Aviation News
Supersonic Air Travel Returning: United Orders 15 Supersonic Jets
This Thursday, United Airlines announced a purchase of 15 supersonic jets from the Denver-based start-up company Boom Technology. This news comes 18 years after the retirement of the Concorde and when commercial supersonic air travel was last in service. United’s proposal to buy these hyper-fast jets could finally bring supersonic air travel back into the industry in the years to come, but many variables still lie ahead.
The Aircraft
The aircraft United Airlines is investing in is called the Boom “Overture.” Each Overture jet is offered at $200 million, a similar price to the old $203 million unit cost of the Concorde (adjusted for inflation). The Overture will be able to hold a maximum of 88 passengers and cover a range of 4888 miles. It is also capable of cruising at an altitude of 60,000 feet and speeds up to Mach 1.7. At these speeds, the Overture would be able to cut air travel time down to almost half of what it used to be. However, the most impressive specification of the Overture is that it is claimed to fly with 100% sustainable fuel and release net-zero carbon emissions during operations. Boom is working with Rolls Royce to create such an engine. From this highly efficient engine, Boom also claims that airfares on the Overture will be as low as $100 one-way, an astonishingly cheaper price compared to the price of Concorde’s tickets more than a decade ago. As for the interior of the plane, Boom claims that they will offer spacious, single-aisle business class seats throughout the whole plane. Each seat will include direct aisle access and large, comfortable windows. The production of the Overture is scheduled to begin in 2023, its first flight is expected to be in 2026, and the aircraft is estimated to begin commercial service in 2029.
The Order
United’s order of 15 Overture jets is valued at $3 billion, but the companies have not disclosed the actual financial details of the investment yet. A person familiar with the matter has revealed that United has already made an industry-standard deposit to Boom, even though the Overture or a prototype version has not been built or tested yet. United is only committed to purchasing these aircraft if they meet the sustainability proposals made by Boom and the FAA regulatory requirements. The program is expected to face a hurdle when being approved by the FAA due to several restrictions that prevent supersonic aircraft from traveling overland. If the plane does meet the standards though, United said that it has an option to add 35 more aircraft to the order, which would increase the airline’s supersonic fleet to 50. It is unknown if United will cancel their orders if the requirements are not met. If the aircraft does reach commercial service, United plans to operate the Overture from coastal United States cities to overseas destinations. United is planning for Overture’s inaugural and main route to be from New York to London, the route Concorde flew last.
How the Overture is not just another “Concorde”
With the failure of the previous supersonic jet program, the Overture is expected to face many of the same challenges that discontinued the Concorde. Boom attempts to revive supersonic air travel by correcting the flaws of the Concorde. One of the most critical problems was the noise generated from supersonic activity. Boom aims to counter this by designing the engines of the Overture so that they only create sonic booms when flying over bodies of water, where there is no one to hear the noises. Another detrimental problem that the Concorde faced was the high operating costs and airfares that dissuaded passengers from traveling supersonic. To counter this problem, Boom says that they will use completely sustainable aircraft fuel, which would be at a significantly cheaper price than regular jet fuel, and as a result of this, they would charge less money for tickets. Aside from these problems, it is still unsure how Boom will tackle other, less significant problems that the Concorde faced. Safety ratings on the Overture have also not yet been analyzed, so the reliability of future supersonic air travel hasn’t been determined yet.
Bottom Line
United and Boom’s idea to revitalize supersonic air travel seems like a very ambitious goal, especially after a devastating blow from the pandemic. The project doesn’t seem concretely practical right now, and United could be rushing into the supersonic aircraft market too quickly and early, but times will eventually show how successful this program will be. If supersonic planes do indeed make it into the skies in 2029, it could be the beginning of a new supersonic age of air travel. Hyper-fast travel across the world could be the norm for future generations, and it could change the aviation market dramatically over the next few decades. For now, though this concept only remains a vision, and we will have to see if the dream of supersonic travel will become reality again in the next 8 years.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/03/business/economy/united-airlines-supersonic-planes
https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-plans-to-buy-15-supersonic-planes-11622724910
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Overture
Cover Image: United Airlines
In an effort to meet the growing demands of its operations, Air India Express, the low-cost carrier subsidiary of Air India, has recently completed a nationwide recruitment drive to find new pilots and cabin crew members. The recruitment drive was conducted to increase the airline’s staffing levels in anticipation of a significant order of 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies made by its parent airline earlier this year. The airline has been actively increasing its workforce since October 2022 and has already successfully recruited more than 280 pilots and 250 cabin crew members.
Pilot Recruitment Drive
Air India Express organized a variety of recruitment events in different cities across the country, with a focus on attracting pilots and first officers for its Boeing 737-NG and 737 MAX fleets. The airline held these events in major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. According to the airline’s estimates, approximately 300 pilots actively participated in the selection process over the course of these events.
Air India Express is seeking to fill various roles, including Pilots In-Command, Captains, Copilots, and Transition First Officers. The airline witnessed a considerable turnout of pilots during the recruitment events, hinting at the increasing demands of its operations. Air India Express is particularly interested in hiring pilots from Indian carriers like Go First, which filed for voluntary insolvency earlier this month. Other airlines like IndiGo have also intensified their recruitment efforts, competing to attract pilots and cabin crew members from Go First.
Cabin Crew Recruitment Drive
Air India Express is actively searching for a substantial number of cabin crew members to join its workforce. The airline has scheduled hiring events for Trainee Cabin Crew in significant metropolitan areas such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi. Additionally, the airline has also conducted walk-in recruitment drives in several other locations, including Imphal, Guwahati, Surat, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Kozhikode, for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a cabin crew member.
Since October 2022, Air India Express has been steadily expanding its workforce and has successfully hired more than 280 pilots and 250 cabin crew members. The recruitment campaign is an essential component of the ongoing merger and integration of Air India Express and AirAsia India, which are both low-cost carrier subsidiaries of Air India. Recently, both budget airlines launched a unified website and reservation system, leading to a significant improvement in forward bookings.
Tata Group’s Recruitment Drive
The Tata Group, the parent company of Air India Express and AirAsia India, is also open to applications for Trainee Pilot (Junior First Officer under training) and Pilot In-Command positions on its Airbus A320 fleet of aircraft. Additionally, the group is currently accepting applications for Pilot and Copilot roles on the narrowbody Boeing 737 family of aircraft as well as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777 aircraft.
Air India Express conducted the recruitment drive to bolster its staffing levels in preparation for a significant order of 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies made by its parent airline earlier this year. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the pandemic, the demand for skilled pilots and cabin crew has risen, prompting Air India Express to seek out the best talent from all over the country. The recruitment campaign is part of an ongoing merger and integration of Air India Express and AirAsia India, which strives to create a more efficient and streamlined operation.
Also you might be interested in reading: Air India Pilot Investigated for Flight Deck Breach with Female Friend
Sources
- Source: Simple Flying
Turkish Airlines teases a gargantuan order of 600 aircraft. The first part of this deal will be announced at the forthcoming IATA AGM in Istanbul, 4-6 June. Professor Doctor Ahmed Bolat, the airline’s Chairman, shared some details at the airline’s new menu reveal event a couple of days ago.
Turkish Airlines’ Massive Order Announcement
In an interaction with journalists, Bolat revealed, “Over the past 20 years, Turkish Airlines has grown by an average of 12%. We intend to grow 7.6% over the next decade and aim to possess 813 aircraft by 2033. During the IATA event, we plan to share these updates with a major manufacturer. We are close to finalizing discussions. Our plan involves ordering approximately 600 aircraft, of which 200 will be widebody and 400 narrowbody.”
Bolat further emphasized that the fleet expansion would facilitate the airline’s goal. They aim to transport 170 million passengers within a decade.
Boeing and Airbus in Turkish Airlines’ Plan
Bolat remained tight-lipped about the aircraft type and manufacturer. However, he hinted at both Boeing and Airbus being a part of these deals. “We are almost there with one company,” he said. “We don’t want any delays. There is an air show coming up, and we can announce the other company then.”
Currently, Turkish Airlines has a diverse fleet. It comprises a large number of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, both widebody and narrowbody. The new technology aircraft in the fleet include A320neo family jets and 737 MAX. On the widebody side, it flies the A350-900 and the 787-9. A330s and Boeing 777s are also in operation.
Turkish Airlines’ Eyes Australia
Turkish Airlines has Australia on its radar. Bolat hinted at launching either Melbourne or Sydney routes this year. Melbourne seems to be the front-runner due to its night flight curfew flexibility and a large Turkish diaspora.
However, the current aircraft can’t make the trip in a single go. Bolat suggested a stopover, likely in Singapore, for the short term. For nonstop flights, they would need something with more legs, putting two aircraft in contention.
The Right Aircraft for Turkish Airlines
“An XWB A350 or a 777X, the -8, is the right aircraft for this,” Bolat stated. “But, as you know, they are not going to be available. Turkish Airlines doesn’t want to take the risk of being launch customers. We have avoided immature aircraft for the past 20 years.”
Without explicitly stating, Bolat ruled out the 777X as a potential aircraft for the fleet. Considering its unavailability and immaturity, the airline is keen on the A350-1000 for the Australia route. This aircraft is also Qantas’s choice for its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights. If Airbus manages to tweak its range, it might gain another customer.
READ ALSO: United Places Largest Aircraft Order in a Decade
This doesn’t mean Boeing is out of the picture. The Dreamliner’s fuel efficiency makes it valuable for Turkish Airlines. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a top-up for that fleet. With the order details set to be announced next month, we will soon see how it pans out.
Considering the significance of this development, how do you think this strategic move will shape Turkish Airlines’ future in global aviation? Share your insights in the comments section below!
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait, have announced a codeshare agreement. This SAUDIA Kuwait Airways codeshare agreement marks a significant step towards enhanced connections and convenience for guests of both airlines.
Details of the SAUDIA Kuwait Airways Codeshare Agreement
The signing ceremony took place in SAUDIA’s headquarter in Jeddah. Each airline will place the other airline’s marketing code on its flights between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and other routes within the alliance. The agreement will come into effect after obtaining all necessary approvals. Both airlines have agreed to expand all kinds of interline cooperation, with implementation expected during the Summer Season 2023.
The codeshare will further promote bilateral and strategic partnership for the benefit of both airlines. It will enable them to offer more competitive and cost-effective services. This will allow their guests to enjoy a better travelling experience. The new codeshare partnership will strengthen the cordial commercial long-standing relationship existing between SAUDIA and Kuwait Airways.
The Impact of the SAUDIA Kuwait Airways Codeshare Agreement on Flight Operations
SAUDIA has been carrying guests between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait by operating four daily flights. Similarly, Kuwait Airways has been serving passengers on this route, operating six daily flights between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Under the SAUDIA Kuwait Airways codeshare agreement, guests can expect all the benefits of codeshare flights. This includes seamless connectivity, baggage transfer, and the convenience of having their entire journey managed by one airline. Furthermore, guests of both airlines will enjoy increased alternative flight options across each other’s network.
What the Airlines’ CEOs Say
Captain Ibrahim Koshy, SAUDIA CEO, expressed delight at the partnership. He said, “We look forward to growing our relationship with Kuwait Airways. We aim to offer guests a better value proposition and more seamless travel experiences.”
On the other hand, Eng. Maen Razouqi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways, welcomed SAUDIA as a Strategic Codeshare partner. He highlighted the benefits that the partnership would bring to operations between the two countries and how it will allow more travel options and facilities for the public. He also emphasized Kuwait Airways’ commitment to customer comfort and convenience in every business decision.
Looking Ahead
Both Kuwait Airways and SAUDIA are working on incorporating a Frequent Flyer Program for codeshare flights. This move will reward guests with the benefits of such programs. Both airlines are also exploring other avenues for future mutual cooperation and expansion of their partnership.
As part of its commitment to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy, SAUDIA connects guests from over 100 destinations worldwide to the Kingdom. They do this via their state-of-the-art hub at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and other key stations around the Kingdom.
SAUDIA has reaffirmed its commitment to providing top-tier services and launching new routes to bring the world to Saudi Arabia as part of the ‘Wings of Vision 2030.’ Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways is steadfast in its commitment to offering top-class services as it expands its network and product offerings.
Read Also: Saudia Records 94% Increase in Global Travelers in Q1 2023
The SAUDIA Kuwait Airways codeshare agreement represents a new chapter in Middle East aviation, offering more choices and convenience to passengers. How will this codeshare agreement impact your future travel plans? Share your thoughts with us!
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