Archer Aviation on Thursday unveiled plans for a proposed air-taxi network in New York City, in partnership with United Airlines, as it seeks to tap into the airport commute market in Manhattan. Shares of the air-taxi maker were up 7% in morning trading. Archer plans to link Manhattan with nearby airports using its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight — a four-passenger vehicle — designed to slash travel time from one-to-two hour drives to just 5-15 minutes. Air-taxi startups are racing to commercialize eVTOL aircraft, betting on growing demand for faster, more sustainable urban transportation. Backed by major airlines and defense contractors, these startups aim to ease congestion in crowded cities by offering short-haul flights between airports and urban centers. Archer, backed by companies such as Stellantis and United Airlines, aims to leverage existing aviation infrastructure in the NYC region, with plans to establish vertiports at airports and helipads throughout the area. "With its existing helicopter infrastructure, regulatory support and strong demand, New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the United States," Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said.<br/>
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Top US airlines report that demand for US-originating international flights remains strong, though data suggest that fewer international travellers are visiting American cities. Both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines said during recent earnings calls that their international businesses have yet to be hit by slowing growth and market volatility related to the US-ignited trade war on most of the world’s countries. But some cracks are emerging, particularly for US-inbound flights. Delta earlier this month warned that its growth has “largely stalled” as it plans to cut passenger capacity and curb fleet and workforce growth, with demand softness apparent in its main cabin on both international and domestic routes. United, meanwhile, disclosed on 15 April plans to trim capacity from its domestic network in response to slowing demand for flights between US cities. But demand for international travel is humming along, United executives say. The Chicago-based airline reports that its first-quarter revenue per available seat kilometre increased 4.7% year-on-year for transatlantic flights and 8.5% for flights in the Asia-Pacific region. CCO Andrew Nocella reports “modest declines in non-US-origin passenger volumes for the second quarter”, with United’s traffic originating in Europe down 6% compared with last year. Canadian-origin passenger volumes in the second quarter are down year-on-year 9%, but Nocella says “US-origin demand has more than compensated for these reductions”. <br/>
Istanbul’s international airport has implemented a triple-independent runway operation, which will increase hourly traffic capacity from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. The airport’s operator, IGA, claims the hub becomes the first airport in Europe to operate such a system. It demonstrated the triple-runway introduction on 17 April with simultaneous departure of three Turkish Airlines flights at about 11:20. These comprised an Airbus A350-900 (TC-LGU) bound for Amsterdam from runway 34L, an A321neo (TC-LSP) for Kayseri from runway 36 and, between them, a Turkish Cargo Boeing 777F (TC-LJL) departing from runway 35L for Almaty. IGA says the operation was initiated by transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, who gave the clearance from the airport’s control tower. Some 500 air traffic controllers have undergone training as part of the introduction. “This operational transformation not only optimises traffic management in Istanbul but also across European airspace, making it faster, safer, and more efficient,” the operator claims. It says the additional capacity will lead to fewer delays and reduced emissions, as the airport looks towards handling 200m annual passengers – last year it recorded just over 80m.<br/>
Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH), the Berlin-based innovation arm of Lufthansa Group, and Munich Airport Terminal 2 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance aviation innovation. As the industry faces growing pressures on operational efficiency, sustainability, and passenger experience, both parties have committed to exploring joint initiatives that digitalise, automate, and optimise airport operations. The collaboration aims to enhance operational stability and customer satisfaction through pilot projects with startups, including those supported by LIH Ventures. A key example is the deployment of two autonomous robots by robotics startup Ottonomy at Munich Airport Terminal 2. These robots operate at the gates and baggage claim area, helping passengers with information, promoting Lufthansa’s services, and directing them to digital self-service tools via QR codes. “Our mission is to offer our guests the best travel experience in Europe,” said Marcus Schnabel, Vice President Ground Operations Hub Munich. “Embracing digital solutions is crucial to this endeavour, and we are delighted to be a testing ground for pioneering innovations.” “Innovation in travel is an ecosystem-driven endeavour,” said Dr Stefan Nothelfer, Senior Director and Head of Corporate Venturing & Strategic Growth at LIH. “We are excited to partner with Munich Airport Terminal 2 to collectively enhance the customer experience and optimise operations across the entire travel journey.”<br/>
All Nippon Airways and Singapore Airlines will launch joint fare products for flights between Japan and Singapore starting in September as they deepen their commercial partnership, the two carriers said Thursday. The two Star Alliance carriers signed a deal the same day to launch a joint venture aimed at providing customers with enhanced flight connectivity beyond their existing codeshare arrangement. Subject to regulatory approval, the two companies also plan to deepen cooperation in key markets including Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, they said in a joint statement. "Customers of both airlines will be able to enjoy seamless, high-quality services by choosing either carrier," ANA President and CEO Shinichi Inoue said at the ceremony. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said the joint venture underscores the carrier's commitment to the Japanese market and that the partnership will ensure increased flight frequencies and access to the "strong connectivity at both the Singapore and Tokyo air hubs," according to the statement. The joint fare tickets for Japan-Singapore flights, in which common price levels are set, will go on sale in May.<br/>