Miscellaneous airline bits & bobs

[flying.monkeyz]

Emirates to suspend Houston flight in favour of new Dallas route

Emirates will suspend one of its two daily flights to Houston from February, to enable it to launch a new US route to Dallas.

The carrier recently announced plans for flights between Dubai and Dallas commencing on February 1, 2012, using B777-200LR aircraft.



http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...-favour-of-new

[flying.monkeyz]

VietJet launch not affected by AirAsia pullout

AirAsia’s decision last week to not go forward with its Vietnamese joint venture is a major setback for the AirAsia Group and Vietnam’s promising aviation market. But by no means does it spell an end or even a delay for AirAsia’s Vietnamese partner, VietJet Air, which is moving forward with plans to launch services in Dec-2011 without AirAsia.

VietJet is well advanced in its launch preparations and in fact, as CAPA reported last month, was already expecting to begin operations without the AirAsia brand. VietJet was also already planning to source its initial batch of A320s directly from lessors rather than from AirAsia’s massive order book. As a result, AirAsia’s participation and planned 30% investment in VietJet seemed tentative despite AirAsia repeatedly stating over the last year that it remained committed to implementing the agreement initially forged in Feb-2010 with VietJet primary shareholder Sovico Holdings.

Clearly the powerful AirAsia brand and website would have helped VietJet, particularly on international routes. AirAsia’s success in establishing affiliates in two other ASEAN countries, Indonesia and Thailand, illustrates the benefits a pan-Asian brand can bring. But the success of other LCCs in the Indonesian and Thai markets (such as Lion Air and Nok Air) also shows local LCC brands can thrive, particularly domestically.

The opportunities in the Vietnamese market are huge, particularly for LCCs, which can stimulate growth by lowering fares. There is no reason VietJet cannot stimulate air travel among Vietnamese through a local brand. Vietnam’s domestic market has been growing at double digit clips since 2007, with full-service operator Vietnam Airlines the main beneficiary. Even faster growth is possible as LCC penetration rates increase.

Currently LCCs account for only 16% of total domestic capacity in Vietnam, with Jetstar Pacific the only Vietnamese LCC. The other major domestic markets in ASEAN – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand – all have LCC penetration rates above 50% (which assumes Lion Air and Citlink as LCCs in Indonesia).

But for LCCs to be able to tap the full potential of the Vietnamese market, the Government needs to loosen air fare regulations and its views on foreign ownership and control, including the use of foreign brands and websites. The Vietnamese Government rejected multiple requests by VietJet to use the AirAsia brand, prompting AirAsia to ultimately decide against establishing the planned joint venture. The Government also previously indicated it would require Jetstar Pacific to adopt a more local brand. So far Jetstar has been able to keep its branding in Vietnam – a point VietJet is likely to bring up as it is forced to compete against Jetstar without the AirAsia brand.

Vietnam’s Government needs to be more open to adopting the looser regulations of its neighbours when it comes to cross-border ventures. Following other ASEAN countries in allowing the use of foreign airline brands would ensure the success of Vietnam’s LCC sector. Jetstar Pacific needs to continue using the Jetstar brand to succeed, particularly as it looks to enter the international market next year, and VietJet should have the freedom to similarly adopt a new brand after it launches – potentially the AirAsia brand under a resumed partnership or the brand of another Asian LCC.

In fact, AirAsia said last week that while conditions are not currently right to pursue a joint venture with VietJet it may later relook at establishing a Vietnamese affiliate under the right conditions and environment. The required conditions are essentially a more liberal operating environment, particularly a change in the policy against the use of foreign brands.

Continue reading at http://www.centreforaviation.com/blo...-pullout-60658

[flying.monkeyz]

Fury as Air India jet stranded in London for 9 hours

Hundreds of air travellers were left stranded after an incoming Air India flight was grounded for nine hours at London's Gatwick Airport by a combination of fog and aviation rules.

Police were called onto the Boeing 777 jet as tempers frayed among the 200 passengers after the airline prevented them from disembarking.

The flight from Ahmedabad via Mumbai was due to arrive at Heathrow, London's other major airport, at 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) but was diverted to Gatwick due to fog.

The plane was unable to complete the 44-mile (70-kilometre) cross-city journey as aviation law limits the length of time for which flight crew are allowed to work in one shift.

A replacement crew was shuttled across the British capital, but reportedly got lost in Gatwick Airport.

Rahul Joglekar, a BBC journalist who was on the flight, said people became "very, very angry."

"A group of passengers gathered close to the cockpit demanding an explanation from the pilot, but the pilots still didn't come out," he said.

Another passenger Jas Johal blasted the lack of refreshments on board, saying "everyone was very hungry and there was no sign of any food."

A spokesman for Gatwick said that it had been Air India's decision to keep the passengers on board rather than arrange alternative transport to Heathrow.

"The plane remained off the runway and kept in the vicinity of the tarmac. The duty of care in those situations lies with the airline," he said.

One passenger said Air India gave the weary travellers a letter, offering its "sincere apologies for any inconvenience," when they finally reached Heathrow shortly before 17:30.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/worl...on-for-9-hours

[CarbonMan]

They should've just let the pax disembarked. But I guess they probably had another set of rules that said they couldn't. I don't blame anyone for getting seriously mad - 9 hours!

[flying.monkeyz]

Qantas flight turns back after bang heard on board

SYDNEY: A Sydney-bound Qantas flight was forced to turn back to Bangkok after a bang was heard on board, according to the airline, as the carrier separately grounded five aircraft due to a labour row.




http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...159863/1/.html

[flying.monkeyz]

They should've just let the pax disembarked. But I guess they probably had another set of rules that said they couldn't. I don't blame anyone for getting seriously mad - 9 hours!

More like AI didn't have a SOP for it and everyone shaking their head wondering what to do...

[flying.monkeyz]

China Eastern abandons 787 order for 737s

Citing the extended delivery delays in the Boeing 787 programme China Eastern has cancelled orders for 24 of the widebody aircraft, and has opted to convert those positions to 45 737 narrowbodies.

The move drops Boeing's 787 backlog below 800 for the first time, and is the first publicly acknowledged cancellation due to the delays to the programme. Previously, customers had cited economic instability as the reason for cancelling orders.

China Eastern in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong said the order for 45 "brand new" 737 aircraft is worth $3.3 billion at list prices, but the company extracted "significant price concessions" from the airframer.

The carrier stated the aircraft will be used primarily to satisfy rising domestic demand and increasing demand on international and regional medium and-short-haul routes.

The order for the 24 widebody aircraft was split between nine 787s for subsidiary Shanghai Airlines and 15 for China Eastern.

The 45 new 737s are expected to be delivered in stages from 2014 to 2016, and will increase the airline's capacity by 8.65% based on 31 December 2010 levels.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...r-737s-363530/

[flying.monkeyz]

China Eastern orders 15 A330s, drops five A340s

China Eastern Airlines has agreed to purchase 15 Airbus A330 aircraft, and will dispose of five A340-300s.

The SkyTeam carrier's announcement was followed shortly by a statement that it would drop orders for 24 Boeing 787s, and convert them to 45 737s.

China Eastern's 15 A330s will be delivered from 2013 to 2015, said the airline, which did not specify an engine choice for the aircraft.

The carrier stated the listed price of the purchase as $2.53 billion, and plans to use the aircraft to meet increasing demand in its domestic, regional and international medium and long-haul passenger markets.

Along with the A330s order agreement, China Eastern will dispose of five A340-300s, which had been scheduled to be delivered in 2012.

The A330s purchase and the A340s disposal will lower the unit operation cost of the airline, said China Eastern. Dropping the A340s would decrease the available tonne kilometres (ATKs) of the airline by about 3.68%, it added, but the A330s purchase would grow ATKs by 9.41%.

China Eastern operates a fleet of 20 A330s comprising 15 -300s and five -200s, Flightglobal's ACAS database shows. All are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700s.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...-a340s-363531/

[flying.monkeyz]

To reduce carry-on luggage, American Airlines offers bonus miles for checked bags

The Department of Seemingly Inexplicable Airline Economics brings this edition of quirky news involving American Airlines giving extra frequent flyer miles to people who check bags.

Ah, you say, sneaky tactic. Charge $25 to check a bag but give a few token miles. Not quite. The offer is only available to elite frequent flyers – and they already have a free baggage allowance. The reckoning (there is no official statement about this offer) suggests American wants to create more room in its overhead bins without doing away with the baggage charges that contribute to USD2.4 billion of annual ancillary revenue but also lead people to carry on their luggage instead of checking it.

While checked bag fees and other ancillary revenue streams have largely helped US airlines to turnaround their financial position, they have earned the wrath of passengers not just for charging bag fees but also because the fees have increased the number of carry-ons, which sometimes results in running out of space in overhead bins (although this could help sell the early boarding add-on). It has become a problem for airlines too: finding space for bags in overhead bins or gate checking bags adds boarding time, decreases (marginally) utilisation rates/schedule padding and could lead to delays.

Checking bags in exchange for bonus frequent flyer miles – which cost American Airlines little since they control the currency's valuation – helps theoretically alleviate bin space shortage, reduce boarding time and reduce departure delays. The offer is only available on flights from Boston, one of American's focus but not hub cities, suggesting this is very much a trial – the bonus miles end 22-Nov-2011. See here for American's official page on the promotion.

Even offering free checked bags has not helped Southwest escape consumer irritation. Its fares are regularly undercut by legacy competitors, even when including checked bag fees. Read more: Southwest losing consumer lustre as pilots vote on integration

Working against American in this initiative is that elite frequent flyers who carry on their bags are likely doing so to save time, not money since they have a free luggage allowance. American will find out, if boarding process improvements are made and if five or 10 minutes at the luggage carousel waiting for your priority-tagged bag is worth 500 extra miles.

Or maybe there is no need to wait at the luggage carousel. As frequent flyer the Wandering Aramean quipped on his blog, "There doesn’t really seem to be a need to care about what you’re checking. I figure just grab a FedEx box, put a bag tag on it and collect your 500 miles. No need to even collect the box at the other end."

http://www.centreforaviation.com/blo...ked-bags-60727

[flying.monkeyz]

Peach Aviation, ANA’s low-cost offshoot, has unveiled the cabin crew’s uniform, which reflects the carrier’s “fresh and trendy” feel.

The jackets are of the same fuchsia pink as the carrier’s livery, with a white lining, while the bottoms are in a more sober colour.



According to the carrier’s website, Peach will offer “a fun and fresh travel experience,” which is succinctly summarised by the acronym of the carrier’s name: Pan-Asia, Energetic, Affordable, Cute & Cool and Happy.

Peach Aviation is poised to begin operations in March next year, kicking off with flights to Sapporo and Fukoka from its base at Osaka Kansai Airport.

http://www.businesstraveller.com/asi...forms-revealed

Peach Aviation obtains approval for services to congested Japanese airports

Peach Aviation Limited (Peach) confirmed (17-Oct-2011) it has obtained approval from Japan’s MLIT to operate flights to congested airports. Peach’s application was made on 23-Aug-2011 in accordance with Japan’s Aeronautics Act. From 01-Mar-2012, there will be three daily services on the Osaka Kansai–Sapporo Shin-Chitose route and four daily services on the Osaka Kansai–Fukuoka route. Peach plans to announce airfares in late Nov-2011. The LCC is scheduled to launch services in Mar-2012.

http://www.centreforaviation.com/new...irports-124483

[flying.monkeyz]

Premium passenger numbers fall sharply in Aug-2011 further slowdown expected in month

IATA has warned that “widespread” declines in international trade and business confidence is having a notable impact on global air travel demand, including in India and China. “Forward-looking indicators for air travel, particularly travel on business, continue to point to a further slowdown in the months ahead,” the trade group said.

International business travel fell sharply at the end of Aug-2011, following an unexpectedly strong start to the month. Premium passenger numbers rose just 2.3% in Aug-2011 on a year-on-year basis, following growth of 7.5% in Jul-2011, with premium travel falling back to levels last seen in 4Q2010. Correlating with the decline in premium traffic volumes, there was also a marked decline in premium revenues in Aug-2011, which declined to the lowest levels in 16 months.

Economy travel was not as severely affected, with the growth rate declining from 5.5% in Jul-2011 to 3.7% in Aug-2011. Economy travel markets remain slightly higher than 4Q2010 levels, but less than 1% up on 3Q2010 levels. IATA noted that this was a probable reflection of "some switching of seat class by business passengers" to economy.

"Structural shift" in premium travel demand since GFC

IATA said that while there has been a “significant” rebound in premium travel after the 2008-09 recession, “there has clearly been a structural shift, due to the severity of the recession, away from travel on business and first class seats towards economy”.

Prior to the recession, premium travel made up 9-10% of the international total, with this declining to the 7.5-8.5% range. This also reflects an increasing movement towards premium economy, which IATA includes as part of the ‘economy’ category. “In recent months, that structural downshift has been joined by the start of a new cyclical downturn,” IATA said.

Premium demand weakness linked to economic woes

IATA stated premium travel growth was “much more aligned with international trade and business confidence” in Aug-2011. The global manufacturers purchasing managers index fell below 50 in Sep-2011 for the first time since mid-2009, indicating no growth or declining industrial production. This weak level of business confidence is usually consistent with little or no growth in premium travel volumes, IATA commented, adding that this points to a “further weakening of premium travel during the months ahead”.

Continue reading at http://www.centreforaviation.com/ana...ead-iata-60821

[flying.monkeyz]

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana could kick start new spate of B767 orders

Air Astana has emerged as a potential customer for new-built B767s as the fast-growing Kazakhstani carrier seeks to replace its existing B757/767 fleet prior to the anticipated delivery of its first B787 in 2019. With a deal likely to be forged by the end of this year, Air Astana could be the first of several customers for new B767s as production of the small widebody is extended on the back of the recently launched B767-based NewGen tanker programme for the US Air Force.

Air Astana’s long-haul fleet currently consists of four leased B757-200s and two leased B767-300ERs with a fifth B757-200 slated to enter service next month. In 2007 Air Astana signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire three B787s plus three options with deliveries intended for 2014 and 2015. Air Astana CEO Peter Foster says the LOI “is still intact” and the carrier plans to soon discuss with Boeing converting the deal to a firm order. But he said Air Astana’s B787s delivery slots have been pushed back to 2019 due to the numerous delays in the B787 programme.

Mr Foster says the B787s are now envisioned as growth aircraft for the end of this decade and could potentially be used to launch flights to the US. B767s and particularly B757s remain the ideal aircraft for the carrier’s current long-haul network, which includes thin routes to Asia and Europe which are primarily six to eight hours in duration. But Mr Foster says Air Astana’s five B757s will need replacing in the 2015 to 2016 timeframe while the carrier is looking to phase out its two B767s in 2014.

Air Astana has been evaluating potential replacements for both types with the B767-300ER and A330-200 under evaluation. Mr Foster expects the carrier will make a selection and place an order by the end of this year for six firm aircraft plus four options. Deliveries would begin in late 2013 and initially replace the two existing B767-300ERs before replacing the five B757s.

The B767-300ER is considered the heavy favourite as the A330-200 is considered too big for almost all of Air Astana’s long-haul routes. Air Astana has several long and thin routes, most of which are served less than daily. Opting for B767-300ERs will also ensure commonality during the three-year transition period. As a result, ordering new B767-300ERs is considered the heavy favorite.

Mr Foster says the A321neo is not an option for replacing Air Astana’s B757s as the neo will not have the range to take over most of its B757 routes. Airbus and some leasing companies have been touting the A321neo as a potential B757 replacement and being able to operate nearly all B757 missions. But Mr Foster doesn’t see that, explaining the A321neo will only be able to fly at the very most 6.5 hours. This would preclude the A321neo from operating from Almaty to London, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul. It also would mean the A321neo could not replace the B757 on most transatlantic routes.

Air Astana is unique in that its Almaty hub is roughly equal distance between Europe and East Asia. It is also unique in that it has an international network which consists of an unusual high concentration of long and thin routes. As a result, Air Astana is a niche carrier that relies heavily on the B757, which it also uses on some domestic flights, without a totally suitable replacement.

Speaking in Almaty this week at a small media briefing that was attended by CAPA sister publication Airline Leader, Mr Foster explained that the B757 offers “tremendous economics for an airline of our type with these long thin routes located pretty much equidistant between, Europe, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia.” He added that “the 757 is a damn good aircraft. It has great legs.”

Air Astana earlier this year retrofitted its four B757s, which are equipped with winglets, and is happy to continue operating the aircraft for the short to medium term. But Mr Foster believes there will be a need to replace the fleet by the end of the 2016.

The retrofit included the installation of semi-life flat business class seats and reduced the total seat count from 170 to 166. The additional fifth B757 will also be retrofitted with semi lie-flat business class seats prior to entering service next month. The additional long-haul aircraft will allow Air Astana to launch service to Hong Kong as well as increase capacity to Bangkok to five weekly flights and to Kuala Lumpur to three weekly flights. Air Astana also currently uses its B757s and B767s to serve Beijing, Seoul, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London as well as on some domestic routes. All of its long-haul destinations are only served from Almaty except Amsterdam, which is served from Atyrau, and Frankfurt which is served from Astana.

Mr Foster now expects the Almaty-Hong Kong service will begin in February with two weekly flights which will quickly increase to three per week. Mr Foster says Air Astana is also planning to operate a once weekly charter flight during the upcoming winter season to Ho Chi Minh City, which, if successful, could later become a new scheduled destination.

Air Astana’s two B767s will be retrofitted next month with semi lie-flat seats similar to the seats already installed on the B757s. The retrofit will reduce the total seat count on Air Astana’s B767-300ERs from 223 seats to 220 seats. The B757/B767 retrofit programme at Air Astana does not include a new in-flight entertainment system (IFE) as the carrier continues to use handheld IFE devices in business class.

Very few carriers in Europe or Asia have niche thin long-haul operations like Air Astana. However, several US carriers similarly rely on B757s for long and thin transatlantic routes. These carriers have the same dilemma in that they don’t have any perfect options for replacing B757s. With the A321neo lacking the range for most transatlantic routes, US carriers could potentially follow Air Astana in ordering new B767s to replace B757s.

Boeing expects there could be spate of new B767 orders as carriers deal with B787 delays and ponder alternatives for replacing B757s. Already All Nippon Airways and LAN have ordered more B767s to address capacity shortfalls caused by B787 delivery delays. With Boeing keen to secure more B767 orders to bridge the gap before the B767 tanker reaches full production, clearly new B767-300ERs will be attractively priced. As Mr Foster explained, “the B767 has had a new lease of life because of the tanker programme for the US Air Force”. Air Astana could be one of several existing B757/B767 operators that place orders for B767s in the near term.

http://www.centreforaviation.com/blo...7-orders-60824

[flying.monkeyz]

Soviet-era aircraft reach the end of the line

Two Russian carriers—Ural Airlines (U6) and Kuban Airlines (GW)—announced they will stop using Soviet Union-era aircraft on regular flights.

Ekaterinburg-based U6 said Monday it removed a Tupolev Tu-154M from its fleet after its last flight Sunday from Yamburg (Western Siberia) to Ekaterinburg. When the airline was launched in 1993, it had 11 Tu-154Bs; in 1994 it bought four more Tu-154Ms. As of this month, U6 operated three Tu-154Ms that were allowed to fly to Europe.

According to CEO Sergey Skuratov, the company is planning to sell its three Tu-154Ms. In November 2006, U6 took delivery of its first Airbus A320, which started its fleet renewal program. Now the airline operates 13 A320s and five A321s. In 2012, the carrier is planning to acquire four more A321s.

Krasnodar-based GW said Tuesday it will use eight Yakovlev Yak-42s only on charter flights and as reserve aircraft during its upcoming winter schedule. After the Yak Service Yak-42 crash Sept. 7 in Yaroslavl, media reports and some experts in Russia blamed old Soviet-made aircraft for being unsafe (ATW Daily News, Sept. 8).

Russian Flight Safety Foundation International chairman Evgeniy Shaposhnikov objected to these conclusions. He noted that during the last 20 years, Russia has lost 50 aircraft. While 44 were Soviet-built aircraft, he said technical defects were responsible for just 16% of the accidents.

The main reason U2 and GW are retiring the Soviet-era aircraft is their low fuel efficiency. Also, GW is consolidating with LCC Sky Express, optimizing its route network and canceling several destinations in its winter schedule (ATW Daily News, Oct. 18). The combined carrier now owns three A319s and five Boeing 737s.

The replacement of Soviet-era aircraft began in the Russian market in 2005-2006. Through their renewal program, the biggest Russian carriers—such as Aeroflot, S7 Airlines and Rossiya—have already removed the older aircraft from their fleets. However, UTair, the fourth-biggest carrier, still operates 21 Tu-154s; UTair-Express has 28 Tu-134s and 25 Antonov An-24s.

http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engine...-end-line-1018

[flying.monkeyz]

Peach Aviation obtains approval for services to congested Japanese airports

Peach Aviation Limited (Peach) confirmed (17-Oct-2011) it has obtained approval from Japan’s MLIT to operate flights to congested airports. Peach’s application was made on 23-Aug-2011 in accordance with Japan’s Aeronautics Act. From 01-Mar-2012, there will be three daily services on the Osaka Kansai–Sapporo Shin-Chitose route and four daily services on the Osaka Kansai–Fukuoka route. Peach plans to announce airfares in late Nov-2011. The LCC is scheduled to launch services in Mar-2012.

http://www.centreforaviation.com/new...irports-124483

The first Airbus A320 in the colours of new low cost carrier Peach Aviation has rolled out of the paint shop at the airframer's Toulouse site.

It is due to be delivered to the Japanese carrier's home base at Osaka's Kansai International Airport in November. Peach will now begin preparations for interior installation and test flights.

Part-owned by All Nippon Airways, Peach is due to perform its first flight in March 2012.

The carrier's initial fleet will comprise 10 CFM56-powered A320s leased from GECAS, according to Flightglobal's Ascend database.

[HUGE AL]

Rather than have the board cluttered up with lots of threads about various airlines that have debateable value on here, we've gathered them together in a single thread and ask that any further ones be put here as well.

We would also ask if we could just think how much interest that particular snippet of info would be on here.

MTIA.

Thank You, MAN Flyer!

We could also name it: "Increase Your Post Count"