Stewart Airport
Stewart Airport has been officially renamed New York Stewart International Airport by Governor Cuomo. The new name begins a new era in promoting the Mid-Hudson Valley’s economic growth.
Viva Aerobus
has announced that it will be flying to Mexico City from John F. Kennedy International Airport. This new route will start operations on October 18, 2018 with a daily flight and with prices starting from $99.
Branson honored
Sir Richard Branson at Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia and Delta CEO Ed Bastian made a surprise announcement of a $2 million contribution towards 3DE (3D Education), the new name of JA Academy. The donation will be distributed in five $400,000 annual installments starting in 2019, making Delta a National Signature Partner of 3DE.
3DE re-engineers high school education to be more relevant, experiential and authentically connected to the complexities that exist beyond the classroom walls. Its school-within-a-school model has proven to significantly elevate students’ social, academic and career readiness outcomes. This strengthens the partnership between Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
Delta on pets
Delta modifies companion animal limit to one emotional support animal per customer per flight and no longer accepting pit bull type dogs as service or support animals. These updates, which come as the peak summer travel season is underway, are the direct result of growing safety concerns following recent incidents in which several employees were bitten.
West St. purchase
Aviation Facilities Company, Inc. (“AFCO”) and AFCO AvPorts Management LLC (“AvPorts”), both industry leaders in the development and management of airports and airport infrastructure, announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by West Street Infrastructure Partners III. (“WSIP III”), a family of infrastructure investment funds managed by the Merchant Banking Division of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Norweigan bids
The rumor is confirmed, Norwegian’s chief executive Bjorn Kjos has disclosed that the field of bidders include bids from more than just Lufthansa and IAG. After all Norwegian is an established low cost carrier and it is easier to buy than start one up successfully.
An industry observer said there was a “powerful industrial logic” for the IAG/Norwegian combination to happen because BA would be able to protect its profitable north Atlantic routes from Norwegian’s long-haul low-cost services. This would benefit BA since it would increase its fleet and it would win more slots at Gatwick airport, which is operating near capacity. “None of that applies to Lufthansa,” he added.
Alitalia changes clothes
For the second time in two years, Alitalia is redressing with a new design from Alberta Ferretti premiered during Milan Men’s Fashion week. While under the broad ownership of Etihad the uniforms were modeled after the more Mideast Etihad look with slanted women’s caps, dark green and maroon colors. The new outfits are more striking with the Italian tricolor which is more of an accent, Italian.
Stealth Turkey
F-35A Jet US delivery as Turkey’s first F-35A stealth fighter went ahead at Fort Worth yesterday, despite Congressional action that could prevent the aircraft leaving the U.S. The F-35 that was unveiled is one of two that is scheduled to fly to Luke AFB later this month, where Turkish air force pilots and service people will train on them for the next 16 months.
Israel merger off
El Al Israel Airlines said on Wednesday it had scrapped its bid to acquire smaller low-cost rival Israir from IDB Tourism amid opposition from competition regulators. Earlier this year, Israel’s Anti-Trust Authority said it opposed the merger since it would prevent El Al from operating flights to Eilat and lead to competitive concerns- resulting from El Al’s control of security services at all Israeli airlines.
Tower workers strike
Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower worker strikes across Europe has created major problems on airlines, their passengers and business. One can hear about different strikes in Italy, France and Germany often in the media and it creates issues for airports like JFK. 2018 is shaping up to be one of the worst years ever for ATC strikes in Europe. Year-to-date, A4E member airlines have been forced to cancel nearly 5,000 flights as a result of the strikes, directly impacting around 784,000 passengers across Europe. In addition, millions of travellers have been affected by flight delays caused by airspace diversions and residual backups.
Brussels in N. America
Brussels Airlines has announced it is now offering its guests an Economy Light fare option on North American routes on its North American destinations (New York, Washington D.C. and Toronto) together with Austrian, Lufthansa and Swiss as well as with its A++ joint venture partners United and Air Canada. The new offer is the cheapest choice for price-conscious passengers who are travelling with hand luggage only and do not require ticket flexibility. The Economy Light fares start at €383 for a return flight to New York JFK and can be booked as of today on bruss
$50 investment
Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) has announced plans to establish a two-aircraft base at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee in October of this year. The Las Vegas-based company is investing more than $50 million to establish its new base of operations, which will house two Airbus aircraft. The company, which focuses on linking travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class leisure destinations.
Cathay’s big ‘Bus
Cathay Pacific Airways has become the second airline to operate the Airbus A350-1000, the world’s newest long range widebody airliner. The airline took delivery of the pictured Airbus A350-1041 B-LXA (msn 118) was handed over on June 19, 2018 at a special event in Toulouse, France.
People in the news
Virgin Atlantic is picking an insider to become the next CEO after Craig Kreeger retires.
The London-based carrier said Thursday that chief commercial officer Shai Weiss will take over Jan. 1. Weiss, who had been chairman of a Virgin investment fund, was named the airline’s chief financial officer in 2014.
Kreeger has been CEO since February 2013. Before that he spent 27 years at American Airlines.
