Travel Industry News Page 661
South African Airways (SAA) has added two aircraft to its fleet in the last two weeks
South African Airways (SAA) has added two aircraft to its fleet in the last two weeks, successfully growing its fleet size to 20 aircraft. “This is a remarkable achievement considering that just over three years ago, the airline emerged from business rescue with just six aircraft. Since 2021, the team at SAA has worked strategically and consistently to grow the fleet and route network sustainably. These additional aircraft will enable SAA to continue fulfilling our promise to add seat capacity in both the domestic and regional market and thereby contributing to the affordability of passenger air travel, ” says Professor John Lamola, interim CEO at SAA.
EcoPulse results suggest a bright future for hybrid-electric aviation
On a chilly day in mid-December, key stakeholders gathered together at a Daher hangar in Tarbes, in southwest France, to bid adieu to the EcoPulse demonstrator during a livestream wrap-up. A distributed hybrid-propulsion aircraft demonstrator, EcoPulse was designed and developed jointly by Airbus, Daher and Safran. Leaders from all three companies were on stage to share their perspectives on the programme, including Airbus’ own Jean-Baptiste Manchette, Head of Propulsion of Tomorrow.
Lufthansa extends A380 service to Bangkok
Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship carrier and largest airline, is pleased to announce the extension of its Airbus A380 service from Bangkok to Munich for the peak Songkran holiday season. In response to growing demand during this key travel period, Lufthansa will operate its flagship aircraft on this route, offering passengers a luxurious and comfortable flying experience between the two major cities.
Lufthansa Group strengthens wet lease partnership with airBaltic
Lufthansa Group has signed an agreement to receive a convertible share representing a 10 per cent stake of the Latvian state airline airBaltic which will be issued at a subscription price of 14 million euros. Additionally, Lufthansa Group will receive a seat in the airBaltic Supervisory Board
Sho Shibuya designs loungewear for Lufthansa Allegris First Class
Lufthansa starts an exclusive partnership with Sho Shibuya. The artist will be designing unique loungewear for the airline's new Allegris First Class. The Japanese artist Sho Shibuya became world-famous with his works, which change in impressive color gradients from dawn to sunset. The contemporary artist has created a unique design for Lufthansa, inspired by the view of the sky that can only be experienced high above the clouds from an airplane. However, his art is not just for viewing but can be felt and experienced up close.
Emirates teams up with the NBA to lead youth clinic in Paris
Emirates, the Official Airline Partner of the NBA, offered youth in Paris last week an unforgettable experience with NBA Legend Joakim Noah. Showing 15 kids from a local organisation, Sport dans la Ville, in Paris the fundamentals of the game, Noah gave up-close and personal lessons around passing, shooting, rebounding and offered positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the session.
Exploring Tanzania: Africa's Jewel in the Crown
In recent years, Tanzania has emerged as a beacon of adventure and natural beauty in Africa, drawing increasing numbers of tourists eager to experience its diverse landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant culture. The country's allure has been further cemented by the honor of hosting the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025 of the esteemed World Travel Awards, showcasing its prominence as a premier global destination.
SWISS introduces TWINT as a new payment method
SWISS customers can now pay for their flight tickets using Switzerland’s TWINT payment app. The new payment method is available for SWISS tickets and for additional flight-related services, too such as seat reservations from Switzerland, and can be used on both the SWISS app and the swiss.com website.
SWISS to start training its first pilots for the new Airbus A350
SWISS is to commence the training of cockpit crew members to fly the new Airbus A350 at the beginning of February. The training will utilize the new A350 full-flight simulator which was recently installed by Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland at its Opfikon training facility. SWISS plans to train more than 50 of its pilots on the new twinjet in the course of this year. The start of such training marks a further milestone in the addition to the SWISS aircraft fleet of the advanced Airbus A350, the first of which will enter revenue service for the airline this summer.
Qatar Airways Expands Global Network with New Destinations in South America: Bogotá and Caracas
Qatar Airways proudly announces its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of two new weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha.
Qatar Airways Extends Principal Partnership with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028
Qatar Airways, the world’s best airline as voted by Skytrax in 2024, is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) until 2028, reaffirming its commitment to one of the most iconic football clubs in the world, ushering in a new era of collaboration. This renewal strengthens the long-standing relationship between Qatar Airways and PSG, built on shared values of excellence, ambition, and innovation.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Announces Dates for St. Thomas Carnival 2025
In collaboration with the Division of Festivals, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Tourism announces the official dates for the 2025 St. Thomas Carnival. Scheduled to be held from April 27 to May 3, 2025, this year's annual celebration will continue to showcase the best of culture through food, music, and vibes!