Aegean Picks India for First Long-Haul A321XLR Routes
Aegean Airlines is making its long-haul debut, revealing plans to launch nonstop flights from Greece to India.
The new services from Athens to both Delhi and Mumbai are due to begin next year. They will mark the carrier's first scheduled flights beyond its traditional short- and medium-haul network.
Aegean will operate the services using new 'Xtra Long Range' Airbus A321XLR aircraft. A five-times-weekly service to Delhi will launch in March 2026, followed by three weekly flights to Mumbai from May. Precise schedules are due to be announced ahead of tickets going on sale in late September. The first XLR is due for delivery in December, with a second arrivin
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Amid uncertainty, sliding Asia-US container rates are a sure thing
Weakening import demand and the global tariff war stoked by President Donald Trump continue to push down on container rates on critical Asia-U.S. trade lanes. Tariffs have resurfaced as a significant influence on consumer prices and freight costs, said analyst Freightos in an update, with inflation in the U.S. ticking up by 2.7% in June as the effects of import tariffs are beginning to manifest more who previously managed to mitigate these impacts through strategic frontloading in response to various global disruptions, including the pandemic and trade conflicts, are now facing the expiration of such buffers. Concurrently, the European Union is preparing to impose retaliatory tariffs on $84 billion worth of U.S. goods as Washington threatens 30% tariffs as of August 1. But Brussels has said it will delay those levies in hopes of striking a deal with the Trump administration. On the cost front, the freight rates are experiencing a distinctive trend. Despite disruptions like those in the Suez Canal, the reduced demand has kept ocean rates under pressure. The typical peak season has not spared the industry, as evidenced by a 24% reduction in Asia–U.S. West Coast rates to $2,369 per forty foot equivalent unit, while Asia–U.S. East Coast prices slipped by 5% to $4,888 per FEU. Moreover, Asia–Mediterranean freight prices fell by 4% to $3,802 per FEU. Asia–Northern Europe routes have defied this decreasing trend, with rates climbing by 4% to $3,509 per FEU as Asian manufacturers likely find new business outside the American market. The shipping industry has been quick to adapt, with carriers aggressively cutting trans-Pacific capacity by almost a quarter. This measure aims to align the supply with the diminished demand and stabilize the business, which has been reeling under the dual pressures of logistical barriers and price volatility. In regions beyond the immediate economic tussle, strategic investments and partnerships are forecasted to revitalize trade infrastructures. For instance, signs of economic reconstruction are visible in Syria, which has embarked on an $800 million partnership with UAE-based port terminal operator DP World to enhance its Tartous facilities. This development mirrors global logistics players seeking to capitalize on eased sanctions and potential new trade routes to establish footholds in burgeoning markets. Find more articles by Stuart Chirls White House maritime chief leaving Ports back bill to limit Customs charging for inspection services FMC investigating Port Houston pacts with container carriers June box record for Port of Los Angeles The post Amid uncertainty, sliding Asia-US container rates are a sure thing appeared first on FreightWaves.
Skift
23 minutes ago
- Skift
Why This Summer Is Breaking Flight Crews and the System
The summer's busiest-ever travel season is posing enormous challenges for flight attendants, but union leader Sara Nelson is optimistic about rallying support for flight crews. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More A record-breaking summer travel season is straining flight crews and the federal systems that support them, says Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson. Nelson, who has been a union flight attendant since 1996 and currently represents 55,000 members at 20 airlines, has been called 'America's most powerful flight attendant.' During a recent episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Nelson said the combination of storms, inexperienced travelers, and insufficient staffing levels has made summer travel even harder for flight attendants. But despite the mounting challenges flight attendants are facing, including from recent federal legislation that she described as 'devastating,' Nelson believes public support for the profession is at an all-time high and sees other reasons for optimism. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS A Stressful Position Nelson explained why being a flight attendant is enormously difficult, especially during the summer. • 'Summer travel in general is always very, very hard for flight attendants because we also tend to have people who don't travel as often. So they don't necessarily know the routines.' • 'It's pretty stressful, and it's also why people with any kind of seniority at all tend to bid the summers off. • 'When I started in 1996, I had a lot of mentors on the plane, and we had time to actually learn the job… That's just not the case today. It's about rush, rush, rush — get that flight out.' Nelson added she's seen passenger behavior change coming out of the pandemic, although she didn't attribute it entirely to Covid. • 'We all sort of… were at home and not interacting with other people, and it does feel a little bit like we forgot how to be around other people.' Political Concerns Nelson also addressed the impact of the budget bill that President Donald Trump recently signed. • 'It's devastating for flight attendants. We're not going to see the full effects of it for a little while, but many flight attendants have parents who are using Medicaid and Medicare for their care.' • 'We're going to go through some really rough times — partially because of this big ugly bill, as I call it … I'm worried about the harm that that's going to do, and I'm worried that that is going to lead to people being demoralized.' However, Nelson gave Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy high marks for his push to upgrade the country's air traffic control system. • 'I will give Secretary Duffy props for taking the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Bill and essentially supercharging it to try to staff up and modernize and get the money to be able to do that.' Increased Support for Flight Attendants Although Nelson made it clear that being a flight attendant is harder than ever, she believes the general public is more appreciative of the position. • 'I think that the public has the most insight into what we do. They certainly see the importance of our role as aviation's first responders.' • 'They also have heard that we have been bargaining to get paid while boarding is going on, which we have never been paid in the history of our careers until these recent years in these recent contracts.' Nelson also said she's seen a growing solidarity among international flight crews and a resurgence of union interest, citing Delta Air Lines in particular. • 'I see a real opportunity to just change the way that our entire economy is built… and hopefully get back to the promise of what I had my hand over my heart for every morning in kindergarten.'
Bloomberg
24 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Morgan Stanley Revives $4 Billion Finastra Debt Refinancing Plan
Morgan Stanley is reviving an effort to refinance roughly $4 billion of private loans for financial software firm Finastra Group Holdings Ltd., according to people familiar with the transaction. The deal is expected to include a $2.55 billion first-lien loan, a € 600 million ($696 million) term loan, a $350 million second-lien loan and a $450 million revolving credit facility, said the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. A transaction could launch into the syndicated-loan market as soon as next week, they said.
