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7-Aug-20

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Today's Top Stories

APEX Weekly Wrap: A Futuristic Cabin Concept, Flights to Nowhere & Surplus Nuts

This week's episode takes a look at the Virgin Australia restructure and the latest news on Boeing's 737 MAX and its return to service. Nigel Goode, co-founder and designer at PriestmanGoode, joins the show to talk about Pure Skies, a new cabin design concept that focuses on reassuring travelers and generating ancillary revenue, while moving away from traditional cabin classes. Other topics up for discussion are EVA Air's flights to nowhere and the surplus of airline snacks - namely nuts - that need new homes!

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Iberia, United Finding New Ways to Step Up Cleaning

Iberia announced a number of improvements to its cleaning practices. The airline is using new electrostatic pistols that shoot a fine powder that reaches the most inaccessible parts of armrests, headrests, folding trays, seat folds and other areas of the cabin and kills the COVID-19 virus on contact. This is in conjunction with a daily liquid disinfectant spray and manual cleaning using recyclable bamboo cloths and mops. Wipes and liquids are trickier to safely apply in the cockpit, which is why United recently announced it would sanitize cockpits with handheld UV wands developed by the American Ultraviolet company.

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Fixed Contracts Lead to Solid Year Thus Far for SES

SES announced its financial results for the previous six months, which saw underlying revenue grow by 22.6% year-over-year in its mobility segment. New business acquired in 2019 under its aeronautical division also helped bolster numbers this year. Due to the majority of SES' commercial contracts being fixed, COVID-19 had a limited impact on the company's financials. The pandemic is predicted, however, to stymie the pace of business and revenue development going forward. The company also announced a $565 million investment in four additional O3b mPOWER satellites, growing its constellation to 11 satellites while increasing total throughput by 90% and expanding geographic coverage.

Inflight-Online | Related Half Year 2020 Results - SES

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Development Underway for Cabin-Sniffing Sensors

Cabin air quality can be affected by all manner of odors. The smell of food being served, odors emanating from the lavatory or electrical and mechanical failures that introduce fumes to the cabin can disturb passengers and cause flight diversions. A solution may be to equip the aircraft cabin with a suite of smart sensors that sniff the air and send data to the crew, and research is underway to determine how best to deploy this technology. During a recent webinar organized by RedCabin, a panel of experts agreed that classifying odors is difficult, but that sensors could provide data that may avoid unnecessary flight interruptions.

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Trip.com Group and AirAsia.com Partner to Spur Travel Recovery

Travel services provider Trip.com Group and AirAsia.com are combining their products and services with the goal of providing a cohesive end-to-end offering. The companies want to promote a travel revival in China and Southeast Asia by cooperating on transit information for connecting flights, membership benefits and product marketing. Trip.com Group's premium members will also enjoy upgraded privileges on AirAsia flights when they book on Trip.com Group platforms. "This partnership with Trip.com Group demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the China market...where we remain optimistic for borders to be reopened in the near future," said Tony Fernandes, CEO, AirAsia Group.

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YWG Accelerates Innovation During Traveler Lows

COVID-19 brought a 95% drop in passenger traffic at Winnipeg Airport during Q2, which Scott Marohn, VP Innovation & Customer Service at Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA), said sped up the company's innovation practise. As it seeks to develop its parking and ground transportation, accessibility offerings, hold room, check-in and other customer touchpoints, WAA is adopting new ways of thinking about and achieving optimal results while encouraging cross-departmental collaboration. Touchless solutions, biometrics, facial recognition, autonomous point-to-point supply chain program and autonomous floor cleaning are all being tested as WAA collaborates with like-minded companies via the FTE Innovation & Startup Hub.

Future Travel Experience | Related Collins Aerospace Adds QR Code Functionality to Common-Use Airport Kiosks - APEX Media

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Alaska Airlines Offers PressReader to Lounge Patrons

Travelers visiting Alaska Airlines' lounges across the US will be able to download more than 7,000 digital newspapers and magazines to their devices via the PressReader app. "As part of our commitment to providing Next-Level Care, we have removed physical newspapers from our lounges," said Alex Judson, manager of Alliances & Lounges. The partnership aligns with the airline's sustainability goals through the elimination of paper waste. Alaska Airlines will soon be part of the oneworld alliance, joining members who already provide access to PressReader, such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Iberia.

Pressreader | Related PressReader Comes To Aspire & Club Aspire Lounges - Executive Lounges

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Jorge De la Paz visualized a piece about the rise of multi-screening in the aircraft cabin with his signature bright colors.

This week, we're featuring @jorgedelapaz's stunning creations for #APEXExperienceMag.

> Tweet of the Day

We've taken another important step forward to secure @VirginAtlantic's future this week, as our plan for a solvent recapitalisation of the airline remains on track, with finalisation scheduled for early September #stepbystep #restart #future #virginspirit

Juha Jarvinen @juhahelsinki

Association News

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. APEX provides its members with benefits that are more important now than ever, including networking opportunities and exclusive resources for research and education. Learn more about becoming an APEX member.

COVID-19 Survey: What Will Encourage You to Travel?

How do you feel about traveling during the pandemic? Which measures taken by airlines and airports will encourage you to travel? OAG, a flight database and statistics provider and APEX Awards partner, would like to know what airlines and airports can do to convince you it is safe to fly. Take this five-minute Traveler Sentiment Survey to share your views.

> Quote of the Day

"Right now, many small and medium enterprises are pulling together dreaming of new ways to work and innovate."

Melinda Darbyshire, Tangerine
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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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