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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 202 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Aer Lingus announced (19-Dec-2024) it took delivery of two A321XLR aircraft (EI-XLR and EI-XLT) at Dublin Airport. The aircraft are the first of six A321XLRs which the carrier plans to use on trans-Atlantic routes to destinations including Nashville and Indianapolis in 2025. Aer Lingus stated it is the second airline in the world to operate the aircraft, following Iberia's launch of operations with the aircraft in Nov-2024, as previously reported by CAPA. Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton stated: "The long-range capabilities of the XLR enable us to travel deeper into North America, offering previously unserved markets greater connectivity to Europe through our Dublin hub... Looking ahead, we're on target to expand our XLR fleet from two to six aircraft in 2025". [more - original PR - Aer Lingus] [more - original PR - Airbus]

Background ✨

Iberia was the global launch customer for the A321XLR, with its first aircraft entering trans-Atlantic service on the Madrid-Boston route on 14-Nov-20241 2. American Airlines plans to receive its A321XLR deliveries in 2025, initially for domestic routes before expanding operations3. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus confirmed its plans to launch Dublin-Indianapolis service with the A321XLR on 03-May-20254.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines completed (19-Dec-2024) the conversion of all 54 of its Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft to the new 'Premium Comfort Class', following a two year project. The intermediate class, available on long haul services, offers "more space, luxury, and privacy" than economy class, at a lower price point than World Business Class. Depending on the aircraft, the Premium Comfort section features 21 to 28 seats with wider seating, additional legroom, larger screens, footrests and more recline compared to economy. During the conversion of the 777 aircraft, KLM also upgraded World Business Class with new seats that include sliding doors and direct aisle access. [more - original PR]

OAG reported (17-Dec-2024) the top domestic routes by seat numbers for 2024, as follows:

  1. Jeju-Seoul Gimpo: Capacity increased 3% year-on-year but remains 19% behind the 2019 level;
  2. Sapporo Chitose-Tokyo Haneda: Capacity remained similar to the 2023 level;
  3. Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda: Capacity was "relatively unchanged" year-on-year;
  4. Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City;
  5. Melbourne-Sydney;
  6. Jeddah-Riyadh: Recorded the largest growth among the top 10 at 10% year-on-year and 9% compared to 2019;
  7. Tokyo Haneda-Okinawa Naha;
  8. Mumbai-Delhi;
  9. Beijing Capital-Shanghai Hongqiao;
  10. Guangzhou Baiyun-Shanghai Hongqiao.

The top five rankings were unchanged from 2023. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

China's National Immigration Administration announced (17-Dec-2024) China's Government decided to extend the transit passenger visa free stay period for ordinary passport holders from 54 countries, including the UK, the US and Canada, from 72 hours to 240 hours (10 days), effective from 17-Dec-2024. The Government also approved 21 additional airports as official ports of entry for the transit passenger visa free stay scheme, including Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Haikou Hainan Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport and Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, increasing the total number of airports approved under the scheme to 60. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Recently, China has been implementing various trial visa-free entry policies for several countries. For instance, a trial allowing passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, and others to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days started on 30-Nov-20241. Additionally, a trial for Portugal, Greece, and others was set to run from 15-Oct-2024, allowing a 15-day visa-free stay2. These trials reflect China's broader trend of enhancing visa-free travel options for international visitors.

OAG reported (17-Dec-2024) the top international routes by seat numbers for 2024, as follows:

  1. Hong Kong-Taiwan Taoyuan. Capacity increased 48% year-on-year and the ranking increased from third in 2023;
  2. Cairo-Jeddah. Capacity increased 68% over the last five years;
  3. Seoul Incheon-Tokyo Narita. Capacity increased 30% year-on-year;
  4. Kuala Lumpur-Singapore;
  5. Seoul Incheon-Osaka Kansai;
  6. Dubai-Riyadh. Capacity increased 37% since 2019;
  7. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Hong Kong. The route re-entered the top 10 at after ranking 11th in 2023;
  8. Jakarta-Singapore;
  9. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Singapore;
  10. New York JFK- London Heathrow.

OAG chief analyst John Grant commented: "With the ASPAC region very close to a full recovery, the busiest routes are concentrated in the familiar major hubs of Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon and Singapore, although the composition of the supply on those routes is changing as the low-cost sector continues its growth at a faster rate than legacy. One of the most interesting developments is the growth in regional Middle East markets with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia, where the Vision 2030 project continues to drive both business and leisure demand". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Kuala Lumpur International Airport emerged as the second most connected airport globally in OAG's 2024 'Megahubs' report, with AirAsia operating 35% of its flights1. In 2023, the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Changi route was identified as the busiest international route by seat capacity, ahead of routes such as Cairo-Jeddah and Hong Kong-Taiwan Taoyuan2. These developments reflect significant connectivity and capacity growth in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in Kuala Lumpur1 2.

Ethiopian Airlines announced (17-Dec-2024) a new partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Government for the establishment of Air Congo. The DRC government will hold a 51% majority stake, while Ethiopian Airlines will retain a 49% share and manage the airline. Key technical agreements, including aircraft lease, comprehensive technical support and systems support agreements have been signed between the two partners. Ethiopian Airlines will also train Congolese nationals as pilots, cabin crew, sales and services staff and technicians. Air Congo's operations began with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, serving seven airports within the DRC. The initiative aligns with Ethiopian Airlines 'Vision 2035' strategy, which aims to establish multiple hubs across Africa, complementing existing partnerships with ASKY Airlines, Malawi Airlines and Zambia Airways. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Ethiopian Airlines planned to supply two Boeing 737-800s for Air Congo's launch in Dec-2024, with initial domestic services for six months before expanding to neighbouring countries1. The airline was set to be launched in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, holding a 49% stake, and the DRC Government holding 51%2. Air Congo's official launch was scheduled for 16-Dec-2024, following the arrival of its second aircraft at Kinshasa N'Djili Airport3.

Porto Alegre Salgado Filho Airport announced (15-Dec-2024) plans to resume full operations on 19-Dec-2024. As previously reported by CAPA, operations at the airport partially resumed in Oct-2024, following its closure due to damage caused by flooding in May-2024. The airport has undergone several renovations, including the paving of the runway, which is now 3200m long. [more - original PR]

Khabarovsk Novy Airport received (17-Dec-2024) Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Russia FAVT) approval to open its new international terminal on 13-Dec-2024. The terminal features two aerobridges, 11 check in counters and 30 passport control booths. [more - original PR - Russian]

Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch reported the country plans to increase airport capacity from 38 million to 80 million passengers p/a by 2030 (Reuters, 16-Dec-2024). Capacity at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport is set to increase to 23.3 million passengers p/a, while Marrakech and Agadir will be able to accommodate 14 million and 5.3 million passengers, respectively. This comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup in partnership with Spain and Portugal.

Mali authorities reportedly plan to resume modernisation works at Bamako Modibo Keïta International Airport from 19-Dec-2024 (agenceecofin.com, 13-Dec-2024). The project involves the construction of a new control tower and a technical block. Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development, the OPEC Fund for Development and the Millenium Challenge Corporation are financially supporting the project.

Air Lease Corporation executive chairman Steven Udvar-Házy, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit World & Awards for Excellence, stated (22-Nov-2024) the industry faces "a lot of challenges", including airport restrictions, congestion, air traffic control inefficiencies and "too much government interference". Mr Udvar-Házy said: "The capital markets are still a little nervous about the stability of the airline industry, so airlines have to pay a premium because they have not shown consistency in their return of capital". [more - CAPA TV]

Takamatsu Airport announced (16-Dec-2024) plans to commence works to expand and improve its international terminal area in Jan-2025 (NHK News/Asahi Shimbun, 16/17-Dec-2024). Works will include the installation of a seventh aerobridge for international flights, as well as the installation of additional check-in counters and immigration inspection counters for international passengers. The project is expected to be completed by the end of Mar-2027. [more - original PR - Japanese]