Airlines

Emirates and Air Canada Activate Codeshare Partnership to Extend Global Networks and Enhance Customer Experience

Emirates and Gulf Air Launch Codeshare Partnership

Emirates and Air Canada announced the beginning of their codesharing partnership. Customers of the carriers will be able to travel seamlessly to 46 markets across three continents as a result of the partnership, including locations in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Air Canada is adding more international routes as travel demand picks up(Opens in a new browser tab)

Codeshare tickets will be offered for sale to 35 markets beginning on December 1 for travel, with the addition of 11 more markets possible after that, subject to final regulatory approval. Tickets can be purchased through the airlines’ websites at aircanada.com and emirates.com, as well as through significant GDS systems and travel agencies.

Beyond Toronto, Canadian cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver will also be accessible to Emirates customers who wish to book codeshare flights. Customers of Air Canada will also benefit from seamless connectivity when flying to cities in the Middle East like Jeddah and Muscat, Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, as well as African cities like Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

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The airlines will soon launch a reciprocal frequent flyer programme that will let members of Aeroplan and Skywards accrue and use points on flights run by Emirates and Air Canada, respectively. Additionally, eligible passengers will soon be able to benefit from reciprocal lounge access as well as specific advantages for Aeroplan Elite and Skywards members when flying with the partner airline.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.