 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Delta pilots approve contract revisions
 Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
 |
Union agrees to pact as part of merger with Northwest Airlines
ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots voted overwhelmingly in favor of changes to their contract that will give them pay raises, an equity stake and other benefits, but also will give management more leeway as part of a proposed combination with Northwest Airlines Corp.
Voting, which started May 1, ended Wednesday. A letter from the chairman of the union's executive committee, Lee Moak, to fellow pilots said 78 percent of pilots who voted approved of the changes.
The contract covers more than 7,000 pilots at Atlanta-based Delta. Northwest's 5,000 pilots are not part of the agreement.
Delta agreed to extend its existing collective bargaining agreement with its pilots through the end of 2012. The revised contract provides the Delta pilots a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new company.
In exchange, the company will be able to place the Delta code and brand on Northwest flights and retain Northwest's large stake in Midwest Airlines, while maintaining those two carriers' separate operational status.
Delta announced April 14 that it had agreed to acquire Northwest in a stock-swap deal that would create the world's largest carrier. The deal, which calls for the combined carrier to be called Delta and to be based in Atlanta, must be approved by shareholders and regulators. Delta pilots have been granted a voting seat on the board of the combined company.
Union leaders from Delta and Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest hope to work out an agreement on a merged contract and an integrated seniority list. They could not agree on the seniority issue before the combination was announced.
Moak was expected to discuss the proposed combination with lawmakers in Washington later Wednesday.
The two airlines believe the deal is necessary to allow them to be profitable in the future amid fuel prices that have soared to more than $125 a barrel.
|
|
Etihad Airways
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
|
Etihad makes its BITE debut
May 13, 2008
Etihad Airways will showcase its expanding route network, latest international sports sponsorships and award-winning products and services at this year’s Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), which takes place between 14 and 17 May at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.
This will be the first time that the Abu Dhabi-based airline has exhibited at BITE, which is now in its fourth year. The annual event aims to showcase current travel trends, developments and emerging destinations around the world.
To mark its recent sponsorships of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team and the Abu Dhabi Etihad Airways F1 Grand Prix, which comes to the UAE capital next year, the airline will display a life-size replica of a Formula 1 racing car on its stand throughout the four-day exhibition.
Maen Abdul Halim, Etihad Airways’ regional general manager Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re anticipating a great deal of interest in our eye-catching stand. The Bahrain International Travel Expo is one of the largest travel exhibitions in the Middle East and therefore an ideal opportunity for Etihad to showcase its award-winning products and services, as well as the airline’s growing involvement in international sports sponsorships.”
The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s stand will also feature the airline’s award-winning first class and business class seats alongside displays of Etihad’s newest destination of Beijing and an exciting line–up of new routes set to be launched later this year.
The airline in the summer will begin flying to Kozhikode (Calicut) and Chennai (Madras), after securing flying rights earlier this year to four new destinations in India. Etihad is currently finalising when it will commence flights to the two other Indian destinations of Jaipur and Kolkata (Calcutta).
The airline also plans to fly to Moscow and the Kazakh city of Almaty in December 2008 and to the Belarus capital of Minsk early next year.
Alongside the fully-flat business class and rotating first class seats, Etihad will have interactive demonstrations of the many rewards and benefits of its award-winning Etihad Guest loyalty programme. Launched in August 2006, Etihad Guest now boasts more than 350,000 members worldwide and expects to exceed the half million mark by the end of 2008.
Members of the Etihad Holidays team will also be on hand to discuss recent developments. The airline’s rapidly expanding holiday division has recently unveiled its new summer brochure and also re-launched its website, which now incorporates new features such as location maps, as well as the latest special offers.
Etihad Airways will be exhibiting at stand number H02 in Hall 1 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.
|
|
EU-US Airlines Talks
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
|
US surprises EU with global airline ownership plan
May 13, 2008
BRUSSELS - The United States proposed a deal on Tuesday to sweep away a global "spider's web" of airline ownership rules, taking the EU by surprise as it seeks a transatlantic deal for its airlines to buy their U.S. rivals.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs John Byerly said Washington had an open mind on Europe's long-standing demand to ease American restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines.
But Byerly, the chief U.S. negotiator in the "open skies" talks with the EU, said Washington would seek a far wider deal by pledging to forgo access restrictions on airlines from more than 60 nations, based on the nationality of their owners, a deal which could be expanded to other countries in the future.
Such a move would involve "dismantling the sticky spider's web of restrictions in bilateral aviation agreement that form a huge impediment to expanded cross-border investment in, and management of, airlines around the world," he said in a speech.
Under those rules, which are starting to be relaxed, a country allows access to airlines from third countries only if they are owned and controlled by nationals of that same country, something that has impeded cross-border airline takeovers.
The United States and the EU will open talks on Thursday in Slovenia on a second phase of the liberalisation of the transatlantic aviation market, known as "open skies."
DIFFERENT EU FOCUS
The EU's chief negotiator said he was surprised by the U.S. proposal to broaden the liberalisation talks.
"The EU's priority is more on a transatlantic area and then to move forward after that," Daniel Calleja told reporters.
Brussels wants to do away with U.S. federal laws that cap foreign control at 25 percent of the voting stock.
Britain has threatened to exercise its right to tear up the first-stage agreement, which forced it to open lucrative routes from London's Heathrow Airport to more competition, unless the EU wins the right for Europeans to own or control U.S. airlines.
But many U.S. lawmakers oppose scrapping the limit.
Washington acknowledged that letting Europeans own U.S. carriers could boost investment and competitiveness in the U.S. sector which has been hit by a wave of bankruptcies, Byerly said in a speech to the European Aviation Club.
But the EU would have to convince a sceptical U.S. Congress and trade unions of the benefits.
"We approach with an open mind the expected European proposal to change U.S. laws that limit foreign ownership of U.S. carriers," Byerly said.
He also reaffirmed Washington's rejection of EU plans to include civil aircraft flying into and out of Europe in its system for trading carbon dioxide emissions based on legally binding limits.
Byerly said the United States did not rule out "the possibility of environmental constraints on traffic freedoms" figuring in the talks but they must be consistent with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) principles.
The ICAO last year opposed the EU plan to include foreign airlines in its Emission Trading Scheme, but EU ministers voted in December to go ahead nevertheless.
|
|
Jet Airways CEO - Man Of The Year In Belgium
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
|
Indian airline a hit in Belgium
Apr 14, 2008
Indian airline Jet Airways is celebrating after its chairman Naresh Goyal was named Man of the Year by journalists in Belgium.
Jet Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and last year became the first Indian airline to establish a European hub in Brussels and the first to operate direct flights between Brussels and India.
Naresh Goyal was honoured by the Belgian Aviation Press Club and presented with his award by the Club’s chairwoman, Cathy Buyck. “I am honoured to receive this award in the first year of our activities at Brussels Airport. However, credit for my winning this award must also go to my team, as well as Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airport for whose support I am very grateful,” says Goyal.
“We wish to congratulate Mr. Goyal on the successful start that he had at Brussels Airport with Jet Airways. By constructing an international hub at our national airport he has helped to put it once again on the map internationally,” comments Buyck.
Last summer Jet Airways launched direct flights between Brussels and Mumbai. The Indian airline now operates daily flights from Brussels to Delhi and Chennai in India as well as Mumbai, plus New York JFK and New York Newark and Toronto in Canada. The company’s success illustrates the growing importance of India as both a popular holiday destination and a business centre.
Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 81 aircraft with an average age of just 4.2 years and operates over 380 flights daily. In the UK it offers flights from Heathrow to several cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar.
|
|
Air Arabia
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
UAE low-cost airline reports surge of 81 pct in net profit in Q1
May 12, 2008
ABU DHABI - Air Arabia, a low-cost airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reported a net profit of 78 million dirhams (21.25 million U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2008, surging 81 percent over the same period in 2007, local newspaper Gulf News reported on Monday.
In the first quarter of 2008, the Sharjah-based airline achieved a turnover of 383 million dirhams, representing an increase of 59 percent compared with 241 million dirhams in the first quarter of 2007.
The number of passengers served by Air Arabia in the first quarter of 2008 reached 757,000, up 31 percent compared with 577, 000 passengers in the 2007 period.
The airline's average seat factor, which means passengers carried as a proportion of available seats, stood at 85 percent for the first quarter of 2008, up two percent compared with 83 percent in 2007's first quarter.
"The high price of oil and rising inflation is a challenge to the air transport sector across the globe. However, the rapid and strong economic growth of this region contributes to a sustained and subsequent market and travel growth," Air Arabia's chief executive Adel Ali said.
"This quarter has seen a continuation of the growth of our fleet as well as destinations," he added.
Air Arabia purchased two new Airbus A320 aircraft in the first quarter of 2008, which increased its fleet size to 13 planes.
The airline launched two new routes to India, making its destination network in India covering 11 cities the largest one of any Middle East-based carrier.
Launched in October 2003 and modeled after leading American and European low-cost carriers, Air Arabia is the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa. It currently provides services to 39 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
|
|
Air Berlin
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
Germany's second biggest airline, counts 2.24 million passengers in April
FRANKFURT, Germany: Air Berlin PLC, Germany's second-largest airline, said Wednesday the number of passengers who traveled with it in April rose 6.5 percent to 2.24 million passengers, compared with 2.1 million passengers a year earlier.
The airline's capacity utilization rose by 4.5 percentage points to 78.8 percent, compared with 74.3 percent in April a year ago. Capacity utilization is a measure of how full airplanes are.
The Berlin-based airline said in the period from January through the end of April, the number of passengers increased nearly 10 percent to 8.1 million passengers, compared with 7.4 million in the same period last year.
The airline's capacity utilization in the first four months increased by four percentage points to 74.7 percent.
|
|
Airbus And Boeing Get Company
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
China sets up planemaker to challenge Airbus, Boeing
May 11, 2008
China set up a company to build large jets, challenging the dominance of Airbus SAS and Boeing Co. in the market for planes with 150 seats.
China Commercial Aircraft Co. was formed today with an initial investment of 19 billion yuan ($2.7 billion), according to a statement on the central government's Web site. Investors in the company include China Aviation Industry Corp. I, or AVIC I, and AVIC II.
China aims to build a 150-seat aircraft by 2020 to support the expansion of its domestic travel market and to compete with Boeing and Airbus overseas. The plan is also part of China's wider drive to develop more sophisticated products, such as ships, cars and computers, to cut its reliance on overseas suppliers.
``This is the dream of several generations and we will finally realize it,'' Premier Wen Jiabao said in the announcement. ``We should rely on ourselves to build the large planes' main technologies, materials and engines.''
Zhang Qingwei has been appointed chairman of the company, while Jin Zhuanglong was named president, the announcement said.
China aims to triple its fleet of passenger and cargo planes to 4,000 by 2020 as economic growth lifts travel demand in the world's second-largest aviation market, according to the General Administration of Civil Aviation.
The State-owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission will invest 6 billion yuan to become the largest shareholder in China Commercial Aircraft, the 21st Century Business Herald said yesterday. The Shanghai city government will spend 5 billion yuan to take the second-biggest stake, it said.
AVIC I will invest 4 billion yuan, while AVIC II, Baosteel Group Corp., Aluminum Corp. of China and Sinochem Corp. will each invest 1 billion yuan, the Beijing-based newspaper said.
|
|
Angola
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
Airline opens Luanda-Dubai route
May 07, 2008
Angola's state-owned flag carrier TAAG will officially open next Monday its Luanda-Dubai route, an official source has announced.
Two flights per week (Monday and Friday) on Luanda/Dubai route are on the company's schedule.
TAAG will fly with a Boeing 777 with the capacity for 420 passengers.
The company already flies to Harare (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg (South Africa), Lusaka (Zambia), Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Kinshasa (DRC), Sal (Cape Verde), Windhoek (Namibia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Sao Tome and Principe.
|
|
Emirates To Fly To Nice
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
Emirates Airline to expand services to Nice
Emirates Airline is planning to improve its passenger figures threefold in flights between Dubai and the City of Nice, situated in the French Reviera. The Dubai-based airline is hoping to fly 100,000 passengers in 2008.
The carrier plans to expand its flights to southern part of France in order to strengthen tourism between Dubai and the cities located around the Cote d’Azur.
Emirates’ General manager for France, jean-Luc Grillet told reporters that Emirates is now flying three times a week from Dubai to Nice. The flight halts in Rome, Italy. This flight will be upgraded to five weekly non-stop flights as of December 2008.
He also noted that the new venture would give travelers an opportunity to gain access to Nice, Cannes and Monaco while increasing tourism to these cities.
Now, Emirates service 30,000 passengers from Dubai to Nice on its three flights a week schedule. The Cote d’Azur area hosts about 50,000 travelers from the Persian Gulf region, explained Filip Soete, who is Nice airport’s manager. Nice is the second-highest traffic of all the airports in Paris.
Soete continued to say that the airport in Nice is witness to about 10 million travelers a year. It also has the capacity to accommodate another three million. The flights are serviced by an Airbus 330-200 with three separate classes - twelve seats in First Class, fourty-two seats in Business Class along wit 183 seats in Economy.
Emirates touts itself as the premier airline in the Middle East and has already augmented its capacity to the Dubai-Paris flight. The twice-daily service offered on this route use a Boeing 777 airplane since the close of February 2008.
|
|
More Competition For Major Hub
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
Virgin America wants to fly out of O'Hare
Virgin America, the new California-based low-cost airline partly owned by British business magnate Richard Branson, will ask the Federation Aviation Administration on Thursday for two gates and eight arrival slots at O'Hare International Airport.
The addition of Virgin to O'Hare would increase competition for business customers at an airport dominated by United Airlines and American Airlines, according to President and CEO David Cush. Virgin wants to make four trips a day to San Francisco and four to Los Angeles.
"Our belief is because of that lack of competition, you have higher fares at O'Hare than you otherwise would have, and perhaps lower levels of service than you otherwise would have," Cush said in a meeting with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board. He noted that only three low-cost carriers now serve O'Hare, with a total of 12 daily departures.
Cush was in the city last week to meet with civic leaders and editorial boards to sell Virgin's Chicago plan.
Serves primary airports
Virgin hopes for an answer from the FAA by mid- to late-June, so it can start flying out of Chicago in November. The airline would add up to 60 local jobs.
Founded last August, Virgin bills itself as a "different kind of low-fare carrier," with a young fleet of Airbus planes and upscale amenities such as on-demand food and drink service, the ability to send text messages between seats, "mood-lighting" and standard plug power outlets at each seat.
Virgin serves primary airports such as Los Angeles, instead of secondary airports like Long Beach, Calif., and San Francisco rather than Oakland. Cush said Virgin is targeting O'Hare, and not Midway, since it is focused on business customers and can get higher fares at O'Hare. The fares at O'Hare are about 33 percent higher than the fares at Midway going to the same destination, Virgin says.
Cush said Virgin fares are higher than Southwest but lower than similar trips on United and American.
United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said that United's fares "are always competitive" and United offers an extensive route network, more comfortable Economy Plus seating and loyalty programs, all of which appeal to business travelers.
"We welcome the competition," said American spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan.
U.S.-owned, operated
Virgin America is distinct from Virgin Atlantic, which has been flying from Chicago to London out of O'Hare since last year.
Branson's Virgin Group is a minor investor in Virgin America, which is U.S.-owned and operated. Its lead investors are L.A.-based Black Canyon Capital and New York-based Cyrus Capital Partners. The son of Chicago Sun-Times publisher Cyrus Freidheim, Stephen Freidheim, is the managing partner of Cyrus Capital
|
|
Republic Airways
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
|
Out of the spotlight, Indy's "Other" airline soaring
May 12, 2008
ATA Airlines may have crashed and burned. But the other Indianapolis carrier is flying high.
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. earned $83 million in 2007, and profit might approach $100 million this year, according to the investment firm Raymond James. Revenue cracked $1 billion in 2006 and might surpass $1.5 billion this year.
This at a time analysts are wringing their hands over which airline might be next to go bankrupt and cease operations. Skybus, Aloha Airlines and the hometown airline ATA all shut down the first week of April.
"Republic continues to do well, and has grown and prospered in good times and bad," said Warren Wilkinson, a company vice president.
Now is about as bad as it gets. As Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl said in a recent report, The U.S. industry domestically has too many airlines offering too many seats through too many expensive hub operations. This has led to ticket prices below the cost of producing the product, particularly with oil at $100 a barrel."
Here's the good news. Republic is all about helping the lumbering giants compete. The big airlines hire Republic and other smaller operators to ferry passengers on smaller jets to regional destinations.
The commuter airlines have cheaper cost structures than the airline partners they serve, and none is more efficient than Republic's, Raymond James analyst James D. Parker said in a report.
That's partly because Republic pilots are represented by the Teamsters, which have more flexible work rules than the Air Line Pilots Association. That Republic flies for six carriers - more than any of its rivals - also reduces pilots' down time.
The upshot: Republic pilots average 61 hours of flying per month, compared with 54 for SkyWest and 48 for Comair, Raymond James says.
And here's the kicker: Republic and other commuter carriers arc shielded from much of the industry's tumult. The commuters receive fixed fees for their flights from their partners, which shoulder the risks associated with fluctuating fuel prices, fluctuating fares and whether jets fly almost full or almost empty.
That's not to say Republic won't feel turbulence as the airline industry goes through wrenching change. It could lose business if one of the airlines it flies for lands in bankruptcy and folds, or uses bankruptcy court to renegotiate contracts.
But it successfully weathered the last round of bankruptcies, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as CEO Bryan Bedford noted on a conference call with analysts in February.
Back then, "the very real fear [was] that our margins would be eliminated or, perhaps worse, our business would be eliminated and certainly there would be no growth. And for some high-cost, inefficient operators, that turned out to he true," Bedford, 46, said on the call.
"But it was always our opinion that for high-quality, low-cost regional operators, we thought we'd come out on the other side of these bankruptcy processes both in good financial shape and with new opportunities."
The big scare this time around is that airlines desperate to cut costs will merge, putting at risk their contracts with regional operators. But Bedford calls that a non-issue. Merged carriers would be obligated to live up to their contracts, unless they shed them through bankruptcy.
Strong stock, large work force
Republic's strong performance has been a boon for central Indiana, where it now has 1,700 employees. That includes workers at the company's headquarters near the Pyramids. its Indianapolis airport maintenance center and a Plainfield training center, as well as locally based crew members.
Investors also have fared well. Since the company's May 2004 initial public offering, shares have appreciated 57 percent. That compares to a 22-percent advance in the same span for the S&P 500 index.
Not had, but the hard-charging Bedford, who's led the airline since 1999, isn't a rest-on-your-laurels guy.
As some of his larger airline brethren hold on for their lives. Bedford is gunning for continued growth.
"We are going to look for ways to make sure that our business strategically is getting stronger," he told analysts, "making sure that were able to respond to opportunities that our partners might have for us."
|
|
JetBlue founder David Neeleman sees big potential for his new Brazilian airline Azul
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |
|
May 06, 2008
NEW YORK - When David Neeleman stepped down as CEO of JetBlue Airways Corp. a year ago, he swore he'd never start another airline.
"Shows you how compelling ... this Brazil idea really is," the JetBlue founder said of his latest venture, an airline — of course — that will appeal to Brazilians on service and price.
The 48-year old father of nine who has been involved in starting up three carriers north of the equator says he won't be launching another one on this side of the globe any time soon.
"If someone came to me and said, here's $400 million to start an airline in the U.S., I'd say, 'No way,'" Neeleman said over lunch in New York last week.
Oil at more than $120 a barrel, a slowing economy and fierce domestic competition are squeezing airlines. Most U.S. carriers reported sharp losses in the first quarter. Two — Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. — are combining to try to cut costs, and several others are said to be seriously exploring joining forces.
Analysts and industry insiders such as Neeleman say the solution to those problems, barring a sharp reduction in oil prices, is to cut capacity — the number of planes and seats chasing passengers. To an extent, that's why airlines need to consolidate, analysts say; they need to eliminate redundant routes and hubs.
But even Delta and Northwest are reluctant to identify potential cuts, saying they'll retain their hubs and routes, for now.
"We're all competing, and nobody wants to be the first to pull back," Neeleman said. "If they do, then the other guy takes his market. So, we're all on this ... Bataan Death March, marching along and losing money."
But Brazil is different, he says. Two carriers, TAM Linhas Aereas SA and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA control more than 90 percent of the market, and prices are about 50 percent higher than they are here, he said. There is no passenger rail service to speak of; people who can't afford to fly travel long distances by bus.
Because most Brazilian flights require passengers to change planes at hubs, Neeleman's airline, Azul — which is Portuguese for Blue — will appeal to higher-end travelers by offering more nonstop flights. On the lower end, it will offer fares only slightly more expensive than bus tickets, hoping to not only take market share from Brazil's existing carriers, but to entice people who don't normally fly.
"We think that the market should be three to four times bigger," Neeleman said.
But penetrating Brazil's airline market may be harder than it sounds.
"Neeleman is up against very strong brands," said Bob Mann, an independent airline consultant based in Port Washington, New York.
"The Brazilian domestic market is not one that's easy," said Mike Boyd, president of The Boyd Group, an Evergreen, Colorado, consultancy. "The place has been a graveyard for airlines. ... That much said, if anybody can make a go if it, Neeleman would be the one."
Boyd thinks Neeleman's experience focusing on consumers will carry him far in Brazil, which Mann notes faces congestion and delay problems similar to the U.S.
Neeleman's new carrier sounds a little JetBlue-ish. It will use 118-seat E-195 jets made by Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA. JetBlue uses a similar Embraer plane. The planes will be outfitted with leather seats and free satellite TV — amenities familiar to JetBlue customers but virtually unheard of in Brazil.
Neeleman plans to start service next year with three planes, then add a plane a month until he has 76 in service. He has raised $150 million (€96.6 million) — about a third of that from Brazilians, the rest from the U.S. — and has invested $10 million (€6.4 million) of his own money. Neeleman was born in Brazil while his father was in the country as a Mormon missionary. He holds joint Brazilian and U.S. citizenship, which gets him around a Brazilian law blocking foreign citizens from owning more than 20 percent of an airline.
Azul will fly domestically at first, but may add international routes later. The airline will be privately held, with the intention of someday going public. Neeleman will hold voting control.
"I won't have the same issue (I had) at JetBlue," Neeleman said. "I'm not going to lose, you know, I'm not going to be surprised like I was last time."
And surprised he was, when JetBlue's board asked him to step down as chief executive and handed operational control of JetBlue over to President Dave Barger just months after an infamous Valentine's Day 2007 ice storm caused thousands of flight cancellations throughout the Northeast.
Neeleman apologized at length for JetBlue's missteps and took immediate steps to fix the airline's operational issues. For instance, he hired former American Airlines executive and Federal Aviation Administration official Russ Chew as chief operating officer.
But Neeleman's steps to fix JetBlue didn't prevent the board from deciding he was the problem.
"It was horrible, it was unexpected, it was really without warning," Neeleman said of the board's decision. But he adds, "I have to take responsibility for it ... I was communicating with everybody except the board, properly. So, the board kind of developed its own opinion of how things should transpire and what should be happening (going) forward."
Neeleman has remained chairman of JetBlue, but recently said he won't stand for re-election. He's selling JetBlue shares as part of a regular diversification plan, and says he'll continue to do so as opportunities present themselves.
JetBlue officials declined to comment. During a conference call last month to discuss JetBlue's earnings, Barger thanked Neeleman for his work at JetBlue, and wished him luck on his new venture.
Neeleman has long maintained that he is more of a visionary than a nuts-and-bolts airline operator. He is Azul's CEO at the moment, but is interviewing Brazilian executives to run the airline's day to day operations as chief executive. Neeleman also said he has learned a lot about interacting with a board of directors.
But it's clear Neeleman's in no hurry to return to the U.S. airline industry. Asked about the latest buzz, a potential merger between UAL Corp.'s United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc., Neeleman responded: "I'm glad I'm in Brazil
|
|
Oman Air at the Arabian Travel Market 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |
|
Oman Air will be participating in ATM 2008 to be held in Dubai. Universally recognised as the leading travel industry event for the Middle East and pan Arab region, The Arabian Travel Market serves the whole region, including all the GCC States.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Arabian Travel Market, the premier regional business forum for inbound, outbound, and intra-regional tourism, is expected to attract this year over 23,500 industry players from over 100 countries. In this regard Abdulrazaq Bin Juma Alraisi, Senior Manger Sales of Oman Air said, being the national carrier of the Sultanate, Oman Air continuously emphasizes the need to project a positive image of the country.
Oman is now firmly established as top international tourism destination, also becoming more and more as a popular destination for European, Asian and Middle Eastern vacationers, being very safe, peaceful, stable, and a modern country.
He stated that tourism is quickly emerging as one of the pillars of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos' Government Vision 2020 plan for sustainable development. Oman Air's participation this year is based on the close cooperation between the Ministry of tourism and the airline, with the objective of using the event as a platform to promote the unmatched tourist attractions in Oman.
He added that the Arabian Travel Market is the region's leading travel and tourism networking and seminar event, dedicated to unlocking the business potential within the Middle East and pan-Arab region, offers four days of intensive meetings, seminars, press conferences, and social networking opportunities at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center for the over 23,500 key industry players expected to attend in 2008.
Our new attention-grabbing stand will reflect our new word-class brand in which we aim to position as one of the world's top airlines. It will be a good opportunity for Oman Air to unfold its new destinations, services, including tour packages to destinations on our network. Oman Air holidays team will also be readily available to discuss recent developments.
Oman Air Holidays he said consistently endeavors to unravel Oman's beauty to the traveling public by arranging special packages and organising local tours show casing the Sultanate's un-spoilt beaches, stunning mountains and vast deserts. The package includes return air tickets, hotel, and sight seeing tours for a variety of locations in Oman such as Muscat, Salalah, Khasab, Nizwa, Sur and many other exciting places.
Corporate Communications and Media Department of Oman Air notified that the Arabian Travel Market 2008, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, will run from May 6-9 at Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Centre (DIECC), where the first three days will be trade-only, with public invited on the final day.
They said we are extremely optimistic regarding quality and quantity of participants, furthermore very confident that Oman Air's entirely new pavilion will draw a high level of interest from the travel trade industry. More than 100 stand-holders from 45 countries will be exhibiting, including Oman Air.
They added that nearly 40 national tourist boards will be represented, and fourteen seminars will take place across the four days. Subjects will include human resources, medical tourism, the future of travel agencies, developing online booking facilities and the role of the Internet in travel marketing.
The programme will consider issues from both regional and global perspectives. Corporate Communications and Media Department of Oman Air stated that with close to 1,000 travel and tourism journalists attending ATM 2007, the numbers are expected to rise for 2008.
The international and regional Arabian Travel Market advertising campaign will feature in 40 publications, in excess of 40 countries and translate into six languages. It is estimated that Arabian Travel Market trade advertising reaches over 800,000 key industry players.
They affirmed in conclusion that the Arabian Travel Market provides local and internationally-based travel agents, tourism organisations and key industry decision makers, a wealth of opportunities to be a part of the latest trends and meet the global thought leaders in a highly flexible, face-to-face environment in which a wide range of sales and marketing objectives can be achieved.
|
|
Silverjet
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |
|
Silverjet continues expansion with new routes planned for Middle East and Far East
May 06, 2008
Silverjet, the first all-business class carrier to fly to the region, says that the Middle East and Far East offer strategic growth opportunities, and the airline plans to continue its expansion following a recent major investment.
The Luton-based carrier will be marking its presence from 6-9 May at Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading, annual travel and tourism exhibition for industry professionals, as the title sponsor of the ATM Seminar Series.
CEO Lawrence Hunt will be headlining the seminar series with a highly anticipated presentation entitled, ‘All-Business Class Airlines – The New Success Story’, where he will explain the concept behind the emerging business model and discuss how Silverjet plans to become the global market leader in all-business class long-haul air travel.
The award-winning carrier has been creating a buzz within the travel trade industry following a recent announcement that it has secured major additional funding from a strategic long-term investor, UAE-based international luxury development fund Viceroy.
Viceroy has committed to directly invest US$25 million into the airline, with the intention to invest a further US$75 million to fund the ongoing development of Silverjet and the international rollout of the brand and concept into new markets within the Middle East, the Far East and Africa, using the Middle East as a regional hub.
“Arabian Travel Market 2008 is the perfect platform for Silverjet to reach out to all of our key stakeholders in the industry and following the positive news of our new investor, we will be taking major steps forward as a company,” said Hunt.
Silverjet’s Arabian Travel Market 2008 exhibition stand will be located in the Zabeel Hall of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (# 297), adjacent to the carrier’s ground agent Dnata. Several senior executives from the company will be at the booth to host travel and hospitality representatives from across the region.
In addition to its support of the seminar series at Arabian Travel Market, Silverjet is providing two return tickets from Dubai to London Luton for a special prize draw, which will be available to all UAE trade professionals that pre-register for the exhibition before Sunday 4th May.
Silverjet has also won numerous awards during its first year of operation, including The Sunday Times Travel’s prestigious Best Airline award and Conde Nast Traveller’s Best Business Class Only Airline and the Design and Innovation awards.
Silverjet flights depart from the VIP terminal at Dubai International Airport daily at 1030 and arrive in London Luton Airport at 1545. Return flights depart Silverjet’s exclusive private terminal at London Luton at 2155 and arrive in Dubai at 0830.
|
|
Uniglobe Travel
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |
|
May 06, 2008
Uniglobe Travel has launched its Access More virtual Itinerary – a real-time support tool that reduces travel risk and keeps travellers up-to-date on the latest changes affecting their trip schedules as they happen.
“The increased fragmentation of the travel industry has undoubtedly placed more stress on travellers who are constantly at risk of unforeseen changes,” said Peter Knowlton, Agency Development Manager at Uniglobe Western Canada. “The number of essential things to think about before travelling is overwhelming for many travellers. The Access More virtual itinerary will help to make travel simple and enjoyable again, so the business traveller can make their meeting on time and the leisure traveller can spend more quality vacation time with their family.”
Each time a traveller opens their Access More itinerary, they are instantly connected with up-to-the-minute information so they are aware of any unforeseen problems – giving them all their various travel options ‘virtually’ and in one place, including:
Destination travel alerts
Weather advisories
Online flight check-in
Advance seat selection
Sightseeing tours and transfers
Access More’s key elements are the real-time updates which provide travellers with the latest news, information and travel advisory warnings about their destination, particularly those related to travel such as airport news headlines and transportation strikes. Key information is also provided on destination entry requirements, embassy contact details, and local laws and customs.
“Our travel agencies are seeing that their travellers are becoming more motivated by security and peace of mind – knowing that the best value is not just about the best price but about knowing all the potential hidden costs of travel,” said Knowlton.
“Access More will help alleviate air-wear, risks and lost time and money as a result of travellers not being prepared for the unexpected by knowing what might happen in advance. We believe the informed traveller is the well-rested traveller.”
|
|
Air France
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 |
|
Boeing Delivers 50th 777 to Air France
Boeing (and Air France reached a historic milestone last week with the delivery of Air France's 50th 777. The Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) is the carrier's 25th of that model type and joins a fleet of another 25 777-200ERs that together comprise the core of the airline's long-haul fleet.
"This is truly a great day for Air France and Boeing," Pierre Vellay, senior vice president of New Aircraft and Corporate Fleet Planning for Air France. "The 777 is the mainstay of our long-haul fleet and elemental to our success and future growth plans. We look forward to further integration of this exceptional airplane later this year, when Air France takes delivery of the world's first 777 Freighter."
Air France is the launch customer for Boeing's newest addition to its freighter family, the 777 Freighter -- the first of which is scheduled to enter flight test in late May. With more than 50 percent of its twin-aisle fleet composed of Boeing 777s, Air France has drawn upon the 777's renowned efficiency and reliability to help it achieve strong economic performance. With the delivery of its first 777 Freighter this year and through the operation of a single 777 platform, Air France will achieve significant synergies between its cargo and passenger business.
"Air France's robust utilization of the 777 speaks volumes about the airplane's performance and capabilities," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Europe, Russia & Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We congratulate Air France on its 50th 777 delivery and it's rewarding to see yet another 777-300ER join the airline's fleet."
Air France's new 777-300ER, the world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner, will be based at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris.
|
|
Jet Airways
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 |
|
Jet rides global airline alliances to expand international reach
Apr 06, 2008
Mumbai - The country’s largest private carrier Jet Airways (India) Ltd is planning to enter into more alliances with international airlines, to expand its global network without actually adding more planes or directly flying to new destinations abroad.
The arrangement will see the Mumbai-based airline — which is trying to push up global sales so it can achieve 50% of its revenues from international operations by 2010 — enter into deals with carriers that can fly its passengers to and from destinations beyond its own international routes. For example, Jet Airways, which currently flies on 14 international routes, has already brokered such a deal with Qantas Airways to fly its passengers beyond Singapore to Sydney, and the other way round.
“The main advantage of these arrangements is to have enhanced connections across the world by being part of a global airline alliance. There is no additional investment for launching new routes and we will end up getting more than 5% traffic once the code-share agreement is settled,” said K.G. Vishwanath, senior general manager, management information system and investor relations, Jet Airways.
Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways, said: “We are talking with many international airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Alitalia for serving respective markets where they are strong. We even want to cooperate with Air India.”
India’s domestic airlines are eyeing lucrative international routes as the number of air passengers flying into and out of the country grows at around 20% a year. Some 30 million passengers flew to and from India in 2007, tempting domestic airlines to sew up code-sharing agreements with global carriers to help expand their reach.
Code-sharing refers to a ticket marketing practice among airlines that allows carriers to share the two characters in codes used in airline reservation systems.
On the ground, this helps customers purchase a single ticket on a journey that has two flights, such as a New Delhi-Amsterdam one and an Amsterdam-New York one, on two different airlines.
The partners share the revenues based on a pro-rata agreement. “Jet Airways has special pro-rata agreements with over 75 airlines, but we will have code-share with only select partners. Even if you enter a code-share agreement, you continue to have a special prorate agreement with the respective airline,” Wolfgang Prock-Schuaer, chief executive of Jet Airways, had said earlier. Jet Airways already has tie-ups with American Airlines for serving five domestic destinations from the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and with Air Canada, United Airways and Brussels Airlines. It is also in talks for strategic and operational alliances with several international carriers, including Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Etihad Airways.
The airline might join one of the three major global code-share alliances — Star Alliance, One World or Sky Team, said Kapil Kaul, chief executive, Indian subcontinent and West Asia, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, an international aviation consulting firm.
Jet Airways is not part of any global alliance, though it is critical to have partnerships with other international carriers so the airline can offer seamless onwards travel and connections to its passengers, he said.
State-run Air India, run by National Aviation Co. of India Ltd, joined Star Alliance, the largest operating grouping of global carriers, for a similar arrangement.
Star Alliance counted Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, United, US Airways, Air Canada and Air China among its members last year.
Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, too, has tied up with Air France, Emirates, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines for code-sharing agreements, and plans to start flying on international routes from August.
|
|
Boeing and Iraq Announce Airplane Order
Monday, May 05, 2008 |
|
Discuss Support for Aviation Modernization
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA - News) and the Government of Iraq today announced an order for 30 Boeing 737-800 commercial airplanes, the first step in re-establishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations. Iraq has also contracted options for 10 additional 737s.
Valued at $2.2 billion at current list prices, the order was previously accounted for on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site attributed to an unidentified customer.
In addition, Iraq and Boeing are finalizing an agreement for 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will allow an Iraqi national airline to provide longer-range commercial service. The 787s will be added to Boeing's order book when the contract is completed.
"Today marks a new beginning for Iraq," Minister of Finance Bager M. Jabor Al Zubaidy said during a signing ceremony that was also attended by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carson. "We are very comfortable with our selection of Boeing airplanes as the basis of our fleet renewal and pleased to count Boeing as a trusted partner in supporting our reconstructive efforts."
In recent months Boeing and Iraqi officials have discussed how Boeing can assist with the reconstruction of Iraq's aviation infrastructure and preparation for delivery and operation of new airplanes. Boeing will offer advice and expertise in areas such as the planning and development of airport infrastructure throughout Iraq; helping train aviation sector personnel; aiding in the selection and acquisition of airline support equipment; and arranging for cost-effective maintenance and service solutions for used aircraft obtained prior to new airplane deliveries.
"Today is truly a milestone event for Boeing and for Iraq," Carson said. "The operational characteristics of the Boeing Next-Generation 737 and 787 Dreamliner are unbeatable and, as we work together in support of Iraq's plan to build a national carrier, we envision the day when a modern and efficient fleet of airplanes will directly support Iraq's economic development and growth."
|
|
Heathrow lounge wins award
Monday, May 05, 2008 |
|
5th May 2008]
Airline Virgin Atlantic’s lounge at Heathrow airport has been named as Best Clubhouse in the international awards voted for by Virgin customers.
The V-Flyer.com awards are voted for by customers of Virgin Group travel companies, including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays, Virgin Blue, Virgin Nigeria, and the new US domestic airline, Virgin America.
This is the third time in a row that Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow lounge has won the Best Clubhouse award since the awards started in 2005. The awards recognise excellence in customer service across all the Virgin Group travel companies.
The new Upper Class Wing at Heathrow Terminal 3 gives Virgin Atlantic passengers access to the Clubhouse lounge within around 10 minutes of arriving at the terminal. As well as the usual complimentary food and drinks, the Heathrow Clubhouse also has full spa facilities.
Passenger comments about the Heathrow Clubhouse included “a haven away from the hustle of the main terminal” and “truly the only way to start a flight”.
Other awards for Virgin Atlantic included Best Airport Team for the Virgin staff at Las Vegas airport. They were praised for their customer service, “often having to deal with tricky situations whilst maintaining incredible professionalism”.
The Virgin Atlantic teams at Heathrow airport and Orlando airport were also highly rated by passengers, along with the Virgin Blue team at Sydney airport.
|
|
Ethiopian Airlines announced as ATA 33rd Congress official carrier
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
|
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (eTN) - Few weeks before the delegates of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) 33rd Annual Congress arrive in Tanzania’s northern tourist city of Arusha, Ethiopian Airlines has announced its decision to become the official carrier of the conference participants.
The ATA 33rd Congress organizers in Tanzania confirmed the partial flight sponsorship of Ethiopian Airlines where international delegates will be offered a 30 percent discount by the Africa’s fast expanding airline.
“Ethiopian Airlines proudly announced to be sponsorship partner with the Africa Travel Association (ATA) 33rd Annual Congress to be taking place in Arusha, Tanzania next month,” ATA congress organizers said in Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam.
With a wider global network, Ethiopian Airlines will discount all ATA Congress participants originating from its all destinations including those from the United States, Europe and South East Asia.
With ticket approval code ADD08321, a participant can get the discount from any travel agent provided he or she has an accreditation letter for the conference or participants list, which will be sent from the airline’s headquarters.
Participants holding off-line point will have special add-on through other airlines to connect Ethiopian Airlines at its gateway with discount on Ethiopian portion.
Ethiopian Airlines, counted as the fastest growing African carrier, operates daily flights to Tanzania, landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) some 45 kilometers from the tourist city of Arusha and the capital Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast.
The airline is among the longest serving international carrier connecting Tanzania with the rest of the world through its hub in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
From 1975, ATA launched its annual African conferences or Congresses aimed at bringing together key players in African tourism in partnership with their American counterparts.
Tanzania was honored to host the ATA 23rd Congress in 1998 and again this year, from May 19th to 23rd. This year’s 33rd ATA annual congress is being held in Tanzania at the right time when tourism in this African destination is experiencing growth.
Since the ATA 23rd Annual Congress held in Tanzania ten years ago, there has been good results in country’s tourism with fast growth of over five percent per year, giving this African state favorable returns from the travel trade sector, said ATA executive director Eddie Bergman.
Under the theme, “Bring the World to Africa and Africa to the World”, the ATA conference will yet again, give Tanzania a good chance to publicize its tourist resources in United States of America.
Bergman said Tanzania has been selected to host this crucial tourism conference because of the country’s position in tourism development marked by growth and investments.
He added that his organization, ATA, has been actively pursuing a campaign aimed to bring the world to Africa and Africa to the world and that, Tanzania had provided an excellent venue because of its diverse and booming tourism industry attracting record numbers of visitors from all over the world other than the USA.
“Given Tanzania’s close ties to ATA’s partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), ATA will realize its goal to make the ATA 33rd conference in Arusha to break new ground by having for the first time a delegation from the Asian travel industry”, he said.
The five-day gathering in Tanzania’s northern tourist hub of Arusha will address topics such as new tourism growth markets, Africa outbound travel and social interactions.
Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Africa Travel Association (ATA) had announced last year that Tanzania will host the Africa Travel Association's 33rd Annual Congress from 19-23 May 2008 in the country's "Safari Capital."
The announcement was made by then Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Jumanne Maghembe and Bergman.
"When Tanzania hosted ATA in 1998, it marked the official re-launch of our country's promotion in the American market," said Minister Maghembe, adding, "The results were excellent. Tourism in Tanzania is now booming.
ATA has been playing significant roles to Tanzania’s tourism one initiative being the introduction of annual ATA/Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Awards launched in 2001 to honor companies, individuals and the media which have been in front line to promote Tanzanian tourism.
The rapid growth in the number of tourists from the American market during the past ten years since the ATA Congress was held in Arusha has resulted in the U.S. becoming the number two source for Tanzania visitors worldwide.
“Now, we anticipate that hosting the 2008 Congress will most definitely generate even more tourism growth from the US, soon making it the number one source market. Tanzania's goal is to receive 150,000 American visitors annually in the next few years,” said Maghembe.
Looking at African tourism, ATA has brought the continent closer to the world through conferences/congresses, dialogues and symposia. Tanzania has been a key leader in promoting and advocating the continent’s tourism in the USA and other parts of the world.
Former Tanzanian Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Zakia Meghji held key ATA honorable post as its president for a number of years and worked hard to advocate Africa’s tourism under the banner “Africa: the new millennium destination,” among others.
ATA's five-day Congress program in Arusha will be addressing topics such as new tourism growth markets, Asia outbound travel, and social responsibility and the travel industry, attracting ATA's Young Professionals Network and African Diaspora network, which were established during ATA’s 10th Annual Eco and Cultural Tourism Symposium in Nigeria in November 2006 with aims to foster relation among young people in Africa and those in Diaspora in America.
|
|
Malaysian airline orders up to 55 Boeing 737-800 aircraft
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
|
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Airline System said Monday that it ordered as many as 55 new Boeing 737-800 planes to help replace an aging fleet and expand operations in Asia.
The airline said it had placed a firm order for 35 Boeings, with an option for an additional 20 in a deal worth $4.2 billion at list prices.
The airline also has the option to swap the B737-800 series for the larger B737-900 configuration.
"We expect to take delivery of the first aircraft from September 2010 onwards," the chief executive, Idris Jala, said in a statement.
He added that the new planes would let the airline expand its network to places that previously were not economically viable. The aircraft will be used mainly for routes in Southeast Asia, the Malaysian domestic sector and China and India, Jala said in the statement.
"We will likely partially purchase the Boeing 737-800 on our own and partially lease them as that would give us the flexibility to manage our balance sheet and financing commitments, and sell some of them when the timing is right," he said.
Last week, the chief financial officer, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, said that the airline planned to announce the orders within a month.
The airline also said it would take delivery of six Airbus A380-800 superjumbos in 2011.
Delivery was originally been scheduled from January 2007 to December 2008 but was delayed by wiring glitches that pushed Airbus into a loss.
Malaysian Airline System said a compensation agreement had been reached but gave no details.
The airline reported a net profit of 851.4 million ringgit, or $266 million, last year, ending two years of losses with turnaround plan that has produced better yields while reducing costs.
Analysts estimated that the airline's 2008 net profit would be 758.5 million ringgit, rising to 989.7 million in 2009.
|
|
Toyota to invest in Japanese airliner project
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
|
Jet will be country's first passenger plane in three decades.
TOKYO - Japan's top automaker Toyota Motor Corp. will invest $67.2 million in a project to build the country's first passenger jet in more than three decades, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. said Wednesday.
The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, was established April 1 to build and sell the new Mitsubishi Regional Jet, or MRJ.
Initially capitalized at $28.8 million, it sought out additional investors to accelerate development and boost global marketing efforts, Mitsubishi Aircraft said in a statement.
It will sell 67 billion yen of common and preferred shares through a third-party allocation on May 30, the company said.
After the share purchase, Toyota will own 10 percent of Mitsubishi Aircraft. Other investors include trading houses Sumitomo Corp. and Mitsui & Co., both of whom will invest $33.6 million for a 5 percent stake each.
The MRJ, a twin-engine aircraft seating about 70 to 90 people, will be made of lightweight carbon-fiber composite designed to consume about 20 percent less fuel than comparable standard jets.
Demand for smaller jets is expected to rise over the next 20 years in regional markets.
Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways placed the first orders for the MRJ in late March, asking for 15 jets for delivery from 2013, with an option for 10 more.
The MRJ will be Japan's first nationally funded, domestically manufactured passenger aircraft project since the YS-11, a turboprop airplane that was discontinued in 1973.
|
|
Etihad scoops Best Airline website award
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |
|
Apr 28, 2008
Etihad Airways continues to receive industry-wide praise for its innovative online marketing strategy after winning the “best airline website” accolade at this year’s Pan Arab Web Awards.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline won the award for the second year in a row at the high profile event, held at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, which recognises excellence in web design and marketing.
Etihad’s website received particular praise at the awards ceremony for its customer friendly and innovative features such as online check-in, advance seat selection and the online flight-checker service which allows users to view the aircraft’s status by simply entering the relevant flight number, flight departure or arrival destination.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president marketing and product, said: “Etihad Airways constantly aims to deliver a high quality travel experience at every customer touch point, especially online at our innovative website.
“As the airline has evolved so has our online strategy, the centrepiece of which is an integrated full-service website, which now offers our customers the ability to plan their journey, book their tickets, check-in and even select their favourite seat. To be recognised by the industry is a real honour for us.”
The website, etihadairways.com, offers users a booking engine which is fully integrated with the airline’s loyalty programme and customer relationship management (CRM) applications which further enhance personal contact with customers.
Customers can also book any flights and products from the award winning “web shop” using any miles and cash combination of their choice.
Tehmton Cooper, Etihad Airways’ head of global contact centres and eCommerce added: “Etihad continues to add new features to its website aimed at improving the customer online experience. As a direct result we have seen an impressive growth in online sales.”
Etihad has also launched local websites exclusively for specific markets which are in local languages and offer special web fares with best price guarantees and local information tailored to a customer’s specific requirements.
Further new features which will shortly be introduced on the website include a flexible price search engine and real-time communication facilities for mobile technology devices such as WAP (wireless application protocol).
|
|
American Airlines returns to Grenada after a 10-year break
Monday, April 28, 2008 |
|
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (eTN) – Grenadian Tourism Minister Claris Modeste-Curwen has confirmed that the “government and American Airlines has signed an agreement resulting in the airline returning to the island from November after a 10-year absence.” This development comes after months of negotiations between the two parties.
“The flights are being advertised from the airline, it’s on the reservation booking system and we anticipate that this will bring in more visitors, not because it’s a bigger aircraft but Miami is the hub for some major airlines and this will give all persons who want to travel to Grenada a better choice,” the tourism minister said.
According to the minister, the Grenadian government had to provide a financial US$1.5 million guarantee to the airline, as part of the deal. “This condition is part of the market and risk sharing commitment, it is practically impossible for any country to have an agreement these days with an airlines without putting up some money, so we agreed and we are now negotiating with all the stakeholders to arrive at the amount.”
Member of the Grenada Airlift Committee, Sir Royston Hopkin, said that the private sector is being asked to support the financial arrangement reached with the airline.
“Although, this type of commitment is usually from government, we, in the private sector, see it as an important enough to step in to render support because of the other commitment already given to other airlines, negotiations was conducted with the private sector to take up the full cost and today we are close to the amount,” he said.
A statement from American Airlines stated that it will begin flying between Miami and Grenada from Nov. 20, 2008 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 16 seats in first class and 132 seats in economy class. Scheduled to overnight, the flight will depart from Miami at 5:00 pm and arrive in Grenada at 9:30 pm, then depart at 9:30 am the following day and arrive in Miami at 12:15 pm the same day.
The airline’s upcoming service from Miami is the only non-stop service currently scheduled between South Florida and Grenada, which is located approximately 100 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The new service complements existing flights to Grenada from San Juan, Puerto Rico, offered by American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines.
"Grenada is a wonderful addition to American's schedule from South Florida," said Peter J. Dolara, American Airlines’ senior vice president for Miami, Caribbean and Latin America. "It has much to offer visitors, and American's convenient nonstop flight from Miami puts it all virtually at South Florida's doorstep. Our connecting service via the Miami hub brings Grenada closer to dozens of other cities as well."
Grenada is the third Caribbean destination from South Florida to be added to American's schedule this year. Earlier, American announced it will begin non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale to Kingston, Jamaica, in June, and from Miami to Antigua, also starting Nov. 20.
Minister Modeste-Curwen also announced that the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airways would commence flights to Grenada beginning this June. This is expected to boost regional travel while British Airways have given a commitment to have a second year round flight from London.
“Grenada lost its market share in the USA when American Airline left 10 years ago and with American now deciding to put on a flight to Grenada we will be back on our way to regaining that market share,” she said. “As for the regional airline the statistics have shown that there is a down turn in visitors from Trinidad and with a second service available we know what will happen while as for London, statistics have shown that this is now our major market, so a second year round flight is definitely good news for the tourism sector.”
|
|
Continental chooses to fly solo
Monday, April 28, 2008 |
|
Apr 28, 2008
HOUSTON, April 27, 2008 – Continental Airlines released the following message to its more than 45,000 employees from Larry Kellner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Smisek, President.
Dear Co-worker,
We want you to know that our Board of Directors met today and has unanimously supported management’s recommendation that, in the current industry environment, the best course for Continental is to not merge with another airline at this time.
Our recommendation, and the Board’s careful and considered decision, followed a comprehensive review of our strategic alternatives, assisted by our senior officers and advised by Continental’s outside financial and legal advisors. The Board very carefully considered all the risks and benefits of a merger with another airline, and determined that the risks of a merger at this time outweigh the potential rewards, as compared to Continental’s prospects on a standalone basis.
We have significant cultural, operational and financial strengths compared to the rest of the industry, and we want to protect and enhance those strengths -- which we believe would be placed at risk in a merger with another carrier in today’s environment. We will, however, continue to review potential alliances and our membership in SkyTeam. We are considering alternatives to SkyTeam as we carefully evaluate which major global alliance will be best for Continental over the long term.
While some would prefer to see Continental pursue a merger, we strongly believe we have made the right decision – one that is in the best interests of our stockholders, co-workers, customers and the communities we serve.
Every U.S. carrier, including Continental, is under enormous pressure from record high fuel prices, a slowing U.S. economy and a weak dollar. In today’s harsh environment, we must continue to adjust our business model to ensure we successfully navigate through these difficult times, so that in the future we can once again grow and prosper. As we take actions, we will communicate them to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, we must all continue to concentrate on what we do so well: delivering clean, safe and reliable air transportation every day.
Even in these tough times, we have great strengths. We have an enviable position in the New York market, a powerful hub in Houston, and hubs in Cleveland and Guam. We have a solid trans-Atlantic route network, which has recently been enhanced by our access to London Heathrow. We also have a great Latin American network and a growing portfolio of routes to India and Asia. We fly the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet and have the best new aircraft order book among the major network carriers.
Most importantly, we have our Working Together culture, and we will ensure it remains intact. We’ve achieved our industry-leading customer service reputation because of you – our co-workers. We will all work together to get through these tough times.
We are both proud to be on your team.
Larry Jeff
|
|
flybe And The Way It's Done
Monday, April 28, 2008 |
|
No-frills airline flying high with £520m order for planes
Apr 28, 2008
BUDGET airline flybe, formerly known as British European, today signed an order for £520 million worth of new planes, some of which will be based at Edinburgh.
The contract, with Bombardier Aerospace of Canada, involves 17 firm orders for Q400 turboprops and an option to take a further 20, making it the largest aircraft deal signed so far this year. The first of the planes will arrive in June this year, with the other 16 over the next three years.
The new aircraft will be based at Edinburgh, Belfast City Airport, the Channel Islands, Birmingham and Southampton. They could also be used at London City Airport. Flybe, which operates from 17 regional airports across the UK, already has four Q400s, having introduced the plane on its flights from Scotland to Birmingham in December 2001.
Managing director Jim French said: "The Q400 is delivering fantastically low operating costs at flybe - a benefit which we are passing directly on to our passengers with low fares as we expand our European network."
He added: "With the announcement today to standardise on the Bombardier Q400, we will drive millions of dollars in operating cost savings, and help consolidate our position as Europe’s number one regional low fares provider."
|
|
Bangladesh airline inks order for 8 new Boeing jets
Saturday, April 19, 2008 |
|
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Biman Bangladesh Airlines said Tuesday it had ordered a total of eight new Boeing jets, including four of the US aviation giant's new fuel efficient 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Bangladesh carrier said the order "represent a major step forward in the airline's reorganization and growth plans."
The order for the eight new passenger jets was inked at a signing ceremony in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka.
"Clearly, Biman needs modern, fuel-efficient and reliable airplanes to move forward with our expansion and better serve our country's growing travel needs," M.A. Momen, Biman's managing director, said in a statement.
The airline presently links Bangladesh with 18 countries around the world, but executives hope to offer flights to up to 42 countries as they roll out an aggressive growth plan.
Boeing claims its new 787 Dreamliner jet will use 20 percent less fuel than rival aircraft of a similar size being used today.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is Bangladesh's biggest public company. Its planes first took to the skies as a government-owned carrier in 1972.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
