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October 13, 2020

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Today's Top Stories

Alex Cruz Steps Down as British Airways CEO

British Airways’ (BA) parent company IAG announced that Alex Cruz decided to resign as the airline’s CEO with immediate effect. Cruz, who has been at the helm of BA since 2016, will be replaced by Aer Lingus chairperson and chief executive, Sean Doyle. IAG chief Luis Gallego commented that Cruz “worked tirelessly to modernize [BA]” and “secured restructuring agreements with the vast majority of employees” during COVID-19. Aer Lingus will be temporarily led by Donal Moriarty, its chief corporate affairs officer. Level’s CEO Fernando Candela was promoted to transformational officer at IAG.

Airways Mag | Related British Airways to cut up to 12,000 jobs as air travel collapses — BBC

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Southwest Seizes Opportunity to Nab O’Hare Spot

Reduced flights out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport gave Southwest a chance to add services there, something that has been on the airline’s “wish list” for a long time. While Southwest has served Midway Airport since 1985, O’Hare is viewed as preferable in terms of accessibility and facilities catering to business travelers. The airline faces competition from O’Hare staples United and American airlines. It will operate common-use gates and will serve the same destinations offered at Midway; the latter will remain its primary Chicago airport.

Chicago Tribune | Related Southwest to begin flying out of both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports — KHOU

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STS Begins 100+ Thales IFC Installations in Florida

STS Mod Center (STS) has broken ground on a project to install Thales’ in-flight connectivity systems on over 100 Boeing and Airbus aircraft during the next 12 months. Based in Melbourne, Florida, the STS team said it takes approximately three days to install Thales’ in-flight Wi-Fi solution on a narrowbody aircraft and four to six days for a widebody aircraft. The first installation is already underway on an Airbus A321.

STS aviation group | Related Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing High on IATA’s Agenda, Director General Says — APEX Media

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Air Canada Lowers Purchase Price of Air Transat

Due to the business constraints created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada announced a binding agreement to acquire Air Transat for $144 million, the equivalent of less than $4 a share. In June of last year, both parties agreed on a purchase price of $13 per share, valuing the transaction at $520 million. Air Canada’s CEO, Calin Rovinescu, said the deal would “provide stability for Transat's operations and its stakeholders” while allowing Air Canada to emerge more strongly from the crisis. The revised offer is expected to be completed in late January or early February 2021.

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Colombian Airports to Manage Workforce Using Facial Recognition Tech

Airport services company Talma is to deploy FaceMe, an AI facial recognition engine created by CyberLink, throughout airports in Colombia to keep employees safe and streamline workplace management. The technology will provide identity verification, mask and temperature detection, touchless access control, attendance tracking and workplace capacity control. “FaceMe is the perfect technology to enable airport service providers to reach operational excellence while meeting newly introduced health and safety guidelines,” said Dr. Jau Huang, CyberLink’s chairman and CEO. If the rollout is successful, Talma will expand the installation across Latin America.

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New Crystal Cabin Categories Accepting Submissions

Manufacturers, suppliers, researchers, students, design agencies and airlines may now formally enter submissions into the two new Crystal Cabin Awards categories: “Clean & Safe Air Travel” and the “Judges’ Choice Award.” The categories were created in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The “Clean & Safe Air Travel” award is focused on health and safety concepts less than one year old, while the “Judges’ Choice Award” accepts a broader range of submissions. Innovations proposed for either category must be implementable within two years. Winners selected from all ten categories will be announced in spring 2021.

Aviation Business News | Related APEX Weekly Wrap: How the CCAs Have Evolved For 2020 — APEX Media

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Driverless Valet Parking is Coming to Stuttgart Airport

Mercedes Benz and its technology partner, Bosch, are to pilot their automated valet parking (AVP) service together with APCOA, which runs the parking garage at Stuttgart Airport in Germany. This marks the first time Mercedes’ INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT technology, which can be installed in its S-Class vehicles, will be tested in a commercial setting. The companies will test how the vehicles interact with Bosch’s camera-based infrastructure and APCOA FLOW, the digital platform that makes parking at the airport ticketless and cashless.

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

This particular Air France Airbus A350 is named Marseille. Captured at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport by @giuliano.spotter (via Instagram).

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

> Tweet of the Day

That's 1,500 #A330 delivered! Since its maiden flight in 1992, Airbus' first long-range aircraft has never stopped advancing - making it the most popular widebody, flying with 120+ operators. #DYK: we've delivered one A330 per week since the first delivery in 1993! #1500A330

Airbus @Airbus

Association News

OnDemand Speaker Zone at FTE APEX Virtual Expo

FTE APEX Virtual Expo will present attendees with a wealth of on-demand content options to complement the live sessions. The OnDemand Speaker Zone will feature pre-recorded contributions specially prepared for the show, allowing the speakers to dive deeper on key topics and case studies. Amber Simonsen, director, Guest Product Delivery, Alaska Airlines will discuss how the airline launched new products that delighted flyers and supported employees during the pandemic. Don't miss this and other high-level content in the OnDemand Speaker Zone. Register now – the early bird deadline has been extended to November 4!

> Quote of the Day

“Previously portable has been seen as the new kid on the block compared to in-seat solutions. We now think that airlines actually see us as a mainstream product.”

Job Heimerkikx, AirFi
Watch the video

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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