RUSSIAN Aviation Goes it Alone

Aer Lingus Regional has launched 2 new services to Cardiff and Southampton from its Belfast Base. The airline already offers flights to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Exeter, and Manchester. This will further reinforce its presence as the largest airline at the city centre airport.

Passengers can book flights from Belfast City Airport to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Glasgow, and Exeter. Passengers will be able to earn Avios points on all Aer Lingus Regional flights, providing continuity and benefits of the current services offered by both Aer Lingus and British Airways at Belfast City Airport.

Russia plans to invest UK£12 billion in the domestic aviation industry by 2030, boosting the share of locally-manufactured aircraft. This is partly in response to the West’s sanctions on the country and banning its airlines from flying in European and US airspace.

As a result, Russian airlines have largely stopped international western flights. In addition, foreign plane manufacturers have stopped delivering new aircraft to Russia as well as spare parts of foreign-built planes are now in very short supply.

The share of domestically produced aircraft in the fleet of Russian airlines will grow to 81% by 2030 and has already seen increased local production.

To date, only the Sukhoi Superjet regional aircraft is mass-produced inside Russia. It is preparing to mass produce the MS-21 mediumhaul aircraft, as well as to manufacture a small number of Soviet-designed Tu-214. By 2030 Russian airlines should have received over 1,000 locally built aircraft with Aeroflot purchasing 300 new planes.

SWOOP AIRLINE RESUMES FLIGHTS LONDON, ONTARIO-CANADA

The low cost Canadian low cost airline Swoop has resumed service between Edmonton International Airport and London International Airport, Ontario, Canada. In addition to its 10 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, 6 Boeing 737-8 aircraft will join the fleet in 2022, bringing the total fleet to 16. The airline also offers scheduled service to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has resumed direct passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing. It is the first regular direct flight route since China re-allowed inbound direct international passenger flights to Beijing, following its recent long wave of Covid-19. The weekly flight will operate using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

ETHIOPIAN LAUNCHES FLIGHT CONNECTING LOMÉ WITH WASHINGTON DC

Ethiopian Airlines has begun 3 weekly flights to Washington DC via Lomé, Togo. The new flight increases the frequency of Ethiopian Airlines’ flights to Washington DC to 10, up from 7 which operates via Dublin.

The U.S. is one of the airlines most important markets due to the large presence of African communities and the growing business and tourism ties with Africa. The new flight further enhances the air connectivity between Africa and the U.S. and helps in fostering the economic, trade, tourism and diplomatic ties between the two regions.

GULF AIR DEVELOPING NEW REVENUE STREAM

In a bid to develop new revenue, Bahrain national carrier Gulf Air will offer its fleet of aircraft for private charter. This is in addition to running the airline as normal. There is an increase in aviation private hire and already many wealthy families across the gulf and beyond often charter aircraft for private flights.

The launch of private charter services will give Gulf Air’s clientele the ability to book direct charter flights to destinations off the airline’s normal route map, at times that suit their requirements. Destination weddings and corporate delegations are another source market for such flight charters.

The move brings the airline closer to becoming a ‘boutique carrier’, by offering something different to a more niche clientele. Both its Airbus A320-family and Boeing 787-9 aircraft are available for the new venture.

WIZZ AIR NEW ROUTES TO SAUDI ARABIA FROM EUROPE AND UAE

In September, Wizz Air will begin new routes from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Rome, Vienna and Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi route will be operated by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air’s joint venture airline with ADQ. The new destinations are the beginning to grow the presence in the Kingdom while also strengthening global connectivity. The new Wizz Air routes will see a new era of travel on offer to residents of Saudi Arabia, by giving affordable travel opportunities via WIZZ’s low fares.