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April 26, 2022

Qatar Loses Legal Battle Over Airbus A321 Aircraft

Airbus has been given the green light to cancel an order from Qatar Airways for its A321 aircraft. The airline had asked a London court for an injunction to stop Airbus from scrapping the contract for 50 aircraft, which was denied on Tuesday by a U.K. judge, allowing Airbus to remarket the jets to new customers. The cancelation of the A321 order in January and subsequent legal battle over the aircraft order is part of a more significant court battle over flaking paint on the carrier's Airbus A350 aircraft. Airbus had argued it has the right to cancel the contract under a clause due to the airline’s failure to accept delivery of the A350s.

BNN Bloomberg | Related The Airbus v Qatar Airways’ feud: All you need to know about the $600m corporate divorce saga – City AM

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Urban-Air Port Opens World’s First eVTOL Hub, Air-One

Urban-Air Port has opened Air-One, a world-first demonstration of a fully-operational hub for future electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles and autonomous delivery drones, to demonstrate the potential of advanced air mobility globally. The vertiport, backed by the UK Government and supported by Supernal, will operate for at least one month and will provide a blueprint for more than 200 vertiports planned worldwide by Urban-Air Port over the next five years. The 17,000-square-foot building, built-in 11 weeks, is open to the public and features a passenger lounge, café, retail pop-up, electric and hydrogen-air vehicle hangar, and security screening.

Aviation 24 | Related World’s First Advanced Air Mobility Vertiport Debuts – Airways Magazine

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Emirates Expands Fleet Refurbishment Plans Amid New Delivery Delays

Emirates has announced that it will refurbish 120 aircraft from its existing fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, up from the 105 that the airline had previously announced. The airline will retrofit 67 A380s, up from 52 initially announced, while the 53 refurbished 777s are unchanged. The carrier is currently facing delivery delays of new Boeing aircraft and seeking assurances over concerns with the Airbus A350s it has on order. The airline will spend over $1 billion for the fleet refurbishment, including installing a new premium economy cabin.

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New Zealand and Singapore Sign a Sustainable Aviation Arrangement

On April 20, New Zealand and Singapore signed a Sustainable Aviation Arrangement, which will see the two countries working together on technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen. The arrangement builds on an Enhanced Partnership agreement from 2019 and will now include climate change and the green economy. Cooperation in this field will involve joint research projects on low-carbon technology, information-sharing on low-emission vehicles, and collaboration on sustainable aviation fuels including SAF and hydrogen. Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, and the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand have already committed to taking action.

Travel Radar | Related Environmental sustainability an important travel consideration for 72 percent of Kiwis in 2022 [study] – News Hub

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Condor Introduces Starbucks on its In-flight Menu

Starting May 1, Condor will be revamping its in-flight menu with Starbucks on all short- and medium-haul flights. Menu items will include Starbucks Medium Roast Instant Coffee and select Teavana Starbucks Teas, including English Breakfast, China Green, Harmonic Mint and Hibiscus Spice. Additional offerings include Starbucks Instant Hot Chocolate and the popular Starbucks Caramel Waffle, with additional products to be added in the future. The Starbucks menu items will be available in-flight, starting at $3.10.

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ANA Launches New Menu and Meal Service at its Tokyo Lounges

Starting April 27, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be offering a new set meal service available at its ANA Suite Lounge facilities at Tokyo Haneda Airport and Tokyo Narita Airport. The new menu will offer set meals to complement its existing buffet and noodle menu, with both Japanese and Western options. Dishes will include a grilled salmon set meal or scrambled eggs for breakfast; sushi or a beef hamburger with vegetables after 11:00 am; and an all-day meat-free plant-based healthy cutlet burger. Set meals will be served on a single tray and can be ordered through travelers’ mobile devices, ensuring a contactless dining experience.

Simple Flying | Related Emirates Continues Festive Shake Ups With Special Easter Menu – Simple Flying

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HND to Deploy Smiths Detection’s Equipment

Smiths Detection has delivered 12 sets of HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX carry-on baggage screening systems, iLane smart automatic tray return systems, and UV-C tray disinfection systems to Tokyo International Airport (HND) in Japan. The Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX is a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner that can detect electronics and liquids, eliminating the need to remove them during the baggage screening process. The new equipment will support Japan Airlines ‘Jal Smart Security’ at Tokyo International Airport's domestic terminal security checkpoints.

Airport Technology | Related Smiths Detection Takes on Money Laundering with iCMORE Currency Algorithm – Travel News Asia

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

An All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-381ER at Osaka International Airport. Captured by @itm_ana

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

> Tweet of the Day

.@HawaiianAir to offer free high-speed Starlink internet on trans-pacific fleet. "When we launch with Starlink, we will have the best connectivity available in the air." Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO. #Connectivity #PaxEx #IFEC #IFE https://bit.ly/3ELm9Ly

Inflight @inflightmag

Association News

Save the Date: APEX TECH on May 18

APEX TECH is less than one month away! The event, sponsored by Panasonic, will take place on May 18 in Irvine, California. If you still haven't registered for this FREE event for APEX members, be sure to secure your spot now. Visit the full TECH schedule page for more details and Click here to register for TECH.

> Quote of the Day

"The opening of Air-One is a momentous moment – the starting gun for a new age of transport, an age of zero-emission, congestion-free travel between and within cities that will make people healthier, happier and more connected than ever before."

Ricky Sandhu, Urban-Air Port
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Until 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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