Aviation Sector

Paramount Airways expands service; to start operations to Cooch Behar

In an expansive move, the Chennai-based Paramount Airways has, Monday onwards, started new flights to connect the south Indian cities with the eastern and northeastern region, most likely to be the first carrier to begin operations to Cooch Behar’s recently-modernized airport.

Kingfisher is voted Best Airline Central Asia

ingfisher Airlines of India was voted as the Central Asia’s ( incl. South Asia ) best airline, an honour that SriLankan Airlines has been holding for many consecutive years, at the annual World Airline Awards by Skytrax on 4th April at Hamburg, Germany.

Cathay Pacific was voted the Best World Airline while AirAsia made it to the Best Lowcost Airline.

SriLankan also failed to keep the honour of Friendliest Cabin Staff award and did not even make to the top three of Best Cabin Staff award.

Kingfisher serves two international destinations - Colombo and London.

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Taiwan's F-16 question comes up again

Virgin Atlantic as founded in 1984 and Sir Richard Branson had the vision to create an airline, where people love to fly and also where people love to work. One of the unique things about Virgin Atlantic is that Sir Richard Branson is not your regular CEO which reflected in the way that he runs his airline.

Virgin Atlantic is in fact the holder of every major award with recent achievements including the Skytrax 2008 World Airline Awards – World’s Best Business Class Lounge, Globe Travel Awards Best Scheduled Airline to US/Canada Favorite Airline, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers Awards 2008 Best Long Haul Airline.

SWISS voted best airline in Europe

Swiss International Air Lines has won the prestigious Skytrax 2009 World Airline Award as ‘Best Airline: Europe’ for its short- and long-haul flights. The distinction stems from the latest survey of millions of air travellers conducted by Skytrax, the reputed UK-based consultants. The award was presented to SWISS in Hamburg.

More than 15.4 million air travellers from 95 countries took part in the latest survey by UK consultants Skytrax. The poll extended to over 160 airlines all over the world, and named SWISS as ‘Best Airline: Europe’.

“We’re delighted at this distinction, especially as it’s a verdict that comes directly from the traveller,” said Markus Binkert, SWISS’s Head of Product & Services, accepting the award in Hamburg on behalf of the company and its personnel. “It’s also clear confirmation that our quality drive on the ground and in the air is appreciated by our customers.”

“With this new recognition, we are confident that our travellers from the Middle East will be assured of great comfort and hospitality while on board our flights and find more reason to fly with us to Zurich and beyond,” said Martin Massüger, Director, Head of Sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan & Iran for SWISS.

SWISS’s ongoing investments in its products and services will reach a further high point on 20 April, when the first of the company’s new Airbus A330-300s enters revenue service. The new long-hauler offers a truly top-calibre product in First, Business and Economy Class.

For 2008, Swiss International Air Lines (Group) generated total income from operating activities of CHF 5,267 million (US$4,658 mn), an increase of 7.6% from CHF 4,895 (US$4,330 mn) million in 2007. Despite the revenue growth, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined 6.5% from CHF 542 million (US$479 mn) in 2007 to CHF 507 million (US$448 mn) in 2008 in the face of record fuel prices for the first nine months of 2008 and unfavourable currency movements.

“All in all, 2008 was a good year for SWISS: our company is profitable, achieved growth that was well above the market average and was able to continue the success of the last few years,” said SWISS CEO Christoph Franz.

SWISS carried a record 13.5 million passengers in 2008, compared to 12.2 million the previous year. Seatkilometre capacity was increased by 12.0%. For the year as a whole, all the extra production was absorbed by market demand: systemwide seat load factor stood at 80.3%, virtually unchanged from the 80.2% of 2007 and well above the industry average.

SWISS operates non-stop daily flights from Dubai to Zurich, daily flights from Muscat, Oman, five weekly flights from Cairo and four weekly flights from Riyadh and Jeddah. Overall, SWISS offers a comprehensive network of 90 destinations in 42 countries.

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines Ltd), Switzerland’s flag carrier prides itself on Swiss values such as quality, reliability, friendliness, safety, efficiency and exceptional service –an exemplary ‘Swissness’. With excellent services offered, Swiss is your home in the sky.

Re: Hewa Bora at BRU

Nice plane, but question remains; can this 757 fly non-stop from Kinshasa to Brussels with a full load and respecting at the same time all obligatory (and desired) flight safety margins? I wouldn't think so.

Technical fuel-stop could be required, or flights with a smaller load..

In that case, how long can this operation be economically justified? Unless this is only a stop-gap plane and another more performant one (767?) will come later...

Cyprus Airways to lease two Airbus A320s

Cyprus Airways (Nicosia) will lease two newer Airbus A320s for the summer 2009 season. The company will also sell off two older A320s. The newer A320s will arrive by April in time for the summer season.

American Airlines: Since When is 10 Minutes Early Too Late?

I had the experience of flying your airlines today for the first time in a very long time. I now remember why I don’t fly your airline: You put the all-mighty dollar before customer service. You’ve truly taken on what many people fear is becoming the “American” way by selling out. You sell my rights to my prepaid seat to another so that your corporation can make more money.

First, I was quite surprised that I had to pay for my first checked bag. Your clients aren’t even allowed to check one bag for free? Instead, we are left to fight for sacred luggage space in the overhead compartment, tote our bags as we run through the airports to make our next flight and strain our backs because we stuff our too heavy carry-on just to avoid the $15 per bag charge? Excuse me but don’t you think the expensive airline ticket is costly enough? Do you really need to suck up our monthly Starbuck’s budget with your ridiculous baggage fees? It’s possible, but highly unlikely in your case, if you improve customer service you will increase your business, then you wouldn’t have to charge for baggage.

Second, I have a pressing question to ask you and I hope you have to answer: since when is ten minutes early too late? Giving credit where credit is due, our pilot did a sensational job making up time that was lost waiting on the tarmac at takeoff. He made up nearly an hour in the air, getting us to the connecting airport in time to make our next flight. In doing our part, we ran through the airport, doing our best to dodge those leisurely walking to their gate, to arrive at our gate with 10 minutes until takeoff. Upon arrival we were told our seats had been given away and we would not be boarding the plane for our flight home.

If I was 10 minutes early to coffee with my girlfriends they’d be thrilled. If I was 10 minutes early dropping my son off at school he’d love that he had 10 more minutes to play before class. If I was 10 minutes early for my hair appointment, I’d be the one waiting. When I arrived 8 minutes before departure with another airline, I was graciously allowed to board and given my seat without hassel. But if I’m 10 minutes early for my flight with your airlines, I’m denied the seat I already paid for.

The bottom line is that you, American Airlines, got greedy and messed with our lives without our permission. You sold our seat to another traveler (who was probably 10 minutes early but too late for their flight, too).

I blame you for the red, puffy eyes I had from the tears of frustration I shed. I blame you for the way your agent made me feel so worthless and unimportant. I blame you for the tears my daughter shed because mommy and daddy were not home in time to see her before she went to bed for the night (she had been waiting all day for our arrival). I blame you for not putting the needs of your customers before the all-mighty dollar.

You’ve lost a customer, for good this time. You got your second chance with me. There will be no strike three. I won’t be back and I’ll be sure to spread the word to anyone who listens that American Airlines is not a customer friendly company. In the future, I’ll fly with an airline that may cost more but treats their customers with respect and compassion.

Because of your company’s incompetence, I’m sure you will soon be begging the government to bail you out like they have so many others because of the “economy”. Well, you and I both know it won’t because of the economy, but it will be because of your incompetence. Hopefully, the government will wise up and just walk away.

So long,

Tammy Gibson, unhappy flyer

P.S. It’s interesting that my bags were able to make the flight that I was not allowed to board. Maybe next time I should pay another $15 and I’ll be treated as important as my luggage!