Singapore Airlines to sponsor the 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has joined the group of airlines to sponsor Formula 1 Grand Prix races, following Etihad Airways, Gulf Air and QANTAS Airways.

In anticipation of this agreement, a photo-shoot was arranged on April 7 when the pictured Airbus A380-841 9V-SKS (msn 085) returned from a Los Angeles-Tokyo (Narita)-Singapore flight. 9V-SKS was towed to bay 102 for the special photo shoot.

Singapore Airlines issued this statement:

Singapore Airlines has signed an agreement with the Formula One Group to be the Title Sponsor of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

This year’s event will take place from September 19-21 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Formula 1®, which began in 1950, is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition and is the world’s most popular annual sporting series. In 2014 it was watched by over 450 million unique television viewers from 185 territories. The 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 19 races in 19 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is a subsidiary of the Formula One group, founded by CEO Bernie Ecclestone, and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Copyright Photo: Kok Chwee K.C. Sim/AirlinersGallery.com. 9V-SKS poses with a Formula 1 race car at bay 102 for special photo shoot.

Singapore Airlines:

Fiji Airways and Etihad Airways move closer with an interline agreement

Fiji Airways (2nd) (Nadi) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), the national airlines of Fiji and the United Arab Emirates, respectively, announced a new and far reaching interline agreement between the two carriers.

This agreement will allow reciprocal sales from and to 12 cities in Europe, 17 cities in the Middle East, five cities in Africa, five cities in North America, 29 cities in Asia and three cities in Australia to and from Fiji. The agreement is effective immediately and is the starting point of further negotiations between the two airlines.

Etihad Airways joins Fiji Airways’ list of codeshare or interline partners, which includes American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, QANTAS Airways and Air New Zealand.

On the financial side, Air Pacific Group reported an operating profit before income tax of $14.2 million for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013, compared to an operating profit before income tax of $22.4 million for the preceding twelve month period ended March 31, 2013.

On a net basis, the Group reported an after tax profit of $14.5 million for the nine months period compared to $17.8 million from the preceding 12-month period. The nine months performance was driven by an increase in passenger numbers by 2.5 % with an additional revenue of 1.0%, hence a slight yield decrease of -1.5 % due to the relentless competitive environment, especially from/to the U.S. and Australia.

All amounts are in Fijian dollars.

Copyright Photo: Colin Hunter/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 DQ-FJT (msn 1394) of Fiji Airways arrives in Auckland.

Fiji Airways:

Etihad Airways:

Swiss becomes the first “allergy-friendly” airline

Swiss International Air Lines (Zurich) has become the first “allergy-friendly” airline. The airline just issued this statement:

In May, Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., will introduce a number of ground/inflight products designed to enhance the air travel experience for allergy sufferers. These innovations will include new alternative (lactose- and gluten- free) food and drinks, along with cabin interior changes.

Swiss has teamed up with the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) to offer its guests an even more individualized service product for travelers with allergies. New onboard all SWISS flights will be lactose- and gluten- free food and beverage alternatives such as lactose-free coffee cream and a lactose-free version of the popular Swiss chocolate bar.

Depending on the length of the flight, Swiss guests with allergies or other intolerances may further request special snacks (candy bars, yoghurt or cakes) that address passenger allergies, and pay full regard to their conditions.

At present, allergy sufferers will be able to order special meals tailored to their needs in all seating classes on long-haul services and in Business Class within Europe up to 24 hours before their scheduled departure. From the U.S., Swiss offers long-haul flights to Switzerland in First, Business, Economy classes of service from Boston, Chicago, New York, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Swiss is making allergy-minded modifications to its cabins, too. First and Business Class passengers will be offered pillows stuffed with synthetic materials as an alternative to the down-filled version. Swiss is also ceasing its use in the cabin of decorative flowers and air fresheners that might cause nose and throat irritations; and the on-board toilets will now feature soaps that are gentle on the skin.

“The numbers of people suffering from allergies have been increasing throughout the industrialized world for several years now,” adds Professor Torsten Zuberbier, the Director of Berlin-based ECARF. “Over 30 percent of Europe’s population are directly affected by one or more allergies – not to mention those indirectly affected, such as their families. Yet only around 10 percent of sufferers get the right medical treatment; and allergies are still often not taken seriously, even by the sufferers themselves.”

Swiss is the first airline in the world to meet the ECARF criteria for “allergy-friendly” airlines. As a result, Swiss can now place the ECARF seal of approval on its service product range.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-313X HB-JMF (msn 561) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport.

Swiss International Air Lines:

Transavia France introduces seven new routes from Paris Orly as the fleet expands with Airbus A320s, introduces a new uniform

Transavia France (Transavia.com) (Paris-Orly) has introduced seven new routes per Anna Aero. Paris (Orly)-Tel Aviv was added on April 10 followed by new service to Athens, Faro, Istanbul and Malaga on April 12 along with Pisa and Prague on April 13.

The subsidiary of Air France-KLM now operates 12 Boeing 737-800s and will soon operate five Airbus A320s that are being transferred from Air France.

On April 1 Transavia unveiled its new cabin crew uniform. Previously Transavia issued this statement:

Transavia.com is in the process of creating a new uniform for its cabin crew and sales & service staff. The design process is unique because the end product will be a result of co-creation. This means that the wearers themselves will contribute ideas for the design. Bas van Wayenburg, design consultant, will translate these ideas and suggestions into wearable uniform components. Through ‘crew sourcing’, the airline’s personnel in both the Netherlands and France will take a vote on the final design. By opting for this approach, transavia.com is not only demonstrating its commitment to its employees, but is also enhancing its visual appearance to its customers. The new uniform will be put into use in the summer of 2015.

“We are proud to be working together with our around 1,500 employees, the end users, on the creation of a new uniform in such a way. Our employees reflect our brand and are the customers’ first point contact. The uniform is an important element of our visual identity and must continue to be that. Therefore, after nearly 9 years, we are giving our uniform a facelift. It needs to be in keeping with the core values of our brand, including enthusiasm, commitment and sincerity, while at the same time expressing safety and responsibility,” explains Mattijs ten Brink, General Manager of transavia.com.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that transavia.com has involved end users in the development process of a product. Crowd sourcing was also applied for the Fanflight (2013) and Slogan (2011) campaigns.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86J WL F-GZHI (msn 36120) taxies past the camera at Antalya, Turkey.

Transavia (France):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Transavia.

Routes from the Paris (Orly) base:

Is United Airways of Bangladesh in financial trouble?

United Airways (Dhaka) is a privately-held airline in Bangladesh. The international carrier commenced operations on July 10, 2007.

According to this report by the Daily Star, the airline may be facing a suspension of AOC due to outstanding aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges. The aircraft has been banned from adding new aircraft until its bills are paid. The airline must pay its overdue bills by June 15.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

United Airways:

American Eagle Airlines officially becomes Envoy Air

American Eagle Airlines, Inc. (2nd) (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (April 15) officially changed its name to Envoy Air, Inc.

Envoy Air Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) operating more than the 220 aircraft on about 1,300 daily flights to more than 170 destinations. The company’s more than 14,000 employees provide regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand and livery and ground handling services for approximately 15 airlines, including American.

The company was founded in 1998 as American Eagle Airlines, Inc. following the merger of several smaller regional carriers to create one the largest regional airlines in the world. Envoy is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas with hubs in New York, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles. On April 15, 2014 the company changed its name to Envoy Air, Inc to distinguish the company for the American Eagle brand, under which several carriers operate regional flight service for American.

The carrier currently operates 47 Bombardier CRJ700s (CL-600-2C10s), 58 Embraer ERJ 140s and 118 Embraer ERJ 145s.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N511AE (msn 10107) of Envoy Air departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

American Eagle-Envoy Air:

Finnair receives approval to ease rules on electronic devices

Finnair (Helsinki) has received approval to ease rules on electronic devices and issued this statement:

The approval came from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi).

Passengers may still be asked to switch off their devices if the visibility conditions are low during landing. Laptop computers are not considered handheld devices, and must always be switched off and stored properly during take-off and landing.

“Since the European Aviation Safety Agency recently eased its regulations concerning the operation of portable electronic devices, we have sought to apply these regulations to policies on board Finnair flights. Now with the necessary approvals in place, we are able to do so,” says Antti Aukia, Finnair’s VP Safety and Quality Management.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Finnair:

The new Eastern picks the Boeing 737-800 as its first aircraft type, will Spirit Airlines beat it to Miami?

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (Miami), better known as the proposed “new Eastern”, has apparently selected the Boeing 737-800 as its first aircraft type. The new version of Eastern had previously looked at the Airbus A319 and later the A320.

On their website, the group has added a rendering of a Boeing 737-800 with Winglets in Eastern colors (above) with this photo caption:

This is the current artists rendering of an Eastern Boeing 737-800 in the Eastern livery. This aircraft, the “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” is expected to be delivered to Eastern in late Summer 2014.

As previously reported, in January 2014, the new Eastern filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

When the first aircraft arrives, the new proposed airline will then go through the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 121 certification process leading to an Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

The new airline has proposed using Miami as its new hub.

Spirit Airlines is reportedly in negotiations to bring some of its ultra low-fare operations to Miami. Spirit Airlines has looked at Miami briefly in the past but decided to keep all of its South Florida operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Read the report from Brian Andrews of CBS Miami: CLICK HERE

Image: Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc.

Eastern Airlines (1st) Slide Show:

Spirit Airlines Slide Show:

Qatar Airways to fly the Boeing 787 to Bali, Indonesia

Qatar Airways (Doha) today announced that from July 21, 2014, the airline will operate a new daily nonstop route from Doha to Bali.

The 10-hour routes from October will be operated with Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Initially the Bali route will be operated with an Airbus A330.

Flying direct to and from Bali, the Dreamliner will have a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats with a high standard of comfort on board, including individual 10.5 inch television screens on all Economy Cass seats and a full complimentary food and beverage service.

Over the next few months, the network will grow further with Larnaca, Cyprus (April 29), Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia (May 15), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey (May 22, 2014), Edinburgh, Scotland (May 28, 2014), Miami (June 10, 2014), Tokyo Haneda (June 18, 2014) and Dallas/Fort Worth (July 1, 2014).

Daily nonstop Doha to/from Bali: (all times local)

QR 962 departs Doha (DOH) at 02:35; arrives Bali Denpesar (DPS) at 17:35
QR 963 departs Bali Denpesar (DPS) at 19:35; arrives Doha (DOH) at 23:59

Qatar Airways: