Category: News (Page 6 of 138)

Southwest Airlines pilots approve new contract

January 22, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Dallas, Texas, January 22, 2024 – Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today its Pilots, represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), overwhelmingly approved a new collective bargaining agreement.

The five-year agreement covers nearly 11,000 Southwest® Pilots, and provides them with industry-leading compensation, modified scheduling practices, and quality-of-life enhancements, including paid maternity and parental leave, with an opportunity for an additional extended bonding leave. In addition, the contract maintains Southwest’s operational advantages, including a new process for recovering our Pilot network, if needed.

Since October 2022, nine union-represented workgroups have ratified new agreements:

Appearance Technicians
Customer Service Agents, Customer Representatives, and Source of Support Representatives
Dispatchers
Facilities Maintenance Technicians
Flight Instructors
Material Specialists
Mechanics and Related Employees
Meteorologists
Pilots

Southwest remains in negotiations with two union-represented workgroups and is committed to reaching agreements that reward those Employees for their Southwest contributions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Airbus and Air India to launch pilot training center

January 22, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Hyderabad, Telangana, India, January, 2024 – Delivering on its commitment to ‘Skill India’, Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with the Tata-owned Air India to launch a world-class pilot training centre in Gurugram, Haryana. The Tata Airbus Training Center will offer A320 and A350 flight training to some 5,000 new pilots over 10 years. The sprawling 3,300 sq.mt. centre will be equipped with 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFS), flight training classrooms and briefing and debriefing rooms as part of the complete Airbus Flight Training Device setup.

The training centre is due to be operational starting early 2025 with the initial installation of four A320 FFS. The Tata Airbus Training Centre will offer courses approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Airbus has also partnered with GMR Aero Technic to offer Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training courses at the latter’s facility in Hyderabad. Airbus will provide training material such as trainee handbooks, examination database, online access to Airbus customised training modules and Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for Academy media package. Airbus will also train GMR instructors and provide continual assessment of the training center.

Forward-Looking Statements

Pratt & Whitney Canada unveils mobile charging for hybrid-electric flight

January 22, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, January 22, 2024, PRNewswire – Pratt & Whitney Canada today announced the development of an advanced mobile charging unit (MCU) capable of charging high-power batteries at up to 1500 volts, making it compatible with Megawatt Charging System standards the industry is advancing for high voltage power applications. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

The MCU was developed in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) as part of the RTX hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project.

The MCU is assembled from commercially available components and can deliver up to 280 kW and 1500 volts. In collaboration with IVI, Pratt & Whitney Canada developed a distributed control and protection strategy. The NRC focused on the hardware design, assembly, testing and delivery of two charger units, which will be used on the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project. The charger’s bidirectional capability enables it to both charge and discharge batteries, which creates opportunities to recycle unused energy back into the electrical grid.

Forward-Looking Statements

Nozomi Trains to operate with reserved seating during 2024 Golden Week

January 21, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

2024 Golden Week-1 2024 Golden Week-2

Virgin Australia increasing regional network with Link Airways

January 21, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

January 19, 2024 – Regional Australians are set to benefit under a new codeshare partnership with Link Airways that will increase Virgin Australia’s footprint in Australia from today by approximately 45%.

Seventeen new regional codeshare services operated by Link Airways, the equivalent of 90 flights per week, will be added to Virgin Australia’s domestic network under the partnership. The flights will go on sale today through Virgin Australia’s travel agency partners and will be available to book directly on the Virgin Australia website from March.

The partnership will also bring added benefits to Velocity Frequent Flyer’s almost 12 million members who will now be able to earn both Points and Status Credits on Virgin Australia codeshare services operated by Link Airways to some of the most important regional centres in the country. Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will also earn bonus Points and receive an additional baggage allowance when travelling on any Virgin Australia codeshare service operated by Link Airways. Eligible Velocity members can also access Virgin Australia lounges when travelling on these Virgin Australia codeshare services.

Virgin Australia customers will now be able to travel seamlessly for the first time to 42 Australian destinations on a single booking (with through check-in and baggage transfer), including destinations such as Inverell, Wollongong and Biloela, which are not serviced by any other major airline.

New regional routes available as Virgin Australia codeshare (in both directions):

Brisbane <-> Coffs Harbour (BNE-CFS)
Brisbane <-> Bundaberg (BNE-BDB)
Brisbane <-> Biloela (BNE-ZBL)
Brisbane <-> Inverell (BNE-IVR)
Brisbane <-> Narrabri (BNE-NAA)
Brisbane <-> Dubbo (BNE-DBO)
Brisbane <-> Orange (BNE-OAG)
Brisbane <-> Tamworth (BNE-TMW)
Brisbane <-> Armidale (BNE-ARM)
Brisbane <-> Wollongong (BNE-WOL)
Sydney <-> Narrabri (SYD-NAA)
Sydney <-> Inverell (BNE-IVR)
Melbourne <-> Dubbo (MEL-DBO)
Melbourne <-> Orange (MEL-OAG)
Melbourne <-> Wollongong (MEL-WOL)
Canberra <-> Hobart (CBR-HBA)
Canberra <-> Newcastle (CBR-NTL)

Turkish Airlines adding new service to Melbourne, Australia

January 21, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Turkish Airlines, which consistently expands its unique flight network as one of the most significant cornerstones of its growth strategy, is strengthening this performance by adding Australia, a destination of considerable interest and long on its agenda, to its flight network.

The flag carrier, which will schedule 3 flights a week to Melbourne, its 346th destination in 130 countries starting from 15 March 2024, will thus contribute to the tourism and trade volumes of both countries by carrying thousands of visitors on the Istanbul – Melbourne route every year. With the flights relayed via Singapore, Turkish Airlines will also have the distinction of being the only European airline to currently operate flights to Melbourne Airport.

Supported by the Victorian Government and Melbourne Airport, the new route will connect Turkey with Australia’s largest Turkish community and one of largest trading centers of Victoria, fastest-growing state of the country.

Alstom to supply DB Regio with new high capacity trains

January 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

18 January 2024 – Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is supplying 18 modern Coradia Max electric multiple-unit trains to DB Regio AG. The order[2] comprises 9 three-car and 9 five-car trains, which will initially start operating on the highly popular regional express line RE1 between Hamburg and Rostock, in the Baltic Sea-Alster sub-network (OSTA) at the timetable change in December 2027. Following the electrification of the line between Bad Kleinen and Lubeck and the construction of a connecting curve, the trains will also run as far as Lubeck.

Compared to the vehicles currently in use in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, the new trains offer passengers up to 50% more seating capacity between Buchen and Hamburg at peak times. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the new lines from Rostock and Schwerin to Lubeck will benefit from the three-car multiple-unit train with a total of 265 seats. The five-car multiple-unit train with two additional double-decker centre cars will have a total of 462 seats. The trains will be produced at the Alstom site in Salzgitter.

The vehicles have a maximum authorised speed of 160 km/h and are equipped for the European Train Control System (ETCS) ex works as well as a combination of high capacity and comfort. Two different access heights allow comfortable and ramp-free access for travellers with reduced mobility at almost all stations on the RE1, RE2 and RE4 lines. Thanks to the wide carriage profile on the upper floor, the vehicles also offer a generous feeling of space and more freedom of movement. In addition, free Wi-Fi provides fast internet and specially treated windows ensure better mobile phone reception while travelling.

The combination of single and double-decker carriages is the hallmark of the Coradia Max. This optimises capacity, flexibility, and accessibility. Passengers benefit from an impressive travelling experience on the Coradia Max, whether on short or long journeys. Over 500 trains of this type have been ordered across Europe.

[2] Order booked during third quarter of fiscal year 2023/24

Interior of the new Coradia Max trains – Non-contractual design for illustration purposes (©Alstom Advanced & Creative Design)

Akasa Air orders 150 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

January 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Hyderabad, India, January 18, 2024 – Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Akasa Air announced today the Indian carrier has placed a follow-on 737 MAX order, confirming 150 more fuel-efficient jets in its order book. The purchase of 737-10 airplanes and additional 737-8-200 jets by India’s all-737 operator was revealed at the Wings India 2024 airshow.

Akasa Air will leverage the 737 MAX family to expand its domestic and international network in the coming years. Since launching operations in 2022, the airline has captured approximately 4% of India’s domestic market, serving 18 destinations with a fleet of 22 737 MAX jets. Both 737 MAX variants will provide Akasa Air with added capacity and range on new and existing routes, while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to older-generation airplanes.

As Akasa Air looks to expand its network in India and South Asia, Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market outlook forecasts delivery of 2,705 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years for the region, of which nearly 90% will be single-aisle jets. This order finalized in December 2023 and was unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lufthansa launches direct flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt

January 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Furthering its commitment to India and enhancing its presence on the subcontinent, Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) German Airlines is pleased to announce direct services from Hyderabad, capital of the Indian state of Telangana and Frankfurt, Germany.

Once known as the City of Pearls due to its historical significance in the pearl and diamond trade, Hyderabad has long been a hub for merchants and traders from all over the world. Today, Hyderabad is India’s 4th largest city, an emerging technological, aerospace and Indian pharma hub, with a strong presence of major multinational companies including Google & Microsoft as well as Boeing & Airbus. As a growing capital city in a prosperous state, both Hyderabad and the State of Telangana have contributed to the economic success of India today. An investment hub as well as a centre for innovation, Hyderabad combines the old-world charm of its rich history with the dynamism of 21st century India.

As the leading European carrier in India, Lufthansa now operates direct connections from Germany to 5 destinations in the country with Hyderabad-Frankfurt being the latest addition to its global network. As the fastest growing major market for Lufthansa globally, capacity growth in India exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

Forward-Looking Statements

MD Helicopters announce record orders for 2023

January 18, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Mesa, Arizona, January, 2024 – MD Helicopters, LLC (MDH) proudly announces record orders for the fiscal year 2023. The company experienced an increase in demand, resulting in the highest number of annual orders since 2008. MD Helicopters credits this accomplishment to its renewed commitment to customer satisfaction, enhancing aftermarket services, and striving for excellence in both the military and commercial sectors. The company’s focus and unwavering dedication to providing top-tier products and services have resonated with customers worldwide and across various markets, resulting in the substantial growth observed in 2023.

Among the key contributing factors to this success are significantly improving customer support, increased investment in direct communications with customers, enhancing manufacturing efficiencies, ensuring in-stock spares availability, and maintaining healthy supplier relationships. This strategic approach has not only strengthened MDH’s market position but has solidified its reputation as a rotorcraft industry leader.

In addition to the Nigerian Federal Government (12 aircraft) announced earlier this year, recent commercial transactions involved MD 530Fs designated for multi-use missions. These additions include VIP aircraft sales, featuring an expansion to the Clemens Aviation fleet, procurement by the United States Department of Agriculture for agricultural missions, and fulfilling various utility needs, such as those of WCF Aerospace, representing Skydance Helicopters that specializes in power and utility services, amongst others. MDH is actively pursuing a well-rounded approach, emphasizing both military and commercial sales and showcasing the positive impacts of the company’s recent changes.

Archives