Etihad boosts Lagos flights to daily

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will upgrade its Lagos service to daily to meet growing demand from passengers travelling to and from Nigeria.

The airline initially launched its service between Lagos, West Africa’s most populous city, and Abu Dhabi on July 1, 2012, with six flights a week enhancing the links between Nigeria, Africa’s third largest economy, and the United Arab Emirates.

The new daily service will be introduced on March 31, coinciding with the start of the airline’s new summer schedule, and will significantly improve connections between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, and beyond to key destinations across the airline’s network in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, India, Malaysia and China.

Maurice Phohleli, Etihad Airways’ General Manager, Nigeria and West Africa, said: “We have received a very positive response from the Nigerian market since launching our service six months ago. Clearly, the people of Nigeria appreciate the superior product and service of the *World’s Leading Airline and we are proud to serve them.

“Our passenger loads are strong and we are confident that this route will continue to support the growing flow of business and leisure travellers who fly from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, and onwards over the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi to key commercial and tourism destinations in the GCC, North and Southeast Asia and markets in the Indian Subcontinent.”

The service, comprising a mix of morning and evening departures, is operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured to carry 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy class passengers.

Etihad Airways recognises the importance of the West African region and is committed to expanding its footprint across the continent. In November 2012, Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, re-introduced a weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos which was complemented with the addition of 16 new interline destinations across West Africa.

Etihad Airways currently flies to eight destinations in Africa and the Indian Ocean including: Johannesburg, Khartoum, Casablanca, Cairo, Nairobi, Lagos, Tripoli and Mahé in the Seychelles.

Etihad is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Andrea Ragnetti resigns

Italian carrier Alitalia has confirmed chief executive Andrea Ragnetti has resigned from the role.

Chairman Roberto Colaninno will be the interim chief executive until the board appoints a replacement.

A statement from the Italian airline did not provide any reasons for the resignation.

However, Alitalia earlier reported a 2012 net loss of €280 million, compared with a net loss of €69 million in 2011.

The company said its 2012 Ebit loss was €119 million, compared with a loss of €6 million the year before.

Revenues for 2012 stood at €3.6 billion, up 3.3 per cent.

The carrier, which has been struggling in recent years, recently approved a convertible loan of up to €150 million to boost liquidity.

Record month at Dubai International

Dubai International has begun 2013 in top gear, setting yet another monthly record by welcoming, for the first time, more than 5.5 million passengers in a single month.

According to the traffic report issued by Dubai Airports today, passenger traffic rose 14.6 per cent to 5,559,760 in January 2013, up from 4,852,139 in the same month in 2012.

Aircraft movements totalled 31,332 in January 2013, climbing 5.6 per cent from the 29,680 movements recorded in January 2012.

Most markets were boosted in January by holiday traffic as well as visitors to the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Air links continue to be expanded between Dubai and Saudi Arabia with Emirates, flydubai, Nasair and Saudi Arabian Airlines all adding new flights in 2012.

During the year Emirates added new flights to Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh while flydubai expanded its network to include Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, Taif, Yanbu and Tabuk.

Saudi Arabian Airlines, meanwhile, added flights from Medina and Riyadh to Dubai and low-cost airline Nasair introduced links between Riyadh and Dubai.

“January’s record passenger numbers confirm that the growth trajectory recorded last year has continued into 2013 and Dubai Airports has taken another steady stride towards the 98 million passengers a year we expect to pass through our airport by the end of the decade,” said chief executive Paul Griffiths.

Another nail in the coffin for Kingfisher

Kingfisher Airlines has lost its international and domestic flying rights following a decision by the Indian government.

Following the move, rights will be handed to competitors, marking a further decline in the fortunes of the airline.

Loss-making Indian carrier Kingfisher saw rights to fly to eight countries, including the UK, withdrawn.

Up to 126 slots for international flights have been withdrawn, making approximately 25,000 seats a week available to other Indian carriers.

Its domestic slots have also been handed to its rival airlines.

Kingfisher’s whose licence to fly expired at the end of 2012.

Chinese Visa

Etihad and Kenya Airways sign codeshare agreement

Etihad Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a reciprocal codeshare agreement, providing the Abu Dhabi carrier with better connectivity throughout Africa and the Nairobi-based airline with improved international access.

Etihad will place its EY code on Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to 27 destinations across the latter’s African network.

In turn, Kenya Airways will place its KQ code on Etihad’s daily service from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi – which it started last April – and, subject to government approval, onwards to up to 32 key destinations across Etihad’s global network.

Kenya Airways will also launch a new three-times weekly service between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi from mid-summer 2013.

The agreement paves the way for “greater collaboration between the airlines on the joint procurement of services for ground handling, line and heavy maintenance, training and cargo operations”.

Etihad has been busy expanding its network reach through equity investments and codeshare agreements with airlines such as airberlin, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Garuda, Hainan Airlines, RAK Airways and Virgin Australia.

To date, it’s flown to only a small number of points in Africa (Nairobi, Lagos, Tripoli, Casablanca and Johannesburg) and tieing up with Kenya Airways provides a missing part to the jigsaw.

Iberia strike begins in protest at layoffs

Ground staff and cabin crew at Spanish flag-carrier Iberia have begun 15 days of strikes.

Workers are reacting to plans to lay off 3,800 workers as managers seek to return the airline to profitability.

The airline says the stoppages, to be staged over three weeks, will lead to more than 1,200 flight cancellations, including 236 on Monday.

Some 70,000 passengers are likely to be expected today.

However, a government decree on minimum services guarantees 90 per cent of long-haul flights, 61 per cent of medium-haul and 46 per cent of domestic flights will all operate.

Unions representing most Iberia workers, but not pilots, called the strikes between February 18th-22nd, March 4th-8th and March 18th-22nd.

Dutch Airline Is First 'Traditional' European Carrier to Charge For Checked Bags

The dreaded airline bag fees have hopped the pond. Beginning in April 2013, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will begin charging passengers for checked bags on flights within Europe.

The move marks a break from other "traditional" European carriers (think Air France or British Airways,) "which have prided themselves on not burdening passengers with ancillary charges as do the budget carriers," reports Business Traveller.

As DutchNews.nl reports, a KLM spokesman told Dutch media that a high percentage of KLM passengers only bring carry-on luggage. "We know people would rather pay less for their tickets and that is why we are going to lower the price for flights," he said.

The baggage fee will make up the difference.

According to KLM's website, the new fee for bags is in effect for flights booked on or after April 22, 2013. The cost of checking a bag will be 15 euros ($20) if paid in advance and 30 euro ($40) if paid at the airport.

Passengers who are in the Flying Blue frequent flyer program, or are flying to and from Belarus, Georgia, Italy, Russia, Turkey or the Ukraine may still check one bag free of charge.
The bag fees are a pain. But, hey, at least KLM wants to help passengers find the ideal seatmate.

Wishing you a Happy Valentines day

Fastjet secures Nairobi base

Fastjet has secured its entry into the Kenyan market and its first expansion outside Tanzania and access to the key Nairobi hub by throwing a lifeline to collapsed local carrier Jetlink Express.

The two carriers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 28-Jan-2013 to create a joint venture allowing fastjet to launch its brand in Kenya in the next few months.

Fastjet launched two domestic routes from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in Nov-2012 with A319 aircraft, rebranding and refleeting its newly acquired Fly540 operation in the country. The carrier also owns the Fly540 regional operations in Angola and Ghana.

The bigger Kenyan market will provide a strong launch pad for further Eastern African expansion, including the development of links with international carriers which are already being explored.

Fastjet CEO Ed Winter said: "Kenya is the major economy in East Africa and launching here is an important step towards fastjet becoming a pan African low cost airline.”

The Jetlink joint venture also suggests that fastjet will compete against Fly540 Kenya, whose ownership is part of an increasingly bitter dispute with Five Forty Aviation.

More Options on Lagos - Banjul Route

Gambia Bird is planning to start a four-weekly flights from Banjul to Lagos in April 2013. However, it’s not clear whether the airline already obtained permission from the Nigerian authorities to launch this service. The route will be operated with A319 equipment.

Passenger numbers down at Gatwick

There was a drop of 0.8 per cent in passenger numbers at Gatwick Airport in January when compared to the prior year, according to new figure.

This is despite the continuing challenging economic conditions and winter weather in January, which saw the airport make use of its £8m snow-clearing fleet to remain fully operational.

Gatwick continued to see growth in domestic (6,800 more passengers) and long-haul markets (21,900 more passengers).

Load factors in January of 74.9 per cent were 1.3 percentage points higher than the prior year.

There was a decline in European scheduled and charter flights this month, as the challenging economic climate in Europe continues.

Gatwick Airport’s chief financial officer Nick Dunn said: “In January we saw a slight decline in the number of passengers travelling through Gatwick, which is a reflection of lower European traffic. However this was balanced with growth from long-haul airlines serving Asia.

“We are delighted that Garuda Indonesia has chosen Gatwick to operate a vital new direct route to a key high-growth business market. Jakarta is also a major hub airport for South East Asia, giving UK passengers even more access and choice to the region.”

South African Airways is Certified as a 4-Star Airline for 2013

South African Airways have been awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2013 by Skytrax, the independent, global airline rating organisation. The 4-Star Airline ranking recognises continued quality improvement in South African Airways onboard product and service, together with a number changes to the home base airport product and service levels.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: "South African Airways have managed to maintain quality levels throughout the past year, and are delivering a solid Product and Service standard to their customers, making their 4-Star ranking well-deserved. The Skytrax Star Ranking audit examines more than 800 areas of product and service delivery, across all areas of the airport operations and the cabin experience, and demonstrates that South African Airways passengers can look forward to a high quality of product and service. Skytrax Star Ranking provides an accurate and independent guide for travellers around the world, and 4-Star is a most respected category for an airline. South African Airways has been ranked at 4-Star Airline status for a number of years, and we are delighted to see that they retain this status for 2013."

Skytrax is known worldwide as the leading, independent authority on airline quality and assessment, and has been completing flight checks with South African Airways during 2012, examining in detail all product and service delivery areas across both international and domestic routes.

South African Airways 4-Star Airline ranking signifies that the airline has achieved a good standard of product across all travel categories, with standards of staff service delivery in both the onboard and airport environments also being well ranked.

Emirates Airlines sees 2012-13 income up

DUBAI'S Emirates Airlines says its year to March 2013 income is seen rising by 18 to 20 per cent, as the emirate officially opened the world's first concourse dedicated to Airbus A380 superjumbos.



The Middle East's biggest carrier expects to see "an 18 to 20 per cent" income rise this year, Emirates president Tim Clark told reporters on Sunday.

For the first six months of the current fiscal year its net profit jumped by 104 per cent to 1.7 billion dirhams ($A453.68 million) from 836 million dirhams in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In the year to March 2012, Emirates had posted a net profit of 1.5 billion dirhams, down from 5.4 billion dirhams in the previous accounting year.

Clark said the fast-growing airline expects to have a fleet of 210 aircraft by spring 2014.
He said the carrier "would buy more A380s" if there was space at its hub to accommodate them.
Dubai Airports, meanwhile, said its Concourse A, the world's first facility built to serve the superjumbo, had become fully operational.

It has 20 gates compatible with the double-deck aircraft for which Emirates is the largest single customer with 31 planes in service and 59 more on order.

Boeing's largest customer also expressed confidence in US manufacturer's ability to solve technical problems regarding battery fires that have led to the grounding of its 787 Dreamliners.

"Boeing will sort this out. It is a formidable corporation. It has a track record of building superb aircraft," said Clark, whose company has not bought any 787s but has largest fleet of Boeing 777s.

"What you see in the 787 design platforms today is the future of aircraft. There are hiccups. This one is unfortunate. I am confident they will sort this out."

The 11-floor Concourse A facility, which will be used by Emirates like the rest of Terminal 3, increases Dubai International's capacity from 60 million passengers a year to 75 million.

The concourse will also be available for Australia's Qantas A380s flights to Europe, under a global partnership agreed last year between the two carriers which awaits final approval from Australia's competition watchdog.

The building is part of a $US7.8 billion ($A7.63 billion) strategic plan by Dubai Airports to bring the capacity of the travel hub to 90 million passengers by 2018.

Emirates, which began operations in 1985 with two leased planes, has become a major competitor of legacy airlines, turning Dubai into a major transit hub for travel between Europe, Asia and Australasia.
It operates a fleet of 197 wide-bodied Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

In the year 2011-2012, the carrier transported 34 million passengers and 1.8 million tonnes of cargo.

Ethiopian Airlines expands Asian network

BANGKOK, Thailand- – Ethiopian Airlines plans to adjust its Asian network, 18 June, adding three new destinations — Ho Chi Minh, Manila and Seoul Incheon.

It will involve delinking Bangkok from its Addis Ababa-Hong Kong service, Hong Kong will be served directly from Addis Ababa instead of four weekly flights routed through Bangkok.

Effective 18 June, the daily Bangkok services will extend to Kuala Lumpur and a new destination Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Until June, the Star Alliance member continues to operate four weekly services Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Hong Kong and three weekly Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur services using a 767-300ER.

Hong Kong will be served directly by daily flights from the Ethiopian capital with flights extending to Seoul or Manila. Three of the daily Addis Ababa – Hong Kong services will fly on to Manila and the remaining four weekly services will serve Seoul Incheon

The airline does not have local traffic rights on the Hong Kong – Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong-Manila sectors.

The move will give the airline two gateways in Asia; Bangkok serving mainland Southeast Asia and Hong Kong serving East Asian cities.

Three of the daily flights to Bangkok will extend to Ho Chi Minh using a 246 seat 767-300ER. Reservations for Ho Chi Minh City are not yet open.

The Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur service will increase from three to four weekly flights. Reservation for the fourth service opened 5 February.

United Airlines adds Wi-Fi for overseas flights

By Hugo Martin


United Airlines has been one of the last major airlines to jump into the business of offering on-board wireless Internet. But it's trying to make up for its tardiness.

The Chicago-based carrier offers Wi-Fi in about 3% of its fleet of about 700 planes, one of the lowest rates of any major carrier in the nation, according to a recent study.

But United recently became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi Internet for passengers traveling on long-haul overseas flights.

The carrier has installed satellite-based Wi-Fi on nearly a dozen planes, with plans to expand the service to more than 300, or about 43% of the fleet, by the end of the year.

“With this new service, we continue to build the airline that customers want to fly,” said Jim Compton, vice chairman and chief revenue officer at United.

Satellite-based Wi-Fi is typically as fast as ground-based Wi-Fi, experts say, plus it can give passengers Internet access when flying over areas where cellular towers don’t exist -- such as the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Of course, there is a price to pay for the service.

United is charging between $3.99 and $14.99 for standard speed, depending on the duration of the flight, and between $5.99 and $19.99 for faster speeds.

United is not the only airline to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi. Southwest Airlines, the nation’s largest domestic carrier, offers satellite-based Internet through Westlake Village company Row 44.

The Virgin Atlantic Story

The story of Virgin Atlantic is a remarkable one that started in the summer of 1984 with a maiden voyage to New York.

The story of Virgin Atlantic is a remarkable one that started in the summer of 1984 with a maiden voyage to New York. In the 28 years that followed, more and more long-haul routes were added and the airline is now proud to fly to over 35 of the world’s most popular destinations for business and leisure, annually flying more than six million passengers.

You can fly in style from London Heathrow to 11 cities across the US and Canada, including six daily flights to New York and twice daily flights to Los Angeles.

There are also regular flights to Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and a brand-new destination for 2012 – Vancouver, which commences again in May 2013.

If you have business to take care of in Africa or the Middle East, Virgin Atlantic offers flights to Dubai, Johannesburg, Accra and Lagos and seasonal flights to Cape Town.

Emirates Airlines Announces New Skywards Tier: Platinum

By  David Parker Brown


Today, Emirates Airlines will announce a new elite tier in their Skywards program: Platinum. Just before the announcement, I was able to sit down with Brian LaBelle, Senior Vice President of Emirates Rewards in Dubai to ask some questions and learn more about the airline’s program.

Previously, Emirates had three rewards tiers: Blue: just register, Silver: earned at 25,000 miles and Gold: earned at 50,000 miles. Starting April 1st, 2013, passengers will be able to attain Platinum status flying over 150,000 miles. That is quite the upgrade from 50,000 miles of Gold status, so what will the premium get you? Here are the main benefits:

• Access for the cardholder and one guest to the Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai and Emirates Lounges across the network
• Complimentary Emirates Skywards Gold card for each member’s partner, giving them the benefits of Gold status, even when flying on their own.
• ‘Last Seat’ Flex reward, enabling Skywards Miles to be utilised on any flight, as long as there is an open seat.
• Additional 20kg luggage allowance.
• ‘Guaranteed Business Class‘ revenue seat, meaning you will not be bumped if you use cash or rewards for a business class seat.
• 75% bonus Skywards Miles

LaBelle explained that Emirates wants to reward their top fliers and make sure they keep flying on Emirates. He wasn’t able to confirm how many current Gold level members will automatically earn Platinum status on April 1st, but he was able to say that out of the 8.6 million who have signed up for Skywards, about 110,000 are currently Gold members.

Although status will not transfer between most other airlines that Emirates has partnerships with (Alaska Airlines, jetBlue and easyJet), the new status will be shared with Qantas Airlines Frequent Flyer Program. This makes sense since both airlines will be entering a larger alliance starting also on April 1st.

Sheraton to open 30 hotels in 2013

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is planning to expand its Sheraton brand over the next 12 months with 30 planned openings, predominantly in the Asia Pacific region.

Half of the new properties will open in China, lengthening Starwood’s lead as the largest upper-upscale global hotel operator in Asia Pacific.

Sheraton is also picking up momentum in several other emerging markets including Latin America, the Middle East and Turkey.

“Sheraton is anticipating record-breaking growth, putting us on track to open our 500th hotel in 2015.

“The majority of our new hotel development is taking place in the world’s fast-growing economies, while in North America, Sheraton remains one of the most sought-after brands for conversion opportunities,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

“Our portfolio is stronger than ever following our highly successful brand-wide revitalization and multi-billion dollar investment to enhance the Sheraton brand over the past several years,” Harper added.

China

Sheraton is slated to open 15 new hotels across China over the next 12 months, moving it closer to its target of 80 properties in this vast market by the end of 2015.

One of the more notable openings this year is Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, which boasts an innovative ring-shaped structure designed by leading-edge architect Ma Yansong.

“The Sheraton growth trajectory in China has been nothing short of remarkable.

“For the fourth year in a row, Sheraton will open approximately half of its new hotels in China and demand continues to grow especially in second and third tier cities,” said Harper.

“We are also proud to add Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort to our growing portfolio of architecturally unique hotels in Asia Pacific.”

Diverse Emerging Markets

In addition to the flurry of new hotel openings in China, Sheraton is also growing its portfolio in other fast-growing markets within Asia Pacific.

New openings this year will include Sheraton New Caledonia Bourail Resort and Spa in New Caledonia and Sheraton Chandigarh Hotel in India.

“Sheraton is renowned as a global hospitality icon and the brand’s early entry into markets around the world is continuing to pave the way for future growth not only for Sheraton, but also for Starwood’s other eight sought-after brands,” said Simon Turner, president of global development for Starwood.

“The quality of the Sheraton hotel portfolio and pipeline is the strongest it has ever been and we look forward to ongoing expansion in both emerging and developed markets.”

The brand’s portfolio in Africa and the Middle East will expand over the next 12 months with the addition of four new hotels including the fourth Sheraton in Saudi Arabia - Sheraton Medina Hotel, Sheraton Dubai Mall of Emirates and the first in Tajikistan - Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel.

Sheraton will also open two new hotels in Turkey, Europe’s fastest-growing market, in the cities of Adana and Bursa.

Americas

One of the most promising growth markets for Sheraton is Latin America, which boasts several of the world’s fastest growing economies.

This year’s openings will include Sheraton Tucuman Hotel - the brand’s ninth hotel in Argentina.

Sheraton is also increasing its footprint in Brazil as the country ramps up infrastructure development ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Following the opening of Sheraton Vitória in 2012, the brand will open Sheraton da Bahia Hotel in Salvador this year and Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel & Convention Center, which is located 30 minutes from Recife, in early 2014.

Sheraton continues to capture conversion opportunities in cities across North America.

Over the next 12 months, Sheraton will re-brand hotels in a number of key cities throughout the United States.

Turkish Airlines adds to Libreville, Gabon to its African network

Turkish Airlines, which flies to the most countries in the world, today added its 97th country by commencing flights to Libreville, Gabon.

Turkish Airlines will operate flights from Istanbul, via Douala, to Libreville, its 34th destination in Africa, 3 days per week in both directions.

IRS Airline to Abuja

Jerome Yaovi Codjo-Onipede
The IRS Plane that took us to Abuja almost CRASHED, the weather took over the plane and the plane started moving to the right and to the left. The Pilot started shouting "CREW sit down, CREW sit down" when nobody was standing, but everyone in plane was gripped with FEAR, we thought he would Crash it in the OUTSKIRTS, but God, and only God brought us down safely. It was no technical fault of the plane, but very bad weather at landing.