Airline, Organisations & Operators,

Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce today confirm the successful Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend ground test on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine. The test marks a key milestone in the project which will see the world’s first 100% SAF flight travel across the Atlantic from London Heathrow to New York JFK on a Boeing 787, set to take off on November 28, 2023.In addition to the test, fuel suppliers Air bp and Virent have been announced to supply the 60 tonnes of SAF to be used in the world first, supporting consortium research, testing and the flight itself. The SAF will be produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway as well as synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK) SAF at an 88% and 12% blend ratio.
Virgin Atlantic is committed to finding more sustainable ways to fly on our mission to Net Zero 2050. Already operating one of the most fuel and carbon efficient fleets across the Atlantic, this flight builds on the airline’s 15-year track record for leading on SAF. Demonstrating that through radical collaboration, industry can deliver 100% SAF in today’s engine, airframes and fuel infrastructure for long haul flight.
SAF typically delivers CO2 life cycle emissions savings of more than 70% whilst performing like traditional jet fuel. SAF has a fundamental role to play in aviation’s decarbonization and pathway to Net Zero 2050. Today, SAF represents less than 0.1% of jet fuel volumes and fuel standards allow for just a 50% SAF blend in commercial jet engines. The one-off Virgin Atlantic flight in November will demonstrate the potential of SAF as a 100% drop-in replacement for fossil fuel today.
The realization of the 100% SAF transatlantic flight taking to the skies is a challenging task requiring cross industry collaboration and dedicated project teams working on the research, testing and operations to make it happen. The Virgin Atlantic led consortium, joint funded by the UK Department for Transport, includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute. The successful bench engine test is a key milestone, however further permissions and safety approvals are required for the flight to take off in November.
Virgin Atlantic and the consortium will leverage the 100% SAF transatlantic flight to further SAF use, as well as addressing other environmental impacts of the sector. The project will demonstrate further reductions in CO2 from operational efficiencies, contribute to research and development into the non-CO2 effects of flying, and provide an end-to-end life cycle analysis of the flight. Any residual CO2 emissions from the flight will be mitigated using innovative carbon removals from biochar projects.ADVERTISEMENTShai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “The 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonization. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is the most readily available way for our industry to decarbonize, but currently there’s not enough supply and without it and the radical collaboration required to produce it, we can’t meet our 2030 targets. We need UK government support to create a UK SAF industry to allow for every single flight out of the UK to operate with 100% SAF – if we make it, we can fly it.”
Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines will power the first ever flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel across the Atlantic. Confirming that we have successfully completed the ground test of the Trent 1000 engine today, using the chosen 100% SAF blend, gives us increased confidence for the engine’s performance and operation ahead of the flight this November. The flight will represent an incredible milestone for the entire aviation industry in its journey towards net zero carbon emissions.”
Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, commented: “A year on from the launch of our Jet Zero Strategy, I’m delighted that Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the first ever transatlantic flight powered solely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel will take off this winter. Thanks to government funding, this flight will be a huge step towards net zero and showcase the potential of SAF – creating jobs and helping to grow our economy.”
Andreea Moyes, Global Head of Sustainability, Air bp, said: “We are thrilled to be supplying Sustainable Aviation Fuel for the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight. SAF is currently the most viable option to help us meet the industry’s net zero ambition and in the short and medium term it will be the only option for long-haul flights. Moving our industry and policy towards the use of 100% SAF is important as we work in collaboration with key stakeholders to help decarbonize aviation.”
Dave Kettner, President & General Counsel, Virent said: “With Virent’s plant-based Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) providing essential fuel components, this test showed that 100% drop-in renewable fuel is cleaner burning and will work seamlessly in today’s commercial airline engines. We’re honored to collaborate with Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce and Air bp as these forward-looking companies lead the way in sustainable aviation. Virent shares their commitment to finding sustainable ways to fly, and we’re excited about the pivotal role our BioForm® SAK plays in making that goal a reality.”
Sheila Remes, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Boeing said: “Boeing is proud to provide technical expertise and support for this testing as we gear-up for Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner to make the first 100% SAF transatlantic flight. We look forward to continuing to work with our project partners on this journey, taking one more step towards a sustainable future of flight.”

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In order to meet the challenges in the area of climate and environmental protection, DER Touristik and the Lufthansa Group are expanding their cooperation: As part of a strategic partnership, DER Touristik is the first major tour operator to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from the Lufthansa Group. This consists of biogenic residues such as used cooking oils and reduces CO₂ emissions by around 80 percent compared to conventional kerosene. With the SAF it has purchased, DER Touristik will offer its guests more climate-friendly air travel using SAF at no extra charge. The costs for the SAF are covered by the tour operator.
Specifically, DER Touristik uses the SAF purchased from the Lufthansa Group to improve the carbon footprint of selected products. These tours will be presented in the DERTOUR Magalog – a mixture of magazine and catalog – to be published in September 2023 with the title “Conscious Travel”. For example, an SAF share of 20 percent will be fed into the flight system for the Lufthansa flights of the 2024 round trips presented in the Magalog. This will reduce the passenger’s individual flight-related CO₂ emissions. These round trips include two individual DERTOUR trips to Ireland, where guests travel locally by public transportation, as well as five guided small-group trips to Albena on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Menorca, Andalusia, Madeira, and Lisbon and Porto. By the end of 2024, selected Lufthansa Group flights booked in addition to one of the sustainably certified hotels in the new DERTOUR Magalog will also feed 20 percent SAF into the flight system at DER Touristik’s expense. In addition, REWE Reisen in Germany and Billa Reisen in Austria will each put together two more sustainable vacation offers with Lufthansa Group flights in Europe in the fall of 2023.
As part of the strategic partnership between DER Touristik and the Lufthansa Group, various other measures are also planned that will sensitize vacationers and travel agency experts to the topic of SAF and make it tangible for them, including an expert study trip to Ireland for travel agencies. Last spring, the Lufthansa Group and DER Touristik had already jointly launched more sustainable travel offers in an initial test run.
A crucial key to more sustainable flying
“We are very pleased to have DER Touristik as a cooperation partner at our side who is committed to the sustainable transformation of the travel industry, who is breaking new ground together with us and who is sensitizing its customers to forward-looking travel offers,” says Frank Naeve, Senior Vice President Global Markets & Stations Lufthansa Group. “With our airlines, we want to connect people, cultures and economies in the most sustainable way possible, reduce the environmental impact of flying and use required resources as efficiently as possible. The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a crucial key to more sustainable flying in this regard.”ADVERTISEMENT“Our goal is to make tourism more climate-friendly and reduce emissions from vacation travel. A key lever in this is flying,” explains Dr. Ingo Burmester, CEO DER Touristik Central Europe. “At the same time, we are investing in the shift toward a lower-emission airline industry with our commitment. As a tour operator and flight broker, we see it as our responsibility to get involved in this area. As an industry, we can only achieve change by joining forces and standing shoulder to shoulder with long-standing, trustworthy partners such as the Lufthansa Group.”
The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. Already by 2030, the Lufthansa Group wants to halve its net CO₂ emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. The reduction target until 2030 was validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in August 2022. The Lufthansa Group was the first airline group in Europe with a science-based CO₂ reduction target in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. For effective climate protection, the Lufthansa Group is focusing in particular on accelerated fleet modernization, the use of SAF, the continuous optimization of flight operations, and offers for its private travelers and corporate customers to make a flight or the transport of cargo more sustainable. In addition, the Lufthansa Group has been actively supporting global climate and weather research for many years.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the following statement by its Director General, Willie Walsh, on the performance of the United States and Canadian air traffic control (ATC) organizations.
“Over the past 12-18 months airlines have responded to the very strong post-pandemic travel demand by adding tens of thousands of employees to their workforces. US passenger airline employment is now at its highest level in over two decades, for example. In contrast, ATC staff shortages in North America continue to produce unacceptable delays and disruptions for the traveling public on both sides of the border.
United States“The recent report by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of the Inspector General makes clear that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed the controller workforce to shrink to the point where it is challenged to maintain continuity of operations at the country’s most critical air traffic control facilities. In fact, 77% of these vital facilities are staffed below the Agency’s 85% threshold. The situations in New York Terminal Radar Approach Control and Miami Tower are extreme at 54% and 66%, respectively.
“Earlier this year, airlines reduced their schedules by up to 10% at New York area airports at the request of the FAA which had acknowledged that it could not accommodate the current level of operations there with the existing controller workforce.
“Poor ATC performance comes on top of the FAA and DOT requiring airlines to invest over $630 million to upgrade or replace fully certified onboard avionics equipment on thousands of aircraft to mitigate the risks of 5G rollout near airports. This is unique to the US. The 5G rollout in other parts of the world has not required anything like this of airlines.ADVERTISEMENT“This double whammy of poor planning is exceptionally disappointing. While the administration has well developed plans for new passenger rights regulations to penalize airlines for delays even if the root causes are beyond the industry’s control, a fix for controller shortages that would actually reduce delays is far too long in coming. As a first step, it is long past time for the appointment of a permanent FAA Administrator equipped to show strong leadership in devising a plan to rapidly rebuild the controller workforce.”
Canada“Recent press reports highlight how NAV Canada, the Canadian air navigation services provider (ANSP), is also letting down airlines and the traveling public, with hundreds of flights cancelled owing to controller shortages.
“This comes as the Canadian Government is revising passenger rights legislation, solely placing the burden of care and compensation on airlines, irrespective of the root cause of disruptions and delays.
“We agree with the Government that shared accountability is needed across the entire value chain, something that cannot be achieved by singling out airlines. Instead of focusing on bureaucratic and punitive legislation, the Government needs to urgently address the shortfalls in those sections of the aviation ecosystem which it controls. Asking airlines to negotiate performance agreements with monopoly service providers reflects a lack of understanding of the industry and will not improve the overall travel experience,” said Walsh.
Bottom Line“Ottawa and Washington, DC need to take ownership of the issues under their direct control and lead in resolving them. Appointing a permanent FAA Administrator would be a first and major step in urgently addressing the US aviation/air traffic control infrastructure constraints, which are hindering airlines from delivering the service travelers expect. Furthermore, refraining from doubling down on costly and poorly thought-out air travel consumer rights regulations in both countries, would free up resources across the entire value chain, in order to enhance the customer experience,” said Walsh.

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Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have once again been rated amongst the best companies in the UK for delivering outstanding customer service, according to the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI).The July 2023 UKCSI, published by The Institute of Customer Service, has ranked Jet2holidays joint 7th out of more than 280 major brands and organisations for customer service.
With a customer satisfaction score of 84.5, it means that not only is the UK’s largest tour operator the only tour operator to appear in a list of the ten most highly rated organisations for customer satisfaction, but it has also improved its score by 0.8 points compared to July 2022. The average ‘tourism’ company scored 80.4.
Leading leisure airline, Jet2.com, has also been highly rated coming in joint 22nd after receiving a customer satisfaction score of 82.1, and ranking significantly higher than the national ‘transport’ sector average of 71.9. As well as the only airline to appear in the top 50 list of organisations, this score makes Jet2.com the top-ranked transport company in the report.
The companies’ successes in the most recent UKCSI survey are the latest examples of how the award-winning airline and tour operator have continued to deliver their customer-first strategy.
For example, Jet2.com has continually operated its entire programme without making cancellations this year, meaning customers can book and travel on their well-deserved holidays knowing they will get away as planned. This follows on from Jet2.com being repeatedly recognised last year for not making any cancellations due to its own staff shortages. The airline, along with Jet2holidays, took action to proactively recruit well ahead of the bounce back last year, and as such had a very visible uniformed presence in place (referred to as the Red Team) in UK airports as well as in main overseas airports and in resorts. This Red Team are on hand this summer, providing customers with an award-winning friendly service and giving customers extra assurance that they are in the best hands when they travel.ADVERTISEMENTThe UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) is a national barometer of customer satisfaction, which has been published by The Institute of Customer Service since 2008. It is based on the experiences and relationships that more than 10,000 customers have had with over 280 organisations in 13 different types of sectors.
Over 25 different metrics, such as employee professionalism, product/service quality, ease of dealing with an organisation, ethical behaviour, and complaint handling are factored into the results to reveal the companies with the best customer service across the UK. The measures in the UKCSI reflect the priorities customers have identified as the most important attributes of customer experience, and also include measures of customer effort and Net Promoter Score (NPS).
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We are delighted to be recognised as the best airline and tour operator for customer satisfaction once again. The UKCSI is a benchmark of how customers feel about different companies they use and the customer service they are providing, and the findings of this survey show that our customer-first approach is working. Once again, we are ahead of the competition for customer satisfaction thanks to our ethos of always putting customers first. This summer is our busiest summer yet, however once again we are continuing to operate our programme without making cancellations, meaning customers can look forward to their well-deserved holidays, just as they should be. It takes a dedicated team of brilliant colleagues to consistently meet these standards, so I would like to pay tribute to everyone at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays for their tireless work ensuring that every customer feels like a VIP when jetting off on holiday with us.”

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), an international industry-academia partnership based at the University of Cambridge, announced a collaboration to accelerate the aviation sector’s transition to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
The two organizations will assess the financial implications of reaching aviation’s 2050 net-zero CO2 goal. Building upon existing work, this collaboration will support the development of scenario-based tools to help airlines analyze and evaluate different decarbonization pathways.
The purpose of this collaboration is to support better-informed decisions by airlines and policy-makers in the transition to net zero. The collaboration will set a solid foundation for IATA and AIA to develop a wider, long-term partnership.
AIA is an international group of experts drawing on a broad range of expertise convened by the University of Cambridge. Its aim is to accelerate the journey to sustainable aviation by developing evidence-based tools that allow people to understand, map, and embark on the pathways towards sustainable flight. Over the last three years a world class network of experts has been assembled and the underlying system modelling capability developed.
“We are excited to launch this new collaboration between AIA and IATA, investigating realistic pathways for aviation’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050. IATA has a strong track record of fostering cooperation between airlines and other stakeholders and driving change in the sector. We believe that by bringing this together with AIA’s unique modelling capability we have an opportunity to unlock change,” said Prof. Rob Miller, Director of the Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge, and AIA lead.ADVERTISEMENT‘’We are delighted to join forces with the Aviation Impact Accelerator with a view to enhance our understanding of the many potential pathways to achieve air transport‘s sustainable future. The development of different technological pathways will have an influence on the long-term outlook of our industry, and our collaboration will notably explore this intersection,‘’ said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
As part of the future collaboration, AIA and IATA also aim to collaborate on the future development of IATA’s Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology, amongst other areas of work. Used in combination with verified airline operational data, the methodology provides the most accurate calculation results and transparency to everyone interested in understanding the carbon footprint from flying activity.

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Emaar Hospitality’s Mark Kirby has celebrated the opening of the Address Jabal Omar Makkah, the operator’s Saudi Arabia debut, and its largest hotel at 1,484 keys.
Designed by the architect Foster & Partners, the towers of Address Jabal Omar Makkah span over 5,000 sqm of space and can be seen for miles. The development includes a commercial area featuring a range of shops, showcasing local, regional, and international brands. In addition, guests can savour a range of culinary options at the many food courts and restaurants in close proximity, catering to various palates and preferences.

Mark Kirby,  head of Emaar Hospitality said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our newest hotel, Address Jabal Omar Makkah, which is conveniently located at the heart of the Holy City of Makkah. The prime location of the property makes it the preferred choice for those seeking to deepen their spiritual connection. With spacious rooms and suites, multiple dining options, and state-of-the-art prayer facilities, the hotel offers all the amenities necessary for a meaningful and unforgettable pilgrimage experience. Whether guests are here for Hajj, Umrah, or to enhance their spiritual connection, Address Jabal Omar Makkah Hotel is the optimal starting point for their journey.”
The hotel is part of a wider development called the Jabal Omar Project, which includes 16 hotels with more than 13,000 keys, 40 towers and a targeted two million hotel guests annually. The project also looks to be able to handle 100,000 visitors a day during Hajj and Umrah.ADVERTISEMENTA handful of these hotels are already open, such as Jabal Omar Marriott providing 426 keys; the Jabal Omar Hilton Suites with 484 keys; the Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency with 657 keys; the Jabal Omar Conrad with 438 keys; the Jabal Omar Hilton and the Jabal Omar DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah with 676 keys.
Source: Hotelier Middle East

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The initiative was discussed during the ICAO Global Aviation Summit in Madrid.
ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano issued the call to action, arguing that promoting gender equality across the industry is not only the ethical thing to do but an essential shift for the future of the business. The Call to Action sends a message of resolve and urgency, and it lays out several options for moving forward strategically.
To better foresee trends, expected requirements, and prepare for them, as well as make educated policy and decision, the creation of better data was identified as a top priority in the area of gender equality.
“I am fully convinced that if we don’t give up, if we keep pushing forward, we can transform aviation into a beacon of inclusivity, and a global industry of diversity and equality,” Sciacchitano added.
Participants at the summit emphasized the need to integrate gender equality into all facets of the aviation industry, from policy formulation to the allocation of resources. The panel concluded that policies and initiatives should be reflective of fundamental concepts of working conditions supportive of women’s advancement in their careers and leadership roles.ADVERTISEMENTSpecific goals surrounding these objectives were regarded as vital to their attainment, as was the development and pushing of higher representation of different abilities into executive, leadership, and board positions.
In closing, attendees acknowledged the critical significance of increasing exposure to STEM education and inspiring the next generation to pursue professions as qualified aviation specialists. The importance of role models, ambassadors, and mentoring programs was also emphasized, as was the need for coordinated effort and cooperation with various stakeholders and businesses.

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Researchers from easyJet Holidays, surveyed the nation’s holidaymakers – and revealed a staggering 87% insist a real book is better on holiday than any form of tech.The research was commissioned to celebrate the operator’s new partnership with WHSmith, the global travel retailer, curating a ‘Perfect Summer Reads’ edit for jetsetters. The partnership will see the list promoted in 140 WHSmith stores, which will be co-branded with easyJet holidays, based in UK airports and train stations.
77% of Brits maintain they always read a real book on holiday, with 56% saying it is one of the only times they take a proper break from looking at a screen.
More than a third (35%) even love the smell of a book, while 24% said a device doesn’t have the same aesthetic as the front cover of a novel. What’s more, almost a quarter (22%) reckon holding a book makes them appear more cultured, while 11% of modern Brits deem old-school hard copy books as retro and hip.
One in ten (10%) like that other people can see what they’re reading, in fact, 79% think that a holiday isn’t a real holiday without a book to read. Amazingly, almost half (49%) read more books on holiday than they do for the rest of the year.
Feeling more relaxed (74%), having fewer distractions (54%) and not worrying about work (23%) are reasons why we read more on our holidays.ADVERTISEMENTTo help readers choose their perfect holiday narrative, easyJet Holidays and WHSmith Travel have curated a selection of spine-tingling summer page turners, guaranteed to elevate any holiday, with an objective to showcase a diverse range of authors. From gritty crime dramas and coming of age stories, to laugh-out-loud fiction and inspiring essays and poetry, the ‘Perfect Summer Reads’ edit will be available across WHSmith Travel stores in large airports and rail locations in the UK:
The Bullet That Missed – Richard OsmanHoney & Spice – Bolu BabalolaThe Boys from Biloxi – John GrishamIt Starts With Us – Colleen HooverGreenlights – Matthew McConaugheyYoung Mungo – Douglas StuartLessons in Chemistry – Bonnie GarmusThe Escape Artist – Jonathan FreedlandAct of Oblivion – Robert HarrisUndoctored – Adam KayTrespasses – Louise KennedyThe Whale Tattoo – Jon RansomTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle ZevinYou made A Fool of Death with your Beauty – Akwaeke EmeziQueer Life, Queer Love: The Second Anthology
Mike Roberts, Senior Books Buyer, WHSmith Travel, said: “We’ve loved working with easyJet Holidays to curate this selection of Perfect Summer Reads. There really is something for everyone; the edit includes some of the big summer blockbusters we know our customers are going to love, and an eclectic selection of diverse titles, authors and genres. So wherever you’re journey takes you this summer, you can pick up a guaranteed good read to enjoy on your travels.”
Chris Brown, Head of Marketing at easyJet Holidays, who commissioned the survey commented: “Books and holidays have always gone hand-in-hand. Whether it’s saving a particular novel for a holiday read, or grabbing that last-minute bestseller from the airport WHSmith, books help make a holiday relaxing. For those who aren’t usually avid readers at home, it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in something special. That’s why we’re extremely pleased to have partnered with WHSmith, to curate the ultimate list of perfect summer reads, showcasing a diverse range of authors, to help you elevate all our customers’ holiday experiences.”
Almost one in five (19%) say the best place to read a book is on a sun lounger, while 16% prefer to sit under the shade of a tree.
While 27% have even come up with the plot for their own novel while whiling away the hours on holiday, yet a forgetful 32% have left their book at home and been forced to read something random from the hotel library.
An honest 49% judge fellow holidaymakers on their beach reads, while 71% believe you can tell a lot about a person by the book they’re reading.
51% of Brits purchase their holiday book at the airport, while 47% are more organised and purchase them online before they jet off to sunnier climes.

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