SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters stormed Bolivia's busiest airport on Friday as rightist opposition groups fought the government of President Evo Morales for control of the country's main air hub."An act of corruption does not justify sending the army," protest leader Branco Marinkovic told Reuters. Bolivia, South America's poorest country, is roughly split along ethnic and economic lines, with the Quechua and Aymara Indians concentrated in the Western highlands, while the eastern plains are home to the mixed-race minority.
At least 7,000 protesters shouting "This is ours" occupied airport hallways and waved flags on the runway. The government withdrew troops that had occupied the airport since Thursday, after airlines complained of corrupt practices.
The airport in the country's wealthy eastern region was shut down for part of Friday due to the protests but restarted operations in the afternoon, local media reported.
The military occupied the airport on government orders after several airlines, including American Airlines
Government officials say the levies were illegal, but Santa Cruz civic leaders argue that sending the army was out of proportion with the problem.
Anti-riot police dispersed protesters with tear gas when they tried to storm the airport on Thursday, but on Friday troops withdrew from the scene.
The dispute is the latest between Morales' leftist government and the right-wing opposition in the Santa Cruz province, the country's agricultural heartland.
Although Morales has strong support among poorer people in Santa Cruz the opposition is strong in the middle- and upper-class.
Many in the city of Santa Cruz, the largest in the country, complain Morales, Bolivia's first president of indigenous descent, is governing only for the majority Indian population, ignoring middle class demands.
Protests have been organized by Marinkovic's Santa Cruz Civic Committee, a powerful group created in the early 1950s to push for more autonomy for the region.
Its leaders want more independence from the Morales administration and a larger share of the country's energy revenues, which have swelled since Morales nationalized the natural-gas rich energy industry last year.
As the government moves forward with an ambitious land reform including plans to expropriate idle land, tensions between Morales and Santa Cruz are increasing. Marinkovic is one of the region's big land owners.
October 20, 2007
Angry protesters take over Bolivian airport
American held over bullets in luggage in Bolivia
LA PAZ, June 28 (Reuters) - An American woman was briefly detained in Bolivia after arriving on an American Airlines flight from Miami with 500 bullets in her luggage, the state news agency reported on Thursday.
News agency ABI said the woman, who it identified as Din Dona Thin, 20, had become nervous when taken to have her bags searched on arrival late on Wednesday, telling staff she was only carrying cheese.
"Last night at El Alto airport, a U.S. citizen was intercepted, coming from Miami, on an American Airlines plane, carrying five boxes of bullets, each one containing 100 .45-caliber bullets," ABI quoted national immigrations director Magaly Zegarra as saying.
A Bolivian judge told reporters the American woman had been released on Thursday because no offense had been committed under the country's laws.
Citing the tight security at U.S. airports, Zegarra said it was "incredible that she was able to pass through with luggage containing five boxes of bullets," ABI reported. It said the official had asked the airline for an explanation.
A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman confirmed in a statement that an American woman had been detained. "There was a lack of knowledge about current customs regulations in Bolivia," the statement said.
October 19, 2007
Departure Gate No 9 at airport restricted to illegals
Dubai: Illegal passengers at Dubai International Airport who are either leaving the country or arriving are to be kept at one of the departure gates.
"Instead of spreading all over the airport for an unspecified period, this arrangement has been taken recently by the Civil Aviation Department because of the irritation the illegal passengers are causing for other airport travellers," said an official from the airport.
He said those illegal passengers used to sleep and eat and loiter around the departure areas.
"Those illegal passengers have created a bad image at the airport," he added.
He said the move had been planned in order to restrict them from using all the airport facilities or to stay for a long time.He added that there are at the moment 36 illegal travellers of various nationalities who were kept at Gate No. 9 awaiting their departure.
Deportation
He said that Gate No. 9 was allocated to them and they are restricted from leaving it till they are deported.
"The step was taken four days ago and those who try to enter the country illegally or those who are supposed to leave the country because they are being deported or have expired visas or for any other reason they attempt to stay inside the airport are also kept there," he said.
He added that a Dnata team is responsible for arranging flights for those illegal passengers to go to back to their countries.
He said each one of those passengers who are kept at Gate No. 9 is awaiting his or her flight home.
"The moment they are sure of the departure time and flight number of the illegal traveller he or she will be taken to the gate designated for their departure," the official said.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES TO INCREASE FUEL SURCHARGE
- On regional routes, US$24 (up from US$22) per sector, for flights between Singapore and ASEAN countries.
- US$104 (up from US$98) per sector, for flights between Singapore and gateways in the United States and Canada on a single-sector basis; and
- US$67 (up from US$63) per sector, on all other flights.
The price of jet fuel has been steadily climbing in recent weeks, and is now over US$95 per barrel.
The new surcharge is subject to official approval in some markets, and some local variations may apply where regulatory approvals dictate.
The adjustments will offer only partial relief of higher operating costs arising from increases in the price of jet fuel.
Singapore Airlines will continue to monitor the price of jet fuel and keep the application of the fuel surcharge under active review.
Vietnam To Finalize Aircraft Deals By Year End
Reuters-Vietnam Airlines should speed up talks with Boeing to sign an agreement to buy 12 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft before November 16, the Vietnamese government said in a statement on Friday.
It also ordered the national flag carrier to finalize an agreement to buy 10 Airbus A350-900XWB passenger jets and 20 single-aisle A321 jets before December 21.
The state-run airline signed draft agreements with the aircraft makers on the purchases earlier this month.
The government said Vietnam Airlines did not have to go through a tender process for the purchases.
It said the Finance Ministry would provide guarantees for any funds used to buy planes and engines by Vietnam Airlines and also by the newly established Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company, in which the airline has more than 10 percent of stake.
The government also agreed to allocate 904 billion dong (USD$56 million) for the purchase of four Boeing 787-8 planes for which Vietnam Airlines signed a contract with the US planemaker in 2005 for delivery in 2009 and 2010.
Early this month, the airline signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 12 Boeing 787-8s in a deal valued by Boeing at USD$1.9 billion based on list prices. The first plane would be delivered in 2015.
The carrier also signed a draft agreement for 10 A350 jets during a visit to Paris by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The deals are worth USD$3.8 billion at list prices, including USD$2.4 billion for the crucial A350 order where the competition between Boeing and Airbus is at its fiercest.
The 787 and A350 are competing head to head in one of the most promising parts of the aviation market, though Boeing has a five-year lead and a strong lead in sales over its rival.
Vietnam Airlines would buy a total of 43 aircraft during the 2006-2020 period, including 20 A321s, eight Boeing 787-8s, five ATR-72s and 10 A350s, the government statement said.
In another development, the government asked the Finance Ministry to implement a project to partially privatize Vietnam Airlines. It gave no timeframe.
The airline aimed to expand its fleet to have 60 planes in 2010, 85 in 2015 and 107 in 2020, the government statement said.
AIRPORT NEWS
China seeks military airfield solution
China's civil aviation regulator has asked the military to let low-cost airlines use secondary airports across the country. Despite soaring demand, the development of low-cost airlines in China has been hampered by a lack of secondary airports, ticket price controls and high import taxes for aircraft and parts. In the United States and Europe, by contrast, budget carriers make heavy use of their networks of secondary airports.In an effort to boost economic growth, the Chinese government will also spend US$133million (Yuan 1 billion) a year to subsidise small and medium-sized airports and airlines flying to smaller cities, top regulator Yang Yuanyuan said in an interview on Wednesday.
"At the moment, it's one city, one airport, and that's the main airport, which is big and has very full schedules. But we are devoted to developing low-cost airlines," says Yang. "I really appreciate what the boss of Malaysia's Air Asia has as his slogan: 'Now everyone can fly'. This is great. This is my dream," adds Yang, who used to be a pilot.
The government has invested billions of dollars upgrading old airports and building new ones, but many lose money and either have few flights or none at all as they are in remote, economically backward areas. To help alleviate this situation, regional airports will get US$80 million (Yuan 600 million) annually to improve their finances, and airlines US$40 million (Yuan 300 million) to fly to these cities (see: Subsidies planned for China’s small airports
Changi secures Jordan consultancy deal
Singapore’s Changi Airports International (CAI) has secured a deal to draw up a master plan for the development of the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordan. Under the agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation, CAI will also provide other consultancy services, including studies of nearby land to attract aviation-related investments and to minimise damage to nearby Red Sea coral reefs.
The Singapore company did not say how much the deal was worth. A consortium led by French operator Aeroports de Paris in April won a US$450 million deal to rebuild and operate Amman’s Queen Alia airport and treble capacity at Jordan’s main international gateway.
Three airport development alternatives will be drawn up by CAI, taking into account an anticipated increase in traffic. Air travel in the Middle East has been growing by at least 18% annually. The airport is located within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone – a major development zone in the Middle East. Jordan is seeking to turn the airport into a world-class facility, serving the entire region.
Changi Airports is a subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which runs the city-state’s main airport. Changi Airports’ other projects include the development of airport management and retail programmes at Chengdu and Qingdao airports in China, and the drafting of an improvement plan for India’s Mumbai International Airport.
SIA takes delivery of first A380 at Changi’s Terminal 3
Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong says, “The launch of the A380 is a milestone, not just for SIA, but also for Changi Airport. Changi is the first airport in the world to handle commercial A380 operations.”
SIA has purchased 19 double-decked A380 planes and five of these are due to be delivered next year. The new plane will make its inaugural commercial flight from Singapore Changi to Sydney next Thursday (25 October). The airline has raised some US$1.3 million for charity through an auction of the seats on board.
The plane will operate a daily service between Singapore and Sydney. Daily A380 services to London will be launched next year.
Virgin launches “world’s fastest” check-in at Heathrow’s T3
Virgin launches “world’s fastest” check-in at Heathrow’s T3
Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to launch what it claims will be the world’s fastest airport check-in at its new Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3. The airline claims its new Wing, which opens on 2 November, will enable business passengers to speed from limo to lounge in under 10 minutes.
Passengers will use a dedicated security channel to emerge in the heart of the terminal building, a short walk from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
The service is open to Virgin’s Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members who can check-in at the Upper Class Check-In, in Zone A of the main terminal, before taking a priority lift straight to the dedicated security channel.
The Upper Class Wing was designed by architects Foster + Partners in conjunction with Virgin Atlantic’s in-house design team and is part of BAA’s £1 billion investment in Terminal 3 over the next ten years. Later this year, Virgin will launch a wider, brighter and more spacious check-in area for premium economy and economy passengers in Zone A.
The airline predicts 80% of its passengers at Heathrow will use online or kiosk check-in by the end of 2008.
Mark Bullock, BAA’s Heathrow managing director, says: “BAA has exciting plans for Terminal 3 and Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Wing is a fantastic addition.”
Four Seasons Hotel Amman voted top hotel in Mid East
Four Seasons Hotel Amman has been voted the top Hotel in the Middle East in Conde Nast Traveler’s 20th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The results are derived from the largest independent poll of consumers’ preferences, the Readers’ Choice Survey, second in size only to the US Census. A record number of readers, over 28,000, voted this year.
The Readers’ Choice Awards gala took place earlier this month in New York and the complete results will be published in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveller.
“We are delighted to hear that Four Seasons Amman has been recognised by the readers of this very prestigious magazine as being the number one Hotel in the Middle East,” said Gerhard Stutz, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Amman. “It is a tremendous achievement for everyone on the team and reinforces the aspirations of Four Seasons worldwide – to be the best hotel in each location where we operate.”
The 192-room Hotel opened in December 2002.
Aviation sets a benchmark on environmental performance for other industries to follow
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) challenged governments to put aside politics and join industry in delivering real results to further improve air transport’s good environmental performance. The challenge was delivered by IATA’s Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani at the World Air Transport Forum in Cannes, which is focused on sustainable development.
“Airlines are leading the debate on environment with a vision to become carbon neutral in the medium-term and zero carbon emissions in the long term. We are setting the benchmark on environmental performance for other industries to follow,” said Bisignani.
IATA’s 240 member airlines agreed a four-pillar strategy on climate change:
- Invest in new technology
- Build and use efficient infrastructure
- Operate planes effectively
- Consider positive economic measures while working with governments to define an emissions trading scheme that is fair, global and voluntary
“We cannot do it all on our own - governments must be involved,” said Bisignani. All 179 states attending the recent triennial Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization endorsed the IATA four-pillar strategy, including a target to improve fuel efficiency 25% by 2020.
“Our biggest disappointment was with the European States. They are taking a completely political and totally irresponsible approach by unilaterally pursuing emissions trading rather than taking a global approach. This will cause diplomatic trade battles, but will do nothing for the environment,” said Bisignani.
Specifically, Bisignani criticised Europe for the 12 million tonnes of CO2 wasted each year from the inefficiency of its air traffic management system, comprising 34 air navigation service providers. “Europe has been discussing a Single European Sky for 15 years, wasting a lot of hot air in discussions, with no action. On the environment it is acting like a hypocrite: charging for airline emissions without fixing the mess in its own air traffic management.”
Demand grows for Kathmandu flights
Etihad Airways is gearing-up for the launch of its new four flights a week service from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu will be Etihad’s ninth new destination of 2007 and demand for the service has been strong with more than 65 per cent of seats in economy class booked throughout the month of November.
The new service joins Etihad’s expanding network across the Indian subcontinent which includes Dhaka, Delhi, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “Etihad continues to offer air travellers flights to the world’s most exciting destinations. Our new Kathmandu service will provide a valuable link for business and leisure travellers many of whom will fly from across the world connecting via our home base at Abu Dhabi airport.”
The flights will also provide a valuable link for the 90,000 Nepalese nationals living in the UAE and across the Middle East region, as well as the growing demand from holidaymakers keen to experience the ancient culture offered in Nepal and the world-famous Himalayan mountains.
Tourism in Nepal has developed considerably in recent years with thousands of travellers visiting the country each year to enjoy its spectacular scenery, wildlife and Everest, the world`s highest mountain.
Etihad will operate a two cabin Airbus A330-200 between Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu configured to carry 262 passengers, with 22 in business class and 240 in economy.
October 14, 2007
Airbus set to deliver first A380
PARIS (AP) -- After repeated, embarrassing delays, Airbus is to deliver its first A380 superjumbo jet Monday -- a critical step for the European plane maker in its efforts to rebound from a string of troubles.
The double-decker jet, the world's largest passenger plane, is to take off from the southwestern city of Toulouse, Airbus' headquarters, for delivery to Singapore Airlines following a glitzy delivery ceremony including a sound and light show.
Airbus President and Chief Executive Thomas Enders called the handover "a major milestone for the A380 program" in a statement released by the company Friday.
Airbus has gone though five CEOs as multiple delays in the A380 program resulted in massive write-offs and a restructuring plan that foresees 10,000 job cuts over four years -- not to mention billions of dollars in lost profit.
Such delays have hurt more than just profits: Airbus' reputation has suffered, and U.S. rival Boeing Co. grabbed the top sales spot in 2006.
The A380's inaugural commercial flight has been set for Oct. 25 from Singapore to Sydney. Singapore Airlines has auctioned all seats on the first flight on eBay, raising about $1.25 million for charity.Singapore has fitted its jet with 471 seats configured in three classes: 12 luxury suites on the main deck, 60 business class seats on the upper deck, and 399 economy class seats on both decks. The plane is to replace one of three Boeing 747-400 jets already serving the Sydney-Singapore route.
John Leahy, Airbus' chief salesman, suggested that the A380's problems will be over once the plane gets into commercial service.
"When this airplane is out flying, my marketing job will get a lot easier," he told The Associated Press in an interview last week.
The A380 includes glamorous features such as a cocktail bar complete with water fountain and a duty-free lounge. Some airlines will offer passengers the chance to freshen up with a shower.
Morale at Airbus has also been hurt by accusations that senior managers profited from knowledge about the A380's problems to cash in on share options. A preliminary report by the French Financial Markets Authority pointed to "massive insider trading" at European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., Airbus' parent company.
The A380 represents Airbus' bet on future demand for long-haul travel between increasingly congested hub airports worldwide. Boeing argues passengers want point-to-point journeys between smaller airports and is targeting the more lucrative market for midsize jets.
Airbus is targeting every airline currently flying a Boeing 747, currently the biggest passenger plane in the skies.
October 13, 2007
Singapore Airlines Garners More Awards
SIA garners more awards
  In another annual survey conducted by the UK edition of Conde Nast Traveller, Singapore Airlines was rated the 'Favourite Business Airline 2007' by Business Class travelers. -- PHOTO: BT |
The Airline has won this top award 19 times since it was launched 20 years ago.
Readers, who participated in the annual Business Travel survey conducted by the magazine, also voted the Airline as the winner in the following categories: Best Transpacific Business Class, Best Transatlantic Business Class
In another annual survey conducted by the UK edition of Conde Nast Traveller, Singapore Airlines was rated the 'Favourite Business Airline 2007' by Business Class travelers.
Recently, readers of the UK-based Business Traveller magazine voted Singapore Airlines as the top airline in the following categories: Best long-haul Airline, Best Business Class, Best Cabin Staff and Best Asian Airline.
These accolades come soon after the recently announced rating of Singapore Airlines as Airline of the Year in the annual Skytrax survey.
'We are grateful to our customers who have supported the Airline through the years by consistently according it good ratings in the various surveys. We appreciate their unwavering loyalty,' said Mr Huang Cheng Eng, Executive Vice President, Marketing & The Regions for Singapore Airlines.
He adds,'Our staff must also be commended for working as a team to provide the best possible travel experience for our customers. I am confident that these awards will encourage our people to continue their good work and to set even higher standards of customer service'.
The awards that Singapore Airlines has been winning over the years encompass categories such as inflight service and entertainment, food and beverage, ground services, safety and company management.
Qatar Airways Sponsors International Travel Exhibition In Vietnam
Qatar Airways Senior Manager Commercial Operations Far East & Australasia Marwan Koleilat, poses with local television celebrity Quynh Huong and Qatar Airways cabin crew holding a Certificate of Appreciation from the organisers of the International Travel Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The travel trade and consumer show, considered one of the highlights of the travel calendar in the region, has grown in significance with Laos, Cambodia and host country Vietnam among the many nations that took part.
Record numbers of visitors attended the three-day event, which ended on Sunday at the Phu Tho Exhibition Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's commercial capital. The event attracted more than 120 international buyers from 22 countries.
Qatar Airways launched direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City in March from its hub in Doha, State of Qatar, becoming the first carrier in the Middle East to serve the country of Vietnam.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the expanded format at this year's ITE travel show highlighted its growing importance as a platform to promote outbound tourism from the region.
"Qatar Airways is delighted to be supporting travel to and from this part of the world with our four weekly non-stop flights which are part of our ever-growing international network," said Al Baker.
"The brand new international terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport is an outstanding example of Ho Chi Minh City's status as a major travel destination, as well as being a point of origin for increasing numbers of passenger traffic."
Tourism ministers from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam officially opened the exhibition following high-level meetings between the participating tourism authorities. Delegations from each of the three "Jewels of the Mekong" combined their efforts to create the largest event in ITE's history.
Qatar Airways, one of the show's sponsors, exhibited a state-of-the-art stand at the event, which featured Business Class seats complete with cabin crew assistance to help create an onboard experience for visitors.
There were also flat-screen televisions displaying the airline's latest corporate video, together with refreshments for visitors, destination brochures and in-flight magazines.
Qatar Airways Senior Manager Commercial Operations Far East and Australasia Marwan Koleilat was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the event organisers for the airline's participation at ITE.
"We enjoyed highlighting our award-winning Five Star service at this important event and look forward to facilitating the growing number of people looking to travel from this region throughout Qatar Airways' expanding network," said Koleilat.
The increase in passenger numbers is expected to allow more premium class travellers flying Qatar Airways with access to its exclusive Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.
The Premium Terminal features facilities such as a spa, jacuzzi, duty free, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just nine months, the terminal is the world's first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers.
The Doha – Ho Chi Minh City schedules are:-
Depart Doha International AirportTue, Fri, Sat QR688 at 0745, arrive Tan Son Nhat Intl at 1920
Sun QR688 at 2359, arrive Tan Son Nhat Intl at 1135 following day
Depart Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City
Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat QR689 at 2030, arrive Doha International at 2359
Airbus 'insider trading' denied
French finance minister Christine Lagarde has denied the government acted improperly in relation to alleged insider trading at Airbus parent, EADS. 
Giving evidence to parliament, she said her ministry was not aware of any problems at the firm before approving share sales in the Airbus owner.
Media reports claim the state knew about setbacks to the Airbus 380 and still allowed suspicious share sales.
These occurred before news about delays to the Airbus A380 emerged last June.
Ms Lagarde told a French parliamentary committee on Thursday that the government had acted "in the most irreproachable" manner with regard to EADS from the end of 2005 to May 2006, when delays to the Airbus 380 superjumbo first became public.
The announcement wiped 26% off the value of EADS, the Franco-German firm which owns the Airbus plane manufacturer.
A report from the stock market regulator AMF sent to the French prosecutor's office a week ago is understood to have examined the extensive sale of stock options before the problems with the plane were revealed.
The French press, claiming to have seen a leaked copy of the report, claim 21 former and current managers are under suspicion but stock market regulators have refused to comment on this, saying their probe is incomplete.
This prompted a parliamentary investigation into the role of the French government, a major EADS shareholder, amid allegations that ministers allowed state bank CDC to buy shares from defence firm Lagardere in April 2006 despite knowing about problems at the plane maker.
'Not aware'
Ms Lagarde said that the finance ministry's internal investigation into its conduct proved that until "at least the end of May 2006", the government was "no more aware than the public or the markets" of delays with the superjumbo A380.
"The services of my ministry performed their task in the most professional manner, the most irreproachable fashion," she said.
Thierry Breton, finance minister at the time, testified last week before the parliamentary committee that he knew nothing of the deal with Lagardere, also defending the finance ministry's actions as "beyond reproach".
President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to investigate fully whether the government played any part in the alleged insider trading, while opposition politicians have called for a public inquiry into the matter.Shanghai’s seagull terminal nears completion
Officials at Shanghai Pudong International Airport have confirmed that the US$2.5 billion (Yuan 20 billion) seagull-shaped Terminal 2 project will open for passengers early next year.
This marks completion of the second phase of construction at the airport, which opened in 1999. Upon completion, the expansion project will increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 20 million to 60 million, making Shanghai one of the world’s largest airports.
More expansion is planned. The airport expects to handle around 100 million passengers a year and 5.7 million tonnes of cargo by 2020, making it the biggest international airport in China.
By then, it should have three terminals, two satellite buildings and five runways, and will handle most air passengers travelling to and from the city.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in the eastern part of China’s Pudong district. In 2006 it handled 17.15 million passengers on international flights, considerably more than Beijing Capital International Airport, which handled 12.6 million international passengers. At present, only 5% of passengers traveling to Pudong are on transfers, but that figure is expected to grow to between 30 to 40% by 2020.
October 12, 2007
Air India in talks with Star Alliance to join group
By Saifur Rahman, Business News Editor
Dubai Air India, the newly merged Indian national carrier, has began negotiating with Star Alliance to join the group, a senior official told Gulf News.
It is mulling more firm orders for its future needs.
"The newly-merged airline has appointed a team to look into future fleet requirements and they are currently talking to both manufacturers," Jitender Bhargava, executive director of Air India's corporate communications, said.
"We have also started talks with Star Alliance for possible membership."
The company is in the process of establishing new routes and will then built on those in the coming years. "The current orderbook is good enough for now. However, we will need more in the coming years," he said.
"There are 330 aircraft currently in operation in India. In five years, it will jump to 1,000. This means we will have to order more to meet future demand.
"The current plans are to develop intercontinental routes from India to the US, via a common hub in Europe. We are looking at cities like Munich, Vienna and Copenhagen to offer those services, where travellers from all major cities could come and change aircraft to board flights to their destinations in the US."
Volumes
Air India carried 4.8 million passengers, while Indian Airlines, which merged with Air India, carried 7.86 million passengers, he said. "The Indian aviation industry is growing at 30 per cent year on year - one of the highest in the world."
The merger will be completed in 12 to 18 months, when flight codes of Air India and Indian Airlines will be unified and booking systems integrated, he said. "Then we will look into route rationalisation and network optimisation. We hope to expand our flights to the Gulf then," he said.
IATA standard paves way for global mobile phone check-in
Α global standard that paves the way for global mobile phone check-in using two-dimensional (2D) bar codes was announced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Mobile phone check-in enables airlines to send 2D bar codes directly to a passenger’s mobile phone, personal digital assistant or smart phone.
Passengers simply register their mobile number with their airline at the time of booking to receive a text message with a 2D bar code, or instructions to download it. The bar code becomes the passenger’s boarding pass and it is read directly from the screen of the mobile device, eliminating paper completely from the check-in process.
“Passengers want the convenience of self-service options in a paperless environment. This standard is an important step in getting rid of paper that bogs down processes and drives up costs,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
Historically, airline global applications for mobile phone technology have been restricted due to differerent regional formats. The IATA standard uses existing codes: Aztec and Datamatrix which are used extensively in Europe and North America; and QR which is widely used in Japan. All three are proven technologies and can be read by a single scanner type that is cost effective and readily available globally.
“The creation of a standard code is only part of the solution,” said Bisignani. “In the next months we will be working with our members to develop standardised processes and guidelines that facilitate global implementation.”
The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). Upon full implementation, BCBP will save the industry over US$500 million annually. A 2D standard for paper bar coded passes was established in 2005 and is the basis for web check-in. Both standards (mobile and paper based) can be issued and accepted by airlines worldwide.
The global introduction of BCBP to replace magnetic stripe technology is one of five Simplifying the Business (StB) projects launched by IATA in 2004. The StB goal is to use technology to make travel more convenient while saving US$6.5 billion in costs.
ASTA and ACTA applauds RCCL`s stance against card mills
The American Society of Travel Agents and the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies applauded Royal Caribbean Cruise’s (RCCL) announcement that its brands (Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises) will begin terminating relationships with businesses it deems to be card-mills.
In a letter to travel agents, RCCL noted that it "has a fundamental concern with the business practices of these companies" and that it is "taking this action in an effort to prevent a growing and troubling trend within the travel industry."
In a letter sent to Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of sales for Royal Caribbean, and Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales for Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, ASTA said: "We appreciate that [your] actions once again demonstrate the value of the travel agency distribution system as well as the importance of promoting industry integrity. [This] announcement is good news to legitimate travel sellers whose businesses depend upon consumer trust and to consumers who look to their travel agent for expert and professional service."
"ASTA has worked long and hard to educate consumers and travel companies regarding card mills, and we would welcome any opportunity to work together towards this goal. ASTA has long been engaged in the fight to stop the proliferation of card mills and the damage these firms inflict on the reputation of professional travel agents."
"ACTA has long been concerned about the acceptance of such cards by suppliers, as they are sold to non-travel professionals and ACTA certainly welcomed the cruise line’s decision. The association can only wish that many other travel suppliers, and hotel chains in particular, will follow suit and help the industry fight the proliferation of such card mill," commented Christiane Theberge, President and CEO of ACTA.
"This fight to preserve the value and integrity of bona fide travel professionals was also behind the decision ACTA took at the beginning of this year to introduce a new ACTA ID Card recognizing Canadian travel professionals. This card with stringent requirements is already recognized by numerous suppliers who were unanimous to claim that travel professionals carrying the ACTA ID Card are the major sellers of travel products," concluded Theberge.
Ryanair carries more ABC1 passengers than BA survey reveals
Ryanair’s passenger profile for the last 6 months included a greater proportion of ABC1 passengers than British Airways (BA) an independent survey commissioned by in-flight media company InviseoMedia and carried out by iCD Research revealed.
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Boeing To Delay Delivery Of 787
Reuters - Boeing on Wednesday pushed back first deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner by at least six months as it struggles to assemble the new lightweight, carbon-composite plane.
The delay is a major embarrassment setback for Boeing, which has for months insisted it would meet its delivery timetable despite production problems, and mirrors delays suffered by rival Airbus on its A380 superjumbo.
"We are disappointed by today's schedule changes and deeply regret the impact these delays will have on our customers," said Boeing Chief Executive Jim McNerney.
Boeing, which has orders for more than 700 of the 787s from 48 airlines and leasing companies -- worth more than USD$100 billion at list prices -- said there would be no "material" impact to earnings and left its forecasts for this year and next unchanged.
The Chicago-based company said 787 deliveries are now slated to begin in late November or December 2008 versus an original target of May 2008.
Chief Financial Officer James Bell said some revenues would slip from 2008 to 2009 as about 30-35 plane deliveries are moved from one year to the next. The company is set to update its financial forecasts alongside its third-quarter earnings report on October 24.
The company said it is still aiming to deliver 109 787s by the end of 2009, only three fewer than originally planned.
The delay is a blow to Japan's All Nippon Airways, the first 787 customer, which was hoping to ferry passengers to next summer's Beijing Olympic Games in the initial planes of its planned 50-strong 787 fleet.
"Many outside Boeing had questioned the feasibility of meeting the first delivery date," Bank of America analyst Robert Stallard said in a note. "Boeing has now bitten the bullet and accepted that the schedule is beyond them. The firm has taken the only sensible move under the circumstances."
Boeing said the delay was due to problems putting together the actual structure of the plane, compounded by the scarcity of some parts.
It said that integrating the plane's flight control software, being produced by Honeywell -- which had contributed to a previous delay in the schedule -- was not the cause of the delivery delay.
The company said it now expects the first test flight of the 787 to take place "around the end of the first quarter" next year, suggesting it could be as late as March or even April 2008.
That is a drastic extension to its original plan to start airborne tests in August 2007. In early September, Boeing rescheduled the first test flight for mid-November to mid-December as it wrestled with software problems and a shortage of bolts.
Boeing said the new schedule restores some margin to deal with unexpected problems that might appear during ground and flight tests. If Boeing sticks to its new schedule, it could have eight months to complete flight testing and certification, as opposed to six months on its previous estimate.
Flight testing and certification on Boeing's last new airliner, the 777, took 11 months.
"We deeply regret the impact these delays will have on our customers, and we are committed to working with them to minimize any disruption to their plans," Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing's commercial planes unit, said in a statement.
He said the main problems were installing parts of the plane's structure, which had been thrown out of sequence by some suppliers sending incomplete work to Boeing's main Everett, Washington plant, aggravated by a shortage of some small parts.
Boeing, which rolled out a shell of the first 787 model in front of many of its customers in early July, did not say whether it would have to pay any penalties or other compensation to airlines buying the plane, which is standard in the industry when a plane's delivery is delayed.
US Plans October Meeting On Airline Delays
The meeting planned for October 23-24 will address scheduling practices of domestic carriers at John F. Kennedy and Newark airports. Airlines were supposed to submit scheduling information for spring and summer 2008 travel to aviation authorities by Thursday.
Carriers expected to participate include: JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, US Airways, American Airlines, and Continental Airlines.
JetBlue is based at JFK and Delta has major operations there. Continental operates a hub at Newark. Both airports have extensive international departures. Delta has already announced some schedule changes at JFK for next summer.
Like the first meeting of its kind in Chicago for O'Hare Airport in 2004, the US Justice Department will oversee the proceedings to ensure that no antitrust rules are violated.
The scheduling meeting seeks to wring a voluntary agreement from airlines to change scheduling by eliminating flights or moving them to less busy times of the day. The FAA could cap flights at either airport, if no agreement is reached.
JFK and Newark are two of the most congested airports in the United States and delays there can impact traffic in other cities as well as international flights.
Ground delays are on a record pace this year, especially those lasting between one and five hours. Chronic and widespread delays during the summer, partly blamed on scheduling, angered consumers and drew the attention of congressional lawmakers and the White House.
President George W Bush ordered deputies in September to devise a plan to shorten delays. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters will submit her recommendations in December. They could include forced schedule cuts, if voluntary efforts fall short, or a plan to charge airlines more to use congested airports at busy periods.
