Category Archives: Airports

Prix Versailles reveals the world’s most beautiful airports of 2026

16 Tuesday Jun 2026

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Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

PARIS — Prix Versailles, which administers international architecture and design prizes, has revealed its list of the world’s most beautiful airports for 2026, and a majority of them are in Asia.

The seven airports are Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – Terminal 3 in Guangzhou, China; Frankfurt Airport – Terminal 3 in Frankfurt, Germany; Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport – Terminal 2 in Guwahati, India; Navi Mumbai International Airport – Terminal 1 in Navi Mumbai, India; Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Pittsburgh International Airport in the United States and San Diego International Airport – Terminal 1 in the U.S.

Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati, India.

Featuring distinctive designs, these projects show how airports are redefining established norms to create a more inspiring and balanced perspective for global travelers, Prix Versailles said Monday.

“Whether they have newly appeared on the horizon or undergone a major renovation, contemporary airports and airport terminals are innovative, inescapable hallmarks of their regions and their eras,” said Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the awards organization.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, China.

At the end of the year, three projects from the list will be honored with a World Title in the Prix Versailles, Interior or Exterior categories.

Through its awards program, Prix Versailles seeks to advance a vision of intelligent sustainability that integrates cultural values while extending beyond purely environmental considerations.

All images are courtesy of Prix Versailles.

Alaska Airlines unveils new livery, inspired by the Northern Lights

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Airlines, Airports, Alaska Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Business

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Alaska Airlines said its new livery was inspired by the Northern Lights.

SEATTLE – Alaska Airlines unveiled a new livery on Tuesday as the company sets sights on becoming a premium global carrier.

The U.S. airline, which already flies to over 140 destinations, also announced that it will launch two new nonstop routes to London and Reykjavik from its Seattle hub, starting next spring.

They will be the fourth and fifth of at least 12 intercontinental destinations Alaska plans to serve from Seattle by the end of this decade.

“With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world,” said Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci. “We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care and performance that’s always defined us.”

The airline said the new livery on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners was inspired by the Northern Lights.

Alaska calls the design “the first phase of a new global experience for long-haul flying” on the aircraft.

The 787s with the new livery will debut in January, and the airline hopes to have its entire fleet of 17 Dreamliners to feature the new design by spring.

“Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska’s transition to a global airline with beauty, grace and a nod to our heritage,” said Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison.

The daily Seattle-London Dreamliner flight will feature 34 enclosed suites with fully lie-flat seats in Business Class, the airline said. The service will operate throughout the year.

On the seasonal Reykjavik route, Alaska will operate a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, Alaska added.

Images are courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

EBAA considers new venues for air show

20 Tuesday May 2025

Posted by in Airports, Airshow, EBACE

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The European Business Aviation Association is considering new venues for its flagship air show known as EBACE, the organization said Monday.

The announcement came on the eve of the opening of the 2025 edition of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva.

For the first time, the show opened without a static display of business aircraft.

The association said it is “rethinking the event format to better engage high net worth individuals” and reconsidering bringing back the static display.

“Our goal is to reimagine EBACE with and for our stakeholders,” EBAA Secretary General Holger Krahmer (right) told a media briefing.

“While changes take time, one thing remains clear to us: the industry needs EBACE and it remains the right place to meet the right people in business aviation.”

More details are expected to be released at a news conference on June 30.

Images are courtesy of EBAA

Airbus unveils concepts for zero-emission aircraft

21 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Biofuel, Business, Hydrogen, Zero-emission

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Airbus ZEROe

The blended-wing body design for up to 200 passengers.

Toulouse, France — Airbus has revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft, which could enter service by 2035.

Each represents a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight, Airbus said Monday.

The three concepts — all codenamed ZEROe for climate-neutral zero-emission commercial aircraft — are:

ZEROe

The turbofan design for up to 200 passengers.

A turbofan design (120-200 passengers) with a range of 2,000+ nautical miles, capable of operating transcontinentally and powered by a modified gas-turbine engine running on hydrogen, rather than jet fuel, through combustion. The liquid hydrogen will be stored and distributed via tanks located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.

A turboprop design  (up to 100 passengers) using a  turboprop engine instead of a turbofan, and also powered by hydrogen combustion in modified gas-turbine engines, which would be capable of traveling more than 1,000 nautical miles, making it a perfect option for short-haul trips.

A blended-wing body design (up to 200 passengers) concept in which the wings merge with the main body of the aircraft with a range similar to that of the turbofan concept. The exceptionally wide fuselage opens up multiple options for hydrogen storage and distribution, and for cabin layout.

ZEROe

The turbofan design for up to 100 passengers.

All of these concepts rely on hydrogen as a primary power source, an option which Airbus believes holds exceptional promise as a clean aviation fuel.

“This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

“I strongly believe that the use of  hydrogen, both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft, has the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact.”

  • All images are courtesy of Airbus

 

Air New Zealand unveils ‘a game changer’

25 Tuesday Feb 2020

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ANZANZ2AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Air New Zealand has unveiled sleeping pods for longhaul economy passengers, calling it “a game changer”.

The Economy Skynest, which would provide six full length lie-flat sleeping spaces, is the result of three years of research and development, the airline said Wednesday.

The company has filed patent and trademark applications for the Skynest.

Air New Zealand plans to make Skynest available on longhaul flights, but the airline said a decision will only be made after it assesses the success of the upcoming Auckland-New York service. That flight would take 17 hours and 40 minutes.

“We have a tremendous amount of development work underway looking at product innovations we can bring across all cabins of the aircraft,” said chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod.

“A clear pain point for economy travelers on longhaul flights is the inability to stretch out. The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge.”

ANZ 3Customer and cabin crew feedback on the Skynest during its final phase of development has been outstanding, said Nikki Goodman, general manager of customer experience.

“We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on longhaul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go. This is a game changer on so many levels,” said Goodman.

All images are courtesy of Air New Zealand.

Boeing 777X takes to the skies

26 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 777X, Business, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Technology, Travel, UAE

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777X

The Boeing 777X takes off from Everett, Wash., on Saturday.

SEATTLE, Wash. — “The 777X flew beautifully,” said Capt. Van Chaney after successfully flying Boeing’s newest aircraft Saturday.

“Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again,” added the chief pilot for 777X test and evaluation

With that first flight, the world’s longest and largest twin-engine airliner entered the next phase of its test program.

The 777-9X is based on the popular 777.

777XThe aircraft took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:09 a.m. local time for a three-hour, 51-minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field, the company said.

Chaney called the flight very productive.

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days, Boeing said.

“Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Today’s safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe.”

Boeing has won 340 orders and commitments for the 777X from leading carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

The first delivery is expected in 2021.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.

 

Global lands at Pearson Airport

04 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in Aircraft, Airports, Bombardier, Business Aircraft, Global 7500, News

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Bombardier

An artists’s impression of the new Global Manufacturing Centre.

GlobalBombardier is building a new final assembly facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for its Global business jets.

The company has signed a long-term lease agreement with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the operator of Pearson, to build its new state-of-the art Global Manufacturing Centre at the airport, Bombardier announced Wednesday.

The current Global completion center is in Downsview, about 20 kilometres east of the new site in Mississauga, Ont., where first production activities are expected to begin in 2023.

The site will optimize final assembly operations for all Global business jets, including the flagship Global 7500, Bombardier said.

“This is a strategic move for Bombardier and a strong commitment to Ontario’s aerospace industry,” said Alain Bellemare, president and chief executive officer of Bombardier Inc.

“It will allow us to offer world-class career opportunities and continue fueling the economic development of the region for years to come.”

The 1-million sq-ft facility will combine thousands of highly-skilled employees with 21st century production and tooling innovation, the company said.

The Global 7500 forms a major portion of Bombardier’s aircraft order backlog of $15.3 billion.

Images are courtesy of Bombardier.

Air Canada flying high with new honors

02 Monday Dec 2019

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Air Canada

Calin Rovinescu

Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu

Just last week, Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu was named the CEO of the Year by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine.

This week, the airline is celebrating another achievement – it has been recognized as the 2019 Airline of the Year by industry publication Global Traveler.

“The success we have had transforming our airline into a leading global carrier is being recognized worldwide and we continue to invest in new aircraft, onboard services, airport amenities and a new loyalty program to build on our leading position,” Rovinescu said.

“Mostly, however, this award recognizes the hard work of our employees and their commitment to deliver customer service excellence every day, for which I thank them,” he added.

The airline said Global Traveler’s advisory board weighed the nominees’ financial data, safety records, product offerings, onboard menus and overall image as a brand before selecting Air Canada as Airline of the Year.

Maple Leaf Lounge

Maple Leaf Lounge offers dishes prepared by celebrity chefs.

Since 2010, Rovinescu has presided over a rapid expansion of the airline, investing $12 billion on new aircraft and routes.

Rovinescu’s fleet renewal program has seen the deployment of new Boeing 777s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The airline’s popular Maple Leaf Lounge, featuring dishes prepared by celebrity chefs, is also part of his program to elevate the travel experience.

Rovinescu has been at the helm of Air Canada since early 2009.

Images are courtesy of Air Canada.

Dubai Airshow order book tops $54 billion

21 Thursday Nov 2019

Posted by in Airbus, Airbus A350XWB, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Canada, Dreamliners, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Emirates

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Airbus A350XWBAir ArabiaDUBAI – Deals worth $54.5 billion were reached at the latest edition of the Dubai Airshow, which closed on Thursday, the event’s organizers said.

Airbus was the biggest winner — it secured two blockbuster deals worth $30 billion. Dubai’s Emirates Airline ordered 50 A350-XWB jets, valued at $16 billion. 

Airbus also signed an agreement to sell 120 A320neo aircraft to the budget carrier Air Arabia, based in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah. That deal was worth $14 billion.

Emirates, meanwhile, finalized a purchase agreement for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $8.8 billion.

De Havilland CanadaDe Havilland Canada, which returned to the show after many years, won a number of orders for its Dash 8-400 aircraft from companies in the UAE, Russia and Nigeria.

Searidge Technologies, a Canadian company providing remote tower and digital airport solutions, was a first-time exhibitor.

Searidge TechnologiesAirservices Australia selected Searidge’s  digital tower solution for an initial prototype at Sydney Airport.

The program’s define stage is currently underway and scheduled to be completed by March 2020, Searidge said.

The 2019 show recorded a 10% rise in exhibitor attendance, and the organizers are now predicting an even bigger event in 2021.

“We always want to outperform our last show, and 2019 has gone above and beyond expectation, with so much great business being done alongside an engaging and innovative program of conferences, exhibits and flying displays,” said Michele van Akelijen, managing director of show organizers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East.

“We have already seen exhibitors rebooking for the next edition.”

 

Emirates adds A350-XWB to its fleet

18 Monday Nov 2019

Posted by in A350XWB, Airbus A350XWB, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Airshow, Aviation, Buisness, Emirates, Europe, European Union, Rolls-Royce

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Airbus A350XWBEmirates AirlineDUBAI – The world’s largest international airline is adding the Airbus A350-900 extra widebody aircraft to it fleet.

Emirates Airline announced a firm order for 50 A350-900 XWB aircraft worth $16 billion at the Dubai Airshow on Monday.

The airplanes will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Delivery is expected to begin in May 2023 and will continue through 2028, the airline said.

The deal was signed by Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

“Complementing our A380s and 777s, the A350s will give us added operational flexibility in terms of capacity, range and deployment,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

“In effect, we are strengthening our business model to provide efficient and comfortable air transport services to, and through, our Dubai hub.”

Faury said the A350 will bring unbeatable economics and environmental benefits to Emirates. The airline operates an all-widebody fleet comprising the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777.

 

Airbus biz jets are now just a click away

23 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Airshow, Aviation, iflyACJ.com

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Airbus ACJLAS VEGAS, Nev. – Airbus has teamed up with 12 Airbus Corporate Jet operators worldwide to make VIP travel smooth.

Under a plan unveiled this week, Airbus jets can be chartered from any of the operators through the dedicated iflyACJ.com website.

The site was launched at the National Business Aviation Association’s Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

“The new website will appeal to VIP travelers because it groups together in a single place information about the Airbus corporate jet offerings of 12 operators such as details of their spacious cabins, characteristics and tailored on-board services,” Airbus said.

“Its simplicity enables users to find details about each ACJ VIP charter offering in a single click.”

ACJ operator fleets include the ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ340.

“For the first time, we connect business jet travelers to ACJ operators – just click to book a unique flying experience,” said ACJ president Benoit Defforge.

The participating airlines are:

  • Acropolis Aviation
  • AirX Charter
  • Comlux
  • Constellation Aviation
  • Emirates
  • Eva Air
  • Global Jet
  • K5 Aviation
  • MasterJet
  • MJet
  • Nomad Aviation
  • Tyrolean Jet ServiceACJACJACJAll images are courtesy of Airbus Corporate Jets.

 

NBAA show focuses on sustainability

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Airports, Airshow, Aviation, Biofuel, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, EBACE, Technology

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NBAA-BACELAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sustainability is the main focus of this week’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

As part of the show, Henderson Executive Airport will for the first time in its history make available Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the National Business Aviation Association said.

“Some 100 airplanes will take on the renewable fuel at the Clark County-owned and operated airport this week, including those on display at the show.”

SAF is a non-fossil power source that can reduce aviation’s carbon lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent.

“After planes refuel and depart at the show’s close Oct. 24, an estimated 150,000 gallons of SAF are expected to have been pumped at the airport in conjunction with NBAA’s convention,” the NBAA said.

The NBAA is also holding various events throughout the week to promote sustainability.

‘Jetman’ to inspire delegates at NBAA event

12 Saturday Oct 2019

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Airshow, Aviation, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, EBACE18, Las Vegas Convention Center, NBAA, NBAA-BACE, News

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“Jetman” Yves Rossy

“Jetman” Yves Rossy speaks at EBACE 2018 in Geneva.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The first man to fly with a jet-propelled wing will be among the key speakers at this year’s National Business Aviation Association convention and exhibition, which opens in Las Vegas on Oct. 21, the group announced.

“Jetman” Yves Rossy is the inventor of the so-called jet packs. The Swiss fighter pilot has been a sought-after speaker at aviation events since he first flew them in 2006.

Rossy enthralled the audience at the opening of the European Business Aviation convention and exhibition in Geneva in 2018.

“We are delighted to have ‘Jetman’ Yves Rossy speak at NBAA-BACE,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

“His talk is sure to thrill and inspire attendees about possibilities for the future of flight. The ability to fly is one of the most fundamental human aspirations, and we’re looking forward to hearing Rossy’s motivational stories.”

Other major speakers include NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Maj.-Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, America’s first female fighter pilot.

Photo by Abdul Latheef

 

Airbus celebrates a major milestone

20 Monday May 2019

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Bombardier, Buisness, Canada, CS100, Delta Air Lines, Life

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AirbusThe first Airbus aircraft, an A300B2, was delivered to Air France in 1974. Forty-five years on, Airbus is celebrating the delivery of its 12,000th aircraft.

The Airbus A220-100, previously known as the Bombardier CS100, was assembled in Mirabel, Canada, and handed over to Delta Air Lines on Monday.

Delta received its first A220 last October. The aircraft delivered on Monday was its 12th. The airline has placed a firm order for 90 A220s.

A2

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Bombardier steals the show with new jets

27 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Aircraft, Airports, Airshow, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Canada, EBACE18, Geneva, Life, Luxury Travel, Rolls-Royce, Transport, Travel, Travel Blog

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_DSC9351Bombardier has added two more aircraft to its Global family of business jets that the company says will deliver “unmatched total performance”.

The Global 5500 and the Global 6500 were launched ahead of this week’s opening of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, EBACE 2018, in Geneva.

_DSC9327

David Coleal

“Bombardier’s two newest Global aircraft are the result of our unrelenting commitment to innovation, excellence and most of all, our desire to deliver unmatched capabilities to our customers,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, as he unveiled the Global 6500 at a TAG Aviation hangar on Sunday.

_DSC9337

The Rolls-Royce Pearl

The Global 5500 can connect Sao Paulo and Paris, and Moscow and Los Angeles while the Global 6500 can connect Hong Kong or Singapore and London, and Toluca and Madrid, the company said.

An all-new Rolls-Royce engine will power the aircraft. The jets are expected to enter service at the end of 2019.

All photos are by Abdul Latheef