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MTU Maintenance signs exclusive contract with new airline Air Sial

Etihad Cargo beats 2020 On-Time Performance Targets

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Aviation Group, has achieved 87 per cent on-time-performance (OTP) during 2020 – ahead of its 85 per cent target and despite a significant increase in flight utilisation.  The award-winning UAE carrier also maintained...

Lufthansa raised 500 million euros in aircraft financing in the second half of 2020

Since July 2020, Deutsche Lufthansa AG has raised a total of around 500 million euros by using aircrafts as security in eight financing transactions. This enabled the Group to secure additional funds on top of the 1.6 billion euros raised via a convertible bond and a corporate bond. The five Airb...

CARIBAVIA Vision - conclusions and the impact

As promised, we are back for Episode 3 of the interview with Cdr. Bud Slabbaert. Once again, we are discussing the full concept and vision for Caribbean Airlift.  Q. We've discussed already some very important points of step-by-step development and now can you share with us your vision CARIBAVIA Airlift Council? A. CARIBAVIA Airlift Council is an independent and impartial entit...

The First airline to receive 5-Star Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Rating - airBaltic

Congratulations airBaltic! Skytrax has awarded Latvian airline a five–star COVID-19 safety rating. After performing a thorough audit in December 2020, airBaltic has become the first airline to receive the highest COVID-19 Safety Rating. Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “The health and safety of our passengers and employees stand above all....

Final FAA rule to facilitate the reintroduction of Civil Supersonic Flight

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration issued a final rule (PDF) to facilitate the safe development of civil supersonic aircraft. The rule streamlines and clarifies procedures to obtain FAA approval for supersonic flight testing in the United States. “Today’s action is a significant step toward reintroducing civil super...

WestJet announces 737 MAX return-to-service plan

WestJet announced its intent to return its fleet of 737 MAX aircraft to passenger service in a phased and transparent approach. The airline's plans follow an announcement from Transport Canada (TC) on December 17, 2020 where TC safety experts validated the aircraft design changes and outlined requirements for Canadian carriers. Transport Canada's validation followe...

Amazon purchases 11 aircraft from Delta Air Lines & WestJet Airlines to join the Amazon Air cargo network in 2021 and 2022

Amazon announced its first-ever purchase of eleven Boeing 767-300 aircraft, expanding its fleet to continue to serve customers. The purchases include seven aircraft from Delta and four aircraft from WestJet, which will join the network by 2022. Amazon Air’s fleet expansion comes at a time when customers are relying on fast, free shipping more than ever. “Our goal is to continue deli...

First Airbus A220 powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines delivered to JetBlue

 Pratt & Whitney, Airbus and JetBlue celebrated the Dec. 31, 2020 delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A220-300 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The airline placed an order for 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft in 2018 and later expanded the order to 70 aircraft in 2019. “We are thrilled to take delivery of our first A220 aircraft and to offer...

CARIBAVIA Vision for Caribbean Airlift - episode 2

We hope you enjoyed the first part of the interview with Cdr. Bud Slabbaert. For those who are joining us for the first time, we should remind, that we are discussing the full concept and vision for Caribbean Airlift. In case you missed – just find the first part on the platform, we are moving forward. Q. So we heard about CARIBAVIA Learning Resource Center and Public Outrea...

Rex Airlines took delivery of the first of its Boeing 737-800NGs in full airline livery

Another major milestone was marked by Rex Airlines, as the first of its Boeing 737-800NGs landed in Sydney in full Rex livery (airline colours) on 23 odf December 2020, on Christmas Eve.Rex has leased six Boeing 737-800NG aircraft in readiness for its inaugural service from Melbourne to Sydney commencing 1 March 2021. Brisbane will be added to Rex’s capital city network a...

Largest operator of A350 welcomed its 53rd Airbus A350 on the last day of 2020

Qatar Airways was pleased to wrap up 2020 with the delivery of its 53rd Airbus A350 on the final day of the year. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is the largest operator of Airbus A350 aircraft with 34 A350-900 and 19 A350-1000, reaffirming its position as the ideal choice for environmentally conscious long-haul passengers. The A350-1000 is fitted with the airline’s multi awa...

Emirates takes its newest A380 with premium economy to London

Emirates has announced that it will deploy its latest flagship A380 aircraft featuring new premium economy seats and luxurious enhancements across all cabins to London Heathrow. Starting from 4 January, passengers flying between Dubai and London Heathrow can experience Emirates’ latest A380. Operating as EK003/004, the aircraft is scheduled to depart Dubai daily at 14:30hrs, arriving at...

An event, a vision, a future - the CARIBAVIA Vision for Caribbean Airlift

When visiting an aviation event, do you ask yourself a simple question - what is the background it this one, the history, the vision what is the result organisers see at the best result of the event? I must confess, I do, sometimes, the decision to attend or not is based on same of answers for these questions. During Holiday Season 50skyshades had an opportunity to travel in our mind and t...

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi takes off with Athens as the first destination

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the newest national airline of the United Arab Emirates, confirmed that Athens will be its inaugural destination, with flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport starting on 15January 2021. The airline is also to start flights from Abu Dhabi to Thessaloniki, starting on 4 February 2021 with fares starting at AED 149*. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz A...

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Your phone knows where your bag is. Does your airline? - interview with Sumesh Patel, President of Asia Pacific, SITA

In an era where travellers expect their smartphones to track everything from their luggage to their ride to the airport, one question looms large over the aviation industry: if your phone knows where...

iOS Apps development in Riga, Latvia

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Emirates SkyCargo transports Orbitworks’ Altair-1, the first commercial AI-enabled satellite developed and manufactured in the UAE

Emirates SkyCargo completed the transport of Altair-1, the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled  earth observation satellite. Part of Orbitworks’ Altair constellation, the movement...

Lufthansa Group launches free high-speed internet from Starlink

It’s the beginning of a new era: a Lufthansa Group aircraft will take off for the first time equipped with the fastest in-flight internet connection for passengers currently available. A Lufthan...

Air India partners with Volantio to enhance passenger experience

Volantio announced that Air India has signed on as the company’s newest customer, further expanding Volantio’s global footprint. Air India has implemented Volantio’s innovative...

Your phone knows where your bag is. Does your airline? - interview with Sumesh Patel, President of Asia Pacific, SITA

In an era where travellers expect their smartphones to track everything from their luggage to their ride to the airport, one question looms large over the aviation industry: if your phone knows where...

Etihad Guest launches frequent flyer partnership with STARLUX Airlines’ COSMILE

Etihad Guest announces a frequent flyer partnership with Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines’ COSMILE loyalty programme. The partnership marks the next stage in the airlines' strategic relati...