Over the weekend, all flights at Munich’s airport were cancelled due to a winter storm that affected travel throughout the region by dumping snow over southern Germany, parts of Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

Social media users shared a video clip of one of the planes at Munich Airport in southern Germany that had “frozen” as a result of the region’s intense snowfall. The plane appeared to be stuck in the snow and to be attached to the ground in the video.

The airport first declared that flights would be canceled until noon on Saturday, but later changed its announcement to 6 a.m. on Sunday. Additional airports in the area, such as Zurich, the financial hub of Switzerland, also declared delays and cancellations due to severe weather.

Germany’s national railway reported that trains to and from Munich’s central station had also been stopped, and that travelers should postpone or reroute their trips. Some passengers in Munich and the nearby city of Ulm spent Friday night (Saturday NZT) on trains as a result of the halt, according to the report.

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ZeroAvia announced that it has reached a deal with Ecojet, a recently established airline, for up to 70 engines that run entirely on hydrogen and emit no emissions.

In 2024, Ecojet, which wants to be the premier airline for green Britain, will start flying to and from Edinburgh using conventional aircraft. Later, it will convert its fleet to become the first ever electric airline in history.

Once certified, the airline will retrofit its aircraft with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engines to accomplish its goal. MONTE, ZeroAvia’s preferred ZA600 lessor partner, will collaborate with Ecojet to commercialize this innovative technology. By 2025, ZeroAvia hopes to have the ZA600 engine type certified.

The recently established airline has also placed a larger order for the more potent ZA2000 engine, which is intended for regional turboprops with up to 80 seats and a 2027 entry-in-service target. This will make it possible to fly planes like the Dash 8 400 and ATR72, which are already widely used on international regional routes.

In collaboration with airports and other industry partners, ZeroAvia, Ecojet, and MONTE will determine and fund the initial routes for hydrogen-electric commercial operations. According to ZeroAvia analysis, domestic flights would have lower lifecycle carbon emissions per passenger than any other popular mode of transport available today, including fully occupied cars, domestic rail and coach travel, if they were powered by green hydrogen produced by wind energy in the UK.

CU-T1250, registered as Ilyushin Il-96-300 of Cubana de Aviación, made its landing at José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Cuba, following a fourteen-month absence from the island. It was the airline’s second recovered aircraft, and its arrival signaled the end of its inspection period in Russia.

Cuba had not been able to maintain its fleet due to a shortage of parts for its aircraft made in Russia. Executives at Cubana de Aviación blamed the US sanctions for this challenge.

Experts and specialists from Russia and Cuba completed a 14-month-long general repair of the device, making improvements to the air navigation, security systems, and overall comfort while also raising the level of services provided on board.

December 2nd saw the departure of CU-T1250 from Moscow-Zhukovsky International Airport. En route to Havana, the aircraft passed through Finnish, Norwegian, and Arctic airspace before touching down in Gander, Canada (YQX).

As a result of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Spain has placed restrictions on Russian models, so it is currently unclear when the airline will start operating to Argentina and Spain again.

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Boeing confirmed on Friday that the U.S. Air Force eliminated Boeing from the competition to develop an E-4B Nightwatch replacement, reversing the competition to build the next generation of aircraft known as the “Doomsday Plane” because of its ability to withstand a nuclear war.

The E-4B Nightwatch, also referred to as the “Doomsday Plane,” is a modified Boeing 747-200B used in military operations. It is built to resist the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear explosion and functions as the National Airborne Operations Centre. The aircraft is capable of conducting routine training and readiness missions while staying in the air for several days.

Boeing and the Air Force were unable to agree on data rights and contract terms, according to Reuters. This was partly due to Boeing’s refusal to sign a fixed-price agreement that would have required it to pay for costs over a predetermined amount.

A major change in the military aircraft manufacturing landscape has occurred with Boeing’s removal from the ‘Doomsday Plane‘ competition. It’s unclear who will step up to take over Boeing’s position as the US Air Force works to update its aircraft and remain prepared for changing international threats.

According to budget documents, the Air Force intends to continue developing SOAC with spending of $889 million in fiscal 2024 and $8.3 billion through fiscal 2028. Early in the 2030s, the E-4B is anticipated to reach the end of its operational lifespan.

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Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

1. Acquisition Overview:
   • Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
   • Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
2. Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
   • Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
   • Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
3. Hub Development and Connectivity:
   • Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
   • Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
4. Commitment to Hawai‘i:
   • Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
   • Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
5. Employee and Union Commitment:
   • Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
   • Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
6. Investor Call and Timeline:
   • Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
   • Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
7. Strategic and Financial Rationale:
   • Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
   • Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
   • Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
8. Community and Sustainability Commitment:
   • Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
   • Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
9. Synergies and Accretion:
   • Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
   • Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
10. Conditions to Close:

• Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
• Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.

Air India has successfully completed the title transfer process for its fourth A350 aircraft, with its anticipated arrival scheduled for February 2024.

The Tata Group-owned airline is eagerly awaiting the arrival of its first A350-900 aircraft in India later this month. To showcase its latest additions, Air India plans to feature two of its new planes at the prestigious Hyderabad WINGS festival scheduled for January.

The WINGS India Aviation show, a bi-annual event organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in collaboration with FICCI, is a significant platform for the aviation industry and will be held in Hyderabad.

Among the highlighted aircraft, one is the Airbus A350, marking the debut of this wide-body aircraft in India. The second showcased plane will be the renowned Boeing 737 MAX, presenting Air India’s new branding.

Wilson reports that Air India has also received two more narrow-body A320neos, which are scheduled to go into service in December. The airline wants to show that the new management is actively working to improve product quality for customers, despite criticism of its outdated in-flight amenities. Air India is growing its international network, indicating its commitment to future growth.

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