This week’s must-read aviation updates are ready for you!

Alaska Airlines Invests in JetZero's Blended-Wing-Body Airliner

On August 13, 2024, Alaska Airlines announced an investment in JetZero, a US startup developing a blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to significantly cut emissions.

The investment, made through Alaska Star Ventures (ASV), aligns with the airline’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. JetZero's BWB design promises a 50% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions due to its aerodynamic efficiency.

The BWB concept, which integrates fuselage and wings into a single structure, has seen renewed interest due to its potential for efficiency gains. Airbus and the US Air Force have also pursued similar designs.

Alaska Airlines' investment includes an option to be among the first to acquire JetZero's innovative aircraft once available.

Alhind Group Plans to Launch Kerala-Based Carrier

Indian travel and tourism specialist Alhind Group has applied for an air operator's permit (AOP) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to Managing Director PV Valsaraj, 95% of the approvals are complete, with only a No Objection Certificate from the Civil Aviation Ministry pending.

The group aims to launch international flights, targeting destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Valsaraj highlighted that over 60% of their ticketing business is focused on the Gulf and Far East regions, supported by a well-established sales network built over 30 years.

Alhind Group, incorporated in 1992 in Kerala, operates a diverse range of services including travel bookings, package tours, Hajj and Umrah tours, and more. The group reported a turnover of INR 200 billion (USD2.38 billion) in 2023.

Ethiopian Airlines Signs Contract for New Mega Airport Design

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants and Zaha Hadid Architects to design a new mega airport. Scheduled to handle 110 million passengers annually, the project will cost USD6 billion and is set to be completed over five years.

CEO Mesfin Tasew highlighted the airport's significance for accommodating the airline's rapid growth and supporting its 2035 targets of USD25 billion in revenue and 67 million passengers annually.

Located in Abusera, 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, the new airport will feature a 1.1 million-square-meter terminal and extensive facilities. The first phase, due by 2029, will increase capacity to 60 million passengers, nearly triple the current capacity of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The project aims to enhance connectivity, drive economic growth, and reflect Ethiopian Airlines' commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Singapore Airlines Announces Network Adjustments for 2025

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will enhance its network for the 2025 Northern Summer season, from March 30 to October 25, to meet increased travel demand.

Key changes include:

• London: Daily flights to Gatwick starting March 30, 2025, in addition to existing four-times daily services to Heathrow, totaling five daily services.
• Rome: Increased to five flights weekly from June 26 to August 28, 2025, up from four.
• Barcelona: Five direct flights weekly from June 24 to September 7, 2025, and daily services to Milan, up from current frequencies.
• Adelaide: Upgraded to 10 flights weekly for the Northern Winter 2024 and Northern Summer 2025.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Increased to thrice daily.
• Siem Reap: Up to twice daily.

The Airbus A380 will return to Tokyo (Narita) from March 30 to May 31, 2025, replacing the Boeing 787-10. It will stop flying to Mumbai and Delhi during specific periods and be replaced by the Boeing 777-300ER.

SIA will also suspend Houston flights via Manchester from April 1, 2025, while maintaining five-times weekly services between Singapore and Manchester.

Dai Haoyu, Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, noted that these adjustments are designed to align capacity with demand and improve customer travel experiences.

Cebu Pacific Launches Ground Equipment to Cut Carbon Emissions

Cebu Pacific, in partnership with Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), has introduced bridge-mounted equipment (BME) to enhance sustainability and efficiency.

On August 14, 2024, an A321neo flight from Narita International Airport was the first to use MCIA’s new system. The fixed power unit (FPU) and pre-conditioned air (PCA) units provide power and cooling without relying on the aircraft’s jet fuel-powered auxiliary power units (APUs), reducing costs and environmental impact.

This installation at MCIA aims to cut fuel and maintenance costs, lower carbon emissions, and improve operational efficiency. MCIA is now the first airport in the Philippines to adopt this technology, aligning with global sustainability standards.

Cebu Pacific is the first airline to use this system at MCIA, setting a new benchmark for sustainable aviation in the region.