Network Planning Community News
Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam alliance becoming its first UK member airline
Virgin Atlantic formally joined SkyTeam at a signing ceremony on 2 March 2023. The move means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
Singapore Changi Airport named Overall Winner of Routes Asia Awards
Singapore Changi Airport has been crowned Overall Winner of this year’s Routes Asia Awards, which took place this week in Chiang Mai. The awards are highly regarded for recognising marketing services that support new and existing air services, as well as excellence and innovation in route development.
Langkawi announced as host destination for Routes Asia 2024
Langkawi has been announced as the host destination for Routes Asia 2024. A special handover ceremony took place this week during Routes Asia 2023 in Chiang Mai.
Queen of the Skies: Virgin Atlantic’s tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Virgin Atlantic’s newest aircraft – an A330neo – is set to honour Queen Elizabeth II. Named ‘Queen of the Skies’, the aircraft will feature the registration G-VEII and enter service in April, flying from London Heathrow to destinations including Miami, New York and Tampa.
London City Airport appoints Andrew Hodges as new Chief Commercial Officer
London City Airport has appointed Andrew Hodges as its new Chief Commercial Officer. He will take up the role in February 2023. Hodges has 25 years’ experience in the airline sector, most recently at Norse Atlantic, where his responsibilities included network and airport development, and route performance.
Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society honours former Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden
The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society has honoured one of commercial aviation’s great leaders, former CEO of Alaska Airlines Brad Tilden. He was presented with the prestigious Tony Jannus award by 2017 honouree Doug Parker, former CEO of American Airlines. The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society marked the occasion with a spectacular cake.
Gold Coast Airport completes $260m terminal expansion
The final phase of Gold Coast Airport’s new $260 million terminal expansion has officially opened, with international passengers welcomed, completing the three-year project. The project is central to the ongoing transformation of the Gold Coast Airport precinct, with about $500 million worth of works delivered, underway or in the pipeline.
“Enormous grace, class and quality in all that she did” – a farewell to Budapest Airport’s Andi Trencsén
Many of you in the global route development community will have been devastated to learn of the sudden and far-too-premature loss of Andrea ‘Andi’ Trencsén, Head of Marketing, Budapest Airport, who passed away last week after a short illness.
Hamburg celebrates 50th anniversary of Turkish Airlines route to Istanbul
Hamburg Airport and Turkish Airlines have held a special celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hamburg-Istanbul route. The celebrations included a spectacular cake, a traditional Fire Truck Water Arch, and a formal welcome of the A330 flying the jubilee route.
Qatar Airways celebrates 5th anniversary of operations in Prague
Qatar Airways has celebrated its 5th anniversary of operations in Prague with an event at the airport for the anniversary flight QR292. Together with Prague Airport, the airline celebrated with speeches and refreshments at the gate, including a spectacular cake.
Bonza celebrates arrival of first aircraft
Bonza’s first aircraft has touched down at Sunshine Coast Airport. It is the first 737 MAX to be based in Australia and will be part of a fleet of brand-new aircraft based initially on the Sunshine Coast and in Melbourne.
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport celebrates 25th anniversary of Copenhagen route
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport has celebrated the 25th anniversary of the regular air service between Copenhagen Airports and Montpellier. In the past, it has been served by Cimber, Sterling, Cimber Sterling and Transavia Denmark, and now Norwegian and SAS Scandinavian Airlines operate the route.