Travelport launches global accelerator: Travelport has announced the launch of a new global accelerator programme in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Travelport Accelerator, dedicated to addressing the travel industry’s biggest retailing challenges. Travelport Accelerator will see tech start-ups and innovators looking to enter the travel space take aim at a series of different travel retailing challenges, such as data protection, hyper-personalisation, and customer acquisition. Once the challenge has been set, companies with existing technology and products that are relevant to the challenge and use cases outlined on the accelerator webpage are invited to apply. A cohort of up to 10 companies will be selected to proceed to the next stage, which involves pitching solutions to a panel of judges from some of the world’s most renowned travel companies, including American Express Global Business Travel, Priceline, Internova Travel Group, Direct Travel and Christopherson Business Travel. A group of up to three participants will ultimately be selected to move to the final round, solving the challenge in collaboration with Travelport and AWS. Each will be given access to Travelport+, Travelport’s next-generation travel marketplace. Selected start-ups may receive up to US$100,000 in AWS Activate credit and each participant will receive mentoring from travel domain and technical subject matter experts with deep experience working on AWS. The program also offers collaboration opportunities with AWS travel customers and members of the AWS Partner Network (APN) looking for technology solutions to their most challenging problems.
Kleos secures funds to grow constellation: Kleos Space has secured A$12.6 million from new and existing institutional and sophisticated investors in Australia and the US via a placement of approximately 14,823,529 new CHESS Depositary Interests over Kleos ordinary shares (CDIs) at A$0.85 per CDI. The placement includes cornerstone investments from Perennial Value Management and Thorney Investment Group. Kleos CEO Andy Bowyer said, “I am extremely pleased to welcome new high-calibre institutional investors Perennial and Thorney to the register. The strong support we have received from new and current investors reflects Kleos’ significant technical and commercial progress that is accelerating rapidly.” The placement proceeds will be used to fund the launch of future satellite clusters and to scale Kleos’ data-as-a-service offering.
BAA Training launches peer programme: Months after launching a Pilot Peer Support Program (PPSP) for its partner airlines – Avion Express and KlasJet – and being the first ATO to do so, BAA Training has now implemented the same programme internally. Support of trained pilot peers from the airlines mentioned above is now also available to BAA Training’s flight students and flight instructors. They are invited to raise their concerns coming from any source – training, family or personal issues. The peers are pilots themselves, so they understand the profession’s peculiarities and can help deal with stress in a confidential and nonjudgmental way. The ultimate goal of the PPSP is to enable a pilot, their colleague or a family member to speak up and receive professional support. The issues they encounter may range from work-related stress factors, such as inflexible schedules, inappropriate workload, conflicts with team members, etc., to personal suffering, such as grief, marital or family difficulties. The involvement of pilot peers guarantees confidentiality and a non-punitive environment where pilots can expect to be heard and not judged regardless of the situation they report.
Indra wins work at Canadian airports: Through a new contract, Indra will install its InNOVA ground surveillance system at Ottawa, Quebec, Winnipeg, Halifax and St. John’s airports in Canada. A similar system will also be used for training purposes at NAV CANADA’s training facility, the NAV CENTRE, in Cornwall, Ontario. Additionally, a duplicate will be installed at their Technical Services facility (TSC), in Ottawa, Ontario, allowing NAV CANADA’s technical experts to test, validate and provide user support across the nation from a centralised location. The delivery includes the installation of a Runway Incursion Monitoring and Conflict Alerting System (RIMCAS). This system improves ground safety and is documented to have avoided incidents at other airports around the world. With the new ground surveillance system, NAV CANADA gets the flexibility of adding advanced and automated functionalities to meet future needs.
FACC expands partnership with Airbus: FACC is expanding its partnership with Airbus to include the production of empennage components for A220 aircraft. Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC, said, “The first product that FACC, which at that time was still the development department of Fischer Ski, developed for Airbus back in 1981 was a supporting rod for the floor crossbeams of the Airbus A300. Now, 40 years later, we are represented on all aircraft platforms – the A220, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 – with our innovative lightweight components for the wings and engines, the empennage and the passenger cabin. The new order is not only a sign of our expertise and good cooperation, but also an important indicator for the years to come. Together, we will work on the development of new solutions that will shape the future while implementing our climate and sustainability goals step by step.”
Air Astana increases frequencies: Air Astana introduced an additional frequency between Kyiv and Nur-Sultan on 7 September with the capitals of Kazakhstan and Ukraine now connected three times a week on Mondays. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The airline also operates flights between Kyiv and Almaty on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Air Astana will additionally launch a third frequency between Istanbul and Almaty on 17 September with flights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, as well as a service between Istanbul and Nur-Sultan on Thursdays. Air Astana also resumes direct flights from London to Nur-Sultan twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting on 18 September.
New Shan Travel, Collinson partner on COVID tests: New Shan Travel and Collinson have announced a partnership that will enable one of the leading Singaporean travel agents’ customers to book a range of pre-departure tests including polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), antigen and serology tests. Effective since 18 August, the partnership succeeds in making COVID-19 testing more easily accessible for travellers departing from Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom – with special packages also available for students. Collinson will lead and manage the process. Collinson’s secure portal enables New Shan’s customers to request an appointment for a pre-departure test with their preferred in-city clinic from a given list of testing facilities. Upon completion of their test, customers will automatically receive notification of their test results within 36 hours; which if negative, can then be used for travel.
MRO Insider releases FBO service quoting feature: MRO Insider has announced that the platform has expanded to include FBO providers – allowing operators, schedulers, and dispatchers to request fuel pricing, ground transportation, and hangar rental in addition to detailing and disinfecting services. With this feature, FBOs will be able to customise their quote based on fuel cost, quantity, and additional requested services – creating a customized “package deal” for each individual request, rather than the current practice of posting flat rate fuel pricing on multiple websites and listings. The platform has the capability for users subscribed to a fuel program to submit that information with their request. Subscribers will be notified of an operator requesting fuel or service within a 100 nm radius of the requested airport. This allows providers at nearby airports to quote the request, possibly offering a better value than an FBO at a major airport.
Fokker Services signs MRO deal with Collins Aerospace: Fokker Services has entered into a seven- year overhaul and repair agreement with Collins Aerospace. The diverse pneumatic capabilities at the Fokker Services Americas facility in LaGrange, GA, ensures full reliability of well-established aircraft platforms. This includes the Airbus A300, Boeing 747 and 767, Embraer ERJ135 and ERJ145, and Fokker 50 and 60. This new contract highlights the organisation’s expertise in the aerospace aftermarket sector, and builds on its history of providing high-quality maintenance programmes through OEM partnerships. Fokker Services Americas has a long history of providing pneumatic MRO services for its customers. The on-site state-of-the-art test stands, such as the Eddy Current Dynamometer Air Starter test stand, Air Driven Pump test stand and Air Cycle Machine test cell, help to cut down turnaround times and ensure those products are delivered in optimal airworthy condition. With a deep knowledge of long-standing component maintenance capabilities, the team at Fokker Services Americas leverages this expertise and transfers key learnings to provide excellent repairs for newer capabilities.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines adopts Sabre solutions: Bangladesh’s national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a deal with Sabre for its Passenger Service System (PSS) and Global Distribution System (GDS) as well as a broad range of additional Sabre technology solutions. Under the new agreement, Biman will adopt the SabreSonic Passenger Service System (PSS) to power digital transformation, drive revenue growth and improve the passenger experience. Biman has also selected a further set of Sabre solutions as well as renewing its global distribution agreement with Sabre to help meet the demands of modern-day travellers, ensure availability across all points of sale, maximize customer acquisition, leverage its loyalty programme and stimulate demand as industry recovery gains momentum.
JETMS awarded new certificate in UK: JETMS, a global provider of integrated aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions for business and regional aviation, has announced the receipt of its new Maintenance Organisation Approval Certificate (MOAC) issued by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to conduct base and line MRO services on Embraer EMB135/145 aircraft. The issuance of the new MOAC gives JETMS the capability to carry out regional aviation maintenance services on United Kingdom registered aircraft from under one centralised location. The certification gives JETMS the scope to meet the needs of its new and potential customers in the UK market.
Jet Aviation gains EASA approval for G500/600 series: Jet Aviation announced that it has received authorisation from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to provide line maintenance support to Gulfstream G500/G600 series aircraft in Vienna. “As a factory authorised service facility for Gulfstream GV-SP series aircraft, this latest approval attests our high standards and ongoing commitment to remain partner of choice for Gulfstream owners and operators in the region,” says Hakan Tin, managing director and accountable manager at Jet Aviation’s MRO and FBO facility in Vienna. Operating from a 4,000 square-metre hangar facility recently, Jet Aviation Vienna redelivered its first base maintenance check on a Gulfstream G550 earlier this month. The 48-month inspection was delivered on time, with a new windshield. In direct response to customer demand, Jet Aviation also recently expanded its support for Gulfstream aircraft at its maintenance facility in Geneva, now providing line and base maintenance to TC-registered G450 series, G550 series and G650 series aircraft.
AJW Group extends MRO services in Europe: AJW Group has launched its European MRO facility, AJW Technique Europe, located near Gatwick Airport. The MRO begins with a specialisation in battery repair, including deep cycle, top charge, cleaning, re-blocking, regular service, overhaul, test and recertification for all commercial aircraft main, auxiliary, and emergency power supplies. The battery capability is delivered via the acquisition of Avia Component Services. The MRO has been strategically positioned to meet AJW Group’s flagship customers’ needs. AJW Technique Europe will deliver the same outstanding customer service and quality that customers of AJW Group’s state-of-the-art, MRO facility, AJW Technique, in Montreal have enjoyed for almost 10 years.
SRC Aviation awarded ISBAH Stage 3 certification: SRC Aviation has been awarded the ISBAH Stage 3 certification. The international standard for excellence in safety management is the ISBAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling) certification which is given to a company after an extensive audit conducted under the aegis of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). ISBAH is a voluntary, performance-based programme for ground handlers developed by the International Aviation Business Council (IBAC) based on industry best practices for ensuring quality and managing risk. SRC Aviation was the first company in the world to earn the ISBAH 1 certification in 2015, followed by ISBAH 2 in 2017 and ISBAH 3 in 2019.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
