Central European budget carrier Wizz Air is to explore the potential for hydrogen-powered aircraft operations under an agreement with Airbus. The two sides have signed a memorandum covering analysis of hydrogen operations, intended to provide the carrier with a “deeper understanding” of how such aircraft could change its business model, says Wizz. It will identify operational and infrastructure aspects as well as challenges associated with operating such a fleet. Wizz will examine the effects of hydrogen-powered aircraft on the airline’s network, schedule, and operations bases, through an analysis of refuelling issues, aircraft range, and other performance characteristics. “We believe that growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, with leading-edge new technology paving the way to more sustainable air travel,” says Wizz chief environment, social and governmental officer Johan Eidhagen. He describes the agreement with Airbus as “momentous” and adds that, by assisting development of efficient operations and business models, it will “advance sustainable aviation across the globe”. Airbus is aiming to develop zero-emission aircraft for entry into service in 2035. Wizz and Airbus will examine evolution of the hydrogen eco-system under the agreement, looking at such factors as regulation and energy pricing. The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet and has hundreds of twinjets still on order from the airframer.<br/>
unaligned
The South African government said on Tuesday it was taken aback by Ryanair's decision to force UK-bound travelers holding the country's passport to take a test in Afrikaans language to prove nationality, calling the move a "backward profiling system". The Irish low-cost airline had from last week started forcing UK-bound travelers with a South African passport to take a test in Afrikaans, a language spoken by just 12% of the country's population and often associated with the apartheid and white minority rule. Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, which does not operate flights to and from South Africa, had cited that it was doing this to curb high prevalence of fake South African passports. The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa said the local government had measures that it regularly shares with airlines to curb any instances of fake documents. "We are taken aback by the decision of this airline because the Department regularly communicates with all airlines to update them on how to validate South African passports, including the look and feel," the department said. All airlines have access to the 'Advanced Passenger Processing' system which enables them to screen travelers before they depart and the government also runs a 24-hour service which airlines can use if they want to authenticate South African passports, it said.<br/>
Jeju Air, the country's largest low-cost carrier by sales, will enhance its competitiveness by entering the cargo business and launching new international routes, the company CEO said Tuesday. He said that these changes, together with the countries' moves to ease quarantine measures, which bring hope for increased domestic and foreign air demand, should create a business turnaround next year. "We have entered an era of hope from the perspective of the airline industry in the post-coronavirus era. As the LCC leader, we are at a point of making important changes," Kim E-bae, Jeju Air CEO said during a press conference held at the Mayfield Hotel in Seoul. "We will prepare for a leap forward by making full use of our core competencies, such as cost competitiveness, and advance into new fields such as short and medium-distance routes and cargo transportation," he said. Jeju Air will operate a total of 246 flights on 19 international routes, including Incheon-Bangkok, Bohol, Nha Trang and Kota Kinabalu, during the month of June. Compared to last month, the number of routes increased by 138% from 8 to 19, and the number of flights increased by about 62% from 152 to 246. "There is a need for more openness to Japan and China in the future," Kim said. "However, I believe most international routes will be normalized by the second half of next year."<br/>
Bamboo Airways will look to join an alliance in 2023 as the Vietnamese startup seeks further cooperation to develop its network beyond Asia. Speaking at Routes Asia 2022 in Da Nang, Bamboo CCO Thach Pierre Hoang said the carrier is already in discussions with the likes of Japan Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Australia on potential interlining pacts. In 2023 the project team will make a decision on which alliance to pursue membership of after getting a clearer picture on criteria and admission conditions. Bamboo will be launching a new 2X-weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt service from June 16, adding to its current Hanoi-Frankfurt service. Thach says the immediate focus is to make the current routes profitable, which could be achieved by increasing frequencies. Further network expansion will depend on fleet growth. Management hopes Bamboo's investors can approve funds to increase its fleet to 100 aircraft over the next five years. Already flying three Boeing 787-9, Bamboo will get its fourth of the type by the end of 2022.<br/>