Global Perspective

50 / GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

The world view

We're going global every day by going social. Meet us in the virtual world via Twitter and LinkedIn. Here's just some of digital chat you may have missed... Follow us for more: @OBHMagazine and linkedin.com

Debut in Korea

South Korean start-up airline Air Premia made its debut flights this summer, the latest low-cost carrier to enter the South Korean aviation market. The airline's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flew from Seoul Gimpo International Airport to Jeju International Airport in August, marking its first-ever commercial flight. The airline has postponed its planned launches to Australia and the US, focusing on domestic routes instead until the pandemic health issues are resolved. @AirPremia

Prime progress?

Retailing giant Amazon is moving into the aviation business with expanded cargo operations at its new US hub at Kentucky International Airport (CVG) The hub was more than four years in the making, for an investment of $1.5bn, and will create more than 2,000 jobs at the site, processing millions of packages a week. In January Amazon also announced plans to buy 11 Boeing 767-300 jets and in March purchased a minority stake in American air cargo operator Air Transport Services Group. It already had a European air hub in Leipzig, Germany. How long before it processes passengers too? @amazon

Pilots as poets

An American Airlines pilot has turned the COVID-19 downturn into a positive moment for airline creativity, collating a book of poetry written by those usually based in the cockpit. Linda Pauwels has published a 59-page collection called Beyond Haiku: Pilots Write Poetry. The book includes her own haikus and those of 40 pilots of American Airlines all illustrated by a group of children - all are children of pilots. Linda hopes the book shows the softer side of traditionally steely aviators. @AmericanAir

Across the pond

New York-based carrier JetBlue arrived at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in August operating its brand new Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft. It is the latest lowcost carrier to try its luck on the transatlantic route. The carrier will add more destinations to its schedule with flights between JFK and London Gatwick Airport beginning September. @JetBlue

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Dancing it out

Swiss regional airline Helvetic Airways is the latest carrier to show its crew can spread some joy with an interpretation of the viral song Jerusalema by South African singer Master KG. Originally launched on YouTube by the Angolan troupe Fenomenos do Semba in 2020, the Jerusalema Dance Challenge has since gone viral, thanks largely to the TikTok social network. The challenge has inspired innumerable video versions, with many crews, from all over the globe performing the now-famous steps during the pandemic. youtube.com

An indigenous first

Canada’s first Indigenous female-founded airline has launched on Vancouver Island, Canada. Iskwew Air (pronounced ISS-KWAYYO) will operate non-stop scheduled service between Qualicum Beach Airport and Vancouver International Airport four times per week . Teara Fraser, the airline’s founder and chief executive officer, is Métis, and the airline name means woman in Cree. She says: “You know, in this industry, there isn’t a lot of diversity. There are few women and few women of colour certainly so this is about creating some diversity and celebrating and amplifying the importance of diversity in our industry.” @IskwewAir

Speak our language

easyJet is launching a new inflight learning initiative to encourage children to pick up a new language this summer at 35,000ft. The new partnership with children’s book series Mizzi Mozzi offers a selection of free digital books onboard featuring interactive stories that encourage kids to discover new languages including French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Greek and English. The campaign follows research showing 82% of British parents are concerned their children have missed out on exposure to new cultures, experiences and languages during the pandemic travel ban. @easyJet

Sales push

Hong Kong Airlines is offering a range of inflight items for sale including inflight crockery, limited edition amenity kits, pillows, duvets and wine. The airline hopes the items will bring back fond memories for customers who enjoyed flying with them, reduce waste from no longer needed stock and generate a little revenue. Win-win until flying returns to better levels they hope. @hkairlines