Airlines

Virgin Australia Launches First-Ever Cairns-Haneda Japan Service

Virgin Australia, together with the Queensland Government and Cairns Airport, has announced a new year-round, daily Cairns-Tokyo (Haneda) service, adding over 2,000 seats per week from 28 June 2023.*
To celebrate, Virgin Australia has dropped a massive ‘Hello Tokyo’ sale with tickets on sale from $699 return, until midnight next Tuesday 20 December 2022 or until sold out.
Flying direct to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, the route will add over 30,000 additional inbound visitors into Cairns every year, delivering a major boost for the local tourism industry.
Virgin Australia plans to operate the route using new Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The 737-8 aircraft type will reduce emissions by up to 15 percent per flight.**
Virgin Australia has also announced it will strengthen its partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), with expanded codeshare services and reciprocal loyalty benefits to be implemented throughout 2023.

After a successful year, Virgin Australia has announced a new international route with daily return service from Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda), which will launch on June 28, 2023. Through the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, the Queensland Government is launching the much-anticipated route, which is operating for the first time.

Virgin Australia expands partnership with Singapore Airlines, resumes codeshare flights(Opens in a new browser tab)

To celebrate the announcement, Virgin Australia today launched a ‘Hello Tokyo’ sale with return fares from as low as $699 Economy Lite return, on sale until midnight 20 December 2022 or until sold out.^

This announcement wraps up an extraordinary year for Virgin Australia which returned to profitability following completion of the first stage of the airline’s transformation program and recently celebrated Velocity’s 11-million member milestone. Since international borders re-opened 12 months ago, the airline has resumed flights to Bali, Fiji, and Queenstown, with Vanuatu, Samoa and Tokyo commencing in the first half of 2023. Today the airline also celebrates the first flight from Adelaide to Bali departing at 5:50pm local time, with plans to commence Australia’s first ever Gold Coast to Bali service on 29 March 2023.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.