Tag Archives: BKK

Mahan Air today launches a new route to London Gatwick

Mahan Air Tehran) today (December 15) today launches a new route to London (Gatwick) operating three days a week reportedly with Airbus A310-300s per Airline Route.

Virtual tour on Airbus A300: CLICK HERE

Previously on November 4, Mahan Air celebrated the launch of scheduled flights from Tehran to Beijing nonstop service linking the capitals of Iran and People’s Republic of China and marking the carrier’s 14th international destination. It is also the airline’s first regular flight to China.

The thrice weekly flights are operating via 299-seat Airbus A340-300 in two class configuration. Beijing is Mahan Air’s third new international route after Yerevan and Shiraz to Dubai which were inaugurated in summer 2014.

Mahan Air aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-2/Airlines-Asia2-FP/Mahan-Air

Mahan Air route map:

KLM introduces a new cabin interior and entertainment system for its Boeing 777-200 fleet

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) has made this announcement concerning the upgrading of its Boeing 777-200 fleet:

Previously, the World Business Class cabins aboard KLM’s Boeing 747-400 fleet were renovated. The Boeing 777-200 is now up for a full metamorphosis. In addition to the new World Business Class interior, designer Hella Jongerius has now also designed a new Economy Class interior.

The new Economy Class seats offer travellers more legroom and a whole new inflight entertainment system, featuring a larger 9-inch, HD-quality touchscreen, interactive 3D cards and a ‘seat chat’ app that allows travellers to communicate with passengers who are seated elsewhere in the cabin.

The renovation of all 15 Boeing 777-200s will be completed by the end of 2015.

The Boeing 777-300 fleet and other aircraft will then be renovated. In addition, two new 777-300s, featuring the new interior and inflight entertainment system, will join the KLM fleet in 2015.

KLM’s total Boeing 777 fleet with then consist of 25 aircraft.

More legroom and more comfort in Economy Class The smart design of the new Economy Class seats creates extra legroom, thus ensuring greater comfort.

In addition, the ergonomically optimised headrests offer improved neck support. Specially designed cushions as well as durable, high-density materials and a power outlet add to passenger comfort and control.

And last but not least: the new inflight entertainment system offers access to more than 150 movies and 200 TV shows in many languages, including many local movies. Another key improvement is that the new seats are the lightest in their class. Less weight means lower fuel consumption and, hence, lower CO2 emissions. The introduction of the new inflight entertainment system in both Business and Economy Class offers enough diversion for a trip around the globe and beyond – together with travel companions, in the company of fellow passengers or individually.

Luxurious personal space in World Business Class Together with the introduction of the new Economy Class, KLM has introduced a new World Business Class interior aboard its Boeing 777 fleet. Naturally, the standard matches that of the new World Business Class interior introduced aboard the Boeing 747 fleet. The design revolves around the new full-flat seat. The positioning of the new seats in the cabin and various other smart design elements ensure maximum privacy while sleeping or working. The pallet of warm colors – that differ per seat – and plenty of storage space ensure greater comfort and more personal space for passengers. In combination with the bigger soft cushions and luxurious new blankets, all this ensures a warm and friendly atmosphere in the new World Business Class.

The 16-inch screen, operated with a touchscreen handset, adds to the luxurious Business Class experience. Furthermore, passengers have a dual-screen option that allows them to watch a movie and simultaneously play a game or chat. KLM is proud that it can now also offer its customers the superb new Business and Economy Class aboard its 777-200 fleet.

KLM aircraft slide show:

Thai Airbus A330-321 HS-TEG operating as flight TG 47 overruns the runway at Khon Kaen, Thailand

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) flight TG 47 scheduled to operate from Khon Kaen to Bangkok with Airbus A330-321 HS-TEG (msn 112) aborted the takeoff and skidded off the runway as it attempted to takeoff last night (November 3) There were no injuries according to the National. The incident closed the airport and a Nok Air flight was forced to divert to another airport.

Read the full report with photos: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-321 HS-TEG departs from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) before the incident.

Thai Aircraft Slide Show:

Cebu Pacific Air to launch the Cebu-Tokyo Narita route on March 26, 2015

Cebu Pacific Air (Manila) plans to strengthen its Cebu hub with direct Cebu-Tokyo (Narita) flights starting March 26, 2015.

The airline will launch four weekly flights (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) between Cebu and Tokyo. The flight from Cebu will depart at 5:55 am (0555), and arrive in Tokyo at 11:20 am (1120). The return flight will depart Tokyo at 12:05 pm (1205), and arrive in Cebu at 4:25 pm (1625).

The new route will utilize Airbus A320s.

Cebu Pacific Air launched nonstop flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya in March of this year.

Aside from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, Cebu Pacific Air offers flights to 25 other international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dammam, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Macau, Phuket, Riyadh, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Xiamen. It also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific Air’s 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 28 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72 500 aircraft. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 1 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Current routes from Cebu:

Cebu Pacific Air Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Cebu-Pacific-Air

BBC Video: A pilot’s view video of the descent and landing into Paro Airport in Bhutan

Druk Air-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Paro) operates regularly scheduled flights into its mountainous home country of Bhutan. The unique report by the BBC shows the approach into Paro Airport while the captain explains the unique approach. This approach is not for the faint of heart.

BBC Video: The Travel Show: Carmen Roberts reports from the cockpit as a pilot guides his plane into what has been known as one of the world’s most dangerous airports: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Drukair). Drukair operates three Airbus A319s and a ATR 42-500 into and out of Paro Airport.

Photo Below: Drukair. The ATR 42-500 began operations with Drukair in June 2011. It flies to the nearby cities of Kolkata, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Gaya and Bagdogra. The ATR is a 48 seater, all economy, but can also be converted into 8 VIP seater and a 22 economy seat configuration, available for charter and mountain flights.

Map of Bhutan:

Drukair Route Map:

Drukair Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Drukair-Royal-Bhutan-Airlines

Video: Another video by it4dev of the approach:

Tigerair’s quarterly loss widens to $143.3 million, Singapore Airlines jumps in and takes a majority 55% stake, will sublease 12 A320s to IndiGo

Tiger Airways Holdings Limited (Tigerair) (Singapore) has reported an operating loss of S$25.3 million ($19.8 million US) for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 (Fiscal Second Quarter), compared to an operating loss of S$12.8 million ($10.0 million US) recorded in the previous corresponding quarter last year

Tigerair Singapore recorded an operating loss of S$31.3 million ($24.5 million US) for the quarter compared to S$18.1 million $14.2 million US) a year ago. Revenue decreased by 4.9% to S$143.9 million ($113 million US) on the back of a rationalization of Tigerair Singapore’s network. The resulting improvement in load factor (+4 percentage point), was nevertheless offset by lower yields (-10.4%). Expenses increased by 3.4% to $175.2 million on higher unit cost (+3.1%).

The Group recorded loss after tax of S$182.4 million ($143.3 million US) in the Fiscal Second Quarter, compared to profit after tax of S$23.8 million $18.7 million US) a year ago. In total, the Group recorded one-off accounting provisions aggregating S$161.1 million in 2QFY15, mainly comprising S$99.3 million $126.6 million US) relating to the sublease of surplus aircraft and S$59.8 million ($46.9 million) for the divestment of Tigerair Australia.

According to the airline, “Tigerair’s largest shareholder, Singapore Airlines Limited (Singapore), has undertaken to subscribe for its pro rata entitlement, and also subscribe for excess Rights Shares, up to a total of S$140 million. Prior to the Rights Issue, SIA will convert its perpetual convertible capital securities (PCCS) holdings into Shares. The conversion will raise SIA’s stake in Tigerair from 40% to approximately 55% before the Rights Issue, effectively making Tigerair a subsidiary of SIA. SIA will not be making a general offer as Tigerair’s minority shareholders had approved a whitewash resolution in March 2013 to waive their rights to receive a general offer as a result of the PCCS conversion.”

In other news, Tiger Airways Holdings group (Tigerair) has reached an agreement with InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) relating to the subleasing of 12 of Tigerair’s surplus aircraft by the Indian budget carrier. This sublease arrangement enables the Group to reduce excess capacity significantly and hence lower related leasing cost.

Most of these aircraft were previously operated by Tigerair Philippines and Tigerair Mandala, and had been returned to the Group upon its divestment of Tigerair Philippines in March 2014 and Tigerair Mandala’s cessation of operations in July 2014.

These 12 aircraft will be progressively delivered to IndiGo over a period of six months commencing in October 2014. Each aircraft will be subleased for between three and four years. With the lease of one of the 12 aircraft expiring in 2018, only 11 of the aircraft will be returned to the Group at the end of their respective sublease periods. Following their return, seven of the 11 aircraft are expected to re-join the operating fleet, while the remaining four may be progressively re-introduced back to the service network within two years.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 9V-TRI (msn 5596) of Tigerair (Singapore) arrives in Bangkok.

Tigerair (Singapore):

Tigerair (Singapore) Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Tiger-Airways-Singapore

Hong Kong Airlines to launch a new route to Sapporo, Japan

Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong) has announced that commencing on December 19, 2014, the company will launch a five-time weekly service between Hong Kong and Sapporo, Japan. Airbus A330 aircraft will be deployed on the route, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The new service to Sapporo is complimented by Hong Kong Airlines’ daily flight to Okinawa and a twice-weekly flight to Kagoshima, bringing it to a total of 21 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Japan.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Hong Kong Airlines). Airbus A330-343 B-LNP (msn 1398) departs from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi).

Hong Kong Airlines:

Hong Kong Airlines offers advertisers to add advertising in the cabin in order to keep ticket prices competitive.

Current Route Map:

Cebu Pacific to launch service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 1 with 436-seat Airbus A330-300s

Cebu Pacific Air (Manila) will launch thrice weekly nonstop flights to Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting October 1, 2014. It will be the only low-cost carrier flying between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh service is scheduled to depart Manila at 5:05 pm (1705) every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Riyadh at 10:35 pm (2235). The return flight will depart Riyadh at 12:45 am (0045) every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving in Manila at 3:40 pm (1540).

Cebu Pacific’s flights to Riyadh will utilize the airline’s brand-new Airbus A330-300 fleet with a configuration of 436 all-economy class seats. Its 5th A330 aircraft was just delivered brand-new from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France on September 2, 2014.

Cebu Pacific also launched its long-haul flights to Sydney, Australia today (September 9, 2014).

Cebu Pacific’s 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 28 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 1 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Kok Chwee K. C. Sim/AirlinersGallery.com. Cebu Pacific Air (Cebu Pacific Air.com) Airbus A330-343 RP-C3341 (msn 1420) arrives in Singapore (SIN).

Route Map:

Cebu Pacific:

Ukraine International is forced to reroute flights around Russia

Ukraine International Airlines-UIA (Kiev) and other other Ukrainian airline have been banned by Russia from using Russian airspace in retaliation to sanctions by the European Union due to the on-going conflict between Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine and the military of the Ukraine. Russia is reportedly considering restrictions on other European airlines for their trans-Siberian flights after Aeroflot’s subsidiary Dobrolet (2nd) (Moscow) was grounded by EU sanctions due to the Ukrainian conflict.

The airline issued this statement:

UIA is deeply concerned with destructive actions of the Russian authorities and their controversial stand on transit flights of Ukrainian airlines banned from transit over the Russian territory.

Russia’s unilateral actions of banning flights force UIA to significantly lengthen its air routes from Ukraine to the East. This will lead to increase in operating costs by 15-20%, as well as to flight delays, which will cause significant discomfort to passengers.

According to the Main Air Traffic Management Center of the Unified Air Traffic Management System of the Russian Federation, the Russian authorities refuse processing UIA’s application to perform flights from Kiev to Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan through permitted entry points to the airspace of the Russian Federation.

UIA informs that it is forced to operate flights on lengthened routes, and expresses apologies to all of its passengers and partners for the discomfort caused due to a fault of the Russian authorities.

The company is deeply concerned about the fact that the Russian authorities are trying to use air transport as a tool for political pressure, cynically ignoring the interests of thousands of citizens from dozens of countries being the UIA passengers.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Former United Airlines Boeing 767-322 ER UR-GEA (msn 25280) arrives in Bangkok.

Ukraine International:

Bangkok Air orders three ATR 72-600s

Bangkok Airways (Bangkok Air) (Bangkok) and the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR are pleased to announce the signature of a contract for the purchase of three ATR 72-600s, valued at approximately USD24.6 million each (subject to negotiated discount). This deal represents the conversion into firm orders of the options included in the deal unveiled earlier this year at the Singapore Airshow (6 firm ATR 72-600s and two options), plus one additional aircraft.

With the acquisition of these new ATR 72-600s, the airline will bring to nine its total fleet of ATR 72-600s. The delivery of their first aircraft is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, while the 9th aircraft is expected to arrive into the airline’s fleet by the first quarter of 2017. With the introduction of their new ATR 72-600s, Bangkok Airways is further extending its long term partnership with ATR since the two companies have been cooperating for more than 20 years.

Bangkok Air: