Latest news with #aviationindustry
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to redeploy aircraft to Europe; cites 3 key exit reasons
Wizz Air, the ultra-low-cost carrier, announced that aircraft previously dedicated to its Abu Dhabi operations will be redeployed to serve European destinations after its exit to improve financial performance. "Planes will be migrated to Europe where they will be able to generate better financial performance," the airline said in a presentation after the first-quarter results. The exit from Abu Dhabi joint venture would result in an immediate elimination of loss-making operations, it added. The carrier cited three key factors earlier this month for its decision to withdraw from Abu Dhabi. These include engine reliability constraints due to hot and harsh environments; geopolitical volatility and regulatory barriers, which have limited the company's ability to access and scale in key markets. Industry insiders said there was strong competition from the local low-cost players, which prompted the carrier to exit the market. The airline said passengers with existing bookings beyond August 31, 2025, will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The above suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group, it said. It noted that Wizz Ai Abi Dhabi's current network flights were below Wizz Group's target metrics. In 2024, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi reported more than 20 per cent year-on-year growth in seat capacity and the number of passengers carried. The airline operated more than 19,000 flights, providing more than 4.4 million ultra-low-cost seats, and carrying more than 3.5 million point-to-point passengers, contributing 25 per cent to Zayed International Airport's point-to-point traffic. Wizz Air carried more than 1.2 million international visitors to Abu Dhabi in 2024. As Wizz Air employees struggle with the sudden announcement of the airline's exit from the UAE market, despite its strong performance and popularity among budget travellers, Etihad Airways said it is open to hiring employees of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. Around 450 Wizz Air Abu Dhabi employees are in limbo due to the suspension of operations, Bloomberg reported earlier. Wizz Air, the parent company, returned to a full fiscal year of profitable operations last year as it reported a net profit of €365.9 million compared to €535.1 million loss in the previous year. In addition, Wizz Group said that the divestments from the Abu Dhabi also release ot from 'managerial focus.' The aviation sector is growing in the region, which is also making it more competitive. In July, Saudi Arabia awarded a licence to a consortium which includes Sharjah-headquartered Air Arabia. There are a few other low-cost carriers such as Jazeera Airways, SalamAir, flynas and flyadeal.
Sky News
7 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
New plant for Sizewell and challenges at Boeing
This episode looks at two developments in the business world. We speak to a representative from Centrica about plans for a new nuclear plant at Sizewell and what it means for the UK's energy future. We also hear from an airline executive about Boeing's current challenges following the Air India crash and what it means for safety, trust and the wider aviation industry.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
As nation prepares for air traffic control overhaul, Vaughn College in Queens aims to be part of the solution. Here's how.
A college in Queens wants to be part of the solution when it comes to overhauling our country's air traffic control system. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Congress it will take more than $31 billion to get it done nationwide, and he said time is of the essence. Vaughn College in Queens is full of students who say they're ready to face the aviation industry's biggest challenges — from staffing shortages to equipment failures. Training there encompasses everything from pilots running simulations over Long Island to aviation management majors who want to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. "It really starts to turn the gears in my head wondering, how did we get here? How can we implement solutions in the future so it doesn't happen again?" student Elvira Pereyaslov said. President Trump's tax and spending bill includes more than $12 billion to get started on a major overhaul of the nation's air traffic control system. Duffy, however, told Congress the project will need tens of billions more. He said he wants to build a new version of the system by 2028 to address recent equipment failures. "As the federal government decides the equipment and what it's going to look like, and where do they start — we're hoping New York. So goes New York, so goes the country," Vaughn College president Sharon DeVivo said. And as CBS News New York was first to report back in the spring, Vaughn College will soon train some new FAA air traffic control hires on campus. The goal of that new program is to fight a nationwide air traffic controller shortage and get more controllers on the job faster. "We've been approved by the FAA. We're ready to go. We've got new equipment. Our instructors helped design that curriculum," DeVivo said. The team at Vaughn said they'll launch that new program this fall. They say they're starting small, with about 9-15 trainees.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Qantas flight declares mid-air emergency with 63 people on board
A Qantas flight is understood to be attempting an emergency landing in Mildura. Sources said the plane had 'lost hydraulics on its wing flaps'. More to come...
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Flight attendant exposes the huge issue airlines refuse to fix because it might 'offend' passengers - but it's making life hell for cabin crew
A former flight attendant has claimed airlines refuse to educate passengers about the proper etiquette of using plane toilets out of fear it will offend some of them. Marcus Daniels left his role in the aviation industry in 2019 after spending more than five years working as a flight attendant in Australia and the Middle East. While there were plenty of positives and negatives to the job, Mr Daniels highlighted one major issue with international flights: a lack of education about toilets. He has dozens of horror stories about the messes passengers would leave behind, mostly due to them having never used a Western-style toilet before. 'As cabin crew, you notice it happens on specific flights to specific destinations. We'll chat and find other crew picked up on the trend too,' Mr Daniels said. 'On those flights, passengers will defecate on the floor and you just do your best to smile and not say anything. 'You get used to it after a while and can start mentally preparing yourself for those flights.' In particular, Mr Daniels noted the affected routes were mainly those stopping in developing countries. 'It's not really a problem in first-world countries because we know how to use western toilets,' he said. 'Most of the confused passengers don't speak English as their first language so we can't really explain how to use the toilet. 'The issue is education. If they knew how to use the toilets, they would. 'It would be great if there were visual guides showing how to use the toilet properly, rather than just guides for flushing.' The issue may come as a shock to those who think of flight attending as a glamorous job, but Mr Daniels claimed the clean-ups were a regular occurrence. 'On these routes, we're having to constantly check the toilets to make sure they're clean and the toilet rolls aren't stuffed down the bins,' he said. 'On one flight I had a passenger who kept peeing on the floor. I tried to show her how to use the toilet, and she would nod and agree, then do it again. 'It got to the point where it was unsanitary for me as well so I had to lock off the toilet for the rest of the flight.' Despite the problem being well-known among international cabin crew, it has been largely ignored by airlines. 'Airlines are very particular about how they communicate with customers because they don't want to offend anyone,' Mr Daniels said. 'All of us are trying to be accepting of all cultures. However, there needs to be some kind of video or visual guide about using and keeping the toilets clean. 'It would be a dream come true. I have friends who are still working these routes and, nine years later, it's still an issue.'
