Singapore Airlines will launch its inaugural flight to Riyadh on Sunday, 14 December 2008. SQ454 will depart Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 1250hrs.Arrival at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1 at 1820hrs (all times local). SQ453 – will depart from Riyadh at 2015hrs,Arrival at Singapore Changi Airport at 1105hrs the next day. Both legs of the flight will …

As I had indicated in my earlier story, Kingfisher Airlines announced that it will pay three per cent agency commission to travel agents on gross fare, effective from today. The decision to pay three per cent commission was acknowledged in a fax sent to TAAI office last night. “The airline has also withdrawn Transaction Fee on tickets, which was introduced …

Just about 24 hours earlier, DIAL the operators of New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were proudly drumming their success of zero impact of fog on the early morning of 10th December. On 11th December, fifteen flights were delayed after a thick blanket of fog engulfed the capital, reducing the Runway Visibility Range (RVR) to 400 meters. This against …

Just received a release from Boeing. Boeing announced today an updated schedule for its all-new 787 Dreamliner program that moves the commercial jet’s first flight into the second quarter of 2009 and first delivery into the first quarter of 2010. The new schedule reflects the impact of disruption caused by the recent Machinists’ strike along with the requirement to replace …

Jet Airways and Emirates Airline, have today announced their partnership plans spanning a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement and unilateral code share agreement. Effective December 15, 2008, the two airlines will launch a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement whereby members of Jet Airways’ JetPrivilege, India’s largest frequent flyer programme, may earn and redeem miles across Emirates’ rapidly-expanding international network, with the exception …

New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) met its first fog challenge on 10th December, with zero impact on flights. As per a DIAL release there were zero diversions, re-schedules, or cancellations. As per procedure, Safeguard procedures were initiated when Runway Visual Range (RVR) fell below 1,500 meters, at 0458 local on morning of 10 December. Low Visibility Procedure (LVP) …

Jet Airways will lease out aircraft that have been rendered surplus following the route rationalisation and cost pruning. The airline recently entered into a Wet-Lease Agreement with Gulf Air Company G S C, Bahrain, for leasing out two A330-200 aircraft for four months. It has also entered into similar agreement with THY Turkish Airlines Inc, for leasing out three B777-300 …

Agreement provides Delta with more than $2 billion in combined incremental liquidity and contract enhancements Agreement to result in expanded opportunities for American Express across Co-brand credit card, Membership Rewards, merchant services and travel Delta Air Lines and American Express announced a multi-year extension of their exclusive Co-brand Credit Card partnerships, which commenced in 1996.The companies also agreed to extensions …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) painted a grim forecast for the airline industry as it announced its forecast for 2009 showing an industry loss of US$2.5 billion. All regions, except the US, are expected to report larger losses in 2009 than in 2008. Forecast highlights are: Industry revenues are expected to decline to US$501 billion. This a fall of …

British Airways announced today, it is making significant changes to its in-flight entertainment brand High Life with an upgraded system offering customers a greater choice and more control over their entertainment on board. The system, known as audio and video on demand, or AVOD, is a huge step forward for the airline boasting the ability to run over 200 entertainment …

Thick fog over Hyderabad early today, hit operations at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. The meteorological department attributed the thick fog to a “rare phenomenon” in Hyderabad. Mr. A. Viswanath, chief commercial officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), which operates the airport, said, 19 departing flights and 10 arriving flights were delayed. An additional 6 scheduled flights …

Deutsche Lufthansa AG has further reduced its fuel surcharge on its flights as crude oil and kerosene prices have decreased. The fuel surcharge on domestic German and intra-European routes will lower by 3 euros to 21 euros per flight segment. On long-haul routes the corresponding fuel surcharge will be decreased by 10 euros to 82 euros per flight segment. The …

The current slowing economy needs an extra large dose of stimulus to bring it back on track. Unlike previous slowdowns, this time a 360 degree effort is required to prime the pump and beat the “FUD” factor (Fear Uncertainty Doubt). The government has to do it’s part and focus on areas like infrastructure and other plan expenditure, the companies have …

On Jan. 7, 2009, Houston, Texas based Continental Airlines will partner with Boeing to test a 737-800 passenger jet using a biofuel and traditional jet fuel mixture. The biofuel is to be made from algae and jatropha plants. Air New Zealand and Boeing were to test bio-fuels on a Boeing 747 Jumbo jet, using UOP (a Honeywell company) technology, on …

SpiceJet has announced the re-launch of its services to Kochi, from New Delhi and Mumbai, from December 15. The starting fare will be Rs.1,350 (Kochi-Delhi/Delhi-Kochi) and Rs.750 (Kochi-Mumbai/Mumbai-Kochi). The seats are available for immediate booking. The SpiceJet call center numbers are 1800 180 3333/987 180 3333. Flight SG 101 will start from New Delhi at 6 a.m. and reach Kochi …

CNN is reporting a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter attack jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, California, on Monday as it tried to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The pilot ejected before the jet, an F/A-18, went down two miles from the airfield about 11:55 PT (19:55GMT), Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said. Photo : …

As per PTI, as part of the ongoing initiatives to enhance Bengaluru International Airport’s (BIA) infrastructure, a cargo village, the first of its kind, was inaugurated at the airport on Monday. The facility, built at a cost of Rs 12 crore and completed in 10 months, would house 120 freight forwarders and 80 custom house agents, a release said. The …

We, in Bangalore, have been debating the terminal at the new Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). I came across a very interesting story entitled What happens when an airline designs an airport? It is most definitely worth a read.

Airbus reported completion of the largest civil aircraft deal of the year, a 51-plane order from Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways worth over $10 billion. The order includes 6 A380 superjumbo, 25 A350XWB and 20 single-aisle A320 aircraft. The order was first announced at the Farnborough air show in July. However, Etihad’s financial woes, and speculation of a merger with …

The travel agents appear to have won Round 1 of the “Zero Commission” battle. Less than four days after the agents decided to boycott Jet Airways and low cost subsidiary JetLite, Jet Airways announced restoration of the travel agents’ commissions. As per the release from Jet Airways, Recognizing the difficult economic environment for the travel industry as a whole, Jet …