Cathay Pacific Airways has announced plans to fly to Moscow. Subject to regulatory approval, it plans to operate a thrice-weekly service to Moscow using an Airbus A340-300 aircraft in a two-class configuration featuring the airline’s acclaimed long-haul Business Class product. The intended new service is planned to begin this summer. Cathay currently has a codeshare arrangement on the Hong Kong-Moscow route with Aeroflot.
Etihad Airways has secured seven additional weekly flight frequencies from its Abu Dhabi base to Australia following bilateral negotiations between the UAE and Australian Government in Canberra . The seven flights can be operated to any gateway in Australia, including Etihad’s current destinations of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. A further seven weekly flights have been granted to Etihad on the condition that the operation also flies via or onto a regional airport.
Korean Air will resume services to St. Petersburg this Spring. From 30 March, the beginning of the summer season in the northern hemisphere, the Incheon to St. Petersburg flights will operate three times a week. Utilizing an Airbus 330 aircraft seating 226 passengers, the service will depart on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
All business-class airline OpenSkies will introduce a new service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Paris Orly Airport beginning 3 May. Tickets for the route, which will operate five times weekly at first, went on sale on 9 February. A B757-200 aircraft will operate the service carrying 72 passengers with 12 lie-flat seats in the private BIZ BED cabin and the remaining 60 in the BIZ SEAT cabin with seats that recline to 140° with a 52” seat pitch.
Thai Airways International (THAI) has pledged to invest nearly THB35.5 billion (£684 million) in new aircraft from now until 2021. The carrier’s Aircraft Acquisition Plan will see the addition of seven 300-seat aircraft to be acquired through leasing arrangements. A further eight 350-seat aircraft will be added on intercontinental routes. These 15 new aircraft will join five A330-300 aircraft which are expected to be delivered this year, as well as six A380 aircraft that will enter THAI’s fleet by 2013.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced a decision to continue its partnership with American Airlines and the oneworld alliance. The carriers will now jointly apply to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) for the approval of antitrust immunity (ATI) on trans-Pacifi c routes. The move follows months of speculation as to whether JAL would stick with American and oneworld, or take up a rival investment offer from the world’s largest carrier, Delta Air Lines – a move that would have meant JAL moving to the SkyTeam Alliance. JAL Group Chief Operating Officer and President, Masaru Onishi commented; “We have analysed this issue in great detail, and we are excited at the prospects in terms of the convenience and benefits for our customers. We also firmly believe that the advantages of this development with American Airlines can strongly support JAL at a time when we are striving towards the revival of our business, which we are determined to achieve. We certainly look forward to a deeper, more mutually-benefi cial relationship with our long-time partner.”
Lufthansa has revealed the names of its first two Airbus A380s. The German carrier’s first superjumbo will be names ‘Frankfurt am Main’, with the second christened ‘München’, after two of the airline’s main hubs. In May, the ‘Frankfurt am Main’ will land for the first time in its home city before starting scheduled services to Asia and North America.
Turkish Airlines is further increasing its share in the global aviation market with the purchase of 35 Boeing 737 jets, 20 definite and 15 optional. The Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 ER planes will all be fitted with the unique ‘Sky Interior’ cabins. The new addition follows the recent announcement of the purchase of 30 Airbus planes by Turkish Airlines fleet in line with its expansion plans. Turkey's flag carrier aims to acquire a total of 105 new aircraft over the coming few years.
TAM Airlines has introduced a new First Class cabin on its daily services between London Heathrow and São Paulo Guarulhos. The carrier will be offering four private sleeper seats on the flight between the UK and Brazil. On board entertainment includes individual 23-inch screens offering 24 video channels that are programmed monthly with the latest fi lm releases, as well as classics from the archives, TV programmes, and documentaries. First class passengers can also choose from a range of amenities including slippers, pajamas and eye shades. In addition, premium customers will have the option to pay extra for a private helicopter to collect them from São Paulo Guarulhos airport.
Iberia has added three new Madrid-Buenos Aires return flights each week, an increase of 1,500 available seats. The new flights raise the weekly total to 17, consisting of three direct flights each day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and two daily flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Bangkok Airways and EVA Air have signed a codeshare agreement for services from Amsterdam, Vienna, London Heathrow and Taipei to Thailand’s key destinations, Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Effective March 2010, EVA will operate the international flights and Bangkok Air will handle the domestic flights.
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