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January 3, 2024

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Today's Top Stories

Lufthansa Places First Boeing Aircraft Order In 30 Years

Lufthansa, Germany’s national airline, has placed its first order with Boeing in three decades, purchasing 100 737 MAX aircraft to reintroduce Boeing planes into its fleet. This order includes 40 firm Boeing 737-8s and options for 60 more. Lufthansa, which first introduced the Boeing 737 in 1967 and retired its last 737 in 2016, aims to modernize its fleet and meet carbon reduction targets with this acquisition. The airline’s current Boeing orders also include 34 Dreamliners and several freight carriers. Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, expressed delight at the 737’s return to an original launch customer’s fleet.

Airport Technology | Related Boeing Gets First Single-Aisle Plane Order From Lufthansa in Almost 30 Years – Investopedia

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Ryanair Sales Hit After Travel Agent Websites Delist Airline

Ryanair experienced a slight drop in ticket sales after major online booking sites, including Booking.com, Kiwi, and Kayak, removed its flights from their listings in early December. This affected the airline’s load factor (the percentage of filled seats) by 1-2% in December and January. Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, responded by offering more low-priced fares directly on its website and announced a 10% discount sale on over 400,000 fares for travel up to March end. Despite the removal from these sites, Ryanair doesn’t expect a significant impact on its yearly financial forecasts for passenger numbers or profits.

The Guardian | Related Ryanair issues ticket warning and urges passengers to take decisive action – Birmingham Live

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OAG Reveals Busiest Airline Routes In 2023

OAG’s 2023 report reveals Kuala Lumpur International-Singapore Changi as the busiest international airline route with 4.9 million seats, followed by Cairo-Jeddah and Hong Kong-Taipei. Seven of the top ten international routes are in the Asia-Pacific region. New York JFK-London Heathrow ranks eighth. However, domestic routes like Jeju International-Seoul Gimpo (13.7 million seats) dominate in volume. Atlanta was 2023’s busiest global airport hub, followed by Dubai International, Tokyo Haneda, and London Heathrow. Heathrow saw record passenger numbers in September, surpassing 2019 figures for the first time since February 2020.

Business Traveller | Related 354% Year-On-Year Order Increase: Global Aircraft Backlog Nears 15,000 Units – Simple Flying

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How AERQ & Geven Integrated IFE Into Slimline Seats For Discover

Geven’s Essenza economy class seat, known for its space-efficient design even in high-density seating layouts, has successfully integrated seatback inflight entertainment (IFE) displays, as demonstrated by AERQ. This integration was showcased at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg and the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in California. AERQ, a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and LG, is promoting its AERENA platform, which features high-definition OLED screens for cabin signage and in-seat displays. Discover Airlines plans to trial AERENA with in-seat monitors on an Airbus A320 in early 2024.

Runway Girl Network | Related AERQ completes HIC testing; introduces AERENA Experience Studio – Runway Girl Network

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Inside The New oneworld Seoul Lounge

The oneworld Seoul Lounge, the first in a series of oneworld-branded lounges, opened at Seoul Incheon International Airport. Accessible to first and business class passengers, and frequent flyers with oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status, it’s situated in Terminal 1 near Gate 28. The lounge features a modern makeover with a mix of pastel and duskier tones, diverse seating areas, a horseshoe-shaped bar, and limited shower facilities. Its buffet offers Asian and Western dishes, with cocktails available after 3pm. The lounge uses South Korean AC outlets and has some USB ports.

Executive Traveller | Related Seoul first stop for oneworld lounge rollout – Travel Weekly Asia

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Air India Schedules First Flights With New Airbus A350

Air India is set to launch its first Airbus A350-900 operations on January 22, with an inaugural flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai. This marks the beginning of the aircraft’s service on high-demand regional routes, including Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Flights will operate up to six times weekly, with Delhi-Bengaluru flights starting January 23. Bookings for the A350 flights are open on Air India’s website. The airline, under Tata Group’s modernization, plans to expand the A350 network this year, expecting at least five more airframes in Q1 2024.

Simple Flying | Related Air India weaves new branding palette into A350-900 interiors – Runway Girl Network

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ACSA To Deploy IDEMIA’s Passenger Flow Facilitation Solution At 9 Airports

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) plans to implement IDEMIA’s Passenger Flow Facilitation (PFF) solution, ID2Travel, in nine airports, including three major international airports - OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka. The deployment, to be completed in three phases by 2026, will integrate advanced e-Gates technologies for border clearance. This biometric-based solution aims to automate airport processes, offering passengers a seamless and secure experience. This initiative aligns with ACSA’s strategy to lead in airport management services in Africa, enhancing service quality from check-in to boarding.

Future Travel Experience | Related Interpol’s new multi-biometric system from Idemia goes live – Biometric Update

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @dmairplane, featuring a United 737 MAX on approach to Boston Logan Airport.

Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

First impressions: what to expect at the newly-opened Oneworld Seoul lounge https://executivetraveller.com/review/oneworld-seoul-icn-lounge @traveloneworld @theAPEXassoc #PaxEx

Executive Traveller @Exec_Traveller

Association News

NEW Online APEX Merchandise Store

We are thrilled to announce the launch of an online APEX Store. ‘Tis the season of giving, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than treating your colleagues and team to a gift from the APEX Store. You can find the perfect holiday gift and show your support for your APEX community. Start Shopping.

APEX TECH | 28-29 February 2024 | Los Angeles, CA, USA

Come embark on a journey to explore the latest advancements and innovations in the world of Inflight Connectivity, Media Content and Supply Chain, Data Capture and Intelligence, and Ancillary and Passenger Experience Use. Join us at 2024 APEX TECH, 28-29 February, in Los Angeles, CA, and learn from and network with airlines and service providers. Registration is now open!

> Quote of the Day

“Around 60 years ago, Lufthansa was a co-developer and launch customer of this globally successful model. With the new modern, quiet, economical and efficient 737-8 aircraft, we are making progress both in modernising our short-haul and medium-haul fleet and in achieving our carbon CO₂ reduction targets.”

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr
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ABOUT APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of airlines, businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience, from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and in-flight dining. Visit apex.aero for more information. APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

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