Latest news with #AscendAirways
Travel Daily News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Ascend Airways adds 5th aircraft to growing fleet, secures Canadian AOC
Ascend Airways adds fifth Boeing 737-8 MAX, gains Canadian FAOC, and accelerates expansion to meet rising demand for fuel-efficient ACMI services. Ascend Airways, UK-based ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter airline, has taken delivery of its 5th aircraft – Boeing 737-8 MAX. Part of Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI provider, the airline has also secured its Canadian Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC), marking another significant milestone in its rapid expansion. The aircraft, registered as G-ULIT, received its Certificate of Airworthiness on June 3, 2025 and will be immediately deployed onto a long-term wet lease contract. This addition represents the fourth Boeing 737-8 MAX in Ascend Airways' fleet. 'I want to thank the entire team at Ascend Airways for their hard work and dedication in adding three aircraft over the past two months,' says Alastair Willson, CEO of Ascend Airways. 'Our growing fleet positions us perfectly to meet the growing demand for reliable ACMI services in the UK and other markets with the newest generation of aircraft.' This has been a year of significant growth for the company, which started 2025 with just two aircraft and now operates five. The airline plans to add further Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft over the coming months, with the goal of operating a total of eight aircraft by year-end. The Boeing 737-8 MAX aligns with Ascend Airways' strategy of offering the latest technology and most fuel-efficient aircraft to customers. The MAX 8 reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and has a 40% lower noise footprint compared to previous-generation aircraft, enabling customers to reduce their environmental impact when adding capacity. In addition to fleet expansion, Ascend Airways has received its Canadian FAOC, which allows the airline to commence ACMI operations in Canada. The approval comes in time for the peak season of travel in Canada during the IATA Winter season of which Ascend Airways currently has availability on B737-8 MAX aircraft. Ascend Airways is also in the final stages of gaining it's FAA 129 approvals which will allow the Airline to operate ACMI and Charter flights to the US and also in the process of gaining it's IOSA approvals.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Ascend Airways Malaysia now in Phase 3 of AOC application process
KUALA LUMPUR: Ascend Airways Malaysia, a new Malaysia-based airline, has advanced to Phase 3 of its air operator certificate (AOC) application process, it said in a statement issued today. The Kuala Lumpur-based ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) and charter airline will be offering both passenger and cargo operations. A part of Avia Solutions Group, the largest ACMI provider in the world, the airline is targeting to launch its first cargo operations in November 2025, with passenger flights to follow. Ascend Airways Malaysia was granted its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) in 2024, and has since been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The process is currently in its final stages, with full flight operations expected to commence by end-2025. 'Ascend Airways remains focused and committed to deliver flexible ACMI solutions and develop its seasonal fleet strategy between the UK and Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region," said Alastair Willson, CEO of the UK-based Ascend Airways, the sister company of Ascend Airways Malaysia.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ascend Airways Malaysia targets B737-800 cargo take-off in November
KUALA LUMPUR: Ascend Airways Malaysia is set to take off in November 2025 with its first cargo flights, followed by passenger services as part of its strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific aviation market. Chief executive officer (CEO) Germal Singh Khera said the airline will receive its first Boeing 737-800 freighter in Q3 2025, supporting its cargo launch. Two additional 737-800s, configured for passenger service, "As it is our mission to support the growth of local and regional airlines, we want to become a trusted Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) partner that can help them increase operational agility and capture the rising demand for passenger and cargo operations, which is on the rise in the Asia Pacific region," Khera said in a statement today. Ascend Airways Malaysia's entry into the local market was first reported by Business Times in March this year. Ascend Airways Malaysia, a sister airline of UK-based Ascend Airways, is in the final stages of securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). It obtained a conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) in November 2024. "As a new ACMI airline in Malaysia, we are continuously grateful for the support, global outlook and proactive approach we receive from the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, Mavcom and other relevant authorities that are advancing the aviation industry in Malaysia," Khera said. He added that Ascend Airways Malaysia's full flight operations are expected to start by the end of 2025. Ascend Airways Malaysia will operate under a wet-lease model, providing ready-to-fly aircraft complete with crew, maintenance, and insurance to airlines and logistics providers. Its ACMI services allow air operators to scale their capacity during peak seasons or manage operational challenges such as unexpected flight disruptions and prolonged maintenance. Ascend Airways UK CEO Alastair Wilson said Ascend Airways remains focused and committed to delivering flexible ACMI solutions and developing its seasonal fleet strategy between the UK and Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region. "ACMI is a proven solution for airlines seeking to efficiently meet dynamic travel demand and unlock new revenue opportunities. We are resolute in our aspirations to be leaders in this space," he added. Ascend Airways Malaysia is part of Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group (ASG), the world's largest ACMI provider, and plays a key role in the group's broader expansion strategy in Asia-Pacific. The airline has an AOC in Indonesia and plans to add three more AOCs in the region by the end of 2026, with applications already initiated in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. ASG has over 200 aircraft in its fleet spanning cargo aviation, ground handling, aircraft leasing, and repair and overhaul (MRO) for aircraft and helicopters.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Gatwick in major security breach after ticketless maniac snuck through security to board Tui flight to Spain
GATWICK Airport suffered a major security scare when a maniac snuck through security and tried to get on a plane – before being tackled by hero passengers. William Jonzi, 24, followed a paying customer through the e-gates at the major international airport before attempting to jump on a flight with no documents last Wednesday morning. 4 4 4 The man was tackled to the floor when he 'went berserk' and began shouting while trying to board the TUI jet to Spanish holiday hotspot Palma de Mallorca at 6am. Jonzi snuck past cops and security by getting through the south terminal's automatic security gates with another passenger, who was unknowingly 'tailgated'. He then roamed freely airside before making his way to Gate 23, where the plane, operated by Ascend Airways on TUI's behalf, was about to depart. Jimmy McBride, who was on the flight to Spain, told The Sun he grabbed Jonzi and forced him to the ground in front of terrified children and families after spotting him acting erratically. The father, of Sussex, told The Sun he felt 'something was off' as Jonzi charged towards the 6am flight while shouting 'I've got to get on the plane'. He said: 'I grabbed him as he got two feet on the plane. He was trying to get on and get towards the passengers. 'He tried to come on with another woman and pretended her pram was his. 'The cabin crew had told him he wasn't coming on the flight. When he tried to get on, they told him, 'Sir, we've told you, you can't come on.' 'I caught him and got him to the ground, but the crew thought it was a fight and told me to get off him, as if I was beating him up for no reason.' The plane's crew are said to have held Jonzi at the front of the aircraft until the police arrived. Fellow passenger Dayna White, 29, was confronted by Jonzi as he tried to board the flight alongside her mother Andrea. The mum, who was looking forward to a 10-night family holiday, said: 'It was a bit concerning. "It's my first holiday with my child, so it wasn't a good experience. 'We're going to put a complaint in. He had been loitering around, so it's hardly as if it was a shock that he'd try to get on that plane.' The flight eventually took off at 8.20am – two hours and 20 minutes later than scheduled. Jonzi, of Croydon, South London, appeared at Crawley magistrates' court last Thursday and pleaded guilty to entering the protected security area of an airport without permission. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £89 in costs and surcharges. Last year, we revealed how A week later, a Brit man managed to undetected. Tui sources said the plane was operated by another carrier, which was working with the police. Gatwick Airport declined to comment.
