Category: Transportation News (Page 6 of 234)

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

QANTAS to fly from Darwin to Singapore

January 16, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Qantas has announced it is launching a second international route from Darwin, with direct flights from the Northern Territory to Singapore.

Commencing in December, the new Qantas flights will add more than 60,000 seats on the route each year and provide visitors to Australia with a convenient gateway to access to some iconic Top End experiences.

The flights will provide Territorians with a direct Qantas option to Singapore and also a seamless connection to London on QF1, as well as other destinations across Europe or Asia with partner airlines. Qantas customers travelling from Darwin will save around five hours in flying time by no longer having to fly via other Australian capital cities to get to London.

Starting on December 9, 2024, flights will initially operate five days per week with the dual-class Embraer E190 aircraft. Service will increasing to daily starting in March of 2025.* The new route has been made possible by the establishment of the E190 base at Darwin Airport, with the size, range and economics of the aircraft opening up routes that that wouldn’t be viable with larger aircraft, including the launch of international flights to Dili in 2022.

Cargolux launches aerial firefighting unit

January 16, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Luxembourg, 12 January 2024 – Cargolux is pleased to announce that it has launched a new business unit, Aquarius Aerial Firefighting (Aquarius AFF). This new venture marks a new chapter in Cargolux’ history.

The aerial firefighting unit will operate a fleet of 12 Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft which will be acquired over a three-year period. The first 3 aircraft have already been delivered. These three aircraft are expected to be ready for deployment by May 2024. Through its entrance into this activity, Aquarius AFF will alleviate some of the capacity shortfall for aerial firefighting in Europe and further afield.

Aquarius AFF aims to provide assistance in the fight against devastating wildfires that threaten human lives, natural resources and significantly contributes to global CO2 emissions. Cargolux is strongly committed to sustainability and this new venture will enable the company to lead a solution-oriented project, tackling one of the root causes of CO2 emissions.

Aquarius AFF will build on Cargolux’ experience and high safety standards to develop its aerial firefighting activity. True to its pioneering spirit, Cargolux is venturing into new territory for an all-cargo airline.

HEINEKEN picks Siemens for decarbonization program

January 16, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

HEINEKEN, the world’s most international brewer, has selected Siemens as a partner for its global Net Zero Production roadmap, as part of HEINEKEN’s ambitions to reach net zero in Scopes 1 and 2 across all production sites by 2030.*

Siemens and HEINEKEN will work together on a long-term decarbonization program which will see Siemens implementing solutions and services from its Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, to reduce energy usage at more than 15 HEINEKEN beer and malt production sites, spanning facilities across Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe. Additional sites will be added in a second phase.

HEINEKEN and Siemens collaborated on an initial project of consulting, auditing, and advisory services, using an energy digital twin to simulate and analyze a typical HEINEKEN brewery in the virtual world, identifying where significant energy savings could be made. The simulation showed approximately 70 percent of energy use was linked to the generation of heating and cooling necessary for the brewing process. By optimizing and monitoring these cooling and heating systems through an end-to-end program, Siemens estimates energy savings of between 15-20 percent at each site, and an average CO2 reduction of 50 percent at each site.

Lufthansa Group plans to hire 13,000 new people in 2024

January 16, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) plans to hire around 13,000 new employees for a wide range of professions in 2024. New colleagues for the cockpit and cabin, technicians and new colleagues in IT are particularly sought after. However, jobs are also being advertised in other areas, such as ground staff at the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. It is planned to recruit more than 3,500 people in the cabin and around 1,000 for the cockpit. In addition, around 2,000 technicians, roughly 800 trainees and approximately 900 IT experts are to join the Lufthansa Group.

Lufthansa recruited more than 13,000 new employees in 2023. In total, over 95,000 people are currently working for the Lufthansa Group in more than 90 countries. Job vacancies and other career opportunities are available on the company career website www.lufthansagroup.careers.

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