The airport staff strikes in Germany continue today (March 23, 2023) at Munich Airport between 8 AM – 2 PM.

Passengers originating from Munich cannot pass security between these hours. Transit security, where required, is operating, however.

Lufthansa has issued the following notice:

Restrictions at Security checkpoints at Munich Airport on March 23, 2023

The security staff at Munich Airport has announced a strike for Thursday, March 23, between 8:00 a.m. and presumably 2:00 p.m..

Passengers starting their journey from Munich during this period will not be able to pass through security and will therefore be automatically rebooked on another flight and informed via their mobile phone number. Bookings can be adjusted independently via the Chat Assistant

Guests on domestic flights from Munich can exchange the flight coupon for a Deutsche Bahn ticket free of charge on this page

The airlines must rebook affected passengers to their final destinations at the earliest opportunity, even when this means moving them to competing airlines. Passengers can also, if they so choose, opt for a refund.

The airlines must also provide duty to care such as meals and accommodation in case of long delays.

Conclusion

These ground and security staff strikes in Germany have been quite disruptive this spring, and you don’t often get adequate advance notice to switch your flights around.

The strike by security staff today is only for six hours but takes place at German’s second busiest airport and likely has a spillover effect past its ending hour.

Let’s see where these now weekly strikes take place in the coming week.

Recently Simple Flying highlighted the importance of hydrogen as an alternative to jet fuel in commercial aircraft. Simple Flying also explored the challenges associated with storing and using hydrogen as a power source. While it is difficult to determine if the advantages of hydrogen outweigh the challenges, technical research has been ongoing to identify unique solutions for hydrogen storage.

Hydrogen fuel

Hydrogen fuel can be an ideal candidate for short-to-medium haul aircraft due to its greater energy density (three times) than jet fuel. Hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide when generated from renewable energy.

Conventional gas turbine engines can be modified to use liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel for combustion. Pressurized air from the high-pressure compressor can be mixed with atomized liquid hydrogen before igniting in the combustor.

Hydrogen storage challenges

One of the most significant challenges of LH2 is its volumetric density. Hydrogen is significantly lighter than jet fuel and requires four times more storage volume on the aircraft than jet fuel. The onboard storage of liquid hydrogen has been a challenge for aircraft manufacturers.

Cryogenic cylinders are required to store LH2 while keeping the volume to a minimum. Cryogenic tanks store hydrogen at deep-freeze temperatures (approximately -420 degrees F/-250 degrees C).

Photo: Audio und werbung/Shutterstock

The required weight of hydrogen may only be about a third of jet fuel, but the need for a much higher volume increases the aircraft’s structural weight. As a result, an efficient storage tank system is needed to achieve hydrogen sustainability in aviation. It is noteworthy that unlike jet fuel, hydrogen cylinders can be too large in diameter to fit into aircraft wings.

Moreover, with jet fuel stored in the wing tanks, the aircraft’s center of gravity is efficiently managed throughout flight. Center of gravity can be another challenge with the use of LH2 tanks.

Efficient storage tank system

The storage tanks must be manufactured with specialized materials to withstand extreme temperatures. Moreover, the tanks must have thick walls and provide sufficient isolation between stacks to minimize the heat influx through the tank walls. The leaking heat can cause the LH2 to boil and absorb the surrounding heat necessary to keeps the LH2 at deep-freeze temperatures. Cryogenic tank manufacturers aim to keep the boil-off condition below 1% per day.

Photo: Airbus

The shape of the tanks must be as close to a sphere as possible to minimize design losses. A sphere exposes the least surface per held mass of LH2. To maintain the center of gravity, equal-sized LH2 tanks must be placed such that they do not affect the pitching or tipping moment of the aircraft.

Stacks of spherical tanks can be placed in the aircraft’s front section (just behind the cockpit on the lower deck) and the rear section (just forward of the tailplane). A vacuum flask technique with additional insulation on top will ensure the LH2 boil-off condition is minimized. If the tank loses the vacuum, insulation layers contain the heat influx within the system.

The tank may hold a mixture of LH2 and hydrogen gas (H2). The H2 pressure is controlled through the regulation valve as pumps and valves route the LH2 to the combustion system. It is worth mentioning that the LH2 must be converted to the gaseous form in a heat exchanger before using in the turbine system.

What are your thoughts on the hydrogen tank system design onboard the hydrogen-powered aircraft? Tell us in the comments section.

DALLAS — Through its Propel Pilot Career Path Program, Delta Air Lines (DL) is launching a dedicated pilot academy training program.

In partnership with Skyborne Airline Academy, it’s the airline’s fourth pathway for aspiring pilots since the start of the program in 2018. The academy is accepting applications now and will host its first class in June.

“The Propel Flight Academy is the latest chapter in our longstanding commitment to invest in and create new, equitable pathways for qualified talent to enter the pilot profession,” says Patrick Burns, Delta’s VP of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot.

Burns added, “We look forward to watching a new generation of pilots begin their journey at the Propel Flight Academy and eventually join us in the flight deck to help show Delta customers why no one better connects the world.”

About the Propel Flight Academy

Based in a 12,000-square-foot facility, the Propel Pilot Academy will offer students private, instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor training.

Once they complete their first certificate at the academy, soon-to-be pilots will be eligible to apply and enroll in the Propel Pilot Career Path Program, which will then offer them the opportunity to receive employment at Skyborne.

Upon completing their 1,500 hours (and meeting all the required performance milestones and requirements), the new pilots will begin working as one of Delta’s Connection Carriers as a first offer.

Since the inception of the Propel Pilot Career Path Program, Delta has had about 100 successful participants with another 700 currently enrolled in the program. If accepted into the program, student pilots are eligible to receive up to US$20,000 in financial support from DL, along with the cost of interest on student loans covered.

Students can apply to begin training when the Propel Flight Academy opens in June at its campus in Vero Beach, Florida.

Featured Image: Delta Air Lines

After Mumbai, Pune is the second-largest city in the state of Maharashtra. By road, the two cities are separated by 150 km and a drive of about three hours. Currently, there are no scheduled flights between Mumbai and Pune, and Air India’s booking site shows a block time of one hour. So, why is Air India starting this short route? Let’s find out.

Short distance

When traveling between Pune and Mumbai, a commercial flight isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After all, the cities are 150 km apart and well-connected by road and railways.

Air India’s schedule also shows that the connection is not for those looking for a work-related commute that allows them to return within a day. The service will start on March 26th and operate on all days except Saturday. Air India isn’t the first airline to fly on this route. Before Jet Airways went bust, it flew this route and was the only airline doing it.

Flight AI 613 will depart Mumbai at 09:45 and has a scheduled arrival in Pune at 10:45. The return flight AI 614 will leave Pune at 11:20 and reach Mumbai at 12:20. So, what kind of passengers is Air India targeting through this service?

Feeder service?

Despite tremendous demand, Pune’s airport lacks good international connectivity (more on that later). Those from the city looking to travel abroad either have to first travel by road to Mumbai or take other inconvenient flight connections.

Mumbai, on the other hand, is very well-connected to several key offshore destinations, with many airlines recently starting several new international flights from the city. Air India itself has launched two new services from Mumbai to the US – to San Francisco and New York JFK.

Photo: Airbus

Aviation analyst Ameya Joshi points out that this new flight from Pune conveniently connects Air India passengers to its flight to San Francisco from Mumbai, which has a scheduled departure time of 14:30. The carrier’s two other flights from Mumbai to Newark and JFK do not sit well with the Pune schedule, but perhaps Air India could make tweaks to the timings in the future.

But there are several other international flights in and out of Mumbai, which passengers of the Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai flight could benefit from. Air India’s booking website also shows that a return airfare between Mumbai and Pune, when booked almost a month in advance, comes to less than ₹5,000 ($60). Air India will also use the smallest plane in its fleet on the route – the Airbus A319.

Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock

Lack of international connectivity

Pune is an IT and technology hub that houses major corporate offices from India and around the world. It’s also home to several popular universities, attracting thousands of students each year. As such, there’s plenty of demand for international flights to and from the city.

But one of the main reasons many foreign carriers have stayed away from Pune is the airport’s short runway, which cannot support widebody aircraft crucial for long-haul operations. The airport’s runway needs an extension of at least 1 to 1.5 km in length for a big plane to land safely.

Lufthansa did try connecting Pune with Frankfurt with a Boeing 737 aircraft with lie-flat beds, catering to the high inflow of business travelers. But when the agreement with the jet’s provider fell through in 2018, Lufthansa replaced the aircraft with an all-economy Airbus A319. The new service with the Airbus jet was so bad that the route was nicknamed the “world’s worst flight.”

Photo: cameranest | Shutterstock

Pune Airport is part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) station of Lohegaon. While the civil enclave handles commercial flights, the airport is primarily used to train pilots by the IAF, which also controls its air-traffic control and the runway.

Obtaining slots suitable for global airlines is also an issue due to restrictions on operating civilian flights during certain time periods. Being a defense airfield, the Indian Air Force always has the last word on any decision affecting Pune Airport.

A new Pune airport has been proposed, but realistically, there’s still some time before it will become a reality. Until then, hopefully, Air India’s new service will offer some solution to international travelers out of the city.

What are your views on this? Please leave a comment below.

With inputs from Moneycontrol

• Air India

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  AI/AIC

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1946

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Campbell Wilson

  Country:

  India

Qatar Airways launched a bonus Avios offer for members in Southeast Asia who travel between March 22 – December 31, 2023.

Privilege Club members earn double Avios for flights booked from March 22 to April 4.

You can access this offer on Qatar Airways website here.

The bonus applies to flights both marketed and operated by Qatar Airways.

Note that the terms state that this double Avios offer is valid for Privilege Club members in the following countries:

• India
• Bangladesh
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Vietnam

Conclusion

The offer requires members to have their account address in the countries listed above, but the flights themselves can be anywhere Qatar Airways flies to.

We used to see continuous offers for double, triple, or quadruple miles from Qatar Airways, but these are pretty rare nowadays.

Terms and conditions of this offer:

• To be eligible for this offer, the member must book through qatarairways.com or Qatar Airways mobile app.
• This offer is applicable to members residing in following countries: India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam.
• Sales period: 22 March 2023 – 4 April 2023
• Travel period:  22 March 2023 – 31 December 2023
• To be eligible for this offer, members need to ensure to quote their Privilege Club membership number at the time of booking or check-in.
• If the passenger is not a Privilege Club member they can join at qatarairways.com or Qatar Airways mobile app and update the booking with their membership number to earn bonus Avios.
• Existing tickets issued prior to the offer booking period; will not be eligible for the promotional bonus, if reissued during the offer period.
• Members will earn bonus Avios over the base Avios earned on Qatar Airways flight during the offer period.
• Tier bonuses, promotional bonus and family accrued Avios will not be taken into account in the calculation of the offer bonus.
• Bonus Avios are calculated based on the combination of booking date, flight date, cabin, fare family purchased
• Offer is applicable only for flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways.
• In case of overlapping campaigns, members will earn the highest bonus currency.
• Members may use this offer more than once during the offer period.
• Offer is not applicable for tickets booked prior to booking period start date and after booking period end date.
• In case of any queries regarding this offer, please quote the offer code: 2303PC009 when you contact our Member Service Centre.
• Other terms and conditions apply. Please review at the time of booking

Hilton launched a Tier Last Call 2023 Promotion in January that allows Honors members to retain their 2022 status through March 2024 by staying one or more nights (depending on your offer).

The offer requires you to consume the required night or nights by March 31, 2023.

You can access Hilton Honors here.

READ MORE: Hilton Honors Rate & Bonus Points Offers

Sign Up Links:

• Diamond 1 stay here, 2 stays here, and 3 stays here
• Gold 1 stay here, 2 stays here, and 3 stays here
• Silver 1, stay here. 2 stays here, and 3 stays here

Status Benefits Matrix

Success:

Success: Retaining Hilton Diamond Status With One Stay Through “Tier Last Call 2023″ Promotion

Our Status Fast Track Coverage:

Success: Retaining Hilton Diamond Status With One Stay Through “Tier Last Call 2023″ Promotion

Status From Hilton Honors Diamond Fast Track valid Through March 2024 Or 2025?

UPDATE: Hilton Honors “Tier Last Call 2023 Promotion – Fast Track“ January 1 – March 31, 2023 (Updated Links )

REGISTER: Hilton Honors “Tier Last Call 2023 Promotion – Fast Track“ January 1 – March 31, 2023

UPDATE: Hilton Honors “Tier Last Call 2023 Promotion“ January 1 – March 31, 2023 (Valid Worldwide?)

Hilton Honors “Tier Last Call 2023 Promotion – Fast Track to Diamond“ January 1 – March 31, 2023

Conclusion

If your Honors status is about to drop and your offer is to stay one night to retain it for another 12 months, completing it would make a lot of sense.

Hilton decided to offer this fast track, as many markets had covid-related travel restrictions in 2022. Therefore, I would not expect these extension offers to continue in 2024.