June 17

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June 17

Cebu Pacific plans large order for Airbus A320neo

According to media reports, the Philippine airline Cebu Pacific is close to placing a significant order for up to 150 Airbus A320 Neo aircraft. The renowned news portal "Bloomberg" was the first to report on the planned large order. Apparently, the order will be officially announced at the Farnborough Air Show. The Airbus A320 Neo is a modernized version of the successful A320 model, which has improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. These features make it particularly attractive for airlines like Cebu Pacific that want to expand their fleet while optimizing operating costs. Cebu Pacific is one of the largest low-cost airlines in Asia and serves an extensive network of destinations in the region. Such an order for up to 150 aircraft could significantly increase flight capacity and open up new market opportunities for the airline. The official announcement of the order at the Farnborough Air Show is awaited with great interest and could reveal further details on the exact delivery times and financial terms of the transaction.

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Qantas acquires remaining shares in TripADeal for AUD 211 million

Qantas has announced that it will acquire the remaining 49 percent of the shares in online travel provider TripADeal for AUD 211 million, equivalent to approximately EUR 130 million. With this acquisition, the Australian airline aims to capitalize on the continued high demand for holiday bookings. TripADeal is a leading provider of online travel bookings in Australia and has experienced strong growth since its founding in 2011. The acquisition of the remaining shares will enable Qantas to further expand its presence in the online travel market and exploit synergies between air travel and holiday bookings. Qantas' decision to increase its stake in TripADeal follows a period of intensive partnership and cooperation between the two companies. TripADeal will continue to operate independently, but will work closely with Qantas to expand its range of holiday packages and travel services. The transaction is subject to approval by the competition authorities and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

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Southwest Airlines reduces expectations for aircraft deliveries this year

Southwest Airlines has drastically reduced its forecast for new additions to its fleet. The airline originally planned to receive 80 new aircraft from Boeing this year, but now only expects 20 deliveries. This was announced by airline boss Bob Jordan. In particular, the smaller Boeing 737 Max 7, which is still pending approval, is not expected to be able to enter service until 2026, said Jordan. He was critical of the delays and emphasized the importance of a stable and reliable partnership with Boeing for the airline's future. "I am not happy about the delays," said Jordan, pointing out that he would personally contact representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing to address the challenges. Jordan was particularly concerned after a visit to Spirit Aerosystems, a key Boeing supplier, where he encountered significant quality problems. Jordan plans another visit to Boeing in the next few weeks to discuss progress and measures to improve delivery times and product quality.

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Tyrolean Jet Services has a new owner

R. Schwarz Holding, a Vienna-based investment company, has acquired 100% of the shares in the business charter company Tyrolean Jet Service (TJS) from the Swarovski family. This is reported by the Tiroler Tagezeitung, citing local sources. Tyrolean Jet Service operates a fleet of business jets, including a variety of models such as Cessna Citation CJ1+, CJ2, Citation XLS+, Global 5000, E505, Falcon 900EX and Falcon 7X. Part of the fleet is currently registered through TJS Malta, while the company also holds an air operator's certificate in San Marino, but has no aircraft registered there. Tyrolean Jet Service was founded in 1958 as the Swarovskis' corporate flight division. The company later expanded to include scheduled flights and became known as Tyrolean Airways before being taken over by Austrian Airlines in 1998. Ambulance flights under the Tyrol Air Ambulance brand were also part of the portfolio, which is now owned by the US-based Phoenix Air Holding. R. Schwarz Holding is managed by Reuwen Schwarz and Jill Ruth Wyler. Reuwen Schwarz is also a board member of Air-Corviglia, a virtual Swiss airline that operates a PC-12NG for business charter flights under the AOC of AXIS Aviation. The acquisition of Tyrolean Jet Service by R. Schwarz Holding marks a strategic step in the company's development in the field of business aviation.

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Airbus delivers last BelugaXL freighter

Airbus has successfully delivered the sixth and final A330-700ST BelugaXL freighter to Airbus Transport International. With this delivery, Airbus has completed the transition from the previous A300-600ST generation. The first BelugaXL, with the registration F-WBXL and serial number 1824, made its maiden flight in July 2018 and initially served as a test aircraft. After certification, the cabin was modernized in 2023 to meet the specific requirements of Airbus Transport International. Airbus Transport International is responsible for transporting large aircraft parts between the company's production sites. The BelugaXL, with its expanded capacity, plays a crucial role in supporting the production ramp-up. In parallel, Airbus has gradually phased out the older A300-600ST Beluga freighters. The last of these aircraft, with the registration F-GSTD and serial number 776, ceased operations at the end of May 2024. However, Airbus does not plan to retire these aircraft entirely, but has handed over three of them to commercial operator Airbus Beluga Transport, which will resell them. The decision to hold on to the Beluga models comes at a time when the market for large-capacity cargo aircraft is limited, especially after the failure of the An-124 and the destruction of the An-225 during the conflict in Ukraine.

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Mexicana plans expansion with new aircraft orders

Mexican airline Mexicana, part of Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario, de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos, Olmeca-Maya-Mexica, SA de CV (GAFSACOMM), is planning a major expansion with the order of ten Embraer E190-E2 and ten E195-E2 aircraft. This new fleet will allow Mexicana to serve 11 international routes. According to Jorge Vega Rivera, General Director of GAFSACOMM, new routes will be opened from Mexico City Felipe Angeles to major destinations in the United States such as Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, New York, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson and Miami International, as well as international destinations such as Havana, San José, Panama City and Bogotá. Delivery of the new E195-E2 aircraft is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, followed by further E190-E2s in 2026 and 2027. The E190-E2 will have space for 108 passengers, while the E195-E2 will have 132 seats. With this fleet expansion, Mexicana expects an annual capacity of over 3 million passengers. In addition, Mexicana plans to open new bases in Tijuana and Tulum Felipe Carrillo International, from where it will fly to other destinations such as Vancouver, Portland, Montreal, Ottawa, Punta Cana, Caracas and Lima. Mexicana currently operates with a fleet of five aircraft and serves 18 domestic destinations in Mexico. Between December 2023 and June 2024, the company will have carried more than 140.000 passengers on almost 3.000 flights.

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Alaska Airlines loses trademark dispute against Virgin Group

Alaska Airlines has lost a lengthy legal battle against the Virgin Group that is now costing the company dearly. The court ruled that Alaska Airlines must pay at least $2039 million in royalties to the Virgin Group annually through 8, regardless of whether the Virgin brand is actually used. The conflict dates back to the merger of Virgin America with Alaska Airlines in 2016, which transferred all rights and obligations. However, Alaska Airlines stopped using the Virgin name in 2019, resulting in a pause in royalty payments. The Virgin Group successfully argued in court that the licensing agreement remains valid until 2039, which requires Alaska Airlines to pay the set fees. Judge Stephen Phillips upheld the High Court ruling, which says Alaska Airlines must continue to pay the flat fee for using the Virgin name. The decision is expected to have a significant financial impact on Alaska Airlines, as the company will now have to raise millions in royalties annually, even if it is not actively using the name. A Virgin Group spokesman commented positively on the ruling: "The court's decision confirms our long-term rights to the Virgin brand and underscores its high value." Alaska Airlines has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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Czech national football team arrives in Hamburg

On Thursday at 13:40 p.m., the charter plane carrying the Czech national football team landed at Hamburg's "Host City" Airport. The team, which will be based in Hamburg, was warmly welcomed by Hamburg's State Councilor for Sport Christoph Holstein, the Czech Honorary Consul David Ancker, the airport's managing director Berit Schmitz and the President of the Hamburg Football Association Christian Okun. The European Championship mascot Albärt also made a stopover at the airport. State Councilor Christoph Holstein emphasized the importance of EURO 2024 for Hamburg, especially the connection between Hamburg and its twin city Prague. Berit Schmitz praised the airport's extensive preparations and looked forward to the smooth handling of the additional flights. Hamburg Airport expects over 15.000 additional passengers during the European Championship season. 74 special fan charter flights are planned for the group phase. Volunteers and additional airport staff will support the arriving guests and ensure that everything runs smoothly. In addition, gastronomic partners offer live broadcasts of the games and special offers in the shops and restaurants.

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Arrival of the Portuguese national team at Münster/Osnabrück Airport

On Thursday at 19:26 p.m., the Portuguese national team, the Seleção Portuguesa de Futebol, landed at Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO). The players, coaches and support staff were warmly welcomed by FMO Managing Director Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz and Manfred Schnieders, President of the Westphalia Football and Athletics Association (FLVW). To celebrate the arrival of the Boeing 737 from Lisbon, the airport fire brigade staged a traditional water fountain. Hours before the arrival, thousands of football fans gathered on the visitors' terrace to give the team an enthusiastic welcome. Several hundred motorcyclists also came to greet the players, including superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and accompany them to their quarters in the Gütersloh district. The FMO expects further special charter flights as part of the European Championship. The Portuguese team will use the airport for their domestic travel to the host cities. The Serbian national team has also announced that it will play its first group match against England in Gelsenkirchen at the FMO.

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AUA carried out its first Dreamliner long-haul flight

On Saturday afternoon, Austrian Airlines entered a new era of Austrian aviation. The first long-haul flight with the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as OE-LPL and with the flight number OS87, took off for JFK Airport in New York. The airline is celebrating this milestone as the start of a comprehensive modernization of its fleet and as a significant step forward in terms of travel comfort and environmental friendliness. Michael Trestl, Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines, was enthusiastic: "The 'Dreamliner' lives up to its name and makes dreams come true. We are delighted that our passengers will be able to enjoy our Austrian hospitality combined with new, innovative travel comfort from today's first long-haul flight to New York." This statement underlines the airline's high standards of quality and service. In all classes, passengers benefit from larger luggage compartments and an innovative lighting system that supports the biorhythm and thus reduces jet lag. The Dreamliner's engines are particularly quiet and contribute to a relaxed flight experience. Another highlight are the largest windows in the aircraft industry, which also allow passengers in the middle rows an uninterrupted view of the horizon. These windows can be electronically darkened so that passengers can regulate the light according to their individual wishes. When entering the cabin of the Boeing 787-9, passengers experience a generous feeling of space. The aircraft has space for a total of 294 guests: 26 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 247 in Economy Class. The Business Class impresses with seats that can be converted into flat beds, as well as direct access to the aisle and raised

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