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July 6 2022

SAS joins list of airline bankruptcies since pandemic’s start

Scandinavian airline SAS headed into the third day of a crippling pilot strike, cancelling well over half its flights. At the same time, SAS filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States to help cut debt. SAS has said the strike will cost it $10-$13m a day and had hastened its decision to file for Chapter 11 protection as it sought space to restructure its loss-making business. SAS said discussions with lenders regarding another $700 million of financing were “well advanced”. The strike is affecting some 30,000 passengers daily. SAS expects to complete Chapter 11 in 9-12 months.

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Virgin Atlantic: new A330neo trans-Atlantic business class

Virgin Atlantic will reveal its Airbus A330neo experience next week, The airline says the A330neo will introduce “a step change to its Upper Class Suite and social space for customers.” and “will help transform the fleet into one of the quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky.” During 2022 the airline intends to take delivery of three A330neo aircraft, “with up to 13 further aircraft to follow until 2026.” This will cement the airline's shift towards modern twin-engine jets – led by the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 – following a decision in May 2020 to retire all of its Boeing 747s “with immediate effect."

Executive Traveller | Related

Virgin Atlantic will launch nonstop service from London to TPA this November - That's Tampa

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First 5G end-to-end link recorded at ESA 5G hub using OneWeb constellation

OneWeb successfully demonstrated a high-speed, low-latency full 5G end-to-end link with OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation and the 5G/6G Hub at ESA / ECSAT’s Harwell centre. Under the Sunrise Partnership Project, with support from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency(ESA) and OneWeb have partnered with antenna technology provider SatixFy UK and 5G services provider CGI to develop its electronically steered arrays into the 5G user terminal, offering an extremely compact solution for mobility services. The demonstration was the world’s first 5G backhaul communications with an electronic steerable antenna connected to LEO satellites. Earlier, OneWeb had successfully delivered high-speed, low-latency in-flight LEO satellite connectivity to a commercial airliner.

OneWeb | Related

Oneweb and Stellar Blu deliver LEO connectivity on Boeing 777 test flight - Inflight Online

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Fiji Airways Launching Vancouver Flights

Fiji Airways, Fiji’s national carrier has announced it will fly direct from Nadi to Vancouver in Canada starting November 25th 2022. The destination will be the 20th direct international service provided by Fiji Airways. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen says the airline has managed to introduce a new market because of the company’s strong rebound since borders opened on December 1st, 2021. As well as the tourism market, Fiji Airways is looking to target the 80,000 strong diaspora in Canada - "people who have not been able to see their loved ones for two years and are eager to fly home. Fiji Airways now provides them with a more convenient means to do just that.”

Simple Flying | Related Fiji's national airline introduces direct flights to Vancouver - Cision

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Embraer and Pratt & Whitney complete SAF flight test

Embraer and Pratt & Whitney have successfully tested a GTF-powered E195-E2 aircraft on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The test, with one engine running on 100% SAF, validated that GTF engines and the E-Jets E2 family can fly on both engines with blends of up to 100% SAF without any compromise to safety or performance. All Pratt & Whitney engines and Embraer aircraft are currently certified to operate with SAF blended up to 50% with standard Jet A/A1 kerosene. Future specifications will enable blends of up to 100% SAF to maximize the emissions reduction potential of using fuel derived from sustainable, non-fossil-based feedstocks.

Breaking Travel News | Related Embraer and Pratt &Whitney complete SAF flight testing in Florida - Biofuels International

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Diehl demos Skypax wheelchair-accessible gallery lav-module

Diehl Aviation demonstrated its new Skypax galley-lavatory combination unit, designed primarily to remove the rear lavatories from the seat track area within the Airbus A320 cabin, moving them instead to the wall in front of the rear bulkhead that would previously have held a full galley. Skypax’s most crucial structural benefit is that the lavatory and galley are manufactured as a single module, which enables the two elements to share sideways loads through the galley, This avoids creating two walls, saving weight and enabling extra width in the lavatory.

Runway Girl Network | Related

UK CAA Demands Better Airport Access For Disabled Travelers - Simple Flying

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Changi Airport launches interactive gallery

Changi Airport has launched the “Hello, Changi Precinct” gallery at Terminal 3 (T3), as part of an initiative to drive awareness of the Changi Precinct. The gallery will be in the T3 departure hall until October 23, 2022. Admission is free. Changi has also launched two new exploration tours in partnership with MyCommunity, starting from S$20 per person. The Hello Changi Precinct gallery features an old-school barbershop, a digital arcade game in a Housing and Development Board void deck, a watermelon playground and a bumboat that takes visitors through the history of Pulau Ubin and the eastern coast of Singapore.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related

Changi Airport launches interactive gallery - TTRW

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

The picture of the day comes from Instagram user JL407, featuring this B767 from Air Do. Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

[Airline Review] Nice to fly on the Queen of the Skies again: A good experience in Lufthansa 🇩🇪 747 Business class ✈️

Flight Report @flight_report

Association News

Registration is NOW OPEN for APEX/IFSA EXPO!

Registration is now open the most comprehensive end-to-end airline passenger experience marketplace in the industry – APEX/IFSA EXPO! On October 25-27 in Long Beach California, join more than 1,500 industry professionals, including airline CEOs, executives, suppliers, and decision-makers from dozens of airlines around the world, in showcasing the latest technologies, products, and content and share unique insights via our thought leadership programming. Click here to register.

> Quote of the Day

“SAS aims to reach agreements with key stakeholders, restructure the company’s debt obligations, reconfigure its aircraft fleet, and emerge with a significant capital injection."

SAS Statement
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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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