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February 27, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Qantas Gives Frequent Flyers Thousands More Reward Seats

Qantas has extended its commitment to making 50% more reward seats available until the end of the year, adding an extra six months and tens of thousands more seats to the deal. Qantas Loyalty has been the standout business segment of the airline for years. For the six months that ended December 31st, it generated revenue of $682 million and a year-on-year increase of 73%. During the last 12 months, the frequent flyer program added around 80,000 new members a month and is one of the country's largest loyalty programs with 14.7 million members.

Simple Flying | Related Short cuts: Qantas unveils cabins for world’s longest flights - Financial Times

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50+ IndiGo, Go First Planes Grounded Over Engine Issues

Due to Pratt & Whitney engine woes and supply chain issues, more than 50 IndiGo and Go First aircraft have been grounded. P&W engines have had several issues since introduction, like extended groundings, inflight failures, low engine performance, high fuel consumption, and high maintenance costs. IndiGo is considering a number of possibilities, including slowing down redeliveries through lease extensions, investigating the possibility of reintroducing aircraft to the fleet and assessing wet lease options within the confines of applicable regulations.

Airways Magazine | Related 50+ IndiGo & Go First Aircraft Grounded Due To Pratt & Whitney Engine Woes - Simple Flying

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Lilium Sees Premium Service Entry For Lilium Jet eVTOL

Lilium’s eVTOL concept, called Lilium Jet, aims to optimize the compromises of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The Lilium Jet is best understood as a complete architecture, with airframe and powerplant working together. Its wing and canard surfaces help deliver a fine lift-to-drag ratio which is expected to help the aircraft achieve impressive range and cruising speed using only around 10% of the available power. Because it’s optimized for range, the Lilium Jet needs more power on takeoff than other eVTOLs.

Runway Girl Network | Related Lilium teams with Collins Aerospace to build new Innovative - Globe Newswire

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Hong Kong’s Reopening Drive Curtailed By Airport Worker Shortage

A scarcity of workers in the air industry is hobbling Hong Kong’s efforts to reestablish the international links vital for its role as a financial hub. Airlines are struggling to hire staff locally, prompting carriers to put off resuming routes shuttered during the city’s isolation over the past few years. The airport is operating with 32% fewer employees than before the pandemic. Qantas delayed the restart of flights with Melbourne by three months to mid-June because of a labor shortage. Manpower constraints are making it tough for local start-up Greater Bay Airlines to add flights from Hong Kong. Even the city’s in-town check-in service has yet to reopen, another sign of the slow pace of recovery.

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BeOnd Plans To Serve 60-80 Destinations From The Maldives

New all business class airline BeOnd plans to launch with a hub in Male, capital of the Maldives. If there’s a luxury resort destination attracting a clientele that might spring for such a service, the Maldives is on the short list. The carrier plans to launch with the A321neo but ultimately fly A321XLRs to reach Europe and Australia. BeOnd claims they’re going to be subsidized by the government of the Maldives. Initially they plan to use two planes to service eight destinations in Asia, including India and the Mideast, eventually expanding to Australia and Europe.

View from the Wing | Related Airline Startup: BeOnd Wants To Serve Maldives With All-Business Airbus A321 - Simple Flying

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Southwest Airlines Makes A Cool Onboard Change

A trend that U.S. airlines have not kept up with is Iced coffee, as no domestic carrier offers iced coffee with the exception of Delta which sells Explored Cold Brew Coffee on transcontinental trips and flights to Hawaii. Southwest Airlines is changing that by adding Community Coffee’s Espresso + Cream iced coffee to all of its flights for a $4 charge. Espresso + Cream will be served on 4,000 flights per day, spanning over 100 destinations in 42 states as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

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Smiths Detection To Supply Advanced Screening Tech To Noida International

Security firm Smiths Detection will supply Noida International Airport in India with both passenger and hold baggage screening equipment to help ensure safety and efficiency for passengers and operators. The supply includes the Hi-Scan 6040 DV, a high-resolution, dual-view x-ray screening system; the Hi-Scan 10080 XCT, a high-speed computed tomography explosives detection system; the iLane A20, an automatic tray return system which delivers a steady flow of trays; the IonScan 600, a portable explosives and narcotics trace detector. Smiths Detection will also provide around-the-clock fully comprehensive equipment service and maintenance for 10 years. Installation of equipment will begin in early 2024.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related Smiths Detection Launches Fully Automated Tray Return System for Airport Checkpoints - HS Today

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @harry_bhx, showing a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for London Heathrow from Lahore.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson says that due to time & supply chain constraints, the ✈️ will retain the configuration of Aeroflot's A350. Six of those will join by end of 2023 #aviation #PaxEx #AirIndia

Arindam Majumder @ari_maj

Association News

APEX TECH 2023 – Early Bird Rates Extended to 28 February!

New innovations and the future of connectivity, how are you prepared and what's your organization doing to orchestrate “the next?” Join us at 2023 APEX TECH, 21 March – 23 March in Los Angeles, CA, and learn from and network with airlines and service providers. Early bird registration rates are available through 28 February. Don’t let the early bird rates fly by! Register now.

> Quote of the Day

"We're releasing tens of thousands of new Classic Flight Reward seats to international destinations to make it easier for our members to use their points towards their next overseas trip. There are more than 5 million reward seats available for booking across the Qantas and Jetstar international and domestic networks over the next year."

Olivia Wirth , Qantas Loyalty CEO
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The next newsletter will be out tomorrow.

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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