Airlines

Jetstar Unwraps Its New A321LR Before Christmas

In order to increase capacity and operational resilience in advance of the busiest holiday season, Jetstar Airways has taken possession of a second Airbus A321neo LR.

The state-of-the-art aircraft arrived in Melbourne from the Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany this week and will operate its first commercial flight on Saturday 10 December.

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The NEO will operate popular domestic routes, including Melbourne to Brisbane and Melbourne to the Gold Coast as well as longer-range international routes like Melbourne to Bali and the upcoming service between Sydney and Rarotonga. Carrying 232 passengers, the NEO is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in Jetstar’s fleet, providing fuel savings of up to 20 per cent each flight, helping keep fares low while contributing to the airline’s sustainability targets.

Jetstar’s new generation A321neo LR

The new longer-range Airbus A321neo LR is 50 per cent quieter and up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the current fleet of A320 aircraft, making it the lowest emissions aircraft in the Jetstar fleet. Fitted with an additional fuel tank, the NEO has an increased range capability to around 3,500 nautical miles / 6,482 kilometers.

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The aircraft offers a range of customer benefits including wider seats, larger overhead storage lockers and in-seat USB power to keep devices charged as well as the latest lighting system for an overall enhanced passenger experience. In the coming months, the NEOs will also be equipped with digital streaming technology which means customers can access Jetstar’s inflight entertainment on their own devices when they fly.

This is the second in Jetstar’s pipeline of 18 A321neo LR aircraft, with two more aircraft arriving in the coming weeks, meaning Jetstar will have four NEOs flying in January and all 18 set to enter the fleet by mid-2024.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.