Apex Daily Experience

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December 17, 2021

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Today's Top Stories

[DOWNLOAD] Airline Health Safety Yearbook 2021

To celebrate their commitment to employees and passengers throughout COVID-19, SimpliFlying has created a free eBook containing interviews with 18 CEOs and senior leaders at airlines that have taken part in the APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying audit. Each participant discusses the most important thing they learned during the pandemic, new measures that most improved the passenger experience during this time and what they will focus on in 2022 and beyond.

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AA Looking to Hire 18,000 New Employees

American Airlines (AA) is looking to hire 18,000 new employees as the industry rebounds. The carrier has already hired 16,000 employees this year and currently employs a total of around 130,000. In a statement, AA’s CEO Doug Parker said, “Each time we add to our ranks, it’s like a dividend payment on the investment made in our team through the [payroll support program]; instead of building back from collapse, we’re growing to provide more promising careers in good-paying jobs.”

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Honeywell, Skyloom to Produce Optical Communications Terminals

Honeywell and Skyloom have signed an agreement to jointly develop a manufacturing facility to produce optical terminals for communications from ground to space, spacecraft to spacecraft and spacecraft to aircraft for use by commercial and military customers. Optical communications systems use laser technology to offer a narrower and more focused beam than traditional radio frequency links, resulting in higher data rates, more capacity, greater security and lighter, more affordable terminals.

Runway Girl Network | Related NASA testing space-to-Earth optical communications – GCN

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Play to Launch Transatlantic Services in 2022

Low-cost carrier Play will launch transatlantic flights with transfers in Reykjavik in Spring 2022. The airline will operate routes between the UK’s London Stansted Airport and Baltimore/Washington International and Boston Logan International airports in the US using A320neo aircraft. One-way fares will begin at $225, with an introductory fare rate of $185 for flights booked between December 16 and December 24. Play had initially planned to begin flying to the US in 2020 but was unable to due to COVID-19.

Business Traveller | Related Iceland’s PLAY to receive two A320neo from CALC ahead of transatlantic start – Aerotime Hub

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WestJet names Alexis von Hoensbroech as New CEO

WestJet has appointed Alexis von Hoensbroech as its new CEO. Von Hoensbroech comes from Austrian Airlines where he served as CEO from 2018, significantly strengthening its competitiveness during COVID-19. WestJet’s interim CEO, Harry Taylor, will continue in the role until the end of the first quarter of 2022, when von Hoensbroech’s immigration process is expected to be completed. Hoensbroech said, “I am very much looking forward to working to writing the next chapter of this success story.”

Simple Flying | Related Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines announce new CEOs – Eturbo News

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Qatar Airways Celebrates Qatar National Day

To celebrate Qatar National Day, Qatar Airways is offering first- and business-class passengers a “Berries Fizz” drink, a bespoke menu featuring Qatari-inspired dishes and a box of Laderach chocolate in-flight. Themed headrest covers will decorate the economy-class cabin, where passengers can also enjoy Qatari-cuisine chosen from a digital menu. Furthermore, all passengers flying with the airline on Qatar National Day will receive complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi for the duration of their flights.

Qatar Airways | Related Qatar Airways Restores Pre-Pandemic In-Flight Service – One Mile at a Time

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Malaysia Airports Installs SITA Smart Path Kiosks at KUL

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) has installed 100 biometric-enabled self-service SITA Smart Path kiosks as a part of an extensive technology overhaul. The customizable TS6 kiosks are equipped with wireless connectivity and enabled with the SITA Flex common-use platform, which creates a low-touch digital passenger experience. Additionally, Malaysia Airports has introduced the SITA Smart Path Bag Drop system, refreshed its IT infrastructure, updated CORE servers and migrated to Windows 10.

Times Aerospace | Related Different airport biometrics adoption models at DFW, Seychelles – Biometric Update

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

A FedEx Boeing 767-300ER(F) on a short final for McCarran Airport. Captured by @justinaplane

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

> Tweet of the Day

On this day 118 years ago, Wright Brothers made their first successful flight in their motor propelled plane; setting the stage for a century of innovation, connectivity, giving millions of is the opportunity to explore and travel the world. #travel #aviation #WrightBrothersDay

EGB Engineering @EgbEngineering

Association News

Turkish Airlines' Chairman and CEO İlker Aycı Receives APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award

At last week's APEX/IFSA EXPO, Turkish Airlines' Chairman and CEO İlker Aycı became the first European recipient of the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, an accolade reserved for members of the industry that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the enhancement of the airline passenger experience. Find out more about how Aycı's career with Turkish Airlines so far has seen him consistently face challenges head-on to support his workforce and maintain the carrier's reputation.

> Quote of the Day

“The pandemic has not only reinforced our need for personal connection, it has also laid bare our connection with the environment.”

Michael Rousseau, Air Canada
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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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