South Korean authorities confirm 179 victims identified as investigation into country's deadliest aviation disaster continues Investigators have successfully extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder of the Jeju Air flight that crashed Sunday at Muan International Airport, while recovery efforts continue at the crash site, South Korea’s transport ministry announced, according to a report from Yonhap news agency. The Boeing 737-800, operating as flight 7C-2216 from Bangkok, crashed during landing and collided with a concrete wall off the runway’s end, resulting in 179 fatalities. Only two crew members survived the incident, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, according to official statements. The investigation reached two significant milestones Friday, with the aircraft’s engine being recovered and transported to a secure facility for analysis, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) reported. Officials temporarily suspended recovery ope...

  Danish capital welcomes return of world's largest passenger aircraft as Emirates becomes sole international carrier operating superjumbo to Denmark Emirates’ Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, has touched down in Copenhagen for the first time since March 2020.  Emirates has resumed Airbus A380 services to Copenhagen, marking the superjumbo’s first appearance in the Danish capital since March 2020. The January 2 touchdown coincided with Copenhagen Airport’s centenary celebrations, making Emirates the only international airline currently operating the double-deck aircraft to Denmark. The resumption of A380 operations significantly increases capacity on the Copenhagen-Dubai route, offering 43 percent more seats compared to the previous aircraft deployment. The two-class configured aircraft features 58 lie-flat Business Class seats and 557 Economy Class seats. “We are incredibly proud to finally bring back the Emirates A380 to Copenhagen – what a sight to see i...

Emirates marks an important fleet milestone today with the delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft. A6-EXA is the first of 65 A350 aircraft to be delivered to the airline over the course of the next few years. The delivery also marks the first new aircraft type to join the Emirates fleet since 2008. The aircraft has already been officially handed to Emirates and flown to Dubai. The aircraft will receive its finishing touches at Emirates Engineering before being officially unveiled at a special event later this week.  The delivery flight for the newest member of the Emirates fleet was powered by a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The aircraft will officially enter commercial service in January when it makes its debut flight to its first destination, Edinburgh, followed by 8 other destinations across the Middle East, West Asia and Europe.

American Airlines will launch its inaugural flight from Dallas Forth Worth Texas to Brisbane, Australia. The services are schedules from October on the 787-9 aircraft and will operate daily. American is also launching daily services to Veracruz, Mexico in June, and a new daily service to Rio de Janeiro in October. American senior vice president of network and planning Brian Znotins said in a statement “American is thrilled to grow our international network to give customers more ways to escape the cold next winter.” Brisbane and the state of Queensland are known for their beautiful beaches, world-famous zoos and a vibrant cultural scene. This new service will make it easier for travelers from the United States to experience all that this region has to offer. Tickets for the new service to Brisbane will be available for purchase starting February 5 on aa.com and the American Airlines mobile app.This announcement marks a significant expansion in American Airlines’ service, providing more...

  The Argentinian low-cost carrier Flybondi has become the first airline in the world to allow passengers to resell their tickets and, in the process, earn a cut of any profit made by selling the ticket for a higher price than it was originally sold for. Similar to how concert ticket vendors like Ticketmaster have allowed resales for years, Flybondi has introduced a new platform from travel technology startup TravelX to introduce a similar concept for airline tickets. The system works by creating an NFT ticket alongside the original ticket, which is stored on the blockchain. The two tickets are synchronized and have the same fare rules, seat numbers and itineraries, allowing Flybondi to trace the NFT ticket even as it is resold or transferred to someone else. The technology currently allows resells up to 72 hours before departure, enabling both Flybondi and TravelX to earn a transaction fee whenever the ticket changes hands. Normally, airlines strictly forbid reselling tickets, but...

  Emirates has been flying the Airbus A380 for 15 years now, and it’s safe to say that this superjumbo has become a cornerstone of their fleet. With 116 A380s in operation, Emirates is the biggest user of this aircraft, and they’ve got some pretty cool features to show for it. When Emirates got its first A380 on July 28, 2008, it was a game-changer. Airports had to revamp their runways and air bridges just to handle this beast. Why? Because the A380 can weigh up to 575 tonnes, which is two and a half times the weight of the Statue of Liberty. The A380 is also the largest passenger aircraft ever made. It can hold up to 615 passengers and has over 550 square meters of usable floor space. That’s a lot of room for people and even more room for luxury, which Emirates is known for. Emirates A380 First Class passengers get to enjoy 14 fully-enclosed Private Suites. You can pick your meal and bedtime, and there’s even an on-board Shower Spa. But it’s not just about First Class; the airline...

Kenya Airways the national carrier of Kenya, has showcased a remarkable rejuvenation by reporting a substantial 120% increase in its operating profit for the fiscal year 2023. This resurgence comes on the heels of a challenging period, with the airline having recorded a loss of Kshs 5 billion (34 Million USD) in 2022. The latest financial figures, announced during the 2023 Half Year results briefing, reveal that the airline has shifted its trajectory toward profitability, posting an operating profit of Kshs 998 million. This achievement was underpinned by a series of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience, achieving operational excellence, and ensuring prudent cash management. By capitalizing on opportunities in passenger charters and intensifying scheduled operations, Kenya Airways effectively navigated the turbulent aviation landscape. One of the key contributors to this impressive recovery is the noteworthy growth in the cabin factor, which soared t...

Dubai-based low-cost airline, Fly Dubai is set to break new ground as it becomes the first Emirati airline to operate direct flights from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates to Mombasa, Kenya. Starting from January 17, 2024, the carrier will offer four weekly flights operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MBA) marking a significant milestone in air travel connectivity between the UAE and Kenya. Flydubai’s flight schedule to Mombasa, Kenya, offers travelers flexibility with two weekly flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Sundays and Tuesdays at 4:00 PM, arriving at Moi International Airport (MBA) at 8:25 PM. Return flights from Mombasa to Dubai operate on the same days, departing at 9:25 PM from MBA and landing at DXB at 3:55 AM the following day. Additionally, there are flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays departing from DXB at 9:20 AM, arriving at MBA at 1:55 PM, with return flights from MBA to DXB at 2:55 PM and landing a...

  Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines have recently expanded their codeshare partnership. This expansion which came into effect on August 24, 2023, is set to benefit travelers by offering seamless travel options to three key destinations in Africa. Under this enhanced codeshare agreement, Turkish Airlines will operate selected services with the Etihad code on the following routes: Istanbul to Abidjan (Twice weekly) Istanbul to Douala (Four times weekly) Istanbul to N’Djamena (Twice weekly) The codeshare arrangement enables passengers to enjoy the convenience of booking their entire journey on a single ticket, with the assurance of world-class service from both airlines. The addition of these African cities to the codeshare network represents a strategic move by Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines. Africa is a region of immense economic growth and cultural diversity, making it an attractive destination for both business and leisure travelers. By tapping into this market, the airline...

  Emirates and AEGEAN are taking their partnership up a notch by adding a new Athens-New York (Newark) route. This comes as the airlines celebrate a year of successful collaboration that has helped over 16,800 passengers. Now, travelers flying with Emirates can enjoy a stopover in Athens and then catch AEGEAN’s flights to various European and Greek destinations. Likewise, AEGEAN passengers can hop on Emirates’ flights between Athens and Dubai or Athens and Newark. The codeshare agreement between the two airlines kicked off in August 2022. It offered travelers an easy booking experience from Emirate’s network to eight domestic spots in Greece via Athens. All of this came with the convenience of a single ticket and one baggage policy. AEGEAN also added its code to Emirates’ flights between Dubai and Athens, making travel between the two hubs a breeze. Adnan Kazim, Emirate's Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We’re pleased to expand our successful partnership with AEGEAN to include our ...

Philippine Airlines  has launched a new program called Global Student Plus. This program is designed for international students aged 12 to 31. The airline is offering a 10% discount on one-way or round-trip fares for specific international routes. Eligibility and Documentation To qualify for this program, students need to show either a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC), a student visa, or an acceptance letter from their school. These documents must be presented at the time of booking and during airport check-in. Apart from the fare discount, students also get extra baggage allowance. They can carry an additional 10kg or one extra piece of luggage, depending on the airline’s baggage policy. In an official statement, Salvador “Bud” Britanico Jr., PAL Vice President for Sales, stated, “As the Philippine's flag carrier, we extend our full support to students who wish to study abroad, through our Global Student Plus program.  Philippine Airlines hopes to be part of t...

As part of activities celebrating women's month, Philippines airlines operated an all female flight to Guam exemplifying how it empowers women in the aviation industry. PR110 utilizing a 168-seater Airbus A321neo left Manila for Guam on March 22 and landed on March 23. The commemorative  flight was led by Capt. Emmie Ragasa in command and assisted by First Officer Lilybeth Tan-Ng. This milestone is part of the national carrier commitments in showcasing women in PAL as "strong, dynamic, evolving and empowered." in a statement released by the airline. Philippines airlines eyes reactivation of entire fleet by year end which were stored at the unset of the covid pandemic to meet the current demand and also expand their route network.

A Cebu Pacific Air A320 Airbus had to make an emergency landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah after a suspected problem with the aircraft’s engine late on Wednesday. It is believed that the plane, which took off from Cebu in the Philippines at 7:55 pm local time with 92 crew members and passengers, and was scheduled to land in Singapore that night, encountered problems with its left engine during the flight. The pilot then proceeded to make an emergency landing in Kota Kinabalu at about 10:20 pm. The plane was in the air for just under two hours, around half the usual flight time from Cebu to Singapore, according to data from flight trackers. A Singaporean passenger on the flight told reporters that the 30 minutes it took for the plane to make the forced landing was the most frightening period in his life. He further said the left engine appeared to be emitting sparks, and the aircraft seemed to be operating with just one function...

Aero Contractors has pioneered the introduction of the latest technology for quick and seemless boarding process known as Pro-Ranger Boarding Pass Mobile Scanners. To further explain the workings of this latest innovation, the airline in a statement explained that mobile scanners would expedite the boarding procedures thereby enhancing On Time Departure (OTP) and the scanners would allow passenger data gathered at the check-in counter to be verified at the boarding gate, thus reducing time spent to board passengers and prevent passengers with invalid boarding pass access to the aircraft. Which is a huge security booster. Furthermore, It will also enable production of valid and comprehensive passenger flight manifest in addition to enabling remote check-in. This enhances efficient passenger facilitation. This innovation will certainly improve passenger boarding process and overall service delivery. Aero contractor which is under the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria ...

   Air India the national carrier of India wholly owned by the Tata group announced it has sealed a massive deal to purchase 250 planes with Airbus in a bold move to revamp the airline's fleet thereby underscoring the industry’s recovery from the devastating covid-19 pandemic and the airline’s ambition to become a global force after years of challenges. The carrier had signed a letter of intent to purchase 210 A320neo family jets with an additional 40 A350s. These fuel efficient aircrafts will help the airline reinvent itself thereby placing the airline in a strong footing to compete effectively with domestic low cost rivals and also the dominant middle eastern carriers who have over years dominated the Indian international market. The airline also looks forward to expanding it's international routes network specifically to countries in Africa, North America and Europe with a direct fight which will extensively put the airline at an advantage by providing direct flights to the...

  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced a new transit visa for passengers booked on Saudi Arabian airlines - Saudia Airlines or Flynas- with a stopover in the country. The visa has a validity of three months and will be issued free of cost. This means that you can apply for the visa up to 90 days before you travel. It will allow you to stay in Saudi Arabia for 96 hours (four days) to perform Umrah or for tourism purpose. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the service was now effective and passengers can apply for the transit visa through the electronic platforms of Saudia Airlines or flynas. The applications would then “be automatically passed to the unified national visa platform at MOFA to process and issue the digital visa immediately and send it to the beneficiary via e-mail.” “In partnership with our national air carriers, Saudia and Flynas, we are using digital platforms to provide an instant Stopover Visa, which only enhances Saudi’s...

  On the sideline of the ICAO general assembly in Montreal Canada, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika was quoted as saying Nigeria would consider buying China's newly-certified C919 passenger jet as it grows the country's carrier Nigeria Air to 30 planes by around 2025. "We haven't looked at that C919. But if it's as good as the others then why not". The new airline would have a mixture of Airbus and Boeing planes when fully operational. He also added the carrier is also willing to look at the Chinese narrow body jet, which Chinese regulators certified on Friday.  The first C919 aircraft, designed to compete with popular single-aisle models made by Airbus and Boeing, will be delivered by the end of the year, state Xinhua News Agency said.It remains unclear when the plane might be certified by the United States or Europe, opening the way to sales in most foreign markets, but industry analysts say it will be up to a decade before China can seriously ...

  Philippine Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States to pursue a lender-backed restructuring plan that aims to help the loss-making company get back on its feet following a pandemic-induced crash. The flag carrier's proposed restructuring, which is subject to approval by a court in the southern district of New York, includes an agreement with majority of aircraft lessors and lenders to reduce debt payments by over $2 billion and slash its fleet size by 25%, the company said in a statement on Saturday. The Chapter 11 filing, which allows a company to continue operations while it restructures its finances, was a product of discussions with key shareholders, PAL said in a statement adding the plan will not affect passengers and employees. The company will also complete a parallel filing for recognition in the Philippines under the Financial Insolvency and Rehabilitation (FRIA) Act of 2010.    “We welcome this major breakthrough, an overall agreement...

  Gulfstream Aerospace first production G700 set the ultra-long-range model inaugural city-pair speed records when it flew from its home base in Savannah Georgia, to Doha Qatar, and then on to Paris Le Bourget.  The aircraft performed “flawlessly” on both legs, in a statement by Gulfstream senior VP of worldwide sales Scott Neal. The fully outfitted G700 production test aircraft with registration number N706GD flew from Savannah Georgia to Doha, covering a distance of 6,711 nm at an average speed of Mach 0.88 in 13 hours and 16 minutes.  The aircraft then set another city-pair record from Doha to Paris, flying 2,953 nm in six hours and 15 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90. In keeping with the manufacturer's sustainability commitment, the G700 burned a blend of sustainable aviation fuel on the Savannah to Doha flight, while Gulfstream also purchased carbon offsets for both flights. The aircraft is being used to test the G700’s new luxurious cabin. Gulfstream decided...

  Embraer have finalized plans to roll out Electric air taxis which could take flight in Manila Philippines in as early as five years time following a partnership between Embraer and Singapore based start-up Ascent Flights Global Ltd. In a statement, Eve said it would provide Ascent with up to 100,000 hours of flight time per year on its electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, also known in the market as EVA or electrical vertical aircraft, beginning in 2026.Eve plans to deploy up to 100 aircraft to be marketed by Ascent on its current and future routes. Ascent, which acts as an independent on-demand platform, will pay for flight time utilized on Eve’s aircraft while operating in combination with partners in Asia Pacific and other markets.The new agreement is part of Eve´s comprehensive urban air mobility strategy to position the company as a leader in the industry. The deployment of Eve aircraft across the Ascent network is subject to the parties entering into de...