Aerospace

Qantas Reshapes Travel: Perth to Paris Nonstop Service in 2024

In July 2024, travelers can look forward to the commencement of new flight routes connecting Perth and Paris, courtesy of Qantas. This development brings with it a substantial increase in travel capacity to and from Europe, with over 75,000 additional seats available annually. Furthermore, it promises to be the quickest means for West Australians to reach the vibrant city of Paris.

Partnership between Qantas and WA Tourism

This significant move is the result of a partnership between Qantas and WA Tourism, aimed at promoting Perth as a global destination. Building on the success of Qantas’ unique direct routes from Perth to London and Rome, this year-round service marks the first time in nearly two decades that Qantas will operate direct flights to the French capital.

17-hour flights between Perth and Paris.

Starting from July 12, 2024, Qantas will operate the 17-hour flights between Perth and Paris. During the peak of the European summer, these flights will initially run four days a week using the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. From mid-August 2024, the service frequency will be adjusted to three flights per week.

Vanessa Hudson, the Qantas Group CEO, expressed her excitement about reintroducing Paris to the Qantas route map and providing Australians with direct access to the enchanting city. She highlighted the popularity of their direct routes to London and Rome and acknowledged that Paris has been a highly requested destination. Additionally, the service is expected to cater to the needs of Australian athletes traveling to Paris for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Hudson emphasized that Qantas stands out as the sole airline offering direct flights to these destinations, prioritizing the Australian market. She mentioned that this expansion will add more than 75,000 seats annually between Australia and Europe, and they are keen to collaborate with Tourism WA to leverage this opportunity for boosting tourism.

The Qantas Group’s international capacity has been increasing with the introduction of new aircraft and growing operations, with a plan to reach over 90 percent of pre-COVID levels by the year’s end and full recovery to 100 percent by the middle of the following year.

The newly introduced flights will operate from Qantas’ current terminal at Perth Airport, Terminal 3, ensuring seamless connections to other domestic Australian destinations. There are ongoing discussions between Qantas and Perth Airport about relocating operations to Terminal 1.

WA Premier Roger Cook expressed his pride in securing these direct flight connections, further solidifying Western Australia’s reputation as the Western Gateway to Australia on the global stage.

QANTAS FLIGHTS TO EUROPE

Customers traveling from around Australia can connect seamlessly onto Qantas’ flights to Europe.

QF9/QF10 Perth-London (787)
QF5/QF6 Perth-Rome (787)
QF33/QF34 Perth-Paris (787) (customers can book and fly from Sydney)
QF1/QF2 Sydney-Singapore-London (A380)
Qantas customers can also travel to Europe on Emirates flights via Dubai and with four other partner airlines.

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.