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So far Kostas Iatrou has created 1973 blog entries.

‘Your loyalty has never been more important’: Delta is only airline to extend Medallion Status, key SkyMiles benefits into 2023

Source: Delta Air Lines Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members will be able to enjoy their Status through Jan. 31, 2023, in addition to other extensions designed to give the airline’s most loyal customers more flexibility as travel resumes. The news was shared by Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a letter to SkyMiles Members Tuesday, which also outlined actions, resources and policies the airline is putting in place to address challenges customers have been facing as they return to travel. Those measures include giving those booked in Basic Economy the ability to make changes to their flights for travel occurring through Dec. 31, 2021, to help reduce calls to Reservations. Later this week, those customers will be able to manage their trips [...]

2021-07-28T18:17:11+03:00July 28th, 2021|AIRLINES, News|

Air Cargo Posts Strongest First Half-Year Growth Since 2017

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air cargo markets for June showing a 9.9% improvement on pre-COVID-19 performance (June 2019). This pushed first half-year air cargo growth to 8%, its strongest first half performance since 2017 (when the industry posted 10.2% year-on-year growth). As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons to follow are to June 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern. Global demand for June 2021, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was up 9.9% compared to June 2019. Regional variations in performance are significant. North American carriers contributed 5.9 percentage points (ppts) to the 9.9% growth rate in June. [...]

2021-07-28T18:08:41+03:00July 28th, 2021|News, ORGANISATIONS|

June air travel recovery continues to disappoint

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger demand performance for June 2021 showing a very slight improvement in both international and domestic air travel markets. Demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels owing to international travel restrictions. As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are to June 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. Total demand for air travel in June 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 60.1% compared to June 2019. That was a small improvement over the 62.9% decline recorded in May 2021 versus May 2019. International passenger demand in June was 80.9% below June 2019, an improvement [...]

2021-07-28T18:07:11+03:00July 28th, 2021|News, ORGANISATIONS|

Disney keynote address confirmed for ACI Customer Experience Global Summit

Source: ACI As the Canadian government announced it will re-open the international border, Airports Council International (ACI) World has today announced that Walt Disney Imagineering Vice President Luc Mayrand will deliver a keynote at this year’s Customer Experience Global Summit.   The third edition of ACI World’s Customer Experience Global Summit will be held as a hybrid conference at Montreal’s Palais des Congres on 8 and 9 September exploring the theme Gateway to the new travel journey: Share. Rethink. Evolve. The event will comprise physical and virtual elements.   The Canadian government has announced that fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents from the United States will be allowed to enter the country as of 9 August – with fully vaccinated [...]

2021-07-27T17:26:44+03:00July 27th, 2021|News, ORGANISATIONS|

Chile’s SKY takes delivery of its first A321neo

Source: Airbus SKY, a Chilean-based low-cost carrier, has taken delivery of its first A321neo leased from Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL), becoming the first airline in Chile to operate the A321neo. SKY’s A321neo aircraft are powered by CFM Leap-1A engines and can seat up to 238 passengers in a two-class layout. SKY is the first airline in South America to operate the A321neo with a high density cabin configuration. The A321neo has a 95 percent airframe commonality with Airbus’ A320 Family, fitting seamlessly into SKY’s existing fleet of 19 A320neo. This aircraft incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver more than 20 percent fuel and CO2 savings, as well as a 50 percent noise reduction. Additionally, The A321neo [...]

2021-07-27T16:58:58+03:00July 27th, 2021|MANUFACTURERS, News|

U.S. Airlines May 2021 Passengers Increased 607% from May 2020 but Declined 30% from May 2019 (Preliminary)

Source: US DOT   U.S. airlines carried 607% more scheduled service passengers in May 2021 than in May 2020 (preliminary), according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 18 airlines that carry more than 90% of the passengers.   The large airlines carried 56.6 million passengers in May 2021 (preliminary), compared to 8.0 million passengers in May 2020 and up from 3.0 million in April 2020, which was the lowest monthly total in BTS records dating back to 1974.  The previous low was 14.6 million passengers in February 1975.   In May 2021, the large airlines carried 30% fewer total passengers, 27% fewer domestic passengers and 51% fewer international passengers than in pre-pandemic May 2019 when [...]

2021-07-26T20:43:13+03:00July 26th, 2021|News, ORGANISATIONS|

Southwest Airlines Joins Sabre Providing Industry-standard Level of Access to Carrier’s Low Fares and Network as it Welcomes Business Travelers Back to the Sky

Source: Southwest Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) ("Company") today began offering flights for sale within Sabre's global distribution system (GDS), the leading corporate booking channel in the US. With a rollout of the partnership now complete, Southwest Airlines® for the first time in Company history offers an ability for business travelers and travel decision makers to book Southwest and its everyday low fares at an industry-standard level of participation within all three major GDSs. "As we bring the Southwest Effect to business travel, our number one focus continues to be removing friction when booking travel, while at the same time investing in the booking channels used most by travelers and travel decision makers," said Dave Harvey, Vice President of Southwest [...]

2021-07-26T17:53:59+03:00July 26th, 2021|AIRLINES, News|

IATA Adds Environmental Sustainability to its Training Curriculum

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an environmental sustainability training program together with the University of Geneva (UNIGE). While sustainability has played an important role in the industry for many years, it is a key priority as the sector rebuilds from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent survey of more than 800 industry training professionals, sustainability was identified as a top training need, in order to ensure that employees can obtain the necessary fundamental technical and operational skills, but also the required soft skills. The IATA - UNIGE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Environmental Sustainability in Aviation consists of six modules covering the following topics: Design a Sustainability Strategy Environmental Management Systems [...]

2021-07-26T17:51:34+03:00July 26th, 2021|News, ORGANISATIONS|

JetBlue Renews Long-Term Partnership Agreements with Barclays and Mastercard

Source: JetBlue JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced a multi-year extension of their co-branded credit card agreements with both Barclays and Mastercard. The partnership renewal will extend and expand their consumer and small business credit card portfolios. The agreement will center on the continued delivery of innovative, digital-centric card offerings that meet consumer’s evolving needs and foster engagement and loyalty. “We have had a highly successful collaboration with both Barclays and Mastercard. Building on our current best-in-class products, we are already acting on a plan that will disrupt the industry and bring even more value to our cardmembers,” said Don Uselmann, vice president loyalty, JetBlue. “Over time, we will introduce an enhanced product set, reimagined benefits, and a high degree of [...]

2021-07-26T17:22:14+03:00July 26th, 2021|AIRLINES, News|

Air Canada Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Source: Air Canada Air Canada today reported financial results for the second quarter 2021. Operating revenues of $837 million, an increase of $310 million or 59 per cent from the second quarter of 2020. Negative EBITDA (1) (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), excluding special items, of $656 million compared to negative EBITDA (excluding special items) of $832 million in the same quarter of 2020. Operating loss of $1.133 billion compared to an operating loss of $1.555 billion in the second quarter of 2020. Net cash burn (1) of $745 million, or about $8 million per day, on average. Unrestricted liquidity of nearly $9.8 billion at June 30, 2021. "The COVID-19 pandemic continued to weigh on Air Canada and the Canadian [...]

2021-07-24T00:11:51+03:00July 23rd, 2021|AIRLINES, News|