Airbus is exploring automatic aircraft taxiing with a modified electric truck featuring cockpit controls and pilot-assistance technology. The vehicle's equipment includes light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, external cameras, inertial and GPS navigation systems, and a satellite and 5G communication suite. Cockpit displays and an Airbus-styled consumer flight-simulator sidestick and thrust levers have been installed to "create an A350 cockpit on wheels", says the European airframe. The truck featuring four-wheel steering "replicates the key functions of a real aircraft cockpit and can roll down airport runways like an airliner". Dubbed "Optimate", the demonstrator is part of a three-year project led by Airbus's UpNext innovation subsidiary and focused on automation, computer vision, data fusion and machine-learning technologies. A key objective is to develop and test automatic taxiing based on accurate and reliable position calculation, and to assess the potential of quantum sensing to improve position availability and navigation system robustness, says Airbus. It adds that the project will also investigate capabilities of a collaborative map and virtual flight assistant to support pilots' strategic decisions and interactions with air traffic control and airline operation centres. Airbus intends to use the virtual assistant during a fully automated gate-to-gate mission conducted with an A350 flight-test aircraft in the project's final phase. Our ambition is to use the best technologies to make our aircraft even more aware of their operating conditions, analysing it in as much detail as possible to become smart and reliable assistants to pilots," states UpNext chief Michael Augello. Airbus disclosed the project on the occasion of the Viva Technology exhibition in Paris.

Italian carrier ITA Airways will boost flights on its connections to Miami and Male from Rome Fiumicino over the upcoming winter season. Starting 31 October, flights to Miami will increase from seven to nine per week, with the additional frequencies being operated using Airbus A330-900 equipment, the state-owned carrier says. ITA will also boost its service to Maldivian capital Male, operating up to six-weekly frequencies during the Christmas holiday period between 30 December and 5 January. Currently, ITA Airways operates eight connections to the USA and Canada, following its recently launched services from Rome Fiumicino to Chicago and Toronto in April and early May, respectively.

Iberia will configure its on-order Airbus A321XLR fleet with 14 full-flat business and 168 economy seats. The IAG carrier says that it will receive the first of eight A321XLRs by the end of October and likely deploy it on routes to Washington DC and Boston from Madrid during the winter 2024/25 season, following initial use on medium-haul routes. Iberia will be the A321XLR's launch operator, after the role had previously been assigned to IAG sibling Aer Lingus. The Spanish carrier says it will receive the remaining seven A321XLRs within months after its first delivery. The aircraft will be powered with CFM International Leap-1A engines.