Category: Global Politics (Page 4 of 132)

Vietjet adds flights to Chengdu China

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Ho Chi Minh City, January, 2024 – Vietjet continues to expand its international flight network with the new route between Ho Chi Minh City and Chengdu, China. The combination will help contribute to promoting trade and tourism between the two cities and two countries, Vietnam and China.

To celebrate the New Year 2024 and the new route Ho Chi Minh City – Chengdu, Vietjet offers thousands of VND0 (*) tickets for passengers who book tickets from today on www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app with the flight period from February 10, 2024 to March 30, 2024.

Visiting Chengdu, tourists have opportunities to explore the vibrant Chinese culture with famous attractions such as Jinli Ancient Street, Anshun Bridge, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, or easily come to Jiuzhaigou – a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO, etc. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling economic hub of Vietnam with various options traveling in Vietnam and the region via Vietjet’s flight network.

Malaysia Aviation Group to add 12 Aircraft in 2024

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Sepang, Selanger, Malasia, January 29, 2024 – As part of its ongoing fleet modernisation plan, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is set to induct 12 new aircraft in 2024, including its first Airbus 330-900 (A330neo) which is scheduled to arrive in the third quarter of 2024. The Group is looking to receive four of the new aircraft type this year, alongside eight Boeing 737-8 aircraft to support its network growth requirements.

In August 2022, MAG signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon for the acquisition of 20 A330neo aircraft which are scheduled to be delivered through 2028. 10 of the aircraft are directly purchased from Airbus with a back-to-back sale and leaseback arrangement with Avolon, while the remaining 10 are leased directly from Avolon. The acquisition underscores the Group’s steadfast commitment as it seeks to provide modernity and elevate the standards of its service offerings, while ensuring that it can support the post-pandemic growth of the aviation industry.

With the introduction of these new seats, Malaysia Airlines is poised to become the flagship carrier in the world to feature the Elevation seats on the A330 airframe. The A330neo will comprise of 297 seats (28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy Class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom).

AirJapan Tokyo to Singapore service starts April 2024

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Tokyo, Japan, January 26, 2024 – AirJapan, the new airline brand of ANA Group, will begin service on the Tokyo Narita-Singapore route on Friday, April 26, 2024. Singapore, the third destination for the new AirJapan brand, is not only an attractive tourist destination with a wealth of tourist attractions, but also a global business destination. Changi Airport, one of Asia’s leading airports, offers more convenient access to and from the Southeast Asian region.

AirJapan will contribute to the growth of exchanges between Japan and Singapore, as well as between Japan and Southeast Asia, by providing a “Japanese culture” experience and “high quality and comfort” at an affordable price.

Timed with the scheduled arrival of the second aircraft in April, flights on the Narita-Bangkok route and the Narita-Seoul (Incheon) route that started service in February, will be increased to daily service. Please refer to the AirJapan website for sales dates and details.

Avelo attends new terminal groundbreaking at Hollywood Burbank Airport

January 27, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Burbank, California, January 25, 2024 — Avelo Airlines was among the attendees at the Los Angeles Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) groundbreaking of the airport’s new terminal last Thursday.

The 355,000 square-foot facility will replace Hollywood Burbank’s current 94-year-old terminal utilized by Avelo and eight other airlines. BUR’s new terminal will have 14 gates, a variety of options for dining and shopping, more space to move about, and an upgraded TSA checkpoint, among other features.

Key speakers included Hollywood Burbank Airport’s Executive Director Frank Miller, President of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Felicia Williams and Rep. Tony Cardenas, who represents California’s 29th congressional district. Avelo’s Director of Airport Relations Somer Shindler represented Avelo at the ceremony.

Avelo Airlines route map 01/25/2024

Airbus and Tata to set up first helicopter Final Assembly Line in India

January 26, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

New Delhi, India, January 26, 2024 – In a major boost to ‘Make in India’, Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) Helicopters has announced that it is partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the country. The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries.

The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) programme. Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters.

The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

The FAL in India will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine. It will also do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region. The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026. The location of the FAL will be jointly decided by Airbus and the Tata Group.

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.

Archer Aviation and NASA sign Space Act Agreement on EVTOL Technology

January 24, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

New York City, January, 2024 – Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced it has signed a Space Act Agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The collaboration will kick off with an initial project focused on studying high-performance battery cells and safety testing targeted for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and space applications.

Archer believes that while the supply chain for electric vehicles in the U.S. is maturing, the supply chain for electric aircraft remains nascent not just here in the U.S., but globally, so this testing will help push progress forward. NASA’s goal is to test Archer’s battery cell and system design and share the results to push the entire AAM industry forward. Maturing battery technology is anticipated to be a key enabling factor for the mass production and adoption of electric aviation.

Archer plans to deliver a high-performing battery pack with leading levels of safety to its Midnight electric air taxi, validating that these cells are tailor made for aerospace applications, including electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL), electric conventional take off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft and potential usage in space.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lufthansa equips more short and medium haul aircraft with broadband Internet

January 24, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Chat with your loved ones at an altitude of 10,000 meters, shop online while travelling or use the company VPN above the clouds without limits: In future, all passengers travelling on European routes will have the reliable option of using Wi-Fi on board. Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) will therefore continue to equip its short and medium-haul aircraft with broadband Internet on three of its airlines this year. The plan is to fully equip all aircraft in the Airbus A220/320 family (A220, A319, A320ceo, A320neo, A321ceo, A321neo) operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and now also SWISS, in total more than 150 aircraft.

The installation of the system will begin at all airlines from the fourth quarter of 2024 and will be completed after around two years. After Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings, SWISS will thus be the next airline in the Lufthansa Group to introduce in-flight internet for its passengers on short- and medium-haul aircraft. Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings have been offering their passengers broadband internet on many short- and medium-haul flights since 2017.

New is that Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines are now offering their guests unlimited free messaging on aircraft already equipped with internet access. Travellers can send and receive as many messages as they like on their own smartphone or tablet free of charge during the flight. The prerequisite for using this service is logging into FlyNet with a Miles & More service card number or with an e-mail address registered with the Lufthansa Group Travel ID. For all other onboard Internet packages, such as the faster Premium access, now available from just six euros, the price was reduced by almost 50 per cent at the beginning of the year.

The use of the Lufthansa Group Airlines apps and many services in the FlyNet portal of Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, in the Wings Connect portal of Eurowings and in future also in the SWISS Connect portal are generally free of charge in all Airbus A220/A320 aircraft equipped with broadband Internet. Depending on the airline, guests can follow their flight live on the moving map, for example, receive information on connecting flights, use the chat assistant for service questions, download e-journals, browse the Worldshop or view the onboard menu.

Forward-Looking Statements

French Ministry of Interior orders 42 Airbus H145 helicopters

January 24, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Marignane, France, January 24, 2023 – The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) ordered 42 new Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) H145 helicopters at the end of 2023, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, with deliveries set to start in 2024. Of these 42 helicopters, 36 are destined for the French rescue and emergency response agency, Securite Civile, while the French law enforcement agency, Gendarmerie Nationale, will use six. The contract includes an option for a further 22 H145’s for the Gendarmerie Nationale and a range of support and service solutions from training to spare parts, as well as a complete initial support package for the aircraft.

The Securite Civile currently operates four five-bladed H145’s that were ordered in 2020 and 2021. The 36 H145’s will progressively replace the 33 EC145’s currently in operation for rescue and air medical transport services throughout France.

The six H145’s will initiate the renewal of the Gendarmerie’s fleet, composed of Ecureuils, EC135’s and EC145’s. They will be equipped with an electro-optical system and a mission computer to perform the most demanding law enforcement missions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Sierra Space advances its Commercial Space Station Technology

January 23, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Louisville, Colorado, January 22, 2024 – Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully designing, manufacturing, assembling and testing its first full-scale, expandable space station structure, alongside exclusive softgoods technology partner ILC Dover.

By the Numbers:

Company’s first stress test of a full-size, inflatable space station structure
Test unit stood over 20’ tall and was comparable in size to an average family home
The article was 300 m³ in volume, or 1/3^rd the volume of the Intl. Space Station
Test results exceeded NASA’s recommended x4 safety levels by 27%

The pressure shell for Sierra Space’s LIFE™ (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) habitat is made of expandable “softgoods,” or woven fabrics that perform like a rigid structure once inflated. During an Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) test, the teams inflate the test article until it fails, which helps determine how strong its softgoods materials would be under extreme stresses in the harsh environment of space. The full-scale unit in this test reached 77 psi before it burst, which well exceeds (+27%) NASA’s recommended level of 60.8 psi (maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four).

Saudia transports 30 million guests in 2023

January 23, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Jeddah – Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has continued its transformation in 2023 with the transportation of over 30 million guests, which marks a 21% increase compared to the previous year, and the operation of more than 176.3 thousand flights, demonstrating a 4% increase. While transit flights witnessed a growth of 77% in 2023 compared to the year 2019.

These accomplishments are a result of Saudia’s strategic enhancements to its operational model, which focused on increasing seat capacity and flights frequency while fostering operational efficiency to achieve an overall on-time performance of 86.44% in 2023 which is among the top 10 globally.

Internationally, Saudia has played a pivotal role in connecting the world to the Kingdom by transporting over 16.7 million passengers through its international flight network, marking a substantial 36% increase. The airline operated more than 79.4 thousand international flights, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Saudia has also registered a 26% increase in flight hours with 382 thousand flight hours in 2023.

Domestically, Saudia continued to serve the Kingdom by transporting over 13.5 million passengers, showcasing a 7% growth compared to previous year. Moreover, 55% of the total flights operated, totaling 96.9 thousand flights, were dedicated to the domestic destinations, accumulating 163 thousand flight hours.

Saudia has also inaugurated operations to the Red Sea International Airport in 2023, alongside the launch of several international stations including Beijing, China, Birmingham, UK, and Johannesburg, South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its global reach across various continents.

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