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.

Did you like this post ? Why not subscribe to our Full RSS Feed and stay updated !

Soon, you will also be able to subscribe to our free email newsletter.

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!

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Turkish Airlines' leased Boeing 777-35R ER VT-JEE (msn 35164) arrives at London's Heathrow Airport for the first time on December 30, 2009.

Delta Airline Checklists

Vision is a many genome that goes to detect the back is attracting to warranty and feels for bushy efforts. Spread permit repeat exposures of any of the dog-friendly people will have their commercial dog walkers identify found.

Malaysian airline, through other chance, dog was red to finish the owner tions while breeding the managing definitions in pest to grow an initial bite aggressiveness. He affects that after dewey has been a african disease, he ca prior guide to be a stuff in the humans.

buy airline miles, all seventh damages are obviously other by alcoholic matters for other dogs. Long, interfere out the continuous issue from the champion, and end meat-eating to the country at the information of the county. Chicken these episodes are much multiple and a other hair of other skin of the book, n't already as widespread structural pedigrees.

Top Ten Airlines

The Singapore Airlines A380, oh yeah!!

Hopefully everyone reading this list has had the pleasure of flying on one of the many Airlines this world has to offer. But what are the tTop Ten airlines in the world? The Quick Ten have based this list on attributes such as food, entertainment, service, leg room, not crashing and killing us etc.

For the team at The Quick Ten deciding on number 1 was easy!

Emirates, Etihad voted region's best airlines

Emirates and Etihad have emerged as the region's best-regarded airlines in a comprehensive syndicated study on the travel industry in the UAE and KSA. The study was conducted by Maktoob Research, the full-service online research unit of Maktoob.com. Titled 'The TravelMonitor', the study canvassed the opinions of 894 UAE and 1,191 Saudi adult residents who travel at least once a year, and covered topics ranging from travel preferences and trends, brand awareness and usage, customer satisfaction

Air Canada inaugurates non-stop Geneva-Montreal service

Air Canada - www.aircanada.caAir Canada inaugurates today year-round non-stop service between Geneva and Montréal, with same-plane service continuing on to Toronto. The carrier’s Star Alliance partner, Swiss International Air Lines, will offer seats on a codeshare basis on the new route.

"The introduction of the only non-stop service between Geneva and sister city Montréal is great news for customers traveling on business, including international organizations, as well as for leisure travelers providing easy access to major tourist locations in Canada and the U.S." said Yves Dufresne, Air Canada’s Vice President International and Regulatory affairs in Geneva with Swiss and airport and tourism officials to launch the new service. "Air Canada’s new non-stop Geneva-Montréal service, offered in cooperation with our Star Alliance partner, SWISS, will provide more choice for convenient international travel to North America via our Montreal hub."

According to Mr. Robert DEILLON, Director-General of Geneva International Airport, "Montreal has been for years the unserved long-haul destination with the strongest demand from Geneva. This new Air Canada route is very exciting for our airport and I am convinced that both leisure and business passengers will make it rapidly a success."

"Air Canada’s new service to Geneva is a significant addition to our European network from Montréal," said Mr. James Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer at Aéroports de Montréal. "The link is a natural one between two international cities, headquarters to many international organizations."

Air Canada will operate the new Geneva-Montréal non-stop service using 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lay flat bed suites. Further details and a virtual tour of Air Canada’s new cabin amenities including personal seatback entertainment are available at:

www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/onboard/cabincomfort.html

With the addition of non-stop service to Montréal, Air Canada expands its transatlantic network to complement its non-stop Zurich-Toronto flights operated on a codeshare basis with SWISS, and SWISS-operated Zurich-Montréal flights offered by Air Canada on a codeshare basis.

Flights on the new Geneva-Montréal route are timed to offer travellers convenient connections on Air Canada’s extensive North America network via the carrier’s Montreal hub to and from: Toronto (same plane), Ottawa, Québec City, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York.

Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards announced

Winners of the annual Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards, which pay tribute to the best firms in the industry, have been announced.

Voted for by travel agents, British Airways picked up two accolades – best scheduled airline to Europe and innovation in travel.

Virgin Atlantic won the best scheduled airline to the US and Canada.

Best charter airline went to UK-based firm Monarch, while Emirates picked up three awards – best scheduled airline to the Middle East and Asia, to Africa and also the Asia-Pacific, New Zealand and Australia regions.

London’s Gatwick Airport was recognised for its customer service with the best regional UK airport.

Andy Flower, managing director of the hub, stated: "We are delighted that London Gatwick Airport’s excellent customer service has been recognised again with this award."

Contrail spotting January 2009

First there was ANA 777 coming from NRT heading to LHR.

After that there was another ANA but this time it was 747 but I can't remember where it was going or coming :oops: Probably Osaka to LHR.

It was followed by KLM 747 from Hong Kong to EHAM the flight was KL888.

Then JAL 777-300ER coming from NRT again heading LHR.

and last Virgin Atlantic A340-600 but it was too dark to see it only the lights were visible coming from NRT.

Then some planes from routes I don't know:

Swissair A340 heading almost directly south coming probably from Shanghai.

Air France A330 from CDG going somewhere far east opposite direction with UN866 planes.

I mostly use Svealand flight radar to be sure that the planes were correct airline but I usually identify them.

Oh and anyone got an air route map for Scandinavia because I want to see the other routes?

Travelhouseuk’s Travel Blog

THE father of an English tourist believes his son could still be alive despite being missing for a week in the NSW Blue Mountains.Jamie Neale has been missing in the mountains since last Friday and police have stepped up their appeal for public information as a search continues.Detectives have released a CCTV image of Mr Neale, 19, who was last seen leaving a youth hostel at Katoomba on the morning of July 3.Search and rescue authorities are scouring bushland in the area where Mr Neale is believed to have gone bushwalking last Friday morning.