Airlink - New Superjumbo route and codeshare to Africa.
Lift - Lost & Found at 36 000ft.
ICAO and Angola launch landmark initiative to develop the next generation of aviation professionals in Angola.
IATA - Statement on the Importance of protecting civil aviation during times of conflict.
Airlink - Flights on schedule after fire damages Skukuza Airport Terminal roof.
IATA- passenger demand up 8.6% in August: load factor reaches record high.
Eviation announces order by UrbanLink for up to 20 Alice aircraft.
ICAO and IRENA join forces to accelerate access to financing and implementation of aviation decarbonization projects.
Worldwide incidents and accidents.
Bonus Video - Ford Tri Motor Flight 2013
AIRLINES, AIRPORTS & AIRLINERS NEWS
NEW SUPERJUMBO ROUTE AND CODESHARE TO AFRICA
First ever A380 flights between South Africa and Australia take off. Extra 130,000 seats per year. Reintroduction of First Class and doubling of Premium Economy seats. Travellers will make history today on board Qantas' inaugural Airbus A380 flight from Johannesburg to Sydney, the first time the national carrier has operated the Superjumbo from Africa.
The A380 will fly up to six times per week and will see a near-doubling of capacity, with an extra 130,000 seats between South Africa and Australia every year.
The Qantas A380 has capacity for 485 passengers across four cabins, with the introduction of the Superjumbo seeing a return of First Class on the route for the first time since 2018. Qantas First features 14 individual suites arranged in an exclusive 1-1-1 configuration and convert into a 212-centimetre bed. The upgauge will also more than double the number of Premium Economy seats available between the cities.
The mega aircraft also features an upper deck lounge for passengers in First and Business, with booth-style seating for 10 people, a self-service bar and an option to order signature drinks and snacks.
Qantas first touched down in South Africa in 1948 with a Lancastrian survey flight from Sydney via Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Mauritius to Johannesburg. The first passenger services commenced along the same route in September 1952 using a Lockheed Constellation L-749A. The journey took 66 hours and became affectionately known as the Wallaby Route - a nod to the Kangaroo Route from Australia to London.
Today, the Flying Kangaroo's flights are nonstop, with the upgauge heralding the first A380 flight by any airline across the southern Indian Ocean.
The Australian national carrier also intends to relaunch flights from Johannesburg to Perth from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements in Western Australia.
The significant increase in capacity comes as Qantas announces a new codeshare partnership with Airlink, substantially expanding its inbound network into South Africa.
Qantas will add the QF code on Airlink's domestic network, enabling seamless connectivity between Qantas flights to Johannesburg and nine South African destinations. The carrier hopes to add additional Airlink destinations in nearby southern African countries over the coming months, pending regulatory approval.
Comments from Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:
“We are seeing strong demand for our Sydney services and, by upgrading to the Superjumbo, we will nearly double capacity during peak periods, adding over 130,000 seats per year between the continents.
“Qantas has a rich history of flying between South Africa and Australia over the past 72 years, having operated Constellations and Super Constellations, Electras, 707s, 747s, Dreamliners and now the A380.
“The A380 is a favourite among our frequent flyers and it will be great to see the Flying Kangaroo in the land of the springbok.
“This extra capacity will significantly expand the options for Qantas customers heading to Australia, strengthening the connections between family and friends, business and trade as well as give a big boost to the South African tourism industry.”
Fares on the new A380 flights are available now at qantas.com and via travel agents. All Qantas international fares include checked baggage allowance, food and beverages and inflight entertainment as standard with every booking.
Fast Facts:
The inaugural A380 flights have full passenger loads in both directions.
With the increase in capacity, Qantas will operate over 280,000 seats per year between South Africa and Australia.
Return fares from Johannesburg to Sydney are available from R19,560.
The flights are timed to connect in both directions with Qantas' New Zealand services.
This is the world's only A380 flight that crosses the southern Indian Ocean and, when flying a southerly route on a clear day, customers can often see Antarctica.
Flight times: Johannesburg to Sydney: 11 hours and 55 minutes. Sydney to Johannesburg: 14H00
LOST & FOUND AT 36 000FT
Summer is approaching and South Africans are planning their yearly vacations, booking flights and accommodation and making lists of things not to forget. Once passengers pass through the boarding gates, holiday mode kicks in, and in the midst of all the excitement, travellers land up losing items on planes, in airports, hotels, and in other modes of transport. LIFT evaluated its Lost and Found Index, to establish what items are most commonly left on board.
“While we found the usual suspects are the most commonly lost items, we had to ask ourselves: Do South Africans like spending time at Home Affairs?” says Haydn Henning, brand manager, LIFT. According to LIFT data, some of the most commonly lost items include identity cards, bank cards, driver's licences and even birth certificates! “Considering the admin and time it takes to replace these items, we'd have thought South Africans would hold on to them a little tighter,” jokes Henning.
“However, since we launched in 2020, the most common item lost at 36 000 ft is 'glasses', both specs and sunnies,” explains Henning. A total of 212 pairs of glasses were left on board over the last 3.5 years. “A close second was the ID card. In fact, 138 people left their sense of identity on a LIFT flight since we took to the skies,” he laughs.
Other items frequently left behind include caps, jerseys, the odd belt, as well as earphones (sometimes a set, and sometimes a lone earpiece). Busy parents are also likely to leave behind children's items, which, from the list, might be things dropped when disembarking - toy planes, trucks and dolls, as well as quite a few individual shoes.
Despite thinking that devices are closely guarded due to their high value and cost, passengers have left behind their iPads, cell phones and even Macbooks have been left on board!
“Luckily, in these instances, our crew managed to find, secure and help return these high-value items back to their owners,” says Henning.
“While some of the contents on our Lost & Found list do make for a good laugh, the stress and inconvenience of losing items can really dampen the joy of a holiday. Its important travellers stay mindful while on their trip, and hold on to their belongings,” adds Henning.
LIFT offers a few tips when travelling, to ensure your holiday doesn't need to divert to Home Affairs, or the nearest cell store for urgent replacements;
When disembarking a plane be sure to thoroughly check the overhead compartment and stowage areas for any personal belongings. When opening the overhead bins, please be cautious of loose items that may have shifted during flight. Check beneath the seats and do a mental check for any loose items you boarded the plane with.
A travel wallet is very useful to have, allowing travellers to keep passports, birth certificates, currency or even boarding passes safe and compact in one spot.
Passengers should avoid taking too many loose items, or taking too many items out of hand luggage while travelling. The more you unpack, the more you have to keep track of. Having one bag with a good number of compartments could be helpful.
Clearly labelling items is never a bad idea, and adding a phone number is an even better idea.
These days, trackers like 'Apple Air Tags' can be useful backup tracking devices for high-value items like laptops.
“Despite best efforts, we understand that passengers might still leave something behind - if a passenger does lose something on one of our flights, we encourage them to get in touch with our LIFT support team as soon as possible,” concludes Henning.
ICAO AND ANGOLA LAUNCH LANDMARK INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS IN ANGOLA
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Government of Angola have agreed to cooperate on developing a national Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) strategy
This ambitious new agreement was signed by Ms. Bernarda Henrique, President of the Board of Directors of the National Air Navigation Company (ENNA-EP), on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Mr. Ricardo Daniel Sandão Quérois Viegas de Abreu, and ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar. It represents a significant step toward establishing a sustainable and robust aviation workforce to support the country's growing air transport system.
The NGAP strategy will be designed to address the workforce needs of Angola's aviation industry over the next 15 years through capacity-building. It targets enhanced training capabilities and facilities, and the development of comprehensive plans to attract, educate, train, and retain the next generation of aviation professionals.
This, in turn, is key to ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce, capable of contributing effectively to progress towards zero fatality and zero emissions global strategic aspirational goals for air transport, as determined by the Member States of ICAO. This initiative aims to create diverse and rewarding career opportunities in aviation for young Angolans across the country, especially women and girls. It represents a significant step forward for Angola, reflecting the government's commitment to global aviation standards and plans and to the long-term development of its aviation sector.
STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING CIVIL AVIATION DURING TIMES OF CONFLICT
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the following statement reminding governments of the importance of protecting civil aviation, including airport and air navigation infrastructure, during times of conflict.
“Civil aviation fulfils a purpose that transcends politics to 'create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world'. The Chicago Convention, signed eighty years ago as the Second World War raged, begins with those words. They are a timeless reminder of civil aviation's essential and unique role in connecting people and delivering goods over vast distances. In the turbulent world of 2024, the truth of the Chicago Convention's preamble rings loudly.
We all want to live in a world at peace. Sadly, today, that is far from reality for many people. That is why it is necessary to remind all involved in conflict of the need to ensure that flights are safe, and that critical airport and air navigation infrastructure is not targeted in any hostilities.
Civil aviation does not take sides in political conflicts. As an industry that requires the effective implementation of global standards to operate, aviation upholds global standards and the international rules-based order on which they rely. As the name implies, civil aviation serves the civilian population. It must be kept out of harm's way by all actors in a conflict. This is the firm belief of IATA. More importantly, it is the unquestionable obligation of governments under international law. For example: Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects the freedom of movement domestically and internationally. Article 48 of the Fourth Geneva Convention holds that combatants in conflict must not target civilian objects.
Basic norms of customary international law require that all parties to a conflict allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need and ensure the freedom of movement of authorized humanitarian relief personnel.
These international legal obligations will be unfulfillable should the line between military and civil aviation blur, even in the slightest. That would bring deeply troubling consequences for innocent populations trying to survive through conflict, and especially for those in need of humanitarian aid.
Moreover, the Chicago Convention explicitly obliges states to protect civil aircraft and passengers in flight, refrain from the use of force against civil aircraft, and by corollary coordinate and communicate any activities potentially hazardous to civil aviation. These are essential to keep flying safe.
As the world works towards more peaceful days, aviation will support the effort by connecting people and goods. In the meantime, combatants must know and abide by the rules of conflict and humanitarian assistance as laid out in international law. To simplify: do no harm to civilian aircraft, airports or air navigation services. This is non-negotiable and must be respected, even at the height of hostility.” Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.
FLIGHTS ON SCHEDULE AFTER FIRE DAMAGES SKUKUZA AIRPORT TERMINAL ROOF
Airlink confirms that a section of the Skukuza Airport terminal roof was damaged in a bush fire. Passengers and airport personnel were safely evacuated and fortunately nobody has been hurt or incapacitated.
Airlink flights will operate on schedule. Airlink with SANParks, its partner service providers and lodges in the surrounding area, have set up temporary departures and arrivals facilities and related services using back-up systems to perform the associated processes.
“We want to minimise any disruptions at Skukuza and we apologise for any inconvenience while we rely on our contingency measures and facilities at Skukuza,” said Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink.
Travellers making use of a shuttle transfer to and from Skukuza should check with their lodges for any changes to shuttle departure times.
While the fire destroyed a portion of the roof, there was also some water damage caused in the efforts to extinguish the fire. Clean-up and repair work is underway and we will provide further updates in due course.
PASSENGER DEMAND UP 8.6% IN AUGUST: LOAD FACTOR REACHES RECORD HIGH
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 8.6% compared to August 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86.2% (+1.6ppt compared to August 2023), a new record high.
International demand rose 10.6% compared to August 2023. Capacity was up 10.1% year-on-year and the load factor rose to 85.7% (+0.4ppt compared to August 2023).
Domestic demand rose 5.6% compared to August 2023. Capacity was up 1.2% year-on-year and the load factor was 86.9% (+3.6ppt compared to August 2023).
“The market for air travel is hot and airlines are doing a great job at meeting the growing demand for travel. Efficiency gains have driven load factors to record highs while the 6.5% capacity increase demonstrates resilience in the face of persistent supply chain issues and infrastructure deficiencies,” said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
“Looking ahead, the continued strong demand growth signals that we could be fast approaching an infrastructure capacity crunch that would restrict connectivity and choice for passengers and businesses. If governments want to maximize the benefits of aviation, they must take bold decisions to ensure sufficient infrastructure capacity. And, in the interim, both airports and air navigation service providers need to do more with the resources they currently have. In particular, the variance in declared capacity of airports with broadly the same infrastructure needs to be resolved, with airports emulating the best performers. The industry cannot afford to under-utilize the airport infrastructure that we have,” said Walsh.
Air Passenger Market in Detail
Regional Breakdown - International Passenger Markets
All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in August 2024 compared to August 2023. Ticket sales in May-July for travel in August-September showed a 6.6% year-on-year increase, which bodes well for further strong growth this year.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 19.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 18.8% year-on-year and the load factor was 85.2% (+0.8ppt compared to August 2023). Asia-Pacific is still growing robustly and is now just 8 percentage points from full recovery to pre-pandemic volumes.
European carriers saw a 9.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 8.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.2% (+0.5ppt compared to August 2023). The Europe-Asia route was by far the fastest-growing, but it is still markedly below its 2019 peak.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 5.6% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.5% (-0.6ppt compared to August 2023).
North American carriers saw a 4.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.2% (+0.4 ppt compared to August 2023), the highest among regions.
Latin American airlines saw a 13.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 15.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1% (-1.2ppt compared to August 2023).
African airlines saw a 10.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 7.3% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 77.8% (+2.0ppt compared to August 2023).
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic demand increased in August, with growth in all key markets, especially China. Domestic ticket sales for August-September grew 4.3% year-on-year, underpinning solid growth prospects for the rest of the year.
EVIATION ANNOUNCES ORDER BY URBANLINK FOR UP TO 20 ALICE AIRCRAFT
Eviation Aircraft, a manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, today announced that UrbanLink Air Mobility, a South Florida-based leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 10 Alice commuter aircraft, with the option to acquire an additional 10 planes.
UrbanLink is building a fleet of all-electric aircraft, marine craft, and ground vehicles to provide end-to-end zero-emissions transportation. Operating out of its hub cities of Miami, Los Angeles, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, UrbanLink will deploy Alice as part of its urban mobility solutions.
Leading the Electric Flight Revolution
With orders totaling more than US$ 5 billion, the all-electric Alice heralds a new era of sustainable air travel. Alice's 9-seat commuter and cargo versions are designed to delight customers and passengers with innovative technology and beautiful design, while also providing carbon-free and cost-effective point-to-point travel.
“Eviation and UrbanLink share a dream of making electric air travel a fact of everyday life,” said Andre Stein, CEO of Eviation. “As Alice continues on its path to Entry into Service, partnerships such as this will ensure a future of flight that empowers travelers with convenient, accessible, and affordable air travel that is friendly to the planet.”
“Our order for Eviation Alice aircraft completes the third leg of our all-electric operating plan, giving us the ability to offer 9-seat, zero-emission flights across our network,” said Ed Wegel, UrbanLink Founder and Chairman. “Together with our regional eVTOL aircraft and electric sea vessels, Alice enables us to provide seamless, sustainable travel options across the regions we serve.”
ICAO AND IRENA JOIN FORCES TO ACCELERATE ACCESS TO FINANCING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AVIATION DECARBONIZATION PROJECTS
In a crucial step towards achieving the aviation sector's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have signed a landmark agreement to boost financing opportunities for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and other cleaner aviation energy projects.
The Memorandum of Cooperation signed by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar and IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera at the G20 Energy Ministerial meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, will allow the exploration of pathways to operationalize the ICAO Finvest Hub by facilitating the identification of financial resources for scaling up SAF, Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), and other cleaner energy solutions.
"The aviation clean energy transition is fundamental to achieving our net-zero Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG), as it has the potential to contribute to the majority of required emissions reductions. This new cooperation with IRENA is an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition of the aviation sector worldwide," said ICAO Secretary General Salazar. "ICAO is fully committed to supporting the four building blocks needed to achieve this goal - policy and planning, regulatory frameworks, implementation support, and financing."
The ICAO LTAG report estimates that approximately $3.2 trillion in investments will be needed for cleaner aviation fuel production alone. While ICAO's Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for SAF (ACT-SAF) programme already provides implementation support such as initial feasibility and economic studies, the Finvest Hub is expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the matchmaking between the financing needs of project developers and the financing priorities of States, multilateral development banks and private financers.
Secretary General Salazar emphasized ICAO's commitment to making aviation clean energy affordable, attractive, and accessible globally: "This relationship with IRENA enhances our capacity to drive investment and support project implementation, bringing us closer to our environmental goals. At the same time, we continue to work on advancing all aspects of the net zero framework."
The IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera added: “We are delighted to partner with ICAO to mobilize investment in renewable energy and decarbonization projects in the aviation industry. Through the IRENA Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) Platform, we find climate finance solution dedicated to advancing the global energy transition by facilitating investment. The global energy transition needs all hands on deck and this cooperation is a clear expression of it.”
ICAO will continue its advocacy and outreach efforts, organizing dialogues with States and stakeholders to address financing needs, support project implementation, and identify opportunities to increase access to public and private capital for aviation decarbonization projects.
Italy, Ryanair flight FR8826, a Boeing 737-800, suffered a no.2 engine surge at the beginning of the take-off roll on runway 31 at Brindisi Airport (BDS), Italy. The flight crew aborted the take-off and an evacuation was carried out on the runway.
USA, Las Vegas-Harry Reid International Airport, NV (LAS): Frontier Airlines flight 1326, an Airbus A321, suffered a main gear fire due to tire explosion during landing on runway 26L at Las Vegas-Harry Reid International Airport, NV (LAS). During the descent the flight had reported smoke in the cockpit. Later, two-way radio contact was lost. The controller continued to give instructions and Flight 1326 was able to respond by using the transponder IDENT feature. After landing on runway 26L, ARFF attended and subsequently all passengers and crew were evacuated via airstairs. No injuries were reported.
