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August 31, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Airlines call for compensation reform after ‘staggering’ air chaos revelation

Airlines are demanding compensation rule changes following the revelation that a single incorrect flight plan input caused a major disruption in UK air traffic control. NATS, responsible for UK airspace, attributed the failure to an unusual data input, resulting in over 1,600 flight cancellations. IATA estimates industry losses at £100m and called for NATS to contribute to these costs. The CEO of NATS confirmed safety measures triggered the system failure, ruling out cyberattacks, and that a pending investigation will report soon.

Guardian | Related

Willie Walsh: Boss of airlines group says air traffic control firm NATS should pay for 'shocking' airport chaos - Sky News

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Air New Zealand Adds Sport24 to Widebody IFE Offering

Passengers traveling on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft now have access to live TV content from Sport24 via Panasonic Avionics’ embedded in-flight entertainment systems, which will allow them to tune into the Rugby World Cup, the National Rugby League, Premier League and more. “With Wi-Fi enabled across our widebody fleet, adding live sport is a fantastic way to give customers access to even more content,” commented Leanne Geraghty, the carrier’s chief customer and sales officer.

APEX Media | Related

Air New Zealand kicks off onboard live sport - Travel Daily

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Emirates Will Start Serving Central Tokyo With a Bus Transfer

Emirates is launching a complimentary bus service for economy class passengers arriving at Tokyo-Haneda Airport. This new service aims to address the inconvenience of late-night arrival times and limited train services, offering seamless ground transportation to major train stations in the city. The bus service, equipped with restrooms, will depart from Tokyo-Haneda Airport Terminal 3 and take passengers to either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. The service is tailored to accommodate the arrival of Emirates flight EK 312, which lands around 22:35, ensuring passengers have ample time to clear immigration and collect baggage before departing on the bus.

Simple Flying | Related Emirates Introduces Tokyo Haneda Bus Service - One Mile at a Time

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Oman Air increases its sustainability drive with plastic-free initiative

Oman Air is intensifying its sustainability efforts by adopting a plastic-free approach. In its premium cabins, the airline has switched from plastic wrapping for blankets and mattresses to eco-friendly paper bands, reducing plastic usage by up to 21.6 tons annually. This initiative aligns with Oman Air's strategy to eliminate single-use plastics onboard, joining previous measures like removing plastic cutlery sleeves and reducing plastic water bottles. Moreover, the airline has replaced 80% of its in-flight service carts with lighter alternatives to enhance fuel efficiency. These endeavors highlight Oman Air's commitment to sustainable aviation practices and reducing its environmental impact.

Times Aerospace | Related Oman Air overhauls board as it embarks on transformation programme - Flight Global

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Consumer regulator alleges Qantas sold seats for flights it had already cancelled

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed a lawsuit against Qantas Airways, alleging that the airline sold seats on flights that it knew were already cancelled. The lawsuit claims that Qantas listed over 8,000 cancelled flights for sale between May 2021 and July 2022, with some cancellations due to reasons within the airline's control, such as network optimization or route withdrawals. The lawsuit states that Qantas listed these flights for sale for an average of 16 days after their cancellation, potentially misleading customers who made travel decisions based on false information. Qantas says it takes the accusations seriously and that the practices were consistent with industry standards during a challenging period for the airline industry.

Insider | Related

Australia regulator sues Qantas alleging sale of tickets on cancelled flights - Reuters

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Boom’s Supersonic's prototype could take off by the end of this year says CEO

Boom Supersonic is nearing the final stages of testing for its XB-1 experimental prototype, which aims to fly faster than the speed of sound. The prototype is set for its first test flight by the end of the year. This step is a precursor to Boom's commercial supersonic jet, the Overture, which Boom wants to be certified by the end of the decade. The company seeks to revolutionize travel, with the time saved by supersonic flight potentially giving passengers greater flexibility. Boom aims to reduce single-use plastics onboard and power flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with sustainability goals. The supersonic industry has historically faced challenges due to noise, emissions and costs.

Robb Report | Related

Boom's XB-1 supersonic prototype starts taxi tests - New Atlas

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Bengaluru airport postpones launch of international operations at Terminal 2

Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has postponed the launch of international operations at Terminal 2, originally planned for August 31. The decision, made during a preparedness review, aims for a seamless transition for passengers. International operations will remain in Terminal 1 until further notice. BIAL apologised for the inconvenience and advised passengers to contact their airlines. The new date for Terminal 2's international operations will be determined on September 12. Regulatory authorities reportedly withheld approval due to pending terminal tasks like immigration and security scanning. The inaugural flight, Singapore Airlines SQ508/SQ509, is affected by the delay.

Indian Express | Related International operations at Bengaluru airport's Terminal-2 postponed - Times of India

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> Tweet of the Day

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> Quote of the Day

"They [NATS] should be held to account and they should pay for the expenses that have occurred... airlines are a victim in this situation, they're not the cause of the problem."

Willie Walsh, IATA Director General
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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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