UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways and Spanish airline Air Europa have signed a codeshare agreement which will see both carriers significantly enhance access to and from Spain, the UAE and to destinations across globe.
Under the terms of the agreement and subject to regulatory approvals, Air Europa plans to commence a three times a week direct service between Madrid and Abu Dhabi in late 2014.
Etihad Airways will place its EY flight code on the new Airbus A330 operated flights, offering direct access to Madrid for the very first time through its global Abu Dhabi hub.
The two airlines will work together in the run up to the route launch, with Etihad Airways initially placing its code on Air Europa-operated flights to Madrid from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa and beyond Madrid to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.
In return, Air Europa will place its UX flight code on Etihad Airways flights from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa to Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, during summer 2014, both airlines plan to expand the number of codeshare destinations to include new cities in Spain and South America via Madrid, and more cities beyond Abu Dhabi across the Gulf region, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “The fact that Air Europa has chosen Abu Dhabi for the next wave of its international expansion, speaks volumes of what the emirate and our global hub have to offer.
“We have been keen to offer our customers direct access to the Spanish capital for a number of years, and doing this now in partnership with Air Europa makes perfect business sense. It is the right thing to do.
“The new route will support the growing trade volumes between the UAE and Spain, up 75 per cent over the last three years, introduce more Spanish business and leisure travellers to the world class city that is Abu Dhabi, not to mention, make access to Abu Dhabi, Madrid and numerous destinations across our combined networks easier than ever.”
Juan José Hidalgo, Air Europa’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have chosen Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways as the gateway to India, China, Australia and other destinations served in the Far East.
“As one of the most important operators to the American continent, especially Central and South America via our hub in Madrid, for Air Europa the agreement between the two airlines is a step forward in a global market.
“Both airlines will provide an excellent link between America and Asia via Madrid and Abu Dhabi.”
All of the codeshare operations announced today will be implemented once regulatory approvals are received and the launch date of the new Madrid-Abu Dhabi service will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
AirAsia looking at Kuching-Manila flights soon
He said the thrice weekly direct flights was in tandem with the ‘Visit Malaysia year 2014′ programme that was currently being held to bring in international tourists to these two destinations.
To promote the sector further AirAsia, he said, is also offering free seats that could be reserved through the website www.airasia.com. from today until Feb 2.
On a related noted the airline is also looking to establish direct flights between Kuching and Manila in the near future.
This follows its Miri-Manila route which was launched in December last year and has seen a good response.
Air Asia Berhad’s chief of staff Johanatan Yabut said the airline was now looking to increase connectivity between Kuching and Manila.
He said the Philippines was the youngest member of the AirAsia family, having launched itself in 2012.
“We’re trying to focus our marketing strategy to building this network connectivity especially with East Malaysia. Miri is not only a gateway to Sarawak but also Brunei.
“With us being a low cost airline and affordable to everyone, it makes sense to build a capital to capital city route, he added.
Currently the airlines offers flights from Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, to Manila and Cebu in the Philippines.
Biofuel: The future of the aviation industry?
UAE national carrier, Etihad Airways, becomes first airline in the Middle East to operate biofuel-powered flight.
In a unique collaboration, Etihad Airways, Boeing, Takreer, Total, and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, announce major environmental initiative called BIOjet Abu Dhabi: Flight Path to Sustainability.
The new initiative is set to reinforce Etihad’s position as an airline with solid green credentials, while driving the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi, the region, and globally.
The announcement of this initiative comes one day after Etihad conducted a demonstration flight with a Boeing 777 powered in part by the first UAE-produced biokerosene, developed from an innovative plant biomass-processing technology.
The biofuel was partially converted from biomass by oil and gas company Total and then refined into jet fuel and quality-tested by Takreer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), adding the UAE to a handful of countries that have produced and flown on their own biokerosene.
As the airline industry continues to grow year after year, with more planes emitting carbon dioxide into the skies than ever before, biofuel could just be the answer to the future of ‘cleaner’ and ‘greener’ travel.
In a unique collaboration, Etihad Airways, Boeing, Takreer, Total, and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, announce major environmental initiative called BIOjet Abu Dhabi: Flight Path to Sustainability.
The new initiative is set to reinforce Etihad’s position as an airline with solid green credentials, while driving the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi, the region, and globally.
The announcement of this initiative comes one day after Etihad conducted a demonstration flight with a Boeing 777 powered in part by the first UAE-produced biokerosene, developed from an innovative plant biomass-processing technology.
The biofuel was partially converted from biomass by oil and gas company Total and then refined into jet fuel and quality-tested by Takreer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), adding the UAE to a handful of countries that have produced and flown on their own biokerosene.
As the airline industry continues to grow year after year, with more planes emitting carbon dioxide into the skies than ever before, biofuel could just be the answer to the future of ‘cleaner’ and ‘greener’ travel.
Airline Giant Announces Launch of Etihad Regional
By mid-2014, this will rise to 34 destinations. Etihad Regional’s network will include seven European gateways served by Etihad Airways: Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Belgrade, Zurich (commencing in June 2014) and Rome (commencing in July 2014).
Low pressure area causes 22 flight cancellations at NAIA
More domestic flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were cancelled today due to a low pressure area, bringing bad weather to the Visayas, Mindanao and Bicol regions.
By 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Zest flights had been cancelled at the NAIA Terminals 3 and 4.
Sixteen of the flights were heading to and from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, and were originally scheduled to depart Metro Manila as early as 4:40 a.m and arrive as early as 8 a.m.
Sixteen of the flights were heading to and from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, and were originally scheduled to depart Metro Manila as early as 4:40 a.m and arrive as early as 8 a.m.
Turkish Airlines plane makes emergency landing
The aircraft made an emergency landing after an unclaimed laptop was found in the passenger cabin, triggering a bomb threat procedure.
The plane landed at Casablanca Airport after taking off from Istanbul following the discovery of a suspicious mobile telephone, the official told AFP.
A security check was carried out at the airport before the plane -- an Airbus A340 with 229 passengers on board -- was allowed to continue on its journey to Sao Paolo.
Southwest Airlines plane lands at wrong Missouri airport
Federal officials are investigating how a Southwest Airlines flight bound for Dallas ended up at the wrong airport Sunday night during a planned stop in Missouri.
Southwest Flight 4013 from Chicago Midway was scheduled to land at Branson Airport but instead landed at Taney County Airport, said Brad Hawkins, a spokesman for the Dallas-based airline. The Boeing 737’s next stop was Dallas Love Field.
According to the airport’s website, the runway is about half the length of the one at Branson Airport, which is located a few miles away. It serves primarily charter and corporate flights.
The Southwest Airlines website said the flight had arrived at Gate 3 of Branson airport. The plane, which departed Chicago about an hour late, arrived roughly two hours and 20 minutes behind schedule at Branson, according to the website.
Southwest Flight 4013 from Chicago Midway was scheduled to land at Branson Airport but instead landed at Taney County Airport, said Brad Hawkins, a spokesman for the Dallas-based airline. The Boeing 737’s next stop was Dallas Love Field.
According to the airport’s website, the runway is about half the length of the one at Branson Airport, which is located a few miles away. It serves primarily charter and corporate flights.
The Southwest Airlines website said the flight had arrived at Gate 3 of Branson airport. The plane, which departed Chicago about an hour late, arrived roughly two hours and 20 minutes behind schedule at Branson, according to the website.
Malfunctioning door focused of Singapore Airlines investigation
A malfunctioning door is the focus of an investigation into why a Singapore Airlines Airbus 380 superjumbo was forced to make an emergency landing in Azerbaijan, the carrier said yesterday. Nearly 500 passengers arrived in Singapore on Tuesday in a A380 relief jet after their original flight from London to Singapore was forced to land in capital Baku due to a loss in cabin pressure.
“The root cause of the incident is being investigated and a team of specialists from Airbus will be assisting,” an airline spokesman said in a statement. “We are focusing on a door on the main deck that appears to have suffered a leak, leading to the change in cabin pressure,” he said.
Etihad celebrates record-breaking growth in 2013
Flights to Bangkok was once again the airline’s busiest route, with a total of 742,759 passengers flying to Thailand’s capital city in 2013, a year-on-year increase of seven per cent.
Manila was the second busiest route (547,068 passengers), followed by London (544,564 passengers), Jeddah (373,651 passengers) and Paris (338,969 passengers).
Etihad carried 73 per cent of the more than 16.4 million passengers who travelled through Abu Dhabi airport in 2013. With the addition of the airline’s equity alliance partners that operate flights into Abu Dhabi, the combined total rises to 79 per cent of passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi airport.
James Hogan, President and CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “Our record-breaking numbers in 2013 reflect the continued success of our strategic master plan, which focuses on three fundamental pillars; organic network growth, the forging of codeshare partnerships, and minority equity investments in other airlines."
Six destinations were introduced to Etihad Airways’ network in 2013, with new services launched to Washington DC in March, Amsterdam in May, Sao Paulo and Belgrade in June, Sana’a in September, and Ho Chi Minh City in October.
Frequencies were also increased on 18 existing routes last year and new codeshare agreements were signed with Kenya Airways, Air Serbia, South African Airways, Belavia, Korean Airlines, Air Canada and airBaltic.
During 2013, building on its organic growth, Etihad Airways also stretched its codeshare and equity partnerships, which delivered more than 1.8 million passengers onto Etihad Airways flights, 38 per cent higher than the 1.3 million in 2012.
In addition to its four existing equity partners – airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus - Etihad Airways announced investments in three additional carriers in 2013.
In August, Etihad formalised a five-year contract to manage Serbia’s national carrier, Air Serbia (formerly Jat Airways), with a 49 per cent equity stake. This was followed in November, when the airline obtained regulatory approval from the Indian government to finalise a 24 per cent investment in Jet Airways, and announced its intention to acquire 33.3 per cent of the Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline, which will become the first airline to operate under the new brand of Etihad Regional.
Impressive cargo growth was also reported, with 486,753 tonnes of freight and mail flown by Etihad Airways last year, a staggering increase of 32 per cent compared to 2012 volumes. The airline accounted for 89 per cent of cargo imports, exports and transfers at Abu Dhabi airport last year.
Volumes were boosted by enhancements to the freighter fleet capability and more cargo in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft. Established markets such as China, Hong Kong and India were top performers, in addition to expanding markets such as the Netherlands and the United States.
Last year, Etihad Airways took delivery of eight Airbus aircraft (four A320s, one A321, two A330-200s and one A330 freighter), eight Boeing aircraft (six 777-300ERs and two 777 freighters), and added further leased capacity which included the airline’s inaugural 747-8 freighter. Its fleet now comprises 89 aircraft, with an average age of only 5.2 years.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 from London to Singapore makes an emergency landing
Flight SQ317 which was diverted to Baku, Azerbaijan earlier today had an emergency landing due to a technical problem. A replacement aircraft has been departed Singapore bound for Baku and is due to arrive at around 2300hrs, 6 January, Baku local time. It is expected to arrive in Singapore in the early afternoon of 7 January, Singapore local time.
As Singapore Airlines do not have regular flights to Baku, staffs have been sent from both Istanbul and Moscow to provide assistance on the ground.
Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is following up on the issue and providing technical assistance to the airline, said Sean Lee, a spokesman at the planemaker. Singapore Air was the world’s first carrier to operate the A380 and had 19 in its fleet as of Dec. 1. It has five more on order.
Singapore Airlines is one of the biggest operators of the A380 planes, with 19 jets in its fleet.
Aspen plane crash, 1 dead, injuring 2 others
At least one person is dead and another has serious injuries after a private plane crashed today at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, Colo., the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office said.
Co-pilot Sergio Carranza Brabata, 54, of Mexico, was killed in the crash, according. to the Pitkin County Sheriff's office.
LeAnn Rimes and Kevin Nealon witnessed a plane crash in Aspen, Colorado on Sunday that, according to authorities, claimed the life of one and seriously injured another.
Co-pilot Sergio Carranza Brabata, 54, of Mexico, was killed in the crash, according. to the Pitkin County Sheriff's office.
LeAnn Rimes and Kevin Nealon witnessed a plane crash in Aspen, Colorado on Sunday that, according to authorities, claimed the life of one and seriously injured another.
So sad! Horrible plane crash we just saw happen at the Aspen airport.
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) January 5, 2014
Horrible plane crash here at Aspen airport. Exploded into flames as it was landing. I think it was a private jet.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 5, 2014
United Airlines introduces 2014 "Flyer Friendly" amenity kits
To celebrate their Flyer-Friendly campaign, United Airlines introduced eight special-edition amenity tins which started January 3. Each tin features a hub region and is filled with in-flight amenities carefully selected to make your flight more comfortable.
The special edition kits include the amenities of the traditional BusinessFirst kit, including Philosophy brand skin care products, and will be available until March 1, 2014 or until supplies last. Customers in BusinessFirst will receive the traditional amenity kit on long-haul flights arriving in the United States.
Below is United Airlines "Flyer-Friendly" Commercial in 2013
The special edition kits include the amenities of the traditional BusinessFirst kit, including Philosophy brand skin care products, and will be available until March 1, 2014 or until supplies last. Customers in BusinessFirst will receive the traditional amenity kit on long-haul flights arriving in the United States.
Below is United Airlines "Flyer-Friendly" Commercial in 2013
Etihad Airways Appoints Juan Torres as GM Philippines
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Mr Juan Torres as General Manager for the Philippines.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said the airline was delighted to welcome Juan Torres back to Manila following successful terms as General Manager in Tokyo as well as Brazil, where earlier this year he launched Etihad Airways’ new Abu Dhabi-Sao Paulo services.
“Juan is one of the most experienced airline executives in our global commercial team and it’s with pleasure that we welcome him back to the Philippines.
“His previous assignment in the Philippines has equipped him with a deep understanding of the Philippines market and strong stakeholder relationships.
“Much has changed for Etihad Airways and its relationship with the Philippines since Juan helped launch our services to Manila in 2006. Back then we operated a schedule of four weekly A330-200 flights; today, we serve the Philippines capital with two flights a day and a larger-capacity Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
“The experience Juan has gained in Japan and Brazil will be a great asset to the airline as it continues to drive its commercial and brand building programs in the Philippines.”
Mr Baumgartner also acknowledged the contribution that outgoing General Manager for the Philippines, John Rees Evans, had made during his tenure in the role.
“John has led the Philippines’ business ably in the 18 months he has been in the role and leaves behind a solid legacy.
“Key among John’s achievements is the leadership and support he has provided to our Manila-based team and our industry customers – most recently following the catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan.
“We are delighted to have John relocating to Nepal where he will be responsible for leading the airline’s commercial programs and team in that market. We wish him all the best for the new role.”
Juan Torres starts his new role on February 3, 2014, relocating from Sao Paulo where he has been Etihad Airways’ Area General Manager for South America and Brazil since June 2012. Prior to his posting to Brazil, Juan spent two years in Tokyo as Etihad Airways’ General Manager for Japan and played a key role in the launch of Etihad Airways’ services to Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya.
Before joining Etihad Airways, Juan Torres was with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines where he held a number of key senior management positions in different markets around the world.
Etihad Airways commenced flights to the Philippines in February 2006. The airline currently operates 14 flights a week to Manila using a two-class Boeing B777 aircraft.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said the airline was delighted to welcome Juan Torres back to Manila following successful terms as General Manager in Tokyo as well as Brazil, where earlier this year he launched Etihad Airways’ new Abu Dhabi-Sao Paulo services.
“Juan is one of the most experienced airline executives in our global commercial team and it’s with pleasure that we welcome him back to the Philippines.
“His previous assignment in the Philippines has equipped him with a deep understanding of the Philippines market and strong stakeholder relationships.
“Much has changed for Etihad Airways and its relationship with the Philippines since Juan helped launch our services to Manila in 2006. Back then we operated a schedule of four weekly A330-200 flights; today, we serve the Philippines capital with two flights a day and a larger-capacity Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
“The experience Juan has gained in Japan and Brazil will be a great asset to the airline as it continues to drive its commercial and brand building programs in the Philippines.”
Mr Baumgartner also acknowledged the contribution that outgoing General Manager for the Philippines, John Rees Evans, had made during his tenure in the role.
“John has led the Philippines’ business ably in the 18 months he has been in the role and leaves behind a solid legacy.
“Key among John’s achievements is the leadership and support he has provided to our Manila-based team and our industry customers – most recently following the catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan.
“We are delighted to have John relocating to Nepal where he will be responsible for leading the airline’s commercial programs and team in that market. We wish him all the best for the new role.”
Juan Torres starts his new role on February 3, 2014, relocating from Sao Paulo where he has been Etihad Airways’ Area General Manager for South America and Brazil since June 2012. Prior to his posting to Brazil, Juan spent two years in Tokyo as Etihad Airways’ General Manager for Japan and played a key role in the launch of Etihad Airways’ services to Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya.
Before joining Etihad Airways, Juan Torres was with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines where he held a number of key senior management positions in different markets around the world.
Etihad Airways commenced flights to the Philippines in February 2006. The airline currently operates 14 flights a week to Manila using a two-class Boeing B777 aircraft.
Plane makes emergency landing on New York city highway
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28, set down at around 3:20 p.m. on the northbound side of the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx, in an area where the highway passes through Van Cortlandt Park.
A maintenance crew of city Department of Transportation workers fixing potholes on the northbound side of the highway noticed the plane in distress heading toward them and stopped traffic, clearing space for the plane to land, a DOT spokesman said.
The DOT crew then helped the plane's occupants out of the aircraft and inside a heated truck until emergency workers arrived, the spokesman said.
The DOT crew then helped the plane's occupants out of the aircraft and inside a heated truck until emergency workers arrived, the spokesman said.
SkyJet Airlines poised to make a come back this February 2014
SkyJet Airlines is poised
to make a come back this coming February after being grounded for more than two
months when its aircraft overshot the runway at Balesin Island in October
2013.
SkyJet Airlines is planning to resume service this coming February 3, 2014 with three weekly flights operated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Service to Coron is also expected to be re-instated in February.
SkyJet Airlines is planning to resume service this coming February 3, 2014 with three weekly flights operated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Service to Coron is also expected to be re-instated in February.
SkyJet's additional member to their fleet is the BAE146-100 with 79 seats with a smaller fuselage that will be able to land in Caticlan.
According to an official at SkyJet Airlines, the newest member of the fleet, the 79-seat Bae 146-100 aircraft comes with a smaller fuselage and less seats than its 94-seat predecessor but the new aircraft will have the ability to land on the short runway at Caticlan Airport, the nearest gateway to Boracay Island. The airline is planning to introduce service between Manila and Caticlan Airport in April of 2014.
SpiceJet App Launched for Windows Phone
Indian airline SpiceJet has joined the party by launching their mobile app, exclusively for Windows Phone devices.
The app allows you to book tickets, check-in, or do a PNR lookup. You can quickly check out your recent searches or existing bookings. The app also offers a handy tap-to-call option to quickly dial their 24/7 Sales & Reservations number.
SpiceJet App is exclusive to Windows Phone Platform which also means that there is no app for Spicejet on Android or iOS platform.
Download SpiceJet for Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store .
The app allows you to book tickets, check-in, or do a PNR lookup. You can quickly check out your recent searches or existing bookings. The app also offers a handy tap-to-call option to quickly dial their 24/7 Sales & Reservations number.
SpiceJet App is exclusive to Windows Phone Platform which also means that there is no app for Spicejet on Android or iOS platform.
Download SpiceJet for Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store .
Ethiopian Airlines Cancels Seychelles Service from March 2014
Ethiopian Airlines from 04MAR14 is cancelling Addis Ababa – Seychelles service, where it currently operates 3 weekly flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This route occasionally operates with Boeing 737-700 aircraft as well.
ET879 ADD1010 – 1525SEZ 738 157
ET878 SEZ1625 – 1945ADD 738 157
ET879 ADD1010 – 1525SEZ 738 157
ET878 SEZ1625 – 1945ADD 738 157
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