such aircraft – an Airbus A321neo – handed over to Lufthansa in a formal ceremony at Airbus’s Hamburg-Finkenwerder site.
The story to date
Lufthansa signed its first purchase agreement with Airbus for three A300B2s in 1975 and received its first such aircraft from Europe’s new manufacturer seven months later on February 9, 1976. Subsequent years saw the first deliveries of further Airbus types: the A310 in 1983, followed by the A300-600 in 1987. The first Airbus A320 to join the Lufthansa fleet was delivered in October 1989. Over 370 aircraft of the A320 family are in service today with the various airlines of the Lufthansa Group. The first A340 followed in 1993; and just one year later the Lufthansa Airbus fleet passed the 100-aircraft mark. The A330 followed in 2004; and in 2010 the A380 – the world’s largest passenger aircraft – joined the Lufthansa long-haul fleet.
Lufthansa has also served as launching customer for a new Airbus type on four occasions to date: for the A310, the A340, the A220 and – in 2016 –A320neo. Not only the Airbus A320 family is a cornerstone of today’s Lufthansa fleet: the A350-900, which first arrived in 2016, has also become a key component in the Lufthansa long-haul fleet, and the Lufthansa Group is the world’s third-biggest A350 customer.
600th Airbus named ‘Münster’
The 600th Airbus aircraft to be delivered to Lufthansa, which bears the registration D-AIEQ, is an Airbus A321neo. Seating 215 passengers, the A321neo is a state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient short- and medium-haul twinjet that has been in Lufthansa service since 2019. D-AIEQ has been named ‘Münster’ after the German city.
Partners in sustainability, too
Lufthansa and Airbus attach particular importance to their collaborations on the sustainability and the research & development fronts. Over the last three decades, the Lufthansa Group has equipped several of its long-haul Airbus aircraft with instruments to conduct climate and weather research. In addition to three such Airbus jets that are presently gathering climate-related data for scientific purposes, Lufthansa is also working with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology on a world-first project to convert a Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 into a research aircraft.
Lufthansa performed its longest non-stop flight to date in 2021 when it flew one of its Airbus A350-900s from Hamburg to Mount Pleasant on the Falkland Islands on behalf of the Alfred Wegener Institute. The same year also saw a Lufthansa A350-900 converted into a climate research aircraft for the CARIBIC Project.
Back in 2011 Lufthansa was the first airline to trial biofuel in its daily flight operations. For some six months, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 was operated on the Hamburg-Frankfurt route with one of its two engines powered with a fuel blend consisting 50% of biosynthetic kerosene. In the same year Lufthansa teamed up with the Forschungszentrum Jülich to conduct a new type of long-term climate research study using scheduled air services to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere. As part of this IAGOS research project, specially developed instruments were installed aboard a Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 to collect trace elements from the atmosphere in the course of the aircraft’s regular flight operations.
JFK-LHR tops list of long-haul routes this summer, transatlantic travel dominates
OAG announced this analysis:
- 60% of the top ten long-haul flights (based on seats) for the 2023 summer season are transatlantic routes, according to new OAG analysis.
- The Indian long-haul market is one to watch as Air India expands services.
- China is further behind as 21 operators of long-haul services are yet to return to the market.
Long-haul* travel is one of the last areas within aviation to recover, but this summer it is back. All but two of the top ten long-haul routes (based on capacity) are operating a higher level of capacity in summer 2023 than pre-pandemic, and overall, long-haul capacity sits 9% behind its summer 2019 level. See Table one, below.
6/10 of the long-haul routes with most capacity are transatlantic routes. Top of the list is JFK-LHR with 9,392 seats. CDG-JFK sees the biggest increase in capacity, operating with 45.2% more seats than in summer 2019.
Though not featured in the top 10, India is a hotspot of long-haul development. Air India is rapidly expanding as they continue to develop non-stop services to the USA, expand their UK operations with services to LGW, double their services to Australia, and have even launched a new service to Tokyo Haneda.
For China, long-haul connectivity remains a real issue as the relatively late announcement of travel restrictions being eased in the first quarter of the year prevented airlines from planning services, whilst the avoidance of Russian airspace has compounded that issue for European carriers. 21 airlines that operated long-haul services to and from China have yet to return to the market.
*A long-haul flight is classified here as a flight with a sector length of more than 2,500 nautical miles (NM).
Table one: Top 10 long-haul airports pairs, Summer 2019
| Airport Pair | Summer 2019 | Summer 2023 | Percentage Change |
| JFK-LHR | 8,271 | 9,392 | 13.6% |
| LAX-LHR | 3,730 | 5,109 | 37.0% |
| CDG-JFK | 3,228 | 4,686 | 45.2% |
| EWR-LHR | 3,325 | 4,000 | 20.3% |
| DXB-LHR | 3,417 | 3,936 | 15.2% |
| MEL-SIN | 3,782 | 3,733 | -1.3% |
| LHR-ORD | 3,763 | 3,680 | -2.2% |
| SIN-SYD | 3,377 | 3,657 | 8.3% |
| BOS-LHR | 2,897 | 3,436 | 18.6% |
| Total | 942,820 | 855,254 | -9.3% |
European flight cancellations slashed by half in April, Cirium reveals
Cirium’s Global On-Time Performance Report: April 2023
According to Cirium:
Europe:
- LOT Polish Airlines was named Europe’s most punctual carrier last month, with 89.25% of flights arriving on-time
- Iberia landed second position, with over 87.28% of all flights arriving on-time
- Norwegian Air Shuttle, Austrian Airlines and Finnair also made the top five, offering customers punctual service on over 85% of flights
- No UK airline featured in the top 10 of most punctual European carriers.
Globally:
- Globally, Iberia was named the most punctual airline in April, with 87.28% of flights arriving at their destination on-time
- The second spot was highly contested, with South American airline Avianca securing an 86.83% punctuality score, just head of rival LATAM Airlines which took third place with 85.80%
- Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines took fourth and fifth spot, with 84.26% and 83.95% respectively.
Cancellations:
- The number of cancelled flights within Europe fell by 48% in April 2023 compared to the previous month
- In April 2023, 7,468 flights were cancelled within Europe, down from 14,405 in March 2023.
For further analysis of airlines’ punctuality scores in April 2023, please see the full report attached.
Notes to editors
- Cirium defines an on-time flight as one that arrives at its destination airport within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time
- For the Global Airlines category, only the top 10% of all passenger airlines by capacity are included, with each airline being required to serve at least three regions.
- For the European Airlines category, only the top 30% of all passenger airlines by capacity are included.