Airlines

Airbus Beluga earns its Air Operator Certificate

Airbus introduced its large-scale air cargo service, Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), in January 2022, less than two years ago. Airbus Transport International (ATI) is the operator of this service.

However the plan has always been to establish a specialty airline with its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC). After granting the latter, we speak with Olivier Schneider, the head of flight operations at AiBT, and Benoît Lemonnier, the managing director, to find out how this was accomplished and what obstacles are still ahead.

The official transfer of the BelugaSTs from ATI’s fleet register to AiBT’s (leased from Airbus) was the other key tenet of the developing enterprise. There are currently three aircraft in AiBT’s fleet; a fourth is scheduled to be introduced in 2024.

AiBT is initially launching with flights on the current Airbus network. It is imperative that flying crews and ground teams gain experience with short flights contracted by ATI rather than beginning with lengthy, complex worldwide flights. These flights began operating in November, with destinations including Saint Nazaire, Bremen, Hamburg, and Sevilla. This strategy enables AiBT to train all personnel, including the new pilots, and test its internal protocols before it returns to its primary activity of long-haul flights, according to Benoît.

Recruiting and training new Beluga pilots

To close this gap, 12 pilots from ATI have agreed to become captains or first officers for a maximum of three years with AiBT. Following this temporary assignment, these pilots will return to ATI to operate the growing number of A330-200 BelugaXLs.

In the meantime, AiBT is actively seeking pilots from outside the company; nine of them have already been hired, making a total of about 36 pilots needed by 2026.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.