Category Archives: Airports

Toronto Pearson, Ingenium launch aviation education program

07 Wednesday Oct 2026

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The program will connect more than 1,600 students with real-world aviation careers through the airport. Photo: Toronto Pearson.

TORONTO – Canada’s largest airport is joining forces with the country’s premier science museum network to offer an aviation education program to high school students.

The program, announced Tuesday by Toronto Pearson and Ingenium, will connect more than 1,600 students with real-world aviation careers through the airport.

It will introduce students to careers in aircraft and airfield operations, customer and passenger services, safety and emergency services, skilled trades and facilities maintenance, the partners said.

Photo: Toronto Pearson.

Beginning in spring 2027, Toronto Pearson will bring the program into schools, combining classroom learning with hands-on experiences and exposure to aviation careers.

The program will be delivered through three pathways, Engage, Empower and Embed.

Engage will feature classroom presentations and career conversations, while Empower will provide workshop days focused on experiential learning and skills development. Embed will give students an opportunity to present solutions to real-world aviation and airport challenges.

Toronto Pearson supports a workforce of more than 52,000 people. The program aims to have 50% participation from equity-deserving communities, with a focus on students underrepresented in STEM fields, newcomers and youth from underserved communities.

Image: Ingenium.

The partners will begin co-developing the curriculum and learning experiences this fall, with the program continuing through spring 2028.

The Ingenium network comprises three national museums in Ottawa: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

Canada opens up four key airports to private investment

15 Tuesday Sep 2026

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The airports are in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada’s largest. Photo: GTAA.

TORONTO – Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Tuesday that his government will seek private investment to operate Canada’s four largest airports while retaining ownership of their land and assets.

Carney was addressing business leaders from around the world gathered in Toronto for the first Canada Investment Summit, which aims to mobilize C$1 trillion for 167 projects by 2030.

Mark Carney at a campaign rally in 2025. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

“Following best practice in other countries, the Government of Canada will retain ownership of the underlying land and assets, but we will unlock their true value, by bringing new capital and expertise to their operations and growth,” he said.

“We will reinvest the tens of billions of dollars of capital we raise into the infrastructure that Canada needs for the next generation.”

The announcement came amid speculation that the government was planning to privatize the airports outright.

The Canadian Labour Congress warned in a report released last week that privatization would “put upward pressure on the cost of flying and put airport workers at risk.”

Carney, however, stressed what his government is offering is a long-term concession, not privatization. He said the investment will help provide better and more affordable air connections to regional and remote communities.

Carney noted that Canadian pension funds already invest successfully in many airports around the world.

“It is time to bring that same expertise home to more directly benefit all Canadians,” the prime minister added.

ICAO seeks to strengthen air connectivity to boost global economy

05 Saturday Sep 2026

Posted by in Aviation, Airlines, Airports, ICAO, Transport, Travel

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The UN agency will host the seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in Montreal in November. Photo: ICAO.

MONTREAL – The International Civil Aviation Organization has urged governments to strengthen international air connectivity, warning that service disruptions and gaps between markets threaten economic growth and supply chains.

The UN aviation agency is making the case ahead of the seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in November, the first such gathering in more than a decade.

Image: ICAO.

The conference will seek agreement among governments, regulators and industry leaders on reforms to the global economic framework for aviation.

International aviation carries more than a third of the world’s trade by value and is critical to trade, investment, tourism and workforce mobility, ICAO said Friday.

But smaller markets and emerging economies often face higher costs, less frequent service and less reliable connections. The disparity was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, when lower-density markets generally recovered more slowly and some air links disappeared.

ICAO said outdated international air service agreements, many of which were designed to protect national carriers, can restrict market access and competition. Airport congestion, limited slots and lengthy landing permit approvals can also hinder the launch of new services.

Low-density routes are particularly vulnerable because airlines tend to prioritize markets with stable demand and predictable revenues, the agency said.

ICAO is calling for broader market access, greater competition and closer cooperation among governments on aviation, customs and border policies. It also supports streamlined approvals, more flexible visa regimes and partnerships such as codesharing to help airlines serve more markets.

The agency said governments also need to update regulatory frameworks to accommodate new technologies and business models while supporting long-term investment.

The November conference is part of ICAO’s effort to advance its vision of air transport for all by 2050.

Global air passenger traffic returns to growth

31 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Airlines, Airports, IATA, Transport, Travel

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GENEVA – Global air passenger traffic returned to growth in July after three consecutive months of contraction, although the recovery was modest as the industry continued to feel the effects of the Iran war, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Chart: IATA.

Passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, rose 0.2% from a year earlier, IATA said Monday. The increase followed declines in April, May and June.

Airlines added 0.3% more capacity in July, while the global passenger load factor slipped 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier to 85.2%.

International passenger demand fell 0.1% year over year, while domestic traffic increased 0.6%. Excluding carriers in the Middle East, international demand would have increased 1.5%, IATA said.

“Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East,” IATA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen said.

She said traffic through Gulf hubs continued to recover, while airlines remained confident about demand despite high fuel prices, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Airlines are planning to increase seat capacity by almost 3% in September, IATA said.

Regional results varied widely. European airlines recorded a 3.1% increase in international demand, while Latin American and African carriers posted gains of 7.1% and 6.4%, respectively.

Photo: IATA.

North American carriers reported a 2.3% decline in international demand, while Middle Eastern airlines saw demand fall 9.5%. Asia-Pacific carriers recorded a 0.7% decline.

Passenger traffic between Europe and Asia grew 12.1%, the strongest increase among major international routes, according to IATA.

Domestic traffic rose 0.6% globally, with China and Brazil posting strong gains. Demand declined in the United States, Australia and India.

IATA represents more than 370 airlines that account for about 85% of scheduled air traffic.

JetBlue to open second BlueHouse lounge

24 Monday Aug 2026

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The Boston BlueHouse will be the airline’s second airport lounge. Photo: JetBlue.

BOSTON – JetBlue Airways Corp. said Monday it will open its second BlueHouse airport lounge this week at Boston Logan International Airport, expanding its premium lounge offering and access for customers traveling in its Mint cabin.

Photo: JetBlue.

The 12,000-square-foot lounge in Terminal C is scheduled to open Thursday morning.

The lounge is designed around the character of Boston and greater New England, with residential touches, local materials, copper accents and curated artwork.

JetBlue said complimentary lounge access also will expand to customers departing on confirmed Mint or Mint Flex fares, including domestic and international flights.

It comprises a central bar, dining rooms, work areas, quiet spaces and high-speed Wi-Fi.

The Boston location follows the opening of JetBlue’s first BlueHouse at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in December.

JetBlue has described BlueHouse as a signature benefit for its most loyal customers and premium travelers. The lounges are part of the airline’s broader strategy to provide more premium, customer-focused experiences.

JetBlue flies to more than 100 destinations in the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. The airline identifies Boston as its second-largest focus city.

Mitsubishi-led consortium to build world’s largest airport people mover in Dubai

21 Friday Aug 2026

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The 50-km people mover will be ready by 2031. Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

TOKYO – A consortium led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the world’s largest automated airport people mover, a 50-kilometer system that will connect nine stations at Dubai’s planned Al Maktoum International Airport, the company said Thursday.

The system will be built as part of the first phase of development of the airport in the United Arab Emirates. Completion is scheduled for December 2031.

Image: L&T.

MHI and its Dubai-based subsidiary, MHI Mobility Engineering Services, will lead the consortium that includes Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro.

The consortium will provide 165 automated people mover vehicles and the signaling system, along with system integration and other infrastructure.

Dubai Aviation City Corp., a Dubai government entity, awarded the contract to the consortium. No financial details were disclosed.

APM systems are used worldwide to connect airport terminals, provide transportation in areas near airports and serve as urban transportation systems.

Among the world’s largest airport APM systems currently in operation are Skylink at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in the United States, which has the longest route at about 8 kilometers, and the Plane Train at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also in the U.S. It is the world’s most heavily traveled airport APM, carrying about 91 million passengers annually.

The new Dubai system will connect terminals and other major airport facilities. Al Maktoum International is planned to become a major international aviation hub, with the airport targeted to eventually handle 260 million passengers annually.

MHI already provides automated people mover systems and services in Dubai.

The company completed an automated people mover system at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport in 2012 and continues to provide operations and maintenance services there through MHI Mobility Engineering Services.

MHI also provides transportation infrastructure in Dubai through Keolis MHI Rail Management and Operation, which operates and maintains the Dubai Metro.

Sydney Airport Master Plan targets 72 million passengers by 2045

14 Friday Aug 2026

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The airport says the plan will provide a pathway to meet future demand. Image: Sydney Airport.

SYDNEY, Australia – The Australian government has approved Sydney Airport’s Master Plan, setting the stage for it to handle more than 72 million passengers a year by 2045.

Sydney Airport said Friday in a news release that the plan sets out the long-term vision for how the airport will grow over the next two decades. The release did not disclose the cost of the expansion, but local media reports put the project at about A$6 billion.

The plan forecasts the airport will handle more than 72 million passengers annually by 2045, including 36.4 million international passengers and 36.2 million domestic and regional passengers.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the plan provides a pathway to meet future demand and invest in infrastructure needed as Sydney grows.

“As Australia’s international gateway, this plan ensures we can continue supporting tourism, trade, investment and jobs while delivering the capacity needed for future generations,” Charlton said.

The airport’s annual economic contribution is expected to increase to about $70 billion, while direct employment at the airport is forecast to rise to more than 105,000 jobs.

The Master Plan provides for future investment in terminal capacity, transportation connections and passenger facilities to support the projected growth.

Image: Sydney Airport.

A central element is the proposed redevelopment of the airport’s domestic precinct, including plans to bring domestic, regional and international services together through a new integrated terminal experience.

The plan also incorporates Sydney Airport’s five-year Airport Environment Strategy, which outlines measures to reduce emissions, build climate resilience and support more sustainable airport operations.

Charlton said the plan provides a framework for the airport to grow sustainably and responsibly while minimizing environmental impacts and working with surrounding communities.

Sydney Airport is currently Australia’s busiest airport and ranked 58th worldwide by total passenger traffic in 2024, according to Airports Council International.

Global aviation groups launch runway safety initiative

28 Tuesday Jul 2026

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The initiative will focus on safety reporting, strengthening teams and sharing best practices. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

GENEVA – Three major aviation industry groups are joining forces to reduce runway incursions through a new global safety initiative.

The program, launched by the International Air Transport Association, Airports Council International and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, focuses on improving safety reporting, strengthening local runway safety teams and expanding the sharing of best practices.

The organizations said Tuesday the effort will improve the collection and sharing of safety data, including incident reports, near misses and observations from frontline personnel, while encouraging closer coordination among airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and regulators.

It also builds on existing global runway safety programs through the use of risk assessments, runway safety checklists and support for local runway safety teams.

A runway incursion occurs when an aircraft, vehicle or person is incorrectly present on a runway or its protected area. Although relatively uncommon, incursions can have serious consequences, and several recent incidents have been fatal, according to IATA.

Image: IATA

Nick Careen, the association’s senior vice president for operations, safety and security, said the initiative is intended to help aviation stakeholders identify runway risks earlier and take coordinated action to maintain aviation’s strong safety record.

“Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel,” Careen said. “Maintaining that record requires a relentless focus on continuous improvement, supported by global standards, safety data and collaboration.”

Thales to modernize Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure

13 Monday Jul 2026

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PARIS – Thales has won a contract to modernize Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure, the French aerospace giant announced Monday.

Under the deal with the National Civil Aviation Center of Mongolia, Thales will deploy a next-generation dual Area Control Center architecture, upgrading the existing ACC in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and establishing a new ACC in the Gobi desert town of Sainshand.

The company said the project will significantly enhance operational resilience, airspace capacity and cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.

While no financial details were disclosed, Thales said the project is backed by a “flexible financing solution” established between Bpi France and the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia.

The agreement also includes skills transfer, with Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile sending instructors to train Mongolian air traffic controllers.

“This agreement represents a major milestone for Mongolia’s aviation sector and stands as a strong example of strategic international cooperation delivering tangible and lasting impact,” Thales said.

Mongolia, a landlocked nation of just 3.5 million people, has been investing heavily in its aviation sector to support its goal of becoming a major tourism hub.

A leader in aerospace, defense and cybersecurity sectors, Paris-based Thales employs more than 85,000 people in 65 countries. It reported sales of €22.1 billion ($25.2 billion) last year.

The country has three airlines — MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia.

The aviation sector employs some 7,000 people, generating direct economic benefit worth just under US$500 million annually, or roughly 2.5% of the national GDP.

Images are courtesy of Thales.

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

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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 Airbus, 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

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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.