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Mesa Air Group First Scheduled Airline to Launch U.S. Drone Delivery Business

RENO, Nev., Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA), has signed an agreement with aerospace technology company Flirtey to order 4 delivery drones, with an option to order an additional 500 aircraft. The agreement marks Mesa becoming the first scheduled airline to launch drone delivery in the U.S.

Mesa and Flirtey are initially focusing on the last-mile food delivery industry, enabling Mesa to expand beyond the global airlines market and into the global food service market. The immediate goal of the partnership is to conduct commercial drone deliveries in the last-mile food and beverage market in the U.S. The parties plan to expand the drone delivery service in the U.S. and New Zealand.

With this agreement, Flirtey, the aircraft designer and manufacturer, is supplying it’s best-in-class technology including the Flirtey Eagle, an electric powered, advanced drone that conducts precision delivery to homes and businesses, and Flirtey’s autonomous software platform that conducts autonomous flight operations, for Mesa to operate commercial drone delivery.

The partnership will prioritize operational excellence and data collection, enabling rapid expansion with Mesa’s operational experience as a leading regional air carrier with approximately 450 daily departures across the U.S. and Flirtey’s technical experience having conducted over 6,000 drone delivery flights in the U.S. with its technology protected by over 1,000 patents claims issued and pending in the U.S. and worldwide. Flirtey recently expanded production of delivery drones to meet growing demand. Flirtey’s aircraft are made in USA.

Allegiant Airlines Announces Major Service Expansion

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:

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

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

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

New service from Portland International Airport (PDX) includes:

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

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

  1. Sarasota, Florida via Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – beginning May 27, 2021.
  2. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

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

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

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. Destin, Florida via Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) – beginning June 13, 2021.
  2. 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

Tesla to Slash Headcount at Nevada Gigafactory by 75%

BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) – U.S. electric carmaker Tesla Inc <TSLA> plans to slash on-site staff at its Nevada battery plant by around 75% due to the coronavirus pandemic, the local county manager said on Thursday.

The move comes after its Japanese battery partner Panasonic Corp <6752.T> said it would scale down operations at the Nevada factory this week before closing it for 14 days.

The factory produces electric motors and battery packs for Tesla’s popular Model 3 sedans.

“Tesla has informed us that the Gigafactory in Storey County is reducing on-site staff by roughly 75% in the coming days,” Austin Osborne said in a post on the county’s website.

No further details were available and it was not clear how many employees work in the factory. Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Reno Gazette Journal, which earlier reported the planned suspension, said Panasonic has about 3,500 employees at the Nevada plant.

Tesla said last week it would temporarily suspend production at its vehicle factory in San Francisco Bay Area from end of March 23, as well as at its New York solar roof tile factory.

However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company will reopen the New York plant “as soon as humanly possible” to manufacture ventilators for coronavirus patients.

Two employees of Tesla have tested positive for coronavirus but have been working from home for the past two weeks and had not been symptomatic at work, Tesla said in an email to employees on Thursday. It did not disclose which unit or at what location the employees work.

(Reporting by Yilei Sun and Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Himani Sarkar)

Caesars Entertainment and VICI Properties Inc. Announce Sale of Harrah’s Reno

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.

Boeing Makes ‘Significant Investment’ in Aerion Supersonic Jet

Boeing announced a partnership with Aerion, a Reno, Nev.-based company pioneering next-generation supersonic aircraft.

February 05, 2019 in Technology, Innovation

Boeing announced a partnership with Aerion, a Reno, Nev.-based company pioneering next-generation supersonic aircraft.

As part of the agreement, Boeing made a significant investment in Aerion to accelerate technology development and aircraft design, and unlock supersonic air travel for new markets.

“Boeing is leading a mobility transformation that will safely and efficiently connect the world faster than ever before,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt. “This is a strategic and disciplined leading-edge investment in further maturing supersonic technology. Through this partnership that combines Aerion’s supersonic expertise with Boeing’s global industrial scale and commercial aviation experience, we have the right team to build the future of sustainable supersonic flight.”

Boeing will provide engineering, manufacturing and flight test resources, as well as strategic vertical content, to bring Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet to market.

The AS2 is designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 1.4 or approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) per hour. With the ability to fly up to 70 percent faster than today’s business jets, the AS2 will save approximately three hours on a transatlantic flight.

The aircraft is slated for first flight in 2023.

The AS2 is designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 1.4 or approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) per hour. Aerion Corp.

Story and image from http://www.boeing.com

California Pacific Flights To Las Vegas & Mesa Set To Begin

California Pacific, the new airline with a string of false starts, is finally up and running. After launching flights on November 1st between its home base of Carlsbad, California and San Jose, Reno and Las Vegas, the airline is now set to start flights November 15th to both Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, and Las Vegas. 

Mesa Gateway is coming off a record September with its fifth consecutive month of record-setting passenger activity. The secondary airport in the “Valley of the Sun” is now gearing up for a number of additional airlines set to arrive in time for the 2018 holiday season. In addition to California Pacific, Canadian low-cost carriers Flair Air and Swoop will also be starting flights this winter. The airport will soon be serving 47 different destinations via 5 different airlines.

In October, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority announced that two brand new privately funded hangars would soon be built at the airport. This should lead to increased private and business operations out of the airport. Construction of new office space is also on the agenda, as the airport authority seeks to continue the momentum of its expanding operations.

Image from www.mycpair.com

JetBlue expanding operations from Long Beach Airport

JetBlue expanding its operations from Long Beach Airport in California. The airline will be increasing the number of destinations and flights from its Long Beach Airport hub, which serves as the airlines focus city in southern California. JetBlue’s growth comes on the heals of the announcement of three new slots recent award to the air carrier at Long Beach. JetBlue will also increase its utilization of existing slots at the airport, increasing the number of nonstop cities served by one to twelve.

JetBlue expanding to Reno, Nevada

JetBlue will begin a new nonstop route from Long Beach to the northern Nevada city of Reno on the 15th of August with one daily flight. The flight will depart Long Beach at 12:15pm and arrive in Reno at 1:30pm operating as flight 42. The return service back will depart Reno at 2:15 pm and arrive back in southern California at 3:40 pm. As far as the increase in flight frequencies goes, JetBlue will adding daily flights on several of its current routes to meet increased customer demand. These increased frequencies include more flights to the Bay Area. The airline will add one extra daily flight to San Francisco International Airport beginning on the 15th of August, and an additional flight to Oakland International Airport beginning on the 16th of August. This will give JetBlue four daily roundtrips to both airports. The airline will also add another daily flight to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport beginning on the 15th of August. The new flights will be operated by additional Airbus A320 aircraft.

JetBlue expanding

Image from www.jetblue.com

Experience JetBlue with free snacks and drinks, nonstop entertainment, tons of legroom, and award winning service. There’s nothing but blue skies ahead.

For an upgraded flying experience, try JetBlue’s Mint service. Mint is a refreshing new premium option on coast to coast service. Mint service includes full lie flat seats, artisan dining options, top notch service, and revitalizing amenities that make sure you arrive in mint condition.