Kingfisher Airlines goes International with London

Kingfisher Airlines goes international with London (XFN-ASIA) Kingfisher Airlines has announced it will launch its first international flight from the high-tech southern city of Bangalore to London next month.
The daily non-stop Airbus A330-220 service to Heathrow airport by Kingfisher, owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, will take to the skies 03-Sept-08.
Kingfisher chairman Mallya said,"We will set new standards in international travel." The privately-owned airline last year bought out low-cost Indian carrier Deccan Aviation giving it the right to fly aboard. Under Indian rules, carriers less than five years old cannot fly internationally. Kingfisher was founded three years ago while Deccan is five years old.
On its own, Kingfisher would only have been eligible to fly abroad in 2010. The decision to add overseas destinations is expected to heat up rivalry with India's largest airline Jet Airways. All India's major airlines have posted big losses due to soaring fuel costs that have driven up fares, reducing passenger traffic. The sector has been hit by a wave of mergers as airlines have sought to cut costs.




Sourece:India Aviation 2008-08-25

Qatar Airways first to use gas for its airline

Qatar, which has the third largest gas reserves in the world, would soon be the first country to use gas to fly its airline. Qatar Airways is edging closer to its dream of being the world's first airline to fly on natural gas and engine trials are likely to start in the next 12 months with commercial flights sometime later. The airline hopes to beat the rising cost of petrol with the switch to natural gas. Qatar Airlines Chairman, Al Baker told Khaleej Times that massive plans are on, on a gas to liquid (GTL) plant."The Royal Dutch Shell is building the largest GTL plant in the world in Qatar, investing nearly US$13 billion. This would catapult Qatar into the GTL capital of the world," he said.

Sourece: The Independent Dated: 29-07-2008

Qatar launches daily flights to New York from 25-July-2008

Qatar Airways announced on Monday(25-08-2008) it will start daily non-stop flights to New York from its Doha headquarters on October 26. It will be deploying its new Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft to shave close to three hours off the current 17-hour flying time.

Under new operational schedules, the state-owned carrier said on Monday it will switch its existing six-flights-a week between Doha and the gateway hub of Newark Liberty International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, stepping up frequency to daily non-stop services to give passengers greater choice.

Source: ArabianBusiness.com Dated: 25-08-2008

Aviana launches Dhaka-Syedpur journey today

The country's fourth private airline Aviana Airways Ltd launches its flights on Dhaka-Syedpur route today (Tuesday), offering reasonable fares aiming to pave the way for foreign investment in the country's northern region, a senior official of the operator said on Monday.
He said Aviana Airways will operate weekly three flights one each on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays on Dhaka - Syedpur route, where no other airlines are operating flights after state carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines cut the destination.
Manager of the Aviana Airways Flight Lieutenant (retd) M Mazharul Islam told the FE Monday that they are starting operation on Dhaka-Syedpur route as there are no flights to the destination. Air connections will help bring foreign investment to the region.
He said special assistant to chief adviser Mahbub Jamil is expected to be on-board the inaugural flight to Syedpur from Dhaka (today) Tuesday.
"We are definitely looking forward to offer quality passenger services at a lower and competitive price. We hope to attract reasonable number of passengers in our flights," he added.
Air ticket for Dhaka-Syedpur route will cost Tk 4495 per person at the initial stage of operation.
The Aviana Airways, starting services from January this year under the brand name of Royal Bengal, has already connected Dhaka with Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Jessore and Sylhet through its flights.
Aviana, operating flights with a Canadian-built Dash 8-100 aircraft, having capacity of 36 passengers, will soon add another aircraft to its fleet with the aim to fly beyond the country's border.
Mr. Islam said: "Hopefully by December this year we will be able to fly to international destinations too."
Aviana Airways, a joint venture of a group of British Bangladeshi professionals and businessmen, has unveiled a new 3000 sq feet regional office in Sylhet. Besides, the corporate office is in Gulshan with sales offices in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Jessore.
"We also have set check-in and sales counters in the major airports of Bangladesh," said Mr. Islam
Aviana Airways is the fourth private airline to compete with the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The others are GMG Airlines, United Airways and Best Aviation.

Source : The Financial Express: Dated 26-08-2008

Bahrain Air inks Airbus deal

Bahrain Air has inked an agreement with Airbus to buy six brand new A320-200s valued at $450m. The airline will now own a total of 11 planes. The airline also announced it has surpassed it target to carry 250,000 passengers in its first six months out of the annual target of 500,000 passengers.

Sourece: AME Info 2008-08-25

GMG to resume three int'l flights as oil price eases

The country's largest private airline GMG will resume three international flights and add a new route as oil price eased both in the international and domestic markets, an official said Tuesday.

The company had to suspend its flights to Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmundu and New Delhi nearly two months back as oil price shot past 140 dollars a barrel in the global market.

The 10-year-old GMG has now decided to resume flight to Kuala Lumpur on August 20, Kathmundu on August 22 and New Delhi later this month, company spokesman Nazrul Islam told the FE.

"Oil price has started to ease in the global market. So we think it's best time to resume our international flights," Islam said.

The price of jet fuel also came down five cents a litre in the local market last week after its sole government seller, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, lowered the price in line with the international market.

The GMG said it would also launch a new route to Pakistan's port city and commercial capital Karachi later this month, as part of its expansion drive.

"A lot of visitors travel to Karachi every day. We think it's going to be a lucrative route," he said, adding, the airline would extend the New Delhi flight to Karachi.

The company has hired a 150-seater new MD-83 aircraft to operate the flights to international destinations, he said.

But the resumption of the flight to the Gulf aviation hub of Dubai looks unlikely for the time being as the company sees no profit in the long-haul destination.

"Dubai is still in our mind. We have to reassess the situation first before deciding we are going to resume the flight to Dubai," Islam said.

GMG took a huge gamble in February when it became the first Bangladeshi private operator to fly to Dubai.

The company hired a Boeing 747-200 aircraft on an expensive wet-lease agreement--- in which an airline pays for everything--- to operate seven flights a week to the United Arab Emirates city.

But it losses piled up after months of non-stop flights, as the operator could not find enough return passengers to Dhaka to make the money for the costly lease payment.

Analysts said the company had to suspend the Dubai route and returned the hired aircraft to the leasing company in the face one of the worst financial crisis in the company's history.

The airline had earlier this year projected around Tk 13.50 billion revenue, which is more than three times its 2007 revenue, banking on the Dubai and other new regional route.

But analysts said, the Dubai debacle and the high cost of oil meant it now would have to end the year in red and the turnover nowhere near the target.

At present, the company operates three domestic flights to Chittagong, Jessore and Sylhet and 18-21 weekly flights to Indian city of Kolkata with its three Dash-8 and two MD-82 aircraft.

Sourece: The Financial Express Dated 20-08-2008

Thai Airways, Biman avert Accidents

Passengers and crew of two aircraft--a Thai Airways Boeing 777 and a Biman DC 10--were unhurt when tyres of the planes burst while landing at Zia International Airport (ZIA) in Dhaka and Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong yesterday.
The Boeing with around 300 passengers and crew on board burst one of its tyres at ZIA on arrival from Bangkok, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd sources said.
"One of the tyres of the aircraft burst soon after it touched down at Zia International Airport at 12:10pm," an airport high official told The Daily Star.
"Emergency workers evacuated the passengers from the plane," he said, adding, "The plane left ZIA at 2:30pm after changing its burst tyre."
The same thing happened at Shah Amanat International Airport while a Biman DC10-30 was landing around 12:30pm.
"One of the tyres of the aircraft burst and three others were damaged," a Biman high official said.
The flight from Abudhabi was destined for Dhaka via Chittagong.
"All the passengers of the aircraft were evacuated safely," the official added.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines yesterday sent spare wheels and engineers to Chittagong.
On July 3, passengers and crew of another Biman DC10-30 escaped unhurt when six of its tyres exploded while landing at ZIA.

Sourece: Daily Star dated 2008-08-20

Biman launches direct flight on Dhaka-London route

Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Monday launched direct flights on Dhaka-London route by DC 10-30 flight, reducing travel times of the passengers.

Now, the flight takes 10 hours and 15 minutes to reach London from Dhaka where as it took 14 hours when Biman operated the flights via Dubai.

Biman runs five flights on Dhaka-London-Dhaka route throughout the week except Thursday and Friday. The flights are 001, 005, 013, 015 and 017.

Sourece : The Daily Star, Dated:20-08-2008

GMG's flight to Saudi Arabia uncertain as Biman won't quit slots - State-owned carrier wants to utilise all frequencies within a short time

GMG Airlines' plans to fly to Saudi Arabia has been blocked by state-owned Biman that has refused to allow the country's largest private carrier to use its idle landing rights to the lucrative Middle East destination.
The move has forced GMG to slash its 2008 turnover forecast by 37 percent to Tk 850 crore from Tk 1,350 crore, with the company warning that rocketing fuel prices may further force it to scale back its targets.
National carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has the right to land 13 times a week in Saudi Arabia, but has only ten flights a week, leaving three slots idle. Previously the government indicated that it would distribute unused rights to other Bangladeshi carriers.
However, Biman has objected to give up any of its slots, claiming it will use them all later this year by adding additional flights to the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is an important route as it is the number one destination for Bangladeshi workers.
"It's unfortunate. It would have been easier for us to reach our turnover target if we could fly to Saudi Arabia," said Abdus Sattar, chairman of GMG Airlines, recording a turnover between Tk 60-70 crore a month now.
In 2007 GMG's turnover reached Tk 280 crore.
The GMG chairman said the carrier projected its turnover for 2008 based mainly on two routes, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“We forecast the turnover based on mainly two new routes, but we have only got one,” he said.
With seven aircraft in its fleet, the oldest private carrier GMG started flights to Dubai in February 2008 as its seventh international destination. But it is yet to bag a good number of passengers because of a poor response in return flights and frequent flight delays due to technical glitches.
The GMG chairman said the route is yet to become profitable.
The airline has downsized its turnover expectation at a time when airlines across the globe are worried about losses due to the consistent surges in fuel prices, hitting close to $140 per barrel, early this week.
In Bangladesh, all five local airlines, including the three new carriers who recently entered the market to exploit a slice of about 7.5 percent growth in air traffic a year, are also in trouble due to fuel price increases, the burden of which has been passed onto the passengers. The airlines apprehended that it might negatively affect passenger flow.
The Saudi routes shared by Biman and Saudi Arabia Airlines, provides Biman with a steady revenue flow at about 2.5-3 lakh passengers, traveling between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
The national carrier, which had earlier signed a $1.265 billion deal with Boeing for acquiring 8 aircraft, is unwilling to share its prime market on the ground that it would hurt its earning at a time when it is going to strengthen its fleet.
“We want to utilise all our frequencies within a short time,” said a senior official of Biman.
Sattar said, “They would have to wait till September to see whether Biman utilises their slots. If Biman does not utilise their slots at that time, we may get it.”
The carrier now plans to start flights on some new destinations, Karachi, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Doha, despite problems such as delays and cut in flights.
"We expect an additional Tk 10 crore in monthly turnover by flying on these destinations," the chairman said.
He said GMG would expand its routes after adding a leased aircraft.
Since its inception in 1998, the GMG Airlines initially operated flights only on domestic routes for six years and later got permission to operate on international routes in 2004.

Source: the Daily Star dated 16-08-2008

Best Air's Dhaka-Dubai Route to Start 27th Aug -2008

Best Air, the country's third private airline, is likely to start its Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route from 27th-August-2008.

“Initially we will fly on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Best Air director (Marketing and Sales) Farhad Hossain told the news agency by telephone.
For the new Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route, the aviation company would take lease 162-seat MD-83, and the aircraft will be available by next week.
Best Air has already got permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to operate flights to Kuala Lumpur.
“After the inauguration of the Dhaka-Dubai route we will go for Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route via Chittagong three days a week,” Farhad said, adding that there is a possibility of starting Chittagong-Dubai route simultaneously at that time.
Best Air now operates on Dhaka-Bangkok and Dhaka-Colombo-Male routes with its lone Boeing 737-200.

Source: The Daily Star Dated 14-08-2008

Air India cuts Dubai fare ahead of Jet’s flight

P.R. Sanjai; Mumbai: State-run carrier National Aviation Co. of India Ltd, or Nacil, that operates Air India, has slashed business class fares on the India-Dubai route by 25% for one month between 15 August and 15 September, even as Mumbai-based Jet Airways (India) Ltd readies to start flying daily from Mumbai and New Delhi to Dubai from 23 August.
Travel agents expect Air India to extend reduced business class fare beyond 15 September, and 10-15% reduction in economy class fare on this route.
The India-Dubai route is the mainstay of Emirates and Air India, with 2.5 million passengers annually and growing at 15-20% every year. This will be Jet’s 20th international and sixth West Asian destination. The Naresh Goyal-promoted carrier currently runs daily services to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat and Doha in West Asia from various Indian cities.
Air India has slashed its return business class air fare on the Mumbai-Dubai sector to Rs33,184, including taxes, from Rs44,195. A paring of the fares was communicated to travel agents by Kailash Singh, passenger sales manager, western India, Nacil, in a circular dated 8 August. Jet has launched an introductory business class return fare, including taxes, at Rs35,238.

Source:Livemint 2008-08-13

A320 to be assembled in China from August-2008

Airbus 320 planes will be assembled from this month in north China's port city Tianjin, Xinhua reported. The A320 final assembly line, in the Binhai New Area, is run by a joint venture established in June last year between Airbus and Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co.
The joint venture would produce 44 planes annually by 2011. By 2016 a total of 284 planes would be assembled.

Source:Cargonews Asia 2008-08-13

Etihad Airways launches 'Unaccompanied Baggage' service

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Etihad Airways has launched a new service which allows passengers to send heavy or excess quantities of baggage before they fly.
The 'unaccompanied baggage' service is for luggage that exceeds approved allowances to be sent separately to avoid excess baggage fees, an airline statement said.
"We anticipate this service will become extremely popular with our customers, especially members of the expatriate community in the UAE flying back home," said Des Vertannes, the Abu Dhabi-based airline's executive vice-president for cargo.
"All customers need to do is to fill in the required documentation and they will then be issued with a reference number for tracking and tracing their baggage. The entire process takes just 10 minutes and customers are kept informed about the arrival time of their baggage once it is booked as cargo on an Etihad flight or with one of our interline partners," he added.
There are around 1.5 million expatriate Indians in the UAE. The airline flies to six destinations in India.
The new service is the latest in a series of innovative services being offered by airlines in the UAE to attract customers.
Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia recently launched a new service that allowed passengers to choose their seats at the time of making their flight reservations.
Prior to that Dubai-based Emirates airline unveiled five-star hotel standard luxury amenities in its newly acquired Airbus A380 superjumbos.
The new Etihad service is run by the airline's cargo division, Etihad Crystal Cargo, using established cargo processes and procedures with customers benefiting from special rates that are cheaper than the excess baggage fees they would normally have paid, according to the airline statement.
Under the service, only baggage from customers travelling on an Etihad flight and containing personal effects is eligible for the service. Baggage must also meet standard check-in baggage regulations regarding dimensions and weight.
As of now, unaccompanied baggage can be checked in at the Etihad customer service and ticket desk in the check-in area at Abu Dhabi airport's Terminal 1.

Source The Economic Times 2008-08-13

Jet Airways to launch Dubai route

Mumbai-based carrier Jet Airways is to launch flights between Dubai and Delhi from 23 August. The route will be operated daily as a direct service between the two cities. The carrier is also planning to launch a Saudi Arabian route later in the year.

Source:AME Info 2008-08-12

25 Airlines Down on 2008 as per IATA

A report in the International Herald Tribune says 25 airlines - three to four times the number that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) normally registers in a year – have failed in the past eight months and 17 have ceased operations altogether.

New air links between Lanka and Bangladesh

The establishment of new air links between Sri Lanka and Dhaka was among the key items discussed between the Head of State and Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and President Mahinda Rajapaksa at bilateral talks at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.
The Bangladeshi leader, who commented favourably on the historical ties and friendship between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, recalled the story of the arrival of Prince Vijaya to Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa stated the continuing friendship between the two countries manifested the people to people relations between them, which were continuing to progress.

It was agreed that with the envisaged new air links between the two countries would increase connectivity in many aspects, promote greater trade, investment and cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The two leaders agreed that Sri Lanka-Bangladeshi relations were progressing well, especially with Sri Lankan investment in the garment sector and banking sectors in Bangladesh, and saw new opportunities for expanded trade links in the future.
The Bangladeshi leader appreciated the presence of large number of Sri Lankan medical students in Bangladesh.

President Rajapaksa thanked Bangladesh for the gift of a Hair Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, and said this was worshipped by a large number of people on Full Moon Poya day.
The two leaders exchanged views on democratisation in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where President Rajapaksa referred to the new changes that have taken place in the East, with the liberation of the East from terror and the restoration of democracy there.
They also discussed the development of cricket which is a popular sport in both countries and saw in this the possibility for better sporting and friendly contact between people of the two countries.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Higher Education Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Bangladesh V. Krishnamoorthy, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath, Additional Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Prasad Kariyawasam and Coordinating Secretary to the President Sajin Vas Gunawardena.

The Bangladesh delegation comprised Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain, Principal Secretary to Chief Adviser Ali Imam Majunder, Shahdat Hossain - High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim, Director General (South Asia) Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Mahbub-uz-Zamanand, Director General (SAARC) Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Karzi Imitiaz Hossain.

Source: The Independent Dated: 2008-08-05

Bahrain Air set to operate seven flights to Bangladesh from Oct-08

Bahrain Air, one of the two national airlines of Bahrain, is set to operate weekly seven flights to Bangladesh from October this year."All preparations are afoot to start flights from October as declared earlier," said Abdul Kadir, chairman of Flight Link Ltd, the airline's General Sales Agents (GSA) for Bangladesh. There will be two flights from Dhaka and five from Chittagong to Bahrain every week, he added. "The frequency of the flight may rise in the context of the demand of the passengers," Kadir said.

Bahrain Air, the privately owned Premium Low Cost Carrier, is offering passengers the same price to travel to other destinations in the region besides Bahrain from Bangladesh. The one-way fare will be around Tk 20,000, Abdul Kadir said adding that any passenger can undertake onward journey to Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh or Bahrain at the same price. The Bangladeshis working in Bahrain are expected to avail this facility mostly. There are nearly 100,000 Bangladeshis now in Bahrain of whom the majority are from greater Chittagong. "Bangladeshis working in the entire Gulf and the Middle East region is our target," Flight Link Chairman said.
Bahrain Air is a joint venture of Bahrain and Saudi stakeholders. The airlines will operate A320 aircraft, all economy class, with a configuration of 180 seats.

When many local private airlines are struggling to remain in the market because of high fuel cost, Kadir said the A320 aircraft are highly economical as far as fuel consumption is concerned. He said the operating costs of wide bodied aircraft being used by Biman and other airlines are really high.

Regarding the recent problem with Bangladeshis living in Bahrain he said "the problem is over and for the last two weeks the Bahrain authorities resumed issuance of visa for Bangladeshis."

Source: The Financial Express Dated: 2008-08-05