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The head of a group representing global airlines renewed pressure on planemakers to speed up plane and parts production on Sunday, warning the delays would curtail airline capacity as demand for air travel nears a full recovery from the pandemic.
Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told Reuters the topic had been raised by “every single one” of the airline CEOs he had met as the industry gathers for a three-day annual meeting in Istanbul.
Airlines “are not concerned about the macroeconomic environment, they’re concerned about the access to spare parts for their existing aircraft and the delivery of new aircraft. So it’s definitely got to hold back capacity growth,” he said.
“It’s frustrating because airlines can see strong demand, but they’re not able to match supply with demand in many markets. And this is something we want to see resolved.”
Airbus and Boeing have blamed supply chains for delivery delays, while bottlenecks in a network of engine repair shops have also forced airlines to ground dozens of jets.ADVERTISEMENTThe gathering comes two weeks before the Paris Airshow, where supply pressures are likely to overshadow new orders.
Source: https://english.alarabiya.net/

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IATA Releases Strategic Roadmaps to Showcase Critical Steps to Reach Net Zero by 2050 More

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled a series of roadmaps aimed at providing step-by-step detailing of critical actions and dependencies for aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. These roadmaps address aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, operations, finance, and policy considerations leading to net zero.
With the adoption of a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) at ICAO’s 41st Assembly, governments and industry are aligned to reach the same net zero CO2 emissions goal by 2050. As policy initiatives lay the foundation on which many of the needed innovations and actions will rest, these roadmaps will be a critical reference point for policy makers.
“The roadmaps are the first detailed assessment of the key steps necessary to accelerate the transition to net zero by 2050. Together, they show a clear direction and will evolve as we dig deeper to set interim milestones on the way to net zero. I must emphasize that the roadmaps are not just for airlines. Governments, suppliers, and financiers cannot be spectators in aviation’s decarbonization journey. They have skin in the game. The roadmaps are a call to action for all aviation’s stakeholders to deliver the tools needed to make this fundamental transformation of aviation a success with policies and products fit for a net-zero world,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The roadmaps were not developed in isolation. A peer-to-peer review, complemented by a modeling tool provided by the Air Transportation Systems Laboratory at University College London (UCL), was conducted to calculate emission reductions for each technology.
Highlights of each roadmap include:ADVERTISEMENTAircraft Technology: the development of more efficient aircraft and engines. Particularly important are the steps needed to enable aircraft powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen or batteries. All development milestones are backed-up by announced investment and demonstrator programs. Also included are new engines, aerodynamics, aircraft structures, and flight systems.Energy and New Fuels Infrastructure: the focus is on the fuels and new energy carrier infrastructure upstream from airports needed to facilitate the use of aircraft powered by SAF or hydrogen. Renewable energy plays a vital role in meeting the aviation sector’s energy demand, and the roadmap outlines milestones to enable the necessary infrastructure developments.Operations: the opportunities for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency by improving the way existing aircraft are operated. Automation, big data management, and the integration of new technologies are key enablers for optimizing air traffic management and enhancing the overall efficiency of the air transportation system.Policy: the need for globally aligned strategic policies to provide incentives and support for the aviation industry’s transition to a net-zero future. As with all other successful energy transitions, collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders is crucial in creating the necessary framework to achieve the decarbonization goals.Finance: how to finance the cumulative $5 trillion needed for aviation to achieve net zero by 2050. This includes technological advancements, infrastructure developments, and operational improvements.The challenges to ramp up SAF production are a good illustration of the importance of these roadmaps. As a drop-in solution, SAF is expected to deliver about 62% of carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero by 2050. But even though SAF is expected to be fully implementable with future aircraft fleet, it still has major inter-dependencies on policy, aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, financing, and operations for which these roadmaps are critical.
“The roadmaps show where all stakeholders should focus their efforts. There are two certainties. By 2050 we need to be at net zero carbon emissions. And the steps to get there that are outlined in these roadmaps will evolve as the industry’s expertise grows. Policy is particularly important early on as it, to a large extent, sets the scene for private sector investors to move.  With that, the private sector can decarbonize at scale and with speed,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist at IATA.
“Without the right policy incentives and bold investments, many of the technologies and innovations simply won’t happen at scale. Everything is related, and that is why we have the five roadmaps to tie all the parallel elements together and give our stakeholders, including governments, a complete understanding of everything that needs to happen,” said Owens Thomsen.
“Time is of the essence, as highlighted by these roadmaps. Immediate action is required to commercialize scalable zero-carbon energy storage solutions along with the required infrastructure, and to build a business case for their rapid delivery at Gigawatt scale,” said Prof. Andreas Schafer, Director of UCL’s Air Transport Systems Laboratory.

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The China Brand Day events kicked off at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in mid-May, joined by over 1,000 Chinese brands.At the events, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) displayed its cabin services, in-flight meals, technological and innovative products and other interactive experiences with an aim to build an immersive experience for visitors, which well indicated the company’s commitment to creating splendid experiences for travelers with targeted and meticulous services.

A newly developed mixed reality (MR) headset was a big hit at the China Brand Day. It integrates mobile equipment and digital technologies, and is widely used in aviation scenarios. The equipment attracted a number of visitors.
Besides, CEA also exhibited a smart bracelet that is able to sense staff members’ motions in baggage handling and thus improve their work efficiency and ensure their occupational health. The bracelet is the first of its kind in the civil aviation industry and is gradually being distributed to relevant CEA employees.
At the center of CEA’s exhibition booth, there were in-flight meals and drinks newly launched by CEA’s Excellent Sky Chef, including the MU Catering “Zhen”, MU Catering “Huan”, MU Noodles and MU Tea series. International passengers flying to and from China with CEA will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious food served by CEA’s “Lingyan” crews.ADVERTISEMENTCEA also attended a conference on the global communication of Chinese brands, a sub-event of the China Brand Day, to share the excellent stories of CEA.

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Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, will participate in an in-depth discussion on the Global Stage of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May. In conversation with John Strickland, Director of JLS Consulting, Sir Tim will reflect on Emirates’ long-term strategy as it begins to ramp up aircraft deliveries from 2024 while balancing growth and tackling broader issues like climate change.
The news comes amid reports of significant gains across the Middle East’s aviation sector, which saw year-on-year traffic almost double in January 2023 according to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This growth is especially evident in the UAE where Dubai International Airport (DXB) catered to more than 66 million passengers in 2022, a 127% rise compared to the previous year.
Over the longer term, analysts from Mordor Intelligence predict that the Middle East’s aviation market will record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 6% during the period 2022-27, meaning regional passenger numbers are likely to continue to rise for the foreseeable future.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “It’s encouraging to see that air traffic in the Middle East is once again beginning to soar, especially following such a turbulent period during and after the global pandemic.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Sir Tim to our Global Stage for the 30th edition of ATM,” Curtis added. “Emirates has firmly established itself as an innovative trailblazer within the global aviation industry, so I cannot wait to hear how Sir Tim and his colleagues are working to build a futureproofed and sustainable airline sector.”ADVERTISEMENT

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Riyadh Air, the new world-class airline launched by the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), today announced an order of up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes in a multi-billion dollar deal.
This unprecedented order for a new carrier – 39 confirmed aircraft with an option to acquire 33 additional wide-body 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes – is a strong signal of intent for Saudi Arabia to become a global aviation hub. This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, national carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visits by 2030. 

In terms of economic impact, in the U.S., the deal is expected to support nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and more than 300 suppliers from across 38 states, including 145 U.S. small businesses, while in Saudi Arabia, the new airline is expected to add USD20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.The order also underlines the importance of Riyadh Air environmental goals as it aims to operate one of the newest and most sustainable airline fleets in the world, while intending to meet the most stringent noise regulations. Operating from the capital of Riyadh, a thriving international metropolis rich in history and culture with a futuristic vision embodied by Vision 2030, Riyadh Air will help enable the transformation of the capital into one of the world’s top cities economies. The city has a rich history and is home to some of the most ambitious new projects in the world, including King Salman International Airport, Qiddiya, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park, Diriyah Gate, and the New Murabba Development. Saudi Arabia has a unique strategic geographical location that connects the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.
ADVERTISEMENTThe new world-class airline aims to connect millions of leisure and business travelers to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030 following this partnership with The Boeing Company. Riyadh Air will be at the cutting edge of technology enabling digital innovation at every guest touchpoint while offering an exceptional guest experience with authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart. His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan Governor of the PIF and Chairman of Riyadh Air said: “This is a momentous day for PIF and Riyadh Air, and highlights our determination to significantly extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with the world. Our stated commitment is to create a world-class airline and this partnership with Boeing in building the fleet is the next step in achieving the aspirations of Saudi Arabia as a global transportation hub. We look forward to fostering strong strategic relationships within the wider aviation ecosystem as we continue to shape the new airline to become one of the leading carriers around the world.” 

Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “This is a significant order that will support Riyadh Air’s commitment to deliver a world-class travel experience, while supporting American aerospace manufacturing jobs at Boeing and across our supply chain. We are incredibly proud of our nearly eight decades of partnership to drive innovation and sustainable growth in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. Our agreement builds on that longstanding partnership and will further expand access to safe and sustainable commercial air travel for decades more.”
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “The new airline reflects the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia to be at the core of shaping the future of global air travel and be a true disrupter in terms of guest experience. Riyadh Air’s commitment to its guests will see the integration of digital innovation and authentic Saudi hospitality to deliver a seamless travel experience. By positioning the airline as both a global connector and a vehicle to drive tourist and business travel to Saudi Arabia, our new 787-9 airplanes will serve as a foundation for our worldwide operations, as we build the wider network and connect our guests to Saudi Arabia and many destinations around the world.” As an airline that will be a global leader, Riyadh Air will equip its airplanes with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. The first deliveries of the widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025.
Riyadh Air will be a digitally led full-service airline with a commitment to sustainability reflecting Saudi Arabia’s transformative projects under Vision 2030. It will operate in line with the country’s strides toward net zero emissions. The 787-9 Dreamliner model is manufactured with environmental impact considerations in mind, including CO2 emissions, fuel efficiency and noise regulations. The new airline was officially launched earlier this week and will serve as a lever to help fulfill Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.
The establishment of Riyadh Air is in line with PIF’s mandate to unlock the capabilities of key sectors locally to drive the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The airline will also support the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s broader vision, and enable the National Tourism Strategy, unlocking Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions to international tourists and creating new jobs

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Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s airlines, comprising Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASwings, have been appointed as the official airlines for the forthcoming Malaysian Association Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2023.MATTA Fair visitors can look forward to a wide range of enticing offerings from the airlines including, up to 45% off on Malaysia Airlines’ domestic and selected international destinations and an opportunity to win one of the 37 return tickets in its Buyers Contest.
Meanwhile, Firefly will be offering fares starting from RM69 all-in one-way to domestic destinations and RM99 all-in one-way to international destinations onboard its ATR 72-500 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft, whereas MASwings will offer all-in one-way fares starting from RM131. This exclusive offer is valid from 16 to 24 March 2023, via the physical MATTA Fair event and the airlines’ online platforms, for immediate travel to 30 November 2023. Enrich members will also earn 50% Bonus Enrich Points during this period.
Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines from MAG said, “We are delighted to be part of Malaysia’s biggest travel fair as the official airlines for MATTA Fair 2023 through sister companies Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings. This reinforces our commitment to providing more value, convenience and options through great deals and travel experiences for our customers, while also playing our unique role in supporting the recovery of Malaysia’s aviation and tourism sector.
On top of the great discounts offered on air fares, customers will also get to enjoy other deals beyond air travel including on MHholidays, Journify, and travel add-ons among others, as part of MAG’s wider aspirations of becoming Asia’s leading travel and aviation services group focused on delivering highly customised, end-to-end travel solutions in line with our Long-Term Business Plan 2.0. As the appetite for travel regains momentum, we invite everyone to take advantage of the great offers available during MATTA Fair and on the airlines’ website to enjoy the best deals for their upcoming travels.”
To further enhance visitors’ experience at the physical fair, the three MAG airlines will be giving away 37 tickets in the Buyers’ Contest which includes Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class return tickets to London, Sydney and Haneda and Economy Class return tickets to Osaka, Melbourne, Perth, Seoul, Denpasar, Singapore, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.  Meanwhile, Firefly and MASwings will offer five (5) and 12 return tickets respectively to the winners’ destinations of choice within their network.ADVERTISEMENTAs members of the Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM), the sister airlines are dedicated to ensuring safe and seamless travel for customers by adopting the highest safety and hygiene standards across all end-to-end touchpoints of the traveller journey so passengers can continue to Fly Confidently.
MATTA Fair 2023 is scheduled to take place from 17-19 March at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). Admission to MATTA fair is free of charge and will be open from 10am to 9pm for three days from Friday to Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation such as the LRT and e-hailing services.

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Last week and according to annual tradition the Brussels Airport Aviation Awards were presented. With these awards, Brussels Airport wanted to honour airlines and partners who in 2022 have excelled in the area of punctuality and performance, network development and safety and environment. 11 awards were presented during a live partner event.Brussels Airport has been organising the Aviation Awards since 2007, in order to reward the airlines and partners for an exceptional performance. This year, awards were presented in 11 different categories.
Performance and Punctuality Awards
The Performance and Punctuality Awards are presented to passenger and cargo airlines that excel in punctuality and performance. Punctuality is the best on-time performance, that is with an arrival or departure within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.  The performance for cargo is calculated using the number of weekly flights, number of destinations, total quantity of cargo flown, cargo per flight and the growth in cargo tonnage.
1. Cargo Airline Performance Award: Ethiopian Airlines
The airline that contributed most last year to the development of Brucargo was Ethiopian Airlines. The airline currently operates 7 weekly scheduled flights between Brussels and Addis Ababa and achieved a strong traffic growth in 2022 of 8%. The other nominees were Air Belgium, Qatar Airways, Sichuan Airlines and Singapore Airlines.ADVERTISEMENT2. Short Haul Airline Punctuality Award: Air Europa
The Punctuality Awards are for the airlines with the best on-time performance. In 2022, Air Europa was the most punctual airline. They operate two daily flights to Madrid and previously won this category in 2013. Air Europa performed just slightly better than the other airlines nominated in this category: Finnair, airBaltic, KLM and ITA Airways.
3. Long Haul Airline Punctuality Award: Qatar Airways
This year, the Punctuality Award for long haul airline goes to Qatar Airways. They fly daily to Doha and also won this award in 2016. The other nominees in this category were Air Belgium, Emirates, United Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.
Cargo Awards
There are two awards specifically for cargo stakeholders and partners at Brussels Airport for innovation, growth and partnership.
4. Brucargo Award: Aviapartner Cargo
The Brucargo Award was introduced in 2012 to shine the spotlight on our partners at Brucargo. This year, this award goes to Aviapartner Cargo, for their strong contribution to the Brucargo community and considerable efforts for Air Cargo Belgium.  The other nominees in this category were Air Cargo Belgium, ACIC Operator, dnata, and Hongyuan Group.
5. Logistic Provider Award: Expeditors
Expeditors are constantly raising the bar for pharma transport, with their expertise they are the logical choice for the pharma industry, and they are the largest user of the Airside Pharma Transporters. The other nominees in this category alongside Expeditors were Herfurth Logistics, Kuehne & Nagel, Hongyuan Group and Ziegler.
Environment and Safety Awards
The Environment and Safety Awards are presented to airlines or partners that have made a special contribution to the environment and the on-going improvement of safety standards and awareness.
6. Environment Award: Safran Aircraft Engine Services Belgium
The Environment Award went to Safran Aircraft Engine Services Belgium. This company is investing in a new building Brussels Airport and it will embed itself here in a sustainable manner. The new building will be equipped with many sustainable techniques such as fossil-free heating through heat pumps, solar panels, thorough insulation and therefore a very low EPC value, rainwater buffering and infiltration, and green roofs. On a day to day basis this company reduces its environmental impact by a zero-waste system of surface treatment of metals, heat recovery, and company fleet electrification.
7. Safety Award: Brussels Airlines Maintenance
Brussels Airlines Maintenance receives the Safety Award for its collaborative and effective safety audit, ultramodern and digitised support systems.
Network Development Awards
The Network Development Awards go to airlines that start new routes or have achieved a significant growth in passengers or cargo volumes.
8. Cargo Airline Award: Air Belgium
The award for Cargo Airline 2022 goes to Air Belgium, for starting up their full-cargo activities with ultramodern B747-8 and A330 aircraft, which strengthen the growth at Brussels Airport thanks to the successful partnership with Hongyuan Group. The other nominees were Ethiopian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.
9. Short Haul Airline Network Development Award: Transavia
Transavia, which started up its base in Brussels last year expanding its presence in the Benelux, receives this year’s Short Haul Award. The other nominees were Corendon, FlyOne, PLAY and SunExpress.
10. Long Haul Airline Network Development Award: United Airlines
United Airlines can take home this award thanks to the complete recovery of their traffic and the enormous growth of their three-city network in the United States; they are the largest non-Belgian long haul airline at Brussels Airport. The other nominees in this category were Air Belgium, Hainan Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Canada.
11. Diamond Award
This year, we are also presenting a Diamond Award. This Award is not presented each year, but only to highlight an exceptional performance of an organisation or individual. This year, the Diamond Award goes to the staff of TUI fly. A highly motivated airline team that mobilises all departments to meet the operational challenges that can arise at its domestic airport, whether it be organising transfers or handling baggage. The passengers are at the centre of the staff’s priorities and they do everything possible to offer them a holiday in the best possible conditions.Brussels Airport congratulates all winners and nominees for their great performances.

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easyJet customers have raised over £300,000 in three weeks to support UNICEF’s emergency appeal. Their donations have helped raise vital funds for the children and their families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
The emergency onboard collection by easyJet’s cabin crew has now been extended into March, providing millions more customers flying with easyJet across 36 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, the opportunity to donate in any currency.
Donations will go directly towards supporting UNICEF’s round-the-clock emergency response in the region. In Syria, UNICEF is mobilising supplies and services to support the urgent needs of children and families. In Türkiye, UNICEF has mobilised critical emergency supplies and ensured evacuation to safe spaces for children in affected areas.
Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services, commented:
“I would like to thank all of our customers who have already donated, for their kindness and generosity in raising over £300,000, which will help UNICEF and their volunteers to continue providing a vital lifeline in the region for the children and families who have been affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. ADVERTISEMENT“This is, of course, all made possible by our fantastic crew, who day-in and day-out go the extra mile to raise money for UNICEF.  As the relief effort continues, we are pleased to have been able to extend the collections onboard into March so more customers can have the opportunity to donate.”
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive, UNICEF UK:
“Through our partnership, UNICEF and easyJet remain committed to ensuring that the families affected by the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria receive urgent support. By supporting UNICEF’s appeal, easyJet is helping to provide access to emergency supplies.”
“Children face extra risks to their health without supplies of food and clean water and donations from easyJet and its generous customers will continue to support UNICEF’s work around the clock to protect the health and welfare of children and their families.”
Over the last 10 years easyJet customers have raised more than £16m for UNICEF through on board collections, including more than £800,000 last year for children and their families impacted by the war in Ukraine, helping to protect millions of children around the world from disease and keep them safe during emergencies.

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