Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Gaborone, Botswana from October 27, 2019

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce the launch of its new service to Gaborone, Botswana, starting October 27, 2019. The capital and largest city of Botswana will be the airline’s first destination in the African country.

The three-times weekly flights will be operated by an Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring 36 seats in Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.

Gaborone is the capital and the largest city in Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bounded by Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The nation’s vast nature and wildlife have made it a renowned destination for adventurous tourists from across the globe.

Flight schedule

(Sunday, Wednesday, Friday)

Doha-Johannesburg
QR1377: Departs DOH 06:55hrs, Arrives JNB 14:50hrs

Johannesburg-Gaborone
QR1377: Departs JNB 15:55hrs, Arrives GBE 16:50hrs

Gaborone-Johannesburg
QR1378: Departs GBE 18:35hrs, Arrives JNB 19:30hrs

Johannesburg-Doha
QR1378: Departs JNB 20:40hrs, Arrives DOH 06:35hrs+1

EVA Air to add Milan Malpensa

EVA Air has made this announcement:

With flights scheduled to commence on February 18, 2020, EVA Air will begin a four times weekly service from Taipei Taoyuan to Milan Malpensa (MXP) next year. The 316-seat 777-300 operated service will become the carrier’s only sector to Italy, and just the fifth destination it flies to in Europe adding to its existing routes to Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Paris CDG and Vienna. MXP will become the third direct station in Europe, with other cities (London and Amsterdam) only being served via Bangkok, and it is the first route to be opened by the carrier in Europe in the last 20 years.

The Star Alliance carrier, which flew more than 12.5 million passengers in 2018, currently flies to 65 global destinations, including 11 in North America and 50 in Asia and Oceania. EVA Air is one of just eight carriers in the world rated as a ‘Five-Star Airline’ by international quality ratings organisation SkyTrax, and becomes the fifth of those eight airlines to serve MXP. It was also rated amongst the world’s Top 10 Airlines of 2019, as voted for by global travellers, and is the seventh of those ten carriers to fly to Malpensa. It has received this accolade for four years in a row.

EVA Air Boeing 777-300ER photographed on October 31, 2015 from Clay Lacy Astrovision Learjet.

The importance of the airline’s hub in Taipei, and the potential for onward connections, will also benefit the new route. “We expect many travellers on the route to fly point-to-point between Taipei and Milan, but we also anticipate significant volumes of passengers and cargo transfer traffic on EVA Air’s network of 31 points in Asia, 18 in China and Brisbane in Australia,” states Tucci. More than 70% of Milan’s traffic to Asia currently flies via a long-haul gateway.

Operated year-round, EVA Air will fly the 9,640-kilometre sector on days 1,2,4 and 6 from its hub at Taipei Taoyuan, and will leave Milan on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays given the overnight service from Asia. Flight BR71 departs Taiwan at 23:40 and arrive at MXP at 07:15 the next day. Leaving Malpensa at 11:50, BR72 lands in Taipei at 06:30 the following day.

The Taipei Taoyuan hub becomes the 18^th Asian gateway flown from MXP and EVA Air the 14^th airline with flights to the region. The new flights to Taiwan join existing operations to Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Airlines), China (Air China, Neos), Georgia (Wizz Air), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific Airways), India (Air India), Japan (Alitalia), Korea (Korean Air), Maldives (Air Italy, Alitalia, Neos), Pakistan (Pakistan International Airlines), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Thailand (Thai Airways) and Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan Airways). “Asia is market that is growing by 17% year-on-year for MXP, thanks to the investment in capacity by our 13 serving airlines and their collective strategy to improve the quality of Milan’s network by moving beyond traffic closer to its final destination,” concludes Tucci.

Top Copyright Photo: EVA Air Boeing 777-35E ER B-16713 (msn 33756) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 947035.

EVA Air aircraft slide show:

American Airlines and Japan Airlines to add direct flights between Tokyo and Las Vegas in support of CES 2020

American Airlines and Pacific Joint Business partner Japan Airlines (JAL) for the second year are adding direct flights between Tokyo (NRT) and Las Vegas (LAS) to support the high demand for CES® 2020. American is also adding nonstop flights from Austin, Texas (AUS), and San Jose, California (SJC), and upgauging existing flights from Philadelphia (PHL) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to LAS surrounding the main event, which runs January 4–12, 2020.

Tokyo demand

“As CES continues to grow each year, we will continue to deliver on our promise to strengthen the value of our global network,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning.

This will be the second year that American is providing direct access to LAS from NRT in support of CES. The flight will be operated on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, featuring 36 fully lie-flat, all-aisle access Flagship Business seats that provide customers access to The Club at LAS to freshen up upon arrival or relax before departing.

Flight times between NRT and LAS will provide a seamless connection onto JAL’s network to and from Southeast Asia, including Singapore; Bangkok; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Manila, Philippines.

Domestic demand

American is also adding direct flights from major tech cities Austin and San Jose for the first time, offering additional service to fly next-generation innovators to the conference. Both flights will be operated on a Boeing 737-800 with optimal schedules and convenience for CES attendees.

“Whether it’s customers taking advantage of the direct flight from Austin or connecting on a lie-flat product all the way from South America to Las Vegas, we want to make sure the world’s best innovators have options on the world’s largest carrier,” Raja said.

In addition to the new direct service in January, two flights from American’s hubs — PHL and DFW — will be upgauged to an Airbus A330 and a 777-200, respectively, for an 18% increase in seats domestically. As American’s largest trans-Atlantic hub, PHL will provide more seats for customers connecting from Europe.

Tickets will be available for purchase on July 22.

New Service to LAS (all times are local):

Direct service:

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Operating days	Aircraft
AA186	NRT	LAS	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	6:20 p.m.	11:35 a.m.	Mon., Wed., Thur., Sat.	777-200
AA187	LAS	NRT	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	11:15 a.m.	4:15 p.m. (next day)	Mon., Wed., Sat.	777-200

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Operating days	Aircraft
AA186	NRT	LAS	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	6:05 p.m.	11:20 a.m.	Tues., Fri., Sun.	777-200
AA187	LAS	NRT	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	10:30 a.m.	3:30 p.m. (next day)	Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sun	777-200

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
AA1465	SJC	LAS	Jan. 6	Jan. 6	2:13 p.m.	3:43 p.m.	737-800
AA1465	LAS	SJC	Jan. 10	Jan. 10	6:55 p.m.	8:25 p.m.	737-800

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
AA1534	AUS	LAS	Jan. 6	Jan. 6	5:30 p.m.	6:40 p.m.	737-800
AA1534	LAS	AUS	Jan. 10	Jan. 10	5:25 p.m.	10:10 p.m.	737-800

Upgauged service:

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
AA589	PHL	LAS	Jan. 4	Jan. 6	5:50 p.m.	8:18 p.m.	A330
AA749	LAS	PHL	Jan. 9	Jan. 11	8:05 a.m.	3:53 p.m.	A330

Flight Number	Depart	Arrive	First Departure	Last Departure	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
AA2238	DFW	LAS	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	7:10 a.m.	8 a.m.	777-200
AA749	LAS	DFW	Jan. 4	Jan. 12	2 p.m.	6:50 p.m.	777-200

Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 777-223 ER N774AN (msn 29581) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 947034.

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

Boeing dedicates $50 million of pledged $100 million to near-term relief for families of the victims of the Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 accidents

Boeing has made this announcement:

Boeing has announced that it has dedicated $50 million of a previously announced $100 million fund to provide near-term financial assistance to families of the victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Flight 302 accidents.

Boeing also announced that it has retained Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros, renowned experts in establishing and overseeing victims’ compensation funds, to design and administer the fund.

“The tragic loss of life in both accidents continues to weigh heavily on all of us at Boeing, and we have the utmost sympathy for the loved ones of those on board,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “Through our partnership with Feinberg and Biros, we hope affected families receive needed assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The $50 million fund represents the initial expenditure of a $100 million pledge by Boeing to address family and community needs of those affected by the accidents. All monies distributed by Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros will be independent from any resolution provided through the legal process.

“We are honored to take on this important assignment of providing needed financial relief to the families of these two tragedies,” added Kenneth Feinberg.

Co-Administrator Camille Biros continued, “We know how important it is to assist the families of the victims who have endured a personal tragedy and will work to design and administer the fund and distribute the money as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.”

Note: Meanwhile all of the Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in the world remain grounded and out of service.

Air Canada introduces winter service from Quebec City to Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Air Canada today announced two new winter services from Quebec City (YQB) to popular sun destinations Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Service to Cancun begins December 21, 2019 until April 11, 2020, while Punta Cana flights start December 22, 2019 until April 12, 2020.

The flights will be operated on a 200-seat all-economy Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321.

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC1776	Quebec City 08:00	Cancun 13:00	Saturday
AC1777	Cancun 14:00	Quebec City 18:30	Saturday
AC1772	Quebec City 08:20	Punta Cana 13:50	Sunday
AC1773	Punta Cana 14:50	Quebec City 18:30	Sunday

This announcement represents the first expansion of Air Canada’s leisure travel offerings since the announcement of its exclusive agreement to pursue a combination with Transat A.T. The transaction, if completed, is expected to facilitate continued growth and expansion in the highly competitive, global leisure travel segment.

Air Canada in Quebec City

Including these two new routes, Air Canada will offer close to 1.2 million seats in the Quebec City market in 2019. Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and its regional airline partners flying under the Air Canada Express banner operate approximately 275 flights per week between Quebec and Montreal, Sept-Iles, Gaspe, Toronto and Ottawa.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada rouge (Air Canada) Airbus A321-211 WL C-FJOU (msn 6873) FLL (Tony Storck). Image: 930981.

Air Canada Rouge aircraft slide show:

Daily Headlines – July 17, 2019

Airline news from other sources:

WAB air Applies for Operating Licence

Montenegro Airlines ends plastic cup use

Boeing and Southwest Airlines conspired to hide flaws in the 737 MAX jet, lawsuit alleges

Pakistan reopens airspace five months after standoff with India

Sunwing announces the return of twice-weekly flights from Montreal to Havana and also Moncton – Miami

Sunwing has announced it is offering a direct flight service twice a week on Mondays and Fridays from Montreal to Havana, from December 13, 2019 until March 13, 2020.

Celebrating its 500th anniversary this year, the capital city of Cuba, Havana has a rich history and fascinating heritage to uncover. Visitors will feel like they’ve travelled back in time as they stroll along the cobblestone streets of Old Havana, lined with picturesque Baroque architecture and classic American cars. Travellers can even follow in the footsteps of famous author Ernest Hemingway, who called the city home for over 20 years, by discovering some of his favourite old haunts on a Sunwing Experiences excursion.

In other news, the company has also announced it plans to fly direct to Miami from Moncton this winter. A new destination added by Sunwing for this coming season, travellers can experience all that this premier beach and nightlife destination has to offer with convenient weekly Saturday departures from February 8, 2020 until May 2, 2020 inclusive.

The first carrier to offer a direct flight service to Miami from Greater Moncton, Sunwing is expected to be the only airline offering this route for the coming season. With the addition of Miami, sunseekers departing from Greater Moncton now have six of the tour operator’s most popular southern destinations available on their doorstep including Puerto Plata and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cancun, Mexico and Varadero, Cuba.

Flybe to drop 23 routes, will phase out the Embraer jets

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-United-Kingdom/Flybe/i-CdmQjcb/A

Flybe, under new ownership, is ending service on 23 routes in the fall according to Airline Route.

Following routes will be discontinued:

Cardiff – Faro Last flight on October 26, 2019
Cardiff – Glasgow Last flight on October 25, 2019
Cardiff – Milan Malpensa Last flight on September 28, 2019
Cardiff – Munich Last flight on September 6, 2019
Cardiff – Rome Last flight on September 7, 2019
Cardiff – Verona Last flight on September 7, 2019
Cardiff – Venice Last flight on September 7, 2019
Doncaster/Sheffield – Alicante Last flight on October 26, 2019
Doncaster/Sheffield – Dublin Last flight on October 25, 2019
Doncaster/Sheffield – Jersey Last flight on October 26, 2019
Doncaster/Sheffield – Paris CDG Last flight on October 25, 2019
Exeter – Alicante Last flight on October 25, 2019
Exeter – Faro Last flight on October 26, 2019
Exeter – Malaga Last flight on October 26, 2019
Manchester – Innsbruck – Seasonal service not returning in the winter
Newquay – Leeds/Bradford Last flight on October 25, 2019
Norwich – Alicante Last flight on October 25, 2019
Norwich – Exeter Last flight on October 25, 2019
Norwich – Malaga last flight on October 24, 2019
Southampton – Alicante Last flight on October 26, 2019
Southampton – La Rochelle Last flight on September 22, 2019
Southampton – Nantes Last flight on September 8, 2019
Southampton – Rennes Last flight on September 24, 2019

As previously announced, the carrier will be focusing on the Bombardier Q400 as its core aircraft type in the future.

The Embraer 175s will be phased out in late 2019.

The Embraer 195s will be returned to its lessors by 2020.

Top Copyright Photo: Flybe (Britsh European 2nd) Embraer ERJ 190-200LR (ERJ 195) G-FBEJ (msn 19000155) (Welcome to Yorkshire) MUC (Arnd Wolf). Image: 944998.

Flybe aircraft slide show:

Belavia launches a new route to Munich

Belavia has made this announcement:

On July 15, 2019 Belavia carried out its first regular flight on the route Minsk-Munich-Minsk.

Flights will be carried out 4 times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays with the departure from Minsk at 12:30 and arrival at Munich Franz Josef Strauss International Airport at 13:35. The return flight from Munich will be carried out at 14:15 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays with the arrival at Minsk National Airport at 17:15. The time for all airports is local.

Flight will be operated by Embraer 175 aircraft with a seating capacity for 76 people. Flight duration will be around 2 hours.

All photos by the airline.

Emirates to launch services to Mexico City via Barcelona

Emirates has announced its plan to launch a new daily service from Dubai (DXB) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX), via the Spanish city of Barcelona (BCN), starting on December 9, 2019.

The new route will be operated with a two-class Emirates Boeing 777-200LR which offers 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 seats in Economy Class. The new 777 flight will also offer up to 14 tons of cargo, opening up access to more global markets for Mexican exports such as avocados, berries, mangoes, automotive parts and medical supplies. Emirates SkyCargo has been flying freighters to/from Mexico City since 2014 already and in the last year carried over 22,500 tons of cargo on the route.

Mexico City, the first destination in Mexico to be served by Emirates, is the largest city of Mexico and the most populous city in North America.

Emirates flight EK 255 will depart Dubai at 03:30 local time, arriving in Barcelona at 08:00 before departing again at 09:55 and arriving into Mexico City at 16:15 on the same day. The return flight EK256 will depart Mexico City at 19:40 local time, arriving in Barcelona the next day at 13:25. EK256 will depart once again from Barcelona at 15:10 bound for Dubai where it will arrive at 00:45 the following day, facilitating convenient onward connections to numerous destinations in India, South East Asia and the Middle East.

* Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)