Vistara signs on with Sabre: India’s Vistara has signed a deal with Sabre to use components of the Sabre Commercial Platform. The full-service carrier, which operates on domestic India routes as well as international flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Colombo and Kathmandu, has adopted Sabre Codeshare Manager and partner solution Sabre Schedule Manager. Vistara joins a portfolio of more than 80 airlines that have already implemented Sabre’s technology solutions to optimise schedule and partnership management processes. Under the new agreement, Sabre solutions will help Vistara: deliver robust, accurate and feasible schedules in a rapidly changing market environment, while minimising schedule duplication and enhancing productivity; better manage partnerships with other airlines by synchronizing and automating marketing and flight information; proactively evaluate codeshare flight connection opportunities, helping Vistara to grow revenue alongside its geographic footprint.
Unisys gets air cargo award: Unisys announced that it has been named “International IT Systems Provider of the Year – Highly Acclaimed” at the 2020 STAT Times International Awards for excellence in air cargo presented at the Air Cargo India conference in Mumbai. This is the second time Unisys has been recognised in these awards in the last three years, previously winning an award in 2018. Unisys was recognised for its holistic and integrated cargo logistics suite of software and services, Digistics, which allows cargo carriers to streamline freight management and improve their operational efficiencies. The award was determined by a panel of judges selected from industry stalwarts. The awards highlight leaders in the travel and transportation space that have excelled within the air cargo supply chain.
Bamboo Airways to open Vietnam – Germany direct routes: Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with Munich Airport that is expected to strengthen the cooperation, promoting the exploitation of Vietnam – Germany direct routes and widening the airline’s network to Europe. It is expected that two direct routes will operate from July 2020, with the frequency of one round-trip flight/week for Hanoi – Munich, and two round-trip flights/week for HCM City – Munich
Malaysia Airlines and Travelport extend agreement: Travelport announced that it has signed a new multi-year content agreement with Malaysia Airlines. The agreement also includes the use of Travelport’s leading merchandising tool, Travelport Rich Content and Branding, as well as Travelport’s Digital Media Solutions. With the agreement, over 68,000 agencies servicing hundreds of millions of travellers worldwide will have real-time access to search, book and sell the content and inventory of Malaysia Airlines. It will also join over 300 other airlines using Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding merchandising tool, which gives agencies a graphically rich experience when searching for and booking branded fares. Additionally, Travelport Digital Media Solutions, including Travelport Sponsored Flights and Destination Banners, will be used by Malaysia Airlines to promote its flight options through highly targeted advertising toolkits and campaigns.
Aeroflot takes delivery of its first A350-900: Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has taken delivery of its first A350-900, becoming the launch operator of the latest generation widebody aircraft in Eastern Europe and CIS. Aeroflot’s A350-900 features a distinctive new livery embracing its almost 100-year heritage. Aeroflot has a total of 22 A350-900 aircraft on order and operates an Airbus fleet of 126 aircraft. Aeroflot’s A350-900 features a new cabin design with 316 seats: 28 Business Class suites with full-flat seats, 24 Comfort Class with extra legroom and 264 Economy Class.
CFM logs more than 2,100 orders in 2019: CFM International received orders and commitments for a total of 2,148 engines in 2019 at a value of more than US$30.7 billion at list prices, including 180 CFM56 engines (commercial, military and spares) and 1,968 LEAP engines (including spares). Since the first LEAP engine orders in 2011, CFM has garnered more than 19,010 total installed and spare engine orders and commitments through December 2019 at a value of more than US$275 billion. The company also signed long-term Rate Per Flight Hour (RPFH) agreements with airlines to support their LEAP engine fleet operations. The company delivered 1,736 LEAP installed and spare engines in 2019 compared to 1,118 engines in 2018, along with 391 CFM56 engine.
Air Astana modernises fleet with new Airbus deliveries: Air Astana continues to modernise its fleet with the delivery of the second Airbus A321LR under an operating lease agreement covering five aircraft with Air Lease Corporation of the United States. Along with the first Airbus A321LR delivered in September 2019, the newest aircraft will primarily operate on routes to London, Paris, Moscow and Istanbul. Air Astana was the first airline in the CIS to take delivery of the Airbus A321LR. Airbus A321LR aircraft are configured with 16 Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Air Astana is also scheduled to take delivery three new Airbus A320neo in the next few months, with all aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Air Astana currently operates 19 Airbus aircraft, including eight A320s, two A321s, three A320neo, four A321neo and two A321LR, with another nine Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years.
