Alaska Air Group has received $61m supplier credit memos from Boeing as additional compensation for the hit from a temporary grounding of 737 MAX 9 jets, the carrier said on Friday. The airline had received $162m in cash as compensation from the planemaker in Q1r. An Alaska Airlines-operated MAX 9 jet experienced a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January, which led to the U.S. FAA grounding 171 of the aircraft for about three weeks. The credit memos can be used to make future purchases at Boeing, Alaska said in its quarterly report on Friday. Boeing is also compensating United Airlines — a prominent customer — to address the financial damages related to the grounding.<br/>
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The UK economy is at a critical turning point in its decarbonisation efforts. Right now, there is an opportunity to boost growth by investing in the technologies that will power the future. One of the industries that will need to transition to lower carbon fuels and technologies is aviation. A key part of UK infrastructure and competitiveness, we act as an economic catalyst for other vital industries. Pre-Covid, the UK’s aviation industry contributed £95bn of the country’s annual gross domestic product. It’s also clear that people want and need to fly, not just for holidays and family but to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures and countries. Travelling is how we make the world a smaller, more inclusive place. Last year, 297m people flew to or from the UK and demand shows no signs of slowing. We recognise that aviation has to be more sustainable. Airline groups including IAG are investing billions in more efficient aircraft as well as new technologies such as hydrogen-powered planes. The most promising technology of all for long-range flying is cleaner jet fuel — or so called sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). SAFs, which can be produced from a range of byproducts such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste, as well as synthetically from renewable energy, can be used in existing jet engines. These green fuels can reduce lifecycle emissions by about 70%. Currently though, they represent less than 1% of all jet fuel being used. The demand is there. Aviation has an industry-wide commitment to be net zero by 2050, and many airline groups, including IAG, have additional SAF targets. IAG bought 12% of all available SAF globally in 2023, but production in greater volumes is needed and fast. Progress is being made across the Atlantic and in continental Europe. The US has a leading position in SAF production, thanks largely to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration has committed to supporting the production of 9m tonnes of SAF annually by 2030. Meanwhile, the EU has committed innovation funding worth hundreds of millions of euros aimed at reducing the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF. Opinion piece with more.<br/>
A US-based private marine exploration company has made a presentation to Malaysia on a new search proposal for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which mysteriously vanished 10 years ago after taking off from Kuala Lumpur. According to the Association for Families of the Passengers and Crew on board MH370 Facebook page, the proposal was on a “no find, no fee” basis, and was made to the Transport Minister and his ministry’s senior officials as well as other government agencies. “The presentation was well received by the minister and his team,” it said on May 3. “We wait for the required paperwork to be sorted out and a new contract inked. MH370 families would like to extend our appreciation to all concerned.” Previously, the US company, Ocean Infinity, had conducted searches in the Indian Ocean from 2017 until the end of 2018.<br/>
Qantas Airways will pay a A$100m ($66m) penalty and compensate passengers for selling tickets on thousands of flights it had already decided to cancel, as CEO Vanessa Hudson continues costly repairs to the airline’s battered reputation. Under an agreement with Australia’s competition watchdog, Qantas will also pay between A$225 to A$450 to more than 86,000 impacted customers as part of a A$20m remediation program, the airline said Monday. The deal settles a fiery legal dispute between Qantas and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that last year triggered the early retirement of then-CEO Alan Joyce and led to a boardroom cleanout to repair the company’s brand. Joyce’s replacement, Vanessa Hudson, is now footing the bill as Qantas attempts to restore its status as a marquee carrier. She kicked off her tenure last year by ploughing extra money into major customer bugbears like on-board catering and call-center staffing. Last month, she overhauled the frequent flyer business to make it easier for customers to redeem points for flights. “Today represents another important step forward,” Hudson said Monday. Joyce’s reign was known for its focus on shareholders, profits and bumper dividends. Hudson’s first few months have put a bigger emphasis on customers.<br/>