You will find yourself taking flight, or maybe becoming airbourne, by this highflying wrap. Or maybe you’ll just be cringing at our awful puns.

Air Taxi Service provider Wijet commits to upgrading Business Jet Fleet with the HondaJet

Honda Aircraft Company and Wijet, a provider of air taxi service currently operating 15 business jets throughout Europe, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today for multiple HondaJets to upgrade the Wijet fleet. Honda Aircraft made the announcement during the Singapore Airshow being held at Changi Exhibition Centre, where the HondaJet is making its first-ever appearance.

Wijet is the first French air taxi company and offers travel to about 1,200 airports throughout Europe and North Africa. Wijet’s mission is to provide their customers with the most modern and advanced aircraft with high performance, efficiency and reliability.

The MoU follows Honda Aircraft’s recent announcements of being the most-delivered jet in its category for the first half of 2017 and several speed records in its class. Wijet is expected to take delivery of its first HondaJet during the first quarter of 2018 with more to follow.

More flights, more often with Air Vanuatu

Air Vanuatu has announced additional capacity on international routes with an agreement to lease a Boeing 737 from Nauru Airlines during peak season ongoing until January 2020.

The additional aircraft will operate new services between Brisbane and Santo and Vila on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays each week commencing from 18 June 2018.

Leasing this aircraft allows the 737 to increase services to Sydney and Auckland. During peak seasons, Air Vanuatu will be operating daily flights to Sydney and four flights a week to Auckland.

UFC Scholarship Programme launches with AirAsia

UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and AirAsia today announced more details surrounding their inaugural scholarship offering. As part of this program, one Asia-Pacific athlete will be awarded an all-expenses paid scholarship that includes travel to the United States and training at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The four-week curriculum devised by UFC will give the athlete the opportunity to test themselves and train with the best MMA athletes in one of the most world-class training facilities in the world. The athlete will not only benefit from an all-expenses paid trip to the US but will be able to use the Performance Institute’s high-tech training and recovery equipment.

Many UFC athletes train at the Performance Institute as part of their weekly routine at no cost. This energised environment will soon be home to one lucky MMA athlete in the Asia-Pacific region courtesy of AirAsia.

British Airways announces Early-Bird fares to the UK, Europe, Asia and Beyond

British Airways announces early-bird fares on flights from Australia to the UK, Europe, Asia and beyond. These offers are available for booking from now until midnight of February 26, 2018 and are valid for travel until November 30, 2018. Round trip fare to Singapore starts from AUD$670* in World Traveller economy class and from AUD$1,254* to the UK and Europe.

Customers travelling with British Airways have the added advantage of transiting through two of the world’s award-winning airports, Singapore Changi Airport and London Heathrow for onward flights within the UK, Europe and beyond.

The early-bird fares for flights are valid for travel from now until 30 November 2018.

LAX, VNY & LAWA get new mobile-friendly websites

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced the launch of its new digital presence with three distinct websites – FlyLAX.com, iFlyVNY.com and LAWA.org. The three sites replace the previous version of LAWA.org.

The new clean and easy-to-navigate sites allow for enhanced content and improved search functionality. The sites are designed to provide a superior experience on all mobile devices and conform to any type of screen. Whether viewing on a desktop computer, or any smart device, the content will adjust to fit.

The LAX passenger-facing website www.FlyLAX.com provides dynamic data – real-time information for flights, parking, gates and much more, which will allow travellers to customise their journey at the airport with information that is relevant to them. Passengers can check the status on arriving and departing flights, find out how to get to LAX, where to park, how to find their way around the airport, as well as where to dine and shop before a flight. Additional information and services will be added to the website over time to further improve the guest experience.

Smiths Detection awarded multi-million contract by Airports Authority of India to boost aviation security

Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, urban security and military markets, today announced that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has placed an order for multiple CTX 9800 DSiTM systems at a combined value of over USD50 million.

Through a global competitive tender process conducted by AAI, Smiths Detection won the bid to install and integrate high-speed explosives detection systems (EDS) for hold-baggage screening at 11 sites across nine airports in India, including Chennai International Airport and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

AAI manages a total of 125 airports in India and is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and in the air. The organisation is also responsible for building new terminals for the many new small airports under development by the Government of India.

Heritage meets the future: Lufthansa presents a new brand design

Lufthansa will reveal its new, modernized brand image to customers and employees at two major events at the Frankfurt and Munich hubs on Wednesday, the 7th of February. The most visible change is the new aircraft livery. In front of more than 3,000 guests in Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa will officially present a Boeing 747-8 and an Airbus A321 with the new design.

In the previous week, individual details created interactive discussions, especially on social media. The response to the new appearance was predominantly positive, although some people missed the traditional yellow tone; nevertheless, it will receive a specific function to serve as a means of orientation and differentiation. The color will be found in the future, on every boarding pass and at every Lufthansa counter at the airport, among other things.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the crane, every detail of the design was reworked – to meet requirements of the digital age. The new Lufthansa appearance gives the individual elements a new, modern quality to sharpen their impact. The designers found great importance in taking up the unique design tradition of the Lufthansa brand and leading it into the future.

Beat the Back-to-Work Blues with Bora Bora in Air Tahiti Nui Summer Sale

With the end of summer in sight and no more holidays until Easter, Australians struggling with being back at work can take advantage of Air Tahiti Nui’s summer sale to put some pep back in their step.

On sale until 26 February 2018, return economy airfares from Sydney to Papeete are priced from $1179* per person while return flights from Sydney to Bora Bora start from $1689* per person.

Travel is valid from 1 March 2018 to 30 November 2018 with some blackout periods during peak times.

Finnair now offering digital newspapers on its long-haul flights

Finnair has announced it is now providing a wide selection of international newspapers in digital format for customers on its long-haul flights.

Finnair Corporate Sales Manager Australia, Sanna Ruuskanen confirmed 50 plus international newspapers can be read in pdf format through the Nordic Sky portal that is available onboard Finnair’s A330 and A350 aircraft.

Customers can use the portal with their own devices, and do not need to purchase a Wi-Fi connection to access the newspapers. At the same time, Finnair will discontinue distributing paper versions of newspapers on its long-haul flights.

At this stage, digital newspapers are provided free of charge in both business and economy class of Finnair’s long-haul flights, as well as on the Helsinki-London-Helsinki flight flown with an A350 aircraft.

News from Qatar Airways:

Qatar Airways touches down for the first time in Canberra

The first Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Canberra, the capital city of Australia, touched down today at Canberra Airport, where it was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute. Qatar Airways flight QR906 departed Hamad International Airport (HIA) on Sunday 11 February at 07:55, and arrived at Canberra Airport at 08:35 on Monday morning.

Qatar Airways will operate its daily Canberra service with a Boeing B777 aircraft, which features 42 flatbed seats in Business Class and 316 seats in Economy Class. Passengers will be able to enjoy the airline’s superior entertainment system offering a wide variety of entertainment options.

Discover Qatar and Qatar Tourism Authority enhance city and desert tours

Discover Qatar, the destination management subsidiary arm of Qatar Airways, has announced a new selection of pre-bookable city and desert tours for passengers transiting through Qatar, making it one of the world’s leading inbound tourism providers for transit passengers.

The Discover Qatar Transit Tours allow all passengers with a transit time at Hamad International Airport (HIA) of five–12 hours to choose from a range of activities to help them experience Qatar during their stopover. This includes visiting key landmarks.

The renowned city tours, initially launched in 2015, have been hugely popular with passengers transiting through HIA. In a move to provide more options, Discover Qatar has revamped and enhanced its transit tours, offering a wide variety of new exciting excursions. They now include the popular Doha City Tour, in addition to a ‘Monster Bus Desert Experience,’ Private Desert Safari, Stop & Shop and chauffeur services for passengers who wish to explore Qatar at their own pace.

Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Penang, Malaysia touches down at Penang International Airport

Qatar Airways’ first non-stop flight to Penang touched down today at Penang International Airport, inaugurating the award-winning airline’s second destination in Malaysia, as it continues its robust expansion plans throughout South East Asia.

Qatar Airways flight QR 850, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departed Hamad International Airport on Tuesday at 02:30 and arrived at Penang International Airport at 14:30 on 6 February 2018.

The delegation was led by Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ehab Amin, and was accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the Malaysian Ambassador to the State of Qatar.

The VIP delegation was greeted in Penang by His Excellency Mr. Essa Bin Mohamed Al-Mannai, Qatari Ambassador to Malaysia; His Excellency Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang; Datuk Badlisham Bin Ghazali, Managing Director, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and Mr. Ooi Chok Yan, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism.

Qatar Airways to Launch Direct Flights to the Greek Island of Mykonos

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it will launch direct flights to Mykonos, Greece starting 30 May 2018. The beautiful island of Mykonos will be the third Greek destination in the award-winning airline’s rapidly expanding global network, following the launch of direct service to Thessaloniki in March 2018

Mykonos, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, is famous for its white buildings set against stunning turquoise waters. With its cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere, Mykonos is also an ideal starting point from which to begin an island-hopping Greek summer holiday.

Four weekly seasonal flights to Mykonos Island National Airport will be operated by an Airbus A320, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class.

News from Emirates:

The Emirates Group Signs MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh

The Emirates Group, and its affiliated entities including flydubai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, Government of Andhra Pradesh, to establish a framework for collaboration in various aviation areas to support and invest in the development of Andhra Pradesh’s aviation sector.

Under the terms of the MoU, the Emirates Group and the State of Andhra Pradesh will work together to support the development of Andhra Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure by sharing industry expertise and identifying development and investment opportunities.

Fly Emirates and experience Europe with a friend

There’s never been a better time for travellers to visit Europe with Emirates’ competitive companion fares for those who book before 27 February 2018. Travellers can select from Emirates’ extensive European network or visit the stunning city of Dubai, for bookings of two to nine passengers who fly and book together.

For travellers stopping in Emirates’ hub Dubai, there are experiences awaiting them from the moment they arrive, from the city’s ultramodern architecture to the luxurious shopping centres. Travellers continuing to Europe can choose from 40 European destinations to create their ideal holiday experience.

Travellers will be able to book return Economy Class fares starting from $1,129 to Dublin, $1,189 to London, $1,219 to Zagreb, $1,249 to Amsterdam and $1,259 to Paris.

Emirates launches Arabic Coffee Cups with Middle Eastern Flair

Emirates Official Store has launched a limited edition Arabic coffee cup collection in collaboration with Silsal. The Silsal for Emirates collection of six Arabic fine porcelain coffee cups are adorned with the word ‘Al Emarat’ (which means Emirates in Arabic), written in the ancient ‘Diwani’ calligraphic script. The flowing Arabic letters are surrounded by bold brushstrokes, beautiful glyphs, and playful splashes of paint to give them a modern edge. In addition, the designs incorporate the airline’s trademark color palette of red and black.

Qahwa, or Arabic coffee, is an important aspect of hospitality across the region and is considered a ceremonial act of generosity. Throughout the region, coffee plays a major role in nearly every aspect of the local culture, served during almost every occasion. The drink has even played a part in Bedouin poetry and music, which are often about the serving of coffee to visitors as a sign of welcome.

Emirates Skywards clinches ‘Excellence in Management’ award at Loyalty Awards 2018

Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates airline, has clinched the award for ‘Excellence in Management’ at the 10th annual Loyalty Awards 2018 organised by FlightGlobal and Global Flight and held in Bangkok on 6th February.

The award recognises outstanding strategic thinking and team leadership at Emirates Skywards and is based on areas such as business transformation and setting innovative strategic direction. In the last 12 months, Emirates Skywards has been applying data-driven insights to increase member engagement. The loyalty programme has been delivering more personalised and targeted offers using predictive data modelling which has been well received by its members.

The awards are presented to companies that can showcase how their product or initiatives create added benefits for their company and customers.

Emirates firms up orders for 36 A380s worth US$ 16 billion

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, signed a contract for 20 additional A380 aircraft and 16 options, firming up the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was announced in January. The total agreement for 36 aircraft is valued at US$16 billion based on latest list prices. Deliveries are to start as early as 2020.

In the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai; and Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France, the agreement was signed on the sidelines of the World Government Summit by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group; and Mikail Houari, President Airbus Africa Middle East.

Together with the airline’s 101-strong A380 fleet and its current order backlog for 41 aircraft, this new order brings Emirates’ commitment to the A380 programme to 178 aircraft, worth over US$ 60 billion. Emirates’ A380 fleet operates both GE and Rolls-Royce engines, and the airline is evaluating engine options for its latest A380 order.

Emirates appoints UAE Nationals to key management roles in Far East and Africa

Emirates has announced several management appointments within its outstation commercial operations team. The changes place top Emirati talent in key country management positions in the Far East and Africa. The commercial appointments further demonstrate the airline’s commitment to strengthening its strategic direction and commercial position within these markets.

The new appointments will see three UAE National commercial managers take on leadership roles in Japan, Malaysia and Zambia.

Salem Al-Marri, will take on the role as the new Country Manager for Japan. Abdalla Al Zamani has been appointed Country Manager, Malaysia, and will lead growth efforts across the country. Mohammad Bin Hafiz has been appointed as Manager Zambia. Mohammad joined Emirates.