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December 24, 2021

United, Delta Cancel Over 200 Flights Due to Omicron

United and Delta have canceled more than 200 flights today due to a spike in COVID-19 cases among staff. Delta issued a statement that said, “Delta teams have exhausted all options and resources, including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying, before canceling around 90 flights for Friday.” The cancellations come as holiday travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, with Transportation Security Administration agents having screened over two million people on Wednesday, exceeding 2019 numbers.

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Omicron Causes Lufthansa to Cut 10% of Winter Schedule

The Lufthansa Group has cut over 33,000 flights from its winter schedule, marking a 10% cut across its network. Cancellations are due to a sharp decrease in bookings for January and February as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads, causing high infection rates and lockdowns across much of Europe. Due to the EU’s slot maintenance rules, 10% is the maximum number of flights the airline can cancel. Lufthansa Group’s CEO, Carsten Spohr, said, “We have to operate 18,000 additional, unnecessary flights this winter just to secure our take-off and landing rights.”

Simple Flying | Related More than 3,000 flights canceled worldwide as airlines cite COVID-19 staffing issues – The Hill

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Shoreline Entertainment, Motus are Bringing AVOD to IFE

In-transit advertising products provider Motus has partnered with film sales company Shoreline Entertainment to bring ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) to in-flight entertainment (IFE). Tammam Shaibani, board member at Motus, explained, “Motus and Shoreline will jointly market this product to airlines, which integrates our freemium service offering more than 200 hours of entertainment content and ad tech software. It gives airlines the choice to place dynamic advertising on their IFE.” The IFE catalog includes films, documentaries, musicals, classic cartoons and popular TV series.

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Wizz Air Expands LGW Operations with Norwegian Slots Deal

Wizz Air has announced plans to expand its operations at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) following a deal to acquire 15 daily slot pairs from Norwegian. The former launched Gatwick operations in August 2020 with one A321neo based at the airport. As a result of the new deal, it will base an additional four A321neos at Gatwick from spring 2022. Wizz Air’s CEO, Jozsef Varadi, said, “Acquiring airport slots at Gatwick Airport will enable us to enhance our presence and competitive position in the London market.”

Business Traveller | Related 74 Million Annual Passengers: Gatwick Airport’s Expansion Plans – Simple Flying

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ZIM Aircraft Seating Expands Immenstaad Headquarters

ZIM Aircraft Seating (ZIM) is expanding its headquarters on Lake Constance in Immenstaad. The expansion will include additional office space, a new model shop with a design department and an automated test center with a customer service area featuring modern maintenance and repair facilities. ZIM has secured multiple orders in the last few months and expects an increase in demand for maintenance work on existing aircraft that have sat for extended periods of time or been used improperly for cargo transportation.

ZIM Aircraft Seating | Related Models Predict Optimal Airplane Seating For Reduced Viral Transmission – Science Blog

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Aviation, Wi-Fi Trade Groups Pledge to Resolve 5G Dispute

Trade groups representing airlines and aerospace manufacturers and Wi-Fi providers have agreed to share data to identify specific areas of concern for aviation regarding 5G cellular technology. Disagreements have occurred about AT&T and Verizon's plan to introduce 5G wireless broadband networks with a higher frequency range, known as the C-Band spectrum. Airlines have voiced concerns that the deployment will interfere with aircraft radio altimeters, affecting landing safety in poor light conditions and potentially leading to numerous flight diversions.

Travel Weekly | Related Airlines warn 5G could jam their systems and lead to 350K delays a year – New York Post

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SIAEC Extends Spares Deal with Iacobucci HF Aerospace

SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) has announced a long-term distribution agreement with cabin interior OEM Iacobucci HF Aerospace (IHFA). As a result, SIAEC has the right to distribute and sell spare parts required for the aftermarket activities of IHFA’s galley insert products in the Asia-Pacific region. Ng Chin Hwee, SIAEC's CEO, said, “We aim… to facilitate better, more accessible and faster cabin aftermarket support to IHFA’s existing airline and MRO customers.”

Asian Aviation | Related SIAEC sells stake in aircraft fan blade repair joint venture for US$2.8m – The Business Times

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner taking off with a picturesque background. Captured by @szk_580

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

> Tweet of the Day

Our upcoming launch will be our 3rd to carry customer satellites, following on the heels of our 2 prior launch successes. We've launched 19 satellites already, serving the commercial, international, & nat'l security communities. We'll serve all 3 markets again on this flight!

Virgin Orbit @VirginOrbit

> Quote of the Day

“We simply require the content, so that we can insert it into our software platform to complete the ads ingest.”

Tammam Shaibani
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See you on January 4!

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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