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June 8, 2021

Southwest Orders 34 More Boeing 737 MAX Jets

Citing an improvement in travel demand, Southwest is exercising 34 of its 155 options for Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft in addition to the 100 it ordered from the OEM in March this year. Southwest’s order book for the type now stands at 234. The carrier also has orders for 149 737 MAX 8s, which will replace its older 737s between now and 2031. Despite being optimistic about travel demand, Southwest predicts that its June revenue will be down 20% compared with 2019, and that July sales will come in at between 15% and 20% lower than two years ago.

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Transatlantic Airlines Demand US, UK Travel Corridor

The CEOs of American, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, United and Virgin Atlantic appeared jointly via video conference to call on US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reach an agreement on a US-UK travel corridor. They have requested that the US be added to the UK’s “green list” and that the US end its ban on incoming travel from the UK. Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian said its consulting partners at the Mayo Clinic told them that a passenger has approximately a one in a million chance of contracting COVID-19 on a flight between the two countries.

Travel Weekly | Related US State Department relaxes travel advisories for Americans visiting the UK and Israel – The Points Guy UK

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Andy Rosen Receives APEX Outstanding Contribution Award

Andy Rosen has become the eleventh recipient of APEX’s Outstanding Contribution Award. Michael Childers, member of the APEX Board of Directors and chair of the APEX Technology Committee, said, “Andy Rosen has been a major contributor to every APEX content delivery specification since the very first one in 1995 to the latest version of APEX 0415v3.1.” Rosen is co-chair of the 0415 working group, and will continue to be active in APEX’s Encoding and Encryptions Technologies Working Group as it considers emerging codecs that promise to nearly double the storage capacity of IFE content.

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Hong Kong Carriers Continue to Deal with COVID-19 Fallout

Hong Kong Airlines is considering grounding its 12 Airbus A320s and pausing passenger flights to focus on cargo operations using eight of its 21 A330 aircraft. The move may result in more job losses. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s government has extended the drawdown period for Cathay Pacific’s billion-dollar loan by a year to June 2022. Augustus Tang, Cathay Pacific’s CEO, commented, “We have not drawn down the facility over the past 12 months as we have been adopting a suite of measures to preserve cash. We are thankful for the Government’s decision ... which provides us with more flexibility to manage our liquidity position.”

Simple Flying | Related Cathay Pacific gets extension on drawdown for loan – Asian Aviation

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TSA Works to Enable Apple Wallet Use at Airport Security

As part of Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 15, its Wallet app will have the ability to store encrypted digital versions of driver's licenses that can be read by digital scanners. "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is working to enable airport security checkpoints as the first place customers can use their digital Identity Card in Wallet," Apple said. Apple is also creating a feature of the Wallet app that will automatically pull up the exact information passengers need to go through airport security in a single scan. iOS 15 will add Wallet support for work badges and hotel keys at participating venues, too.

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Air New Zealand to Explore New Domestic Catering Ideas

Leanne Langridge, Air New Zealand’s general manager, Customer, has revealed the carrier is testing ways to improve its food and beverage offering on domestic flights over the next four weeks. The carrier has set up a new team of people from around the business to head up the trial. “For all of our good ideas and intentions, the only true experts on customer experience are our customers,” Langridge explained. “Customer testing is one small example of making sure our revival phase is not just about returning to what we have always done. We want to be better.”

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American Asks Corporate Employees to Volunteer at DFW

American Airlines is asking non-union employees at its headquarters to volunteer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) from June to August. The carrier is asking staff to do six-hour shifts, during which they will help passengers off aircraft and assist them in navigating various airport queues. They will receive no compensation for the additional work. “To ensure [customers] have the support they need this summer and beyond, our corporate support teams will provide additional support at DFW,” said American Airlines spokesperson, Sarah Jantz.

Business Insider | Related Delta Asks Staff to Volunteer to Clean Sky Clubs – One Mile at a Time

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

An Avianca Boeing 787 at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Captured by @flyccforeror.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Lufthansa starts vaccination of employees in Germany today. Initially up to 2000 weekly vaccinations.

Lufthansa News @lufthansaNews

Association News

There's Still Time to Access FTE APEX Virtual Expo!

FTE APEX Virtual Expo 2021 attracted registrations from 189 airlines and 173 airports during the live days on May 25 and 26. The event remains open as a resource until 23:59 BST on June 25, so visitors can continue to access the portal to revisit the exhibition hall, and watch conference presentations and supplier pitch sessions. Enter the virtual event now.

> Quote of the Day

"Sustainability is the biggest challenge facing our generation, and it’s up to us to leave a better world behind for our children and our grandchildren."

Scott Kirby, United
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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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