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July 7 2022

Australia opens borders and removes COVID restrictions

Australia's international COVID-19 border restrictions have been lifted, meaning overseas arrivals no longer have to prove they have been vaccinated. More than two years after the pandemic began, the change marks the end of significant COVID-based restrictions on travel into Australia. While Australian citizens were able to arrive unvaccinated, unvaccinated foreign travellers needed an exemption on limited grounds. From 12:01am on Wednesday morning, those restrictions were scrapped, although individual airlines are maintaining the vaccination requirement.

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British Airways Heathrow strike averted in union pay deal

British Airways workers have suspended a strike that had been planned at Heathrow during the school summer holidays after receiving a "vastly improved" pay offer from the airline. After extensive negotiations, the Unite and GMB unions said an agreement was reached and members involved in the dispute would now vote on the proposed offer. The offer will now be put to a ballot of Union members but both parties hope that the agreement will resolve the immediate dispute. The news came a day after BA announced it would be cancelling another 10,300 flights this summer

Guardian | Related

British Airways check-in staff strike suspended as company makes improved pay offer, unions say - Sky News

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airBaltic spearheads a blockchain loyalty revolution

airBaltic is leading the charge of a new generation of airline loyalty programs- developed, tracked, and sold on the blockchain. The carrier previously announced its “Planies” NFT program. airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss wants its loyalty program to appeal beyond the borders of the Baltic states, and well beyond just travellers. Gauss knows that won’t happen with a more traditional program. He believes the tokenized approach empowers members, while also delivering increased value to the carrier. With accounts tied to NFTs, the airline expects that loyalty will be freely bought and sold on the open market.

Paxex.aero | Related

Next To Join The Trend: Etihad Launches 2003-Piece NFT Collection - Simple Flying

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Norwegian Enjoys Best Month Since The Onset Of COVID-19

Celebrating its best month since the onset of the pandemic, The Nordic airline Norwegian announced that it carried 1,937,318 passengers in June 2022, marking a 19% increase to May 2022 and a whopping 759% increase compared to the same period last year. This achievement comes at a time when several European airlines are battling a crippling staffing crisis. Norwegian signed a new two-year collective bargaining agreement in June with the union representing the Norwegian cabin crew members and the Norwegian Pilot Union. The strike action amongst aircraft technicians and the following lockout was ended when the Minister of Labour announced compulsory arbitration.

Inflight Online | Related

Almost 2 Million Passengers: Norwegian Enjoys Best Month Since The Onset Of Coronavirus - Simple Flying

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LOT orders over 3,000 seat covers to renew Embraer cabins

LOT Polish Airlines has appointed Lithuania-based cabin design expert J&C Aero to produce more than 3,000 durable leather seat covers for the carrier’s Embraer 170/175/190/195 fleet. The contract is for the production of full seat-cover sets, including the headrest, literature pocket, backrest, and cushion. The leather for the covers will be sourced from Muirhead, a Scottish manufacturer of sustainable aviation leather. Maciej Wilk, COO of Polish airlines, said they plan to refurbish several thousand seats in 25 of their Embraer 170/175/190/195 aircraft under this project.

Aircraft Interiors International | Related

LOT Polish Airlines adds flights to German city of Stuttgart - BW Hotelier

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Birmingham Airport Invests in New Security Screening

Customers flying out of Birmingham Airport (UK) are to benefit from a simpler, speedier security screening process from June 2024.  This investment in the next-generation security system is expected to achieve compliance with recent government standards as well as enable greater numbers of customers to be processed more quickly at peak times. Delivering the security system is intended to enable better use of existing space including an enlarged departures area and additional retail and seating for customers. This security hall is also expected to support the airport’s plans to expand from passenger volumes of 13 million a year to 18 million by 2033.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related

UK government accelerates staff security checks - Passenger Terminal Today

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ExxonMobil supplies first SAF to Changi Airport in Singapore

ExxonMobil has supplied the first batch of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cargo to Changi Airport, as part of a one-year pilot programme to test the new fuel for planes.The cargo is a blend of fossil-based refined jet fuel from ExxonMobil's Singapore integrated refining and petrochemical complex and SAF supplied by Neste Oil. ExxonMobil plans to provide more than 40,000 barrels a day of lower-emission fuels, including SAF, by 2025, and to further supply 200,000 barrels a day by 2030. It said that the use of the clean fuel during the one-year pilot period is set to lower approximately 2,500t of carbon dioxide emissions.

Airport Technology | Related

Exxon delivers first sustainable aviation fuel cargo to Singapore Changi Airport - NASDAQ

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

This American A320 sitting at the gate at @cltairport comes from Instagram user @cvg.aviation14 Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

Good bye #Chandigarh. See you again in two days 😜 Also, greetings from seat 11A onboard @airvistara (UK) 707. The seat offers AMAZING views of the wing (as seen below) and legroom. This extra legroom seat should be your go-to seat when flying the UK

VT-VLO @Vinamralongani

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

“We are very pleased that, following collaboration with the unions, they have decided not to issue dates for industrial action. This is great news for our customers and our people.”

British Airways 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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