Airlines

Massive Release of international Rewards seats for Qantas frequent flyers

Qantas Announces New Non-Stop Direct Flights from Perth to Paris

Tens of thousands of new international reward seats are to be released for frequent flyers from this Friday
Qantas extends its commitment of 50 percent more international reward seat availability for another six months
More than 5 million reward seats still are available across Qantas and Jetstar over the next year

Qantas will release tens of thousands of new international reward seats from 11 am Friday to give frequent flyers even more opportunities to travel overseas using their Qantas Points.

The release of new Classic Flight Reward seats will be made possible by Qantas extending its commitment of 50 percent more reward seat availability on international routes until 31 December 2023 – an additional six months.

The extra reward seats will be available across all cabins, including Business and First, on the airline’s full international network of more than 30 destinations. The most popular overseas destinations booked with points are London, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

Since October 2021, Qantas has made 50 percent more reward seats available and has seen record numbers of customers using their points to travel. One in every 11 frequent flyers carried by Qantas traveled on a reward seat.

Qantas has also released thousands of Points Planes over the past year, where every seat on the flight is available to be booked as a Classic Flight Reward.

Frequent Flyers can also use their points to access reward seats to more than 1,200 destinations around the world on Qantas’ network of more than 45 partner airlines.

Qantas Points required to fly to popular international destinations include:

ROUTE	ECONOMY	TAXES, FEES AND CARRIER CHARGES	BUSINESS CLASS	TAXES, FEES AND CARRIER CHARGES
Sydney – London	55,200	$233	144,600	$443
Melbourne – London	55,200	$231	144,600	$441
Brisbane – Los Angeles	41,900	$209	108,400	$334
Sydney – Los Angeles	41,900	$209	108,400	$334
Sydney – Tokyo (Haneda)	31,500	$148	82,000	$198
Melbourne – Auckland	18,000	$157	41,500	$157
Sydney – Fiji (Nadi)	18,000	$107	41,500	$107

*Values displayed are current as of 21 February 2023 and are subject to change. Taxes, fees, and carrier charges are payable to Qantas (excluding any amounts payable to third parties at the airport) in addition to the points required.

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.