Aviation

JetBlue & Etihad Airways Join Forces for Loyalty Partnership under Codeshare Agreement

Etihad Airways Launches 8 New Destinations this month

A long-standing codeshare collaboration between JetBlue New York’s Hometown Airline® and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has expanded to include loyalty benefits beginning on May 8, 2024.

Celebrated today at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market was the agreement between the two airlines. As a result of the partnership, passengers travelling across the networks of both airlines will now be able to accrue and redeem points in their preferred programme while they are part of JetBlue’s TrueBlue and Etihad Airways’ Etihad Guest.

With Etihad Guest miles redeemable against a variety of experiences, including travel and lodging across the globe as well as the ability to convert miles into reward cards for retail purchases, this alliance enhances the redemption choices offered by the individual programmes.

In addition, JetBlue introduced its new TrueBlue loyalty programme last year, giving members more value than ever before with expanded Mosaic levels for the airline’s most devoted customers, Perks You Pick®, tiles to track status, and more opportunities than ever before to earn perks and status.

TrueBlue recognises that every traveller is unique, thus it allows users to select the benefits that are most important to them and accrue points for every flight, purchase, drive, or shop.

The customer reward programmes expand on the nearly ten-year cooperation between the two airlines, which provides connectivity between New York and Boston to over 70 locations worldwide on Etihad and over 40 destinations in the Americas on JetBlue.

Aviation

India Launches Its Medium-Lift Class Helicopter Program, chooses New Engine

India’s longstanding need for a Medium Helicopter may soon become a reality as the country has fully ramped up its engine development efforts. This new helicopter is set to replace the Russian-built models currently in service and will play a crucial role across various scenarios for the Indian Armed Forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) have launched a groundbreaking partnership to develop a state-of-the-art high-power engine named Aravalli.

This new engine will power the upcoming 13-ton Medium Lift Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both of which are being designed and developed by HAL.

Named after the majestic Aravalli mountain range in India, the Aravalli engine symbolizes the country’s drive for self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, in critical engine technologies. This cutting-edge engine will be instrumental for the IMRH, a versatile 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, and the DBMRH, a 12.5-ton naval variant tailored for the Indian Navy.

The IMRH is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian armed forces over the next decade. With its first flight expected in 3 to 4 years, the IMRH is anticipated to begin induction by 2030, with plans to integrate between 300 to 400 units, and potentially more in the future.

The IMRH is envisioned as a highly versatile multi-role helicopter that will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian military. The DBMRH, designed for naval operations, will also face the challenges of high-altitude environments in regions such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas of strategic importance due to their proximity to the China border.

In addition to its military applications, the Aravalli engine is projected to enter the civil market, serving roles in offshore operations, utility services, and VVIP transport. The long-term vision includes Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities to further extend the engine’s utility and support the aviation industry.

This collaboration between HAL and SAFHAL builds on their successful history of working together on the Shakti engine, which powers several HAL helicopters, including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and the Light Utility Helicopter. The proven success of this partnership lays a strong foundation for the development of the Aravalli engine, setting the stage for a new era in India’s helicopter capabilities.