The Nepal Government has permitted Kingfisher Airlines to start air service between Nepal and India.
As per the recently concluded air service agreement between Nepal and India, Kingfisher was given the permission to connect Kathmandu with Delhi and Mumbai.
The airlines company submitted its proposal to operate seven flights a week in Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi and Mumbai- Kathmandu-Mumbai sector, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Besides Kingfisher, the other airlines that fly to Nepal includes Air India and Jet Airways. This is the sixth foreign destination to be serviced by the airline after London, Dubai, Bangkok, Colombo and Dhaka.
The ministry said that it took positive note of the interest shown by foreign airlines to operate flights in the country in view of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 that aims to bring in one million tourists.
Source://business-standard.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Air fares slashed by 50% for next three days
Air fares across all airlines was slashed by 50% for the next three days. The move comes after Jet Airways slashed air fares Aviation by 50%. In a bid to lure back passengers, Jet Airways and Jet Airways Konnect had announced a 50 percent discount in fares for five days from Monday.
Jet Airways executive director Saroj Dutta announced that the private carrier had suffered a loss of over Rs 200 crore ($40 million) on account of the pilots' stir since last Tuesday.
This comes as a huge bonanza for passengers. Airlines recorded a double-digit growth in air traffic in August this year, according to official data released by the industry regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Domestic airlines flew 3.67 million passengers in August against 2.92 million in the corresponding period last year—an increase of 26%.
Budget carriers IndiGo and Spice-Jet increased their market share to 13.9% and 12.3%, respectively in August while National Aviation Company of India (NACIL), which runs Air India, and Jet Airways saw their domestic customer base eroding during this period.
While Jet airways has launched a low-fare brand JetKonnect, Kingfisher shifted its capacity to Kingfisher Red. Air India would soon launch its no-frills subsidiary Air India Express in the domestic market to compete with its rivals.
Source://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Jet Airways executive director Saroj Dutta announced that the private carrier had suffered a loss of over Rs 200 crore ($40 million) on account of the pilots' stir since last Tuesday.
This comes as a huge bonanza for passengers. Airlines recorded a double-digit growth in air traffic in August this year, according to official data released by the industry regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Domestic airlines flew 3.67 million passengers in August against 2.92 million in the corresponding period last year—an increase of 26%.
Budget carriers IndiGo and Spice-Jet increased their market share to 13.9% and 12.3%, respectively in August while National Aviation Company of India (NACIL), which runs Air India, and Jet Airways saw their domestic customer base eroding during this period.
While Jet airways has launched a low-fare brand JetKonnect, Kingfisher shifted its capacity to Kingfisher Red. Air India would soon launch its no-frills subsidiary Air India Express in the domestic market to compete with its rivals.
Source://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
Virgin America Announces Bag Fee Changes
Virgin America today announced changes to the airline's baggage fees. Effective for all bookings made on or after Aug. 21, 2009, for travel starting on or after Sept. 10, 2009, the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $20 rate for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Refundable Fare travelers.) Previously, the airline's fee was $15 for these checked items. Virgin America maintains one of the most generous first bag weight limits in the industry - up to 70 lbs.*
Beginning today, any Main Cabin guest who books a non-refundable ticket for travel starting on or after Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged a flat rate of $20 for each checked bag ($20 for a first checked bag and $20 for the second through the tenth checked bag.) Guests who purchased Virgin America tickets before today or who book and travel before Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged per the airline's previous bag fee rate. Guests can pay checked bag charges when they check in at airport kiosks, on-line or at any airport airline tickets counter.
Source: news.prnewswire.com
Beginning today, any Main Cabin guest who books a non-refundable ticket for travel starting on or after Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged a flat rate of $20 for each checked bag ($20 for a first checked bag and $20 for the second through the tenth checked bag.) Guests who purchased Virgin America tickets before today or who book and travel before Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged per the airline's previous bag fee rate. Guests can pay checked bag charges when they check in at airport kiosks, on-line or at any airport airline tickets counter.
Source: news.prnewswire.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Jet Airways, JetLite, SpiceJet reduce airfares by about 48 per cent to increase passenger load on domestic routes
Jet Airways, JetLite and SpiceJet have cut airfares by about 48 per cent to increase the falling passenger load factor on domestic routes. SpiceJet has cut fares by up to 45-48 per cent for passengers travelling between July 1, 2009 and September 15, 2009. A passenger can now fly by SpiceJet from Mumbai to Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai sectors for Rs 1,830, one-way, all inclusive. The offer is valid for travel to 18 destinations on the SpiceJet network on all direct flights. The all-inclusive fares on offer include passenger service fees and relevant airport charges. A SpiceJet ticket from Mumbai to Delhi on July 1, 2009 currently costs Rs 3,579, including taxes. According to an Economic Times report by Mithun Roy, in order to avail the promotional offer, one has to book tickets by today to avail them. Samyukth Sridharan, Chief Commercial Officer, SpiceJet said, “We have always believed in stimulating the market with attractive fares. This promotion will commence in the coming season.” SpiceJet has 19 aircraft in its fleet and commands a market share of 12 per cent.
Meanwhile, JetAirways also introduced lower domestic fare tickets on selective routes. Jet Airways’ Rs 6,661 one-way ticket, excluding taxes, is valid on Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Bangalore to Kolkata and Mumbai, Delhi to Mumbai and Hyderabad and several other routes across India. The airline is offering Rs 5,551 and Rs 6,001 tickets on Bagdogra-Guwahati and Mumbai-Delhi sectors respectively. All the Jet Airways tickets will remain valid till June 30, 2009. Even its subsidiary JetLite offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,300 on routes such as Kolkata-Guwahati, and Mumbai-Nagpur and Hyderabad sectors. On the Delhi-Ahmedabad and Kochi-Hyderabad sectors, JetLite offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,600. Jet Airways Konnect service has introduced special, all-inclusive fares on several key routes across India. It offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,650 on the Chennai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Vadodara/Ahmedabad/Hyderabad sectors, among others. On the Delhi-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Bengaluru and Delhi-Patna sectors, the airline offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 2,150. It offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 2,700 on Mumbai to Delhi/Chennai/Lucknow/Kochi, as also Delhi to Bengaluru/Chennai sectors.
Mark Martin, Senior Advisor, KPMG, said, “The ticket prices need to go down to attract more passengers. Competition is ultimately helping passengers. Airlines need to stimulate the market as load factors have been falling since January.”Declining domestic air traffic has hit airlines hard and they have been forced to introduce these temporary offers. Ticket prices have dropped because there is a need to attract more passengers since many have opted to travel by train, said an analyst with a domestic brokerage firm. A drastic cut in airfares is likely to prop up the balance sheet of the declining airline industry, which posted a combined loss of USD two billion in fiscal year 2009. Industry experts said Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will remain stable as oil is hovering around USD 70 per barrel. Falling and stable ATF prices will help loss-making airlines reduce their operating costs. ATF accounts for nearly 45 per cent of an airline’s operating costs.
Source://travelbizmonitor.com
Meanwhile, JetAirways also introduced lower domestic fare tickets on selective routes. Jet Airways’ Rs 6,661 one-way ticket, excluding taxes, is valid on Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Bangalore to Kolkata and Mumbai, Delhi to Mumbai and Hyderabad and several other routes across India. The airline is offering Rs 5,551 and Rs 6,001 tickets on Bagdogra-Guwahati and Mumbai-Delhi sectors respectively. All the Jet Airways tickets will remain valid till June 30, 2009. Even its subsidiary JetLite offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,300 on routes such as Kolkata-Guwahati, and Mumbai-Nagpur and Hyderabad sectors. On the Delhi-Ahmedabad and Kochi-Hyderabad sectors, JetLite offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,600. Jet Airways Konnect service has introduced special, all-inclusive fares on several key routes across India. It offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,650 on the Chennai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Vadodara/Ahmedabad/Hyderabad sectors, among others. On the Delhi-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Bengaluru and Delhi-Patna sectors, the airline offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 2,150. It offers an all-inclusive fare of Rs 2,700 on Mumbai to Delhi/Chennai/Lucknow/Kochi, as also Delhi to Bengaluru/Chennai sectors.
Mark Martin, Senior Advisor, KPMG, said, “The ticket prices need to go down to attract more passengers. Competition is ultimately helping passengers. Airlines need to stimulate the market as load factors have been falling since January.”Declining domestic air traffic has hit airlines hard and they have been forced to introduce these temporary offers. Ticket prices have dropped because there is a need to attract more passengers since many have opted to travel by train, said an analyst with a domestic brokerage firm. A drastic cut in airfares is likely to prop up the balance sheet of the declining airline industry, which posted a combined loss of USD two billion in fiscal year 2009. Industry experts said Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will remain stable as oil is hovering around USD 70 per barrel. Falling and stable ATF prices will help loss-making airlines reduce their operating costs. ATF accounts for nearly 45 per cent of an airline’s operating costs.
Source://travelbizmonitor.com
Monday, May 25, 2009
Jet to add four new Dubai-India routes
Jet Airways, India's largest private carrier, plans to launch four new Indian routes from Dubai in the next three months, a senior executive said.
The airline launched operations to the UAE last year with daily direct flights to Abu Dhabi in April, followed by Dubai in August.
"From Dubai, we are planning to launch flights to four more Indian destinations – Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore. Talks are in process and we should be able to launch these routes in the next two to three months," Abraham Joseph, Senior General Manager for Jet Airways Middle East and North Africa, told Emirates Business.
The Indian carrier currently operates daily non-stop flights to Delhi and Mumbai from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Last month it included Chennai to its route network from Dubai and added one more frequency to Mumbai again from Dubai. Plans are also afoot to launch daily services from Mumbai each to Jeddah and Riyadh starting June 14 this year, Joseph said.
In order to battle the declining demand in air travel and boost traffic on the UAE-India route, the carrier has slashed its airfares by about 20 per cent this year.
The first cut for Jet Airways' airfares was in March this year when the carrier slashed fares by about 12 per cent on flights from the UAE to India. This was followed by a 10-per cent cut in fares last week on the same sector.
Asked if the airline was planning any further cuts in airfares this year, Joseph said: "Airfares are already quite low. I do not think we would be able to reduce it any further than what we already have. As with all other airlines, we also reduced fares because of the market pressures. But it is not good for airlines to keep reducing fares in the long run."
Declining market conditions also forced the carrier, which started international operations four years ago, to pull out of two of its international markets – San Francisco and Beijing – early this year. "We had to pull out of a couple of not-so-good routes in early January. We basically did right-sizing in order to cope with the worsening economic conditions," Joseph said.
Asked if the airline planned to pull out of any of its Middle East markets, he said: "On the contrary we are expanding our reach and operations in this region."
Despite the air travel business suffering from a serious slowdown globally as well as in the region, Jet Airways claims it has witnessed a good 20-25 per cent increase in its future bookings for this summer in Abu Dhabi.
"Our Dubai services have yet to complete a year, but in Abu Dhabi our future bookings for the three summer months – June, July and August – are up about 20-25 per cent this year compared to last summer," Joseph said.
He added the airline's average load factors for the Middle East rested 75 per cent for the year 2008-09. "In the UAE, however, we expect the load factors to be slightly higher – up to 80 per cent, in 2009-10," he said.
Source://business24-7.ae
The airline launched operations to the UAE last year with daily direct flights to Abu Dhabi in April, followed by Dubai in August.
"From Dubai, we are planning to launch flights to four more Indian destinations – Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore. Talks are in process and we should be able to launch these routes in the next two to three months," Abraham Joseph, Senior General Manager for Jet Airways Middle East and North Africa, told Emirates Business.
The Indian carrier currently operates daily non-stop flights to Delhi and Mumbai from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Last month it included Chennai to its route network from Dubai and added one more frequency to Mumbai again from Dubai. Plans are also afoot to launch daily services from Mumbai each to Jeddah and Riyadh starting June 14 this year, Joseph said.
In order to battle the declining demand in air travel and boost traffic on the UAE-India route, the carrier has slashed its airfares by about 20 per cent this year.
The first cut for Jet Airways' airfares was in March this year when the carrier slashed fares by about 12 per cent on flights from the UAE to India. This was followed by a 10-per cent cut in fares last week on the same sector.
Asked if the airline was planning any further cuts in airfares this year, Joseph said: "Airfares are already quite low. I do not think we would be able to reduce it any further than what we already have. As with all other airlines, we also reduced fares because of the market pressures. But it is not good for airlines to keep reducing fares in the long run."
Declining market conditions also forced the carrier, which started international operations four years ago, to pull out of two of its international markets – San Francisco and Beijing – early this year. "We had to pull out of a couple of not-so-good routes in early January. We basically did right-sizing in order to cope with the worsening economic conditions," Joseph said.
Asked if the airline planned to pull out of any of its Middle East markets, he said: "On the contrary we are expanding our reach and operations in this region."
Despite the air travel business suffering from a serious slowdown globally as well as in the region, Jet Airways claims it has witnessed a good 20-25 per cent increase in its future bookings for this summer in Abu Dhabi.
"Our Dubai services have yet to complete a year, but in Abu Dhabi our future bookings for the three summer months – June, July and August – are up about 20-25 per cent this year compared to last summer," Joseph said.
He added the airline's average load factors for the Middle East rested 75 per cent for the year 2008-09. "In the UAE, however, we expect the load factors to be slightly higher – up to 80 per cent, in 2009-10," he said.
Source://business24-7.ae
Friday, May 15, 2009
Air talks add flights between RP, Singapore
THE tourism industry’s desire to have more cheap flights to Singapore, among other destinations, has been realized with the increase in airline seat entitlements between the Philippines and that city-state to 26,200 a week.
This was one result of the successful amendment of the Philippines and Singapore air services agreement (ASA) last week that Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano called “a landmark agreement,” especially for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga.
The air talks held in Singapore on May 6 and 7 alloted 11,200 weekly seat entitlements between Manila and Singapore for each side—from 8,700. It also allotted 10,000 seats for each side between Clark and Subic free ports and Singapore; and 5,000 seats to Cebu and Davao cities and back.
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Deputy Executive Director Porvenir Porciuncula said, “We have been asking them since last year to include other points in exchange for their request that more entitlements be added between Manila and Singapore. What has been agreed upon may still be not enough to service demand of Singapore and local carriers.”
He said Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Zest Air have all expressed interest in applying for additional flights to Singapore.
PAL flies 20 times per week between the destinations while Cebu Pacific has 18 weekly flights. Zest Air has yet to launch its maiden flight to Singapore pending approval of its application.
Luciano said upon his arrival from the air talks on Friday. “The amended agreement translates to 50 flights weekly between Clark and Singapore, both for passenger and cargo. This air agreement is very good for Clark and the future.”
“Not only that, Clark was given fifth freedom rights to any point around the world, except to the United States and Canada, where air carriers can go beyond Clark to pick up passengers to other destinations in the world and they can do that at the rate of 14 flights per week,” he added.
Luciano is a member of the RP Air Panel headed by Transportation Undersecretary Doroteo Reyes. The other members are the CAB and officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and of Tourism, from the CIAC, and representatives of local airlines.
The panel is headed to Spain on May 19 and 20 for similar negotiations. The ASA with Brunei had been signed April, with flight entitlements for both countries increased to two carriers from the previous one, and to seven flights a week from five.
The panel also concluded in March air talks with Australia, resulting in seat entitlements of 6,000 seats from 2,500, for flights between Manila and Clark to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Source:businessmirror.com
This was one result of the successful amendment of the Philippines and Singapore air services agreement (ASA) last week that Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano called “a landmark agreement,” especially for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga.
The air talks held in Singapore on May 6 and 7 alloted 11,200 weekly seat entitlements between Manila and Singapore for each side—from 8,700. It also allotted 10,000 seats for each side between Clark and Subic free ports and Singapore; and 5,000 seats to Cebu and Davao cities and back.
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Deputy Executive Director Porvenir Porciuncula said, “We have been asking them since last year to include other points in exchange for their request that more entitlements be added between Manila and Singapore. What has been agreed upon may still be not enough to service demand of Singapore and local carriers.”
He said Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Zest Air have all expressed interest in applying for additional flights to Singapore.
PAL flies 20 times per week between the destinations while Cebu Pacific has 18 weekly flights. Zest Air has yet to launch its maiden flight to Singapore pending approval of its application.
Luciano said upon his arrival from the air talks on Friday. “The amended agreement translates to 50 flights weekly between Clark and Singapore, both for passenger and cargo. This air agreement is very good for Clark and the future.”
“Not only that, Clark was given fifth freedom rights to any point around the world, except to the United States and Canada, where air carriers can go beyond Clark to pick up passengers to other destinations in the world and they can do that at the rate of 14 flights per week,” he added.
Luciano is a member of the RP Air Panel headed by Transportation Undersecretary Doroteo Reyes. The other members are the CAB and officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and of Tourism, from the CIAC, and representatives of local airlines.
The panel is headed to Spain on May 19 and 20 for similar negotiations. The ASA with Brunei had been signed April, with flight entitlements for both countries increased to two carriers from the previous one, and to seven flights a week from five.
The panel also concluded in March air talks with Australia, resulting in seat entitlements of 6,000 seats from 2,500, for flights between Manila and Clark to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Source:businessmirror.com
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Airline boosts Abu Dhabi flights
Air India Express was hailed for expanding its Abu Dhabi operations.
The airline launched two new routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and increased its frequency of service to Cochin from five to six flights per week.
Air India Express has been flying from Terminal 1 at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tiruchirapally and Chennai in southern India at 6.20pm every Thursday and Saturday. The new routes will be serviced by a Boeing 737-800 in an economy class configuration.
Air India Express connects Abu Dhabi with six destinations in India with 21 weekly flights.
Since it first started flying to the UAE capital four years ago, the airline has experienced organic growth as the high demand for airline services has led the airline to increase frequencies and include additional routes.
The two new destinations and the increased frequency to Cochin will serve the large and growing Indian community based both within Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company's (ADAC) recent traffic figures also show the Indian Sub-continent continues to experience a strong increase in traffic.
In March alone, traffic to and from India increased by 32 per cent, making it the largest single travel market for Abu Dhabi.
Airline marketing and aeronautical revenue vice-president Mohammed Al Bulooki said: "ADAC is delighted to be part of the growth and success of Air India Express.
"We believe in providing high quality airport facilities and services that can form a foundation from which airlines can grow and expand.
"We are also pleased to continue to expand the breadth of choice we offer our customers. These services will help us to better serve the huge Indian expat community that reside in the UAE."
Air India Express executive director for Middle East and Africa Fali D Warden said: "With the introduction of direct air links from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tiruchirapally in Tamil Nadu, we are confident that the new flights will be successful in attracting passengers not only from the immediate vicinity but from the nearby districts of Tanjavur, Ramnad and Madurai as well. "The sustained introduction of Air India Express services from Abu Dhabi reflects the growing importance which Air India attaches to this region."
Source://gulf-daily-news.com
The airline launched two new routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and increased its frequency of service to Cochin from five to six flights per week.
Air India Express has been flying from Terminal 1 at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tiruchirapally and Chennai in southern India at 6.20pm every Thursday and Saturday. The new routes will be serviced by a Boeing 737-800 in an economy class configuration.
Air India Express connects Abu Dhabi with six destinations in India with 21 weekly flights.
Since it first started flying to the UAE capital four years ago, the airline has experienced organic growth as the high demand for airline services has led the airline to increase frequencies and include additional routes.
The two new destinations and the increased frequency to Cochin will serve the large and growing Indian community based both within Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company's (ADAC) recent traffic figures also show the Indian Sub-continent continues to experience a strong increase in traffic.
In March alone, traffic to and from India increased by 32 per cent, making it the largest single travel market for Abu Dhabi.
Airline marketing and aeronautical revenue vice-president Mohammed Al Bulooki said: "ADAC is delighted to be part of the growth and success of Air India Express.
"We believe in providing high quality airport facilities and services that can form a foundation from which airlines can grow and expand.
"We are also pleased to continue to expand the breadth of choice we offer our customers. These services will help us to better serve the huge Indian expat community that reside in the UAE."
Air India Express executive director for Middle East and Africa Fali D Warden said: "With the introduction of direct air links from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tiruchirapally in Tamil Nadu, we are confident that the new flights will be successful in attracting passengers not only from the immediate vicinity but from the nearby districts of Tanjavur, Ramnad and Madurai as well. "The sustained introduction of Air India Express services from Abu Dhabi reflects the growing importance which Air India attaches to this region."
Source://gulf-daily-news.com
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Jet Airways to launch daily direct services from Mumbai to Riyadh and Jeddah effective June 14, 2009
Jet Airways will launch services to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the introduction of daily, direct services from Mumbai to Saudi Arabian administrative and commercial capital cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, effective June 14, 2009. These cities will be the airline’s seventh and eighth destinations respectively in the airline's growing Gulf network. The airline will operate the new flights using a state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flight 9W 524 will depart Mumbai at 19:30 hrs, arriving in Riyadh at 21:05 hrs. Flight 9W 523 will then depart Riyadh at 22:05 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 04:30 hrs. Flight 9W 522 will depart Mumbai at 19:00 hrs, arriving in Jeddah at 21:30 hrs. While flight 9W 521 will then depart Jeddah at 22:30 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 06:10 hrs.
According to Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways, “Jet Airways is delighted to introduce daily services to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Mumbai. The introduction of these new flights will serve to further strengthen our Gulf network, better enabling us to offer passengers seamless connectivity and a world-class product on the Indo-Gulf sector.” Jet Airways currently flies daily to Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi from several Indian cities.
Source://travelbizmonitor.com
According to Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways, “Jet Airways is delighted to introduce daily services to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Mumbai. The introduction of these new flights will serve to further strengthen our Gulf network, better enabling us to offer passengers seamless connectivity and a world-class product on the Indo-Gulf sector.” Jet Airways currently flies daily to Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi from several Indian cities.
Source://travelbizmonitor.com
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Five free flights every month with American Express
Following the launch of the prestigious and much coveted SriLankan Airlines Platinum American Express Card in January this year, American Express® – the credit card acquired and issued solely by Nations Trust Bank PLC announced an exciting new value proposition targeted exclusively for Cardmembers.
This new proposition will see American Express® offering free tickets to five destinations each month from April until the end of the year, to all their SriLankan Airlines Platinum American Express Cardmembers. With 2 million FlySmiLes miles up for grabs, Cardmembers can look forward to being one of the five lucky winners to win free flights each month to exciting destinations such as the UK, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and India.
Increased spend on the Card will offer Cardmembers greater chances at winning, with each Rs.10,000 purchase made on their SriLankan Airlines Platinum American Express Card, offering the Cardmember one chance at the lucky draw. Purchases of up to Rs.50, 000 would offer the Cardmember five chances at the lucky draw, and so on.
Commenting on this, Lewie Diasz, Chief Manager Cards and Consumer Assets at Nations Trust Bank PLC said, “This season commences on a value filled note to our Cardmembers as they have the opportunity to win free flights to key destinations. With five flights being offered every month until the end of the year, this new campaign targeted exclusively to our Platinum Cardmembers offers unmatched advantages and privileges. We are delighted to reward our Cardmembers with such premium offers – an added incentive that will certainly be of great value to our Cardmembers.”
Source:dailymirror.lk
Monday, April 6, 2009
5 new routes for Kingfisher
Kingfisher Airlines, India’s market-leading airline and the first and only five-star airline from India, on Thursday announced that it had commenced flights on five new domestic routes as part of its ‘Summer 2009’ schedule that began on March 29, 2009.
The five new routes launched by Kingfisher Airlines are, Mumbai-Vadodara, Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad-Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad-Aurangabad and Bangalore-Kozhikode.
Source:expressbuzz.com
The five new routes launched by Kingfisher Airlines are, Mumbai-Vadodara, Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad-Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad-Aurangabad and Bangalore-Kozhikode.
Source:expressbuzz.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Kingfisher Airlines to offer fan packages to IPL 2
The DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced that Kingfisher Airlines has renewed its deal to be the Official Airline and Travel Partner for the league in the second season.
As the official airline and travel partner to the DLF Indian Premier League, Kingfisher Airlines will extend its hospitality to not only all the teams and players of the DLF Indian Premier League but will also offer IPL fans in India the unique opportunity to travel to South Africa to root for their favourite teams participating in Season 2009 in South Africa.
Kingfisher Airlines is working in close consultation with the South African Tourism and three of the largest tour operators to offer cricket fans a unique once in a life time fare to experience cricket in the Rainbow Nation, an official release said. The airline is also working closely with IPL to ensure that all teams and support management get to "travel in style and convenience" between India and South Africa.
Kingfisher packages to South Africa will look to offer fans an end-to-end experience with airline tickets, match tickets, hotels and on-ground arrangements all built into one exciting package at an unbeatable price, the company said.
Taking things a step further, Kingfisher will also offer customised tours based on each team’s fan base and will facilitate special flights within India to ensure that fans of all the franchises can connect to convenient flights between India and South Africa.
In addition to that fans can also savour the treasures of the Rainbow Nation with local sight-seeing tours conducted by expert tour operators and local guides to enhance their South African experience. Attractively priced IPL match tickets will ensure that fans from all across can fly and support their teams.
IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi says, "I am very pleased to have the country’s premier 5 star airline Kingfisher Airlines join us as our Official Airline and Travel Partner. I am certain that the IPL fans travelling to South Africa for Season 2009 will enjoy the 5 star hospitality of the airline while flying the good times to the Rainbow Nation.
"Kingfisher’s decision to extend the association with the DLF IPL further bears testimony to the fact that there is a huge global fan following for the league and I am certain now that a lot of Indians will partake of this unique offer from Kingfisher Airlines to make the trip over to South Africa to enjoy an action packed Season 2009.”
Kingfisher Airlines chairman and CEO Dr. Vijay Mallya said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the DLF Indian Premier League as the official airline and travel partner for Season 2009. Fans can expect to fly the good times in the Rainbow Nation as they follow the fortunes of their favourite IPL teams in South Africa.
"This extension of our agreement with the DLF Indian Premier League is further testimony of our commitment to Indian sports. I am certain that all the fans, players and officials of the DLF IPL will undoubtedly enjoy our hospitality and fly the good times during the thirty – six days of intense competition. I welcome all DLF IPL fans to sit back, relax and enjoy the Kingfisher experience.”
The DLF Indian Premier League is set to kick-off in Cape Town with a double-header weekend, which will see all eight teams pitted against each other. The double header on 18 April will see the winner of the inaugural season the Rajasthan Royals face-off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, while the Mumbai Indians will do battle against the Chennai Super Kings. On 19 April the Deccan Chargers will face the Kolkata Knight Riders and the second game will see the Delhi Dare Devils take on Kings XI Punjab.
Source:indiantelevision.com
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A-I daily direct flight to Chicago from March 29
Air-India is launching direct daily flights from Hyderabad to Chicago (US) via Frankfurt from March 29.
The national carrier also plans to introduce non-stop flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt.
Passengers flying from Hyderabad will now have an option to travel via Mumbai to Chicago and via Delhi to New York for the same fare. Besides from Hyderabad, Air India also launched direct flights to Chicago from Bangalore and Chennai.
``Frankfurt has a distinctive advantage of providing easy connectivity to many cities. For us, it is a hub more strategic than London.
We are expecting at least 10 per cent increase in traffic due to this restructuring,’’ said P Ashok Kumar, deputy general manager (commercial), Air India.
To make introduction of nonstop flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt possible, the occupany levels of each flight taking off from Hyderabad to Chicago and London via Mumbai and Delhi have to touch 150 to 200 passengers.
“Introduction of direct flights reduces transit time and costs significantly. When volumes increase, we will launch non-stop flights and fares will be much lower compared to the present,’’ explained.
In spite of the prevalent recession, Air-India, which has a fleet strength of about 150 aircrft, has inducting new aircraft into its fleet at an average of two to three a month since July 2007.
To face competition from private carriers, the airline is expanding its network to cover new destinations within the country and also abroad.
Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com
The national carrier also plans to introduce non-stop flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt.
Passengers flying from Hyderabad will now have an option to travel via Mumbai to Chicago and via Delhi to New York for the same fare. Besides from Hyderabad, Air India also launched direct flights to Chicago from Bangalore and Chennai.
``Frankfurt has a distinctive advantage of providing easy connectivity to many cities. For us, it is a hub more strategic than London.
We are expecting at least 10 per cent increase in traffic due to this restructuring,’’ said P Ashok Kumar, deputy general manager (commercial), Air India.
To make introduction of nonstop flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt possible, the occupany levels of each flight taking off from Hyderabad to Chicago and London via Mumbai and Delhi have to touch 150 to 200 passengers.
“Introduction of direct flights reduces transit time and costs significantly. When volumes increase, we will launch non-stop flights and fares will be much lower compared to the present,’’ explained.
In spite of the prevalent recession, Air-India, which has a fleet strength of about 150 aircrft, has inducting new aircraft into its fleet at an average of two to three a month since July 2007.
To face competition from private carriers, the airline is expanding its network to cover new destinations within the country and also abroad.
Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com
Monday, March 16, 2009
Economy slows, airlines leave, yet international passenger traffic jumps
Mumbai airport has bucked an international trend - a sharp drop in passenger movements.
Latest figures released by the Airports Council International (ACI), the Geneva-based association of world airports, report a fall of 6.7 per cent and 5.9 per cent in worldwide international and domestic passenger traffic from January to December 2008.
By contrast, in Mumbai airport, international passenger movement has actually registered a rise of 3.6 per cent between April 2008 and January 2009. In terms of domestic passenger traffic, however, Mumbai airport has followed the global trend: it has seen a decline of 8.5 per cent between April and January.
The rise in international traffic has come in spite of the Mumbai airport seeing two major airlines and a new one withdraw from the summer schedule.
Richard Branson-promoted Virgin Atlantic will withdraw its Mumbai-London flight from May 4, while Finnish airline Finnair will withdraw flights to Mumbai temporarily between May and mid-October.
“Though it won’t make a lot of difference to the overall airport traffic figures, symbolically it has a lot of significance,” admitted an airport official.
Another carrier, little-known Dubai-based Sama Airlines, has withdrawn its flights from Mumbai since March 1, according to an airport official. The reasons cited by all airlines circle around a sharp fall in load coupled with the ongoing slowdown.
“We have decided to temporarily suspend operations to Mumbai with effect from May 4. We are suspending this service until rational conditions re-emerge,” said Neha Lidder Ganju, senior marketing manager (India), Virgin Atlantic Airways.
However according to a Mumbai airport source, the real reason lay in competition cutting into the airlines’ pie. “There are four flights taking off for London within a span of one hour. So the competition out there is immense,” he said.
Though there has been an overall increase in international passenger movements, for the month of January alone the figures are down by 2.75 per cent compared to those for last January. As for domestic passenger traffic this January, the drop is 13.5% compared to that in last January.
“Though some airlines have withdrawn, there are other sectors that are actually doing very well,” said an airport official. “In fact Emirates is thinking of adding another flight from Mumbai to Dubai,” he said.
It was earlier reported by Newsline that Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) expects a drop of about 15% in overall passenger movements for 2008-09. In 2007-08, the airport handled 25.8 million passengers, this year MIAL expects the figure to be in the 22-million range.
Source:expressindia.com
Latest figures released by the Airports Council International (ACI), the Geneva-based association of world airports, report a fall of 6.7 per cent and 5.9 per cent in worldwide international and domestic passenger traffic from January to December 2008.
By contrast, in Mumbai airport, international passenger movement has actually registered a rise of 3.6 per cent between April 2008 and January 2009. In terms of domestic passenger traffic, however, Mumbai airport has followed the global trend: it has seen a decline of 8.5 per cent between April and January.
The rise in international traffic has come in spite of the Mumbai airport seeing two major airlines and a new one withdraw from the summer schedule.
Richard Branson-promoted Virgin Atlantic will withdraw its Mumbai-London flight from May 4, while Finnish airline Finnair will withdraw flights to Mumbai temporarily between May and mid-October.
“Though it won’t make a lot of difference to the overall airport traffic figures, symbolically it has a lot of significance,” admitted an airport official.
Another carrier, little-known Dubai-based Sama Airlines, has withdrawn its flights from Mumbai since March 1, according to an airport official. The reasons cited by all airlines circle around a sharp fall in load coupled with the ongoing slowdown.
“We have decided to temporarily suspend operations to Mumbai with effect from May 4. We are suspending this service until rational conditions re-emerge,” said Neha Lidder Ganju, senior marketing manager (India), Virgin Atlantic Airways.
However according to a Mumbai airport source, the real reason lay in competition cutting into the airlines’ pie. “There are four flights taking off for London within a span of one hour. So the competition out there is immense,” he said.
Though there has been an overall increase in international passenger movements, for the month of January alone the figures are down by 2.75 per cent compared to those for last January. As for domestic passenger traffic this January, the drop is 13.5% compared to that in last January.
“Though some airlines have withdrawn, there are other sectors that are actually doing very well,” said an airport official. “In fact Emirates is thinking of adding another flight from Mumbai to Dubai,” he said.
It was earlier reported by Newsline that Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) expects a drop of about 15% in overall passenger movements for 2008-09. In 2007-08, the airport handled 25.8 million passengers, this year MIAL expects the figure to be in the 22-million range.
Source:expressindia.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
Mixed response given to new direct flight
The new direct flight from Kanpur to Delhi and from Delhi to Kanpur has generated mixed response from the Kanpurites.
The business class termed this development as fruitful and said business in Kanpur will also take-off and MNCs and big private firms who earlier used to skip Kanpur from their calendars in absence of direct flights will start coming to city.
Umang Agrawal, a businessman said, "apart from the obvious benefits that time will be saved, lot of important Delhi based firms will start coming to the city. Earlier, we used to be summoned there as we had to go to Delhi in absence of no other choice."
But for many time schedule will take away the benefits. Anil Shukla Warsi, the MP from Akbarpur who frequent Delhi almost on a daily basis said, "unless and until the flight times get scheduled in the morning it's no use planning the flight."
Same was the response of many others users who regularly to and fro between Kanpur and Delhi. Even flight operators admit that. Prashant Shukla, personal secretary to station manager said, "we also want that flight times get beneficial for professional purposes so that people can be in Delhi by 10 in morning, get their chores done and return back to Kanpur by evening."
The flight No. 7802 which will operate from Kanpur to Delhi and flight No. 7801 from Delhi to Kanpur will be operational from Monday onwards. The minimum fare on this route for 48 seater Air India flight is Rs 4075 for economy class and Rs 8210 is maximum charge.
Source:indiatimes.com
The business class termed this development as fruitful and said business in Kanpur will also take-off and MNCs and big private firms who earlier used to skip Kanpur from their calendars in absence of direct flights will start coming to city.
Umang Agrawal, a businessman said, "apart from the obvious benefits that time will be saved, lot of important Delhi based firms will start coming to the city. Earlier, we used to be summoned there as we had to go to Delhi in absence of no other choice."
But for many time schedule will take away the benefits. Anil Shukla Warsi, the MP from Akbarpur who frequent Delhi almost on a daily basis said, "unless and until the flight times get scheduled in the morning it's no use planning the flight."
Same was the response of many others users who regularly to and fro between Kanpur and Delhi. Even flight operators admit that. Prashant Shukla, personal secretary to station manager said, "we also want that flight times get beneficial for professional purposes so that people can be in Delhi by 10 in morning, get their chores done and return back to Kanpur by evening."
The flight No. 7802 which will operate from Kanpur to Delhi and flight No. 7801 from Delhi to Kanpur will be operational from Monday onwards. The minimum fare on this route for 48 seater Air India flight is Rs 4075 for economy class and Rs 8210 is maximum charge.
Source:indiatimes.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
SpiceJet says no cut in air fares in near future
Low-cost carrier SpiceJet Ltd has no plans to cut air fares in the near future unless there is a "significant" fall in fuel prices
or rise in passenger traffic, its chief executive said on Wednesday. SpiceJet expects jet-fuel prices, which make up the bulk of a carrier's operating cost, to rise by 25 percent in the next six months, and said will use the current period of low fuel prices to cover earlier losses when they were high.
"We cannot afford to look at cut in fare now. It is hitting the right balance," Sanjay Aggarwal told a news conference, adding that current prices were helping the airline "improve its bottom line". "We expect up to 25 percent increase in aviation turbine fuel prices in next six months but at the current fare level we hope to break even in next one year," he said. SpiceJet, along with other carriers had cut prices in December in a bid to jump start a weakening air-travel market, but reversed the reductions in less than two months as the initiative failed to significantly boost traffic.
Analysts have said carriers cannot afford to engage in a price war and had in December noted that deep cuts in fares were unsustainable, a view most airlines have come around to. SpiceJet's load factor stood close to 70 percent and an average ticket retailed at 4,000 rupees, Aggarwal said. "Although bookings are down by 20-25 percent but per flight earnings have improved by 17 percent compared to early January," he said.
Five budget carriers, including SpiceJet, and three full service airlines operate in India, which was a boom market until the global financial crisis hit the economy last year. SpiceJet expects to have cornered 12 percent of the domestic market by February, from about 7.8 per cent in October last year, Aggarwal said, helped by better fares and improving services.
It will consider launching international flights to cities in South Asia and the Middle East in 2010, when it will be allowed to fly overseas and plans to add five more planes to its fleet by March that year. Shares in SpiceJet were marginally down at 14.36 rupees in a Mumbai market that was up nearly 1 percent.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
or rise in passenger traffic, its chief executive said on Wednesday. SpiceJet expects jet-fuel prices, which make up the bulk of a carrier's operating cost, to rise by 25 percent in the next six months, and said will use the current period of low fuel prices to cover earlier losses when they were high.
"We cannot afford to look at cut in fare now. It is hitting the right balance," Sanjay Aggarwal told a news conference, adding that current prices were helping the airline "improve its bottom line". "We expect up to 25 percent increase in aviation turbine fuel prices in next six months but at the current fare level we hope to break even in next one year," he said. SpiceJet, along with other carriers had cut prices in December in a bid to jump start a weakening air-travel market, but reversed the reductions in less than two months as the initiative failed to significantly boost traffic.
Analysts have said carriers cannot afford to engage in a price war and had in December noted that deep cuts in fares were unsustainable, a view most airlines have come around to. SpiceJet's load factor stood close to 70 percent and an average ticket retailed at 4,000 rupees, Aggarwal said. "Although bookings are down by 20-25 percent but per flight earnings have improved by 17 percent compared to early January," he said.
Five budget carriers, including SpiceJet, and three full service airlines operate in India, which was a boom market until the global financial crisis hit the economy last year. SpiceJet expects to have cornered 12 percent of the domestic market by February, from about 7.8 per cent in October last year, Aggarwal said, helped by better fares and improving services.
It will consider launching international flights to cities in South Asia and the Middle East in 2010, when it will be allowed to fly overseas and plans to add five more planes to its fleet by March that year. Shares in SpiceJet were marginally down at 14.36 rupees in a Mumbai market that was up nearly 1 percent.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
special Valentine fares to Singapore and Hong Kong from Mumbai, with immediate effect by Jet Airways
Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, has introduced special Valentine fares to Singapore and Hong Kong from Mumbai, with immediate effect.*
The special Valentine fares will entail a 30% discount on base return Economy Class and Première fares on these sectors.**
The offer is applicable for those passengers who complete their ticket purchase by February 18, 2009, and commence outbound travel on the Mumbai-Singapore sector between 18-19 February, 2009 and 23-27 February, 2009.
Passengers travelling on the Mumbai-Hong Kong sector must complete their ticket purchase by February 18, 2009, and commence outbound travel between 18-21 February, 2009 and 23-27 February, 2009.
Jet Airways operates daily, direct flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, aboard state-of-the-art wide-body Airbus 330-200 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft respectively.
source:prurgent.com
The special Valentine fares will entail a 30% discount on base return Economy Class and Première fares on these sectors.**
The offer is applicable for those passengers who complete their ticket purchase by February 18, 2009, and commence outbound travel on the Mumbai-Singapore sector between 18-19 February, 2009 and 23-27 February, 2009.
Passengers travelling on the Mumbai-Hong Kong sector must complete their ticket purchase by February 18, 2009, and commence outbound travel between 18-21 February, 2009 and 23-27 February, 2009.
Jet Airways operates daily, direct flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, aboard state-of-the-art wide-body Airbus 330-200 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft respectively.
source:prurgent.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
Air India Express set to expand network
Air India Express has inducted another B737-800 aircraft today thus increasing the fleet size to 21 aircraft, including seven leased aircraft. The new aircraft inducted in the fleet today has ‘shikara on the Dal Lake in Kashmir’ on one side of the tail and an ‘image of a large expanse of the Rajasthan Desert’ on the other side. The tail designs are an innovative and novel feature of the Air India Express fleet. Each of the aircraft showcases the picturesque landscapes, monuments, birds, animals, handicraft and dances of India on both sides of the tail.
With the induction of the new aircraft, Air India Express will further expand its operations. Air India Express will launch its once a week flight to Dubai from Srinagar with this new aircraft with effect from February 14, 2009. This will mark the commencement of international flights from the new Srinagar International Airport Terminal. Air India Express is also proposing to increase frequency on the Chennai-Trichy-Dubai route from three flights a week to seven flights a week and the existing flights on the Chennai-Hyderabad-Dubai route from three to four flights a week. Air India Express will also increase the frequency of its flights from three to six flights a week on the Trichy-Kuala Lumpur sector.
Air India Express, India’s first international budget carrier, commenced operations on April 29, 2005, and today operates 176 weekly flights between 16 Indian cities viz. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Mangalore, Chennai, Tiruchirapally, Nagpur, Kolkota, Jaipur, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune and 14 International cities on the network, which are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat, Salalah, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Dhaka and Colombo.
Source://prdomain.com
With the induction of the new aircraft, Air India Express will further expand its operations. Air India Express will launch its once a week flight to Dubai from Srinagar with this new aircraft with effect from February 14, 2009. This will mark the commencement of international flights from the new Srinagar International Airport Terminal. Air India Express is also proposing to increase frequency on the Chennai-Trichy-Dubai route from three flights a week to seven flights a week and the existing flights on the Chennai-Hyderabad-Dubai route from three to four flights a week. Air India Express will also increase the frequency of its flights from three to six flights a week on the Trichy-Kuala Lumpur sector.
Air India Express, India’s first international budget carrier, commenced operations on April 29, 2005, and today operates 176 weekly flights between 16 Indian cities viz. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Mangalore, Chennai, Tiruchirapally, Nagpur, Kolkota, Jaipur, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune and 14 International cities on the network, which are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat, Salalah, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Dhaka and Colombo.
Source://prdomain.com
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Price war takes off again: Local airlines begin to cut basic fares
After a four-year lull, there is a price war in the sky again. Domestic airline companies have started offering airfares that are Airport World's Best Airport World's Top 10 airports World's busiest airports comparable with those witnessed in 2005. The drop in airfares is nearly across all the routes in the country. For example, a Delhi-Mumbai Jet Airways ticket now costs Rs 2,900, a sharp drop from Rs 5,350. JetLite, Jet Airways’ subsidiary, is offering a Mumbai-Delhi ticket for Rs 1,650, all inclusive, against the earlier price of Rs 2,845.
Budget carriers, such as GoAir and IndiGo, are offering fares in the range of Rs 2,175 to Rs 2,700, including taxes, for the Mumbai-Delhi sector.
Experts said the move could be explained by a steep fall in the prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which accounts for more than 45% of an airline’s costs. In the past five months, ATF prices have declined by about 60% to Rs 30,457 per kilolitre. They are now quoting around July 2005 levels. However, they are not certain whether the drastic cut in airfares would be able to prop up the balance sheets in the sagging airline industry, which is expected to post a combined loss of $2 billion for fiscal 2009.
Mark Martin, senior advisor, KPMG, told ET: “Airlines need to stimulate the market as load factors are falling since August despite reduction in fares. Aggressive pricing is a gamble and it may hurt them in the long run.”
Industry experts believe that reduced prices may not generate enough additional traffic and revenues in the current economic scenario.
Source:indiatimes
Budget carriers, such as GoAir and IndiGo, are offering fares in the range of Rs 2,175 to Rs 2,700, including taxes, for the Mumbai-Delhi sector.
Experts said the move could be explained by a steep fall in the prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which accounts for more than 45% of an airline’s costs. In the past five months, ATF prices have declined by about 60% to Rs 30,457 per kilolitre. They are now quoting around July 2005 levels. However, they are not certain whether the drastic cut in airfares would be able to prop up the balance sheets in the sagging airline industry, which is expected to post a combined loss of $2 billion for fiscal 2009.
Mark Martin, senior advisor, KPMG, told ET: “Airlines need to stimulate the market as load factors are falling since August despite reduction in fares. Aggressive pricing is a gamble and it may hurt them in the long run.”
Industry experts believe that reduced prices may not generate enough additional traffic and revenues in the current economic scenario.
Source:indiatimes
Monday, January 19, 2009
Qantas begins A380 flights to London
Australians have more options for flying the world's largest airliner, the Airbus A380, to Europe after Qantas began flying the aircraft on the `kangaroo route' to London last week.
Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the airline would initially operate three A380 superjumbo services each week on the Kangaroo Route.
"Following the delivery of a third aircraft at the end of December, we are now ready to introduce the Qantas A380 to the Singapore and UK markets," he said.
QF31 will operate flights to London from Sydney via Singapore on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the return QF32 operating on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, also via Singapore.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines announced it will begin flights of the A380to Paris beginning from June 1.
The daily Singapore-Paris flights will be in addition to SIA's A380 service to London, Tokyo and Sydney.
Singapore Airlines and travel agents said last week that the carrier is cutting more than 200 flights to Europe, Australia, China, and India in response to falling passenger numbers during a global economic slowdown.
The airline said December passenger numbers were down 7.5 per cent year-on-year.
But on Monday it said the A380 Paris service is a response to "growing demand".
The double-decker aircraft will replace the existing 10-times-a-week service by Boeing 777-300ER planes, SIA said.
Superjumbos can carry up to 853 passengers but SIA uses a setup with a maximum of 471 seats. Qantas A380s have 450 seats.
SIA was the first airline in the world to operate the A380.
Source:theage.com.au
Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the airline would initially operate three A380 superjumbo services each week on the Kangaroo Route.
"Following the delivery of a third aircraft at the end of December, we are now ready to introduce the Qantas A380 to the Singapore and UK markets," he said.
QF31 will operate flights to London from Sydney via Singapore on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the return QF32 operating on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, also via Singapore.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines announced it will begin flights of the A380to Paris beginning from June 1.
The daily Singapore-Paris flights will be in addition to SIA's A380 service to London, Tokyo and Sydney.
Singapore Airlines and travel agents said last week that the carrier is cutting more than 200 flights to Europe, Australia, China, and India in response to falling passenger numbers during a global economic slowdown.
The airline said December passenger numbers were down 7.5 per cent year-on-year.
But on Monday it said the A380 Paris service is a response to "growing demand".
The double-decker aircraft will replace the existing 10-times-a-week service by Boeing 777-300ER planes, SIA said.
Superjumbos can carry up to 853 passengers but SIA uses a setup with a maximum of 471 seats. Qantas A380s have 450 seats.
SIA was the first airline in the world to operate the A380.
Source:theage.com.au
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
BA / British Airways cancels more routes.
As the economic downturn continues to bite and passengers look even harder for lower fares British Airways has announced the cancellation of flights to India, Bangladesh and Europe. Flights to Japan have also seen a reduction in frequency.
From 29 March British Airways will no longer operate to the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka leaving Biman Bangladesh the only airline to operate direct services. Kolkata (Calcutta) in India also gets the chop leaving the city with no direct flights from the UK.
Gatwick to Geneva and Zurich have also been cancelled but flights from Heathrow to both airports continue to operate. Tokyo’s Narita airport also sees a reduction in flights when the double daily flights are reduced to a single flight each day.
By taking this course of action British Airways believe they can better use their capacity (aircraft) where there is greater demand.Passengers who have bookings for travel after 29 March may rebook onto another BA flight at a later date-not a lot of good if you are booked to travel on BA to Dhaka or Kolkata or if you live close to Gatwick and are booked to fly to Geneva or Zurich!! Oh, and if you can’t accept the above you can have a refund-not a lot of choice really.Passengers affected should contact their agent/tour operator of BA if they have booked direct.
Source:alternativeairlines.com
From 29 March British Airways will no longer operate to the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka leaving Biman Bangladesh the only airline to operate direct services. Kolkata (Calcutta) in India also gets the chop leaving the city with no direct flights from the UK.
Gatwick to Geneva and Zurich have also been cancelled but flights from Heathrow to both airports continue to operate. Tokyo’s Narita airport also sees a reduction in flights when the double daily flights are reduced to a single flight each day.
By taking this course of action British Airways believe they can better use their capacity (aircraft) where there is greater demand.Passengers who have bookings for travel after 29 March may rebook onto another BA flight at a later date-not a lot of good if you are booked to travel on BA to Dhaka or Kolkata or if you live close to Gatwick and are booked to fly to Geneva or Zurich!! Oh, and if you can’t accept the above you can have a refund-not a lot of choice really.Passengers affected should contact their agent/tour operator of BA if they have booked direct.
Source:alternativeairlines.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Singapore Airlines flies into price war
Low airfares are back and so is competition. The cash rich Singapore Airlines is offering discount deals of up to 60%, connecting Mumbaiwith various South-East Asian cities. A Mumbai-Singapore return fare is now available for just Rs 16,830, including taxes, whereas Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur return fares are Rs 23,980 per ticket. The Sydney, Melbourne and Perth return fares from Mumbai are Rs 41,350 only. “Attractive prices to popular leisure destinations will allow more customers to travel these places,” said Singapore Airlines general manager CW Foo.
Interestingly, these fare cuts are coming at a time when Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines is launching its daily non-stop Mumbai-London flight from Monday. Singapore Airlines, which started operations from Chennai in 1970, operates 56 weekly flights to Singapore from eight Indian cities. It has double daily flights from Mumbai and Delhi, apart from flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Its subsidiary airline SilkAir operates daily flights from Kochi, four flights from Thiruvananthapuram and thrice weekly from Coimbatore.
On the other hand, Jet Airways has announced offerings for international travellers last week. Mumbai-Singapore return fare in the Premier Class is available for two persons for Rs 1,01,250. Similarly, a companion-free offer with a return Premier ticket worth Rs 94,500 is available on the Mumbai-Hong Kong sector. Jet has also announced companion free offers on the Mumbai-Bangkok sector at a Premier fare of Rs 57,065. All fares are exclusive of surcharge and taxes.
Kingfisher Airlines flight to London has almost full occupancy, said a spokesperson. The Mumbai-London flight will be Kingfisher’s second overseas route after the Bangalore-London flight, launched in September last year. Kingfisher is planning to launch Mumbai-Hong Kong operations from January 12, and Mumbai-Singapore flight from January 16.
It will also launch its Bangalore-Chennai-Colombo flight from January 19. Kingfisher Airlines will also be competing with the National Aviation Co. of India Ltd-run Air India, Jet Airways and several international carriers.
International passenger traffic fell by 4.5% in November. The International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines operating 93% of cross-border flights, has forecast that 2009 will be worse than 2008 in terms of the number of passengers and yields.
Meanwhile, Jet Airways has introduced special 3, 5 and 7-day advance purchase (APEX) fares for its Premiere passengers on key domestic sectors. While the 3-day APEX fares range from Rs 7,900 to Rs 8,100; the 5-day APEX fares range from Rs 6,500 to Rs 11,500; and the 7-day APEX fares from Rs 4,500 to Rs 17,500.
Source:indiatimes.com
Interestingly, these fare cuts are coming at a time when Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines is launching its daily non-stop Mumbai-London flight from Monday. Singapore Airlines, which started operations from Chennai in 1970, operates 56 weekly flights to Singapore from eight Indian cities. It has double daily flights from Mumbai and Delhi, apart from flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Its subsidiary airline SilkAir operates daily flights from Kochi, four flights from Thiruvananthapuram and thrice weekly from Coimbatore.
On the other hand, Jet Airways has announced offerings for international travellers last week. Mumbai-Singapore return fare in the Premier Class is available for two persons for Rs 1,01,250. Similarly, a companion-free offer with a return Premier ticket worth Rs 94,500 is available on the Mumbai-Hong Kong sector. Jet has also announced companion free offers on the Mumbai-Bangkok sector at a Premier fare of Rs 57,065. All fares are exclusive of surcharge and taxes.
Kingfisher Airlines flight to London has almost full occupancy, said a spokesperson. The Mumbai-London flight will be Kingfisher’s second overseas route after the Bangalore-London flight, launched in September last year. Kingfisher is planning to launch Mumbai-Hong Kong operations from January 12, and Mumbai-Singapore flight from January 16.
It will also launch its Bangalore-Chennai-Colombo flight from January 19. Kingfisher Airlines will also be competing with the National Aviation Co. of India Ltd-run Air India, Jet Airways and several international carriers.
International passenger traffic fell by 4.5% in November. The International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines operating 93% of cross-border flights, has forecast that 2009 will be worse than 2008 in terms of the number of passengers and yields.
Meanwhile, Jet Airways has introduced special 3, 5 and 7-day advance purchase (APEX) fares for its Premiere passengers on key domestic sectors. While the 3-day APEX fares range from Rs 7,900 to Rs 8,100; the 5-day APEX fares range from Rs 6,500 to Rs 11,500; and the 7-day APEX fares from Rs 4,500 to Rs 17,500.
Source:indiatimes.com
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