Ethiopian celebrates six decades of uninterrupted services to Rome: a milestone in aviation excellence.
Landmark ICAO Symposium highlights the importance of enhanced cooperation on aviation non-CO2 emissions.
Air France launches free ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi on board all its aircraft.
IATA and ANAC work together to enhance aviation safety.
World Fuel and DHL Express set to bring sustainable aviation fuel to MIA.
Delta Air Lines becomes latest contributor to IATA CO2 Connect.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) celebrated the ground breaking of two new concrete parallel midfield taxiways.
Oktoberfest 2024: Lufthansa traditional Bavarian garment crew takes off from Munich.
Worldwide incidents and accidents.
Bonus Video - #Bosporus Evening Cruise
AIRLINES, AIRPORTS & AIRLINERS NEWS
ETHIOPIAN CELEBRATES SIX DECADES OF UNINTERRUPTED SERVICES TO ROME: A MILESTONE IN AVIATION EXCELLENCE
Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa's leading aviation group, proudly marks a historic milestone with 60 years of uninterrupted service to the captivating city of Rome, Italy. The airline hosted a vibrant celebration in the Eternal City, attended by esteemed government officials from both Ethiopia and Italy, corporate guests, stakeholders as well as Ethiopian Airlines executives, to commemorate this diamond jubilee achievement.
The celebration underscored the airline's unwavering commitment to its passengers and the significance of the Rome route in its global network. The event showcased Ethiopian's dedication to providing seamless travel experiences and strengthening its position as a key player in connecting Africa and Europe.
Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, stated: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate 60 years of uninterrupted service to Rome. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering dedication to connecting people and fostering economic growth between Africa and Europe. We are grateful for the support of our valued customers and partners throughout these six decades.”
Ethiopian Airlines, with Rome as its inaugural Italian destination, expanded to Milan in 2011. The airline offers daily flights to both cities using modern aircraft for passenger comfort. Starting December 1, 2024, Ethiopian will increase Rome flights to ten weekly, enhancing travel flexibility and connectivity. The airline serves over 24 European destinations and continues to grow, with Port Sudan and Dhaka soon joining its global network.
LANDMARK ICAO SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENHANCED COOPERATION ON AVIATION NON-CO2 EMISSIONS
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has initiated the next step in the international community's efforts to reduce air transport's impact on the climate: addressing the non-CO2 emissions from international aviation. While carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have long been the focus of international agreements and industry efforts, the sector's non-CO2 climate impacts have remained uncertain.
ICAO's landmark Symposium on Non-CO2 Aviation Emissions, held from 16-18 September 2024, drew some 800 attendees both in-person and virtually and focused on topics such as contrail formation, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, striving to understand and enhance the climate science, potential mitigation measures and policy options.
"We're entering a new era of climate change solutions in aviation, and ICAO is firmly committed to deepening knowledge on this subject, exploring innovative solutions, and forging partnerships" said Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO Council President. "This symposium is about more than awareness; it's about charting a course for meaningful action on a problem that requires more scientific understanding."
The event brought together a unique coalition of atmospheric scientists, aerospace engineers, policy makers, and airline operators. Participants represented States, United Nations system organizations, international and regional organizations, industry and related associations, research and development institutions, and academia. This interdisciplinary approach yielded rich discussions on potential mitigation strategies, from altering flight paths to avoid contrail formation to developing cleaner-burning jet fuels.
During the event, ICAO organized an exhibition on the latest initiatives associated with non-CO2 emissions and debuted an educational display installation and a series of videos aimed at addressing common misconceptions about non-CO2 emissions. To maintain the momentum, ICAO also introduced a new tracking tool for non-CO2 emissions initiatives.
"This symposium comes at a critical juncture in aviation's climate journey," said Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General. "By addressing non-CO2 emissions alongside our existing decarbonization efforts, we're taking a more holistic approach to lead aviation to a more sustainable future."
"It is clear that the path forward will require not only technological innovation but further consideration of how we measure and mitigate the full scope of aviation's climate impact" said Secretary General Salazar. "The impressive wealth of information presented during the event from the best scientists, technical experts, industry and academia highlights the importance for ICAO to facilitate continuous cooperation in this area."
AIR FRANCE LAUNCHES FREE ULTRA-HIGH-SPEED WI-FI ON BOARD ALL ITS AIRCRAFT
Air France is revolutionizing its onboard Wi-Fi service, a major step in its move upmarket. From 2025 onwards, the airline will progressively roll out an ultra-high-speed connectivity service for a “ground-like” experience. This new service, completely free of charge in all travel cabins, will be accessible to customers by logging into their Flying Blue* account. Over time, this Wi-Fi service will be made available on board all the airline's aircraft, replacing the current offer.
To launch this new onboard Wi-Fi service, Air France has chosen Starlink, the world leader in connectivity. By leveraging the world's largest constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency Internet access across the entire globe, including the most isolated areas**. This makes for a stable, fast, and secure user experience.
During the flight, customers will be able to easily stay in touch with friends and family, follow all the world's news live, play video games online, and of course stream TV, films, and series.
The service will be accessible from smartphones, digital tablets, and laptops, and each customer will be able to connect several devices simultaneously.
Customers will be able to access this service by logging into their Flying Blue* account, the Air France-KLM Group's loyalty program. Those who do not yet have a Flying Blue account can create one free of charge on board and in just a few clicks.
As of the summer 2025 season, Air France will gradually equip all its aircraft with this cutting-edge technology, including its regional fleet. During this transitional period, the airline will continue to offer a connectivity service on board aircraft that are not yet equipped, including a free “Message Pass” for Flying Blue members and a paid offer*** that covers other needs.
IATA AND ANAC WORK TOGETHER TO ENHANCE AVIATION SAFETY
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC Brazil) are partnering to strengthen safety oversight in Brazil's aviation sector with an agreement for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) programs to support and complement ANAC's oversight of airline operations.
“Safety is a common top priority for everyone in aviation. We look forward to working with ANAC to further strengthen safety oversight in Brazil with IOSA and ISSA. Both programs have a solid track record of supporting improved safety performance. We are confident that this will be a model partnership for other regulators to follow,” said Nick Careen, IATA's Senior Vice President Operations, Safety and Security.
“This MoU marks an important step in enhancing the safety standards of Brazil's aviation industry. By integrating IOSA and ISSA into our safety oversight processes, we are reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of operational safety in Brazil,” Bruno Diniz Del Bel, Head of Department, Department of Flight Standards ANAC Brazil.
IATA and ANAC will collaborate in several key areas, including: Supporting State Oversight: IOSA and ISSA insights will be used to complement ANAC's regulatory oversight activities, further enhancing safety monitoring capabilities.
Enhancing Efficiency: The parties will work together to identify best practices to improve the efficiency of safety oversight processes, while ensuring the suitability and effectiveness of IOSA and ISSA standards.
Workshops and Training: IATA and ANAC will participate in joint workshops and training sessions to further enhance their collaboration and knowledge-sharing on safety oversight.
Continuous Improvement: Additional activities that support the improvement of airline operational safety will be explored.
Globally, over 40 civil aviation authorities, including ANAC Brazil, are using IOSA and ISSA to complement their regulatory oversight. These programs are internationally recognized evaluation systems that assess airlines' operational management and control systems from a safety perspective.
WORLD FUEL AND DHL EXPRESS SET TO BRING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TO MIA
World Fuel Services (World Fuel), a World Kinect (NYSE: WKC) company headquartered in Miami, Florida, and DHL Express, the world's leading international express delivery provider, have entered into a new commercial agreement for the delivery of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Miami International Airport. This agreement marks one of the first regular deliveries of blended SAF into the State of Florida.
Under the terms of the agreement, World Fuel will deliver approximately 60 million gallons of blended SAF over a two-year period, of which 18 million gallons will be neat SAF (equalling approximately 227 million litres of blended SAF containing 68 million litres of neat SAF). Valero Marketing and Supply Company, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, will provide the SAF.
The neat SAF purchased under the agreement will be produced from used cooking oil and food waste, certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), and have upon average at least 80% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions when compared to conventional jet fuel, which will be used to offer DHL Express customers emission-reduced air transportation services via DHL GoGreenPlus. Based on the “book and claim” approach, the SAF uplifted by DHL can be used by DHL's GoGreenPlus customers globally to reduce their CO2e emissions. The reductions achieved (Scope 3) are passed on to customers in the form of certificates.
The partnership between DHL and World Fuel marks another milestone in the journey towards more sustainable air freight and is aligned with DHL Group's sustainability goals, which serve as further evidence of the demand for low-carbon fuels like SAF. It also demonstrates the drop-in applicability using existing jet fuel infrastructure and supply chains. The neat SAF, produced by Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a joint venture between Darling Ingredients, Inc. and an affiliate of Valero, will be blended by Valero with conventional jet fuel to create blended SAF and delivered by World Fuel.
DELTA AIR LINES BECOMES LATEST CONTRIBUTOR TO IATA CO2 CONNECT.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Delta Air Lines (Delta) will use and contribute operational data to the IATA CO2 Connect emissions calculator, for both passenger and cargo flights. The agreement with Delta was signed at the IATA World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) currently taking place in Miami.
Delta will contribute fuel-burn data from its 4,000 daily flights-the largest of the over 40 airlines that currently contribute operational data to IATA CO2 Connect. With CO2 Connect, Delta will be able to provide all customers, regardless of whether they are individual travellers, corporate customers, or cargo customers, with greater transparency of their impact on the environment through flying.
“With Delta's participation, IATA CO2 Connect will become an even stronger tool helping aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA CO2 Connect's methodology sets it apart because it uses operational data, not modelled averages. The vast amount of data from Delta's worldwide operations is the raw material that will make IATA CO2 Connect's calculation the most reliable for the measurement and reporting of CO2 emissions. That's important for individual airlines, travellers, corporates, and shippers. They will all need consistent and accurate calculations on which to make informed decisions on managing the carbon footprints,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
“IATA CO2 Connect has the potential to help airlines, like Delta, more effectively measure and advocate for decarbonization efforts that are critical on our journey to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050,” shared Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer of Delta Air Lines. “We believe at Delta that what gets measured gets done, and this is a great opportunity for the industry to align on reliable and consistent emissions data.”
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AUS) CELEBRATED THE GROUND BREAKING OF TWO NEW CONCRETE PARALLEL MIDFIELD TAXIWAYS
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) celebrated today the ground breaking of two new concrete parallel midfield taxiways, a key component in the development of a new 20+ gate concourse. These taxiways, expected to be completed in 2027, will streamline aircraft movement by connecting the runways, the Barbara Jordan Terminal, and the future Concourse B, significantly boosting airport capacity for more passenger and airline activity.
"The Midfield Taxiways project is a critical investment in our city's infrastructure, laying the groundwork for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's future expansion,” said Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “This project demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class transportation facilities that support our growing economy and enhance the quality of life for our residents and visitors."
The project is part of the larger Journey With AUS, Austin-Bergstrom's multi-year expansion program to transform the airport from a medium-sized airport to one that can accommodate a growing Austin and Central Texas population.
"The Midfield Taxiways project is a crucial step towards the future of a bigger, better AUS," said AUS CEO Ghizlane Badawi. "As we work with our airline partners to finalize the size, scope and scale of the concourse project, we're ecstatic to break ground on the Midfield Taxiways, getting us one step closer to achieving a modern, larger and more comfortable airport for our community and business partners.”
Economic Impact and Project Financing:
The Midfield Taxiways project represents a significant investment in Austin's infrastructure, creating hundreds of local jobs throughout the construction phase. The Austin City Council authorized $320 million for the construction of the taxiways with construction partners Austin Industries and a $26.7 million contract with RS&H for design work. AUS secured $2.8 million in federal grant funding through the FY24 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program and $14.25 million from the FY24 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-Airport Terminal Program. This investment not only enhances AUS's capabilities but also stimulates economic growth in Central Texas by improving airport services that are critical to business and tourism. As with all Journey with AUS projects and airport capital improvements, funding comes from federal grants, airport revenue, airport revenue bonds and does not receive any funds from local taxes.
OKTOBERFEST 2024: LUFTHANSA TRADITIONAL BAVARIAN GARMENT CREW TAKES OFF FROM MUNICH
One day before the start of the Munich Oktoberfest, it is the perfect time for the Lufthansa traditional “Trachten” costume crew to take off again. Lufthansa flight attendants will take off from Munich to Osaka followed by the traditional costume flight to Johannesburg on September 30. For many years, it has been a tradition for the crew to wear traditional Bavarian garment on numerous European and German routes from Munich during the Oktoberfest season.
In addition, Lufthansa ground staff at the gates in Munich Terminal 2 also greet their passengers in this traditional dress. Instead of the classic Lufthansa uniform, the ladies wear “dirndls” and the men traditional suits.
The traditional clothing for the long-haul crew has again this year designed and tailored by the Munich-based traditional garment provider Angermaier. As in the previous year, the collection is certified according to “STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX”. All components and materials have been sustainably produced and processed.
The official start of the Oktoberfest, which is also known as “Wiesn”, will also be celebrated in the festively decorated lounges of Terminal 2: “O'zapft is” - the beer barrel is tapped. In addition to typical Bavarian beers, traditional dishes will create a Bavarian atmosphere. In the Business and Senator Lounges, the selection ranges from Munich potato soup to roast pork and steamed dumplings with vanilla sauce.
Fine Bavarian dishes will also be served in the twoFirst Class lounges. These include Bavarian duck breast and sweet Oktoberfest delicacies. “After Wiesn” drinks, such as the fresh “Ingwer Shot”, will help you recover from a long day and get you ready for your flight.
Just in time for the Wiesn season, Lufthansa is offering popular Oktoberfest specialties on board its aircraft. Until the end of September, crews will be serving Bavarian delicacies on selected long-haul flights from Frankfurt and Munich in all classes to get you in the mood for Oktoberfest. The selection ranges from roast chicken to mushroom ragout with pretzel dumplings and roasted almonds, as well as Oktoberfest chocolates. In Premium Economy and Economy Class, Nuremberg bratwurst is served with Bavarian cabbage and mashed potatoes. Bavarian cream with raspberries is also served in all classes.
The right drinks are also part of the Oktoberfest experience on board. In addition to popular Bavarian beer varieties, another specialty will be served on European routes: the Lufthansa cocktail is now available in a limited edition as the “Avionic Wiesn Edition” - an aperitif with notes of juicy peach and fresh citrus fruits, as well as a subtle hint of wild meadow herbs and harmonious marigold.
A small souvenir of Lufthansa's “Oktoberfest in the clouds” can also be taken home. Toothbrushes and other items needed during the flight are handed out in Premium Economy, Business and First Class on long-haul flights in small heart-shaped Oktoberfest bags, perfect for a visit to the Oktoberfest.
New Zeeland, Wellington International Airport (WLG/NZWN): Air New Zealand flight NZ272, an Airbus A321-271NX, suffered a hard touchdown during a go-around at Wellington Airport. According to the airline, the aircraft experienced windshear on final approach to runway 34. A go around was executed, during which the aircraft touched down on the main wheels before climbing away. The flight then diverted to Auckland. In a video of the incident the rear fuselage appeared to strike the runway, but an Air NZ spokesperson said an inspection of the aircraft confirmed there was no tail contact.
USA, Tampa International Airport, FL (TPA/KTPA): Southwest Airlines flight WN5906, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was parked at the gate when it was struck by a belt loader.
