Image from Airbus

Farnborough International Airshow, United Kingdom, July 22, 2024 – Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a fully owned subsidiary of the state holding company Druk Holding and Investments Limited (DHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 3 A320neo and 2 A321XLR aircraft to expand its international network.

The new aircraft are anticipated to start delivery in 2030. The airline plans to fly these aircraft out of Paro International Airport and the new airport at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), envisioned to become Bhutan’s futuristic economic hub. From here, Drukair will expand its connectivity to Europe, South East Asia and Australia.

Drukair already operates four Airbus A320 Family aircraft consisting of three A319s and one A320.

Image from Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Batik Air Malaysia have enhanced their cooperation with the launch of a codeshare partnership to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines.

Etihad’s guests can now seamlessly access eight domestic and international locations via Batik’s hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), enjoying the combined services and networks of both carriers on a single ticket.

The agreement now allows Etihad guests to conveniently travel to five new domestic codeshare destinations in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau; along with three international points, Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam, and Perth in Australia.

Dallas, Texas, July 17, 2024 – Southwest Airlines Company (NYSE: LUV) today submitted its response to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking new, daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS). In addition to numerous letters from political, community, and business leaders, more than half of the public comments filed with the DOT so far are in favor of Southwest’s application.

Southwest is vying for one of five new round-trip flights made available at DCA through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Southwest has worked closely with the Clark County Department of Aviation, the owner/operator of the LAS airport.

The DCA to LAS route is underserved with only one nonstop flight per day operated by another airline. If DOT awards a pair of slots at DCA to Southwest, the Texas-based airline will provide the first ever head-to-head competition in the DCA-LAS nonstop market. Southwest has demonstrated throughout its 53-year history that new low-cost airline competition will stimulate lower average fares and more passenger traffic and economic growth. The route would provide consumers with more options for travel across the western United States, including in Nevada, California, and Hawaii.

Southwest’s application also proposes to provide the only one-stop, same-plane/no change service between DCA and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) via LAS. The direct flight between California’s capital and the nation’s capital would maximize the competitive and consumer benefits of the DCA route. Today, no nonstop or direct service exists between DCA and SMF.

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.

Hollister, CA & Kemble, United Kingdom, July 17, 2024 – Clean fuel supplier Ryze today announced that it is partnering with ground-breaking zero-emission aviation firm ZeroAvia to provide hydrogen for use in engine and flight testing at its UK base at Cotswold Airport.

This latest deal further underlines the growing infrastructure in the hydrogen sector, with a raft of deals ensuring regular supply for key transport, mobility and industrial customers.

ZeroAvia, recently named top in Time Magazine’s list of… Click the link to read the full story! —> Ryze partners with ZeroAvia

Image from Boeing

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 16, 2024, PRNewswire – Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Emirates SkyCargo today announced an order for five additional 777 Freighters as the operator again picks the world’s most capable twin-engine freighter to meet growing cargo demand. The new purchase takes Emirates’ order book to 245 Boeing widebody airplanes, including 10 777 Freighters.

Emirates SkyCargo is the cargo division of Emirates, the world’s largest international airline. Its investment in the 777 Freighter will boost main deck cargo capacity 30% by 2026. In all, Emirates’ freighter fleet will grow to 17 airplanes, including 777 Freighters, 777 converted freighters and 747 Freighters.

The 777 Freighter can fly further (9,200 kilometers / 4,970 nautical miles) and carry more freight (102 metric tons / 112 tons) than any other twin-engine cargo jet. This range and payload capability allows operators to offer more long-range, nonstop flights to connect markets such as the Middle East with the U.S. and Europe – linking critical high-value cargo markets without refueling.

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.

Image from Boeing

Seattle, Washington, July 15, 2024, PRNewswire – Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) announced today the airplane lessor has finalized an order for 35 737 MAX jets, including 16 737-8 and 19 of the larger 737-10 variant. Following an incremental 737 MAX order last year, this new purchase increases ACG’s 737 MAX commitment to 82 orders as ACG grows its portfolio to meet customer demand for fuel-efficient airplanes.

The 737-8 can carry up to 210 passengers based on configuration with a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km), while the 737-10, the largest 737 MAX model with the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane, seats up to 230 passengers with a range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km). Both variants reduce fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace.

On average, each 737 MAX saves up to eight million pounds of CO₂ emissions annually and is a quieter airplane, with a 50% smaller noise footprint than the airplanes it replaces.

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.

Image from Qantas

Perth, Australia, July 14, 2024 – Qantas has taken off for Paris, France this evening, launching new flights connecting Australia and France. The new direct flights between Perth and Paris marks the return of Flying Kangaroo service to the “City of Light” for the first time in 20 years. The route will cut around three hours off the current fastest travel time between the two cities and is the longest non-stop flight to France from anywhere in the world.

Flights will initially operate four times per week over the busy European summer and Olympic and Paralympics before moving to three services per week from mid-August. The new route will add an additional 75,000 seats between Australia and Europe each year.

The new service will be operated on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which has been specially designed for long-haul travel, with all passengers benefitting from large windows, high cabin humidity and relaxing mood lighting to help them feel more refreshed when they land.