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November 20, 2020

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Today's Top Stories

[VIDEO] easyJet’s Response to COVID-19

This episode of the APEX Weekly Wrap features an excerpt from an interview with Robert Carey, chief commercial and customer officer at easyJet, which was recorded as part of Inmarsat’s FlightPlan event. Carey details the carrier’s response to COVID. “We’ve done things faster than we ever thought we could do before,” he said, but explained there needs to be more “predictable restrictions” in place before the airline can move forward with its recovery. Also discussed is the latest connectivity news from Intelsat and Viasat, as well as cabin interiors news from JetBlue and Uganda Airlines.

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OneWeb Emerges From Bankruptcy, Plans Next Launch

Satellite operator OneWeb emerged from bankruptcy protection on Friday with the UK Government and Bharti Telecom investing a billion dollars in the revived operation. The next 36 OneWeb satellites are slated for a December 17 launch, having been delivered to the Vostochny Cosmodrome earlier this week. The company's fourth launch (third this year), will bring the total in-orbit fleet to 110 satellites in low-Earth orbit. OneWeb also appointed a new CEO, Neil Masterson, formerly co-chief operating officer of Thomson Reuters.

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American Airlines Drops More Fees, Boosts Luxury Services

More change fees are disappearing from American Airlines. The carrier will no longer charge passengers to change bookings on long-haul flights departing from the Americas, expanding from the short-haul changes made earlier this year. The carrier also removed the phone booking fee for travelers who call in rather than booking online. And with holiday travel demand growing, the carrier reopened three of its Admirals Clubs and will offer a discount on its Five Star Service offering, which provides an end-to-end escort through the airport, lounge access and more. Previously restricted to premium cabin travelers, it is now open to all at more than a dozen airports.

American Airlines | Related American Airlines removes change fees on international flights – Business Traveller

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Are Cleaning Products Harming Aircraft Interiors?

Many airlines now use foggers to emit a fine mist of cleaning agent throughout the cabin. While the chemicals kill the microbes they interact with, some say the moisture that carries them may be damaging the surfaces. Thinking of materials in terms of their resistance will be important moving forward, according to Tapis Corporation's sales director, Matthew Nicholls. “Once COVID-19 dissipates, it is inevitable that something else will come, so cleanable and disinfectable surfaces will become the new normal,” he said.

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Changi Launches Staycation Opportunities

With tourism numbers down more than 90%, Singapore’s Changi Airport needs new ways to attract visitors and revenue. The Changi Festive Village, slated to run through the new year, creates opportunities on that front. From glamping tents overlooking the rain vortex at the Jewel to a new go-kart racing track at Terminal 4, the airport hopes to attract more domestic tourism dollars throughout the holiday season. Jayson Goh, managing director of Airport Operations, noted that some of the products could remain when travel recovers.

Straits Times | Related Changi Airport unveils its year-end festive event Changi Festive Village – Changi Airport

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Lufthansa Group Appoints Trio of New Leaders

Deutsche Lufthansa is bringing new leadership to three key member companies of the group. SWISS will see Dieter Vranckx, currently chief executive of Brussels Airlines, take over as CEO on January 1, 2021. Vranckx will be replaced at Brussels Airlines by Peter Gerber, currently chairman of the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo. That role will be filled by Dorthea von Boxberg, presently chief commercial officer of Lufthansa Cargo. Group chairman Carsten Spohr highlighted the value of “three experienced and accomplished executives from our own ranks taking on important management tasks in the core business of our group” in announcing the moves.

Breaking Travel News | Related Lufthansa lifts convertible bonds offering to 600 mln eur – Reuters

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Singapore Airlines Converts First Passenger 777-300ER for Cargo

Singapore Airlines continues to increase its cargo capacity. Its first Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft recently entered cargo service following reconfiguration work by Jamco Aero Design and Engineering (JADE), a subsidiary of JAMCO Corporation (JAMCO) and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC). Seats were removed from two zones on board, increasing total cargo capacity by 12% while protecting the cabin interior from damage, speeding the loading time and reducing fuel burn during the cargo-only operations.

Inflight-Online | Related Alaska Air Cargo introduces innovative in-seat containers to carry more freight – CAAS

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

In the latest #APEXExperienceMag, @howard.slutsken reports on how NXTCOMM's flagship antenna is different from the competition.

The 10.4 November/December 2020 issue of APEX Experience magazine is now available!

> Tweet of the Day

#QatarAirways today revealed its bespoke FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ livery aircraft in #Doha as we approach the #2YearsToGo milestone of @FIFAWorldCup. 🇶🇦⚽️🛫 #Qatar2022 #WorldCup #SeeYouIn2022

Qatar Airways @qatarairways

Association News

Darrel Chua, Veteran IFEC Consultant, Embarks on a New Adventure

Darrel Chua's 26+ year career began with a job as an IFE engineer for Singapore Airlines. After founding many startup companies, he managed the FTS Asia headquarters. With his latest startup, Aerodream, Chua hopes to increase his knowledge in emerging technologies beyond the IFEC space: AI, machine learning and robotics. Read the full Q&A here.

Join APEX and Commit to the Future of the Airline Industry

APEX members accelerate advancements to every aspect of the passenger experience. More than 300 international and regional airlines, aircraft manufacturers, motion picture studios, content providers, avionics systems manufacturers, airports and others form our community. Members also receive event registration discounts. Learn about the different categories of APEX membership and apply now.

> Quote of the Day

“We’re able to react a lot more quickly than airlines that have hundreds of airplanes and sometimes tens of thousands of crewmembers.”

Alex Wilcox, JSX
Read the article

Until next week

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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