Category: Airport News (Page 5 of 48)

Air Canada adds Tulum and Charleston to route network

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, December 14, 2023, CNW – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced it is boosting its North American network capacity for summer 2024 with the addition of two new destinations, five new routes, increased flight frequencies on key routes, and earlier resumption of popular seasonal routes in response to projected demand. Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum*, with flights from Toronto and Montreal to the newest airport in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and to Charleston, SC from Toronto. Seats are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app, Air Canada’s contact centres and through travel agents. Flights to Tulum will be available for sale on December 15.

*subject to government approval

For summer 2024, Air Canada will be serving 120 destinations in Canada, the US and the Caribbean with up to 520 flights every day, translating to approximately 66,000 seats being dispatched, representing an increase of 5% percent North America and Caribbean seat capacity from 2023.

New destination: Tulum*, Mexico

“I celebrate this great announcement from Air Canada. Without connectivity there is no tourism, and the two new routes to the new Tulum International Airport, which is ready to receive five million passengers, will boost the arrival of tourists from our second most important source market for international tourists,” stated Lic. Miguel Torruco Marqués, Secretario de Turismo, Mexico.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC1854	Toronto (YYZ)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	11:20	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1855	Tulum (TQO)	Toronto (YYZ)	12:30	17:35	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1874	Montreal (YUL)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	12:00	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4
AC1875	Tulum (TQO)	Montreal (YUL)	13:10	18:45	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4

New destination: Charleston, SC

“Charleston International Airport is delighted to welcome the addition of Toronto as an international destination, made possible by the introduction of Air Canada’s daily flights providing a seamless link between Canada’s largest metropolitan area and the Charleston Lowcountry. Not only does the new service connect two of the top cosmopolitan destinations worldwide, renowned for their extraordinary landmarks, rich culture, entertainment and leisure adventures, this route offers customers unmatched travel options and conveniences, whether travelling for leisure, visiting friends and family, or for business,” said Elliott Summey, Executive Director and CEO at Charleston International Airport.

“Air Canada’s announcement is a major milestone for our industry, the Charleston region and beyond. International visitation is integral to a healthy and sustainable tourism economy. While Canada is consistently our top country of origin for international visitors, we know there is tremendous untapped potential in the market. Beyond increasing access for leisure travelers, the daily, nonstop service creates more opportunity to recruit group business and provides improved connectivity for Charleston area residents traveling to Canada and other international destinations served through Air Canada’s Toronto hub,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston and Chair of the Aviation Authority Board.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC8629	Toronto (YYZ)	Charleston (CHS)	18:40	20:58	Daily	Year-round, begins March 28
AC8628	Charleston (CHS)	Toronto (YYZ)	10:00	12:21	Daily	Year-round, begins, March 29

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.

Virgin Atlantic increases capacity to the USA for summer 2024

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Virgin Atlantic is delighted to announce plans to increase capacity to its heartland in the USA, adding frequencies from London Heathrow to both New York JFK and Boston for summer 2024. These new services complement the airline’s recent announcements of increasing Miami services from 11 flights per week to twice daily year-round and a new seasonal summer service from Manchester to Las Vegas.

Next summer, the airline will offer a record number of flights between London and New York, with a seventh daily flight to JFK, and together with Joint Venture partner Delta, will offer ten daily services to the Big Apple, an increase of 11% compared to summer 2023.

In a further boost to its East Coast flying, Virgin Atlantic will also operate a second daily flight to Boston. Complementing Delta’s daily service, Boston will be served with three flights a day.

Customers on both Virgin Atlantic departures will experience flying on the airline’s newest aircraft, the A330-900neo, and A350-1000, increasing the number of Upper and Premium seats by 23%. Upper-Class passengers looking to treat themselves can also benefit from booking the A330-900neo innovative Retreat Suite, which comprises of two spacious exclusive suites at the front of the Upper Class cabin. Elsewhere, passengers travelling with Joint Venture partner Delta will be able to enjoy its new and enhanced Delta One product.*

*There may be occasions that some ad-hoc Boston and New York services are substituted for an alternate aircraft type.

Japan Airlines takes delivery of its first A350-1000

December 14, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 14, 2023 – Japan Airlines Co Ltd (Tokyo: 9201) has taken delivery of its first A350-1000 from the Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) delivery centre in Toulouse. The A350-1000 is set to become the airline’s new international aircraft, initially flying on the prestigious Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK route.

JAL’s A350 is configured in four classes. The First Class features six Suites, each with a choice of three modes: sofa, seat and single bed or double bed. The Business Class also offers Suites, with 54 seats and privacy doors. Meanwhile, the Premium Economy Class (24 seats) and Economy Class (155 seats) both feature more personal space and comfort in their respective categories. JAL’s A350-1000 cabin has been designed to make passengers immerse in the elegance of Japanese aesthetics and tranquillity. Meanwhile, a serene ambiance highlights the beauty of Japan. The cabin’s stylish interior is tailored to a high quality, high comfort passenger experience which echoes JAL’s renowned service.

JAL has ordered 31 A350 aircraft, comprising 18 A350-900’s and 13 A350-1000’s. The carrier has been operating the A350-900 on high density Japanese domestic routes since 2019. The A350’s unique Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle in the sky. It offers passengers and crews the latest modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience. The aircraft’s new generation engines and use of lightweight materials make it the most fuel efficient large widebody aircraft. The A350 is the quietest aircraft in its class featuring a 50 percent noise footprint reduction versus the previous generation aircraft, making it a good airport neighbour wherever it flies.

Alaska Air adds Porter Airlines as 30th global airline partner

December 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Alaska Airlines Group Inc (NYSE: ALK) is welcoming a new global airline partner: Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased later today at alaskaair.com. Mileage Plan members who buy Porter flights on our website also earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles.

Porter’s new routes will link Los Angeles and San Francisco to Canada’s largest city and beyond with connections to destinations across Eastern Canada including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. Porter will fly the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft between California and Toronto, which is known for its quieter flying and greater fuel efficiency than previous generation technology.

Porter is Alaska’s 30^th global partner airline. Porter’s daily nonstop service between Los Angeles-Toronto begins on Jan. 16 with the airline’s operations conveniently located alongside Alaska’s gates at Terminal 6 at LAX. Porter’s San Francisco-Toronto service will launch the following week on Jan. 25. Porter is now selling flights with Alaska connections on its website.

Alaska and Porter will continue to strengthen our partnership next year. Coming in 2024, Mileage Plan and VIPorter members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights. Next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter members on each other’s airline.

Forward-Looking Statements

Philippine Airlines and American Airlines launch new codeshare partnership

December 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Travelers gain seamless connections between the Philippines and the United States

Manila, Philippines & Fort Worth, Texas — Philippine Airlines parent PAL Holdings, Inc (Philippines: PAL) and American Airlines Group (Nasdaq: AAL) have launched a codeshare partnership that introduces the first marketed flights by a Philippine carrier to several U.S. destinations and allows American’s customers to travel to the Pearl of the Orient, Manila, and the beautiful beaches of Cebu.

American’s customers are now able to book tickets on aa.com for codeshare flights operated by Philippine Airlines to Manila and Cebu via Tokyo. Additionally, customers will be able to fly to Manila from Honolulu and Guam.

Philippine Airlines has placed its “PR” code on American’s flights between Los Angeles and seven U.S. cities: Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and Washington, D.C., enabling excellent connectivity with PAL’s trans-Pacific service.

Philippine Airlines operates twice-daily nonstop flights to Los Angeles, daily flights to San Francisco and multiple weekly flights to New York, Honolulu and Guam.

Forward-Looking Statements

British Airways returns to Stansted Airport, Agadir joins route network, and more!

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

British Airways to return to London Stansted Airport for Summer 2024

Travellers choosing to fly from London Stansted next summer have a new premium airline option, International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (London: ICAG) member British Airways returns to the north-east London airport. Launching on May 18, 2024, weekend flights from London Stansted to Florence, Ibiza and Nice will join BA Cityflyer’s operations for the summer season on its Embraer 190 aircraft. BA Cityflyer is a subsidiary of British Airways, which operates from London City Airport during the week to nearly 30 short-haul destinations. The new Stansted services will complement the existing weekday services from London City, plus recently added weekend services from Edinburgh to San Sebastian, Spain and Olbia, Sardinia.

This will be the first time that British Airways has offered scheduled flights from Stansted since before the global pandemic, and it will become the fourth London airport to be served by the flag carrier. Each flight will offer two cabins: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy). Customers in Club Europe are offered a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority board and additional baggage allowance. Flights will be available from £41 each way to Florence, £36 each way to Ibiza and £43 each way to Nice. Flights are now live.

Agadir joins British Airways’ short-haul network from London Gatwick

Agadir has become the latest destination to join British Airways’ route network from London Gatwick.

The four-times weekly flight will be operated by British Airways’ Gatwick short-haul subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, from 31 March 2024.

On sale now, Agadir joins Marrakech to become the second Moroccan destination on British Airways’ route map. This will be the first time in more than a decade that Agadir has been available to British Airways customers.

Tom Stoddart, CEO of BA Euroflyer, said: “Agadir is a coastal destination that enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year, so we know it will see strong demand from our leisure customers and particularly those seeking holiday packages. It offers beaches, golf courses and water sports alongside the opportunity to experience cultural landmarks, such as Agadir Kasbah.”

Customers will have the choice of two cabins on every flight: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy). Euro Traveller customers enjoy a complimentary drink and snack, while Club Europe customers will have lounge access, a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance is included in their ticket.

Return flights from London Gatwick to Agadir start from £138. Visit www.ba.com/morocco

First ever long-haul Avios-Only flights go on sale for October half term 2024

British Airways has announced that Dubai will be the destination of its next Avios-Only flight, offering more than 200 half term return Reward Seats from just £100 + 60,000 Avios. The flight is available to book now. The BA105 from London Heathrow to Dubai will offer 214 Reward Seats across three cabins on 26 October 2024. The BA108 will return a week later on 2 November 2024 with 256 up for grabs across four cabins, perfectly in time for a half term getaway. This is the first time that the airline has offered a long-haul Avios-Only flight, and it brings the total number to more than 30, including Geneva, Nice, Ibiza and Corfu. Avios-Only flights were launched earlier this year, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to British Airways Executive Club Members as Rewards Seats.

Avios only seats are sold as normal Reward Seats, which means that customers with British Airways American Express Credit Cards will also have the option to use their Companion Vouchers. These entitle Members to a second seat for just the taxes and charges, or one seat for half the amount of Avios. Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on standard short and long-haul flights respectively, whereas Avios-Only flights mean that every seat is available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com.

New British Airways lounge set to open in Miami

British Airways is set to open a brand-new lounge for its customers travelling from Miami International Airport. Due to open in the first half of 2025, the lounge will feature a brand-new design concept, and will join more than 20 dedicated British Airways airport lounges around the globe. The lounge will be open to those travelling in the Club World (business class) of First cabin, plus Executive Club Members who hold at least Silver status, and those who hold at least Sapphire oneworld status.

Further details will be announced in 2024.

Forward-Looking Statements

Belgium And Lockheed Martin Celebrate Rollout Of First F-35A

December 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Fort Worth, Texas, December 10, 2023, PRNewswire – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) presented Belgium’sfirst F-35A Lightning II to the Belgian government during a rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility. This event marks a significant milestone in the Belgian Air Force’s history and strengthens the alliance between the United States and Belgium, a key NATO ally.

Building on the strong legacy of the F-16, the F-35 will provide the next generation of air power to ensure the Belgian Air Force can fulfill its NATO missions and protect the alliance’s key interests. By serving as the most advanced 21st Century Security solution, the F-35 will connect assets across domains to increase situational awareness for Belgium and its key European partners.

Senior government and military leaders from Belgium and the United States attended the ceremony. Belgium’s program of record calls for 34 F-35As. The first aircraft, designated AY-01, will be delivered to the Belgian Air Force next year and will be based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where international F-35 pilot and maintainer training takes place.

The F-35 also creates high-quality, long-term employment opportunities for Belgium. Through the Essential Security Interest (ESI) program, Lockheed Martin will bring cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and benefits, expanding Belgian industry’s skills and knowledge and providing high-tech jobs for Belgians for decades to come.

F-35s are now operating from 31 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 980 F-35s, trained more than 2,250 pilots and 15,125 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed 768,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies remain ahead of the evolving threat.

Forward-Looking Statements

Japan Airlines to debut new A350-1000 on Tokyo to New York City route

December 10, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

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JetBlue Flights Take Off for Belize Today

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

New York, N.Y., December 6. 2023, Business Wire – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced it has officially launched service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, Belize, with the first flight arriving in Belize this afternoon. JetBlue’s new Belize City service will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, introducing the airline’s award-winning service and low fares to customers looking to fly directly from New York.

Belize is one of Central America’s most biodiverse countries. It is home to mystical Mayan caves, wondrous aquatic habitats, and lush national parks, touting tropical jungles, wildlife reserves, and cascading flora and fauna. Located along the Caribbean Sea, Belize offers over 185 miles of barrier reef – the largest in the northern hemisphere – family-friendly attractions, romantic escapes, and many other adventures.

With JetBlue’s entrance into Belize City, JetBlue becomes the only airline to offer nonstop service from New York’s JFK to Belize. Belize City will build on JetBlue’s success in the broader region, where it offers service to 26 countries within Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, the airline’s network strategy has focused on enhancing international markets, which has translated into current service to 40 international destinations. As a leader at New York’s JFK, JetBlue’s new route to Belize allows JetBlue to continue to grow in under-served geographies while bringing more choices and options to our customers.

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Belize City (BZE)
Operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

JetBlue will operate the Belize City route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach^(a); fast, free and unlimited broadband Fly-Fi^(b); complimentary name-brand snacks and drinks; and seatback entertainment at every seat.

(a) – JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.

(b) – Fly-Fi® and live television are available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Coverage area may vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us

Forward-Looking Statements

American Airlines debuts record schedule for Cancun Mexico

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

American Airlines Group (Nasdaq: AAL) is ready to help customers escape winter weather with more flights than any other U.S. carrier to the white sand beaches, impressive archaeological sites and vibrant culture of Cancun, Mexico (CUN). With 40 peak-day flights this winter, American provides plenty of options for customers to take in all that Cancun and the Riviera Maya has to offer this winter.

Starting Dec. 9, American will launch new nonstop flights to CUN from Cincinnati (CVG), Nashville, Tennessee (BNA), and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PIT). This new flying joins the airline’s winter network, growing to 18 nonstop routes to CUN from around the country.

As the largest U.S. airline serving the Yucatan, American will also operate six peak-day flights to Cozumel (CZM) and two daily flights to Merida (MID) this winter, offering customers the most convenient schedule to plan a winter getaway. Starting March 28, American will also launch four daily nonstop flights to Tulum, Mexico (TQO), adding more nonstop service to the region.

Forward-Looking Statements

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