IATA DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani warned Middle East and North African (MENA) carriers that they are not immune to the current industry crisis and urged them to focus on efficiency, safety and expanding commercial freedoms. Speaking at the Arab Air Carriers Organisation annual general meeting in Tunis, he said the Middle East/North Africa region’s projected US$200 million profit this year (down from US$300 million in 2007) will be generated by “only a handful of carriers, while … [Read more...] about Middle East : Bisignani: MENA carriers face
Carriers
India : Indian gov’t cuts carriers slack on fuel bills
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation announced recently that airlines will have an extension until 31 March to pay their present outstanding fuel bills to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and, in addition, will be able to procure their fuel on credit until that date. In exchange, the airlines were asked to refrain fromany retrenchment of staff . … [Read more...] about India : Indian gov’t cuts carriers slack on fuel bills
India : Indian aviation sector set to shrink
Half of India’s airlines could disappear during the current financial downturn, according to a BBC News interview with Air India boss Raghu Menon. The chairman of the country’s flagship carrier, Air India, believes no more than four or five airlines will still exist once the downturn is over. “A process of further consolidation may take place,” he said, soon after rivals Jet Airways (India) and KingfisherAirlines, signed an alliance. … [Read more...] about India : Indian aviation sector set to shrink
India : Jet Airways trims int’l network
In reaction to the spreading global economic downturn, specifically in the USA and UK, Jet Airways plans to optimise its network, focusing more on its established international gateways and routes, the carrier said. The airline’s much heralded, recently established Mumbai- Shanghai-San Francisco route will be discontinued effective 13 January. Passenger traffic between India and San Francisco will be served via Jet Airways’ London gateway in cooperation with partner airlines. … [Read more...] about India : Jet Airways trims int’l network
India : Jet and Kingfisher in alliance
Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines announced an agreement to form an alliance aimed at helping both carriers to rationalise and reduce costs. There will not, however, be any mutual equity investments between the two companies. The scope of the alliance, according to the two private carriers will include the following areas: Code-shares on both domestic and international flights subject to regulatory approval; interline/special prorate agreements to leverage the joint network deploying 189 … [Read more...] about India : Jet and Kingfisher in alliance
Australia : Wireless mouse could be behind Qantas turbulence
The rapid altitude change in October of an Airbus A330-300 cruising at 37,000 feet with 303 passengers aboard resulted in injuries to at least 74 people, a potential compensation bill for the airline (Qantas) and new concerns about potential conflicts between laptop computers and commercial aircraft systems. In July, manipulation of a wireless mouse was blamed for the course deviation of a Qantas jet, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). This more recent deviation (from … [Read more...] about Australia : Wireless mouse could be behind Qantas turbulence
