http://www.eturbonews.com/
PATA has a new Aviation member PATA CEO Mario Hardy said, ―PATA has a special relationship with Thailand, having moved its headquarters to Bangkok in 1998. That is why we are especially pleased to welcome Bangkok Airways as our newest Aviation member. We look forward to working with them to help build their business, network, people, brand, and insights through our various activities and initiatives.‖ Bangkok Airways first began air transportation services in 1968—established as "Sahakol Air", it became the first private aviation company in Thailand. In order to fulfill the increasing demands for air transportation, Bangkok Airways officially began its operations in 1986 as the country's first privately-owned domestic airline; initially offering scheduled flights from Bangkok to Krabi, Korat, and Surin. Presently, Bangkok Airways has obtained permits to operate scheduled flights over 20 different major routes—covering nearly all major resort destinations in Thailand. Additionally, the airline has also obtained permits to fly internationally to Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, India, Bangladesh and Maldives. Bangkok Airways has also invested in building and maintaining its own privately-operated airports at Samui, Sukhothai, and Trat. These developments provide Thailand with more air transportation hubs to in order to facilitate increasing air traffic volume. ―Bangkok Airways is proud to be a member of PATA who actively acts as the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism representing the public and private sector in Asia Pacific‖, commented Capt. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth – President of Bangkok Airways PCL. According to PATA, international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Thailand from source markets where Bangkok Airways operates, excluding Maldives, totalled 5.4 million during the first 8 months of 2015, 27% of the total IVAs year to date. In addition, PATA forecasts that IVAs from the same source markets to Thailand will reach the 11.4 million mark by 2019.
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/
Lufthansa launches 50% bigger premium economy seats on MidEast routes
Lufthansa will launch its new premium economy service into the Gulf, part of the German flag carrier bid to compete against rival regional airlines. Karsten Zang, Lufthansa regional director, Gulf, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, outlined details of its new product that will be rolled out on all flights into the Gulf region from October 25. ―In premium economy class, [there will be] a totally new product that's different from anything we saw so far in the industry - 50 percent more legroom, 50 percent wider seat, and more recline,‖ said Zang. ―We have a different service concept with real chinaware. For a small amount of money, you can purchase lounge access,‖ he added.
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http://www.arabianbusiness.com/
(2) The new economy product is part of a $3.4 billion investment in Lufthansa Group which saw a new business class and a refurbished first class on every one of its 100-plus, long haul aircraft. ―You need to have a good product. If you don't have a good product and the right cost structure then you have a problem. Our new products will definitely help us to be even more competitive in the Gulf region,‖ he said. ―It's a five-star product, which is ranked very high amongst all those who rank these kind of products. Together with our newest product, the premium economy class, which will be completed in all our long haul aircraft by mid-December, that will lead to the point where we will become the first five star airline in the western hemisphere,‖ he added. The other part of Lufthansa's investment is in new airport lounges. Next year, the airline will open its new brand new lounge at Dubai International in the new Concourse D, which is one of 30 lounges reportedly being planned by the airline group in airports around the world. ―We will share the Lufthansa exclusive lounge with our partners within the Lufthansa Group. We are now discussing with one or the other Atlantic joint venture partners to join that launch, like Air Canada and United. ―Currently, what we are doing in the company, to make it fit for the future, is to invest a lot money into our products in order to satisfy our customers,‖ said Zang. The company also has more than 260 aircraft on order valued at just over $40 billion (based on list value).
http://www.thenational.ae/
(1) British Airways business class-only flight allows you to beat the queues
Business-class-only flights have, like most things, experienced the highs and the lows. Ten years ago several carriers emerged offering passengers travelling from European to American hubs low-cost business class comfort. Sadly the recession prevented Eos, MaxJet and Silverjet – which also briefly flew from London to Dubai – from really taking flight. In recent years, Hong Kong Airlines’ business-class only route to London and Singapore Airlines’ direct flight to New York have also been shelved. Back in 2009 though, British Airways took off with a unique product, flying from London’s lesser-known London City Airport, in the heart of the capital’s financial district, to New York’s JFK, taking the carrier’s prestigious flight numbers BA001 to BA004 (previously only used by Concorde). This route utilises two of BA’s smallest aircraft, the Airbus A318.
http://www.thenational.ae/
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At six years old, the two planes have already accrued more than 9 million miles across the Atlantic. However, the short runway in London City means the plane has to make a fuel stop in Shannon, Ireland, on the way over. However, there is an advantage – the earlier BA001 flight uses the fuel stop as a way of clearing US Immigration in Ireland, allowing the aircraft to land in a domestic terminal in JFK, therefore avoiding the nightmare queues usually associated with entering the US. In the cabin – unique to the rest of the airline’s fleet – all seats are forward-facing, at 25 inches wide, and turn into fully flat 6-foot-long beds. There is also OnAir in-flight connectivity, allowing passengers to send texts as well as send and receive emails. Entertainment is provided on especially loaded personal iPads offering 70 hours of entertainment on a 9.7-inch screen. Passengers headed to New York are served an amuse-bouche between London and Shannon and a full three-course meal between Shannon and New York. Before landing, guests are treated to afternoon tea, complete with warm scones and jam. On the return, customers can enjoy preflight dining at the lounge in New York and rest during the sleeper service or dine on the aircraft. Prices start at £2,684 (Dh15,104) return.
http://www.thenational.ae/
(3) q&a small planes, big benefits Jonny Clark analyses why some business-class products survive and others fail: What’s the secret to success in this market? It seems to be in the size of plane used. Small planes, if specially equipped, can travel long distances more cost-effectively, using less fuel, fewer crew and not requiring to fill out the plane with high numbers of premium passengers to make the product work. Is anyone offering a similar product to BA? The private jet operator PrivatAir has leased out its 737 business jets to legacy carriers around the world. Operating unique high-yielding routes with extra business-class seating means the product has stood the test of time. Qatar Airways launched a similar product in May this year using one of its A319 aircraft from Doha to London. However, the aircraft was replaced last month for a larger plane for increased capacity. What lounge offerings are available for those on the BA flight to JFK? For those departing London City, the airline has turned gate 24 into a mini-lounge offering beverages, snacks and free Wi-Fi. The BA Galleries lounge in JFK features an Elemis Spa. What other advantages are there? There are two flights a day leaving London City for JFK or the reverse route between Monday and Friday, and one flight on Sundays. An advantage of flying from London City is that passengers can arrive and check-in as little as 15 minutes before the flight or 20 minutes for those with luggage.
http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/
Fastjet hails Kenya certificate as major step forward
Low cost airline Fastjet (LON:FJET) has been granted an Air Service Licence (ASL) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, a major step towards starting flights within the country. Fastjet Kenya will now start the application process for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which is required to run domestic flights within Kenya. The AOC application process will involve an in depth review of safety management systema, operational manuals and structures, senior staff, fleet, maintenance facilities and technical capability. Ed Winter, Fastjet’s chief executive said: "The granting of the Kenya ASL is a major step forward in Fastjet's plans to become a truly pan-African low-cost airline. ―Following recently announced progress towards the Zambia AOC and the receipt of our AOC in Zimbabwe last week, today's announcement signals a very substantial acceleration in the development of the Fastjet network and our future growth plans. Last week, fastjet was granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Zimbabwe giving it a second base in Africa after Tanzania. Its aim is to have six bases in different countries in east and southern Africa, withFastjet Zambia also expected to be licensed by the end of 2015.
ادارة العالقات العامة -الشركة القابضة لمصر للطيران