Avianca earns diamond certification

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Avianca earns diamond certification from APEX Health Safety, for approved the biosafety protocols implemented by the Colombian airline.

The APEX Airline Passenger Experience Association established an evaluation standard to verify biosafety and hygiene protocols worldwide.

After the audit, the reconnaissance was carried out to guarantee a safe trip to the passengers.

“The health and safety of our clients and our son take priority. That is why, receiving this certification fills us with pride and satisfaction ”.- Adds Diego Pinto, Avianca’s Director of Safety.

What is the Diamond Certification?

The diamond certification is the highest recognition that an airline can receive, for demostrated commitment and providing optimal and safe trips. Prioritizing the health and well-being of its passengers with the correct sanitary conditions.

The APEX Health Safety and SimpliFlying certification validate compliance with hygiene protocols, and that’s why Avianca wins a diamond certification.

Through prioritized programs in the client for the “COVID-19 certification”. Where they encourage airlines to go beyond to guarantee a safe trip.

Dr. Joe Leader, CEO of APEX Said: “Passengers flying with Avianca can do so knowing that the airline has passed our comprehensive COVID-19 safety review covering all stages of the customer’s flight journey.”

Today, more industries are coming together to provide a satisfactory experience to users.

Read the full note in Aviación al Día.

 

The first flying car takes the skies

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Thanks to some futuristic comics and movies, we have all dreamed of the time when we could travel from one place to another in our flying car. That moment has arrived thanks to the Slovakian company Klein Vision, which presents the first flying car to complete an intercity flight.

It was last June when the AirCar took off from the airport in the city of Nitra to land about half an hour later at Bratislava airport and then complete its journey by road. During this 80 km flight, the AirCar reached an altitude of 2,500 mt, at a cruising speed of up to 190 km/h. The AirCar became the prototype to pass the R&D phase after completed more than 40 hours of test flights and 142 landings.

How did they achieve the first flying car?

The AirCar Prototype 1 is powered by a 160 hp BMW gasoline engine with a fixed propeller and also has an advanced technological and automated system to deploy or hide its wings, depending on whether it is used for air or road. This transformation process only takes less than 3 minutes, and the car is ready to take off or make its road trip or even park in a normal parking space.

It is expected that this prototype will have some adjustments that will improve its autonomy. For now, we know that its BMW engine will be replaced by a BMW gasoline engine of 300CV which will increase the speed to about 300 km/h with an approximate autonomy of 1000 km.

Given the success of these tests, the company Klein Vision ensures that in the coming months may present the first production model in series and will have different configurations, both in 2 or 4 seats. However, now the issue will reside in the homologation of the regulations of the different countries to circulate by air, which could delay the time when we can enjoy this breakthrough.

 

Richard Branson reaches space in a Virgin Galactic spacecraft

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Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, broke the atmospheric barrier on July 11 aboard a Virgin Galactic spacecraft to test and evaluate the experience for his future customers that wish to go sightseeing in space.

That was the first of three test flights to be made with a crew on a Virgin Galactic spacecraft before starting commercial operations scheduled for 2022. 

The company plans to make at least 400 flights a year from Spaceport America, and so far, they have managed to sell approximately 600 tickets to people in 60 countries for $250,000.

Branson traveled to space in the VSS Unity, along with two pilots and three other passengers. They took off horizontally from Spaceport America, and they reached an altitude of about 15 kilometers. The spacecraft detached and began a supersonic ascent, reaching an altitude of more than 80 km (the established U.S. point for the space frontier).

When the engine was shut down, the passengers were able to admire the curvature of the Earth from one of the cabin windows, detached from their seats, and floated for a few minutes in weightlessness.

“Honestly nothing can prepare you for the view of the Earth from space,” Branson said during the ceremony following their successful landing in New Mexico.

“Our mission is to make space more accessible to everyone. In that spirit, and with today’s successful flight of VSS Unity, I am thrilled to announce a partnership with Omaze and Space for Humanity to inspire the next generation of dreamers. For too long, we have looked with awe at yesterday’s space pioneers. Now, I want tomorrow’s astronauts to look ahead and realize their dreams,” added.

Singapore Airlines offers in-flight online shopping

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Technology takes over the sky, and Singapore Airlines will offer online shopping when you go onboard a flight. 

Singapore Airlines will become the first airline to offer this service. Passengers will be able to make purchases through KrisShop, the airline’s shopping portal that offers more than 4,000 online products that can be delivered to your doorstep. 

Among the range of categories offered by the airline are: beauty items such as fragrances and cosmetics, exclusive Singapore Airlines products, and electronics. 

At the same time, orders delivered to passengers on their next Singapore Airlines flight can enjoy duty-free prices. Users can also opt for delivery services directly to their homes. 

A star technology…

“E-commerce is the future of shopping, and the integration of this feature into our in-flight entertainment system is another industry first for SIA.” Comments Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience.

SIA and KrisShop’s relationship in conjunction with Thales, Panasonic Avionics, and AirFree, work to deliver this electronic experience in the air, with an air-to-ground connectivity system.

Which connects KrisShop to the aircraft’s IFE system for in-stock product updates and credit card authorization. 

At the moment, the in-flight shopping service is available for a few A350 aircraft. However, it will gradually be expanded to the entire Singapore Airlines fleet. 

Source: Hosteltur.

Ultra Air, the new low-cost option for Colombian travelers

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The Colombian civil aeronautics has given its approval for the launch of an ultra-low-cost airline with multiple destinations. That will offer a new alternative to recurring passengers and attracting a large part of the population that previously could not access services.

The first reason why Ultra Air is considered an Ultra Low-Cost airline is because of the aircraft they will use, and the airline has closed negotiations with Airbus to incorporate 40 A320ceo and A320neo aircraft into the fleet, which stands out for having 20% ​​in saving fuel and CO2 emissions, which in itself lowers operating costs.

To this is added the fact that passengers will pay depending on the load they carry and the services they require from the airline. That is, the cost of the ticket will be the same for everyone and includes a bag or backpack and will be paid for extra luggage or additional suitcase. In addition, the possibility of choosing your chair, space, among other services.

According to statements from the airline, it is estimated that in the first five years 40 aircraft will be incorporated into the fleet and that approximately 36,000 direct and indirect jobs may be generated. It is also expected that with the entry of this new airline into the market, airfares will decrease by 20%, which would translate into growth in the tourism sector in the coming years.

Ultra Air has advanced by leaps and bounds, and it is expected that soon there will be orange planes flying through the skies and operating not only commercial flights but also cargo and mail.

For now the Ultra Air airline is expected to cover the routes between the most important cities in Colombia and some international ones such as Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curaçao, and the United States.

Are you ready to travel to Ultra Low Cost?

 

Prince Air, India’s First Subscription Airline

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Despite the consequences that the pandemic has left worldwide, the aeronautical sector continues to bet on moving forward and taking advantage of the opportunities that arise thanks to technological advances.

That is why India launches its first subscription airline. Sanket Raj Singh, the founder of Prince Air, promises an experience like no other, akin to owning your own ‘private jet’.

It will not be necessary to make long lines for the check-in process, just by arriving half an hour before departure, the passenger will go through a different entrance than the usual.

They will have a car at their disposal, it is necessary to leave the airport quickly, to provide an experience of height.

Although there is no specific release date, they are already in the pre-sale period. Users can subscribe for approximately $ 744 per month, so they can travel unlimitedly through the destinations offered by the airline.

The destinations stipulated by Prince Air so far are Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Subsequently, it will have connections with Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Pune, Amritsar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Prince Air targets users who mostly travel in business class, so they can continue to enjoy an experience like no other. Lastly, operations are expected to be launched when there are around 10,000 to 12,000 subscribers.

Read a little more at: Zephyrnet

IATA Partners with Airbus and Boeing to Manage Covid-19 Risks

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airbus and Boeing, have developed risk management models for Covid-19 to demonstrate the different systems that ensure the safety of air transport while restoring global connectivity.

The Airbus model demonstrates that the risk of virus transmission can be significantly reduced through data-driven detection and protection measures.

For its part, the Boeing model assesses the effectiveness of passenger screening and quarantines in countries around the world. It has several factors, such as the effectiveness of PCR and rapid antigen tests and the chronology of illness for passengers traveling with COVID-19.

“There is no single solution to manage the different levels of risk. The economic and social cost of the general measures taken by most governments to date has been unnecessarily high. With this modeling,  that we can be smart with calibrated travel policies that address risk, enable travel, and protect people. That is the way back to normality,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director-General.

For now, Boeing is modeling scenarios with vaccinated travelers. As data on new COVID-19 variants become available, it will also be incorporated into these models.

 

Read more at: Europapress. 

Lufthansa and Airbus convert their planes into cargo transport

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Lufthansa Technik and Airbus have teamed up to convert their commercial aircraft into “temporary” cargo transport, thus offering a temporary solution to their customers.

This new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) solution will allow operators to load up to 15 tons of additional payload, in the cabins of their A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft.

The conversion consists of removing the seats, then installing a standard “PKC” pallet and nets on the main deck. This solution offers a load capacity of about 78 cubic meters on the main deck, with 12 PKC pallet positions and 18 nets.

Under the agreement, LHT owns the STC and will provide the retrofit kits for customers, while Airbus’s role as a manufacturer includes providing technical data, engineering validations, and operational calculations.

“The cooperation with Lufthansa Technik enables the smooth implementation of this temporary cargo solution. Best-in-class operating economy and cabin versatility make the A330 the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in today’s environment. With this new solution, we continue to support our Airbus customers, “said Soeren Stark, Chief Operating Officer and Account Manager at Lufthansa Technik.

 Source: Aviación al día

 

ITP Aero joins “Race to Zero”

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ITP Aero, is the Spanish aeronautical company that joins the United Nations “Race to Zero” campaign, as part of its commitment to the environment. ITP Aero seeks to minimize carbon emissions and reach zero emissions, for the year 2050.

As part of the “Business Ambition to 1.5ºC” program, the first objective is to neutralize carbon emissions by 2030. This is only part of the commitment that ITP Aero manages with the care of the environment. In addition to minimizing the impact that carbon emissions cause on the environment, it also seeks to promote this movement for other companies to join.

At the same time, Carlos Alzola, CEO of ITP Aero argues that: “ITP Aero is committed to clean, safe and competitive propulsion systems to achieve a sustainable aeronautical industry.”

Also within the Spanish company’s commitment to the “Race to Zero” program, the following stand out: Investment in development and research to seek efficiency in products and solutions that are friendly to the environment; The company will take advantage of its mechanisms to promote decarbonization and collaboration between stakeholders to create a positive impact in the localities and also establish the steps to achieve “net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

This movement is undoubtedly part of a great step where other aeronautical companies and airlines are already joining this cause, to minimize carbon emissions in the environment.

Read the full statement at ITP Aero

 

Drones: The future of the airline industry

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Drones have become one of the key advancements in the future of technology and could change the air logistics of the coming years, becoming part of the world’s transportation system.

On April 14, a conference called “Drone Enable” was held, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (OASI), where several specialists met and discussed the importance of creating a regulatory framework that allows the integration of drones into the system. World air transport.

The objective is not to replace traditional transport, but to bring great value to areas with high traffic congestion, rural and isolated sectors, speed up freight transport and provide fast services in cases of emergency.

Drones have been very useful in agricultural processes, in the control of forest fires, even in the analysis of traffic in some cities, and in the delivery of medicines. In 2015, the United States Government authorized the delivery of emergency medications to a rural clinic located in Virginia, which was 90 minutes by land from the nearest pharmacy.

There are many benefits that this type of unmanned aerial vehicle provides, and in logistics processes, its advantages are extremely positive.

In this sense, the OASI is working on an international registry of drones that allows their integration into the airspace. Koen de Vos, a member of the transport department of the European Commission, said that: “The challenge is to maintain a balance between promoting the potential of drones and addressing the concerns of society and the airline industry. Safety in the skies depends on the responsible behavior of all operators ”.

However, for society to fully accept the use of this new technology, the benefits of it must be totally clear to all people, especially if one considers that the negative aspects of these vehicles, such as noise and pollution, affect everyone.

Source: A21