Iraq, Air France-KLM sign cooperation deal

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Air France-KLM and Iraq’s transport ministry have signed a preliminary accord which will see Iraqi Airways taking off for European destinations and Baghdad’s airport being renovated, an official statement said Tuesday.

“The memorandum of understanding has three points: first, technical, which covers technically enabling Iraqi Airways to code-share flights with Air France-KLM,” said ministry spokesman Samir al-Showaili.

Air France-KLM will, secondly, assist “Iraqi Airways to enable it to fly international flights, including to Europe,” he said.

The deal also includes, thirdly, the revamp of Baghdad’s third terminal to international standards and the construction of airports in Iraq through investment companies.

Transport Minister Amer Abduljabbar Ismail told AFP that his ministry is also in discussion with German and Danish air freight groups which could provide shipping services as early as 2009. He declined to elaborate.

In the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi Airways was hit hard by UN sanctions imposed against Iraq and its service declined rapidly.

After the US-led invasion in 2003, the airline slowly resumed flights and today the national carrier flies to the regional capitals of Amman, Beirut, Tehran, Cairo, Istanbul, Damascus and Dubai.

It also undertakes domestic flights to Basra in the south and to the Kurdish provinces in north.

Baghdad International Airport is still controlled by US forces who have a huge base at Camp Victory but as of January 1, under a new military accord governing the presence of US troops until 2011, the airport will be returned to Iraqi control.

For years, the 12 kilometre (seven mile) road from downtown Baghdad to the airport was one of the most dangerous in the capital, until the introduction of huge blast walls in early 2008 to protect against rocket and sniper fire.

source: AFP

Hawaii blackout strands air travelers

Hundreds of travelers were making their way off the island Saturday after Friday’s blackout caused airlines to cancel or delay more than a dozen flights at Honolulu International Airport.

The delays frustrated passengers, some of whom waited in the partially lit airport for more than four hours Friday night, trying to sort out their travel status.

“It wasn’t joyous. Tempers were getting heated,” said Terry Bauman, who was connecting from Lana’i to Denver on United Flight 42, which was canceled Friday night.

After waiting for hours at the airport, Bauman and her family took a taxi to Waikiki where they had to search for a hotel with a vacancy and the ability to register new guests. They found a room and yesterday morning caught a cab back to the airport to take their rescheduled flight. “It was busy and quite chaotic,” said Elliot Bauman, Terry’s 17-year-old son.

United Airlines canceled five flights — two to Los Angeles, two to San Francisco and one to Denver Friday night.

Hawaiian Airlines canceled 10 interisland flights out of a total of 170 interisland daily flights Friday. Some Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed, the longest for 25 minutes, according to airline officials.

Several other airlines delayed flights.

Backup generators at the airport kicked in shortly after the power went out and runway lights and the traffic control tower were up, allowing 10 flights to land and another 10 to take off, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Full power was restored to the airport at 4:30 a.m. local time on Saturday.

Airline employees found creative ways to get around the loss of power. Hawaiian Airlines checked in customers by calling their offices on Neighbor Islands and in Los Angeles where personnel used their computer terminals.

“We didn’t want anybody sleeping at the terminals and we achieved that,” said Blaine Miyasato, vice president of customer service for Hawaiian Airlines. “It was a little slow, a little tedious, a little old-fashioned but we got it done.”

At 7 a.m. local time on Saturday, long lines snaked out of the United Airlines area of the terminal as travelers waited to board the re-scheduled flights. A United employee said all canceled flights were rescheduled and that the airline was working with travelers to compensate them for lost time.

Unlike the blackout after Hawaii’s October earthquake of 2006, the process of manually screening, boarding and deplaning passengers moved smoothly despite the darkness.

“We had already gone through a scenario like this once before, and we learned a lot. Everyone knew what was going on and what was available and we were able to start sending flights out,” said Brennon Morioka, director of the state Department of Transportation. “Everything moved as smoothly as it could have. The process we had in place worked effectively.”

During the Oct. 15, 2006, earthquake, the state’s backup power system covered only essential operating systems like runway lights, emergency exit signs in the terminal, the emergency operations center and traffic control systems.

Auxiliary generators were operating Friday and provided some electricity to security screening checkpoints, air conditioning, baggage handling and bathrooms.

None of those were working during the blackout in October 2006, delaying thousands of passengers.

Lindy Bess and her husband, Henry, a professor and former dean of the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii, spent $130 on taxis to and from their Hawaii Kai home after United Flight 42 to Denver was canceled.

The couple were on their way visit their youngest daughter and grandchildren in Colorado.

“We left home this morning and we still didn’t have power,” Lindy Bess said. “We’ve lived here for 41 years and it never happened before. But we were lucky, we talked to nice people and there are worse things (that could happen) for sure.

“I thought it was handled beautifully.”

Some passengers connecting through Honolulu to foreign destinations were stuck in Honolulu yesterday because delays caused them to miss connections.

Kumiko Nishiyama, a 28-year-old law clerk from Tokyo, said her United Airlines flight Friday night was canceled, triggering a chain reaction of missed connections that caused her to miss a flight from New York City to Bogota, Colombia.

“Now I’m stuck here. They said because of the power outage I can’t check in,” Nishiyama said. “I’m basically screwed.”

source: www.usatoday.com

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic cut fares

UK airlines have come out swinging this Christmas, slashing in an attempt to lure customers into booking up their summer holidays despite the looming recession.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both announced bigfare cuts in their “January sales” promotions yesterday, sending prices spiralling down to almost 20 year lows.

Airlines hope to entice cash-strapped families considering cutting back on foreign trips next year as the economic conditions worsen, and reverse the trend of already falling passenger numbers. The discounts were made possible by the fall in the price of oil, which is down to $40 a barrel after almost touching $150 a barrel earlier this year.

The fare battle saw BA, which announced its worldwide sale yesterday, reduce the cost of flights to over 75 destinations providing customers book by January 27.

A return to New York between January and March will cost £259, while a trip to Hong Kong and back will cost £429 trip. A spokesman for the airline said prices were always under review, but added that the cuts were part of its traditional sales.

Virgin also announced it had lowered fares, some of which now undercut its rival by just a few pounds. Virgin’s return fare to Hong Kong is £425, while travellers can get to New York and back for £258.

A spokesman for Virgin said: “If you take out the taxes and charges the fares are coming down to the levels of the 1980s. It’s partly the oil price and partly to stimulate passenger numbers.”

The reductions comes against a tough backdrop for the industry. The Association of European Airlines reported that traffic in November dropped 4.7 per cent on the previous year. “A negative figure of this magnitude has not been seen since the Gulf War in early 2003, and is unprecedented for periods unaffected by external shocks,” it said.

SAA and TAP Portugal sign codeshare agreement

South African Airways (SAA) and TAP Portugal, both members of the international airline network Star Alliance, have signed a codeshare agreement which establishes broad commercial cooperation between the two airlines.

The agreement includes a codeshare on the route from Lisbon to Johannesburg, which is operated by TAP, and to other cities within South Africa operated by SAA, such as Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London. Cities in Portugal included in the agreement are Funchal, Faro and Porto.

The partnership is due to start in January 2009, subject to government approval. It will allow improved and expanded connectivity between the route networks of the two airlines, with significant benefits to be offered to the passengers.

Through this agreement, TAP will be able to place its code on SAA flights operating between Johannesburg and other domestic cities within South Africa, thus offering additional service to its customers.

In an effort to meet the highest expectations of passengers, both TAP and SAA will keep pursuing the enhancement of their network as a top priority. This is reflected in the joint operation which reinforces the travel options available to customers between Portugal and South Africa.

“Adding TAP as a code share partner adds even further to the options available to our customers wishing to explore Portugal, a very popular destination for South Africans,” says Jason Krause, SAA Head of Business Development.

“South African Airways is a very valuable Star Alliance partner and adding this new code-share agreement to our bilateral partnership will provide considerable added value, both in connectivity and convenience to our passengers, through a wider range of services and destinations” said Jose Guedes Dias, VP Alliances & External Relations TAP.

“We are looking forward to working even more closely together with SAA and reinforcing our partnership, to allow further travel benefits and seamless access to new cities in Africa.”

TAP and SAA have code share arrangements with a wide range of international airlines. The latest addition allows SAA’s and TAP’s international passengers further seamless access to numerous destinations in Portugal and in South Africa, from Johannesburg and Lisbon, respectively.

SAA will place its flight code, SA, on flights operated by TAP Portugal, bringing the Portuguese capital effectively into its network. Through this agreement, both SAA and TAP will also place their codes on the respective domestic flights operating to other cities within Portugal and South Africa.

SAA customers will have the convenience of booking onward flights to Lisbon, Faro, Funchal and Porto from South Africa with a simplified itinerary using the SA flight code. In the case of TAP customers, the same will apply to Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.

 

source: The Financial

South African Airways set to launch route to Buenos Aires

South African Airways (SAA) will launch a new route to Buenos Aires next year as part of a broader growth strategy, the airline announced. The new flights on the route between Johannesburg and Buenos Aires in Argentina will begin on April 8, 2009 and will initially take place twice a week. An Airbus A340-200 will be used, with the flights departing on Wednesday and Sunday at 09:50 from Johannesburg to arrive in Buenos Aires at 16:30. Flights will depart the same day from Buenos Aires at 18:30 to arrive the following morning at 08:55 at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg. SAA will add a third service on Fridays from July 2009 onwards. Passengers started booking tickets for flights to Buenos Aires since November 28, 2008.
The route to Buenos Aires will complement SAA’s existing daily South American service to Sao Paulo in Brazil and will feed the airline’s flights from Johannesburg to destinations in Africa, as well as to Asia and Australia.
“From Johannesburg, travelers can fly conveniently with SAA to destinations within South Africa such as Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London, as well as to 19 destinations in Africa. SAA offers travelers safety, reliability, punctuality and good service which are the key requirements of our customers,” SAA said in a statement.
Adding a second destination in South America strengthens the airline’s position as the preferred carrier between South America and Asia. “We are positive that by adding more seats in the market we will meet the strong demand from both continents wishing to benefit from our shorter flying times and superior service via the South Atlantic route,” SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula said. “Buenos Aires is an excellent market for SAA, offering good connectivity throughout the southern half of South America, adding to our well established and very popular destination in Sao Paulo with its excellent connections to key cities in the northern part of South America and Central America,” Ngqula added.
Meanwhiile, SAA has experienced strong demand on its Sao Paulo route, which is currently the airline’s only South American destination. The Buenos Aires route will build on the success of this route, allowing SAA to facilitate southern hemisphere traffic flows. Negotiations are also under way with airlines Lan Chile and Aeromexico about future cooperation. The Buenos Aires route expansion is in line with SAA’s vision of being an African airline with global reach. It will be SAA’s first route launch following the airline’s deep and fundamental restructuring plan.
“SAA’s restructuring strategy is still under way, and will officially end in March 2009, but it has worked extremely well for the organization by reducing costs and growing revenue. A total of R1-billion costs was removed and revenue grew 9 percent to South African Rand22.26billion in 2007/08, with revenue growth expected to again exceed the target set for the current financial year.
“We are now at the point where we can think about growth in order to position SAA for the future. The growth plans are currently being finalized for implementation in the new financial year ie April 2009. These plans will build on the gains we have made under restructuring rather than setting SAA on a new strategic course,” Ngqula said.
SAA is the African continent’s biggest international carrier, with a fleet of over 60 aircraft. From its hub in Johannesburg, South Africa, the carrier serves on routes to destinations in all the five continents.

source: www.traveldailynews.com

EU plans to lift liquid limits on flights in 2010

The limits on the amount of liquids allowed on flights from EU airports will be lifted in 2010 provided new scanners are in place to distinguish liquid explosives from harmless substances, officials said Monday. New technology that can tell the difference is being tested in the U.S., Britain and France, European Commission spokesman Jens Mester said.

"We are confident that using this technology at airports will be possible by 2010," Mester said. The strict rules were put in place across the 27-nation bloc in 2006 after a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic flights using liquid explosives was uncovered by British authorities.

The regulations have led to widespread confiscations, confusion and delays at airports. They limit passengers to carrying liquids in containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces, packed in transparent bags onboard planes. The list of liquids restricted on flights includes soup, syrups, creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, sprays, hair and shower gels, shaving and other foams, pressurized deodorants, toothpaste and mascara, and water and soft drinks.

Mester said EU countries have already agreed to abolish the restrictions on internal European flights and those leaving EU-based airports if the new scanners are up and running. It is unclear whether the U.S. and others would move to lift similar restrictions on liquids passengers can put in their carryon luggage.

source: www.usatoday.com

Ethiopian Wins 2008 "Best Airline in Africa Award"

Ethiopian Airlines was presented with the prestigious 2008 "Best Airline in Africa Award" at the African Travel Award gala in Lagos, Nigeria on October 25, 2008.  The award was conferred to Ethiopian for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.
“Ethiopian provides the traveling public with the best service possible, and the quality of its service has contributed to the growth of travel and tourism in Africa," said Mrs. Ikechi Uko, who organized the 4th Akwaaba travel market. The award was presented to Mr. Busera Awel, Vice President-Commercial for Ethiopian Airlines, at the award dinner held at Expo Centre Eko Hotel in Lagos.  Upon receiving the award, Mr. Busera said, “The award marks a joyous moment for all of us at Ethiopian which more than ever before reaffirms that our customers are standing with us and share our endeavor for excellence.”
Akwaaba Travel Market is the only international travel exhibition in West Africa recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).  It is organized annually by African Travel Quarter (ATQ) magazine, the first international travel magazine in West Africa.
In addition to the latest award, Ethiopian won the 2008 corporate achievement award in Johannesburg in August 2008, and Brussels Airport Award for long haul services on October 23, 2008.
Ethiopian Airlines will commence new flight services to Ouagadougou effective October 26, 2008. With six weekly flights, Ethiopian will link Ouagadougou to all the major capitals of Asia, as well as the cities throughout Africa. Ouagadougou is the capital and the largest city in Burkina Faso and is known as the center for the yearly African Film Festival events. Effective November 12, 2008, Ethiopian Airlines will introduce nonstop service from Addis Ababa to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. This flight will be Abuja’s first direct link to East Africa.
source: www.traveldailynews.com

Air France launches World’s First In-Flight Mobile Phone Service

Air France and OnAir launch World’s First In-Flight Mobile Phone Service on Board International Flights

Send and receive emails, sms and mms messages at 10,000 m! Air France has become the first airline in the world to offer an in-flight mobile phone service on international flights.

Using to the Mobile OnAir system, passengers travelling on board one of the Airbus A318 aircraft operating European routes can now:

During the second half of the trial, passengers will be able to make and receive phone calls, with the service being regulated to maintain passengers’ comfort and well-being.

Customers on board this Airbus A318, with seating for 123 passengers, can find out more about this service in an information leaflet in seat pockets. Information will also be included in the cabin crew announcement. Air France welcomes feedback on this service from its passengers, who can fill in a twenty-question survey.

At the end of the six-month trial, Air France will examine the feedback and comments made by customers to determine whether to launch this service on all its flights.

“We are seizing every opportunity to offer customers the latest technological innovations, while continuing to make their travel comfort and well-being our main priority”, stated Patrick Roux, Executive Vice President Marketing Air France.

Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, said “We are delighted that Air France is the first airline to use the Mobile OnAir onboard mobile telephony system on international flights. This marks an important phase in the implementation of a new generation of in-flight services and we are confident that this trial will define the future standards in terms of in-flight passenger communication”.

The Mobile OnAir onboard mobile telephony system, certified by EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) does not interfere with the radio-navigation instruments on this Airbus A318 and may only be used at cruising altitude once the new illuminated sign “Switch off your phone” is turned off. The system is activated at 3,000 metres (10,000 feet).

OnAir has roaming agreements with mobile network operators, including the three major operators in France: Orange, Bouygues Telecom and SFR.

How does it work?

• Mobile phones connect to a miniature cellular network installed inside this aircraft. A modem transmits data and calls to a satellite that routes them to a ground station. Data and calls are then routed to the passenger’s usual telephone network. This network is located inside the aircraft. Passengers’ mobile phones only emit at minimum power, which does not risk harming interference with aircraft avionics or ground telecoms network.
• Phones are used just like on the ground. To make a call on board the aircraft, passengers simply dial the international prefix (+) or 00 + country code + full number (without the 0).
• The cost of data exchanges are invoiced by the customers’ telephone operator and are comparable to those used for normal international mobile phone calls.

source: Air France

BMI being taken over by Lufthansa

UK airline BMI is being taken over by Germany’s Lufthansa.

Lufthansa, which already owns a 30% stake in BMI minus one share, is buying the 50% of the company owned by BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop. The deal will give Lufthansa control of more flights from London Heathrow airport than any other airline except British Airways. The remaining 20% of BMI is currently owned by Sweden-based Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

BMI flew 10.6 million passengers last year and operates 54 aircraft. It controls 11% of landing and take-off slots at Heathrow. Lufthansa said it intended to complete the deal by 16 January. It has not said how much it is paying for the 50% stake. The German airline signed an agreement with Sir Michael back in 1989 that if he ever wanted to sell his BMI stake, it would have first refusal.

source: www.bbc.co.uk

Full names required to fly in 2009

Airline passengers starting next year will be barred from boarding planes if they refuse to provide their full name and birth date, the USA government said Wednesday.

"You have to give this information," Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley said.

The rule will "dramatically reduce" the number of people hassled at airports because their name resembles a terrorist’s on a government watch list, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and some children have been mistaken for terrorists.

Comparing a passenger’s first, middle and last name and birth date to the watch list will eliminate "most" false matches by more precisely identifying a passenger, Chertoff said. Travelers now must give airlines only a last name and first initial.

Airlines must collect the new information starting in July for flights originating or ending in the USA. The requirement also applies to any flight traveling over the country, such as from Canada to Mexico. Some airlines may start in January, Hawley said.

In a shift, airlines will give passenger information to the TSA to compare to the watch list. The comparisons have been done for years by airlines, but that has led to "inconsistencies" because some are better than others at updating their lists as the FBI adds and drops names, Chertoff said. Having the government compare passenger names to the watch list will improve security, Chertoff said.

Travelers who book flights and don’t give required information won’t be able to print a boarding pass at home or at an airport kiosk, Hawley said. They will have to go to an airline counter and show an ID card with the required information.

For passengers making last-minute reservations, the TSA will check their backgrounds in seconds and report results to airlines, Hawley said.

Many airlines had opposed collecting new passenger information when the TSA first proposed it a year ago, saying that would complicate making reservations. Steve Lott of the International Air Transport Association said Wednesday it could be "costly and complex" for airlines to revise their computer systems to collect the new passenger information.

Paul Ruden of the American Society of Travel Agents said the new system "will be a big improvement" by reducing the number of false matches.

Security expert Bruce Schneier said it won’t improve security because terrorists could buy a ticket using someone else’s name.

source: www.usatoday.com

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