Intel in the Air: November Roundup of the Latest Aviation News
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Intel in the Air: November Roundup of the Latest Aviation News

The holidays are almost here, borders are reopening, and air travel is reaching pre-pandemic numbers. As travel ramps up and more planes hit the sky, the conversation around sustainability remains a high priority. In the month of November, the industry worked towards managing the start of the busy season, and took steps towards increasing capabilities around environmental impact. Anita Follow Nov 24, 2021 · 3 min read

Read on for the November ‘Intel in the Air’ news roundup, where we keep our users informed on the industry’s latest happenings.

Increase in Travel Demand

On Monday, November 8, the United States officially reopened its borders to non-essential international travelers, following two years of banned tourism due to COVID-19. To enter the United States, international travelers must show proof of immunization and a negative COVID test taken within the three days prior to travel. According to Customs and Border Protection, around 206,990 international travelers from previously banned countries arrived at U.S. airports on Monday, many reuniting with friends and family.

With more COVID-19 vaccine availability, people are looking towards the upcoming holiday season as a way to travel and reunite with loved ones once again. According to TSA predictions, air travel will reach pre-pandemic levels this holiday season, causing the busiest travel surge in nearly two years. Industry experts advise preparing, arriving extra early and scheduling parking reservations before your holiday travels.

Sustainability Efforts

Several aviation businesses introduced new sustainability efforts this past month. On November 4, Alaska Airlines became the first airline carrier to remove plastic cups onboard planes. Its new sustainability effort will swap out single-use plastic water bottles and plastic cups with Boxed Water cartons and recyclable paper cups in main cabins on all flights. The effort will eliminate the use of approximately 32 million plastic water bottles and 22 million plastic cups per year.

Alaska Airlines is swapping out single-use plastic water bottles and plastic cups with Boxed Water cartons and recyclable paper cups in main cabins on all flights

Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, is partnering with other aviation companies to explore the use of hydrogen-powered engines. The small experimental hydrogen-powered planes have proven so far successful and could help pave the path for larger net-zero carbon emission planes.

In Rome, Fiumicino International Airport announced plans to offer ‘Volocopters,’ a rotor-bladed battery-powered air taxi, for passengers riding into the city center. The zero-emission ride is only 15 minutes — significantly shorter than the 45-minute drive by car or bus. The new sustainable transportation service hopes to begin operations by 2024, just in time for the 2024 Olympic Games.

In Rome, Fiumicino International Airport announced plans to offer ‘Volocopters,’ Photo credit: Reuters

New Routes

Many airlines and aviation brands continued to expand their flight routes this month, to accommodate the recent increase in travel demand. Avelo Airlines is a budget airline known for operating west coast flights only. On November 3, the airline launched its inaugural flight out of New Haven, Connecticut, with more expansion plans in the works. Similarly, Vietnam Airlines added new flight routes to the United States for the first time, with services from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to San Francisco beginning on November 28.

That’s all for now! Happy thanksgiving and safe travels.