British Airways is planning further expansion of its operations in the Middle East and Asia to off set slower growth in North America, which has traditionally been its mainstay, reported Gulf News. Th e Middle East remains one of the fastest growing sectors in the aviation world. As corporate business growth out of the UK into the Middle East has reached double figures in recent years … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BA looks to the ME
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EUROPE & CIS: Virgin Atlantic first to fly on biofuel
Virgin Atlantic, made history recently by being the first airline in the world to fly one of its aircraft on biofuel from London Heathrow to Amsterdam. Together with partners Boeing, GE Aviation and Imperium Renewables, Virgin Atlantic flew a Boeing 747 using a biofuel composed of babassu oil and coconut oil. These oils are environmentally and socially sustainable, according to Virgin. Both are found in everyday cosmetic products, such as lip balm and shaving cream, and do not compete … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Virgin Atlantic first to fly on biofuel
MIDDLE EAST: Two dozen 787s for Gulf Air
Boeing and Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air recently finalised negotiations for up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal that is worth nearly US$3.9 billion. Th e deal includes 16 firm orders for B787s with purchase options for eight additional B787s. Meanwhile, Gulf Air is set to introduce a non-stop Shanghai service as part of the airline's growth strategy. The four-times-a-week service will commence on 16 June and will be operated using an Airbus A340-300. Th e service will be … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Two dozen 787s for Gulf Air
MIDDLE EAST: Kuwait Airways to lease planes
State-owned Kuwait Airways plans to lease as many as fi ve aircraft by June to expand its fleet, reported Reuters, citing an unnamed company official. The Kuwaiti government is planning to sell 40 per cent of the airline to the public and 35 per cent to a long-term investor within two years, and has said it will not buy new planes until the privatisation was complete. The carrier currently has 17 aircraft in its fleet. … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Kuwait Airways to lease planes
INDIA: Air India to terminate codeshares
Air India has announced it will terminate codeshare agreements with Air France, KLM, Aeroflot, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines and Royal Jordanian by March 2009, when it is scheduled to join the Star Alliance. Meanwhile, Air India has selected Munich as its European hub, according to Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel. Network plans have not been disclosed. Patel forecasts domestic Indian passenger traffic to grow by 25 per cent per annum over the next five … [Read more...] about INDIA: Air India to terminate codeshares
INDIA: Deccan sells off two new A320s
Deccan Aviation Ltd has sold a new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to sell another in two weeks, with both deals expected to fetch a total of at least US$10 million in profit. Deccan has 52 A320 aircraft on order and made the decision to sell after determining that it would receive more planes than it needed for the year, chief executive, Ramki Sundaram said, adding that, "it is part of our fleet management." The airline operations of Kingfisher Airlines are currently being … [Read more...] about INDIA: Deccan sells off two new A320s
