Inflight editor Alexander Preston summarises the latest happenings across IFEC and cabin technology.
Private aviation operators have seen a surge in requests and bookings ahead of the UEFA Champions League (1 June, Madrid between Liverpool and Tottenham) and Europa League (29 May, Baku, Chelsea and Arsenal) finals.
Air Partner has been contacted by a number of fans desperate to get to the final, with groups looking to charter private jets to fly them straight to Madrid or Baku with none of the hassle associated with scheduled services. As a result, enquiries for May are up 12% compared to the same period last year as fans look to avoid paying several hundreds of pounds for a budget flight.
According to Marcos Torre, Air Partner’s manager, UK Private Jets: “It’s great to see four English teams in European finals, but many fans are being let down by scheduled services. Air Partner’s charter solutions offer unparalleled flexibility and convenience, meaning fans only have to worry about what happens on the pitch. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are delighted to be able to help get football’s biggest fans to these games.”
A return trip to Madrid on a 6-seater light jet with Air Partner is priced from approximately £21,000. A return trip to Baku on an 8-seater midsize jet is approximately priced from £43,000.
29 May has also proved to be a golden date for Airbus, as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Airbus industrial sites will also celebrate this milestone, which was due to begin in Toulouse with a fly-over from the full Airbus Commercial Aircraft family accompanied by the Patrouille de France. Unfortunately, bad weather curtailed the plan.
Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, said: “For 50 years, we have pioneered many firsts through our passion and innovation, transforming the industry and helping to move society forward. Airbus is a story of incredible men and women, a story of great achievements in the past and, above all, in the future.”
As the African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Success really does come from teamwork.
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