Industry news
Ryanair to shutter Frankfurt Am Main base over high airport fees
operations
Low-cost carrier Ryanair has decided to shut its Frankfurt am Main base in March and move the five aircraft currently based there to airports with lower fees.
The airline will stop all flights to and from Frankfurt Am Main from 31 March. This decision is said to be the result of rising airport fees at Frankfurt, making it uncompetitive with other European airports.
Ryanair said that competitive airport fees play an important role in post-Covid traffic recovery and the hiked airport charges at Frankfurt do not support airlines.
The carrier has informed all its pilots and cabin crew at the Frankfurt am Main base about the planned closure. All affected flight crew can get alternative roles within its network.
The airline, however, stressed that it will keep investing in its German operations, which includes a $200m investment in a two aircraft base in Nuremberg.
regulation
World Bank imposes sanctions on French airport operator
The World Bank Group has imposed a 24-month sanction on French airport developer, operator and manager ADP International SA, as it was found to be involved in collusive practices in the Airports Madagascar Project as well as fraudulent practices in the Zagreb Airport Project.
Backed by International Finance Corporation, the Airports Madagascar Project offers partial financing for the expansion and revamp of Ivato International Airport and Fascene Airport in Madagascar.
In the tender for the 28-year contract to run the airports, ADP International was found attending ‘improper meetings with government officials’ from 4 February to 4 May 2015.
fuels
ExxonMobil and Neste collaborate to deliver SAF
Aviation fuel supplier ExxonMobil has reached an agreement with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Neste to commercially distribute Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at France’s largest airports.
The move comes after the French Government introduced the 1% SAF mandate, which has come into force from 1 January.
Under the partnership, Neste’s SAF production capabilities will be integrated with ExxonMobil’s expertise in the delivery and distribution of jet fuel.
Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is made of 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, which include animal fat waste and used cooking oil.
airports
VINCI Airports assumes operations of NCY
VINCI Airports has announced taking over the operations of Annecy Mont Blanc Airport (NCY) in France on 1 January 2022.
Last July, VINCI Airports signed a public service delegation agreement with Haute-Savoie Departmental Council in this regard.
With this takeover, VINCI Airports has now extended its network to 12 airports across France.
The company will not only operate the airport for a period of 15 years but will also support the business and leisure aviation activity with an investment plan of€10m.
This investment plan will be co-financed by the Haute-Savoie Department.
AirLINES
Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority grants AOC to Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse Atlantic Airways, a new Norway-based airline, has received an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.
The airline company, which was founded in March this year, is set to operate its first transatlantic flights in spring next year.
The initial flights will depart from Oslo to select places in the US.
At present, it owns a fleet of 15 ‘modern, fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly’ Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
These will fly to destinations such as New York, Florida, London, Paris, Oslo, and more.
routes
Indigo signs codeshare pact with KLM and Air France
India’s low-cost airline IndiGo has reportedly entered into a codeshare alliance with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the respective countries’ national carriers.
Subject to the nod of the Government of India, the agreement is expected to become effective in February next year.
A code sharing agreement allows airline companies to sell seats on a flight operated by another company.
As per the agreement, IndiGo customers will have access to Air France and KLM global network, which covers more than 250 destinations across the globe.
Airports
Saudi Arabia eyes privatisation of its airports
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking to privatise all airports in the country as part of its economic diversification strategy called ‘Vision 2030’.
Speaking to Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) head Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said that 22 airport operators will be transformed into holding companies, tasked with construction, operation and management.
The GACA head added that Abha International Airport is currently undergoing final technical and economic studies.
Additionally, airports located in Taif and Qassim provinces are being considered for privatisation, Duailej said.
routes
BA to launch short-haul flights from LGW in 2022
British Airways will start operating short-haul flights from the UK’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) to 35 destinations from March next year through a new subsidiary.
Called BA Euroflyer, the subsidiary will be a separate entity though working under the British Airways brand, similar to BA CityFlyer that operates out of London City Airport (LCY).
Initially, British Airways will run three Airbus short-haul aircraft, with plans to expand the count to up to 18 aircraft by the end of May 2022.
In brief
Air Arabia restarts City Check-in services in three UAE cities
Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa region, has recommenced its City Check-in services in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.
Airlines for America seeks to delay 5G wireless rollout
Airlines for America, a trade association for passenger and cargo carriers, has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission seeking a halt in the deployment of new 5G wireless service near several US airports.
Honduras’ Palmerola Airport receives first passengers
The new Palmerola International Airport in Honduras has welcomed its first passengers, with Spirit Airlines as the first scheduled carrier.
As of now, around five airlines are running global flights to Palmerola Airport.
TNR unveils new terminal
Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Madagascar has inaugurated a new terminal, which has been built as part of a public-private partnership.
Pangiam and Google Cloud partner to enhance security
Pangiam and Google Cloud have joined forces to work on Project Dartmouth, an initiative to strengthen the security of airport operations.
airports
Saudi Arabia eyes privatisation of its airports
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking to privatise all airports in the country as part of its economic diversification strategy called ‘Vision 2030’.
Speaking to Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) head Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said that 22 airport operators will be transformed into holding companies, tasked with construction, operation and management.
The GACA head added that Abha International Airport is currently undergoing final technical and economic studies.
Additionally, airports located in Taif and Qassim provinces are being considered for privatisation, Duailej said.
routes
BA to launch short-haul flights from LGW in 2022
British Airways will start operating short-haul flights from the UK’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) to 35 destinations from March next year through a new subsidiary.
Called BA Euroflyer, the subsidiary will be a separate entity though working under the British Airways brand, similar to BA CityFlyer that operates out of London City Airport (LCY).
Initially, British Airways will run three Airbus short-haul aircraft, with plans to expand the count to up to 18 aircraft by the end of May 2022.
