Italy’s ITA Airways is set to join Star Alliance in 2025, alongside new majority owner Lufthansa and heavy-hitters such as ANA, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines. ITA, which launched in 2021 as successor to the bankrupt Alitalia, currently belongs to the SkyTeam family. That relationship will end after the European Commission approved Lufthansa’s acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways, with an option for full ownership later, expanding its reach in southern Europe And ITA has not hidden its alliance ambitions, with the airline earlier this year confirming it was “aiming to join Star Alliance in the near future.” Star Alliance has been approached for comment by Executive Traveller. ITA will also close its Volare frequent flyer program and switch to the powerhouse Miles & More scheme of Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and others in the Lufthansa Group. However, even before ITA adopts Miles & More and pulls up a chair at the Star Alliance table, the airline says it will offer lounge access to business class passengers, Volare Club Premium and Volare Club Executive members as soon as the ink is dry on Lufthansa’s €325m deal for that 41% stake. “From the first day after the closing,” ITA promises, “respective lounges will be mutually accessible.”<br/>
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The European Commission said on Friday it had approved a package of remedies proposed for Lufthansa's acquisition of a minority stake in Italy's ITA Airways, in which EasyJet, IAG and Air France-KLM would secure more routes. Lufthansa won EU antitrust approval in July to buy 41% of state-owned ITA, the successor airline to bankrupt Alitalia, for E325m, in a deal designed to boost its presence in the lucrative southern European market. However, Lufthansa and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance had to make commitments to allow competitors to take up more short- and long-haul flights from Italy and transfer some take-off and landing slots at Milan's Linate Airport. The parties committed to make available assets and transfer slots at Linate so that EasyJet could start short-haul flights from Rome and Milan to certain airports in Central Europe. They also committed to enter into agreements with IAG and Air France-KLM to allow them increased non-stop flights or improved connections for one-stop flights from Italy to North America.<br/>
Ethiopia's national flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, announced on Saturday the resumption of passenger flights to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, effective Nov. 30. The inaugural flight was celebrated in the presence of several high-ranking officials from both Liberia and Ethiopia, along with executives from Ethiopian Airlines, according to a statement released by the airline. "The resumption of services to Monrovia brings significant benefits, as it not only expands travel options for passengers but also plays a vital role in promoting economic integration between Ethiopia and Liberia," the statement said. The airline said that the new route aims to facilitate trade, tourism and cultural exchange, contributing to the socioeconomic development of both nations. "We are pleased to resume our flights to Monrovia, reinforcing our dedication to connecting Africa and promoting intra-African trade," said Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines, as quoted in the statement. Flights to Monrovia will operate three times a week, providing seamless access to Liberia's rich cultural and natural attractions, the statement added.<br/>
Air India has had to “recalibrate” its ambitious growth plans as delays in deliveries of new planes and supply chain snags hamper the efforts to transform the Tata Group-owned carrier, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. “If aircraft don’t come, we obviously can’t mount the new services that we want. We can’t present the product to the customer that we want,” Wilson said in an interview with Haslinda Amin on Bloomberg Television Friday. “We are all having to recalibrate our expectations and plans in light of this constraint that’s beyond our control.” Wilson’s comments outline the continuing challenges for the unprofitable carrier that combined with another Tata-owned full service carrier, Vistara, in a messy mega merger. Singapore Airlines Ltd., which was a joint venture partner in Vistara, has an about 25% stake in the enlarged airline with a combined fleet of 300 aircraft. Air India is also looking at ways to expand its partnership with Singapore Airlines, he added. Air India used to be India’s flag carrier before the salt-to-software conglomerate acquired it in 2021. Wilson is charged with leading the carrier’s revival and transformation from a loss-making, state-run carrier that has faced a barrage of flier complaints in recent months. Air India has refitted about a third of the narrowbody planes it got from the previous owner and the overhaul should be done by mid-2025, he said. In early 2025, the refurbishing of 40 widebody jets should start in a process that may take around two years, according to Wilson, who added that the shortage of seats had slowed down the process.<br/>
On Sunday, December 1, Thai Airways International celebrated the return of its direct passenger flights between Brussels Airport and Bangkok after a four-year Covid-related hiatus. This daily service, operated using fuel-efficient Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, is the only non-stop route linking Belgium and Thailand, with a flight duration of approximately 11 hours. The inaugural flight, operated by Boeing 787-8 registered HS-TQC, was marked by a ceremonial water salute and attended by dignitaries, including outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Thai Airways executives. The route not only caters to passengers but also facilitates cargo transport to Asia, bolstering trade opportunities. Thai Airways’ Chairman, Pyasvasti Amranand, emphasised the importance of this service in strengthening Belgium-Thailand ties across tourism, trade, culture, and investment. Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist highlighted the connection as a significant addition to the airport’s intercontinental network, reinforcing its role as a European hub for both business and leisure travel.<br/>
An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Sydney was diverted to Auckland on Sunday after an engine problem, the airline said. “Flight NZ249 from Wellington to Sydney experienced an engine issue about an hour into the flight," Air New Zealand flight operations head Hugh Pearce said in a statement. The engine was shut down and the aircraft diverted to Auckland where it landed safely just after 5.20pm local time, Pearce said, adding that the matter would be investigated. An Air New Zealand spokesperson said the aircraft was an Airbus A320. The issue comes after the Auckland-based carrier last month said persistent engine issues bit into its bottomline, as it forecast lower earnings for the first half of financial year 2025. The airline has a fleet of 108 aircraft that operate domestically and connect Australia, the Pacific, Asia, and North America with New Zealand.<br/>
It wouldn’t be a Kiwi Christmas without a new Air New Zealand Christmas ad, and this year’s version appears designed to quell the fears of those dreading flying over one of the busiest, most expensive and stressful times of year to travel. Opening with a shot of a young boy clearly disappointed to be spending Christmas Day in the air, the campaign video goes on to show cabin crew spring to life like elves in koru-covered uniforms at the stroke of midnight on December 25, transforming the plane cabin into an almost homely space complete with a Christmas tree, decorations, stockings and sweet treats. Naturally, the boy is delighted when he awakes to discover the transformation, which includes a wrapped gift on his lap and hot drink topped with whipped cream on his tray table. You’d have to be a bit of a Scrooge not to find it at least slightly charming although, if you were in a critical frame of mind, you could argue that is sets unrealistically high expectations in that real-life cabins won’t look quite so festive.<br/>Still, there are several seasonal treats to look forward to on board Air New Zealand flights this December, from pretzel and candy cane bark to more premium wines. This month, red, green and candy cane-coloured lollies will be offered on all flights, and cabins on certain services will be bedecked, if not with bells of holly, then with festive headrest covers and table tray mats.<br/>