The oneworld alliance today named airline industry veteran Nathaniel (Nat) Pieper as its new CEO. Pieper, who is currently senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at oneworld member Alaska Airlines, will join the alliance in his new role on 01 April 2024. As CEO, Pieper will lead oneworld through its 25th anniversary celebration year and focus on strengthening the alliance between its partners to provide customers an exceptional and seamless travel experience around the world. Pieper will report to the alliance’s Governing Board, comprised of the member airline CEOs. Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO and oneworld alliance Chairman said: “We are excited to welcome Nat Pieper into the role of CEO at oneworld and look forward to the alliance continuing its journey of innovation and collaboration under his leadership. With more than 25 years of working in the industry, Nat has the experience to enhance oneworld’s position as the premier airline alliance, modernizing travel for millions of customers and oneworld frequent flyers.”<br/>
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A series of flight cancellations around the end of last year by Cathay Pacific Airways has highlighted a serious staff shortage caused by overly reducing pilots and crews during the COVID pandemic. The cancellations have cast a shadow over the airline's reputation as a premium operator on the eve of the Lunar New Year travel season. "This incident has negatively impacted on our brand reputation and the confidence that Hong Kong people and our customers have in Cathay," said CEO Ronald Lam in an internal letter addressed to all employees on Wednesday, openly acknowledging the damage from the cancellations. He admitted this was a "setback," as the airline had "underestimated the need for reserve pilots to cover the increased sick rates during Hong Kong's seasonal flu peak." The company had to abruptly cancel about 70 flights to a wide range of destinations including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, mainland China and the Middle East during the Christmas and New Year holiday season due to staff shortages. It has decided to cut twelve flights per day on average until the end of February so as not to disrupt flights during the Lunar New Year travel peak between Feb. 7 and 18. The decision was criticized by the public and government officials. At his weekly news conference on Jan. 9, Hong Kong's CE John Lee said that his government is "very concerned" about the situation and urged Cathay to "ensure that the capacity is rebuilt as quickly as possible," as the cancellations have a potential impact on the city's status as a regional aviation hub. Cathay has been grappling with challenges arising from a shortage of pilots. This shortage is a result of pandemic-induced layoffs and pay reductions for remaining employees, and has led to the resignation of numerous pilots.<br/>
Qantas will install split scimitar winglets on 23 of its Boeing 737-800s, as part of efforts to improve fuel efficiency and lower its emissions. The Australian operator on 6 February says installation work is taking place at its MRO facility in Brisbane, and will continue through 2026. The 23 737s with the new winglets will deployed on a mix of international destinations - such as Bali and Fiji, as well as domestic points. According to Cirium fleets data, the Oneworld carrier has 75 in-service 737s. Qantas states that the new winglets will improve the fuel efficiency of each aircraft by up to 2%, and will cut over 8,000t in carbon emissions once all 23 aircraft have been retrofitted. Andrew Parker, the airline’s sustainability chief, says the airline is still “focused on improving the operational efficiency of our current fleet”, even as it takes delivery of newer fuel-efficient jets. He adds: “The new winglets are one of the many changes, small and large, that customers will notice as we transform our operations to be more sustainable.” The 737 fleet will eventually be replaced over the next decade by Airbus A321XLRs and A220s. Qantas says the 23 737s with split scimitar winglets are the last examples to be retired from its fleet. <br/>