Simple Flying - Europe

On The Up: Airbus Posts Strong Full-Year Financial Results For 2022

Jake Hardiman — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:14 GMT

Multinational European planemaker Airbus disclosed its full-year financial results for 2022 this morning, with the figures showing that last year was a strong one. Despite not quite hitting its planned delivery target, the manufacturer still had lots to be cheerful about, with increases seen across most of its financial metrics.

Airbus Announces Thomas Toepfer As Future Chief Financial Officer

Aaron Bailey — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 02:00:12 GMT

Dr. Thomas Toepfer will move from Convestro, a DAX40 company and a leading supplier of premium polymers, to join the team at Airbus on September 1 as Chief Financial Officer. From March 3, current Chief Financial Officer Dominik Asam will step down, and Xavier Tardy, CFO for the defense and space division, will hold the reigns in the interim until Toepfer can join the team.

SAS Passengers Able To Access Others' Data After IT Breach

Charlotte Seet — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:30:16 GMT

Valentine's Day wasn't exactly sweet and romantic for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and its valued passengers after the flag carrier was subjected to a cyberattack that led to its website and mobile application being inaccessible for a few hours. Last night turned even worse after some passengers' data became visible to other passengers who were active during the attack.

No Flybe 3.0: Rescue Talks Ended By Administrators

Molly Russell — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:50:16 GMT

British regional carrier Flybe will remain shuttered permanently after a “challenging set of circumstances” prevented a sale of the insolvent airline.

JetBlue Wants To Fly To Amsterdam But Is Struggling To Get Slots

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

JetBlue changed the game on transatlantic connectivity when it launched flights from New York and Boston to London in 2021. The 'hybrid' airline would like to take its narrowbody intercontinental services one step further with flights to Amsterdam Schiphol. However, with the government's plans to restrict the European mega hub's capacity, slots are proving particularly hard to come by - even those vacated by banned Russian flag carrier Aeroflot and the UK's folded Flybe.

Eurowings & Volotea Deepen Partnership To Bring More Low-Cost Flights To Germany

Luke Bodell — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 13:14:21 GMT

European carriers Eurowings and Volotea have announced an extensive sales partnership on more than 140 routes. Both airlines will sell each other's fares on their websites and Volotea will launch a handful of new German routes.

Did You Know: KLM Operated Every Douglas Aircraft From The DC-2 To The DC-10

Justin Hayward — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:30:16 GMT

KLM's last MD-11 flight in 2014 was a significant event for the airline. Not only was it the retirement of a popular aircraft type, but it also marked the end of an 80-year relationship between Douglas and KLM. The airline introduced the DC-2 back in 1934 and stuck with Douglas right through all its subsequent developments.

Passenger Caps Set To Return To Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Luke Peters — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:00:17 GMT

Passenger caps will again be introduced at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in April and May as it continues its recruitment drive for the forthcoming summer peak season. The move aims to alleviate pressure on infrastructure at the busiest times of the day.

Game Over? Hans Airways Deregisters Its Only Airbus A330

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:29:20 GMT

It seems the low-cost, long-haul ambitions of Hans Airways have been cut short, as the airline’s one and only Airbus A330 is in the process of being deregistered. Data from the UK’s CAA shows that deregistration was opened on February 3rd, with a review date set for February 24th.

Breaking: Frankfurt Airport Closed To Arrivals Amid Lufthansa IT Chaos

Tom Boon — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:31:48 GMT

The Lufthansa Group is facing delays and cancelations across its network. The reason for the interrupted operations is an IT failure affecting the entire airline group. This is having a knock-on effect on other airlines, as Frankfurt Airport is now entirely closed for arrivals. According to data from FlightRadar24.com, 69% of all Frankfurt Airport departures are delayed by an average of 24 minutes, while 5% have been canceled at the time of writing.

"Don't Travel" Warning As Major German Airports Face Huge Friday Strikes

Jake Hardiman — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Air travel in and out of some of Germany's busiest airports is set to face significant disruption on Friday due to a one-day strike. Called by trade union Ver.di, this will see public sector, aviation security and ground handling workers walk out in the early hours of February 17th, with the industrial action ending that evening.

Hackers Target SAS Network And Compromise App

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:31:39 GMT

SAS Scandinavian Airlines was hit by a cyber attack on February 14th, compromising its app. The airline was said to be working on a solution, with reports saying that the problem was fixed to a large extent. Still, SAS warned that the attack may have targeted customer data following the breach.

What Were Europe's Top Airports For Freight Traffic Last Year?

Charlotte Seet — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 01:00:16 GMT

Although air cargo boomed during the initial pandemic period, last year saw the supply of air cargo worldwide significantly declining from its sudden peak. In Europe, the depreciation between the previous year's levels and 2021's was approximately 5%, as the region suffered a direct result of the war in Ukraine and ongoing disruptions to the supply chain.

IAC Will Open An Aircraft Paint Shop In Teruel, Spain

Steven Walker — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:00:17 GMT

Spain’s Teruel Airport (TEV) will soon boast a new aircraft painting facility. The widebody hangar will be developed and operated by the Shannon-based aviation services provider, International Aerospace Coatings Group (IAC), with the 25-year agreement expected to create around 80 highly skilled jobs for the region.

Moldova Closed Its Airspace For 3+ Hours Today

Molly Russell — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:04:38 GMT

Moldova’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reopened its airspace following a brief pause over safety concerns. The aviation body confirmed that it had issued a NOTAM on Tuesday morning amid reports of a weather balloon-like object near Soroca, which remained in effect until 14:46 EET.

Putin Promises To Keep Prioritizing Fleet For 100-Year Anniversary Of Russian Civil Aviation

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:09:37 GMT

On February 9, Russia's (and the Soviet Union's) civil aviation industry celebrated its 100-year anniversary. In honor of the day, President Putin held a meeting with high-level representatives of the industry, congratulating them on being part of the country's evolution and promising that the government will continue to prioritize the development of the civil air fleet.

Virgin Atlantic Flies $425,000+ Of Aid To Turkey

Charlotte Seet — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:35:17 GMT

Ever since a devastating earthquake with a massive 7.8 magnitude shocked Turkey and Syria last Monday, the global aviation industry has been humbly uniting as one, with several carriers chartering dedicated flights to send relief and supply aid. UK-based Virgin Atlantic is the latest carrier participating in such humanitarian efforts, with the first flight taking place today, on February 14th.

Flight Review: KLM Economy Class From Berlin To Amsterdam

Dr. Omar Memon — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:30:16 GMT

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flies the Boeing 737-800 aircraft as Flight KL1822 between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). The aircraft offers a capacity of 162 passengers in a two-class configuration. There are 12 seats in the business class cabin in a 2-2 configuration and 150 in economy class in a 3-3 configuration.

Virgin Atlantic Is Withdrawing From Pakistan

James Pearson — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 11:00:17 GMT

Virgin Atlantic is ending London Heathrow to Islamabad and Lahore. As its last Manchester-Islamabad flight was in October, it will cease all flying to Pakistan. Until Pakistan International (PIA) returns – using its own metal or more wet-leased aircraft – the changes mean that there will be just one UK-Pakistan route: British Airways between Heathrow and Islamabad. How things have changed.

Smartwings & LOT Polish Airlines Lose Boeing 737 MAX Compensation Lawsuit

Jake Hardiman — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Last week, a US judge ruled that families of the victims of the two crashes that grounded the Boeing 737 MAX would not be able to reopen prosecution against the US manufacturer. The legal challenge had come about due to the victims having legally been ruled as 'crime victims' in the crashes. LOT Polish Airlines and Smartwings launched similar lawsuits against Boeing, but these also failed.

67% Yearly Increase: airBaltic Carried 246,800 Passengers In January

Joe Kunzler — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:16:16 GMT

airBaltic has said that, in January 2023, the airline carried 246,800 passengers across 3,030 flights, representing significant growth from January 2022 when the airline carried 147,400 passengers across 2,480 flights. This is an increase of 67% in passengers, with only a 22% growth in airline flights.

Airbus Reveals Latest A321XLR Livery

Aaron Bailey — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 23:04:00 GMT

Airbus has just released its latest livery on its Airbus A321XLR. The latest design includes a QR code, which links scanners to special access to the latest news, events, and career opportunities available by the A320 family with the manufacturer.

Austrian Airlines Adds Sustainable Travel Options With Eco-Friendly Fares

Linnea Ahlgren — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:56:46 GMT

After piloting (no pun intended) its Green Fare concept on routes from Scandinavia last year, Austrian Airlines is now launching the option for customers to "fly more sustainably" throughout Europe. The Green Fare option will be available for both economy and business class on continental services and will also award passengers extra status miles, flexible rebooking options and other benefits.

Turkish Airlines Delays Kabul & Mombasa Return Until October

James Pearson — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

Turkish Airlines has pushed back the relaunch of Istanbul Airport to Kabul and Mombasa from the end of March to the end of October, according to its latest schedule filing. This is the latest as of February 13th.

Turkey’s Earthquake Hit Hatay Airport Reopens After Runway Repairs

Steven Walker — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:35:17 GMT

As Turkey and Syria begin to take stock of the devastating effects of last Monday’s earthquake, engineers have been working around the clock work at Hatay Airport (HTY) to repair its damaged runway. Following the extensive works, the airport reopened to commercial and humanitarian flights on Sunday night.

London Heathrow Bounces Back With Busiest Post-Pandemic January

Jake Hardiman — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

With the publication of its latest traffic figures, the UK's London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has been able to report its strongest January performance since 2020. The British air hub handled well over five million passengers last month, with the Asia-Pacific market seeing a particularly large increase as restrictions were relaxed.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Could Face Detailed Investigation By The EU

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:04:47 GMT

Questions regarding the acquisition of Asiana Airlines by Korean Air persist for some markets, with a recent report suggesting that the EU could probe the proposed deal further. Several countries have given their approval to the merger, but some key markets, such as the EU, US, UK, and Japan, are still reviewing the deal.

Why Aer Lingus Is Swapping Its Airbus A320 For The A330 On Several European Routes

Nabeel Shaikh — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:46:24 GMT

Aer Lingus has decided to replace the Airbus A320 with the A330 on some of its European routes, according to a recent announcement by the Irish flag carrier. The decision comes as the airline looks to use bigger jets to meet increased demand for travel in recent months.

airBaltic Launches New Direct Flights Between Finland & Italy

Channing Reid — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:30:16 GMT

airBlatic will begin new service connecting its base in Tampere, Finland, to destinations in France and Italy. The Latvian airline announced last week that flights to Nice and Milan will begin in May, just in time for the summer peak travel season.

Lufthansa Celebrates New Cargo Temperature Tracking Technology Milestone

Charlotte Seet — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 04:30:17 GMT

Fresh produce logistics within the air cargo industry has evolved significantly in recent years thanks to new technological advances. And Lufthansa Cargo is taking advantage of them, as the cargo carrier recently succeeded in achieving a new milestone in monitoring and providing optimal transport for fresh produce.

British Airways Boeing 787 Diverts To Halifax Amid Cabin Smoke

Giacomo Amati — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 21:00:16 GMT

Fire is one of the most dangerous scenarios that can occur onboard an aircraft. Indeed, fire can compromise vital electronic components of an aircraft, ultimately leading to the plane becoming uncontrollable. Therefore, pilots generally request to divert to the closest airport as soon as they suspect the potential development of a fire in the cabin. This was the case of British Airways flight BA 216 en route from Washington Dulles (IAD) to London Heathrow (LHR) on February 1st.

Why Icelandair Isn’t Worried About Low-Cost Competition

Sumit Singh — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 20:01:17 GMT

As the flag carrier of Iceland, Icelandair has long been a national entity within its country. It has stood the test of time and shows no signs of slowing down. Still, it has been met with homegrown competition over the years. The most recent airline to make a name for itself in the Nordic island is PLAY. Despite the low-cost carrier's (LCC) strong start, Icelandair’s leadership isn’t too concerned about its addition.

Airbus Selects French-Japanese Electric Motor Developer For Hydrogen Engine Prototype

Linnea Ahlgren — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

Airbus may have stated it could potentially go it alone when it comes to producing its hydrogen-electric engine. However, it has at least settled on an engine-maker for the prototype of the fuel-cell powertrain. And it is not one of the aerospace engine household names. Instead, the European planemaker has decided to go with Japanese-owned French electric motor specialist Nidec Leroy-Somer.

Why The EU's New Emissions Rules Could Raise Airline Ticket Prices

Luke Bodell — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 13:14:58 GMT

Passengers are set to face higher air fares under the European Union's (EU) new emission rules. EU officials have given their early approval for changes to the bloc's emissions trading system which is expected to increase costs for airlines.

People, Planet, Progress: Diving Into TUI's 2030 Sustainability Targets

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 12:20:17 GMT

The German leisure, travel, and tourism group TUI has announced and approved its sustainability agenda, which includes the commitment to reduce its environmental footprint well ahead of 2050.

Onboard Experience On Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 & MAX 8-200 Compared

Mark Finlay — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:30:16 GMT

Having just returned home after a quick trip to the English Lake District, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about the differences between Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 and the Boeing 737 MAX. Before I get into it, though, I would like to say a little bit about Ryanair in case you are not familiar with the airline or how it operates.

London to Paris - Train vs Plane vs Bus

Tom Boon — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 10:01:16 GMT

London to Paris is an incredibly popular route, being served daily by rail, bus, and plane. However, each mode of transport is different, with different pros and cons to each. We'll take a look at what's good and what's not to build a clear picture of what is the best option for each individual. Without further ado, let's begin.

How Spain Regulates Its Air Traffic Controllers

Mark Finlay — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 07:30:16 GMT

Before we talk about how Spain regulates its air traffic controllers, let's first look at the job and determine what an air traffic controller's duties and responsibilities are. An air traffic controller is the person responsible for providing Air Traffic Control (ATC) with the direction and altitude of aircraft passing through the airspace that it controls.

Spanish ATC Speak Out Against Privatization Of 7 Airport Towers

Riley Pickett — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 18:00:17 GMT

This past week the Spanish Aviation industry has begun to experience internal turmoil as a union representing Air Traffic Controllers (ATC controllers) has started pushing back against the federal government. The pushback comes as the government seeks to privatize ATC operations at seven airports. If this comes to fruition, roughly 30% of ATC operations will become privatized.

Why Airbus Built The A340-500

Mark Finlay — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:30:17 GMT

In the mid-1970s European plane maker Airbus was looking to build an aircraft that could compete with the offerings from Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. Using the Airbus A300 as a launch pad, Airbus came up with the A330 and A340. Based on a nearly identical airframe, the A330 would be a twin-aisle widebody aircraft powered by two engines, either the General Electric CF6, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, or Rolls-Royce Trent 700.

21 Years Ago Today: The Airbus A340-500's First Flight

Mark Finlay — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:30:15 GMT

Exactly 21 years ago today, on February 11, 2002, the Airbus A340-500 made its maiden flight to become the world's longest-range commercial airliner. Developed from the earlier Airbus A340-300, the Airbus A340-500 was capable of transporting 313 passengers up to 8,500 nautical miles, allowing airlines to launch long non-stop flights, such as Singapore Airlines between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey.

Concorde & Cymru: The Supersonic Airliner's Links To Wales

Mark Finlay — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 07:30:16 GMT

While all aviation enthusiasts will know of the Franco-British supersonic Concorde airliner, few will know the significant role that two Welshman played in making the aircraft a reality. Credited with being the man responsible for the Concorde being built was aeronautical engineer and chief engineer on the project, Sir Morien Morgan.

Top 5: Europe's Busiest Airports By Passenger Numbers In 2022

Jake Hardiman — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 05:30:16 GMT

Despite getting off to a slow start due to complications regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, 2022 largely marked a year of recovery for Europe's main air hubs. Indeed, five of the continent's major airports handled more than 50 million passengers apiece last year, but which facility came out on top? Using data from Airports Council International, the picture becomes clear.

World2Fly To Operate Flights Between Portugal And The Dominican Republic

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:00:16 GMT

The European carrier World2Fly has received authorization to launch flights to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic. This new route will be operated with the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

DOT Clears Flyr US Charter Ops 8 Days After The Airline's Collapse

Linnea Ahlgren — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:15:17 GMT

Norwegian budget carrier Flyr collapsed just 19 months after commencing operations, with the board filing for bankruptcy on February 1. In a statement, the airline said there was no longer "a realistic opportunity to achieve a solution for the short-term liquidity situation.” However, that seems to have gone unnoticed by regulators across the Atlantic.

TAP Air Portugal Names An Embraer E190 After The Town Of Cascais

Luke Bodell — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:00:17 GMT

Portugal's national carrier TAP has named an aircraft from its regional fleet after the resort town of Cascais as part of a campaign to promote Portugal. The chosen aircraft is an Embraer E190 operated by TAP subsidiary Portugália Airlines.

Turkish Airlines Evacuates Over 125,000 Earthquake Victims

Sumit Singh — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:30:17 GMT

Airlines have been working hard to help victims affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria on February 6h. Turkish Airlines has now revealed that by the end of today, it will have evacuated 125,957 people since the tragedy occurred.

Air Serbia May Add Up To 30 Routes From Belgrade This Year

James Pearson — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:16 GMT

With newfound competitiveness and the drive to become the leading airline in the Balkans, Air Serbia expects to add up to 30 routes from Belgrade this year. It launched 14 last year – most notably to Tianjin. It has been suggested that 20-30 routes could also start next year too, helped by adding five more aircraft.

How Iceland Got Its 1st Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Sumit Singh — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:30:15 GMT

Icelandair's history traces back to 1937 following the formation of Flugfélag Akureyrar, which was established on the north coast of Iceland in the town of Akureyri. The outfit was renamed Flugfélag Íslands in 1940, and the airline soon took on the Douglas C-47 Skytrain to help expand operations that decade.

Fall In Love With Aviation: Nordica To Hold Open Doors Recruitment On Valentine's Day

Steven Walker — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:00:17 GMT

Nordica has announced a flight attendant recruitment drive for its bases in Tallinn and Vilnius. To support its future expansion plans, the Estonian airline is on the hunt for 250 new recruits, and will hold an open door recruitment event at the Ülemiste Center in Tallinn on Valentine’s Day – perfect timing for any budding flight attendants to fall in love with aviation. A second event will then be held in Vilnius on March 1st.

LOT Polish Tells Musician To Check $5 Million Stradivarius Violin

Jonathan E. Hendry — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 03:06:28 GMT

One of the world's most prominent violinists carrying an original Stradivarius violin was denied boarding on a LOT Polish Airlines flight after he declined to check the 337-year-old violin in the luggage hold.

Why Is Wizz Air So Cheap?

Chris Loh — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:30:17 GMT

Wizz Air is a European low-cost carrier based out of Budapest, Hungary. Its operations are rapidly expanding across the region and even as far away as Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Founded in 2003, the airline has grown to become one of Europe's leading low-cost carriers. With low fares, sales, and a discount club, how can the airline offer fares at such low costs? Let's take a look and find out!

What Happened To British Airways' Boeing 757s?

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:45:51 GMT

Although Eastern Air Lines had the honor of operating the very first Boeing 757 flight, the first to operate it in Europe was British Airways. On this day 40 years ago - February 9th, 1983 - the British flag carrier launched its first flight with the Boeing narrowbody, using it first for its London to Belfast shuttle service, usurping the Hawker Siddeley Trident from the route.

Why Did British Airways Order The Boeing 757?

Justin Surette — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:30:16 GMT

With a capacity of up to 228 passengers and a range of 3,900 nautical miles, the Boeing 757 was a capable twin-engine aircraft. Designed to be as much as 80% more fuel efficient than the 727 it was replacing, the 757 was very popular among airlines and a successful project for Boeing. But for British Airways, the flying pencil played a more significant role than updating the fleet.

SAS Begins 9 Hour Airbus A321LR Flights To New York JFK

James Pearson — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:00:17 GMT

On February 9th, SAS launched Copenhagen to New York JFK, the first time in 33 years that it has served the airport pair. Then, it was by the 767-300ER and 767-200ER. Now, it is by the A321LR in winter and A330-300 in summer, nicely demonstrating aircraft upgauging and downgauging by season to protect loads, load factors, fares, and yields. SAS will also make history in April by beginning Aalborg and Gothenburg to Newark.

Charles Duncan: Who Is The New Norse Atlantic Airways President?

Riley Pickett — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:00:16 GMT

Norse Atlantic Airways has announced that Charles Duncan will be the airline's new president. The airline has selected Duncan as he has filled similar roles in other successful airlines and has built a track record of success. It hopes he will be a great fit as the airline pushes forward with its expansion plans. With this new position, Duncan will fill a significant role for the growing airline.

Etihad Airways Adds A 3rd Daily London Heathrow Airbus A380 Flight From October

James Pearson — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:00:16 GMT

As you'll probably know, Etihad Airways is bringing back the Airbus A380. But in a new twist, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has revealed that the sole route it'll be deployed on – London Heathrow – will have triple daily A380 flights later this year, up from the previously scheduled double daily.

Russia Denies Putin Involvement In MH17 Downing

Luke Bodell — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:14:49 GMT

The Russian government has rejected the findings of prosecutors at The Hague regarding the missile attack on flight MH17 in 2014. Investigators claim to have found "strong indications" of Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in the incident.

Sudan's Badr Airlines Launches Khartoum-London Gatwick Flights

James Pearson — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 11:00:15 GMT

Sudanese carrier Badr Airlines has announced the start of Khartoum to London Gatwick. The route will begin in three weeks from the day this article is written, extremely little lead-in time. It will be the fourth airline to have linked the UK and Sudan capitals in the past two decades.

The UK's Humberside Airport: Everything You Need To Know

Justin Hayward — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:30:16 GMT

Humberside Airport is in North Lincolnshire, UK, and serves several areas, including Lincolnshire, Hull, and parts of Yorkshire. It has a limited route network, but this includes scheduled services with KLM and Eastern Airways. The closure of nearby Doncaster Sheffield Airport shows the fragility of regional airports, but this may, in fact, boost opportunities for Humberside.

Ryanair To Base 11th Aircraft In Edinburgh For Bumper Summer Schedule

Jake Hardiman — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Ryanair has announced an expansion to its Edinburgh base, where, this summer, it will base an extra aircraft, bringing its total to 11. This will facilitate a 25%+ year-on-year capacity boost, as well as the introduction of six new routes. The growth will help the airline handle close to five million passengers a year in Edinburgh.

British Airways Executive Club Frequent Flyer Program: The Simple Flying Guide

Pranjal Pande — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:00:15 GMT

Those who fly with British Airways (or through Terminal 5 at London Heathrow) will be familiar with the Executive Club, the carrier's loyalty program. Since BA is owned by the International Airlines Group (IAG), it shares its points currency, Avios, with several major airlines including Qatar Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. Here is the Simple Flying guide to the Executive Club, how to earn miles, redeem them, and get status on the oneworld carrier.

Virgin Atlantic To Join SkyTeam On March 2

Steven Walker — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 07:00:17 GMT

Virgin Atlantic has indicated that it will join SkyTeam on March 2nd, 2023, becoming the alliance's first and only UK member airline. It was confirmed back in September 2022 that the carrier would be joining the alliance, and now with less than one month to go until this historic moment, the final preparations behind the scenes are well underway.

Memmingen: Everything You Need To Know About Germany's Highest Airport

Jake Hardiman — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 06:00:16 GMT

Germany is home to a wide variety of airports that serve a huge range of locations and purposes. The likes of Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) rank among its main passenger hubs, while a considerable amount of airfreight is funneled through Leipzig-Halle (LEJ). However, away from these, the highest of them all is Memmingen, which sits some 633 meters (2,077 feet) above sea level.

MH17 Investigation Suspended As Limit Is Reached

Steven Walker — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:30:18 GMT

The investigation into the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has been suspended. Investigators decided to pause proceedings as they did not have enough evidence to prosecute any further suspects.

Flybe's Administrators Have Applied For Another Operating License

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

On Wednesday, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that collapsed airline Flybe's administrators had applied for a temporary air operator certificate (AOC). If successful, this does not mean that the twice-folded airline's flights would resume right away.

UK Airport Border Staff Will Strike Again On March 15th

Luke Bodell — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 13:15:28 GMT

Airport border staff in the UK are set to strike again after their much-publicized walkout over the Christmas holidays. UK Border Force officials will walk out on March 15th as part of wider industrial action called for by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Ethiopian Airlines Considering Adding Flights To Malta

Tatenda Karuwa — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:30:08 GMT

Following a meeting on February 7 between the Ethiopian and Maltese governments, Ethiopian Airlines is considering adding a route to Malta to serve as a stopover hub for flights to the United States.

A Brief History Of Laker Airways

Mark Finlay — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:30:16 GMT

February 8th, 2023, would have been the 57th anniversary of Britain's Laker Airways founding. With that in mind, we decided to take a look back at how Laker Airways came to be and how one man's ideas have shaped the airline industry ever since. However, before the airline's founding in 1966, let's look at how the Second World War and the subsequent events enabled Freddie Laker to start an airline.

Why Was The Tupolev Tu-334 A Failure?

Nicole Kylie — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:30:16 GMT

The Tupolev Tu-334 was an advanced technology Russian airliner developed to replace the aging Tu-134 and Yak-42 that were in service. During its developmental stages, the aircraft was slated to begin flying in 1995 with Aeroflot, Russia’s flag carrier and one of the oldest active airlines in the world. Unfortunately, the Tu-334 never took off commercially, and the project was eventually scrapped in 2009.

Japan Airlines Launches New Inflight Menu With Daisuke Hayashi

Channing Reid — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 06:30:17 GMT

Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced a new limited-time exclusive menu on select flights between England and Tokyo. The airline said the food offerings come from a unique collaboration with a ministry within the government of Japan, a foods export promotion council.

Valentine's Day: How To Fly To Europe's Most Romantic Capital Cities

Jake Hardiman — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:31:17 GMT

With Valentine's Day just a week away, Catamaran Charter Croatia has shared a study detailing the most romantic capital cities in Europe. The study ranked capital cities by the number of romantic hotels and restaurants per million inhabitants, with some interesting results. Let's see how you can fly to the top three.

Airbus Got 37 Narrowbody Orders In January

Steven Walker — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 19:30:17 GMT

Airbus has released its figures for January, showing orders for a total of 37 passenger aircraft last month, all of which were narrowbodies. The manufacturer also received an order for four widebody freighter aircraft. Which airlines did the orders come from?

Russia Confirms 20 Tu-214 Per Year Including Cargo Version

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:45:18 GMT

As is by now well-known to anyone who follows aviation news, Russia's civil aviation industry has gone through quite a shake-up since Putin launched a war of aggression on Ukraine almost a year ago. The sanctions imposed have caused Russia to find 'import-substitute' solutions for already ongoing aircraft projects such as the Sukhoi SSJ-100 and its new narrowbody contender MC-21.

Airport Slots: The Advantages Of Buying Bankrupt Flybe

Luke Bodell — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:16:47 GMT

Less than two weeks after Flybe entered administration, it has emerged there are two major parties interested in purchasing the defunct airline. Prospective buyers Air France-KLM Group and Lufthansa Group are particularly interested in Flybe's lucrative airport slots.

Turkish Airlines Boosts Istanbul-Copenhagen Flights Higher Than Any Year Except 2019

James Pearson — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 11:05:16 GMT

Turkish Airlines has increased Istanbul Airport to Copenhagen flights to 24 weekly. Starting July 1st, in time for the peak season, there are four flights on three days a week, with triple daily on the rest. It falls short of the 28 weekly – four daily every day – held on just nine dates in summer 2019, according to OAG data. However, it is higher than in any year except 2019.

Flight Review: BA Cityflyer London City-Prague In Economy

Justin Hayward — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:30:16 GMT

British Airways flights from London City to European destinations are operated by subsidiary Cityflyer with the Embraer E190 aircraft. This can be a much less stressful and more comfortable way to fly, as Simple Flying’s Justin Hayward recently found out.

Dublin Airport Suspends Flights For Third Day In A Row Because Of Drone

Channing Reid — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:16 GMT

Several inbound flights at Dublin Airport were diverted or suspended Monday evening due to drone activity in the airport’s airspace. The latest incident is the third to occur at the airport in the last three days. Flight operations at the airport were suspended for nearly an hour due to the disruption.

Azores Airlines Leases A Plus Ultra Airbus A330 For 4 North American Routes

James Pearson — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:16:16 GMT

Azores Airlines has revealed that it will use a wet-leased Plus Ultra A330-200 on four US and Canada routes during the summer. They'll replace the carrier's own 186/190-seat A321LRs/non-LR neos, providing much more capacity for the all-important peak period.

Hahn Airport Has Reportedly Been Sold For The Second Time In A Year

Charlotte Seet — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:30:16 GMT

In October 2021, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport filed for insolvency, and efforts to attract new interested investors went underway to save the airport. Then in June last year, the insolvency administrator announced Frankfurt-based entity Swift Conjoy as the leading candidate for the airport business. But after delays and discussions, it seems like Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is back on sale as the deal with Swift Conjoy has fallen through.

Norwegian Will Add 6 ALC Owned Boeing 737 MAXs To Its Fleet

Luke Peters — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 13:00:16 GMT

Norwegian has agreed to take delivery of six additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on lease for the upcoming summer season. The new additions to the fleet will build on the airline's relationship with the type, which it currently operates alongside a sizeable Boeing 737-800 fleet.

Photo Tour: Inside Icelandair’s Flight Training Center

Sumit Singh — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 12:10:07 GMT

At the tail end of last month, Simple Flying had the opportunity to visit Icelandair’s training center in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, which is located 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport. There was plenty to see at the facility, with the Icelandic flag carrier covering all angles to prepare its crew.

Europe To Africa: 10 Routes Shorter Than 60 Minutes

James Pearson — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:00:16 GMT

Europe and Africa are separated by only a few miles across the Strait of Gibraltar. Situated in the far northwest of Morocco, opposite southern Spain, is Tangier, the country's fourth most populous city. Tangier is the location of the first of this year's CONNECT Route Development Forums, which bring together hundreds of network planning experts from airlines and airports to discuss new opportunities and more. It's being held between February 22nd and 24th, and I'll be reporting from there.

The Munich Air Disaster - A Cabin Crew Perspective

Patricia Green — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:30:16 GMT

The 6th February 1958, would mark a tragedy well noted in history. It was ingrained in the lives of football fans worldwide and devastated the people in the city of Manchester, UK. The Manchester United football team were at an all-time high and had not been beaten in the last eleven matches.

A Single Person Filed 23,000 Complaints About Dublin Airport Last Year

Channing Reid — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 07:00:17 GMT

Some airports depending on where they are located, receive complaints due to noise levels, if not other reasons. Typically, the dissatisfactions are filed by several people throughout a calendar year, but this was not the case at an airport in Ireland last year.

SmartLynx Launches Upgrade Program For First Officers

Channing Reid — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:30:17 GMT

SmartLynx Airlines, an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) provider, is investing in its current generation of pilots. The company, which also supports leading airlines with cargo operations and charter services, commenced a new internal program for first officers.

Named After An Interwar Transatlantic Odyssey: The Story Of Air Lituanica

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:15:17 GMT

Air Lituanica was founded following the bankruptcy of Lithuania’s first national carrier, flyLAL. While Air Lituanica created a sense of optimism that the country would finally have its viable airline, the carrier, however, operated only for a short period of time. So, what happened to the airline? Let’s take a look at the history Air Lituanica.

Amsterdam Schiphol Passengers Could Be Charged $3 Suitcase Fee Amid Staff Recruitment Goals

Giacomo Amati — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 19:00:16 GMT

Here we go again. European airports might face another challenge as handling companies do not have enough personnel to accommodate increasing demand during peak holiday seasons. For instance, Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), one of Europe's largest hubs, is unhappy with the number of baggage handlers currently employed. However, a solution to the lack of staff might have been found. Nonetheless, it might not sound ideal to Schiphol's passengers.

Vueling To Begin London Gatwick-Alicante Flights As UK Expansion Continues

Jamie Moore — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:16:17 GMT

Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling last week announced its intention to strengthen its UK market by adding London Gatwick to its network. The addition of Gatwick comes as Vueling is looking for a busy summer 2023 schedule.

Etihad Increases Frequency On Abu Dhabi-Frankfurt Route

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 12:00:16 GMT

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, is boosting its presence in the German market by increasing flight frequency on Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt routes. The news comes shortly after the airline announced new flights between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf beginning October 1, 2023.

How Airbus Is Using High-Performance Computing To Design The Aircraft Of The Future

Linnea Ahlgren — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 12:00:16 GMT

While other areas of aviation, such as enhanced passenger experiences and biometric systems, may also come to define the coming decades, the industry is facing two of its greatest transitions to date - decarbonization and digitalization. And the implementation of the latter will most certainly support the quest for the former.

State Of The Union: The Air France-KLM Group In 2023

Chris Loh — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 11:00:16 GMT

In 2004 Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines joined forces to become the Air France-KLM Group (AF-KLM). With the two historic airlines' fleets and operations combined, the conglomerate has become one of the largest European airline groups along with Lufthansa Group, IAG, and Ryanair. In its nearly two decades of existence, the partnership hasn't always been smooth - and the two airlines still have their differences, despite cooperating quite closely. Today, we examine the state of Air France-KLM, and what the future holds for the two main parts of this group.

Boeing, British Airways & The UK Government Join To Fund Aviation Career Exploration Program

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 09:45:17 GMT

The UK Government, alongside Boeing, British Airways, and the William Gibbs Trust, has granted significant funding to the aviation and aerospace charity, the Air League, for its career enrichment program.

How A Maintenance Error Caused Severe Control Issues Onboard Air Astana Flight 1388 In 2018

Nicole Kylie — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:30:17 GMT

On November 11, 2018, Air Astana Flight 1388 was operating a repositioning flight from Lisbon, Portugal, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, when it encountered severe control issues shortly after takeoff. The harrowing 90 minutes ended with an escort by two Portuguese Air Force F-16s that led the Embraer ERJ-190LR to Beja Airbase.

Turkey Ground Handling Staff May Stop Servicing Russian Airlines' Boeing Jets

Charlotte Seet — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:01:16 GMT

Although several Russian carriers have started ramping up their international flight schedules, not every airport ground service provider is keen to work with the airlines and their fleets. Turkey's largest ground handling company Havas is one example, as it wrote a letter to Russian and Belarusian airlines warning that it might stop providing ground services to them.

Turkmenistan Airlines Resumes Regular Flights To Russia's Kazan Airport From Ashgabat

Riley Pickett — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:00:16 GMT

Turkmenistan Airlines has recently announced that it will restart flights between Turkmenistan's Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) and Russia's Kazan Airport (KZN). The route reopening comes as the airline has seen increasing demand for air travel between the two cities. This will be the first time the airline has flown the route since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Let's take a closer look at this international flight.

Aer Lingus To Launch Regional Routes To Newcastle & East Midlands From Belfast City

Luke Bodell — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 15:06:08 GMT

Emerald Airlines, the Aer Lingus Regional operator, has announced two new routes from Belfast City to Newcastle and East Midlands following the collapse of Flybe. Flights to East Midlands will launch at the end of March followed by Newcastle flights from late April.

Lufthansa Passengers Can Now Pre-Order Fresh Meals On European Flights

Molly Russell — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 14:32:41 GMT

Are you going on holiday with Lufthansa this summer? The German flag carrier is now offering passengers on its European flights the choice to pre-order fresh in-flight meals ahead of time.

Rome Airports Agree Deal With Trade Unions Over 257 Workers

Luke Bodell — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 13:12:58 GMT

Aeroporti de Roma (ADR) has signed a new employment agreement with trade unions CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL of Air Transport. The airport operator will transition over 250 of its staff to permanent roles as it continues to expand its workforce.

ITA Airways Signs Air & Rail Integration MoU

Giacomo Amati — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 12:21:16 GMT

The environmental discourse is becoming increasingly critical in the development agenda of every airline worldwide. A strategy that has already been proposed to reduce aviation-related CO2 emissions is the integration of air and rail services. A few months into its first year of operations, ITA Airways, the new Italian national carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the national rail services group, Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), to expand the offer of air & rail multimodal services progressively. Let's look closely at this critical development in the new Italian carrier's growth strategy.