SWISS warmly congratulates its home hub of Zurich Airport on its 75 years of eventful aviation history. Switzerland’s largest airline is delighted to be part of the ‘Flughafenfest’ celebrations and help entertain its attendees with various activities and some unique insights into the fascinating aviation world. Visitors will be able to follow a series of aircraft turnarounds with live commentary provided, and can also attend the official naming ceremony for a SWISS Airbus A220.

Zurich Airport will be marking its 75th anniversary next month with a three-day ‘Flughafenfest’ from 1 to 3 September. SWISS offers its home hub its warmest congratulations on this landmark birthday, and will be well to the fore in the accompanying celebrations, giving visitors some exclusive behind-the-scenes insights over the three-day period.

Fascinating glimpses into the world of SWISS

SWISS will be offering a host of activities and attractions during the three days of celebrations. Throughout the long weekend, aviation fans will be able to view and inspect a SWISS Airbus A220, which is deployed on short- and medium-haul routes, and one of the company’s long-haul aircraft ‘up close and personal’ and put any questions they may have to SWISS’s specialists on the spot.

SWISS pilots and cabin crew members will be on hand to offer extensive insights into their multi-faceted professions. And SWISS’s technical apprentices have come up with an especially original idea: they’ll be giving visitors the opportunity to work on a replica engine and try their hand as an aircraft engineer. Attendees will also be able to view an Airbus A320 simulator from close quarters.

On the Friday at 16:15, the Saturday at 12:45 and the Sunday at 11:15, ‘Flughafenfest’ visitors will be offered a close-up and detailed viewing of an aircraft turnaround, including the aircraft’s fueling and its loading with cargo and its passengers’ bags. The entire procedure will also be accompanied by a live expert commentary, and will continue all the way until the aircraft taxies off to depart.

A focus on sustainable flying

Sustainable air travel is a key SWISS concern. And it will be duly focused on at the ‘Flughafenfest’, too, where specialists will be in attendance to explain just how Switzerland’s biggest airline is working steadily towards its ambitious carbon goals.

A further highlight of the festivities is sure to be the formal naming of a SWISS aircraft on the party site. On Saturday 2 September at 15:30, visitors will be able to look on as a SWISS Airbus A220 is named ‘Bad Zurzach’. Airfans young and old are warmly invited to witness the naming ceremony together with a surprise VIP guest and become part of the history of the aircraft concerned.

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Finnair is set to enhance travel connectivity in the Arctic region with the introduction of direct flights between Rovaniemi, Finland, and Tromsø, Norway, commencing in December.

Antti Tolvanen, Senior Vice President of Network & Revenue Management at Finnair, notes the allure of the Arctic’s natural beauty and premium travel experiences, which attract global travelers, particularly from Asia and Central Europe.

The new route enables visitors to seamlessly combine Lapland and Northern Norway in a single journey.

The service will encompass two weekly flights between Tromsø and Rovaniemi, utilizing 68-seater ATR aircraft on Thursdays and Saturdays. The flights will follow the route Helsinki-Rovaniemi-Tromsø and Tromsø-Rovaniemi-Helsinki, forming tag flights. The flight duration between Rovaniemi and Tromsø will be approximately 1.5 hours. Operations are scheduled to commence on December 2, 2023, and run until March 30, 2024.

Finnair’s commitment to bolstering travel options extends beyond this route, as they will also maintain their direct flights between Helsinki and Tromsø. Additionally, the airline serves several other destinations in Norway, including Bergen, Bodø, Oslo, and Trondheim. This strategic expansion of their network not only facilitates easier travel for passengers but also fosters economic and cultural connections between the two Arctic regions.

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Turkish Airlines finished the second quarter of the year with a 635 million USD Net Profit and a strong recovery in international demand.

Turkish Airlines finished the second quarter of 2023 with 635 million USD net profit by responding strong international demand with 28% higher passenger capacity than the 2019 level. Through its 90 years of experience and successful crisis management, Turkish Airlines once again showed its ability to overcome the negative circumstances surrounding our industry since 2020.

In the second quarter, our Incorporation’s total revenue reached to 5.1 billion USD increasing by 13.5% compared to the same period last year. Due to decelerating global trade and earthquake impact, our cargo revenues decreased by 44% year-over-year to 600 million USD, %53 higher than the 2019 level.

While global international airline capacity in the second quarter of 2023 was 12% below that of 2019 according to data published by airline data provider OAG, Turkish Airlines was among one of the few airlines in the industry to exceed its 2019 international capacity by 29%. As Europe’s leading network carrier in terms of daily number of flights operated for the last three years according to the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), Turkish Airlines maintained its status in the second quarter of 2023 as well.

With one of the youngest and most modern fleet of 419 aircraft, Turkish Airlines increased its fleet size by 10% compared to the same period of last year. In the second quarter of 2023, the airline carried over 21 million passengers in total, with a domestic load factor of 81.5% and an international load factor of 81.8%.

Undertaking over one hundred operational optimization projects to reduce its carbon footprint since 2008, Turkish Airlines was awarded the title of “Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline” once again by World Finance as a result of the sustainability focused initiatives in line with its commitment to become a “Carbon-Neutral Airline by 2050”.

Employing over 80 thousand staff including its subsidiaries, Turkish Airlines continues to proudly fly Türkiye’s flag among the giants of aviation as a brand that steers the industry with its unique flight network, modern fleet, superior service quality, and successful financial performance.

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Oman Air has replaced the plastic used to wrap blankets and mattresses in its premium cabins with an eco-friendlier paper-based alternative.

All duvets and mattresses across the airline’s fleet will now be presented to the guests with slim, branded paper bands, resulting in the reduction of up to 21.6 ton of plastic per year. The initiative is the latest step for Oman Air as it continues to work towards phasing out the use of single-use plastics on board.

Captain Nasser bin Ahmed Salmi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Oman Air, said: “In a concerted effort guided by our in-house experts and bolstered by collaborations with partners and vendors, we have successfully achieved another milestone in our sustainability efforts. This pivotal step aligns seamlessly with our corporate strategy to reduce waste and choose more environmentally friendly products, reflecting our commitment to national sustainability goals.”

Oman Air has been making steadfast strides in reducing its on-board plastic consumption over the last few years, including removing the plastic sleeves used to load cutlery and reducing plastic water bottles and cuplets by up to 50% on certain routes. This year, it has also replaced 80% of its in-flight service carts with lightweight alternatives, providing a considerable boost to fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, Oman Air’s continual efforts to minimise its environmental impact is demonstrated through a range of initiatives that underscore its dedication to promoting sustainable aviation practices.

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Collinson and operator of Priority Pass, sees the strong return and growth of travel in Asia Pacific across most markets, and continues expanding its network of airport lounges and travel experiences to cater to the increasing number of travellers.

In the first seven months of 2023 (from January to July), Collinson saw a resounding 44% increase in airport lounge visits across Asia Pacific, with the strongest performing markets being located within South and South-East Asia. Additionally, a 32% increase can be seen when pre-pandemic July 2019 lounge visit figures are contrasted with July 2023.

Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer and Asia Pacific President at Collinson, said, “As we celebrate the almost full resumption of travel in the Asia Pacific region, where air passenger traffic is reported to sit at over 90% of pre-pandemic levels, we remain focused on elevating our members’ travel journeys by growing and enhancing our airport lounges and travel experiences. In the first half of this year alone, we worked closely and collaboratively with industry partners across the region to increase the number of airport lounges and travel experiences in Asia Pacific network by close to 20%.”

Priority Pass Members can now access an additional 88 new airport lounges and travel experiences in Asia Pacific. The recently renewed partnership with Plaza Premium saw 27 lounges added across key Asia Pacific travel destinations including Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines. Collinson also expanded its network of airport lounges in Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia through direct agreements with Blue Sky Group, Noi Bai Aviation Joint Stock Company (SÔNG HỒNG) and SSP Malaysia. Additionally, it has also brought on board seven premium airport lounges in Mainland China through a direct partnership with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Business Travel Service Co Ltd.

“As we meet the growing volumes and evolving expectations of travellers, we are remaining focused on expanding our inventory to bring seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free travel experiences to our members. This is further supported by findings from our recent Asia Pacific customer engagement and loyalty research report, where 76% of consumers view the experience provided by a brand to be as important as its products or services,” Handcock added.

The report, which surveyed over 4,750 frequent travellers across 10 markets in Asia Pacific, revealed that travellers in Asia Pacific, particularly Millennials and Gen Z travellers, are seeking unique and immersive experiences. Airport lounge access topped respondents’ list of travel benefits, with other highly-rated experiences including dining discounts, and lifestyle and wellness benefits – all of which are available through a Priority Pass membership.

New experiences that have been added to the Asia Pacific inventory this year include access to co-working spaces – Connect and Miracle Co-working space – in Singapore Changi Airport and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. Members can also enjoy a wide array of dining choices with 16 new dining establishments brought on board in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Japan. In Japan, travellers can also unwind and relax at Japan’s in-airport Japanese-style public bath at Kutsurogi Dokoro at Chubu Centrair International Airport or choose to take a rest at a nine-hour capsule hotel at Narita Airport.

Today, Priority Pass Members have access to more than 550 airport lounges and travel experiences in Asia Pacific, and over 1,400 globally across the world’s major travel zones. Members can access an ever-growing range of premium experiences – from spas to sleeping pods to dining – that help elevate every journey into something special.

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Going to the ends of the Earth in a quest for the best entertainment is nothing new for Emirates Ice, and this time the award-winning inflight entertainment system will feature a live interview with UAE astronaut Dr Sultan AlNeyadi, chatting about his ‘inflight experience’ in space – as he fearlessly floats 400 kilometres above our planet.

Sprinkling some stardust on the ice experience, the interview will be live on the Emirates World Channel from 1 September 2023, the same day the esteemed astronaut will begin his journey home to Earth, having completed a six-month science mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The journey home from space is expected to take up to 16 hours, just one hour shorter than Emirates’ longest flight duration – 17 hours from Auckland to Dubai.

The interview for Emirates ice was conducted from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) Mission Control Centre, via NASA in Houston, through a space to ground communication link.

Interviewed by Emirates SVP of IFE & Connectivity – Patrick Brannelly, the discussion eclipses expectations as Dr AlNeyadi fondly describes his inflight meals, how he stays connected to family and the entertainment available onboard the spacecraft, with Patrick drawing parallels with the Emirates experience.

At an incredible ISS altitude of 400 kilometres and an orbital speed of 28,000 kilometres per hour, the live footage is interspersed with Dr AlNeyadi enjoying his coffee in microgravity, conducting experiments, and strapping in for his daily workout where he overlooks spectacular views of planet Earth and takes in the weather conditions of our world at a glance.

Emirates has gravitated towards the journey of Dr AlNeyadi, since he rocketed to fame as an Emirati astronaut and the first Arab to serve on the ISS for a 6-month mission, as part of Expedition 69, as well as being the first Arab Astronaut to perform a spacewalk. Emirates was honoured to connect with one of the UAE’s national heroes and collaborate on this piece of history-making content on ice.

Launched onboard in 2003 with 500 channels, Emirates ice has been making a big bang for award-winning and world class entertainment for the last 20 years. The IFE system now offers more than 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment, 80 Academy Award® winning films, over 2,000 movies, 650 TV shows, and 4,000 hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks across 40 languages, in addition to unmatched content like exclusive interviews live from space.

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Zoomcar has announced a strategic collaboration with Air India empowering Air India’s Flying Returns frequent flyer members to accrue Flying Returns points by utilizing Zoomcar’s car-sharing services.

The members can conveniently access Zoomcar’s self-drive choices through the Air India website.

For every 100 rupees spent, Flying Returns members will earn up to 5 Flying Returns points, alongside enjoying an exclusive up to 15% discount on their initial Zoomcar booking until September 30, 2023. This discount can be availed by applying the promocode ‘ZOOMAIRINDIA’ during booking.

Zoomcar is renowned for providing individuals with safe, affordable, and flexible personal mobility solutions. By joining forces with Air India, the company is amplifying its commitment to transforming urban mobility in emerging economies. The CEO and Co-Founder of Zoomcar, Greg Moran, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the alignment of innovative mobility solutions for their mutual customers.

To earn Flying Returns points through this collaboration, users need to follow a simple process. They can visit the Air India partner page or the Zoomcar app to choose their desired vehicle and duration. By using the ‘ZOOMAIRINDIA’ coupon, they can unlock additional discounts and Flying Returns points, contributing to an enhanced travel experience.

This strategic venture between Zoomcar and Air India not only offers added value to Flying Returns members but also underscores the growing trend of partnerships between travel and mobility service providers, catering to the evolving needs of modern travellers.

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NASA is actively exploring the feasibility of a supersonic passenger jet that could drastically reduce travel times, aiming to transport commercial passengers from London to New York in just 90 minutes.
The Quesst mission, initiated by NASA in 2016, seeks to design an aircraft capable of mitigating the deafening sonic boom generated when planes surpass the speed of sound. These booms have led to bans on flying such aircraft over populated regions.

Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor, has developed the X-59, a research jet reminiscent of the Concorde, which can maintain a speed of 937 mph and an altitude of 55,000 feet without causing an undesirable noise level. NASA plans to conduct test flights over US cities in 2024, collecting data on public reactions to the sound, potentially influencing aviation regulations.

This week, NASA’s Glenn Research Center disclosed its investigation into the economic viability of supersonic travel, envisioning speeds ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 mph for jets crossing the Atlantic. The conventional large airliners travel at around 600 mph, and a London-to-New York journey takes approximately eight hours on average. Should these supersonic ambitions come to fruition, air travel could undergo a transformative evolution, dramatically shortening long-haul flight times and potentially revolutionizing the aviation industry.

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Thai Vietjet has been rated 5-star in sustainable tourism at the STAR: Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, on August 25, 2023, at the award ceremony held in Bangkok.

The carrier has been awarded for its continuous efforts in environmental protection and sustainable tourism under the ‘Fly Green Fund’, which was officially established in early 2021.

Since the establishment of Fly Green Fund, the airline has introduced a wide range of campaigns, including Garbage Hunter, where the airline formed a group of volunteers to remove trash and garbage from different cities/provinces across Thailand, and ‘Metro Forest’, in which the airline aims to add more green space in Thailand’s urban regions.

“As an air transportation service provider, Thai Vietjet believes that we are also responsible for environmental sustainability. We have put an enormous effort into reducing pollution from our daily operation, and have taken many actions to protect the environment, reducing the cause of the global warming issue that humanity has been facing. Our appreciation goes to the Tourism Authority of Thailand for recognizing our hard work and effort toward sustainable tourism. We believe that by working together, we will be able to achieve the common goal of promoting sustainable tourism in Thailand” said  Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Director of Commercial, Thai Vietjet.

The “STAR: Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating” program is a sustainability program under TAT, which helps push Thailand’s move towards sustainable tourism. Under the program, businesses that meet the program’s self-assessment requirements will be awarded the “Sustainable Star” certificate, which is valid for two years.

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As Labor Day weekend approaches and summer nears its end, Americans are preparing for travel, prompting a rise in gas prices.

AAA reports a 4% increase in domestic flight bookings compared to last year, while international bookings have surged by 44%. However, for those hitting the road, slightly higher gasoline costs await.

In recent weeks, the national average for regular gasoline has exceeded $3.80 per gallon, slightly higher than last year’s $3.78 per gallon. With experts predicting heightened travel, the period between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday is anticipated to be the busiest on the roads during the extended weekend.

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks a popular time for travel, as people seek a final vacation before summer ends. While air travel has rebounded, road trips remain a favored option, leading to increased demand for gasoline.

This, in turn, contributes to the upward trend in gas prices. Despite the minor increase in fuel costs, many Americans are expected to embark on trips, both domestically and internationally, embracing the opportunity for leisure and adventure as the holiday weekend approaches.

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