News for The Americas

Frankfurt Airport handled (13-Dec-2022) 4.1 million passengers in Nov-2022, up 41.2% year-on-year and 19.2% below Nov-2019 levels. Business travel experienced a "noticeable rebound" in Nov-2022, with intercontinental business travel, in particular to and from North America and destinations in Western Europe, benefiting from this development. Holiday travel continued to be the main growth driver, showing the strongest demand for destinations in Cyprus, Turkey and the Caribbean. Cargo volumes continued to decline by 14.5% in Nov-2022, with the decrease mainly caused by the overall economic slowdown and the airspace restrictions related to the war in Ukraine. [more - original PR]

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated business travel has "plateaued", adding this is "indicative of pre-recessionary behaviour" (CBNC, 06-Dec-2022). Mr Kirby noted the carrier is not experiencing symptoms of a recession, however forecast a "mild recession" induced by the US Federal Reserve. Mr Kirby noted overall revenue continues to rise due to strong demand and capacity constraints. 

Qantas Airways launched (03-Dec-2022) three times weekly Melbourne-Dallas Fort Worth service with Boeing 787-9, marking the first nonstop service between the destinations. The carrier also operates Melbourne-Los Angeles service. CEO Andrew David said: "Around 40% of bookings on this route are people coming from the US directly into Melbourne and this will have flow-on benefits for local businesses". Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argue said: "Qantas' new service to Dallas will be the longest route ever flown out of Melbourne, and the fourth longest in the world". [more - original PR]

Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines signed (02-Dec-2022) an MoU to form a strategic partnership, under which the carriers will progressively codeshare on each other's services and explore a wide-ranging commercial collaboration. In the initial phase, Thai and SIA will codeshare on each other's services between Singapore and Bangkok. Thai will also codeshare on SIA's flight services to Cape Town and Johannesburg, Houston, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Newark, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver by 1Q2023, subject to regulatory approval. Additional codeshare arrangements to points in both airlines' networks will be explored to support increased air connectivity to Thailand and Singapore, as well as points in Europe, India, and South West Pacific routes. [more - original PR]

Delta Air Lines announced (30-Nov-2022) the following changes to its Delta Sky Club access policy from 2023:

• Annual Sky Club memberships will only be available for purchase to Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion status members only, effective for new membership purchases and renewals from 01-Jan-2023;
• Annual Club memberships fees will increase as follows from 01-Jan-2023:
  
  • Individual: From USD545 or 54,500 miles to USD695 or 69,500 miles;
  • Executive: From USD845 or 84,500 miles to USD1495 or 149,600 miles;
• Companion guest access fees will increase from USD39 or 3900 miles to USD50 or 5000 miles, effective 02-Feb-2023;
• Sky Club Executive Membership costs will increase from two to three Choice Benefit selections for Diamond Medallion members who select club access via Choice Benefits;
• Individual membership and credit card guest pass access will no longer be offered via Choice Benefits for the 2024 Medallion year and beyond, effective 01-Feb-2023;
• Delta Sky Club members flying in Basic Economy cannot enter lounges unless they have a benefit through an eligible American Express card allowing access, effective 02-Feb-2023;
• Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members flying internationally in Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ will no longer receive Delta Sky Club access under their fare, effective 02-Feb-2023.

The carrier also announced plans to launch a real-time Sky Club occupancy tracker via the Fly Delta mobile app from Dec-2022. Atlanta and Detroit passengers. Clubs will display four occupancy levels ranging from 'not busy' to 'extremely busy'. When Clubs are at capacity, Delta One, Diamond Medallion and Delta 360 members will gain expedited entry to lounges following a successful pilot programme in Atlanta. [more - original PR]

LATAM Airlines plans to resume three times weekly Santiago International-Melbourne service from 17-Jul-2023, as per a 28-Nov-2022 GDS inventory and timetable display. The airline will operate the service with Boeing 787-9 equipment.

LATAM Airlines Brasil plans to resume three times weekly Sao Paulo Guarulhos-Johannesburg service from 03-Aug-2023, as per a 28-Nov-2022 GDS inventory and timetable display. The airline will operate the service with Boeing 787-9 equipment.

Fiji Airways commenced (25-Nov-2022) twice weekly Nadi-Vancouver service on 25-Nov-2022, using A330-200 aircraft equipped with 273 seats. Vancouver International Airport stated the year round service is expected to generate CAD12.2 million (USD9.08 million) in tourism dollars and an additional 86 jobs at the airport and British Columbia's hotel, restaurants and tourist attractions. According to OAG, Fiji Airways is the sole scheduled operator of the route. [more - original PR]

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency announced (23-Nov-2022) the reinstatement of mandatory mask wearing requirements at airports and on aircraft, effective 25-Nov-2022. The measure is due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. [more - original PR]

SAS announced (24-Nov-2022) plans to launch five times weekly Copenhagen-New York JFK service on 09-Feb-2023. The carrier will operate into terminal 7 at New York JFK, and plans to increase the frequency to daily during summer 2023. SAS currently operates Copenhagen-New York Newark service, and will offer nine services from Copenhagen to the US and Canada in 2023. EVP and CCO network and revenue management Erik Westman commented: "The US is a strategic market for SAS, and we will continue to develop new routes and destinations whenever the right opportunity presents itself". [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Danish]