Singapore's A380 Superjumbo Starts London Route

The world's biggest passenger plane left Singapore for London on Tuesday, marking the Airbus A380's first commercial flight to Europe.

The Singapore Airlines flight, carrying 449 passengers, lifted off the tarmac at 9.20 a.m. from Changi Airport, bound for London Heathrow Airport.

Passengers paid between SGD$2,000 (USD$1,447) and SGD$20,000 to be the first on the superjumbo's new daily service, which will take off on its return flight on the same day.

Among the passengers on Tuesday's flight were 17 customers who had been on the inaugural flight to Sydney, wearing custom-made polo shirts with "A380" emblazoned across the back.

"It's an experience, it's something special in my life, something that gets me away from my job and my desk," said Nicolas Dirac, a 32-year-old Swiss national who works as a computer professional at a pharmaceutical firm.

Singapore Airlines now has three superjumbos in service, with a further 16 on order and options for six more, and is planning to put the aircraft on daily flights to Tokyo from May 20.

(Reuters)

Airlines top list of consumer complaints

Airline-related issues overwhelmingly outnumber all complaints tour operators receive from travelers, according to an informal member survey conducted by the U.S. Tour Operators Association. The association - whose members send 11 million people on vacation yearly - reported that over 70% of responding tour operators cited airline problems as the most common complaint, followed by money-related issues, reported by 20% of members.

Missed connecting flights because of airline delays and cancellations were the most common airline-related complaint, with lack of service coming in second. Other complaints cited were airline cutbacks, full/overbooked flights, and lengthy check-in procedures including security. The hassle of flying caused one responding tour operator to say: "Airline travel is not fun," noting that the vacation now begins once the traveler arrives at the destination, rather than the flight being considered part of the vacation.

Money-related concerns such as high air fares, added taxes, fuel surcharges and the European exchange rate came in a distant second in terms, of consumer complaints. Of these, the most common complaints concerned airlines and the weak dollar.

A minority of USTOA tour operators and vacation packagers cited dissatisfaction with hotel accommodations as a source of complaints."In the past, most complaints centered around accommodations due to unrealistic expectations among some travelers who expected to find U.S. standards in other countries. However, today the type of complaint has shifted, where airline-related issues account for the vast majority of complaints," says Bob Whitley, USTOA president.

The survey was based on responses of 33 total operators representing over half of USTOA's Active Corporate members.

Exclusive Lufthansa terminal area opened in Frankfurt

The new passenger handling area between the C and D concourses in Terminals 1 and 2 was officially inaugurated at Frankfurt Airport yesterday (17 March). With two waiting levels and amply dimensioned bridges, the new pier in the passageway linking the C and D concourses meets optimally all the requirements for operations with Lufthansa’s future flagship, the Airbus A380.

Entirely new is the pier concept allowing passengers to board their flights direct from two separate levels.

“The new and exclusive Lufthansa gate area located on two levels is unique, worldwide. Even before the first 380 enters service with the Lufthansa fleet, we are already laying on more space and comfort for passengers prior to flight departure,” said Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Executive Vice President Services and Human Resources at Lufthansa Passenger Airlines.

With the new two-level boarding concept, Lufthansa can now channel First, Business and Economy-Class passengers into separate areas as soon as they access the waiting and boarding zone at the airport. Once through the security controls, First and Business-Class passengers as well as status customers go straight to the Priority Gates on Departures Level Three. These gates, designed in Lufthansa business-lounge style, offer comfortable waiting zones with easy chairs to relax in, as well as workstations equipped with wireless Internet access and spacious bistros serving drinks and light menus. First-Class passengers as well as HON Circle members or Senators also have the use of an exclusive Senator Lounge with a panoramic view of the airport apron, and the take-off and landing strips.

Four open gates for Economy-Class passengers on the second level are equipped with ample seating arrangements and snackbars. Spacious glass facades give the interior a bright, friendly and airy atmosphere. The open gates allow passengers to move around freely in the entire handling areas and afford a good view of traffic on the airport apron.

Extra comfort is also characteristic in the passageway from the check-in counters to the new pier. Wider moving walkways and escalators help passengers easily negotiate their way through the passageway, daylight and a daylight-adaptive lighting system light up the gangways and air-conditioning keeps the temperature at a pleasant level. Three A380s and a Boeing 747 can be handled, simultaneously, at the new C/D pier. Gates C15 and C16 are each additionally equipped to accommodate two smaller aircraft, e.g. of the A320 type.

Royal Jet takes WTA Award

Royal Jet, the international luxury flight services company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has been named the ‘World’s Leading Private Jet Charter’

The award was presented to Royal Jet’s President & CEO, Shane O’Hare by the WTA’s Executive Director Manon Han at a gala lunch reception in London’s prestigious Mosimann’s dining club in Belgravia.

Accepting the award in front of an audience of invited guests, including His Excellency Mohammed Al Zaabi from the UAE Embassy in the UK, O’Hare said the timing of the accolade could not have been better.

“Royal Jet this year celebrates its fifth anniversary – and to have achieved such an honour in such a relatively short time frame speaks volumes about the high esteem with which we are regarded throughout the industry and the very high level of service which our customers have come to expect from us,” said O’Hare.

The audience was told that although the selection process had been a difficult one, Royal Jet was picked for its reliability, fine aircraft interiors, its exceptional bespoke client services and dedication to delivering the ultimate in safety, efficiency and luxury.

“The award, which owes much to the direction Royal Jet has taken under the leadership of its Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, is even more valued because of the reputation we enjoy amongst our industry peers and partners,” O’Hare said.

The WTA award comes just four months after Royal Jet won another prestigious award - Business Jet Provider of the Year - at the Aviation Business Awards ceremony in Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan said the awards were the culmination of a great deal of dedication and hard work by all at Royal Jet. “These accolades belongs to all our people who have worked tirelessly to ensure we represent the pinnacle of customer service and professionalism in the industry; and on their behalf, I can promise that we will live up to the expectations inherent in this solid vote of confidence.”

Teens Fly Into Record Books At CPM

Two Kids, 11 Solos!

Two 16-year olds from Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum flew into the record books this weekend, when they each set new world records on Saturday, March 15, 2008.

Kelly Anyadiki (above) became the youngest African American female to solo in four different aircraft on the same day, while Jonathan Strickland (below) established a new record as the youngest African American male to solo six different airplanes, and a second record for soloing six airplanes plus one helicopter all on the same day.

The records were set at Compton Woodley Airport in front a large crowd. Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was on hand to witness the event, as were other members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, many of whom flew in from across the country to attend the event.

"These new world records the kids set are an example of where the past meets the present and the future!" said Robin Petgrave, founder of Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum.

"What Robin and these kids are doing here would have made my dad very happy," said Chauncey E. Spencer II, whose father was instrumental in getting African Americans approved for flight training in Tuskegee, AL during World War II. Spencer flew in from Michigan just to witness the world record flights.

Located at Compton Woodley Airport (CPM) in Compton, CA, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum offers aviation-themed afterschool programs for more than 800 kids from grades K-12. Kids can take part in projects ranging from washing airplanes to graffiti mitigation. Instead of earning money, kids earn 'museum dollars,' which they can apply toward flight instruction or continued education in any field.

Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum plans to open additional locations across the country. The Newport News, VA chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen will open a TAM operation this spring, and the city of Norwalk and the ‘Adopt A Bike’ program in San Bernardino, CA. have plans to open a TAM as well.

Low cost Indonesian airline Adam Air to be shut down

Jakarta: Indonesian low-cost carrier Adam Air will no longer be allowed to fly, Indonesian officials said on Tuesday, citing concerns over safety.

The director general for air transportation, Budhi Mulyawan Suyitno said the airline's operating license was being revoked starting Wednesday because safety procedures had been ignored. He added that the airline’s pilot training program was inadequate.

The carrier suffered a string of accidents last year and is facing bankruptcy after two if its largest shareholders announced that they would be pulling out of the company.

All 102 passengers died when an Adam Air plane plunged into the sea in 2007, while another broke in half on a hard landing. In the most recent incident, five people were badly injured when a Boeing 731-400 skidded off a runway.

India facing pilot shortage

Indian Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel, stated the country’s airlines are facing an acute shortage of “type rated” pilots.

According to Mr Patel, 994 foreign pilots were recruited recently by Indian carriers to meet their expansion needs. Foreign pilots are currently permitted to fly in India under an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

To combat the pilot shortage issue, the government has raised the pilot retirement age to 65. In addition, it is investing heavily in pilot training infrastructure, as it aims to increase the number of local pilots graduating from 40 to 100 p/a.

With the Indian aviation sector expected to continue to boom, the demand for pilots, cabin crew, maintenance staff will also intensify.

CAE meanwhile, recently, signed a contract to become the managing partner of the Indian government’s flight training academy, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. CAE also signed a JV agreement with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop the Rajiv Gandhi National Flying Training Institute.

Monarch Airlines named the Official Airline Partner of The Golf Show 2008

Monarch Airlines has been named as the Official Airline Partner of the London Golf Show and NEC Golf Show for 2008, and will undertake a series of activity around the events to highlight its network of destinations which provides access to some of Europe’s golf courses.

Lufthansa introduces Non stop flights from Dammam to Frankfurt

As of April 1st, 2008, Lufthansa German Airlines will fly Non stop from Dammam to Frankfurt three times a week and four times a week from Bahrain on First, Business and Economy class with the Airbus 330-300, thus enabling the airline to offer daily non-stops flights throughout the week.

“Driven by its commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in order to further enhance its product in the Eastern province, Lufthansa offers its customer’s early arrivals into Frankfurt with connectivity and comfort they deserve. We see a definite growth in the Gulf region and the Dammam sector will prove to be an ongoing success,” said Mr. Rolf Koller, General Manager – Saudi Arabia, Lufthansa German Airlines and Swiss International Air lines (Swiss).

He added, “Lufthansa offers a strong signal of commitment to its customers. It seals our presence in the region for the long-haul number one choice for flight connections to Germany, Europe, USA as well as to our new oil destinations of the world such as Bergen, Calgary, Luanda and Malabo.“

nasair launches first international service

nasair, Saudi Arabia's first low-fare airline, commenced services to the UAE on Wednesday 12th March, adding its first international destination to an already extensive domestic route network in the Kingdom.

nasair will operate 10 flights a week linking Riyadh and Jeddah to Sharjah.

To celebrate this milestone, the airline will provide special launch fares starting from AED 89.

nasair has taken delivery of brand new Airbus A320 aircraft to operate its international routes. CEO Ed Winter commented "nasair is really proud to offer our customers the comfort and reliability of brand new aircraft. We are now operating the youngest fleet in the region."

"This is a welcome development for us and we expect the new route to UAE to attract not only outbound leisure passengers and boost incoming tourism, but also to appeal to a large sector of business travellers" said Taher Agueel, National Air Services (NAS) President. Seats are available for booking through flynas.com, the nasair reservation centre and travel agents, with special low rates for early bookings.

The airline is expanding its operations internationally, to answer a growing demand from passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia and UAE who are looking for value and affordable prices. The carrier is expected to launch other international destinations in the near future.

Philippines to boost ecotourism offerings

MANILA - The Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) has stepped up its thrust to highlight ecotourism around the country through Magandang Pilipinas.

The project brings together the DoT, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan and US-based nonprofit organization Conservation International to identify, develop and promote various ecotourism sites around the country.

"Our vision is for the Philippines to be recognized as a leading destination for ecotourism. The islands are already blessed with breathtaking natural beauty on land and underwater. The next step for us is to support our local communities and tourism establishments and stakeholders in conserving and properly utilizing this wealth," tourism secretary Ace Durano said.

The DoT will develop and implement activities to promote ecotourism sites to domestic and international travel markets.

Pilot areas and attractions under the Magandang Pilipinas project include whale shark interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon, the Verde Island Marine Passage Corridor between Batangas and Mindoro, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the marine protected area and limestone karst in El Nido, and the Tubbataha National Marine Park.

Also to be tapped are areas currently under the DoT’s ecotourism program with New Zealand's International Aid & Development Agency (NZAID). These include the Banawe Rice Terraces in Ifugao, dolphin watching in Pamilacan, Bohol, the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, Sapang Bato in Pampanga and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.