Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Finnair is commemorating 35 years of serving as a link between Asia and Europe by flying to China. This significant accomplishment for the Nordic carrier coincides with its centenary as one of the industry’s original pioneers. The first Western European airline to provide non-stop service between Europe and China was Finnair, which launched its inaugural flight to China on June 2, 1988, with a new route to Beijing. Five years after Finnair introduced its ground-breaking service to Japan in 1983, an intriguing route was added. This was made feasible by technology developments that allowed their DC-10 aircraft to fly across the North Pole in order to simplify the quickest routes between Europe and Asia. Finnair was able to function as a bridge between Europe and Asia through the brief northern route because to its geographic location in Helsinki, which allowed it to continue its regional growth. Finnair was the first airline in Northern Europe and the Oneworld to operate direct flights to Shanghai when its services to Shanghai were introduced in 2003. In addition, Finnair was the first airline to provide a non-stop service between Europe and Chongqing in 2012. The following year, Finnair was the first airline in Europe to offer a direct route between Europe and Xi’An. Finnair served seven Chinese cities, including Beijing Capital Airport, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xi’An, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Daxing International Airport in Beijing, more than any other European airline did prior to the pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. The reintroduction of flights to Shanghai on July 23, 2020, which currently run twice weekly, is the first of a small number of mainland China services that Finnair has just reinstated. Additionally, Finnair has a daily service between Helsinki and Hong Kong. “Finnair is proud to be celebrating 35 years of flying to mainland China this year – and acting as a bridge connecting Europe with Asia,” said Anssi Partanen, Finnair Market Manager UK & Ireland. “Despite the recent turmoil, particularly after the closing of Russian airspace, we have continued to service China and make it possible for Finnair passengers to travel simply and conveniently from Europe to important Asian locations. We are dedicated to connecting our clients with China and look forward to flying more Finnair flights to Asia in the future, even though our strategy may have changed to respond to current political changes with greater services to North America. Customers who want to experience China’s rich culture may book round-trip tickets with Finnair from London to Shanghai starting at £693 in Economy Class, all taxes and fees included. Source: traveldailymedia

As part of its two-year green operations plan, dnata, a worldwide supplier of aviation and travel services, keeps working to achieve its goal of cutting its carbon footprint and waste to landfill by 20% by 2024. The company’s most recent major projects include process improvement, sustained large investment in infrastructure, and green ground support options. To further improve its worldwide environmental efficiency, dnata stated in June 2022 that it will invest US$100 million in green operations over the course of two years. “We are proud to have made significant progress on improving our environmental performance since the announcement of our strategic objectives,” stated Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group. I want to congratulate everyone on our team for their efforts and contributions to our green programmes, which enable us to have an impact on all of our operations throughout the world.Along with our partners, we will keep making investments and making an attempt to lessen our environmental impact. Putting money into green energy Dnata has persisted in making large investments in renewable energy as part of its attempts to further increase global resource efficiency. This entails setting up rooftop solar power systems at all of its current facilities. At its operations facilities in Singapore and at its SnapFresh plant in Australia, dnata has solar panels installed. These provide more than 4,300 MWh of renewable power each year, preventing the release of almost 1.85 million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide. Pakistan also started phase 1 of a solar PV panel installation that would produce 244,000 kWh annually. Additionally, all power purchased in the UK and Ireland comes from municipal systems that use renewable energy sources. Using less water In addition to solar energy, dnata is spending money on systems to collect and reuse rainwater and condensate from air conditioners at both its old and new sites. These programmes optimise water use and related expenses. The 20,000m2 freight facility in Iraq owned by dnata will include a rooftop rainwater harvesting system among other eco-friendly components when it opens in 2024. By 2025, this will gather, clean, and store rainwater in subterranean tanks for use in irrigation systems within the building and for drinkable purposes. This will result in a 50% reduction in water expenses. Using the same technology, the system has also been set up in the Philippines to collect and recycle rainwater for drinking and washing. Additionally, this technology will soon be used at the dnata facilities in Singapore. A reverse osmosis plant has been developed by dnata to reuse condensate water from the cooling systems in its cargo facilities in Dubai due to the arid environment of the UAE. This has led to the daily reuse of 5,000 litres of water for cleaning and washing. At its Corporate Headquarters, dnata Travel Centre, and Alpha catering facilities, dnata also introduced a bottle-free drinking water system that will cut plastic usage and save more than 95,000 litres of bottled water annually. Source: traveldailymedia

Leading low-cost airline Jazeera Airways offers direct flights from Kuwait to Egypt’s Sphinx International Airport. From the city center, the airport is about one hour away, while from Cairo International Airport, it is two hours. The airport provides travelers with an easy way to travel to other areas of Egypt, including historic locations like the Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and even the soon-to-open Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Additionally, it has connections to well-known Red Sea destinations like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. “We are happy to fly to our seventh destination in Egypt,” said Rohit Ramachandran, chief executive officer of Jazeera Airways. “Jazeera Airways is the only GCC carrier to operate direct to Sphinx International Airport. With four weekly flights to this wonderful vacation spot, we also provide residents and tourists with a practical and cost-effective travel choice. I want to use this occasion to express my personal gratitude to the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority for their persistent efforts to increase connection to this stunning nation. The airport’s two terminals have a combined capacity of 1.2 million passengers annually and can accommodate up to 900 passengers per hour. As a result, incoming and leaving travelers may move through the airport more quickly. The airport also aids in easing traffic in the city as well as congestion at the Cairo Airport. By choosing to fly through this airport, travelers may really avoid the rush hour gridlock and save up to two hours. In total, 66 locations in the Middle East, Africa, Central & South Asia, and Europe are presently served by Jazeera Airways. Booking flights is simple using the airline’s website (www.jazeeraairways.com) or the Jazeera App. Source: traveldailymedia

A number of roadmaps were revealed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the goal of laying out the necessary steps and dependencies for aviation to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2050. These roadmaps include issues such as energy infrastructure, operations, net zero finance, and regulatory concerns. Governments and businesses are working together to achieve the same goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 thanks to the approval of a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) at the ICAO’s 41st Assembly. These roadmaps will be an essential resource for policymakers since they establish the groundwork for many of the necessary technologies and measures. “The roadmaps are the first comprehensive analysis of the crucial measures required to hasten the transition to net zero by 2050. Together, they provide a distinct orientation and will develop as we delve more to establish intermediate checkpoints on the path to net zero. I must stress that the roadmaps apply to more than simply airlines. Governments, vendors, and financiers cannot watch while aviation becomes carbon-free. They are invested in the outcome. According to Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, “The roadmaps are a call to action for all aviation’s stakeholders to deliver the tools needed to make this fundamental transformation of aviation a success with policies and products fit for a net-zero world.” The roadmaps weren’t created in a vacuum. To determine emission reductions for each technology, a peer-to-peer evaluation was carried out in conjunction with a modeling tool made available by the Air Transportation Systems Laboratory at University College London (UCL). Each roadmap’s highlights include: The advancement of more effective airplane’s and engines is known as aircraft technology. The measures required to allow aircraft fueled by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen, or batteries are particularly significant. There are demonstration programmes and announced investments to support each development milestone. New engines, aerodynamics, aircraft constructions, and flying systems are also covered. Infrastructure for Energy and New Fuels: The emphasis is on building the fuel and new energy carrier infrastructure upstream from airports to make it easier to utilise aeroplanes that are fueled by SAF or hydrogen. The plan includes milestones that will make it possible to build the essential infrastructure, and renewable energy is crucial in supplying the aviation industry’s energy needs. Operations: Possibilities to improve the operation of current aircraft in order to lower emissions and increase energy efficiency. The integration of new technology, automation, and big data management are crucial enablers for improving air traffic control and the effectiveness of the entire aviation system. In order to encourage and promote the aviation industry’s transition to a net-zero future, there is a need for strategically integrated worldwide policies. Collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders is essential in developing the framework required to meet the decarbonization targets, as it has been with all prior successful energy transitions. Finance: How to get the $5 trillion in total funding required for aviation to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This includes innovations in technology, infrastructure, and operational efficiency. The difficulties in ramping up SAF production serve as an excellent example of the significance of these roadmaps. SAF is anticipated to provide around 62% of the carbon reduction required to reach net zero by 2050 as a drop-in solution. Even though it is anticipated that SAF can be completely implemented with future aircraft fleets, it still has significant interdependencies on policy, aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, funding, and operations, all of which depend on these roadmaps. Source: traveldailymedia

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a warning that the impacted markets’ airline connectivity is in danger due to the quickly growing quantities of frozen cash. From $1.55 billion in April 2022 to $2.27 billion in April 2023, the industry’s frozen funds have grown by 47%. “Airlines must stop providing services in markets if they are unable to remit the profits from their business operations there. In order for airlines to continue providing the connectivity that is essential for fostering economic activity and job creation, governments must collaborate with the sector to find a solution, according to Willie Walsh, director general of IATA. 68.0% of the banned money is accounted for by the top five nations. These include: Nigeria (812,2 million dollars) Bangladesh (214.1 million dollars) Algeria (US$196.3 million) Pakistan ($188.2 million) Lebanon ($141.2 million) IATA asked countries to uphold their duties under international treaties and accords so that airlines may return the money made from the sale of tickets, cargo space, and other services. Source: traveldailymedia

Air Canada accomplished its first flights utilizing a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with sustainable jet fuel from Montreal to Amsterdam. Air Canada is advancing initiatives in its Climate Action Plan in conjunction with the opening of its second route from Amsterdam to Canada by extending its collaboration with Neste, a producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Europe, to include Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel on some of its flights at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. When compared to using conventional jet fuel, the usage of SAF might cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80%* during the fuel’s lifetime. This decrease is estimated using a comprehensive lifecycle analysis. In addition to our year-round flights between the Dutch capital and Toronto, we are excited to introduce our new, non-stop service between Amsterdam and Montreal for the summer of 2023. The beginning of our flights between Montreal and Amsterdam also signifies the beginning of our SAF supply in Europe and highlights the usefulness of this time-tested technology. We believe Canada should invest in SAF manufacture and urge the government and other stakeholders to give it top priority, together with the whole Canadian aviation sector, said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “For Air Canada, the expansion of our partnership with Neste to supply our first flight from Europe with SAF means that we are taking it a step further and offering more SAF through our Leave Less Travel Programme on a book and claim basis, further supporting our journey towards our ambitious 2050 net zero emissions goal,” Mr. Rousseau said in his conclusion. An Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with three service classes flies between Montreal and Amsterdam. The five times weekly service will supplement Air Canada’s daily service between Toronto and Amsterdam in the summer of 2023. Customers on both sides of the Atlantic have easy options to visit and experience each other’s continents thanks to up to twice as many flights per day operating between Canada and Amsterdam from two of Air Canada’s international hubs. * When estimated using recognised life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches, such as the CORSIA methodology, and utilized in neat form (i.e., unblended). Source: traveldailymedia

In response to its partner’s request, Thai Vietjet will run the following schedule of international direct flights between Bangkok and Yangon from June 1 through June 20, 2023. Every day at 10:30 and 11:35 a.m., Thai Vietjet operates flights VZ8700 Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Yangon, and VZ8701 Yangon – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), arriving at 12:20 and 14:10. With its warm and delightful service, Thai Vietjet, which was founded in 2014, has been working with Vietjet to expand its flight network and give more options for tourists to visit Thailand and many other countries. The airline offers flying options with cost-saving and flexible pricing as well as various services to satisfy customers’ requests, with an emphasis on cost management capability, effective operations, and performance. Thai Vietjet, which was named “The Fastest Growing Low-Cost Carrier of the 2020” by Global Business Outlook Magazine, has been steadily growing its youthful, cutting-edge fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. In addition, the airline was recently recognised by International Finance Magazine as the “Most Passenger-Friendly Cabin Crew – 2021” airline, underscoring its status as the “airline of hospitality” and reiterating its core values of “Friendly & Fun” along with “Safety,” “Punctuality,” and “Affordable Price.” Thai Vietjet now runs 10 domestic routes inside Thailand, including services from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani, as well as cross-regional services from Phuket to Chiang Mai. Additionally, the airline is rapidly growing its international flight network to several locations around Asia-Pacific, linking Thailand with Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Japan, Taipei, and other popular locations in the area. Source: traveldailymedia

Beijing Daxing Airport saw the arrival of British Airways’ first flight from London to Beijing in more than three years. Since the pandemic-related closure of the route in January 2020, this was British Airways’ first passenger flight between the two cities. With the restart, the airline reclaims its exclusivity as the only British airline running a direct flight between Beijing and the UK. Beijing to London flights will run four times each week, leaving Daxing Airport on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Customers can now travel more easily between the UK and China thanks to British Airways’ and China Southern’s joint operations out of Daxing, which also offers easier transfers, a larger selection of onward flights, and improved perks. Benefits for frequent travellers from the joint venture include more chances to earn points, the opportunity to book through the websites or mobile apps of both airlines, improved lounge access, and access to high-quality Chinese and British goods and services both in the air and on the ground. Louise Street, Director of Worldwide Airports for British Airways, welcomed the maiden aircraft and greeted passengers and staff as they disembarked to mark the moment’s long-awaited arrival. For all of us at British Airways, the resumption of one of our busiest routes after more than three years has been eagerly anticipated, according to Louise Street. We are thrilled to be back in Beijing as well, reconnecting relatives and friends and once more enabling international student and business travel after the successful restart of flights between Shanghai and London in April. To give our clients in China and the UK more transit alternatives and advantages, we are eager to collaborate with our joint venture partner China Southern. Customers flying between the two cities may take advantage of the airline’s newly created Club Suite (business class) cabin, which features direct aisle access, a suite door for further privacy, and plush flat-bed seats arranged in a 1-2-1 arrangement. boasts WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high-definition gate-to-gate programming, PC / USB power, plush new furnishings like a plush new pillow and a warm quilt from The White Company, new amenity kits, improved service, and an improved dining experience. It also has 40% more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror. Source: traveldailymedia

The revised Constitution of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has been made available for member approval. The amended Constitution has received unanimous approval from the Board, and full members will be asked to vote on it at the AGM on June 21, 2023. The AFTA Annual Report, which covers the organization’s extremely successful year spent working to ensure that ATAS is appropriate for agents, tour operators, and wholesalers, as well as continuing to lobby for its members and their clients, has also been made available. The election results for the Board were also made public by AFTA. All six finalists found success: Christians Hunter Laurette Ruffles Cindy Burnes Invoking Danielle Russom Sheldon Beasley Turner, Graham “When we started the consultation on the draught constitution, the Board undertook a detailed review of what the Sector needs from its peak body,” Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) CEO Dean Long said. The response was very favourable, and everyone agreed that our strategy struck the ideal balance for members and represented a considerable improvement. “On June 21 at our AGM, Members will vote on this Constitution, a significant turning point in our 65-year history. The Board as a whole is asking the Members to vote “YES” on the revised document. “Our Annual Report demonstrates that the previous 12 months were once again extraordinarily successful. We made every effort to make sure ATAS was appropriate for use by wholesalers, tour operators, and agencies. We continued to direct our advocacy programme on producing beneficial results for our members and their clients. “For the first time in more than ten years, ‘travel consultants’ was reinstated on the Federal skills list, a crucial first step to expanding the pool of individuals who are qualified to work in our Sector. NTIA and the first Women in Travel Summit were two more high-impact events we hosted, allowing AFTA to interact closely with its members across all business sectors. “As CEO of AFTA, I am pleased with our achievements and the part AFTA plays in assisting our members and the Sector. This year, we’ve started reform initiatives to reaffirm our commitment to encouraging our sectors’ growth via collaboration and to keep AFTA at the forefront of the travel industry. Thank you to our newly elected Directors. I want to express my gratitude to the Board for their ongoing dedication and leadership over the previous 12 months. The important initiatives and effort carried out this year will guarantee that AFTA continues to be a major force for development and cohesion within our sector. Source: traveldailymedia