Airlines
British Airways adds five new short-haul services to its London Gatwick network
British Airways’ Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, has added Montpellier, Corfu, Mykonos and Innsbruck to its short-haul route network, in addition to a new summer Salzburg service.
Montpellier, in the south of France, is a new addition to British Airways’ network, operating three times a week in the summer from 27 May 2023. The service to Mykonos bolsters the existing summer routes from London Heathrow and London City, while Corfu is in addition to the existing London Heathrow service. Innsbruck sees an addition of eight new weekly flights in the winter season, which complements the current six times weekly service from London Heathrow.
BA Euroflyer’s summer service to Salzburg will complement the existing winter services from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London City. The airline has also put its short-haul Gatwick winter schedule on sale today, offering 21 destinations to customers looking to book winter holidays and city breaks. Ski hotspots include Geneva and Turin, while winter sun destinations include Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Flying to nearly 40 destinations throughout the year, British Airways is the only airline based at Gatwick to offer both business and economy cabins on all short-haul flights. Customers flying from Gatwick also enjoy a generous baggage allowance, free water and snacks, free seat selection at -24 hours and frequent flyer benefits such as lounge access. Customers flying in Club Europe (business class) enjoy a premium check-in area, lounge access and a complimentary gourmet meal and bar service on board.
Man found dead in undercarriage of plane at Gatwick airport(Opens in a new browser tab)
Executive Club Members can enjoy all benefits of their membership across the BA Euroflyer network, including the earning of Tier Points and Avios on eligible flights, and a minimum of 12 Reward Seats on every flight, starting from as little as £1 plus 18,500 Avios.
Flights are on sale now and can be booked at www.ba.com.
Start date | Flight number | Departing LGW | Arriving at destination | Flight number | Departing destination | Arriving LGW |
London Gatwick (LGW) to Montpellier (MPL): Summer 2023 | ||||||
27 May 2023
Three per week |
BA2620 | Tue: 0720 Thu: 0715 Sat: 1350 |
Tue: 1005 Thu: 1000 Sat: 1635 |
BA2621 | Tue: 1210 Thu: 1205 Sat: 1735 |
Tue: 1255 Thu: 1250 Sat: 1820 |
London Gatwick (LGW) to Corfu (CFU): Summer 2023 | ||||||
30 May 2023 Three per week |
BA2812 | Tue: 0715 Wed: 0835 Sat: 1700 |
Tue: 1230 Wed: 1350 Sat: 2215 |
BA2813 | Tue: 1325 Wed: 1445 Sat: 2315 |
Tue: 1440 Wed: 1600 Sat: 0030 |
London Gatwick (LGW) to Mykonos (JMK): Summer 2023 | ||||||
10 June 2023
One per week |
BA2814 | Sat: 0820 | Sat: 1420 | BA2815 | Sat: 1520 | Sat: 1725 |
London Gatwick (LGW) to Salzburg (SZG): Summer 2023 | ||||||
28 March 2023 Three per week |
BA2618 | Tue: 1115 Thu: 1640 Sat: 0930 |
Tue: 1410 Thu: 1935 Sat: 1225 |
BA2619 | Tue: 1505 Thu: 2025 Sat: 1400 |
Tue: 1610 Thu: 2130 Sat: 1505 |
London Gatwick (LGW) to Innsbruck (INN): Winter 2023 | ||||||
08 December 2023
Eight per week |
BA2620 | Mon: 0710 Wed: 0945 Thu: 0840 Sat: 1235 Sun: 0840 |
Mon: 1015 Wed: 1255 Thu: 1150 Sat: 1545 Sun: 1150 |
BA2621 | Mon: 1105 Wed: 1345 Thu: 1240 Sat: 1645 Sun: 1250 |
Mon: 1210 Wed: 1445 Thu: 1340 Sat: 1750 Sun: 1350 |
BA2622 | Fri: 1310 Sat: 1425 Sun: 1520 |
Fri: 1615 Sat: 1730 Sun: 1825 |
BA2623 | Fri: 1705 Sat: 1830 Sun: 1925 |
Fri: 1810 Sat: 1930 Sun: 2025 |
Airlines
Air India’s last VVIP Boeing 747 now found a new home in USA
In a symbolic transition marking the end of a storied chapter in aviation history, Air India bid farewell to its last remaining Boeing 747-400 jumbo jetliners, once revered for ferrying dignitaries including prime ministers, presidents, and vice presidents.
The sale of these iconic aircraft to AerSale, a company based in the United States, signals the closure of a remarkable era for the airline.
The decision to part ways with the Boeing 747s was driven by practical considerations. Tata Group, the new custodian of airindia flights, deemed these majestic planes uneconomical to operate in today’s aviation landscape. As such, out of the four sold, two will be repurposed into freighters, while the remaining pair will be meticulously disassembled to harness their valuable parts.
The transaction, orchestrated by Mumbai-based Vman Aviation Services, underscores the strategic shift in Air India’s fleet management strategy under its new ownership. Tata Group’s decision to divest from the 747s reflects a commitment to optimizing operational efficiency and aligning with contemporary industry standards.
Skytech-AIC, a UK-based remarketing firm engaged by Tata Group, facilitated the sale of these iconic aircraft, marking the conclusion of their illustrious service with Air India. The airline’s last flight featuring the Boeing 747 took to the skies between Delhi and Mumbai in March 2021, encapsulating decades of distinguished service and indelible memories.
The allure of used aircraft parts continues to resonate across the aviation sector, offering operators a cost-effective alternative without compromising on quality or performance. The transfer of these aircraft to AerSale not only ensures their continued utility but also underscores the enduring legacy of Air India’s fleet.
Airlines
A software error caused grounding the entire airline fleet
On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop advisory for all Alaska Airlines and subcarrier flights due to a software issue, disrupting travel plans for passengers.
The FAA directive, which prohibited the departure of Alaska Airlines mainline and subcarrier flights, was implemented as a precautionary measure following the detection of the software problem. The ground stop was initiated after Alaska Airlines encountered difficulties during a system upgrade related to the calculation of weight and balance for their flights.
As a result, the airline opted for a temporary suspension of all its operations to address the issue and ensure passenger safety. Alaska Airlines promptly issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing their commitment to resolving the matter swiftly. “This morning we experienced an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates our weight and balance.
Out of an abundance of caution, we requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon flights, which was instituted at approximately 7:30 a.m. PT,” the statement read. Passengers affected by the disruption voiced their concerns on social media platforms, prompting Alaska Airlines to reassure them of their efforts to minimize the inconvenience and expedite the resumption of flights.
Following approximately an hour-long interruption, the FAA lifted the ground stop order, allowing Alaska Airlines and its subcarriers to resume normal operations. However, it was clarified that SkyWest, which provides regional service for Alaska Airlines and other carriers, was exempt from the ground stop and continued its flights unaffected.
Aerospace
Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?
The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.
The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.
On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.
When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.
One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility