Singapore Airlines October traffic down: Demand for air travel remained tepid as border controls and travel restrictions remained in place in most countries to curb the spread of COVID-19. During the month of October, SIA Group passenger capacity (measured in available seat kilometres) was down by 89.9 percent year-on-year. Overall passenger carriage (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres) was lower by 98.1 percent, resulting in a group passenger load factor (PLF) of 15.8 percent, a decline of 68.6 percentage points year-on-year. SIA’s capacity was 87.9 percent lower compared to last year, with a skeletal network in operation that connects Singapore to 32 metro cities, up from 30 in September with the addition of Dhaka and Johannesburg. Passenger carriage declined 97.8 percent, resulting in a PLF of 15.6 percent. SilkAir’s passenger carriage decreased by 99.2 percent year-on-year against a 98.2 percent cut in capacity. PLF was 33.7 percent. SilkAir continued to operate flights to Cebu, Chongqing, Kuala Lumpur, Medan and Phnom Penh, and added Penang to the list of destinations served. Scoot’s passenger carriage declined 99.1 percent year-on-year against a contraction in capacity of 95.1 percent, which led to a PLF of 16.1 percent. Scoot now serves 18 destinations, reinstating flights to Manila and Tianjin. Operations to West Asia and Europe remained suspended. Cargo load factor (CLF) was 23.7 percentage points higher year-on-year as the capacity contraction of 57.8 percent year-on-year outpaced the 41.7 percent decline in cargo traffic (measured in freight tonne-kilometres). All route regions recorded year-on-year increases in CLF in October 2020.
Leonardo included in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices: Leonardo announced that it has ranked first in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the Aerospace & Defence industry, confirming the company’s leadership for the second consecutive year. This achievement confirms that sustainability is at the core and a key driver of Leonardo’s strategy, governance, and 2030 vision. “Being recognised as an industry leader in the DJSI,” said the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo, “and further confirms that we are on the right path. We continue to contribute to sustainable progress for a safer world. This ambition is at the core of Be Tomorrow-Leonardo 2030, our long-term plan aimed at developing new business opportunities and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) by leveraging on technological innovation and core competencies. Economic, social, and environmental sustainability is now at the centre of the international debate. The belief that sustainability creates value and mobilise resources is becoming increasingly shared.”
Etihad announces new route to Israel: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will launch daily scheduled year-round flights to Tel Aviv, the economic and technological centre of Israel. The launch of flights follows the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two nations, and the signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in Washington DC on 15 September. Only a month later, Etihad became the first GCC carrier to operate a commercial passenger flight to and from Tel Aviv on 19 October 2020. The new service effective from 28 March 2021 will provide greater choice and convenience for point-to-point business and leisure travellers between the UAE and Israel. It will not only promote direct inbound tourism to Abu Dhabi, but will also give Emiratis and UAE residents the opportunity to discover Israel’s historical sites, beaches, restaurants and nightlife.
India’s Star Air signs for PaxLink: India-based Star Air is transforming its technologies for passenger processing by implementing Collins Aerospace’s ARINC PaxLink Passenger Service System. With this solution, Star Air can manage reservations, inventory, distribution and departure control with one integrated cloud-based system — saving time and resources associated with managing multiple systems. With PaxLink, airlines can select from a number of modules to create a tailored solution that streamlines passenger check-in, boarding, flight load planning, online reservation sales, inventory management and distribution through online travel agencies (OTA). In addition, PaxLink kiosk integration and digital check-in minimise queues and the need for check-in desks. The scalability and flexibility of PaxLink also easily enables Star Air and other airlines to participate in the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik ) scheme — a central government initiative to improve air connectivity in India and inspire more citizens to travel domestically. Star Air can now comply with all UDAN route guidelines, selling classes and fare restrictions as well as gain alignments with IATA-one order and DGCA industry regulations. PaxLink is currently used by more than 20 airlines and handling agents across the world to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Bye Aerospace, Safran announce eFlyer deal: Bye Aerospace, developer of the eFlyer family of all-electric aircraft, and Safran Electrical & Power, a provider of aircraft electrical systems, announced that a cooperation agreement has been signed to equip the eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 aircraft with the ENGINeUS electric smart motors. Bye Aerospace is FAA-certifying the two-seat, all-electric eFlyer 2 for the professional flight training mission and the four-seat eFlyer 4 for air-taxi and advanced training uses. The ENGINeUS product line includes a broad range of electric motors with power outputs from single digit to 500 kW. The ENGINeUS 100 product line, that will equip eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4, delivers very high performance and features a fully integrated motor controller within the machine. The thermal management is provided by an optimised air-cooling system, jointly integrated by Safran and Bye Aerospace into the aircraft structure. “Safran is extremely proud to collaborate with Bye Aerospace, which has developed a strong vision for the future of electrical flights, from the eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 to the commuters and regional airplanes,” said Hervé Blanc, executive vice president and general manager of the power division at Safran Electrical & Power.
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
