Tag Archives: A380800

Thai takes delivery of its first Airbus A380 today in Toulouse

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the ninth airline to operate the world’s largest airliner. The aircraft was handed over to Captain Montree Jumrieng, Executive Vice President Technical, by Kiran Rao, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Airbus, at a special ceremony in Toulouse today.

Thai has ordered six A380s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. The airline has specified a premium three class layout for its fleet, seating a total of 507 passengers. All classes feature new cabin designs, with 12 private suites in First Class, 60 fully flat sleeper seats in Royal Silk Class and 435 seats in Economy. All seats are equipped with the latest on-demand in-flight entertainment systems, communication outlets and individual power supply.

Thai will inaugurate commercial service with the A380 in early October on the Bangkok – Hong Kong and Bangkok – Singapore routes. As more aircraft are delivered, the airline will begin service to Frankfurt at the end of the year, followed by Tokyo and Paris early in 2013.

Thai Airways International:

QANTAS and Emirates announce a new global partnership

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) and Emirates Airline (Dubai) today announced a new global aviation partnership that will give customers a seamless international and Australian network, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world‐class travel experiences.

Under the agreement signed this morning by Emirates President Tim Clark and QANTAS CEO Alan Joyce, QANTAS will move its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai and enter an extensive commercial relationship with Emirates.

The 10 year code sharing partnership is enhanced by integrated network collaboration with coordinated pricing, sales and scheduling as well as a benefits sharing model. Neither airline will take equity in the other.

The partnership will see QANTAS, along with anchor tenant Emirates, as the only other airline operating at Dubai International’s Terminal 3. The two airlines will jointly offer 98 weekly services between Australia and the global gateway city of Dubai including four daily Airbus A380 flights. With Emirates flying the largest fleet of A380s in the world with 23, combined with QANTAS’ 12 A380s for a total of 35, many onward flights to Europe including London Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam, Munich and Rome will also be on this popular aircraft. In addition, QANTAS will launch daily A380 services from both Sydney and Melbourne to London via Dubai for a combined unprecedented seven daily A380 flights to London Heathrow. Thirty additional European gateways can be seamlessly reached from Australia via Dubai.

For Emirates customers it will open up QANTAS’ Australian domestic network of more than 50 destinations and nearly 5,000 flights per week. The carriers will also coordinate their respective trans-Tasman services between Australia and New Zealand with Emirates offering improved schedules for flights to Christchurch and Auckland – including the introduction of Emirates’ daily A380 services on the Melbourne-Auckland route in October.

Emirates and QANTAS frequent flyer agreements will be aligned, giving customers expanded opportunities to earn and redeem points, with reciprocal access to tier status benefits including end-to-end recognition of customers, lounge access, priority check-in and boarding as well as other exclusive services.

Emirates and QANTAS will work together to ensure a seamless customer experience, including mutual lounge access, shared use of Emirates’ unique dedicated A380 facility slated to open in early 2013 in Dubai, coordinated baggage allowances and a chauffeur service for premium customers.

The airlines will submit applications for authorization to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other relevant regulatory authorities, in order to begin commercial planning. Subject to regulatory approvals, it is anticipated that the partnership arrangements will take effect in April 2013.

QANTAS has admitted its cannot continue to sustain its financial losses for its international services and it cannot go it alone, hence this new relationship. British Airways will have to forge a new relationship with another Australia carrier. Is the Oneworld Alliance in trouble?

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Airbus A380-842 VH-OQH (msn 050) arrives at Los Angeles.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Dave Glendinning. Airbus A380-861 A6-EDF (msn 007) taxies across the tarmac at London (Heathrow).

Thai Airways International to introduce its first Airbus A380 in October

Thai Airways International’s (Bangkok) first Airbus A380-800 aircraft bearing the airline’s distinctive livery has been rolled out from the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg. Now the pictured A380-841 with the temporary marks of F-WWAO (msn 087) is seen for the first time on the runway at Hamburg (Finkenwerder)

According to the carrier, “this important milestone marks the unveiling of the fully-painted, first Airbus A380 for Thailand’s national flag carrier. Thai’s symbol is an abstract image suggesting movement, inspired by the crown flower used in Thai handicraft work and Thai garlands used in traditional ceremonies such as weddings and auspicious events. Colors used are purple, magenta and gold representing, respectively, a Thai orchid, shimmering Thai silk and the brilliance of a Thai temple.”

Thai will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of first the aircraft later this month on September 27. The airline has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

Thai is now planning to introduce the new wide body type on October 6 between Bangkok and Hong Kong (instead of the original planned October 28 launch date).

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Lufthansa is facing a strike by its flight attendants tomorrow

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) is facing a strike by its cabin staff (flight attendants), represented by the Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO).

The company issued the following statement:

Strike actions by the Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO) announced for Friday, August 31, 2012

No strike actions are planned for today, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Thus, Lufthansa is confident to provide stable flight operations.

According to the latest UFO announcement, strike measures will start tomorrow, Friday, August 31, 2012. Details on the scope of the strikes (affected airports and expected duration) will be published by the union at very short notice only.

Lufthansa will do its utmost best to communicate the details on this page as soon as possible and to minimize the impacts on its customers.

In case of strike and resulting flight irregularities, passenger support and service have paramount priority.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled due to strike action are entitled to rebook or cancel free of charge, regardless of the fare conditions.

Passengers travelling within Germany whose flights have been cancelled due to strike action may alternatively travel by train with Deutsche Bahn. To do so, customers can exchange their e-ticket for a travel voucher under “My bookings” or at any Lufthansa check-in kiosk.

Beyond that Lufthansa cannot offer further compensation or reimbursement. Flight cancellations due to strike action are considered force majeure by EU regulation. Thus, Lufthansa is exempted from the obligation of providing compensation payments.

Lufthansa:

Singapore Airlines to conduct an Airbus A380 delivery flight contest

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has launched a contest for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be on the delivery flight of SIA’s 19^th Airbus A380 from Toulouse, France in early September.

The winner of the lucky draw and a guest of his or her choosing will be flown to Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse from any point in the SIA network. In Toulouse, the pair will enjoy two nights’ accommodation, a half-day tour of the city, and dinners hosted by SIA and Airbus. They will also be treated to an exclusive tour of Airbus’ production center, before boarding the super jumbo aircraft for its delivery flight to Singapore.

Being on a delivery flight is a unique experience usually restricted to a small number of cabin and technical crew, as well as a handful of other SIA staff involved in accepting the aircraft. The operational nature of the flight means service is limited, but its exclusive nature offers a sneak peek into the real workings of the airline industry.

To qualify for the draw, contestants are required to own a passport on SIAJourneys.com. Those who currently do not have an existing passport may create one on the microsite. The contest ends on August 28, 2012 and the winner will be chosen from those with valid passports. More details are available on SIAJourneys.com.

Singapore Airlines currently operates 18 A380s and was the first to operate the world’s largest commercial aircraft in October 2007. The Airline’s 19^th A380 (9V-SKT) is due for delivery on September 6, 2012.

SIA was the “First to Fly” the A380 in 2007, with an inaugural flight to Sydney on October 25, 2007. Today, the airline operates the super jumbo to ten destinations across its network, including Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), London (Heathrow), Paris (CDG), Zurich, and Frankfurt.

In other news, Singapore will inaugurate Singapore-Munich-Manchester service with Boeing 777-300 ERs on October 28, 2012.

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Malaysia to introduce the Airbus A380 on the Beijing route on March 1

Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) will introduce the Airbus A380 on the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing route on March 1, 2013 according to Airline Route.

On the financial side, the company reported an operating loss in the second quarter. Here is the full report:

“Malaysia Airlines has announced a reduced operating loss of RM102 million for the second quarter ended 30 June 2012 compared to RM443 million in the same period last year. The significant 77% improvement in performance year-on-year (y-o-y) at the operating level was due to efforts in the pricing and revenue management area plus lower fuel costs and lower passenger-related costs in line with capacity cuts.

The operating loss for the second quarter was also lower than the operating loss of RM307 million achieved in the first quarter of 2012. For the second quarter of 2012, total revenue fell 6% to RM3.2 billion compared to RM3.4 billion in the previous year following the Route Rationalisation programme in late 2011 and early 2012 to cut several loss-making and low yielding routes.

Group expenditure reduced 13% y-o-y to RM3.4 billion. Fuel costs, which accounted for 37% of expenditure, fell 18% to RM1.3 billion following a 15% drop in consumption. The same quarter also saw a drop in jet fuel price to an average USD132 per barrel from USD140 per barrel y-o-y. Non-fuel costs dropped 10%.

Aircraft leasing costs reduced 9% due to the return of two freighter Boeing 747 aircraft. Overall maintenance costs fell by 16% whilst handling and landing costs fell some 20%. On the other hand, depreciation of aircraft increased 35% in the second quarter due to additions to the fleet with the arrival of 5 new aircraft including the first of six A380 ordered as part of its fleet renewal program.

The Group’s net loss after interest and taxes stood at RM348.7 million for the second quarter ended 30 June 2012, equivalent to a 34% improvement on the loss of RM525.8 million registered in the same period y-o-y. Included in the second quarter 2012 results was a forex loss of RM173.0 million due to the strengthening of the US Dollar against the Ringgit.

For the 6 months ended 30 June 2012, Malaysia Airlines’ net loss stood at RM520.1 million, 32% better than the previous loss of RM767.4 million for the same period in 2011.”

In other news, on August 6, Boeing and Malaysia Airlines celebrated the direct delivery of the airline’s 75th 737 aircraft during an event at Boeing Field. The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-800, arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 8, 2012.

The airplane comes with the 787 Dreamliner-inspired Boeing Sky Interior, which features larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, larger window reveals and LED lighting to enhance the sense of spaciousness. Malaysia Airlines was the Asia launch customer for the Boeing Sky Interior in October 2010.

Malaysia Airlines took delivery of its first 737 in 1972 and has operated the 737-200, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500 and 737-800.

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis. Airbus A380-841 9M-MNB (msn 081) climbs away from London (Heathrow) in the full special livery.

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China Southern is bringing the Airbus A380 to Los Angeles on October 12

China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou) will upgrade the nonstop Guangzhou-Los Angeles route with daily Airbus A380 service starting on October 12 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Clement Alloing. Airbus A380-841 F-WWSF became B-6136 when it was handed over to the Chinese carrier on October 14, 2011.

China Southern Airlines:

Emirates to add a second Airbus A380 flight to New York starting on January 1

Emirates Airline (Dubai) is to further boost its fast-growing US network with the start of a second daily A380 service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

From January 1 2013, flight EK 203 from Dubai to JFK, and its return sector EK 204, will become A380 flights, offering an increased capacity of almost 1,000 additional seats in both directions every week. The service is currently operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER.

Emirates:

Airbus A380 repairs and down time are costing Emirates $30 million a month

Emirates Airline‘ (Dubai) president stated in an interview that Airbus A380 wing crack repairs, inspections and down time is costing the airline an estimated $30 million a month. Emirates operates 21 A380s. Airbus announced a permanent repair of the problem but it will ground each aircraft up to eight weeks for repairs. The first new Airbus A380 to come off the production line with the permanent fix will not occur until January 2014.

Read the full report from ArabianSupplyChain.com: CLICK HERE