British Airways (London) will go to a daily Airbus A380 operation the London (Heathrow) – Singapore route on February 24, 2016 instead of early March, 2016. As previously reported, the Super Jumbo will also be introduced on the London (Heathrow) – Miami route on October 25.
Also on October 25, BA will introduce the new stretched Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (below) on the London (Heathrow) – Delhi route.
Image Above: British Airways.
Top Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. British Airways Airbus A380-841 G-XLEE (msn 148) taxies at the London (Heathrow) hub.
AirAsia (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) CEO Tony Fernandes (below) is fighting a critical report by the independent research firm GMT. The report, according to this story by The Financial Times, states the airline is “teetering on default”.
Above Photo: AirAsia. Time Magazine previously proclaimed CEO Tony Fernandes as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.
This interesting read also explains the intricate financing of the group and lays out in a graph how the group is owned and financed.
Photo Above: AirAsia. AirAsia in 2014 partnered with U.S. singer Taylor Swift and became the official airline for her Red Tour in Asia.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. In conjunction with the 2014 Red Tour, AirAsia decorated this Airbus A320-216 9M-AHM (msn 3536) with the image of Taylor Swift.
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) today (June 26) restored the Perth-Singapore route.
Flight QF71 departed this afternoon from Perth bound for Singapore, one of five return services that QANTAS will operate each week with its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. With a flying time of just over 5 hours, the flight is scheduled to land at 5.20 pm.
In other news, The QANTAS Group issued this statement concerning the rejection of the Jetstar Hong Kong application:
The QANTAS Group will work with its fellow shareholders in Jetstar Hong Kong to review the enterprise, following the Air Transport Licensing Authorityโs decision to reject the local carrierโs application to establish an operation in Hong Kong.
Jetstar Hong Kong โ a joint venture between Shun Tak Holdings Limited, China Eastern Airlines and the QANTAS Group โ was announced in March 2012. Each partner holds a one-third economic share while the Hong Kong based Shun Tak Holdings has 51 per cent of the voting rights and ultimate control. Seventy percent of the board is from Hong Kong.
At December 31, 2014, the QANTAS Group investment in Jetstar Hong Kong was carried at $10 million.
The low cost carrierโs application for a licence to operate scheduled air services has been under consideration by the local licensing authority for over two years.
Expressing disappointment at the decision, CEO of the QANTAS Group Alan Joyce said: โThis is as disappointing for the shareholders as it is for the travellers that Jetstar Hong Kong planned to serve.
โItโs the travelling public who have lost out, because the message from this decision is that Hong Kong appears closed to fresh aviation investment even when it is majority locally owned and controlled.
โAt a time when aviation markets across Asia are opening up, Hong Kong is going in the opposite direction. Given the importance of aviation to global commerce, shutting the door to new competition can only serve the vested interests already installed in that market.โ
Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. “RetroRoo”, the pictured Boeing 737-838 VH-XZP (msn 44577) in the retro 1971 livery, reopened the route.
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) is painting two of its Airbus A380s in a special livery featuring a large Singapore flag theme to help celebrate the 50th anniversary. The pictured Airbus A380-841 9V-SKI (msn 034) is the first to be painted.
The airline issued this statement:
Singapore Airlines is celebrating the nationโs Golden Jubilee by having two Airbus A380s in a special livery, featuring a large Singapore flag-themed design on the fuselage.
The first aircraft with the commemorative livery will take to the skies in early June and the second in July. The A380s will be in the livery until the end of 2015, with the aircraft serving Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Sydney and Zurich routes.
The A380 is the worldโs largest aircraft and the special livery features a 10m-tall and 47m-long Singapore flag-themed design on both sides of the fuselage. On the two inboard engines is the official SG50 logo.
โSingapore Airlinesโ success is closely tied to the success of Singapore. What better way to celebrate SG50 than by proudly flying the national flag around the world on the worldโs largest aircraft,โ said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.
The special livery is one of many initiatives by Singapore Airlines to celebrate Singaporeโs 50th birthday.
A special A380 Charity Flight was operated on May 29, on which some 300 beneficiaries of Community Chest will experience a three-hour flight. Beneficiaries will include children with special needs, adults with disabilities, as well as disadvantaged elderly and families, many of whom have never had the opportunity to take a flight.
Activities to celebrate Singaporeโs 50th birthday began last year, and included the SIA Charity Run and Charity Gala Dinner, which raised some $2.5 million for Community Chest.
Philippine Airlines (Philippines) (Manila) has announced it will launch a new route to Auckland, New Zealand via Cairns starting on December 1. The carrier will use Airbus A320s on the new route.
Here is the full statement:
As part of the expansion of its network in the Oceania region, flag carrier Philippine Airlines will launch flights from Manila to Cairns, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand beginning on December 1 this year.
PAL will operate four flights weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) to serve the Manila-Cairns-Auckland route, utilizing the 156-seater Airbus A320.
The six-hour flight to Cairns – PAL’s fifth Australian destination – departs Manila at 11:45 PM (2345) (MNL time) arriving in Australia at 08:00 AM (0800) (local time) the following day. The one-hour stopover allows PAL to pick up passengers from Cairns for the continuing journey to Auckland. Arrival in New Zealand is at 4:00 PM (1600) (local time).
Flights from Auckland depart on the same days at 6:30 PM (1830) (local time), arriving Cairns at 10:30 PM (2230) (local time). After a brief stopover, flights depart from Cairns, arriving Manila at 3:30 AM (0330) (MNL time), the following day.
Prior to launching flights to these two destinations, PAL opened services to New York, USA on March 15 and to Jinjiang in Quangzhou, China on April 25.
Copyright Photo below: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 RP-C8615 (msn 3731) arrives in Singapore.
Qatar Airways (Doha), as the global launch customer for the Airbus A350-900 XWB, became the first airline to operate the worldโs newest aircraft to Singapore and the Asia Pacific region today (May 11), with the inaugural A350-900 XWB service arriving in Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Upon touching down at Singapore Changi Airport, flight QR 944 was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute (above), a long-held tradition to welcome special flights or planes to an airport, and an exclusive welcome ceremony.
Qatar Airwaysย currently operates a double-daily service to Singapore with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (below) and the aircraft will be progressively replaced by the next-generation A350-900 XWB.
Photo Above: Qatar Airways. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner A7-BCB (msn 38320).
In addition, from later this summer, Qatar Airways will add an additional daily flight to Singapore, as part of its global expansion drive and to cater to the increase in passenger demand. All three daily flights will be operated using the A350-900 XWB by mid-August.
In addition,ย Qatar Airways has announced an expansion to its UAE services with the launch of nonstop flights to Ras Al Khaimah, commencing on October 1, 2015.
Operating daily, flight QR 1120 will depart Dohaโs Hamad International Airport at 20:15 hours and arrive at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport at 22.30 hours. The return flight QR 1121 will depart at 23:30 hours and arrive in Doha at 23:45 hours.
Additionally the carrier announced the introduction of Qatar Airwaysโ newest offering, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle. Having launched this week, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle will offer flights from Dohaโs Hamad International Airport to Dubai International Airport, as well as Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
The new service which is the first of its kind flying between the two cities brings with it a number of enhanced services that will reduce overall travel time and increase convenience for passengers. The shuttle service, along with its many perks, will be offered on each of the 18 daily flights between the two cities, with 14 flights to and from Dubai International Airport and four to and from Al Maktoum International Airport.
Copyright Photo Above: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 A7-ADX (msn 3397) departs from tropical Doha, Qatar.
According to the airline, “passengers on the Doha-Dubai Shuttle will also be able to enjoy the newly unveiled Qatar Airways inflight entertainment system with its brand new design and identity. The new brand โOryx One – Explore. Play. Share.โ embraces Qatar Airwaysโ corporate colours and will provide passengers with a comprehensive experience of entertainment, information and connectivity.
Video: Qatar Airways. The new Oryx One on Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker (below) announced the launch of the Doha-Dubai Shuttle and the unveiled new brand identity of the airlineโs inflight entertainment during a press conference on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) โ the Middle Eastโs premier travel show โ taking place in Dubai this week.
Photo Above: Qatar Airways.ย Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker announces the carrier’s 2015 expansion plans and latest undertakings during a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
Specially branded and dedicated check-in counters located at Row 5 at Hamad International Airport will be available for all passengers travelling from Doha to Dubai on the Doha-Dubai Shuttle. Passengers who plan on checking in baggage must check in no later than one hour before their scheduled departure time. Return flights from Dubai to Doha also require check in of a minimum of one hour before the scheduled departure time for all passengers, including those with only hand baggage.
Passengers flying on the Qatar Airways Doha-Dubai Shuttle will also be able to take advantage of fast-track immigration in Doha, allowing them to clear passport control in a minimum amount of time before proceeding to their boarding gates located in either Concourse A or B, which are no more than a seven to 10 minute walk, on average, from passport control.
Qatar Airways has so far announced an the addition of seven destinations to its international map this year โ Amsterdam, Ras Al Khaimah, Zanzibar, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan and Durban โ and is gearing up for more route expansion in 2016 with three new US cities, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
Finally,ย Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca) have announced the launch of a strategic joint business agreement on their services between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Royal Air Maroc Chairman and CEO, Mr. Driss Benhima signed the joint business agreement today at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, in the presence of international press and travel trade partners.
The joint business will benefit passengers by providing enhanced links between Qatar and Morocco, greater choice of flights to more destinations and improved frequent flyer benefits. With this new agreement, passengers will be able to purchase a single itinerary combining flights on both carriersโ global networks, affording them the ease of one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in.
Royal Air Maroc will be operating three weekly flights with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Doha complimenting Qatar Airwaysโ existing seven times weekly flights to Casablanca, giving passengers the flexibility of using a combination of flights from both airlines between Qatar and Morocco, significantly increasing their options.
Video Below: Qatar Airways.ย Qatar Airways First Officer Robby and his wife talk about the wonderful life they have made for themselves in Doha since he joined the airline. Find out how they have rapidly adapted to the Middle Eastern way of life and why they plan to spend the foreseeable future in this fast-growing, dynamic city, which has so much to offer pilots and their families looking for an exciting new chapter in their lives.
Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:ย
Copyright Photo below: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) pis pictured at Frankfurt.
New video from FlightTravels:ย Garuda Indonesia flight experience from Jakarta to Singapore, onboard PK-GNG, a Boeing 737-8U3 with Boeing Sky Interior cabin.
Even with the gloomy weather at Jakarta, the flight experience was a very pleasant experience. Garuda Indonesia hospitality began at boarding with the cabin crew warmly welcoming passengers with a traditional clasped hands greeting.
After ascending above the dark clouds, the view up above is very bright and welcoming. I decided on Indonesian style rice for my meal and it was a delicious choice. What a cultural bliss to be able to pair tasty Indonesian cuisine with a good Indonesian movie!
During landing, I am happy to be treated to Singapore’s metropolitan cityscape.
Cebu Pacific Air (Manila) will launch twice weekly nonstop flights between Manila and Doha, Qatar, starting on June 4, 2015.
CEB will be the only Philippine carrier flying between these two cities, serving more Global Filipinos in the Middle East.
The nonstop service departs Manila every Monday and Thursday, at 9:35 pm (2135). It arrives in Doha at 2:45 am (0245) the next day. The return flight departs Doha every Tuesday and Friday, at 4:15 am (0415), arriving in Manila at 6:35 pm (1835).
This new route will utilize CEBโs brand-new Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with a configuration of 436 all-economy class seats. Hot meals, seats with extra legroom and Wi-Fi onboard, among others, are options that can be added to the fare.
The route will serve over 260,000 Filipinos in Qatar, based on Philippine Overseas Employment Administration 2009 stock estimates.
Qatar has the third-largest Filipino community in the Middle East. CEB already serves the other two key markets for Global Filipinos: United Arab Emirates via direct flights to Dubai, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via Riyadh. CEB is also the only airline flying direct between Manila and Kuwait.
CEBโs 55-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft.
Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 7 more brand-new Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Kok Chwee K.C. Sim/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 RP-C3341 (msn 1420) arrives in Singapore (SIN).
Jetstar Asia Airways (Singapore) has released this statement and photo about its business relationship with the TV show Asia’s Got Talent. As a result the airline is introducing this new promotional scheme on its Airbus A320-232 9V-JSA (msn 2316):
Jetstar is pleased to announce sponsorship of the very first season of the wildly popular talent competition — Asia’s Got Talent.
The first pan-regional format of the talent search program will see some of the region’s most aspiring artistes gather in Singapore to fight for the coveted winning title.
Jetstar’s network of 22 destinations across 13 countries in Asia Pacific will enable the region’s top talents to fly further to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
To support these artistes in their pursuit of being Asia’s top talent, Jetstar will provide complimentary return airfares to those who are shortlisted from across Asia for the judges’ auditions up until the grand finale, which will be held in Singapore.
Each contestant may also invite a companion to support them in reaching for the stars.
To celebrate the season premiere of Asia’s Got Talent, a Jetstar A320 will now sport a brand new look (above).
The livery is a first in Got Talent history.
The aircraft will take to the skies from February and will fly around the region to destinations in the Jetstar network for the next six months.
This story is recommended.
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