Image from AP Moeller-Maersk AS

Copenhagen, Denmark/Seattle, Washington July 12, 2024 – Maersk Air Cargo (MAC) took delivery today of its first of two new Boeing 777F. It’s the first Boeing 777 owned by a Danish airline. The hand-over was celebrated at Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, USA. Maersk Air Cargo is a part of the global integrator of logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk). The arrival of Maersk’s first Boeing 777F at it’s home airport Billund in Denmark is planned for Saturday, 13 July.

Especially Maersk’s air freight customers in China and Europe will benefit from increased capacity and efficiency by the introduction of the two Boeing 777F. Both will be deployed on Maersk’s existing Europe-China route with initially three weekly flights, and later up to six weekly flights. Besides more capacity on direct routes the 777Fs will ensure shorter transit times as well as faster handling times and quality at origin and destination.

Maersk ordered the two 777Fs in November 2021 as part of the modernization of its fleet. The delivery of the second aircraft is scheduled later in Q3. Maersk Air Cargo’s owned controlled fleet will then comprise of two Boeing 777F and 20 Boeing 767F.

Image from EVA Air

EVA Air has won more accolades, this time from Travel + Leisure magazine readers as one of the World’s Best International Airlines of 2024. Based on their experiences with cabin comfort, inflight service, customer service and value, readers responding to the publication’s annual “World’s Best Awards” survey ranked EVA 10th on the list. Survey results are available on the “Travel + Leisure” website . Travelers can book EVA flights in addition to learning more about routes and services, at www.evaair.com.

“Last year, EVA carried over 11.2 million passengers. We are very grateful for the recognition and trust from passengers worldwide. We are always committed to improving service quality in addition to cooperating with many well-known brands around the world to provide comfortable onboard services,” said EVA President Clay Sun. “We will continue to introduce new aircraft and plan to equip the Boeing 787-9 with Premium Economy Class in the fourth quarter of 2024. We aim to make our flights as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for every passenger.”

EVA is one of only 10 SKYTRAX-rated 5-Star Airlines worldwide and has enjoyed this accolade for nine consecutive years. The airline has also recently won 16 separate awards, including eighth place among SKYTRAX’s “World’s Top 10 Airlines” and top spots for the “Best Premium Economy Class Airline Catering” and “Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in Asia”. It also earned AirlineRatings.com’s “Top 25 Best Airlines in the World for 2024”, and was selected as one of the top 20 safest airlines in the world.

Image from Alstom

July 10, 2024 – Alstom SA (Paris: ALSO), a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a framework agreement with Hamburger Hochbahn AG worth up to €2.8 billion. The contract covers the delivery of up to 374 new metro trains, for fully and semi-automated operation. Alstom will also equip the 25 km long and fully automated new metro line U5 with the innovative train-centric CBTC [1] system Urbalis. The first call-off under this framework agreement comprises 48 metro trains and the CBTC equipment for the first section of the U5 line, including five of the 23 new metro stations.

The framework agreement includes 254 semi-automated and 120 fully automated (GoA4[1]) metro trains, all consisting of four cars. The metro trains score with their high capacity, passenger safety and comfort thanks to modern interior design, digital passenger guidance and USB charging connections. The fully automated trains are to be used on the line U5, which is currently under construction. The semi-automated trains will gradually replace the current DT4 vehicles and run semi-automated on parts of the existing network.

The production of the new generation DT6 metros will take place at the Alstom site in Salzgitter, Germany, and is scheduled to start in 2026, with delivery of the first vehicles planned for early 2028. The start of passenger operation on the first section of the new line U5 is scheduled for 2029. The Alstom site in Berlin, Germany, is leading project execution of the digital rail segment, including signalling.

[1] Communication Based Train Control

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 Airbus

Getafe, Spain, July 10, 2024 – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ordered another four Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabia Air Force (RSAF). The first of these aircraft will enter into conversion at the beginning of 2026, and will enter service in the RSAF in 2027 to carry out air-to-air refuelling and transport missions.

The contract also includes a logistics support package with spare parts, training services and service support for the new four aircraft. All the RSAF A330 MRTT are configured with hose and drogue pods, boom system and also refuelling receptacle, which allows the A330 MRTT to be refuelled from boom-equipped tankers.

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 hilton.com

McLean, Virginia, and London, England – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (NYSE: HLT) is dramatically expanding its portfolio of luxury hotel experiences with the addition of nearly 400 boutique properties from the exquisite Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection. Starting today, hundreds of these properties will be available on all Hilton direct booking channels, including Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors app.

Joining Hilton’s prestigious luxury brand portfolio – Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Signia by Hilton – the diverse collection of participating SLH hotels offers travelers new ways of staying with Hilton in intimate spaces and unique places – from rustic huts and woodland treehouses to rainforest retreats and coastal villas.

Through the exclusive partnership, members of Hilton Honors…

Click the link to read the full story! Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World

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.

Johannesburg, South Africa, July 9, 2024 – South African Airways (SAA) is pleased to announce the re-opening of The Lounge at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha, in partnership with Discovery and Investec Bank Ltd.

This renovated premium lounge in Gqeberha follows the re-opening of the Platinum and Premium lounges that were extensively upgraded at the international departure terminal of the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Located on the first-floor mezzanine level at domestic departures, The Lounge features exceptional coffee, made by professionally trained baristas using La Marzocco espresso machines, as well as a selection of the finest South African wines and a range of fine meals.

Image from Gulfstream

Savannah, Georgia, July 8, 2024 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today marks 100 days since the all-new Gulfstream G700 received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification on March 29 and subsequently entered into service. Additional certifications, steadily increasing flight hours and deliveries around the world along with continued city-pair speed records demonstrate unparalleled program maturity for the G700.

To date, the G700 has also earned European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification along with type certificate validations from eight nations, including Mexico, and the growing fleet has exceeded 700 flight hours.

The G700 also recently achieved new city-pair speed records, linking Paris to Montreal in 6 hours and 16 minutes and São Paulo to White Plains, New York, in 8 hours and 46 minutes, both at an average speed of Mach 0.90 or greater. The flights are pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for official recognition as world records. In total, the aircraft has earned nearly 60 speed records.

Koleje Mazowieckie and Stadler signed a new contract for the supply of a total of 25 FLIRT trains of the latest generation along with their 18-year maintenance. The agreement was signed by the representatives of both parties: Robert Stępień and Czesław Sulima for Koleje Mazowieckie and Philipp Brunner and Arkadiusz Świerkot for Stadler. Like for the order signed last week, this investment will be co-financed by EU funds.

The vehicles purchased from the first call-off for 15 units will serve connections in the Masovian Voivodeship on the fully modernized TEN-T network, the trans-European transport system. The implementation of the option will allow Koleje Mazowieckie the further development of transport offer by increasing the number of connections on routes from and to Warsaw: Warsaw – Płock, Warsaw – Otwock and Warsaw – Sochaczew.

The new vehicles for Masovia, like the units from last week’s orders, will be manufactured at the Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce. The units will be air-conditioned, equipped with visual and sound information devices, and can travel at a speed of up to 160 km/h. Each vehicle offers 275 seats, as well as comprehensive space with bicycle racks and storage for larger luggage. The trains are equipped with wireless internet access, internal and external screens and devices which enable contact between the passenger and the driver in case of emergency. Moreover, they provide with facilities for people with reduced mobility or for travellers with children. For example, platforms and fastenings for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Toilets are also adapted to the needs of passengers with restricted mobility. Hearing impaired and deaf people can benefit from an information system insatalled especially for them: an induction loop that sends electromagnetic signals to the hearing aids.

Image from CAF

Omaha Streetcar Authority, an Interlocal Agency set up in partnership between the City of Omaha and Omaha Metro to execute the city’s new tram network project, has chosen CAF to supply the units that will operate on the line.

This is one of Omaha’s most important projects for the coming years and includes both the design and construction of the infrastructure and the trams, as well as the operation and maintenance of the system. Scheduled to enter into operation in 2027, this almost 5-kilometre long network will comprise 16 stops. Running east along Harney Street and west on Farnam Street, the network will connect Omaha’s historic Blackstone district with the downtown area.

These are Urbos platform 3-module trams with a 100% low-floor design. They are equipped to operate using either overhead catenary power lines or Onboard Energy Storage Systems (OESS) on sections of the line without a catenary infrastructure. It should be noted that these are the first CAF trams with the OESS system to be manufactured for the United States. The growing interest of U.S. urban operators in battery-powered tram systems makes this a particularly important consideration. This trend is a key factor that will help facilitate CAF’s success in future bids for U.S. projects involving catenary-free track sectors for this type of system.

Image from KiwiRail

Our assessments and testing of the North Auckland Line (NAL) have revealed issues that will delay its reopening.

We have completed repairs to more than 200 damage sites along the 180km line which were left in the wake of the January 2023 extreme weather event and Cyclone Gabrielle. These include some major civil works repairing slips and large embankment collapses.

With the track fully reinstated between…

Click the link to see the full story! Northland Rail update