Qantas Airways taps ViaSat for high speed Internet services

ViaSat Inc., a global broadband services and technology company, announced Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with Qantas Airways, Australia's largest domestic and international airline, to bring the fastest and highest-quality in-flight internet connectivity to Qantas passengers on its domestic flights.

The agreement is significant to ViaSat, as it represents the broadband company's first Asia Pacific airline to select its in-flight internet service, as well as the first airline in the region to choose its single, hybrid Ku/Ka-band antenna - which will keep Qantas aircraft connected to the best available satellite network.

The new service expects to feature speeds that are up to 10 times faster than traditional global ground-based in-flight internet services, allowing Qantas customers to stream movies, TV shows, news and live sports.

Under the MOU in-flight internet trials are expected to begin in late 2016, on Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft. A full roll-out across the Qantas domestic fleet of A330s and B737s is planned to begin in 2017.

Republic Airways signs landing gear maintenance contract

TAT Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of services and products to the commercial and military aerospace and ground defense industries, announced Sunday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Piedmont Aviation Component Services, has signed a seven year landing gear Maintenance Support Agreement with Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. covering their Embraer E - 175 fleet. The agreement covers the current fleet of 160 aircraft and the total value may exceed $45 million.

"This contract will position us as a world leading maintenance service provider for Embraer E - 170/190 landing gear as the fleet is just entering first wave of major overhaul requirements," said TAT's President and CEO Itsik Maaravi. "The new agreement reinforces TAT's leading position in the regional landing gear maintenance industry, adding new capabilities to our existing product lines, which currently includes ATR 42/72, CRJ 100/200 and Dash 8 aircraft."

Dynamic Airways new service to Guyana begins with 'inconvenience'

Dynamic Airways had to apologize to passengers Saturday when their new nonstop service from New York to Guyana hit a scheduling snag.

“Dear passengers - coming to Georgetown, Guyana tomorrow [Sunday]. Very sorry for the inconvenience that our schedule caused to passengers, and we are glad that we were able to protect all passengers to their final destination,” the airline said in a message posted on their Facebook page Saturday. “Big kudos to Dynamic Airways team which worked non-stop to resolve starting hiccups.”

Dynamic's new service from New York to Georgetown, that was scheduled to begin Thursday, is part of the carrier's phase of expansion, said Paul Kraus, the airline's CEO. New York is the most in-demand route from Georgetown, Guyana, where nearly a quarter of a million Guyanese reside.

Guy Pollard posted on Dynamic's Facebook page, “You better cancel and take another airline, only lies all the time. Went to the airport this morning and they want you to get on a bus for two to three hours and go to Atlantic City airport to catch the flight to Guyana.”

As it currently stands, Dynamic is the only U.S. carrier to serve the route, which has attracted much interest from Caribbean based airlines. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation rejected applications from Caribbean Airlines and Fly Jamaica Airways to service the route.

“Dynamic airways is committed to Guyana's market, supported by the Guyanese Government, and plans to operate further routes from the Guyanese capital,” the company said in a press statement.

Dynamic Airways launches new service to Guyana

Dynamic Airways has announced the start of its non-stop service between New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Georgetown, Guyana's Cheddi Jagan International Airport beginning June 26.

Dynamic Airways' Boeing 767 will depart JFK every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Special introductory airfares for New York to Georgetown service will start at $499 roundtrip. With the new service comes a new company website, www.airdynamic.com.

Dynamic Airways' new service to Georgetown will make air travel to and from Guyana more convenient and affordable for residents of this Caribbean country, the company said in a press release.

"We have been approached by the Guyanese Government to establish year around service between New York Guyana and we've graciously accepted their invitation to support their economic growth," said Tom Johnson of Dynamic Airways. "We are in process of hiring 50 flight attendants based in Georgetown. Plans to operate Toronto to Canada service are well underway."

Dynamic Airways is a U.S. carrier that changed ownership/management in 2013 with a goal of providing high quality, low-cost medium and long haul air service. The company is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., and now offers service between New York and Guyana, Hong Kong and Saipan as well as service between Beijing and Guam.

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