Latest news with #A321neo
Bangkok Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
THAI Hosts Global Conference, Charts Post-Rehab Future
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited hosted the THAI Commercial Conference 2025 at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park under the theme 'Aim Further, Strive for New Heights.' The event brought together more than 300 global commercial business partners and ticketing agents across its route network—including Europe, Asia, and Australia—as well as representatives from Thailand. The annual conference served as a key platform for updating partners on the airline's current business operations and outlining its commercial strategy for the second half of 2025 and into 2026. THAI executives and staff from international branch offices also participated in the event, reaffirming the airline's commitment to strengthening global partnerships. Under the strategic framework 'Trust in THAI,' the airline introduced its new commercial direction, unveiled product innovations, and showcased the upgraded A321neo cabin and seating, featuring a completely redesigned aircraft interior to enhance the passenger experience. Reinforcing its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, THAI also presented the 'Good Taste for a Good Cause' initiative, promoting Thai-made products that support local communities and small businesses—helping expand Thailand's soft power globally. Expert guest speakers contributed insights on the global economic outlook and emerging travel trends, offering valuable perspectives on the future of the airline industry. The event also marked a major milestone for Thai Airways following its formal exit from court-monitored rehabilitation. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the airline reported an EBITDA of 40.31 billion baht—more than double the 20 billion baht target set under the restructuring plan. Over the past four years, THAI has transformed its operations by restructuring its organisation, optimising its fleet and route network, enhancing cabin interiors and service touchpoints, and investing in digital infrastructure. A successful debt restructuring—through liability-to-equity conversion and new share issuance—restored financial health. As of 31 March 2025, THAI reported shareholders' equity of 55.22 billion baht, a complete turnaround from the 127.23-billion-baht deficit at the end of 2020. On 8 July 2025, the Central Bankruptcy Court officially approved THAI's request to exit the rehabilitation programme, following a formal submission made in April. This approval marks the culmination of a four-year transformation that has significantly improved the airline's financial strength, operational efficiency, and long-term competitiveness. The conference reaffirmed partner confidence in the airline's renewed strategic direction and highlighted THAI's next major milestone—its planned relisting on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in early August 2025.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Indianapolis: Exploring the home of speed, sport and sass
Back when I lived in New York, a friend of mine would introduce herself as being from Indynoplace — a cheeky, eye-roll nickname for Indianapolis, the kind of city that barely prompted a reaction. You could file Indiana's capital under 'fine' — all flat vowels, flat land and, according to the haters, flat vibes. So what's Aer Lingus doing launching a slick new direct flight there four times a week on a single-aisle A321neo? Here's a clue: Indianapolis also goes by the 'Crossroads of America.' It's laced into a criss-cross of interstates, within easy reach of cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus, St Louis, Chicago, and Louisville. It's the kind of place that makes sense on a map, a strategic stop where your road trip playlist barely gets going before you've arrived somewhere else. But there's more to it than logistics. This is the first direct connection between Indy and Europe, and with more than 50 Indiana-based companies linked to Ireland, the economic logic is sound. For Aer Lingus, it's a chance to boost Dublin's role as a gateway to the American Mid-West. For Hoosiers, it's a shortcut to the other side of the Atlantic. Still, Indy isn't just playing middleman. The city's quietly upping its game, with eye-catching murals, small-batch breweries, boundary-pushing kitchens and a homegrown creative streak that's giving it a new edge. Maybe Indynoplace is due a bit more attention after all. The surest way to get the measure of a city is on foot — or better still, on two wheels. Indy's eight-mile Cultural Trail snakes through six downtown districts, threading Mass Ave, White River State Park and Fountain Square into one seamless loop. Expect bursts of public art at every turn (Ann Dancing, Julian Opie's LED stick-figure in the Mass Ave district is a highlight) and a stop-you-in-your-tracks landmark in the Madam Walker Legacy Center, a 1927 Art Deco theatre honouring America's first black female millionaire. Tucked just off Indiana Avenue, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is part gallery, part shrine, part gentle rebellion — a fitting tribute to Indy's most subversive literary son. Founder Julia Whitehead champions the museum's unapologetic stance on free speech, arguing that its independence from federal funding gives it the freedom to speak louder — and braver — than many larger institutions. Vonnegut, no fan of censorship, would no doubt be cheering from the rafters. His words on the subject are on display here, more urgent now than ever. At 10th and Lewis Streets, the Cultural Trail plugs into the 26-mile Monon Trail, a reclaimed rail corridor that shoots north through hip Broad Ripple — student nightlife on tap — before rolling past elegant Carmel's manicured lawns and all the way to Sheridan in central Indiana. Breweries spill onto the path here too, whether you're chasing small-batch sours in Fountain Square or a post-pedal pint on Mass Ave. Race day at the Speedway, Indianapolis THE INDY 500 All of Indianapolis's low-key cool gets left in the dust once you hit the northwest side of town. Indy's other persona is 'The Racing Capital of the World'. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host to a full calendar of high-octane events, but it all builds to one roaring crescendo: The Indy 500. Held every Memorial Day weekend, it draws a jaw-dropping 340,000 fans, packing out the biggest sports venue on the planet. It's loud, it's legendary, and it's pure, unfiltered adrenaline. If you're not in town for race day, don't worry — the newly revamped museum does a solid job of capturing the buzz, with exhibits that bring the drama and speed to life. Fionn Davenport on the podium at Indianapolis Speedway Guided tours take you behind the scenes of one of America's most-watched sporting events, all the way onto the legendary track, where you can channel your inner champion and plant a kiss on the famous Yard of Bricks, the iconic start-finish line and the last visible stretch of the original 4km brick-paved surface that earned the Speedway its nickname, 'the Brickyard'. On the way to the track, I made the obligatory pilgrimage to Long's Bakery because apparently, no Speedway trip is legit without it. From the outside, it's all no-frills charm: A plain facade straight out of 1955. They specialise in donuts that don't need fanfare. Just glossy glaze, pillowy dough, and maybe a hit of jelly or custard if you're feeling fancy. The coffee is jet black and no nonsense (I heard someone ask for a cappuccino and they were almost laughed out of the place). They're proudly cash-only, a pleasing anachronism in a world of tap-and-go. It's all part of the magic. The Bottleworks district Not that Indianapolis can't do sophisticated. Step off Mass Ave and you'll hit one of Indy's freshest playgrounds, located around what was once the world's largest Coca-Cola bottling plant. The Art Deco sprawl still covers multiple blocks, but now its old garage thrums as a food hall where more than 20 vendors dish up globe-trotting comfort. Picture Greek pitas from Mama Fofo, chimichurri-soaked Brazilian steak sandwiches, and Mid-West crowd-pleasers — smoky ribs from Pig Pen and nostalgia-laden burgers at Clancy's, still flipped to Carl Fogelsong's 1965 recipe. Directly opposite, the plant's main building has re-emerged as the Bottleworks Hotel, all soaring ceilings, terrazzo floors, and graceful curves. The Art Deco bones remain intact, but tech-smart touches bring the whole place neatly into the now. One place that has remained more or less unchanged is St Elmo, a carnivore haven that is one of the city's last true independent steakhouses. This 120-year-old spot racks up awards for service, romance, and white-tablecloth flair, but the main reason to come is to sink your teeth into prime, perfectly charred beef, and challenge yourself to its signature shrimp cocktail — a fire-breathing starter made with lots and lots of horseradish that lights up your sinuses. St Elmo's Steakhouse ST ELMO'S FIRE The walls of St Elmo's are lined with portraits of famous patrons and sports stars, including plenty of local heroes. The Colts — among the NFL's oldest franchises — made the move from Baltimore in 1983, and now call Lucas Oil Stadium home. You can even take a tour if you're into gridiron cathedrals. But if football's a passion, basketball is religion. Hoosier Hysteria runs deep in the state. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, smack in the middle of downtown (and also worth a tour), hosts the Indiana Pacers (at the time of writing playing in their first NBA finals since 2000) and the Indiana Fever — now packing in crowds thanks to Caitlin Clark, the phenom redefining women's basketball in real time. Victory Field is home to the minor league Indianapolis Indians and serves up pure Americana: Summer nights, cheap bleacher seats, hot dogs in hand and a beer under the lights. It's as close as you'll get to Field of Dreams without stumbling into a cornfield. I only had three days on the ground, but Indy made its case fast. The new Aer Lingus hop is more than a convenient doorway to the Mid-West — it's an invitation to linger. Give the city a couple of days and you'll see why it earns a place on the itinerary, and not just the map. THREE PLACES TO EAT The Garage Food Hall: 20+ vendors selling all kinds of cuisine, from burgers to bao buns. You can eat well here for around $20 St Elmo's Indianapolis' most famous restaurant is an old-school steakhouse, but its signature dish is its super-hot shrimp cocktail starter. Milktooth: For the trendiest breakfast in town, this tchotchke-filled spot tacks hard between tasty and artsy. OUTLAW SPIRIT Indy's bar scene is stacked, yet the Slippery Noodle Inn still steals the spotlight. Open since 1850, the place has worn many hats – brothel, slaughterhouse, speakeasy – and counted hometown outlaw John Dillinger among its regulars (look for the bullet holes in one of the walls). During the Civil War its basement sheltered freedom- seekers on the Underground Railroad, a slice of history you can still step into. These days it's straight-up bar meets live-music haven – no frills but plenty of tall tales between pitchers of local brew. A room at Bottleworks Hotel ESCAPE NOTES Aer Lingus flies four times weekly with fares from €250 each way, Bottleworks Hotel rooms from $179, Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library admission $12, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum admission $25; track tours $15-55, Lucas Oil Stadium tour $20, Gainbridge Fieldhouse tour from $10 per person, Victory Field (Indianapolis Indians), tickets from $15,
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lessor Avolon orders 90 Airbus aircraft to bring total on order above 400
By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) -Global leasing giant Avolon said on Thursday it was ordering 75 A321neo and 15 A330neo aircraft from Airbus, bringing the number of aircraft it is due to receive from the European planemaker over the next eight years to 413. Dublin-based Avolon, the world's second-largest aircraft lessor, said the order included further purchase rights for 25 A321neos and options to buy 15 A330neos. It follows large orders it placed with both Airbus and Boeing in 2023. "We continue to see very strong demand for aircraft. We expect that trend to continue and we expect that demand to outstrip supply of aircraft over the coming years," Avolon Chief Executive Andy Cronin told Reuters. Cronin added that Avolon was also close to placing all of the 40 existing A330neo it has on order with airlines. Avolon was a launch customer for the wide-body jet in 2014. The aircraft leasing sector is responsible for around half of the planes on order with Airbus and Boeing. "Lessors are excellent barometers of the aircraft market. This endorsement illustrates the strong attractiveness to a wide variety of customers of these two aircraft," Benoit de Saint-Exupery, senior vice president of sales at Airbus' commercial aircraft business, said in a statement. Avolon, a subsidiary of China's Bohai Leasing Co Ltd, is due to start taking delivery of around 70 aircraft a year from the two main manufacturers over the next year or so. Cronin said he was confident most of those planes would be delivered on time in 2026 and 2027, but that he would be "fairly surprised" if they all arrived on schedule. Avolon also reported a 36% year-on-year increase in net income in the second quarter on Thursday, the first full quarter to include last year's $5 billion acquisition of smaller rival Castlelake Aviation Limited. Cronin said Avolon was seeing "very, very robust growth" for air travel across the world.
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Airbus secures 90 plane order worth billions of pounds
Airbus has secured a new major plane order. Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, has placed an order for 90 Airbus aircraft. This is made up of 15 A330neo and 75 A321neo in a deal with more than £10bn at list prices. This brings Avolon's total Airbus orders to 79 A330neos and 264 A321neos. Wings for the planes will be assembled at Airbus Broughton in North Wales. Andy Cronin, Avolon CEO, said: 'This order demonstrates our strong confidence in the long-term demand for new aircraft. Our scale and balance sheet position us to support our airline customers' expansion and replacement needs into the next decade. "Both the A321neo and A330neo are in high demand, and we expect this to continue given the long-term growth trajectory for the aviation sector. We are delighted to be expanding and extending our long-term partnership with Airbus with this order.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said: 'Lessors are excellent barometers of the aircraft market, and we are grateful to Avolon for expanding its commitment for the A320 Family and A330neo, so soon after an earlier order two years ago. "This endorsement illustrates the strong attractiveness to a wide variety of customers of these two aircraft, the most efficient in their category with the latest technologies embedded, covering the market space from domestic to regional to long haul routes. We value this partnership which has helped open new markets and broaden the customer base for both aircraft types." Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 has a range of 7,200nm / 13,300 km non-stop and reduces fuel burn, CO2 emissions and operating cost by 25% compared to the previous generation aircraft. The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus' best-selling A320neo Family and brings a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft. As with all in-production aircraft, the A330neo and A321neo are able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with a target to increase to up to 100% SAF capability by 2030.
Business Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Post
Avolon signs deal for 90 new Airbus aircraft as global demand soars
Business Post subscribers can read: • Why Avolon's deal with Airbus marks a turning point in global aircraft demand • How the new order reflects a shift toward quieter, more fuel-efficient jets Avolon, the Irish aircraft leasing and financing company, said it has placed an order with Airbus for 90 aircraft. The order includes 75 A321neo single-aisle ...
