Qantas Group posts first full-year profit since COVID

Sydney, Australia—The Qantas Group says it posted its first full-year statutory profit since FY19 and will share the benefits by rewarding employees, reinvesting for customers, and returning capital to shareholders.

For FY23, the Group achieved an Underlying Profit Before Tax of $2.47 billion and a Statutory After-Tax Profit of $1.74 billion. This compares with $7 billion in accumulated statutory losses over three prior years.

Underpinning the profit was the completion of the Group’s $1 billion recovery program (launched in the first year of those losses), a 132 percent increase in flying compared with FY22, and strong travel demand driving significantly higher revenue.

Operational performance improved considerably during the year after a challenging ramp-up, with Qantas achieving the best on-time performance of the major domestic airlines for 11 months out of 12 and Jetstar returning to pre-COVID levels. Customer satisfaction, while not back to pre-COVID levels, has also improved in line with operational performance.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the airline has made a substantial turnaround in both its finances and service over the past year—flying almost 70 billion more seat kilometers and serving over 46 million travelers.

“Flight delays and cancellations have largely returned to pre-COVID levels and we’ve shifted from heavy losses to a strong profit and pipeline of investment worth billions of dollars,” said Joyce. “Travel demand is incredibly robust and we’ve taken delivery of more aircraft and opened up new routes to help meet it. It’s because we’re in a strong financial position that we’re able to invest in new aircraft, new destinations and new training facilities – all things that will make us better in the future.”

“Our people have done a superb job under very difficult circumstances. Today’s result means more than 21,000 non-executive staff will receive up to $6,000 worth of Qantas shares as a thank-you for their part in our recovery, plus another $500 staff travel credit. This is in addition to a $5,000 cash payment to eligible employees as new enterprise agreements are finalized,” he added.

This strength enables the Group to keep investing heavily in customer experience, including firm orders for a further 24 Boeing and Airbus widebody aircraft from FY27 onwards to replace Qantas’ A330 fleet, plus purchase the right options for future renewal and growth.

A major fare sale and over 1 billion in loyalty bonus points to say ‘thank you’ to customers have also been announced.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launches an unmissable competition with free tickets on a mystery flight to an unknown destination

Abu Dhabi, UAE—Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, today launches the return of the hugely anticipated and popular ‘#GetLostwithWizz’ competition for adventurous travellers in the UAE. This unforgettable experience encourages spontaneous travellers to live life to the fullest and create lifelong memories in an unknown destination in the ever-expanding Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network.

A special Wizz Air plane full of excitement will take flight to an undisclosed destination, where lucky competition winners will spend the weekend ‘getting lost’ in a rich culture, exploring the very best of the natural and diverse beauty of a Wizz Air destination. The flight will depart from Abu Dhabi on Thursday 21 September in the evening and return on Sunday 24 September 2023.

The highly in-demand competition to win a seat opens today, and to be in for the chance of winning, applicants must have their profile public and follow @WizzAir on Instagram, share a post on Instagram of their most memorable travel moment, and tag @WizzAir with the hashtag #GetLostwithWizz by midnight on 10 September 2023.

Hopeful participants must share creative, adventurous, exciting, or humorous pictures, with the standout posts with the highest engagement standing the best chance of winning a ticket. Winners will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embark on the thrill of the unknown together with one travel partner, with both travellers receiving free flight tickets, two nights’ accommodation, and travel insurance.

The competition starts at 18:00 GST on 30 August and closes at 23:59 GST on 10 September. In order to be eligible, entrants must have a public profile and follow @WizzAir on Instagram. Full details and the terms and conditions can be found on Wizz Air Instagram on the following link [https://www.instagram.com/p/CwkwOLHslS2/].

Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “We are committed to providing exciting, adventurous and unique travel opportunities and the ‘#GetLostwithWizz’ competition shares our love of spontaneous travel. We are very excited to launch the competition for places for this special flight to an unmissable, yet unknown destination for a packed weekend full of incredible travel experiences. The ever-expanding Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network includes vibrant cities and natural paradises throughout Europe, Africa and Central Asia with a plethora of exotic, culturally rich, and diverse destinations. We look forward to welcoming the adventure seekers on board soon for a weekend that will live long in the memory.”

Strategically located in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi provides ultra-low-fares and efficient travel options to Alexandria (Egypt), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Amman (Jordan), Ankara (Turkey), Aqaba (Jordan), Athens (Greece), Baku (Azerbaijan), Belgrade (Serbia), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Cairo (Egypt) and Dammam (Saudi Arabia). As well as routes to Kuwait City (Kuwait), Kutaisi (Georgia), Larnaca (Cyprus), Manama (Bahrain), Male (Maldives), Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Muscat (Oman), Nur Sultan (Kazakhstan), Salalah (Oman), Santorini (Greece), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Sarajevo (Bosnia), Sohag (Egypt), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Tirana (Albania) and Yerevan (Armenia) among others.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launch an exciting new route to Erbil, Iraq

Abu Dhabi, UAE—Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, has launched its latest route to Erbil, the ancient capital city of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and an important trade centre for over 8,000 years.

The new route reaffirms the airline’s commitment to carrying the flag of ultra-low-cost travel in the region and unlocking an eclectic mix of travel opportunities for both residents and visitors of the UAE. Flights to Erbil will commence on 06 October and will operate twice a week on Monday and Friday.

Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, available in the Arabic language, with fares starting as low as AED 289*.

Erbil is a modern metropolis with a rich history, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes. With a vibrant culture and incredible historical sites, including the ancient Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, travellers of all ages can immerse themselves in multiple historical civilizations. Some of the must-see historical and natural attractions include the Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Jalil Khayat Mosque and Kurdish textile museum with memorable and enriching travel experiences awaiting.

Basking in glorious year round sunshine, Abu Dhabi is a world-renowned family friendly destination with incredible art, culture, tradition and hospitality offerings. The UAE capital, blessed with stunning beach resorts, excellent cultural offerings and exciting attractions offers visitors a warm welcome and breath taking natural and built beauty.
The city offers an enriching historical experience and a bustling culture to explore with a plethora of both relaxation and adventure options to suit all ages.

Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is committed to strengthening connectivity between Abu Dhabi and the region, carrying the flag of ultra-low-cost travel, and creating exciting and affordable travel opportunities for everyone. We continue to play a pivotal role in contributing to the growth of the UAE’s travel and tourism sector and connecting its capital with an eclectic mix of marvellous destinations, with Erbil the latest captivating city in our exciting expansion plans. We are committed to expanding our network into more countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft and sharing our love of adventure soon.”

Passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can change their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit.

Strategically located in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi provides ultra-low-fares and efficient travel options to Alexandria (Egypt), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Amman (Jordan), Ankara (Turkey), Aqaba (Jordan), Athens (Greece), Baku (Azerbaijan), Belgrade (Serbia), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Cairo (Egypt) and Dammam (Saudi Arabia). As well as routes to Kuwait City (Kuwait), Kutaisi (Georgia), Larnaca (Cyprus), Manama (Bahrain), Male (Maldives), Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Muscat (Oman), Nur Sultan (Kazakhstan), Salalah (Oman), Santorini (Greece), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Sarajevo (Bosnia), Sohag (Egypt), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Tirana (Albania) and Yerevan (Armenia) among others.

Emirates re-opens newly designed lounge at Munich Airport

Munich, Germany—Following a six-week refurbishment, the Emirates Lounge at Munich Airport is now open again to guests.

The exclusive 965-square-meter facility welcomes passengers with all-new cream leather seating, carpeting, murals and kitchen amenities. With a total of 196 seats, the Emirates Lounge is the largest lounge of a foreign airline at Munich Airport and the airline’s largest lounge facility in continental Europe.

The Emirates Lounge at Munich Airport is open daily from four hours before departure. It offers a wide range of hot and cold meals from the renowned caterer Do & Co, including many vegan options, a complimentary full bar service and private shower facilities.

The lounge was opened in 2006 as the airline’s first dedicated lounge in Germany. In 2012, it was expanded by nearly 300 square meters to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Emirates currently operates two daily non-stop flights between Munich and Dubai.

Etihad Airways among most punctual airlines in Middle East for H1 2023

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, ranks among the most on-time airlines in the Middle East and one of the most punctual carriers worldwide. In the first half of 2023, Etihad has achieved an on-time arrival performance rating within 15 minutes of 83.4%.

In its Punctuality League ratings for 2023 thus far, the global aviation analytics group (OAG) lists Etihad as one of the few airlines in the Middle East that consistently operates above 80% on-time arrival performance and maintains one of the lowest cancellation rates worldwide.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Airways, said “This half year result is an important milestone for Etihad Airways, and a testament to the airline’s commitment to consistently deliver reliable operations while exploring further innovative solutions to enhance it. Four million passengers will fly with Etihad over the summer months via its home base, Abu Dhabi International Airport, a strong partner that underpins the airline’s successful operations. Guests can expect a reliable flight schedule coupled with an award-winning service.”

On-time performance is defined by OAG as a flight arriving within 15 minutes of its scheduled time – a standard measure within the airline industry, taking into account the large range of variable factors which can affect operations.

Vallair completes teardown of two Airbus A320 aircraft on behalf of SETNA iO

Luxembourg— Mature asset specialistVallair says it has completed the full teardown of two A320s (MSN 2372 and MSN 2393) on behalf of SETNA iO, the global aftermarket aircraft part supplier.

The dismantlement process was done atVallair’s MRO facility in Montpellier, France.The company’sintelligent repair management is combined with an integrated supply chain and global network of audited MRO facilities to provide a streamlined service.

This is closely aligned to the comprehensive teardown function, and Vallair’s AFRA accredited facilities have pioneered the sustainable processes of scrapping/recycling within their teardown management package. Vallair’s technical support teams oversee the return to service of all components requiring repair or overhaul with the objective of minimising costs and streamlining the return to service of critical parts.

Armando Filho, Material Management Director – Vallair, explains that all parts from the recent teardown are now being shipped to SETNA iO’s warehouse in the UK. “We work closely with SETNA iO and build business together in a mutually sustainable way. Vallairprocesses high volumes of aircraft parts every month, working with our in-house aerostructures repair shop based in Châteauroux. Our team will receive the nacelles for inspection and/or repair, and we have also bought back the thrust reversers from MSN2372 to be repaired and be part of Vallair’s own stock.”

David Chaimovitz, CEO of SETNA iO, adds, “Our business is centred on providing rotable spares for commercial, regional, and business aircraft looking to exchange, loan or purchase. We have been buying and selling parts together with Vallair for several years and working with their specialist team to manage a range of repairs for key components like nacelles for the past two years. This significant amount of high-quality A320 stock will boost USM availability of these core parts throughout our global stock hubs.”

flydubai soaring high for over 14 years now

Dubai, United Arab Emirates— flydubai, the Dubai-based low-cost carrier, marked its 14th anniversary on the first day of June with a pledge to better improve its services and serve more passengers which now enjoy a network of 120 destinations in 52 countries.
The airline made its maiden voyage on 01 June 2009, flying from Dubai to Beirut. Since then, it has changed the way people travel around the region.
Commenting on the airline’s 14th anniversary, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said:“flydubai has been at the forefront of opening previously underserved destinations from Dubai; facilitating flows of trade and tourism, and strengthening the cultural and social ties between people from different countries.
“flydubai has proven its ability to adapt and take decisive actions, even during challenging times, thanks to its operational efficiencies and robust business model. This was evident in the way the airline navigated the challenges during the pandemic: preserving the workforce, continuing to grow its network and returning to pre-pandemic levels in record time. All of which was achieved capitalising on its internal resources.”
Over the past 14 years, flydubai has opened more than 75 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai. It has grown its work force to nearly 5,000, representing 136 nationalities. It has grown its fleet to 78 Boeing 737 aircraft and has carried over 90 million passengers over the years.
“14 years ago, our first flight took off with the commitment to make travel more accessible, supporting Dubai’s economic and tourism goals while keeping passengers at the core of everything we do. I am proud of the growth we have achieved along the way.We have evolved to adapt to the changing market and customer needs, we have played a vital role Dubai’s aviation success story and we continue to invest in further improving our operational efficiencies and customer experience and challenge conventions of travel in the region,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive officer at flydubai.

Ethiopian to enhance passenger experience with Airbus’ Airspace Link HBCplus and Inmarsat’s GX Aviation High-Speed Inflight Broadband Service

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia— Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, announced at the recently held Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany that it will offer advanced, high-speed inflight broadband to passengers onboard its upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

The airline said it will use GX Aviation provided by Inmarsat, recently acquired by Viasat, and selected through the Airbus Airspace Link HBCplus program which will enable its latest aircraft to stay connected while flying.

Wi-Fi connectivity in the sky is a priority for most passengers with Inmarsat’s survey showing 82% of passengers are more likely to rebook with an airline that offers quality inflight Wi-Fi.

The first of Ethiopian Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is set to be delivered in the Third Quarter (Q3) of 2024, with passengers able to benefit from GX Aviation’s world-class connectivity technology. This supports the airline’s Vision 2035 Strategy which focuses on expanding its fleets, enhancing its passenger experience and maintaining its leading position in the airline industry.

“Connectivity is a crucial part of our services and products; and bringing Inmarsat’s best-in-class GX Aviation service to our passengers, as part of Airbus’ HBCplus program, is a major step forward. We want to give our passengers the possibility to stream, surf, and chat from thousands of feet in the air, no matter where their route or destination is. Inmarsat’s seamless, truly global inflight connectivity will be vital to deliver this. We look forward to a very successful partnership with Inmarsat and Airbus, now and in the years to come,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO MesfinTasew.

Niels Steenstrup, President, Inmarsat Aviation, said: “We were selected as the first managed services provider (MSP) for the Airbus HBCplus program last year, with a scope that includes connectivity, digital portal services and ISP capability. The fact that we have already been selected by two leading airlines is a great achievement and we are excited about delivering our award- winning GX Aviation inflight broadband to Ethiopian Airlines’ passengers starting from next year. This will enable them to stream videos, browse the internet, shop online, enjoy social media and more, all from the comfort of their seats and using their personal devices.”

Andre Schneider, Airbus VP Cabin and Cargo Program, said they are delighted with Ethiopian Airlines’ decision, saying, “Initially encompassing Ka-band services, it will enable the airline to connect to a choice of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), in this case with Inmarsat – via a new certified terminal and antenna built as part of the aircraft.”

Powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network, GX Aviation delivers world-class connectivity on every aircraft, on any route, and for every passenger. Airline customers will also benefit from seven more Inmarsat satellite payloads entering service by 2025, increasing its Ka-band network fleet to 12.

Emirates Group reaps record $32.6 billion revenue in 2022-23, up by 81% amid strong customer demand worldwide with pandemic travel restrictions removed

DUBAI, UAE—The Emirates Group, which include aviation powerhouse Emirates airline, dnata and Emirates SkyCargo, said its collective revenue rose to AED 119.8 billion (about US$32.6 billion), up by 81 percent amid strong customer demand worldwide as travel restrictions have been removed.

Its strong financial performance during the period 2022-23 yielded a record annual profit of AED 10.9 billion (about US$3 billion), enabling the Group to repay AED 3.0 billion (US$ 817 million) of debt raised during COVID-19 crisis, partly ahead of maturity.

The Group’s total workforce has also increased by 20% during the period to 102,379 employees, representing over 160 different nationalities.

Emirates received two new 777 freighter aircraft during the financial year. It also phased out 4 older aircraft comprising of 2 A380, 1 Boeing 777-300ERs and 1 Freighter. Its total fleet count at the end of March was 260 units, with a youthful average fleet age of 9.1 years.

According to the Emirates Group 2022-23 Annual Report, both Emirates and dnata saw significant revenue increases in 2022-23 as the Group expanded its air transport and travel-related operations following the removal of nearly all pandemic-related restrictions around the world.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2023, the Emirates Group posted a record profit of AED 10.9 billion (US$ 3.0 billion) compared with an AED 3.8 billion (US$ 1.0 billion) loss for last year.

The Group’s revenue was AED 119.8 billion (US$ 32.6 billion), an increase of 81% over last year’s results. The Group’s cash balance was AED 42.5 billion (US$ 11.6 billion), the highest ever reported, up 65% from last year mainly due to strong demand across its core business divisions and markets.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, said: “We’re proud of our 2022-23 performance which is not only a full recovery, but also a record result. This achievement would not have been possible without HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, whose leadership has been critical to our success today and through the years. The architect of Dubai’s progressive economic policies, HH Sheikh Mohammed is also the engine behind the Emirates Group’s trajectory. Without his drive and support, Emirates will be half the size of what we are today.”

“I’m proud of the Emirates Group’s performance for 2022-23, and our contribution to the restoration of air transport and tourism across the markets we serve, including Dubai’s astounding 97% year-on-year growth in international visitors for 2022. The Group is the biggest player in the UAE’s aviation sector, which supports over 770,000 jobs and generates an estimated contribution to GDP of over US$ 47 billion (AED 172.5 billion). With our growth plans, and in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, we expect to significantly increase our contribution to the UAE’s GDP over the next decade through direct and indirect employment, supply chain spending, tourism spend, and trade and commerce benefits from the movement of cargo,” he added.

Emirates passenger volume up by 123%

Emirates carried 43.6 million passengers (up 123%) in 2022-23, with seat capacity up by 78%. The airline reports a Passenger Seat Factor of 79.5%, compared with last year’s passenger seat factor of 58.6%; and a 7% increase in passenger yield to 37.5 fils (10.2 US cents) per Revenue Passenger Kilometre (RPKM), due to a change in cabin and route mix, fares and currency.

Emirates’ total passenger and cargo capacity increased by 32% to 48.2 billion ATKMs in 2022-23, as the airline continued to reinstate passenger services across its network in line with the lifting of pandemic-related flight and travel restrictions.

In addition to launching services to Tel Aviv, Emirates relaunched flights to six destinations and increased operations to 62 cities across its network throughout the year to serve strong customer demand.

By 31 March 2023, the Emirates network comprised 150 destinations across six continents, including 9 cities served by its freighter fleet only. The airline also deployed its flagship A380 aircraft to even more cities during the year, bringing its A380 network to 43 destinations as of the end of the year’s first quarter.

Enabling its customers access even more destinations, Emirates signed agreements with new codeshare partners in 2022-23 most notably with United Airlines and Air Canada, expanding the airline’s connectivity in the Americas to over 200 new points, in addition to mutual frequent flyer programme benefits.

It also reinforced its strategic partnerships with Qantas and flydubai and added new interline and codeshare partners: Airlink, AEGEAN, ITA Airways, Air Tanzania, Bamboo Airways, Batik Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Sky Express.

Emirates SkyCargo delivered solid performance despite challenging markets

Emirates SkyCargo delivered a solid performance, contributing 16% of the airline’s revenue despite a reduction in available capacity as the aircraft that were temporarily converted into “mini freighters” during the pandemic returned to full passenger service.

In 2022-23, Emirates’ cargo division reinforced its leadership in cool chain transport, building on the advanced expertise and infrastructure that made it the carrier of choice for the transport of temperature sensitive medicines during the pandemic, and other perishable items.

Emirates SkyCargo maintained its edge in the global airfreight industry by focusing its customers, bringing innovative solutions to the market, and leveraging its fleet and network capabilities. During the year, the cargo division signed commercial MoUs with United Airlines and Air Canada to expand its network reach and capacity for customers; introduced a new digital channel, WebCargo, for customers to directly access and book its flights for their cargo shipments; and launched Emirates Delivers UK, expanding its e-commerce shipping solution to UAE customers.

Emirates SkyCargo also deployed its expertise and capacity to transport relief goods to Pakistan, Turkey and Syria in partnership with Dubai’s International Humanitarian City.

With steady air freight demand throughout the year, Emirates’ cargo division reported a solid revenue of AED 17.2 billion (US$ 4.7 billion). This was a 21% decline over last year’s exceptional performance caused by the pandemic.

Freight yield per Freight Tonne Kilometre (FTKM) increased by 3% despite more cargo capacity returned to the global market, but generally remained at high levels compared to the pandemic marketplace due to steady and strong demand.

Tonnage carried declined by 14% to reach 1.8 million tonnes, due to the reduction in available freighter capacity for the entire year with the reinstatement of more passenger services. At the end of 2022-23, Emirates’ SkyCargo’s total freighter fleet stood at 11 Boeing 777Fs

Humanitarian and Environmental Initiatives

Amongst its numerous environmental initiatives, a key highlight for Emirates was the successful conduct of a demonstration flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one engine of a Boeing 777.

This first-in-region initiative contributes to collective industry data and efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying. dnata in 2022-23 pledged to invest US$ 100 million (AED 367 million) over 2 years, to improve environmental efficiency across its global business, supporting its goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.

During the year, the Group supported various community and humanitarian initiatives across its markets including relief efforts for the floods in Pakistan and the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. It also continued to participate in innovation incubators, and support programmes that build a pipeline of skilled aviation talent and develop future solutions for the industry.

“We go into 2023-24 with a strong positive outlook and expect the Group to remain profitable. We will work hard to hit our targets while keeping a close watch on inflation, high fuel prices, and political and economic uncertainty,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

Boom Supersonic: As demand for international summer air travel surges, passengers look to a Supersonic future

Centennial Airport, Dove Valley, Colorado—After the travel industry entered a holding pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers are taking to the skies again—and this summer, many will have passports in-hand.

According to Expedia data, flight searches are up 25% overall for June through August 2023 travel compared to the same time last year, and interest is up triple digits for international destinations across Europe and Asia.

London, Rome, and Paris are among the top five international flight searches, with trending country destinations that include New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan, which continues to see incredible interest and is one of the fastest-growing international destinations year-to-date for U.S. travelers. Flight searches for summer are up significantly compared to the same time period last year for Osaka (+592%), Tokyo (+290%), and Kyoto (+265%).

With international flights top of mind, so is a faster travel future from airlines. In a recent study with global premium passengers, interest in supersonic air travel is sky high, driven by faster flight times, such as San Francisco to Tokyo in 6:00 hours instead of more than 10 hours. Philadelphia to London in 3:45 hours instead of 6:45 hours or Miami to Madrid in 4:25 hours instead of 7:35 hours. Flying supersonic will mean that overnight flights are no longer needed and weekend trips from the eastern seaboard to the UK or Europe are possible.

“With the resurgence of air travel, the vital importance of connecting with people and exploring the world in-person has only been further solidified,” said Tracy Bevington SVP, Commercial Product and Services at Boom Supersonic. “And it’s clear that fliers want and believe that sustainable supersonic flight on Overture will make the world dramatically more accessible and change both where people choose to go, and who they choose to fly.”

For these passengers, supersonic isn’t a far-off dream. More than 9 in 10 believe that commercial supersonic will be a booking option within the next 10 years, versus 74% a year earlier, and 87% would switch from their preferred airline to access supersonic flight.

Boom Supersonic currently has orders and pre-orders for its sustainable, supersonic airliner, Overture from United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines.