Airline, Technology, Organisations & Operators,

Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, and Royal Jordanian Airlines, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Jordan, announced the renewal and expansion of a long-term distribution and technology agreement to continue to distribute the carrier’s content through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS) and to utilize Sabre’s leading technology to achieve its strategic goals.
Under the expanded agreement, Royal Jordanian will continue distributing its content to the large network of travel agents and corporations worldwide connected to Sabre’s GDS. Furthermore, the airline will be deploying a set of Sabre leading technology including Sabre’s Dynamic availability and Fares Manager and Fares Optimizer. The adoption of these products can help Royal Jordanian Airlines move toward a more flexible and modern environment, while supporting its growth.
“We have ambitious plans to double our fleet and operations within the coming 3-5 years and to position Royal Jordanian as the carrier of choice connecting Jordan and Levant with the world,” said Karim Makhlouf, chief commercial officer, Royal Jordanian.  “Our extended technology partnership with Sabre will help us deploy the most robust and advanced technology to enable our growth plans, help us drive profitability and improve our efficiency while staying on top of today’s ever-changing airline landscape. We are excited to continue partnering with Sabre at this exciting time.”
Dynamic Availability empowers airlines to gain better control of their pricing position by leveraging shopping data, automating fare changes, and enabling dynamic pricing capabilities to generate recommendations that help drive incremental revenue opportunities. Fares Manager and Fares Optimizer, on the other hand, brings integrated end-to-end automation and intelligence to airline pricing to increase analyst productivity and improve revenue opportunities.
“As a key building block for personalized retailing, our dynamic pricing engine enables airlines to optimize availability at scale and unlock greater value by maximizing revenue,” said Darren Rickey, senior vice president, airline sales, Sabre Travel Solutions. ” We are thrilled to expand our long-standing relationship with Royal Jordanian, one of the forward-thinking airlines in the Middle East region and help them deploy some of the industry-leading technology that brings broader possibilities and insightful information about their guests, so they can remain competitive and succeed in this ever-evolving industry.”ADVERTISEMENTSabre provides technology and consultancy services to more than 225 airlines, including most of the world’s largest carriers. Sabre’s broad suite of flexible and scalable software solutions allows airlines to operate how they want to and adapt their business to changing needs and requirements.  Most of the world’s largest carriers already use Sabre’s technology to address their biggest challenges – increasing revenue, minimizing costs and providing an enhanced travel experience.

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As part of the global airport industry response to the challenge of climate change, MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airport Operation and Management, successfully renewed its ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Level-3 “Optimisation” for one more year.This successful recertification is a reassurance that the carbon management processes and activities implemented by Hamad International Airport (DOH) have effectively reduced CO2 emissions.
During the recertification process, MATAR was audited by independent 3rd party verifiers from August 2022 to October 2022, and then further verified by the independent scheme administrator WSP.
Commenting on the successful renewal, Mr. Michael Mcmillan, Senior Vice President Facilities Management said: “We are very proud to maintain this significant accreditation at the optimization level since 2017, acknowledging the efforts of the MATAR Teams and our stakeholders. Sustainability and Environment stewardship are strategic pillars at Hamad International Airport, as we continue our intension and ambition to demonstrate leadership within our industry and country – notably within our recent expansion project – where we achieved 4 star rating under The Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD) for reducing carbon footprint.”
Mr. Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific, said: “The renewal of ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation reaffirms Hamad International Airport’s commitment towards sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact and emissions. Airports like Hamad International Airport are leading our industry on a path toward continued success in innovation and sustainability. This achievement demonstrates MATAR’s firm commitment to investing in a more sustainable future for aviation and the region it serves.”In collaboration with its stakeholders and partners, MATAR plays a vital role in monitoring, managing and reducing Hamad International Airport’s carbon emissions to fulfil the airport’s long-term environmental objectives of carbon emissions reduction by 30% by 2030 – driving for continuous environmental improvement and sustainability.
ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is an internationally recognized accreditation programme by Airports Council International (ACI) that sets out the world’s only institutionally-endorsed, international carbon management programme for airports. The accreditation offers a six-level certification that reflect incremental challenges in measuring, managing and improving carbon emissions.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2022, Hamad International Airport was once again named the World’s Best Airport for the second year in a row by the prestigious Skytrax awards. The airport was also named the Best Overall Airport and the Best Airport in the Middle East at the 19th Global Traveller Tested Reader Survey Awards.

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ANA HOLDINGS, INC. (hereinafter “ANAHD”) and Joby Aviation (hereinafter “Joby”) have been selected by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to operate demonstration flights during the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The two companies, who first announced they were partnering in February 2022, will work together to develop plans for flight connections between the Expo venue and at least one other location in Osaka.
ANAHD and Joby have been working together for over a year on establishing air taxi operations in Japan, collaborating on all aspects of this revolutionary form of transportation, including infrastructure development, pilot training, flight operations, public acceptance and the regulatory requirements to operate.
In October 2022, Joby became the first foreign air taxi manufacturer to formally apply for its aircraft design to be certified for use in Japan. The demonstration flights will form part of the Expo’s Smart Mobility section and introduce this new form of transportation to the 28 million guests expected to visit the Expo between April and October 2025.Koji Shibata, CEO, ANAHD, said: “The Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan provides ANA with a global stage to demonstrate what our partnership together with Joby can deliver. As Japan’s largest airline with 70 years of experience delivering safe and reliable flights to customers, being selected for this prestigious opportunity underscores our dedication to bringing together innovation and operational experience to showcase this revolutionary new service.”
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby, added: “This is a truly unique opportunity to introduce our aircraft to the world and we’re proud to be working alongside ANAHD to demonstrate what this technology can deliver. The World Expo has long been the home of radical transportation innovation and we’re pleased to be playing a leading role in continuing that trend.”
Joby is a California, U.S.-based developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that plans to begin delivering commercial passenger services in 2025. Their piloted, five-seat aircraft has a maximum speed of 320 km/h and is designed to fly up to 240 km. The company has completed more than 1,000 test flights since its establishment in 2009 and is also partnered with Toyota Motor Corporation.ADVERTISEMENT

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Greener, cleaner jet fuel has become a hot commodity at Heathrow as the airport embarks on the second year of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel incentive scheme.In 2022 Heathrow launched a world first – an airport SAF incentive programme which aimed to cover up to 50% of the extra cost, making the fuel more affordable for airlines to use. With last year’s scheme oversubscribed, Heathrow is now aiming to triple the percentage used in 2023 to approximately 1.5%, putting the airport on course to be one the world’s largest users of SAF this year. Participants of the scheme include IAG, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Air France, KLM and JetBlue.
SAF is a proven technology that reduces carbon emissions by up to 70% compared with traditional jet fuel. It can be made from a variety of sources, including waste, animal fat and cooking oil. SAF can work in existing aircraft without the need for technical modifications, and with advancements in aircraft technology like electric or hydrogen-powered flight still some way from commercial implementation, SAF is the key to unlocking material reductions in carbon today.As a global SAF leader, Heathrow is committed to progressively increasing the SAF used each year, with the airport targeting 11% SAF usage by 2030. This year alone the SAF incentive is expected to save over 81,000 tonnes of CO2 and with a proven track record of success, Heathrow’s incentive scheme can now serve as blueprint for other airports to follow suit and introduce SAF into their own operations.
Heathrow’s innovative SAF programme marks the next step in the airport and the UK aviation sector’s plan for net zero flying, but the airport recognises that the sector could move more quickly and cut carbon faster if Government injected pace into the expansion of SAF with supportive policy making. High costs and low production volumes mean it remains in short supply with few able to access it at commercially viable rates.
The appetite to invest is there, but investors want certainty in the longer-term use of this technology before pouring in their capital. The US have acted directly to shore up SAF’s economic and Net Zero impact: the Inflation Reduction Act – which includes a tax credit scheme designed to lure SAF investors to America – is leaving the UK at risk of missing out on the multi-billion-pound industry. Government must act now to support a SAF industry for the UK, which learns from but does not seek to replicate the US system. This can be achieved by introducing a “contracts for difference” price support mechanism –which would help to cut the price premium between SAF and fossil fuel and was successfully used to boost technologies in the UK like solar and wind.Government must also act swiftly by committing into legislation a 10% mandate for SAF use by 2030 this year, before the impetus and the value is lost. Delay could mean that the UK SAF industry suffers and cannot keep up internationally. By delivering both, the UK will see an immediate and tangible impact – with investment, jobs and skills seen right across the UK.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Sustainable aviation fuel is not just about protecting the benefits of aviation in a net zero world – it’s about economic opportunity, creating jobs here in the UK and securing the country’s future energy supplies. Heathrow has led the way on decarbonising aviation by incentivising airlines to use SAF, and Team Heathrow is now probably the biggest user of SAF in the world. But it is currently all imported.  If Britain really wants to compete with the scale of ambition and the credible action seen from the US and Europe, supportive Government policy is needed and it is needed now.”ADVERTISEMENT

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All Nippon Airways (ANA) is taking a significant step through an extended partnership with Amadeus. The renewed deal will continue to see the Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) support all ANA international flights across reservation, inventory, ticketing, and departure control.In addition, ANA will also be implementing new digital, pricing and payment capabilities.  This partnership will bring flexibility and personalization capabilities to the airline, allowing it to provide a seamless experience for its customers.
As a significant extension of the partnership, all ANA domestic flights will also be migrating onto Altéa, including the domestic airlines currently hosted on ANA’s in-house PSS system. Amadeus’ technology will bring ANA and these airlines onto a single platform, enabling the airline to decommission its in-house PSS system by 2026.
With the Altéa Passenger Service System being the key touchpoint for ANA’s domestic and international flights operations, ANA will be able to optimize its existing and future operations, allowing the airline to achieve a higher level of customer experience management, and embrace the next phase of travel demand.
“For the past 34 years, we have had separate passenger systems for international and domestic flights.　We’ve already seen the benefits of Amadeus Altéa PSS with our international business, and we’re excited to bring our domestic flight operations onto the Amadeus system. This one, integrated platform will deliver benefits to ANA and our passengers. For example, together with the new solutions we’re adding in, we have a new infrastructure for selling. This agreement is a step-change for us in our digital transformation journey to further improve our operational efficiency. We are confident the strengthened partnership with Amadeus will improve our customers’ experience” says Sammy Aramaki, Chief Innovation Officer, ANA.“ANA and Amadeus have a long-standing relationship and we are excited to further strengthen and expand our partnership. We believe this agreement is a further step towards modern airline retailing and an example of the collaborative approach we at Amadeus take with our customers. ANA is renowned globally for its attention to detail and quality, and it is a privilege for us to collaborate with the airline to create memorable travel experiences for its passengers” says Javier Laforgue, Executive Vice President, Travel Unit & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Amadeus.
As a part of the wider Altéa global community, ANA will be able to offer passengers an improved customer experience. Travelers will be able to enjoy a more flexible and personalized experience from booking to boarding. Tangible benefits include faster check-in and the consistent and automated application of their preferences at every touch point during their journey.ADVERTISEMENT

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ZeroAvia, the leader in developing zero-emission solutions for commercial aviation, today announced signing a collaboration agreement with Shell, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Rotterdam the Hague Innovation Airport.The parties will develop a concept of operations for hydrogen in airports and demonstration flights to European destinations by the end of 2024, gearing up for commercial passenger flights by 2025.Following up on the cooperation commitment announced last year to launch the first hydrogen-electric commercial flight, this specific collaboration will focus on serving the first hydrogen flight from Rotterdam, including operation at the airport, developing on-the-ground infrastructure and operations to satisfactorily pilot distribution, storage, and dispensing of hydrogen for aviation, leading towards decarbonizing the whole airport ecosystem.
Ultimately, the project targets supporting aircraft operations using gaseous hydrogen to fuel ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric, zero-emission ZA600 engines. For these specific demonstration flights the parties aim to establish routes to airports in Europe within 250 nautical mile radius of Rotterdam. Last month, ZeroAvia demonstrated a first flight of a 19-seat aircraft powered by its prototype ZA600 engine.
This project will also target the development of aviation specific standards and protocols around safety, refueling and hydrogen management, enabling rollout of the promising fuel seamlessly. The parties will work together in discussions with potential airline operators for the initial demonstration and subsequent commercial flights.
Shell brings critical experiences and technical capabilities to the project. This is expertise related to hydrogen end-to-end supply chains and global experiences in design and operation of refueling equipment, including hydrogen. Shell invests in hydrogen production projects with the aim to develop regional and international hydrogen economies. In its decarbonization efforts Shell collaborates with airports to develop fit-for-future infrastructure that will allow it to supply customers with sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen and electric planes charging, so called “multi-modular” infrastructure.
Arnab Chatterjee, VP, Infrastructure, ZeroAvia, said: “Having this consortium, including Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport and Shell, moves the ball a significant distance down the field towards our goal line of commercial operations. Some first passengers on zero-emission flights in the world could be flying from Rotterdam. There is still a lot of work to do, but with clear milestones and targets identified, the hard work really starts now towards delivering the infrastructure and exploring the protocols and standards required.”ADVERTISEMENTOliver Bishop, General Manager Hydrogen at Shell, said: “This project and collaboration is a milestone as it enables a rapid decarbonization of a hard-to-electrify sector such as aviation. It also offers the chance to support one of the first international zero-emission passenger routes. On top of that, it allows the opportunity to road test multi-fuel and multimodal fueling operations in a live airport environment. This is a big step forward for hydrogen aviation and for Shell’s plans in this space.”
Wilma Van Dijk, CEO, Rotterdam The Hague Airport of Royal Schiphol Group, said: ” Hydrogen is key to decarbonize aviation. This collaboration helps us demonstrate and validate new airport infrastructure requirements as well as concepts of operation. And hence accelerate and stimulate airport transformation towards Zero-Emission.”
ZeroAvia has previously partnered with Shell for the provision of low carbon-intensity hydrogen to power some of its testing and early commercial operations in California. The multinational energy company also invested in ZeroAvia last year.
Miranda Janse, CEO Rotterdam the Hague Innovation Airport, said: “As a foundation supported by Rotterdam The Hague airport and Municipality of Rotterdam, RHIA is always keen to drive innovation and sustainable aviation developments at RTHA together with and for a network of partners. RHIA is actively working with partners within its DutcH2 Aviation Hub program to develop hydrogen-driven flights from RTHA. This collaboration is one of the projects within the program that helps us create the open-access infrastructure required for the sector. RHIA is happy to help facilitate this specific partnership and bring the project to life as well as creating the foundation for the partners within the community.”
ZeroAvia’s testing of the ZA600 powertrain in flight is part of HyFlyer II, an R&D project supported in part by the UK Government’s ATI programme. The project has also seen the further development of ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Airport Refuelling Ecosystem (HARE) demonstrator alongside project partner EMEC, and separately ZeroAvia has developed a hydrogen refuelling pipeline at Cotswold Airport.

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Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest airliner, kicked off construction of its Overture Superfactory today in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Overture Superfactory is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located on a 62-acre campus at the Piedmont Triad International Airport. This site will house the final assembly line, as well as test facility, and customer delivery center for Boom’s flagship supersonic airliner, Overture.“Today’s groundbreaking for the Overture Superfactory represents a significant step forward in building sustainable and accessible supersonic travel for the world,” said Kathy Savitt, President of Boom Supersonic. “This milestone is a shared one and we are deeply appreciative of the input, leadership, and support of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, local community, and the state of North Carolina.”
By 2032, Boom will hire more than 2,400 workers at the Superfactory, and recruiting is already underway. North Carolina economists estimate that the full Boom manufacturing program will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion over 20 years. In addition to Boom’s job creation in the state, the company is creating over 200 internships for students in North Carolina public universities, community colleges, and trade schools to build the next generation of supersonic workers.
“Building on our legacy of ‘First in Flight,’ North Carolina is ready to partner with Boom Supersonic in leading the way to a fast and clean aviation future,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “Our economy is taking flight with a talented workforce and strong infrastructure ready for these new, good-paying jobs in innovation and aerospace.”
Boom selected North Carolina as the site for Overture aircraft manufacturing because of its large skilled talent pool, access to exceptional universities, community colleges, and technical schools, proximity to the Eastern Seaboard for supersonic flight testing over water and close proximity to several top-tier aerospace suppliers. North Carolina’s aerospace manufacturing sector has grown three-times faster than the national average over the past few years.
“It’s an exciting time to live in North Carolina and see the influx of innovative companies establish roots in our state. The high-paying and skilled jobs that Boom Supersonic will create will make a significant economic impact in the Triad and across the entire state,” said North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger.ADVERTISEMENT“Boom Supersonic continues to deliver on its commitments and is growing its presence in North Carolina, building excitement in the community,” said Paul Mengert, Chair of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. “On behalf of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority and our board members, we congratulate Boom on this milestone for Overture.”
Throughout this year, Boom will focus on construction of the Overture Superfactory with BE&K Building Group and their design partner, BRPH. The building will be LEED certified in keeping with Boom’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
In 2024, Boom will install tooling, provided by Advanced Integration Technology (AIT), ahead of moving into the building and preparing the facility and staff for Overture production launch the same year.
Boom continues to complete critical program milestones including the unveiling of Symphony™, the new propulsion system designed and optimized for Overture, which also took place in Greensboro last month.

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Following a $175m agreement with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, has installed Split Scimitar Winglets to the first of over 400 of its Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.This modification will improve aircraft fuel efficiency by up to 1.5%, reducing Ryanair’s annual fuel consumption by 65 million litres and carbon emissions by 165,000 tonnes.
As Ryanair grows to carry 225m passengers by FY26, this initiative will further the airline’s target of net-zero by 2050.
Ryanair’s Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler said:
“As Europe’s most environmentally efficient major airline, we are leading the way in sustainable aviation as demonstrated by this investment in our fleet. This winglet technology will help us reach our ambitious environmental targets on our pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. We are impressed with APB’s innovative winglet designs and look forward to having them installed on not just this first aircraft but on over 400 of our aircraft to further reduce our emissions.”
APB’s Chief Commercial Officer, Patrick LaMoria said:ADVERTISEMENT“Having the operator of the world’s largest fleet of 737-800 Next Generation aircraft install Split Scimitar Winglets is the ultimate endorsement of APB and its products. We are both humbled and honoured to continue to support Ryanair in their ambitious sustainability initiatives.”

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