Posts Tagged :

private jets

Passenger Traffic Improved but Omicron Restrictions to Affect Times Ahead

 500 306 wttc2
By:

Passenger Traffic Improved but Omicron Restrictions to Affect Times Ahead - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, January 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel continued in November 2021, prior to the emergence of Omicron. International demand sustained its steady upward trend as more markets reopened. Domestic traffic, however, weakened, largely owing to strengthened travel restrictions in China.

Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to November 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern.

– Total demand for air travel in November 2021 (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers or RPKs) was down 47.0% compared to November 2019. This marked an uptick compared to October’s 48.9% contraction from October 2019.

– Domestic air travel deteriorated slightly in November after two consecutive monthly improvements. Domestic RPKs fell by 24.9% versus 2019 compared with a 21.3% decline in October. Primarily this was driven by China, where traffic fell 50.9% compared to 2019, after several cities introduced stricter travel restrictions to contain (pre-Omicron) COVID outbreaks.

– International passenger demand in November was 60.5% below November 2019, bettering the 64.8% decline recorded in October.

International Passenger Markets

– European carriers’ November international traffic declined 43.7% versus November 2019, much improved compared to the 49.4%% decrease in October versus the same month in 2019. Capacity dropped 36.3% and load factor fell 9.7 percentage points to 74.3%.

– Asia-Pacific airlines saw their November international traffic fall 89.5% compared to November 2019, slightly improved from the 92.0% drop registered in October 2021 versus October 2019. Capacity dropped 80.0% and the load factor was down 37.8 percentage points to 42.2%, the lowest among regions.

– Middle Eastern airlines had a 54.4% demand drop in November compared to November 2019, well up compared to the 60.9% decrease in October, versus the same month in 2019. Capacity declined 45.5%, and load factor slipped 11.9 percentage points to 61.3%.

– North American carriers experienced a 44.8% traffic drop in November versus the 2019 period, significantly improved over the 56.7% decline in October compared to October 2019. Capacity dropped 35.6%, and load factor fell 11.6 percentage points to 69.6%.

– Latin American airlines saw a 47.2% drop in November traffic, compared to the same month in 2019, a marked upturn over the 54.6% decline in October compared to October 2019. November capacity fell 46.6% and load factor dropped 0.9 percentage points to 81.3%, which was the highest load factor among the regions for the 14th consecutive month.

– African airlines’ traffic fell 56.8% in November versus two years’ ago, improved over the 59.8% decline in October compared to October 2019. November capacity was down 49.6% and load factor declined 10.1 percentage points to 60.3%.

– Australia remained at the bottom of the domestic RPK chart for the fifth consecutive month with RPKs 71.6% below 2019, albeit this was improved from a 78.5% decline in October, owing to the reopening of some internal borders.

– US domestic traffic was down just 6.0% compared November 2019 – improved from an 11.1% fall in October, thanks in part to strong Thanksgiving holiday traffic.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Air France Committed to Sustainable Aviation Fuel

 500 304 wttc2
By:
Air France Committed to Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Paris, France, January 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Air France is strongly involved in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can lower CO2 emissions by at least 75% when compared to traditional fossil fuel. Unfortunately, SAF is currently much more expensive than fossil fuel. Your contribution will help cover the difference and can directly reduce your carbon footprint.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a clean substitute for fossil kerosene. This fuel is made from sustainable resources like waste oils from biological origin, such as used cooking oil. This means the fuel is cleaner, reduces emissions, and has a very low fine-particle emission, which is important for air quality. We can blend SAF with conventional fuel, meeting the same specifications as fossil kerosene.

For several years, Air France has been committed to reducing its CO2 emissions and is working with industry partners to find solutions to the climate crisis.

Between 2005 and 2019, Air France cut its CO2 emissions by 6%, despite an increase in traffic. We must continue on this path and step up our actions. The next step is to achieve a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared with 2005. We have also set ourselves the goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050, an ambitious but necessary goal to keep global warming below 2°C by the end of the century.

Currently, the main tool for reducing our carbon footprint is to invest in a modern, more fuel-efficient fleet. Air France invests 1 billion euros annually in its fleet renewal. The second mechanism we have at our disposal is to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel on our flights. It is now possible to manufacture fuel from used oils and wood residues or agricultural waste, which can reduce CO2 emissions by 75% over their life cycle compared to fossil fuel. These fuels, whose production does not compete with the food industry, can be incorporated safely without any modification to aircraft.

The quantities available are still very limited and sustainable aviation fuel is currently 4 to 8 times more expensive than conventional jet fuel. The emergence of large-scale industrial production facilities in France and Europe will help reduce these costs.

As from the beginning of 2022, French regulations will require the incorporation of an average of 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel on flights departing from France. A “Sustainable Aviation Fuel” contribution will be included in the price of each ticket from 10 January, from €1 to €4 in the Economy cabin and from €1.50 to €12 in the Business cabin, depending on the distance. Thanks to this contribution, and to the voluntary participation of our corporate customers, over 15,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel will be integrated in our aircraft in 2022, i.e., 10 times more than the previous year and significantly beyond the mandatory amount.

In addition, as from 13 January you will be able to voluntarily contribute to the purchase of additional Sustainable Aviation Fuel on our website to reduce the carbon footprint of your trip. Every euro you contribute will be invested in the purchase of this fuel. Members of our Flying Blue Frequent Flyer Programme will also be able to purchase SAF with their Miles and earn additional XP, thus facilitating their access to the different programme levels. This new service will be implemented in 2022.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Gulfstream G700: 83% of Testing Done on Sustainable Aviation Fuel

 500 317 wttc2
By:
New Gulfstream G700: 83% of Testing Done on Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Savannah, Georgia, United States, January 9, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the all-new Gulfstream G700 has made great strides in its flight-test program and is capping 2021 with additional accomplishments, including the use of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend on 83% of G700 flights launched from the Savannah-based Gulfstream Flight Test Center. Gulfstream anticipates G700 customer deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Getting this amazing aircraft in front of customers has been one of the highlights of 2021,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We are also further demonstrating our commitment to SAF by using the fuel blend as much as possible on G700 test flights — five out of six test aircraft have used the fuel blend on every flight. We look forward to building on these successes in 2022 and accomplishing even more program milestones as we move closer to customer deliveries.”

The G700 has set city-pair records on all its major international trips for customer viewings. In September, the fully outfitted production-test aircraft set speed records from Savannah to Doha, Qatar; from Doha to Paris; and from Paris back to Savannah. The G700 then made record-setting flights from Houston, Texas, to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and returned in record time from Riyadh to Savannah. The city-pair flights were made using a combination of SAF and carbon offsets to minimize environmental impacts.

In addition to maintaining an industry-leading role in using and promoting the safety, ease and performance capabilities of SAF, Gulfstream also supports the industry’s overall efforts to decrease carbon emissions by providing SAF to customers and being the first business-aviation manufacturer to sign the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 Ambition Statement. To date, Gulfstream has purchased more than 1.6 million gallons of the SAF blend for company and customer use.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Inspired by the belief that aviation could fuel business growth, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. invented the first purpose-built business aircraft, the Gulfstream I, which first flew in 1958. Today, more than 2,900 aircraft are in service around the world. Together with parent company General Dynamics, Gulfstream consistently invests in the future, dedicating resources to researching and developing innovative new aircraft, technologies and services. With a fleet that includes the super-midsize Gulfstream G280, the high-performing Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G650ER, and a next-generation family of aircraft including the all-new Gulfstream G400, the award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600, the flagship Gulfstream G700 and the ultralong-range Gulfstream G800, Gulfstream offers an aircraft for every mission. All are backed by Gulfstream’s Customer Support network and its worldwide team.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dassault Unveils Full-Scale Cabin for Largest Purpose Built Business Jet

 500 327 wttc2
By:
Dassault Unveils Full-Scale Cabin for Largest Purpose Built Business Jet

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, January 9, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Dassault Aviation will display a full-scale cabin mockup for the new Falcon 10X ultra-long-range twinjet at the NBAA-BACE convention this week in Las Vegas. Ultra-long-range Falcon 10X on Schedule to Enter Service in 2025.

After the show, the mockup will remain in the US for individual customer tours. A second mockup will be available to customers at Dassault’s Paris-Le Bourget showroom.

“The Falcon 10X is not just another intercontinental contender, it’s in a league of its own and has to be experienced first-hand to be fully appreciated,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “Because of its sheer size and imaginative layout, you’ll move about this cabin differently, much more easily, than in any competing business jet. The 10X will provide the ultimate in privacy and in collaborative workspace—indeed, it will be able to provide both at the same time.”

Compared to a flying penthouse due to its spaciousness and homelike ambience, the 10X cabin is endlessly customizable. The 10X cabin is 6-feet, 8-inches (2.03 m) tall and 9-feet, 1-inch (2.77 m) wide, a larger cross section than some modern regional jets.

Program Update
Detailed design for the 7,500 nm, Mach 0.925 jet will be completed before year-end, with parts production beginning in 2022. Many components and structures will come from Dassault’s new Factory 4.0 smart manufacturing facility in Seclin, France. A redesigned building at Dassault’s plant in Biarritz will manufacturer the advanced all-composite wing.

Rolls-Royce meanwhile is developing the latest and most powerful variant of its ultra-efficient Pearl engine series to power the new aircraft. The modules for the first Pearl 10X test engines are currently being assembled at Rolls-Royce’s center of excellence for business aviation engines in Dahlewitz near Berlin, Germany. The first engine test run is scheduled for next year. The Pearl 10X will be rated at more than 18,000 pounds of thrust and be 100% SAF capable.

“The Falcon 10X will be the new benchmark in business aviation,” said Trappier. “We’re eager to see industry reaction at NBAA-BACE, we anticipate a very positive response.”

About Dassault Aviation
Dassault Aviation is a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 90 countries across six continents. Dassault designs and builds the family of Falcon business jets as well as the Rafale fighter jet. The company employs a workforce of over 12,000 and has production facilities in both France and the United States, and a worldwide service network. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,650 Falcons have been delivered. The tri-jet and twin-engine lines offer outstanding efficiency and comfort, with ranges from 3,500 nm to 7,500 nm. They include the flagship Falcon 10X, the pioneering Falcon 7X and 8X, the widebody Falcon 6X, and the versatile Falcon 900LX, 2000LXS and 2000S. Falcon Customer Service continues to hold the top spot in key business aviation surveys.
About Dassault Falcon Jet

Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, France. Dassault Falcon Jet markets and supports the Falcon family of business jets throughout North America and South America.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Qatar Executive Takes Delivery of Three Gulfstream G650ERs

 500 266 wttc2
By:

Qatar Executive Takes Delivery of Three Gulfstream G650ERs - EXEJET.com - TRAVELINDEXDoha, Qatar, January 7, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Qatar Executive is excited to announce it has taken delivery of a further three Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, reaffirming its position as the largest owner-operator of the ultramodern jet, with a total of 11 in its fleet. All three aircraft will operate on strategic ultra-long-haul routes to Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Latest delivery brings the total number of Gulfstream G650ER aircraft in the private jet charter division fleet to 11.

• Premium Domain Name for Sale – First time on the market – Prefect for Executive Jets and Private Aviation business.

Qatar Executive is also scheduled to take delivery of its twelfth Gulfstream G650ER before the end of 2021. The aircraft is one of the most coveted jets among the global travelling elite due to its remarkable range capabilities, industry-leading cabin technology, fuel efficiency and unparalleled passenger comfort. The state-of-the-art aircraft can fly at a faster speed for longer distances than any other jet of its kind, with its incredible 7,500 nautical mile range.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we continue to invest in our fleet, operating the youngest, most fuel-efficient and technologically-advanced aircraft in the skies.

“We are excited to have taken delivery of three brand-new Gulfstream G650ERs and look forward to receiving our twelfth of the aircraft type in a couple of weeks, allowing us to meet growing demand, especially during the New Year period. This strategic investment in sustainable twin-engine jets has enabled us to continue flying during these challenging times. As global travel recovers, our customers can rely on us to fly greener and smarter.”

Qatar Executive’s G650ER aircraft can operate non-stop from Doha to New York in approximately 13 hours and from Doha to Seoul in just over eight hours. Flying faster and further than any business jet, the G650ER is ideally suited for those whose travel needs include flights halfway around the globe. Gulfstream’s innovative, clean-wing designs deliver a combination of record-breaking speed and range, exceptional comfort and better aerodynamic efficiency for a smaller carbon footprint.

Last month, Qatar Executive took an aircraft delivery flight, using drop-in certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), establishing another milestone for Qatar Airways Group and reaffirming its leadership to fly one of the most advanced fleets in the sky. As the global launch customer, Qatar Executive is excited for its planned deliveries of the brand-new Gulfstream G700 aircraft, which are capable of operating using 100 per cent SAF.

In August 2021, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group showcased the world’s first Gulfstream G700 in Doha, Qatar. Equipped with the all-new Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and an advanced high-speed wing design, the G700 is able to fly at record-breaking speed and range with outstanding environmental efficiency, promoting sustainable business aviation. The G700 will be the latest addition to Qatar Executive’s state-of-the-art fleet of long-range and ultra-long-range aircraft. The executive charter service provider has ordered 10 of the world’s largest business jets and will take delivery of the very first aircraft off the Gulfstream assembly line in Georgia, U.S., in 2022.

In addition to the Gulfstream G650ERs, Qatar Executive’s fleet includes three Bombardier Global 5000s, one Bombardier Global XRS, one Airbus A319ACJ and another Airbus A319 Air Ambulance aircraft, making the current fleet 17 strong.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the average monthly block hours reserved in Qatar Executive grew by 76 per cent year-over-year and the booking enquiries increased by more than a 100 per cent. This sharp growth came as a result of the new strategies implemented by Qatar Executive, which includes offering tailored flight hour packages to suit customer requirements.

• Premium Domain Name for Sale – First time on the market – Prefect for Executive Jets and Private Aviation business.

Qatar Executive remained agile, innovative and resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on its fundamental mission of taking people home safely and swiftly. Despite COVID-19 having a negative impact on the aviation industry and the business witnessing a global decline of approximately 48 per cent in block hours and flights in the ultra-long-range market, Qatar Executive stepped up to the challenge and used the pandemic as an opportunity to introduce operational and commercial changes that would minimise the business impact, while maintaining the same levels of luxury to which its customers are accustomed.

About Qatar Executive
Qatar Executive is the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. Luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly-owned business jet fleet. Qatar Executive is the launch customer for Gulfstream’s G700, the world’s first commercial service operator of the Gulfstream G500 and largest commercial operator of the G650ER worldwide. Qatar Executive’s service portfolio also includes aircraft management, maintenance and Fixed Based Operator services.

About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World’s Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.

Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.

Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight in the belly-hold deck of passenger aircraft to an extensive network. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters and six B777-300ER mini freighters.

Qatar Executive is the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. Luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly-owned business jet fleet. Qatar Executive is the launch customer for Gulfstream’s G700, the world’s first commercial service operator of the Gulfstream G500 and largest commercial operator of the G650ER worldwide. Qatar Executive’s service portfolio also includes aircraft management, maintenance and Fixed Based Operator services.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thai Vietjet to Launch New Service to Phu Quoc Island

 500 279 wttc2
By:

Thai Vietjet to Launch New Service to Phu Quoc Island - TRAVELINDEXPhu Quoc Island, Vietnam, December 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Cooperating with its travel partners, Thai Vietjet is ready to launch its new international service connecting Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Vietnam’s famous international tourist destination of Phu Quoc Island, the largest island of the country, starting December 30, 2021.

The new international service will bring tourists from Thailand to experience the beautiful island of Phu Quoc with a 4-Day-3-Night package tour, full-board priced from only THB 22,900 with complimentary Covid-19 insurance offer for travel in the 1st month of launch. During their stay in Phu Quoc, the tourists will have an opportunity to explore Southwest Vietnam’s largest and most modern amusement park – Phu Quoc United Center, with a large scale of more than 1,000 hectares including a diversity of entertainment facilities, hotels and resorts, safari, theme parks, mini-cities, golf course, … and shopping system operating 24/7.

Besides, the tourists will be enjoying the best entertainment spots in Southern Phu Quoc at Sunworld Hon Thom Natural Park; Thom Island – the largest and most beautiful island of Hon Thom District of An Thoi archipelago, and An Thoi Station – the departure point of Hon Thom cable car, dubbed as ‘Colosseum of Vietnam’; Hon Thom Cable Car – the world’s longest 3-wire sea-crossing cable car; and Aquatopia Water Park – Southeast Asia’s leading modern water park.

Along the 4-Day-3-Night program, the tourists will be enjoying their stay at VinHolidays Fiesta Phu Quoc – a beautiful hotel with a five-stars ecosystem located at the heart of the Grand World Complex, boasting a bold, solid design, an outdoor pool of 800 square meters, and a robust supply of 687 rooms.

Currently, international arrivals in Phu Quoc are required to be fully vaccinated and possess an RT-PCR test with a negative result (within 72 hours before departure), and can follow a set tour without quarantine. Besides, the tourists are requested to complete 2 times COVID-19 test during their stay at Phu Quoc and comply with regulations and conditions for epidemic prevention.

Phu Quoc Island boasts idyllic beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen forests, and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal holiday destination for travelers looking to escape bustling city life. Located 45 kilometers west of Ha Tien in the far south of Vietnam, the northern part of the island is relatively untouched due to its status as a UNESCO-listed national park but there are plenty of luxurious resorts, funky bars, and quaint cafes along the southern coastline.

Thai Vietjet has been providing leading capacity to passengers with the highest level of safety for travel during the Covid-19 outbreak. The airline has been proactively facilitating international air travel recovery and strictly performing aircraft disinfection throughout its fleet in compliance with the Thai Ministry of Public Health and CAAT’s directives, to reduce potential risk to the health of passengers and its staff.

About Vietjet
The new-age carrier Vietjet has not only revolutionized the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations and performance, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers’ demands.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline was awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by the world’s only safety and product rating website airlineratings and listed as one of the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in 2018 and 2019. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.

Thai Vietjet is cooperating with Vietjet to extend its flight network and provide more opportunities for travellers in the world to discover Thailand and many other countries. Currently the airline operates 14 domestic routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani, cross-regional flights from Phuket to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Udon Thani, also direct flights from Hat Yai to Chiang Rai, 8 routes connecting Thailand and Vietnam such as Bangkok to Da Lat/ Da Nang, and more international routes from Thailand to mainland China.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Nok Air Signs Two Strategic Agreements with Sabre

 500 303 wttc2
By:

Nok Air Signs Two Strategic Agreements with Sabre - TRAVELINDEXSingapore, Singapore, December 18, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Thai airline Nok Air today announced strategic new long-term agreements with both Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR) a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, and its subsidiary company, Radixx, to support the evolution of the carrier’s new business strategy.

Nok Air has selected an extensive suite of products from Sabre and Radixx to expand distribution and revenue generation opportunities. The agreements support the carrier’s repositioning to serve its growing customer base of premium travellers and value-based customer segments. The Sabre and Radixx products will power future business model evolution as Nok Air expands its international operation, develops new airline partnerships and explore further technical capabilities and innovations beyond today.

Radixx will provide a fully integrated passenger service system for Nok Air that spans reservations, inventory, pricing, e-commerce, agency distribution, departure control, load control, loyalty and other related capabilities. In parallel, under a new Sabre distribution deal, Nok Air will distribute its airline content across Sabre’s global travel marketplace, opening the door to new international markets and growing its Thailand home market on the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS).

“We have ambitious business expansion plans, including launching new domestic and international routes, restructuring our fleet and adding new jets as we transition selected segments to a premium service to reflect our quality service,” said Wutthiphum Jurangkool Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Nok Air. “So, it was imperative to us that we chose the right technology partner to support us in all of our goals to streamline our operations, improve efficiencies and open new revenue opportunities and new markets while improving the experience for our travellers.”

The carrier, which operates out of Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, will utilize the following Sabre and Radixx products as Thailand re-opens to vaccinated international travellers:

Radixx Res – Radixx’s core passenger system will enable Nok Air to manage all passenger operations and sales channels in order to expand distribution channels and partnerships.

Radixx Go and Radixx Go Touch – new digital capabilities to evolve Nok Air’s check-in operation at airports, enhance customer service and enable additional ancillary revenue-generation opportunities across airport touchpoints. Radixx Go Touch enables airline employees to transact full airport departure control capabilities from a mobile device, allowing some flexibility from the constraints of physical airport desks and counters.

Radixx ezyCommerce – an integrated e-commerce and mobile solution to power Nok Air’s business-to-consumer for passengers and business-to-business channels for travel agents and corporates.

Radixx Loyalty – new capabilities will enable Nok Air to strengthen the offering of its Nok Air Fan Club, including enhanced online servicing, automation and redemption options for members.

Radixx Insight – valuable business data and analytics to enable better decision-making, while powering the airline’s internal back-office systems.

Sabre’s Global Distribution System – to enable expansion into new global markets, ensuring its fares have the widest possible distribution.

Chris Collins, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Radixx, said: “We’re delighted to further expand our footprint in APAC while opening up access to new global markets and segments for Nok Air as well as providing new digital capabilities for the carrier, creating additional revenue-generation opportunities and, ultimately, enabling Nok to create improved experiences for travelers at all touchpoints.”

“At Sabre, we are laying out our strategic plans to create our own catalysts for growth, so we are thrilled to be able to support Nok Air on its own transformational journey,” added Rakesh Narayanan, Vice President, Regional General Manager, Asia Pacific, Travel Solutions Airline Sales, Sabre. “Our new dual-deal alliance with Nok Air, incorporating both PSS and GDS solutions, is the perfect example of how Sabre and Radixx are able to combine synergistic technological offerings to create effective, innovative end-to-end solutions for airlines of all sizes and cost models.”

About Sabre Corporation 
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre’s technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

About Nok Air
Nok Air is a Thai-based premium-oriented airline with its main hub at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport in Thailand. Since starting it’s operation in 2004, Nok Air strong emphasis on domestic routes brings people to explore the “Land of Smiles” through value for money, convenience and state of the art passenger experience. Alongside it’s domestic operation, Nok Air has been growing continuously within Asia through its narrow-body jet and turboprop aircraft. Being a proud Thai-owned carrier, Nok Air, aim to expand its reach beyond current capabilities across the various aspect of aviation.

About Radixx
Founded in 1993, Radixx, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, combines an innovative technology approach with unique partnership models enabling airlines of all sizes and business models to be effective retailers and efficient operators. Radixx caters to LCC and ULCC airlines, including the support of GDS distribution. Radixx offers a world-class Internet Booking Engine, Radixx ezyCommerce™, a cloud-based Passenger Services System, Radixx Res™, and a leading Departure Services Suite, Radixx Go™, uniquely designed to enable airlines to increase their profitability and maximize productivity through expanded distribution services. Since 2016, Radixx has delivered its sixth-generation, micro-services-based passenger services system.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ICAO and UNWTO Issue Joint Statement to Reconnect he World

 500 275 wttc2
By:
ICAO and UNWTO Issue Joint Statement to Reconnect he World

Montréal, Canada, December 10, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / This International Civil Aviation Day, the UN Aviation and World Tourism organizations (ICAO/UNWTO) have issued a joint call for efforts to reconnect the world to be accelerated. The COVID-19 pandemic brought global air mobility and tourism to an abrupt halt. It also pressed pause on trillions of dollars worth of economic activity. Millions of livelihoods and businesses have been placed at risk. And while increasing vaccination rates are helping to kickstart the return of international aviation and restart tourism, much more still needs to be done.

We therefore add our organizations’ voices to those of the G7, G20, and the many countries who have called for borders to be opened to fully vaccinated travelers, travelers with acceptable proof of recovery from previous infection, and travelers holding mutually recognized and ICAO VDS-secured personal health certificates.

We also jointly stress that restrictions on travel considered in response to new variants of the COVID-19 virus must be only used as a very last resort. Such restrictions are discriminatory, ineffective and against the guidance of the World Health Organization.

ICAO and UNWTO also call for equal access to vaccines, and for efforts towards vaccine equity to be intensified and accelerated. This is especially critical for developing countries still bearing the brunt of the pandemic and least able to cope with its economic and social impacts.

With pent up travel and tourism demand now clearly evident in every global region, and with better mitigation strategies and greater international coordination in place, our organizations believe that our sectors can be drivers for economic recovery, both in the developed and the developing worlds.

However, as the restart of international civil aviation and tourism does get underway, ICAO and UNWTO recognize that a return to ‘business as usual’ would be a dereliction of responsibility in a post-pandemic world facing a climate crisis and ongoing economic inequality.

To build greater resilience to future health emergencies within our respective sectors, our agencies will work with governments to improve travel and tourism crisis response coordination, and to rethink and modernize every step of the passenger journey, with a focus on safety and security. Air travelers must be able to expect a safe, secure and healthy travel experience from check in to arriving at their destination.

To ensure the sustainability of air tourism in the face of the climate crisis, we will also take every opportunity to facilitate and accelerate the pace of innovation. In particular, we will advance progress towards the use of renewable energy, sustainable fuels, and other emissions reduction and elimination solutions, while continuously encouraging countries and the industry itself to meet or surpass their commitments.

And, as global air connectivity continues to expand, and to connect more of us to each other and to our natural environments, we must ensure that it does so on a progressively greener and more sustainable basis. Countries must set aggressive targets through our agencies so that international and domestic commitments progress together and so effectively address the impacts of travel and tourism.

The outcome of our shared efforts will play a critical role in assuring the most basic capability of many countries to invest toward and realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and all objectives to build-back-better in global air connectivity and tourism must be reviewed and fine-tuned in support of the 2030 Agenda and Our Common Agenda objectives.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

OAG Launches New Flight Info Alerts Platform

 500 246 wttc2
By:
OAG Launches New Flight Info Alerts Platform

Singapore, Singapore, November 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Instant Notification and Detection Product Meets Changing Customer Needs. OAG the world’s leading provider of travel data and insight, today announced the launch of Flight Info Alerts, its new detection and notification product that delivers changes to flight schedules in real-time.

In response to customer demands for a fast and reliable feed which expedites vital changes, it is the only product on the market that enables customers to get instant updates on carrier flight schedules so they can handle data volatility in real-time.

“Alerts is a much-needed solution for our customers who manage bookings or operations and anyone who relies on the accuracy of these vital changes to drive their business. Volatility of this data over the last 18 months has become an increasing challenge, so our customers need us to tell them what’s changed in real-time,” said Phil Callow, CEO, OAG.

OAG’s Flight Info Alerts launch is the latest in a wave of new product innovations powered by its new technology platform, OAG Metis, which saw the release of Flight Info Direct, a Snowflake enabled platform to access and integrate ready to query data, earlier this year.

The evolution and ambition of OAG’s Flight Info API continues to gather pace to equip customers with data covering the full flight and booking journey, with the imminent availability of Flight Status Data into the API suite. Access through a singular API enables OAG customers to innovate, react faster and scale quicker.

Phil Callow adds, “We’re innovating rapidly to meet the changing needs of the travel sector. Our investment in OAG Metis and great tech partnerships with Snowflake and Microsoft Azure enable us to serve the entire ecosystem to scale and serve multiple markets rapidly and efficiently.”

OAG has customers across the travel ecosystem and is embedded in booking engines, travel and hospitality apps, airline apps, online travel agencies, metasearch, search engines, and flight tracking apps.

About OAG
OAG is a leading global travel data provider, that has been powering the growth and innovation of the air travel ecosystem since 1929. Headquartered in the UK, OAG has global operations in the USA, Singapore, Japan, Lithuania and China.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sabre Retail Intelligence Enables Airlines to Grow Through Personalized Retailing

 500 299 wttc2
By:
Sabre Retail Intelligence Enables Airlines to Grow Through Personalized Retailing

Southlake, Texas, United States, November 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Sabre Corporation, the leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, today announced the release of the first two products in the company’s Retail Intelligence suite: Sabre Air Price IQ™ and Sabre Ancillary IQ™ for the dynamic pricing of airfare and ancillaries, respectively.

Sabre Retail Intelligence is an innovative product suite that enables airlines to deliver a more personalized travel offers in both traditional and NDC channels. Powered by Sabre Travel AI™ – an innovative capability that integrates Sabre technology with Google Cloud’s state-of-the-art AI technology and advanced machine-learning services – Retail Intelligence will allow airlines to dynamically provide offers to travelers based on preferences, marketplace insights and purchase probability, creating a more personalized and better traveler experience.

“We are facing a rapidly changing world and the travel ecosystem looks very different than it did just 18 months ago,” said Wade Jones, chief product officer, Sabre Travel Solutions. “Traveler expectations for relevant and personalized offers are growing, and airlines are more focused than ever on becoming sophisticated retailers. Relying on traditional strategies based on historical data patterns isn’t enough – airlines need intelligent solutions driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning. This is what we are offering with Sabre’s Retail Intelligence suite of products.”

Sabre Air Price IQ increases airlines’ pricing agility and precision by allowing airlines to adapt quickly to changing marketplace conditions. Considering traveler segment and trip intent from the shopping request, the product supports an airline’s efforts to maximize revenue opportunities while providing a seamless experience to travelers.

Sabre Ancillary IQ uses machine learning to present ancillary offers based on multiple factors, including real-time shopping data and purchase probability to increase incremental revenue opportunities and traveler satisfaction. As a result, airlines can deliver increased value and more choice to their travelers.

Both products can help airlines increase revenue opportunity by adapting quickly to changing marketplace conditions while enhancing customer satisfaction by offering travelers the personalized offers that are just right for them. The products are expected to deliver airlines an uplift in incremental revenue of up to three percent when combined with upcoming products being added to the Retail Intelligence suite in 2022.[1]

“As travel retailing becomes more complex to meet increasingly sophisticated consumer expectations, the rules-based technology in use across the industry today will no longer deliver satisfactory results,” said Sundar Narasimhan, president, Sabre Labs and Product Strategy. “To truly modernize travel retailing, the industry requires intelligent systems that allow for continuous learning and scaling at speed. At Sabre, we are focused on equipping our customers with those AI-based solutions that will modernize the way we shop, book and experience travel, delivering incremental value for our customers and the travelers they serve.”

Sabre’s strategic partnership with Google established the Sabre + Google Innovation Framework, pairing Sabre’s travel industry experience with Google Cloud’s advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, creating Sabre Travel AI. Utilizing this industry-first capability, Sabre will enable its current products with advanced machine-learning and artificial intelligence to power the retailing experience of the future in travel. The two companies are working to co-develop innovative new technology to bring customers modern, data-driven, omni-channel solutions that enable highly personalized traveler experiences.

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre’s technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News