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News from October 2024
The American Express Business Platinum Card is offering a significant welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points for new cardholders who meet the spending requirement of $20,000 within the first three months. According to The Points Guy, this bonus can be valued at $3,000 if redeemed effectively.
Emirates has announced a firm order for five additional Boeing 777 freighters, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2026. This new order adds to the airline's existing commitments, bringing the total number of pending deliveries from Boeing to 14 by the end of 2026.
Nadine Reyes, an employee at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles, has lodged federal charges against the Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW). The charges stem from allegations that union officials falsely asserted that full union membership was a mandatory condition of her employment. Additionally, Reyes claims she was threatened with termination if she did not sign membership and dues deduction cards. She is receiving legal assistance from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
American Airlines has introduced a new option for its top-tier elite status members to redeem miles for access to the Flagship First dining facility before departure. This offering is part of the airline's "Enhance with Miles" program, which was launched in recent years. The ability to use miles for Flagship First dining was hinted at earlier this year.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has announced plans to upgrade its Shanghai International Express and Cargo Hub at Pudong International Airport into an intercontinental transit hub. This announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 2024 North Bund Forum in Shanghai. Poh-Yian Koh, Senior Vice President of FedEx and President of FedEx China, participated in the unveiling of this initiative alongside local government officials.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has introduced a new solution, the FedEx Import Tool (FiT), aimed at streamlining the import process for businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This initiative comes as the UAE's merchandise imports increased by 7 percent, reaching $449 billion in 2023. As a result, the country is now ranked as the 16th largest importer globally.
Federal Express Corporation has announced the appointment of Bianca Wong as the new Regional Vice President for Southeast Asia. Wong, who previously served as Vice President of Human Resources for Asia Pacific, will now lead operational strategies in one of FedEx's rapidly expanding markets. She takes over from Audrey Cheong, who became Vice President for FedEx China in September 2024.
Air New Zealand has announced a domestic sale offering one-way seats starting from $59. The airline is providing over 200,000 discounted seats available until midnight on Wednesday, October 23, for selected travel periods between January and June 2025.
Alaska Airlines has initiated a feasibility study to test reusable r.Cups on flights, starting with a trip from Seattle to Minneapolis. This initiative, conducted in partnership with r.World, aims to explore sustainable practices within the airline industry by reducing onboard waste.
The Maldives, officially known as the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation located in South Asia within the Indian Ocean. Positioned nearly 450 miles southwest of mainland India, it holds the distinction of being Asia's smallest country. Comprising over 1,100 coral islands with only a fraction inhabited, the Maldives is recognized for its 26 atolls featuring multiple isles and lagoons. It also stands as the world's lowest and flattest country.
Marriott International and MGM Resorts are set to introduce the W Hotels brand to the Mandalay Bay complex on the Las Vegas Strip. The new W Las Vegas will replace the current Delano hotel tower, marking a significant change for Accor's Ennismore lifestyle hotel collective, which includes the Delano brand. The conversion is expected to be completed later this year.
FedEx, one of the world's largest express transportation companies, announced plans to upgrade its Shanghai International Express and Cargo Hub at Pudong International Airport into an intercontinental transit center. This announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the "2024 North Bund International Shipping Forum" held in Shanghai. FedEx's Senior Vice President and President of China, Xu Baoyan, along with leaders from relevant government departments, officially launched this significant facility upgrade plan by lighting up a large screen at the forum.
A recent study highlights the significant economic impact of Long Beach Airport (LGB) and its surrounding complex. The LGB Aviation Complex is credited with generating $9 billion in total economic output and supporting nearly 42,000 jobs across the region.
Tom Biland, President and COO at Flying Food Group (FFG), said the company has "a much more aggressive safety program" than others in the industry. Biland shared his statement with Sky Industry News on July 29.
FedEx Corporation has successfully completed its first round-trip transportation of giant pandas between the United States and China. The operation involved two flights, carrying a total of six pandas. Initially, four pandas were transported from Atlanta, Georgia to Chengdu, China. Subsequently, two pandas were moved from Chengdu to Washington D.C.
Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of its flight services to Monrovia, Liberia. This move highlights the airline's ongoing expansion efforts within Africa, aiming to facilitate trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. The reintroduction of flights is expected to contribute to Liberia’s socio-economic growth by providing travelers with connections through Ethiopian Airlines' extensive global network.
The American Express Gold Card has undergone a series of updates, adding new features and benefits for cardholders. The changes aim to enhance the card's appeal, particularly for those who enjoy dining out or cooking at home.
United Airlines has announced plans to resume service to Butte, Montana, beginning January 3, 2025. This move marks the return of the airline to a city it had previously ceased serving during the pandemic. The service will be operated by United Express affiliate SkyWest Airlines and will feature a daily flight from Denver using a 50-seat all-economy CRJ-200 aircraft.
The race to open the first ski resort in the United States for the 2024-2025 season has concluded, with Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, taking the title. The resort opened on October 19, offering a short run with artificial snow accessed via a magic carpet ride. However, this setup did not provide the full mountain experience.
Delta Air Lines is set to celebrate its 100-year anniversary with a unique keynote event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, hosted by CEO Ed Bastian. Scheduled for January 7, 2025, the presentation will reflect on Delta's century-long legacy of innovation and explore future technological advancements aimed at enhancing human experiences.