Category: Airport News (Page 6 of 48)

Rolls-Royce extends sponsorship of Technology Lab in Friedrichshafen

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Friedrichshafen, Germany, December 6, 2023 – Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (London: RR) is to prolong its sponsorship of the Friedrichshafen Wissenswerkstatt e.V. (technology lab) and has committed to continuing funding for another five years. That means that the Wissenswerkstatt Friedrichshafen will benefit from a total of 250,000 euros up to 2028. It offers technology courses for children and teenagers from the age of five to eighteen at two locations in Friedrichshafen.

The courses given in the Wissenswerkstatt are not just designed to impart knowledge, but to highlight the enjoyable side of technology. In a relaxed atmosphere, the participants, working in groups of up to 14 or individually, engage in practical projects such as ‘Voltage from Veg – the Potato Battery’, or ‘The Internal Combustion Engine’s, or ‘Robotics – When Machines Do What I Say’.

One contribution Rolls-Royce Power Systems already made to the Wissenswerkstatt is an mtu Series 1600 engine on which participants learn about how an internal combustion engine is structured and works.

The general members’ meeting of the Wissenswerkstatt voted for Martin Stocker, head of training at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, to take up a seat on the board of the organization, which he will be retaining voluntarily in the future.

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 BMW Group launch Quantum Computing Competition

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Clara, California, December 6, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) and BMW Group (Xetra: BMWG) launch a global Quantum Computing Challenge entitled “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers. This challenge is the first-of-its-kind, bringing together two global industry leaders to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications, unlocking the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation.

Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and to enable the most complex operations that challenge even today’s best computers. In particular, for data-driven industries like the transportation sector, this emerging technology could play a crucial role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services.

Challenge candidates are invited to select one or more problem statements: improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation. Additionally, candidates can put forward their own quantum technologies with the potential to develop native apps yet to be explored in the transportation sector.

The challenge is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists will implement and benchmark their solutions. Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides candidates with an opportunity to run their algorithms on their Amazon Braket quantum computing service.

A jury composed of world-leading quantum experts will team up with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS to evaluate submitted proposals and award one winning-team with a €30,000 prize in each of the five challenges, by the end of 2024.

Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 here: www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge.

Forward-Looking Statements

Air Canada makes Europe easy to explore by adding rail booking

December 5, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, December 5, 2023, CNW – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced new air-to-rail booking options for customers to connect at European airports with four major passenger rail systems, making it convenient to explore the continent. Through new railway and distribution partnerships, Air Canada customers, when purchasing flights, can now also easily book onward rail trips to a multitude of destinations throughout France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to create a seamless travel itinerary.

With the launch of Air Canada’s European intermodal initiative, customers can now, while purchasing an Air Canada flight, at the same time book rail travel from European airports. Through the airline’s partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail Product and new collaborations with AccesRail & WorldTicket, customers can use a streamlined booking process to create a seamless travel itinerary that connects their flight with trips on trains operated by France’s TGV-SNCF Voyageurs, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, Swiss Federal Railways or ÖBB, the national railway of Austria.

For added convenience, customers can check in for all segments of their trip prior to departure, avoiding the need to obtain a train ticket at the station. As well, customers experiencing any flight disruption will have both their air and rail segments rebooked to provide peace of mind.

Wing-to-Rail Connections

France: Sold under codeshare on SNCF Voyageurs, customers can purchase a single ticket that connects them at France’s Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris to up to 22 SNCF Voyageurs high-speed rail destinations across France, including Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille and Strasbourg.
Germany: Air Canada is building on its existing intermodal rail connections with Lufthansa Express Rail which provides access to up to 24 stations on Star Alliance intermodal partner Deutsche Bahn within Germany from Frankfurt airport. With today’s announcement, customers now have expanded options to reach more than 5,600 railway stations across the country using Deutsche Bahn’s Rail and Fly products from Frankfurt and Munich. As of August 2022, Deutsche Bahn became an Intermodal Partner of Star Alliance, the first non-airline partner of any of the major alliances., and Air Canada plans to launch codeshare on the German rail in 2024 via the Lufthansa express rail product, offering customers added benefits.
Switzerland: Customers flying to Zurich or Geneva on Air Canada can now connect at the airport to Swiss Federal Railways trains and reach up to 11 stations throughout Switzerland, including such popular destinations as Basel and Lucerne.
Austria: ÖBB services are now also available from Vienna airport to up to nine railway stations across Austria, including Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck.

Additional details, including about the simple booking process, available routings and destinations, and other important information are available at www.aircanada.com.

Airbus upgrades A400M firefighter prototype kit

December 5, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Getafe, Spain, December 5, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) Defence and Space has conducted a new flight-test campaign of the A400M Roll-on/Roll-off firefighting prototype kit, dropping 20,000 litres of retardant and creating high concentration lines over 400 metres long on ground.

Over a period of two weeks, the A400M carried out a ground and flight-test campaign in south-western and central Spain, including six drops, three of which used red-coloured retardant and three using water.

An easy-to-install solution

This roll-on/roll-off kit does not require any modification to the aircraft and, therefore, is interchangeable to any aircraft in the A400M fleet. The water or retardant is stored in a tank in the cargo hold of the aircraft and, by using a mechanical lever, a door is opened to allow the liquid to flow out of the aircraft by gravity means through a discharge pipe. The current design of the prototype is capable of dropping 20,000 litres in a single discharge.

The tanks can be filled in less than 10 minutes using standard high-pressure pumps on ground. The A400M is characterised by its ability to take off and land on short and unpaved runways, and a wide range of air bases and airfields.

During the campaign, the 43rd Firefighting Squadron of the Spanish Air Force has been involved as technical advisors and assuring that this capability in the A400M has operational value for any potential operator.

Forward-Looking Statements

easyJet collaborates with RTX to enhance operations

December 4, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 4, 2023, PRNewswire – Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, is working with EasyJet PLC (London: EZJ) to activate GlobalConnect^SM connected aircraft services on more than 330 Airbus aircraft in its fleet. easyJet will become the largest A320 operator in the world to deploy GlobalConnect. This new capability enhances safety oversight, pilot training and operational efficiencies.

The Collins GlobalConnect solution enables the already-installed Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchanger system (FOMAX), jointly developed with Airbus, to provide easyJet valuable insights into its fleet operations, enabling proactive decision-making and more efficient airline operations.

The adoption of this data exchange and analytics capability also brings the potential to simplify the avionics architecture, leading to further fuel efficiency gains through the gradual removal of quick access recorders. The airline projects that cutting this additional weight could save up to 500 tonnes of carbon per year when rolled out fleet-wide.

GlobalConnect services across easyJet’s fleet will be progressively activated in the coming months, starting before year-end 2023. This marks a significant milestone in easyJet’s digital transformation journey and underscores the airline’s dedication to embracing cutting-edge technologies that benefit its passengers and the environment.

Forward-Looking Statements

Deutsche Bahn is getting into the UEFA EURO 2024™ spirit

December 3, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2023 – Deutsche Bahn (DB) is getting into the football spirit. Thanks to special offers and more trains for Football European Championship matches, all fans and the 24 national teams will be able to travel by climate-friendly train during the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024™. DB will offer nearly 10,000 additional seats each day on ICE and Intercity trains around match days.

EUR 29.90 DB Ticket EURO 2024 to travel to UEFA EURO 2024™ matches

Anyone with a ticket to a match and traveling within Germany can purchase discounted tickets for the journey to the match and back. The DB Ticket EURO 2024 will cost EUR 29.90 per trip and can be booked at bahn.de/db-fussball-ticket beginning January 17.

For the first time, a special offer will be available to ticket holders from other European countries, too. Fans can purchase an Interrail Pass discounted by 25% for UEFA EURO 2024™, which is good for travel between Germany and 32 countries. Customers can choose from a set number of travel days on which to use the pass for travel to and from the destination as well as for unlimited travel within Germany on those days. The Interrail Pass EURO 2024 will also go on sale on January 17. More information will be available in the UEFA Event Guide as of December 2: uefa.com/euro2024/event-guide

10,000 additional seats per day

DB is expecting tens of thousands of additional passengers on trains to the venues. As part of its Strong Rail strategy, DB set the course for its fleet expansion well in advance. Thanks to these efforts, it now has a modern ICE fleet, which will grow to over 400 trains in the coming months. DB is significantly expanding its timetable during the championship period. It will use longer ICE trains and offer trains on additional days, for example. What’s more, 14 special EURO trains will run daily. 10,000 additional seats are already firmly planned into the timetable in the days around the matches. Even more will be added once the results of the EURO Final Draw for the group stage are known and the routes requiring additional capacity are identified. Additional special trains will then be planned at short notice for the final.

The additional capacity is primarily intended for late evening and overnight connections in order to offer many travel options for departures from the matches. During the tournament, DB will nearly double the number of travel options after 11 pm from the 10 venues to the 20 busiest long-distance stops.

All of the information about Deutsche Bahn’s efforts in conjunction with the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship can be found here: bahn.de/em2024.

Norse Atlantic Airways celebrates inaugural flights from London Gatwick Airport

December 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Friday, December 1, 2023 – Norse Atlantic ASA (Oslo: NORSE) is delighted to announce the successful commencement of its inaugural services from London Gatwick to the sun-soaked destinations of Montego Bay and Barbados.

Flights to Barbados from London operate up to five times a week with fares starting from £449 return. Flights to Montego Bay from London operate up to four times a week with fares starting from £540 return.

Norse Atlantic exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with two cabin choices, Economy and Norse Premium. The cabin offers passengers a relaxed and comfortable travel experience with each seat including a personal state of the art entertainment experience. Our Premium cabin offers an industry leading 43” seat pitch and 12” recline allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore their destination. Passengers can choose from a simple range of fares, Light, Classic and Flextra, that reflect the way that they want to travel, and which options are important to them. Light fares represent Norse’s value option while Flextra fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility.

For more information and to book visit www.flynorse.com

Forward-Looking Statements

United Airlines expands in Houston with $2.6B terminal project

December 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Houston, December 1, 2023, PRNewswire – United Airlines Holdings Inc (Nasdaq: UAL) today announced growth plans in Houston that include a $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a new United Club^SM location and Early Bag Storage facility (EBS) as well as a new direct flight to Georgetown, Guyana*.

These investments are part of the airline’s United Next growth plan and include the expansion of 40 gates at IAH to accommodate larger aircraft, resulting in a 40% increase in the overall number of people who can fly on peak travel dates in 2026 compared to 2023.

United’s Terminal B Transformation Program, pending final approval from Houston’s city council, will play an important part in the estimated 54 million future passengers that will annually travel throughout the Houston hub and aims to improve the travel experience from arrival to departure.

Project highlights include:

A three-level, 765,000 sq. ft. Terminal B North Concourse with 22 mainline, narrow-body gates
Converting 30 existing small regional jet gates to 18 gates to accommodate larger, two-class regional jets in the Terminal B South Concourse
Boarding via jet bridge for all flights
Two major concessions hubs with more than 115,000 sq. ft. of food and retail space
A new, state-of-the-art baggage handling system equipped with advanced tracking technology
The largest United Club in our system
Expanded curbside and roadway capacity with a ground-level check-in area, including the addition of a traffic bypass between Terminals B and A to allow Terminal B customers to exit the airport without having to drive past Terminal A as they do today
A new sensory room for passengers with disabilities

*flights subject to government approval.

Forward-Looking Statements

Porter Airlines orders 25 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft

December 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil, 29th November 2023 – Porter Airlines has exercised purchase rights to place a firm order for 25 Embraer SA ADR (NYSE: ERJ) E195-E2 passenger jets, adding to their 50 existing firm orders. Porter will use the new aircraft to extend its award-winning service to destinations throughout North America. The deal, valued at US$2.1bn at list price, will be added to the Q4 backlog, and brings Porter’s orders with Embraer to 75 firm, with 25 purchase rights remaining.

Porter, the North American launch customer for Embraer’s E195-E2, has already taken delivery of 24 E195-E2’s, and recently announced new destinations including Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles; with destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean also planned. The aircraft are currently deployed from Eastern Canada, with a focus on Toronto Pearson International Airport and Ottawa. Halifax and Montreal are also seeing new services with the E195-E2. Porter has chosen to configure the 146-seat aircraft in a comfortable 132-seat all-economy configuration, with a variety of seat pitches on offer for their guests: 36, 34, and 30 inches.

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

Forward-Looking Statements

Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways announce frequent flyer partnership

November 27, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Air France-KLM Group SA (Paris: AIRF) and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a new partnership between their respective loyalty programs following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two airline Groups in September 2023.

As part of this new partnership, members of Flying Blue, Air France and KLM’s loyalty program, and members of Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, will now be able to earn and redeem Miles on either loyalty programme when flying on Air France, KLM or Etihad. Reciprocal benefits for elite members will be announced soon.

Following the MoU signed earlier this year, Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways customers now have the opportunity to connect, and therefore to earn and redeem miles, to more than 60 new routes covering destinations worldwide.

The partnership will go live today, on the heels of Air France’s inaugural flight from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle to Abu Dhabi International Airport this past October 29th.

Flying Blue Miles can be redeemed to enjoy a vast range of benefits from flights, worldwide hotel stays, car rentals, or products from the Flying Blue Store. Etihad Guest Miles can be spent on flights, worldwide hotel stays and vacations, or products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

Air France currently operates daily flights between Paris – Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi International Airport while Etihad currently operates daily flights to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Forward-Looking Statements

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