Tag: cities (Page 2 of 4)

Airbus Reveals the Next Generation of CityAirbus

September 21, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France 21 September 2021 – Airbus (OTC: EADSY) has announced plans for a new CityAirbus at the Company’s first #AirbusSummit on “Pioneering Sustainable Aerospace” as the emerging Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market begins firming up. Ushering in the next generation of CityAirbus, the fully electric vehicle is equipped with fixed wings, a V-shaped tail, and eight electrically powered propellers as part of its uniquely designed distributed propulsion system. It is designed to carry up to four passengers in a zero emissions flight in multiple applications.

CityAirbus is being developed to fly with a 80 km range and to reach a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it perfectly suited for operations in major cities for a variety of missions.

Sound levels are a key factor for an urban mission; Airbus’ extensive expertise in noise-friendly designs is driving CityAirbus’ sound levels below 65 dB(A) during fly-over and below 70 dB(A) during landing. It is optimized for hover and cruise efficiency, while not requiring moving surfaces or tilting parts during transition. The CityAirbus NextGen meets the highest certification standards (EASA SC-VTOL Enhanced Category). Designed with simplicity in mind, CityAirbus NextGen will offer best-in-class economic performance in operations and support.

Airbus is benefitting from years of dedicated research, innovation, two electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) demonstrators, and development on sound technology across its portfolio of products, as well as decades of experience in certifying aircraft. The Vahana and CityAirbus demonstrators have jointly conducted 242 flight and ground tests and have flown around 1,000 km in total. Furthermore, Airbus has used extensive subscale flight testing and wind tunnel campaigns and has leveraged its computing and modelling power. CityAirbus NextGen is in a detailed design phase right now and the prototype’s first flight is planned for 2023.

Beyond the vehicle, Airbus is working with partners, cities, and city inhabitants in order to create the ecosystem that is essential to enabling this new operating environment to emerge in a true service to society.

Qantas Adds Seven New Routes, Puts Dreamliner on Domestic Route

May 24, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Qantas customers can now book seven new domestic routes and travel on more widebody aircraft between major capital cities to help meet strong demand for domestic travel across Australia.

The new routes – Townsville to Adelaide/Melbourne/Sydney, Adelaide to Cairns/Hobart, Sydney-Uluru and Perth-Gold Coast – provide direct connections and reduce travel time for customers. They bring the total number of routes Qantas and Jetstar have added since the start of the pandemic to 45.

Five of the routes will be operated by Embraer E190 regional jets as part of QantasLink’s partnership with Alliance Airlines. The first Qantas flights operated by the 94-seat E190s took off today between Adelaide, Darwin and Alice Springs.

Customers will also see more widebody aircraft with Business Suites on flights between the East Coast capital cities into Perth and Darwin.

Usually used for long haul international flights including Perth-London, the 236-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will begin operating up to nine Sydney to Perth flights per week.

Widebody Qantas Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which serviced international routes into Asia, will operate on more flights into Darwin from Sydney and Brisbane, and also into Perth from Sydney and Melbourne. These will be added to the A330s already flying on east-west routes.

The additional flying will see Qantas’ capacity exceed 100 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the coming months and the Group’s market share around 70 per cent.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said the new routes would support the growing demand for domestic tourism.

NEW ROUTES

Route	Start Date	Return flights per week	Aircraft
Adelaide – Townsville	August 2021	3 per week	E190
Adelaide – Cairns	August 2021	4 per week	E190
Adelaide – Hobart	September 2021	Up to 7 per week	E190
Sydney – Townsville	September 2021	7 per week	E190
Melbourne – Townsville	September 2021	7 per week	E190
Perth – Gold Coast	September 2021	3 per week	B737
Sydney – Uluru	March 2022	5 per week	B737

Fares are available from today with Qantas offering special fares including $139 on Adelaide-Hobart, $179 on Sydney-Townsville and $229 Perth-Gold Coast. Special fares are available at qantas.com or through Travel Agents, until 11:59pm 27 May, unless sold out prior.

The new flights add to Jetstar’s existing services across six of the routes, providing a range of travel options for Qantas Group customers.

ADDITIONAL WIDEBODY FLYING

Route	Added or upgauged flights	Aircraft	Total weekly flights (all aircraft)
Sydney-Perth	Up to 9 per week	787 Dreamliner	34
Up to 4 per week	A330
Melbourne-Perth	Up to 24 per week	A330	37
Sydney-Darwin	Up to 7 per week	A330	12
Brisbane-Darwin	Up to 3 per week	A330	9

Aeromexico Cargo Inaugurates Route Between Wuhan, China and Mexico City

May 10, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Aeromexico Cargo inaugurated a direct route between the Wuhan-Tianhe International Airport and the Mexico City International Airport for exclusive cargo transportation. This was celebrated at an event held at Wuhan airport, in the presence of the Mexican Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, airport authorities and airline business partners.

The route will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which has a load capacity of more than 30 tons or 130 m3, depending on the type of cargo.

Wuhan is one of the fastest growing cities in China and has become a hub for air transport in the central region of the country. The growth of e-commerce, medical supplies and high-tech products shipping from this city to the rest of the world, has been exponential during the last year reaching more than a 500% increase. Due to its infrastructure, the Wuhan airport stood out in the first position among 22 other airports in China in the ranking of passenger transport in the country.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Aeromexico Cargo has completed more than 235 exclusive cargo flights from China to Mexico and 16 other countries, transporting more than 4,000 tons of essential medical supplies. All these operations represented more than 8,000 hours of flight and 6 million kilometers traveled, which is equivalent to travel 170 times around the world.

Aeromexico Cargo can operate in more than 40 airports in Mexico and in multiple international destinations in the US, Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Europe. The most common cargo is perishable products, live animals, high-value goods, technology, medicines, and medical supplies, among others.

Stadler Wins Tender to Deliver 59 Trains to Spanish State-Owned Rail Operator RENFE

March 9, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

The Spanish state-owned rail operator RENFE has awarded Stadler a contract to deliver 59 commuter trains, which also includes the spare parts and maintenance for 15 years. This award is one of the batches in the bidding for the high-capacity trains tendered by the Spanish operator. Stadler proposes to maximize the capacity by using double-deck coaches with a scalable length from 100 to 120 meters and from 160 to 240 meters. The Iberian-gauge trains will operate on 3 kV DC overhead lines reaching a maximum speed of 140 km/h. They will provide the commuter service in the largest Spanish cities.

This is the first time that RENFE will order trains from Stadler. The new trains shall be developed and produced in Stadler’s plant in Valencia. The contract envisages an option for 44 additional units as well as their maintenance.

Iñigo Parra, CEO Stadler Valencia, said: “We’re excited about the decision from RENFE and their trust in Stadler. We were chosen to provide trains in our factory in Spain for the Spanish commuter service – this makes us proud.”

Stadler Cal Train rendering of the double decker coaches

Mesa Air Group Reports January 2021 Operating Performance

February 19, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Mesa-2-18-21

Qantas Group Targets Domestic Growth with Alliance Airlines Capacity Deal

February 3, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

A new deal with Alliance Airlines will help the Qantas Group meet an expected surge in local tourism demand once the country moves beyond sudden COVID-related border closures. Alliance will provide the QantasLink network with flexible capacity using its recently acquired Embraer E190 aircraft – a 94 seat jet with a five hour range that is well suited to linking regional centres with smaller capital cities.

Initial routes that Alliance will fly are expected to include Adelaide–Alice Springs, Darwin–Alice Springs and Darwin–Adelaide. Passengers can expect an increase in frequency made possible by the size, range and economics of the E190 compared to the Boeing 737’s that are currently used on these routes; the 737’s will be redeployed elsewhere in Australia as part an ongoing ‘right aircraft, right route’ approach to the Group’s network.

Qantas has signed a three year deal with Alliance to access three E190’s based in Darwin and Adelaide. The timing will depend on the rate of recovery in travel demand but is currently expected to start in June 2021, once the vast majority of the Qantas Domestic flying has returned to pre-COVID levels.

The agreement also provides flexibility to access an additional 11 (for a total of 14) E190 regional jets, but also to switch off some (or all) of this capacity, depending on market conditions.

CEO of QantasLink, John Gissing, said the deal reflected the kind of flexibility needed to respond to opportunities without committing any capital.

The E190 offers 10 seats in Business Class and 84 seats in Economy, with a range of about 4,500 kilometres.

Qantas owns just under 20 per cent of Alliance Airlines.

KCS Announces Fourth Quarter 2020 Earnings Release and Conference Call Time

January 18, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) will release its fourth quarter 2020 financial results on Friday, January 22, 2021, before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

KCS will also hold its fourth quarter 2020 earnings conference call on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. eastern time. Shareholders and other interested parties are invited to participate via live webcast or telephone. To participate in the live webcast and to view accompanying presentation materials, please log into investors.kcsouthern.com immediately prior to the presentation. To join the teleconference, please call (844) 308-6428 from the U.S., or (412) 317-5409 from all other countries.

A replay of the presentation will be available by calling (877) 344-7529 from the U.S., (855) 669-9658 from Canadaor (412) 317-0088 from all other countries and entering conference ID 10150484. The webcast replay and presentation materials will be archived on the company’s website.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Southern is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances with other North American rail partners are primary components of a unique railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. More information about KCS can be found at www.kcsouthern.com.

Siemens Mobility SignsMoU to Install Egypt’s First High-Speed Rail System

January 17, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Agreement comprises a rail system with a network of around 1000km – first being a 460km project valued around 3bn$
Turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction project including 15 years of services
Siemens Mobility to provide high-speed and regional trains, locomotives, rail infrastructure, system integration and other services

The National Authority for Tunnels, a governmental authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport of Egypt, and Siemens Mobility have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – together with the local companies Orascom Construction S.A.E. and The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) – to design, install and commission Egypt’s first ever high-speed rail transportation system. Additionally, Siemens Mobility will be providing maintenance services. The agreement comprises a rail system with a network of 1000km, with the first being a 460km high-speed line. The order value of this initial high-speed line is around 3bn$.

The MoU was signed by Essam Waly, Chairman of Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels, and Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility, in a meeting on January 14, 2021 in Cairo. This was witnessed by His excellency, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, His excellency, Minister of Transport Egypt Kamel Al Wazir, as well as Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser and Siemens Deputy CEO Roland Busch.

The first 460 km long high-speed line will connect the vastly developing cities of El-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea to Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea, while also passing through the New Administrative Capital. The line will also be operable for freight transport purposes which will further foster economic growth in the region.

Siemens Mobility is the global leader in high-speed rail operations and is one of the leading companies in the Egyptian mobility market since the 1960s. The company has also extensive experience in delivering high-speed rail projects in the Middle East and Africa region.

As a leading global rail turnkey project provider with a proven track record of delivering projects on time, Siemens Mobility integrates its portfolio elements and delivers complete rail systems reliably and from one single source. So far, the company has successfully completed around 50 turnkey projects all over the world – delivering many ahead of schedule. Latest projects include the Extension of the Blue Line metro in Bangkok finished last year and the Copenhagen Light Rail project.

For further information about Siemens Mobility, please see: www.siemens.com/mobility

Allegiant Airlines Announces Major Service Expansion

January 15, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announces 21 new nonstop routes, including nine routes to three new cities: Portland, Oregon; Key West, Florida, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Included as part of today’s announcement are eight routes that were delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today, travelers are seeking destinations that allow them the chance to recreate in a safe way, usually outdoors,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s vice president of revenue and planning. “The three cities we’re adding to our network – Key West, Portland and Jackson Hole – are gateways to some of the United States’ most scenic destinations, including national parks and other outdoor attractions that are in high demand.”

New service from Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) includes:

Los Angeles, California via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – beginning June 2, 2021.
Phoenix, Arizona via Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) – beginning June 2, 2021.
Las Vegas, Nevada via McCarran International Airport (LAS) – beginning June 4, 2021.
Reno, Nevada via Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) – beginning June 4, 2021.

New service from Key West International Airport (EYW) includes:

Nashville, Tennessee via Nashville International Airport (BNA) – beginning June 2, 2021.
Sanford, Florida via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) – beginning June 4, 2021.

New service from Portland International Airport (PDX) includes:

Santa Maria, California via Santa Maria Airport (SMX) – beginning April 15, 2021.
Monterey, California via Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) – beginning May 28, 2021.
Idaho Falls, Idaho via Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – beginning May 28, 2021.

New service from General Wayne A. Downing International Airport (PIA) includes:

Sarasota, Florida via Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – beginning May 27, 2021.
Denver, Colorado via Denver International Airport (DEN) – beginning May 28, 2021.

The new route to/from Charleston, South Carolina via Charleston International Airport (CHS) includes:

Belleville, Illinois/ St. Louis, Missouri via MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) – beginning May 28, 2021.

The new route to/from Baltimore, Maryland via Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) includes:

Punta Gorda, Florida via Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) – beginning May 27, 2021.

In addition to these new routes, Allegiant is announcing new dates for eight routes that were postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The rescheduled routes to Norfolk International Airport (ORF) include:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania via Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – beginning June 3, 2021.
Columbus, Ohio via Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) – beginning June 3, 2021.

The rescheduled route to Nashville, Tennessee via Nashville International Airport (BNA) includes:

Greensboro, North Carolina via Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) – beginning June 3, 2021.

The rescheduled route to/from Boston, Massachusetts via Boston Logan International Airport(BOS) includes:

Grand Rapids, Michigan via Gerald R. Ford Airport (GRR) – beginning March 5, 2021.

The rescheduled route to/from Louisville, Kentucky via Louisville International Airport (SDF)includes:

Charleston, South Carolina via Charleston International Airport (CHS) – beginning May 28, 2021.

The rescheduled route to/from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina via Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) includes:

Knoxville, Tennessee via McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – beginning June 2, 2021.

The rescheduled routes to/from Hudson Valley, New York via New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) include:

Destin, Florida via Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) – beginning June 13, 2021.
Savannah, Georgia via Savannah International Airport (SAV) – beginning May 26, 2021.

Optional baggage charges and additional restrictions may apply. For more details, optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com

Air Malta Launches Lifeline Schedule as Europe COVID-19 Situation Worsens

January 15, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Air Malta has launched its second ‘lifeline schedule’, following the worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic all over Europe. The schedule, intended to ensure essential passenger and cargo connectivity to and from the Maltese Islands to key airports, will commence on Wednesday 27th January.

For now, the lifeline schedule is being introduced until the end of February, however, following evaluations in the coming weeks on developments throughout Europe, Air Malta will consider whether to extend it further.

The National Airline has been at the forefront in efforts to ensure essential passenger connectivity to selected major European cities as well as a continuous connectivity for cargo, mail and essential medical supplies including the COVID-19 vaccine and other resources that are critical to the Islands’ supply chain. It is intended to guarantee peace of mind and stability for the Islands during these uncertain and testing times.

Air Malta will be operating 19 weekly return flights to eight destinations: Amsterdam, Brussels, Catania, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Rome and Zurich with the below schedule:

The Airline will continue making changes to its flight schedule to maximize capacity whilst ensuring connectivity.

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