Air New Zealand will restart flights to and from Taupo and Timaru on 8 June.
Lake Taupo, New Zealand
The airline has started operating to the majority of its domestic ports with the country’s move to Alert Level 2.
Air New Zealand General Manager Networks Scott Carr says the airline has been encouraged by the customer response to its recently released schedule.
“We’re pleased to be able to restart both our Taupo-Auckland and Timaru-Wellington routes early next month and we know this news will be welcomed by these towns and their wider regions.
Timaru, New Zealand
“Bringing Taupo and Timaru back into our domestic schedule means we’ll soon operate to all 20 of the domestic destinations we serviced pre COVID-19, albeit with reduced frequencies.”
Initially the airline will operate three return services a week between Taupo and Auckland on Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as three return services per week between Timaru and Wellington also on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Additional frequencies will be reintroduced back into Air New Zealand’s domestic schedule as demand permits.
Boeing is extending the temporary suspension of production operations at all Puget Sound area and Moses Lake sites until further notice. These actions are being taken in light of the company’s continuing focus on the health and safety of employees, current assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in Washington state, the reliability of the supply chain and additional recommendations from government health authorities.
During the suspension, the company will continue to implement additional health and safety measures at its facilities to protect employees. These measures include new visual cues to encourage physical distancing, more frequent and thorough cleaning of work and common areas and staggering shift times to reduce the flow of employees arriving and departing work, among many other improvements.
“The health and safety of our employees, their families and our communities is our shared priority,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal. “We will take this time to continue to listen to our incredible team and assess applicable government direction, the spread of the coronavirus in the community and the reliability of our suppliers to ensure we are ready for a safe and orderly return to operations.”
The volunteers who have been supporting essential site and services work should continue to report to their assigned shifts. Puget Sound area and Moses Lake employees who can work from home should continue to do so.
As the suspension of operations continues, Boeing will monitor government guidance and actions on COVID-19 and associated impact on all company operations. Boeing sites that remain open are being monitored and assessed on a daily basis.
Travellers in the US are set to enjoy more choice in the air, with the formal launch of Breeze Airways announced last week.
Previously known by the code name “Moxy”, the new airline is the brainchild of experienced airline executive David Neeleman, who is renowned for having established four successful airlines during his career.
With the experience of establishing the likes of Morris Air, WestJet, Jet Blue and Azul, each of Neeleman’s new entrants are notable for introducing a variety of innovations to the market.
Today considered commonplace; leading customer experience improvements include e-ticketed bookings, inflight TV streaming and the opening up of routes to city pairs previously not served by existing carriers.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ:CZR) (“Caesars Entertainment” or “Caesars”) and VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI) (“VICI Properties” or “VICI”) today announced they have signed an agreement to sell Harrah’s Reno Hotel and Casino (“Harrah’s Reno”) to an affiliate of CAI Investments (the “Buyer”) for $50 million. The proceeds of the transaction shall be split 75% to VICI and 25% to Caesars, while the annual rent payments under the Non-CPLV Master Lease between Caesars and VICI will remain unchanged.
Under the terms of the agreement, Caesars will continue to operate the property upon closing of the transaction pursuant to a short-term lease with the Buyer, which will allow Caesars to cease operations at the property during the second half of 2020. At the end of the term, Caesars will deliver the property to the Buyer to be redeveloped into a non-gaming hotel and mixed-use development.
“We recognize the long legacy of Harrah’s in Reno, where the brand began 82 years ago and our role in the community. We are pleased the Buyer is committed to the community and supports the redevelopment of this wonderful asset. We have worked closely with the Buyer to provide a reasonable closure plan that allows our great staff in Reno ample time to secure their next jobs, including priority consideration for relevant openings at our other properties in Nevada, including Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas,” said Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
“The sale of Harrah’s Reno demonstrates our ability to continuously work constructively with our tenants to improve our individual businesses. This disposition will allow VICI to optimize the quality of our real estate portfolio and redeploy the proceeds toward other attractive growth opportunities while maintaining the existing financial terms of the Non-CPLV Master Lease with Caesars,” said John Payne, President and COO of VICI Properties.
“Being originally from the Reno/Sparks community, it is with great pride that we are investing in the Reno area by redeveloping this property,” said Christopher Beavor, CEO of CAI Investments. “CAI is excited to be working with Gryphon Private Wealth Management as capital partners for the project. Kirk Walton and Philip Oleson, Principals of GPWM Opportunity Zone Funds, which will be investing the required capital for the project, believe in the long-term growth potential of Reno.”
The agreement allows for Caesars to retain its guest data and places no restrictions on Caesars’ marketing activities. Reno will continue to be part of the Caesars Rewards network during the term of the short-term lease with Buyer.
The transaction is subject to the closing of the Eldorado/Caesars combination, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
JetBlue Founder David Neeleman Selects Salt Lake City as Headquarters for New Airline
America’s newest and perhaps most innovative airline does not yet have a name, or any airplanes. But it now has a headquarters.
David Neeleman’s startup will be based in Salt Lake City, where it plans to spend a capital investment of $3.2 million and create nearly 400 jobs over the next five years, according to local authorities. In return, the state offered tax rebates worth as much as about $1.1 million over five years.
“There’s a super strong technology base, and lower cost of living than California and some of the coastal areas,” Lukas Johnson, the airline’s chief commericial said in an interview. “We want to focus more on the technology aspect of the transportation side, and it makes a lot of sense. The tech sector is booming out here.”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Thursday granted final approval for an expanded trans-Atlantic joint venture for Delta Air Lines Inc <DAL>, Air France KLM SA <AFLYY> and Virgin Atlantic.
Reuters first reported Chao’s planned tentative approval of the agreement in August. The expanded joint venture replaces two previously approved arrangements in the U.S.-United Kingdom and U.S.-Continental Europe markets and will allow for additional benefits such as more options on European flights, Chao said in a statement.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A Delta Air Lines flight is pushed put of its gate at the airport in Salt Lake City
New renderings showcase light-filled, environmentally sustainable concourse offering views of Citi Field and Flushing Bay.
New York favorites Birch Coffee, H&H Bagels and Juice Press among featured dining options from OTG.
Construction to date features 2,000 tons of steel, 50,000+ cubic yards of concrete, 40+ miles of piping, cabling and other infrastructure.
As summer begins, Delta teams are already looking ahead to the fall – and to celebrating the next major milestone in the airline’s history of investment in New York and at LaGuardia Airport.
The first of four concourses that will comprise Delta’s new state-of-the-art terminal at LGA is scheduled to open this fall, furthering the airline’s commitment to enhancing the New York customer experience from ground to air. The spacious 105,000-square-foot concourse will feature floor-to-ceiling views of Citi Field and Flushing Bay, gates that can accommodate a range of aircraft types, and dining options from favorite New York chefs and eateries.
“The historic infrastructure project underway at LaGuardia is a significant component of the more than $12 billion Delta is currently investing in airport redevelopment efforts around the country,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Our customers and employees are excited to see the LaGuardia of the future more fully come into view. Many thanks to everyone who has been working hard to launch an exciting new era for Delta in New York.”
“This new milestone in LaGuardia’s transformation brings us another step closer in converting the airport into a superb flight hub in line with New York standards,” said New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “Our collaboration with Delta in the development of this concourse and their new LaGuardia terminal is another demonstration of the effectives of public-private partnerships at work to modernize our state’s infrastructure.”
Delta operates more than 275 peak-day departures from its LGA hub and began construction of a $3.9 billion replacement of Terminals C and D in 2017, building on the airline’s extensive investment in New York airports over the past decade. When complete, the new terminal will feature 37 gates across four concourses connected by a centralized check-in lobby, security checkpoint, and baggage claim; dual taxiways that will help reduce hold outs and taxi times; a new, larger Delta Sky Club with a Sky Deck; larger gate areas and more concessions space; and more efficient airport roadways.
The large airport infrastructure project supports the significant investments Delta has also made in the skies to provide more consistency, comfort and convenience on flights to and from New York. The airline has added thousands more flights on new aircraft in the market and offers more seatback entertainment and more first class seats than any other airline out of New York City.
New dining options highlight star-powered chefs, favorite flavors of New York
Delta has again partnered with airport hospitality group OTG to bring chef-driven dining options and authentic local flavors to the new concourse. Chef Mark Iacono of Brooklyn’s Lucali consulted on Rossi Pizzeria, a Neapolitan-style pizza and calzone concept; and chefs Jess Shadbolt and Clare de Boer of King Restaurant in Soho consulted on Flatiron Tavern & Provisions, a contemporary tavern that will feature chops, burgers and fresh fish. OTG will also be introducing New York favorites Birch Coffee, H&H Bagels and Juice Press. To ensure dining offerings are relevant throughout the day, the H&H Bagels outpost – available in the morning – will transition to Rossi Pizzeria in the afternoon and evening. Each of the full-service concepts will place power outlets and USB ports at every seat, along with tablets allowing customers to track their flight, browse the web, play games, and order food, drinks and amenities.
“OTG is thrilled to have partnered on such an important project for Delta, its customers and employees, and really the city of New York,” said Rick Blatstein, OTG CEO. “The dining options we’re introducing at these dynamic concepts reflect the best of what’s available in our city, offering Delta’s LaGuardia customers the flavors we love and appreciate as New Yorkers.”
Meanwhile, Stellar Partners, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HMSHost, will design retail options for the new facility that provide a wide selection of travel essentials.
“We are very pleased to be part of Delta’s elevated and differentiated concessions program at LaGuardia Airport,” said Padraig Drennan, Stellar President & CEO. “This is truly a visionary program that will change the airport experience for New Yorkers and visitors to the city, and we could not be more excited to partner with Delta in making this vision a reality.”
Concourse construction, highlighted by unique and sustainable attributes, enters final phase
As final preparations continue for the opening of the new concourse, Delta teams recently installed passenger boarding bridges at the gates and energized the facility with permanent power. They’ve also been paving the aircraft ramp areas, testing building systems, and constructing the temporary pedestrian walkway that will connect the new concourse to Delta’s existing Terminal D. The security checkpoint in Terminal D will expand to support both concourses until the centralized check-in lobby opens in late 2021.
The new facility features a 12-megawatt Con Edison substation, which is integrated into the upper level of the concourse, providing power for the new terminal. Additionally, all major electrical and mechanical equipment is housed on the upper level to protect such systems from water damage in the event of a major storm. The concourse also features an ice-generation system that reduces electrical consumption at times of peak demand by creating ice at night, when energy demand is lower, and using it to cool the building during the day.
The opening of Delta’s first new gates represents another step forward in the comprehensive $8 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport announced by Governor Cuomo in 2015. Under the governor’s plan, old facilities are being demolished only as new facilities are completed, enabling the airport – which services 30 million passengers each year – to remain fully operational as the multi-phased construction project continues. To date, Delta’s construction features 2,000 tons of steel, more than 50,000 cubic yards of concrete, and more than 40 miles of piping, cabling and other infrastructure.
Delta has invested more than $7 billion in airport projects since 2006, and along with its airport partners, will be involved in an additional $12 billion worth of facilities infrastructure projects in coming years, including improvements in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
MARINETTE, Wis., June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 17, the future USS Indianapolis, completed Acceptance Trials in Lake Michigan. This is the ship’s final significant milestone before the ship is delivered to the U.S. Navy. LCS 17 is the ninth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led industry team and is slated for delivery to the Navy this year.
“LCS 17 is joining the second-largest class of ships in the U.S. Navy fleet, and we are proud to get the newest Littoral Combat Ship one step closer to delivery,” said Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager, Small Combatants and Ship Systems. “This ship is lethal and flexible, and we are confident that she will capably serve critical U.S. Navy missions today and in future.”
Unique among combat ships, LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore
missions and is a growing and relevant part of the Navy’s fleet.
It is flexible — with 40 percent of the hull
easily reconfigurable, LCS can be modified to integrate capabilities
including over-the-horizon missiles, advanced electronic warfare systems
and decoys.
It is fast — capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
It is lethal — standard equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.
It is automated — with the most efficient staffing of any combat ship.
The
trials included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and surface
and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat system.
Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation
support, small boat launch handling and recovery and machinery control
and automation.
“I am extremely proud of our LCS team including our shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine,” said Jan Allman,
Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO. “These are complex
vessels, and it takes a strong team effort to design, build and test
these American warships.”
SAO PAULO, June 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (“GOL” or “Company”), (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), Brazil’s premier domestic airline, announces the expansion of its flight operations to the city of Cabo Frio in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The new flights will begin in December 2019 from Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo. GOL will fly this new route with its Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft, which carry up to 138 passengers, and will be the largest capacity aircraft to operate in the Cabo Frio airport.
“As GOL is the airline that popularized air transportation in Brazil, we are always looking for new opportunities to offer convenient and comfortable flights to destinations desired by our Customers. We will be the first airline to offer direct flights from São Paulo to Rio’s Lake Region, with high demand from tourists who travel to enjoy the areas’ beautiful beaches”, says Eduardo Bernardes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
The launch will increase GOL’s destinations served to 77, with 62 in Brazil. Cabo Frio is the ninth regional destination announced by the Company this year. GOL’s new flights to the cities of Cascavel, Passo Fundo, Vitóriada Conquista, Sinop, Franca, Barretos, Araçatuba, Dourados and Cabo Frio are part of the Company’s plans to increase flights in the state of São Paulo, an initiative important for developing and incentivizing air travel in Brazil.
GOL serves more than 33 million passengers annually. With Brazil’s largest network, GOL offers customers more than 750 daily flights to 77 destinations in Brazil and in South America, the Caribbean and the United States.
The two airlines have jointly transported more than 14.4 million passengers since the Joint Cooperation Agreement launched.
Highlights include introducing eight new routes and two new joint destinations in Mexico, strengthening the network’s power in the transborder market.
Airlines have eliminated 80% percent of the differences in service and standardized processes to create a seamless travel experience.
Since Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico departed together on a journey to pioneer the first transborder airline alliance between the U.S. and Mexico, more than 14.4 million passengers have benefitted from the carriers’ integration during the last two years.
Today, Delta and Aeromexico jointly offer more than 1,100 weekly flights on 64 routes between 11 cities in Mexico and 33 in the U.S. The Joint Cooperation Agreement has launched eight new routes and two new joint destinations in Mexico, and allowed terminal co-location in 12 airports in the U.S., 10 of which are Delta hubs, and three Aeromexico hubs in Mexico.
As seamless as checking in at a Delta terminal and boarding an Aeromexico plane, “our goal is creating a familiar travel experience with standards that are common across Delta and Aeromexico. This partnership and the integration of both airlines allow us to offer a more powerful network, more benefits and standard policies, which result in a seamless service,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s Vice President— Latin America and Alliances Americas.
True to its word, the JCA has so far eliminated 80% of the differences in services and has standardized many processes, such as purchasing tickets online or benefitting from loyalty programs. On board, customers will find uniformity on Delta and Aeromexico cabins, seat selection and checked and carry-on baggage policies; parallel access to Gogo’s WiFi portal and free text messaging; as well as having Spanish-speaking crew members on all transborder flights.
“Although the integration of commercial processes, products, airports and sales teams has been a great challenge, communicating with a cohesive voice has facilitated that assimilation. While Delta and Aeromexico have distinct and unique looks, we respect each other and share the same vision: to provide the best of each to our customers,” said Paul Verhagen, Aeromexico’s Senior Vice President – International Sales.
Providing the best isn’t limited to the airport experience. From sponsoring the Mexican National Soccer Team to the Latin GRAMMY Acoustic Sessions in Miami, L.A. and Mexico City, Delta and Aeromexico are committed to supporting the communities they serve. The airlines aim to foster unity, diversity and to uphold corporate values through their sponsorships of a variety of sporting and cultural events in both Mexico and the United States.
“Such a historic alliance between two iconic airlines is about making travel between the two carriers easier for customers. By working together, we have shared and applied best practices and business solutions, bringing our individual strengths into the partnership,” added Ferri.
Delta and Aeromexico sales professionals have formed a fully integrated sales team dedicated to promoting both operators in the U.S. and Mexican markets. Routes have been increasingly added throughout the two years under the JCA, strengthening the power of the network in the transborder market.
Customers from Atlanta can enjoy nonstop access to nine cities in Mexico including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The JCA also operates direct flights from New York, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Los Angeles to multiple business and leisure points in Mexico.
Connectivity is crucial to driving business and boosting the economy of both countries, while offering customers the possibility of discovering new experiences through Delta and Aeromexico’s distinctive service in the coming years.
