Apex Daily Experience

No Images? Open in Browser

May 5, 2021

Go to APEX.AERO

Today's Top Stories

Air India to Vaccinate All Staff by End of May

Air India has said it will vaccinate all employees by the end of May following a letter from the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), a union representing narrow-body aircraft pilots, in which they threatened to stop working if the airline’s management didn’t begin vaccinating crew immediately. The letter followed a separate request on April 28 from the Indian Pilots Guild, which represents Boeing pilots, that stated, “It is in the nature of our duty to be at risk of exposure to the virus. At the very least, our company should leave no stone unturned to keep us safe.”

Business Traveller | Related ‘No Covid-19 vaccine for flying crew, will stop work’: Air India pilots warn management – Hindustan Times

SHARE

Delta Premium Select Cabin to be Introduced on More Aircraft

Delta’s Boeing 767-300 and Airbus A330 fleets are to be reconfigured to include its Delta Premium Select cabin in May and July, respectively. The product offers passengers a wider seat with an additional recline and adjustable foot and leg rests. Once installed with Delta Premium Select, the carrier’s A330s and 767-300s will feature all four of Delta’s cabin classes: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. Both fleet types will also be upgraded with refreshed lavatories, LED cabin lighting, expanded personal power outlets and memory-foam comfort cushions.

SHARE

Aruba Health App Puts Travelers' Privacy First

A pilot program will see visitors to Aruba issued with a unique trusted traveler credential via the Aruba Health App, which was developed by SITA together with the Aruba Health Department and Incidio.tech. Their health status can then be verified by participating hospitality venues on the island using a unique QR code in the app. The solution incorporates decentralized identity technology, which means users can be verified without sharing personal information.

SHARE

Dnata’s Catering Waste to be Converted Into Aquafeed

A Memorandum of Understanding between dnata and Blue Aqua will see the latter upcycle organic waste from dnata’s catering and ground handling operations into alternative insect protein for aquafeeds. Blue Aqua’s bioconversion solution processes underutilized nutrients from the leftovers that can be transformed into quality insect proteins for aquacultural use, which are more sustainable than traditional fishmeal. Dnata will also add Blue Aqua to its list of suppliers for locally farmed seafood to use in its catering operations.

SHARE

SkyFive Creates Dedicated IFC Sister Company

SkyFive has created an independent sister company, SkyFive Inflight Connectivity, which will further develop its 5G air-to-ground solution to provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) to Chinese airlines. SkyFive announced its plans, alongside a partnership with Airbus, in August 2020 and recently showcased its solution to Chinese carriers at the Airbus Innovation Center in Shenzhen, achieving a download speed of 400Mbps and an upload speed of 100Mbps. SkyFive Inflight Connectivity will be supported by the SkyFive team in Germany.

SHARE

AA’s Admiral Club Lounges are Reopening

This month, American Airlines (AA) is reopening more of its Admirals Club lounges, including sites at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Miami International Airport and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. By the end of the month, the carrier will have reopened 27 lounges across 21 cities. From tomorrow, AA will also introduce a touchless entry trial using facial recognition technology at its Admirals Club lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Revamped food-for-sale items will also be available all day in select lounges.

Breaking Travel News | Related American Reintroduces Beverage Service as Customers Return to the Skies – American Airlines

SHARE

LSG Sky Chefs New Zealand Expands Into Fitness Market

From May, LSG Sky Chefs New Zealand will provide Auckland-based food delivery company Swolefoods with 5,000 frozen meals per month. Swolefoods offers customers ready-made macronutrient balanced meals as a one-off or recurring order. “Our team has created innovative new dishes such as beef bulgogi, Thai curry chicken and meatballs with spaghetti for Swolefoods, and we provide them with healthy high protein and low sugar cookies. This business is a fine opportunity to explore the fitness industry,” said Bilal Ozturk, Sales and Services director, New Zealand & Pacific, LSG Group.

PAX International | Related LATAM Airlines Awards its Domestic Catering Business in Brazil to LSG Sky Chefs – LSG Sky Chefs

SHARE

> PHOTO OF THE DAY

In a multi-part series, “Budget-Friendly Entertainment,” Polo created scenes showing miniature passengers interacting with airline IFE.

This week, we're looking back at some of @ricardo_polo_vector's illustrations for #APEXExperienceMag!

> Tweet of the Day

Today we mourn the loss of Bernard Ziegler, one of the Airbus great pioneers and test pilot who was instrumental in the development of the digital fly-by-wire technology in commercial aviation and the success of Airbus. He will be greatly missed.

Airbus @Airbus

Association News

New Speakers Announced at FTE APEX Virtual Expo

This week, FTE APEX Virtual Expo revealed that Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and Airlines for Europe (A4E) managing director Thomas Reynaert are taking part in a panel session that will see industry leaders provide their perspectives on relaunching global air transport. Elsewhere, pioneering figures at both IAG and Incheon International Airport will share insights about the deployment of automation and robotics throughout the passenger journey. See the full conference agenda.

> Quote of the Day

"The 737-800s have really large galleys, so we opted for one galley and took out the other one."

Andrew Levy, Avelo Airlines
Read the article

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.

Connect with APEX

You have received this email because you are subscribed to this newsletter from apex.aero.

Change email frequency | Unsubscribe