Discount carrier struggles to fly in Caribbean

 

The Caribbean's first discount airline is having a rough time getting off the ground and the company's Irish chief executive blames political fear of competition for the region's government-affiliated carriers.

Aer Lingus faces pilot action as talks break down

 

Industrial action by pilots set to start Tuesday

- Talks between Irish airline Aer Lingus (AERL.I) and its pilots union broke down on Saturday forcing the airline to prepare contingency plans for industrial action it warned could cause a full cancellation of operations.

Low Budget Carrier to be Launched by Singapore Airlines

 

Singapore Airlines has announced that it is to start up a budget long haul carrier. They are likely to be ready to start taking on passengers within the year. The airline will own most of the company but it will be managed independently bythem.

Victory for former Miss World who sued Ryanair

 

 

Rosanna Davison, former Miss World and daughter of singer Chris de Burgh, has been awarded £70,000 in damages after suing no-frills airline Ryanair for defamation.

 

 

A jury at the High Court in Dublin ruled that publicity by the airline implied that Ms Davison was racist, xenophobic, jealous and narrow-minded.

 

Kuwait seizes Iraq airline assets in Jordan.

 

Kuwait has seized assets of Iraq's national airline in Jordan, officials have said. This is the latest step in a row between the neighbouring states over war reparations.    Iraqi Airways has filed an appeal against the decision in Jordan, said Karim al-Nuri, a media adviser to the Iraqi Transportation Ministry.

iPads For Pilots

 

Alaska Airlines is dumping paper flight manuals for its pilots in favor of electronic documents stored on company-issued iPads.   Yes, the Seattle-based carrier will be the first major U.S. airline to make the switch from paper to iPad when all its pilots receive a tablet by mid-June. Alaska is making the switch "as part of an on-going effort to use technology to enhance flight safety, improve efficiency and protect the environment," according to a statement from the airline.

Korean takes delivery of first A380

 

Korean Air has celebrated the delivery of its first Airbus A380 at a ceremony in Toulouse, France, becoming the sixth operator of the aircraft since it was introduced in 2007.

 

Air France crash–report comes out.

The Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris plunged into the Atlantic because the aircraft's speed sensors gave invalid readings, France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) said Friday.

But findings are mixed and some are doubting some of the official findings.

Most surprising of the findings came the news that at the very start of the incident,  the captain was NOT in the cockpit.

Virgin Atlantic expects to unveil new partnership within months

 

VIRGIN boss Sir Richard Branson said yesterday up to three suitors of his Virgin Atlantic airline are set to bid for a stake in the company, with an announcement on the tie-in due within the next three months.

Delta Passengers to Enjoy New Gatwick Lounge -

 

It has been revealed that American airline Delta has made an agreement with lounge developer No.1 Traveller to allow its customers to enjoy luxury treatment at Gatwick Airport. Under the new scheme, Delta's Elite Members and those flying in Business Class will be allowed to enjoy Gatwick's new 'super lounge'.

Virgin America Comes To Chicago

 

Chicago travellers have another airline option as of Wednesday, when Virgin America launched its first operations out of O’Hare International Airport.

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, along with Chicago officials and business leaders, visited the airport Wednesday to welcome two inaugural Virgin Airlines flights that arrived at O’Hare’s Terminal 3, according to a release from the city’s Department of Aviation.

Qantas says pilot demands putting airline at risk

 

A damaging industrial row between Australian airline Qantas and its pilots could threaten the future of the carrier, chief executive Alan Joyce said.

International pilots on the "Flying Kangaroo" are poised to take their first strike action in 45 years after negotiations on pay and conditions with management broke down last week.

Manchester United stars take to the skies daily with Turkish Airlines

 

Chris Smalling, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher in the Turkish Airlines pre-flight safety film

They are used to flying down the wings and are masters of rescuing themselves from sticky situations. Now Manchester United's stars are using those skills off the pitch in a new pre-flight safety video for club sponsors Turkish Airlines.

Air India cancels 5 flights as oil companies stop fuel supply

 

 

Air India pays oil companies Rs 22.5 crore everyday now.

 

At least five flights of Air India (AI) were cancelled on Friday after the public sector oil marketing companies stopped cash and carry terms to the airline on Friday morning.
The oil companies' decision forced the national flag carrier to cancel the flights from Thiruvananthapuram, including an international flight to Riyadh. The passengers strongly protested the cancellations as they were informed about it at the airport.
Like other private carriers, Air India also owes a huge amount to the oil companies. According to sources, its liability to the oil companies stood at Rs 1,200 crore.
Oil companies had introduced the cash and carry terms earlier this year. AI pays oil companies Rs 22.5 crore everyday now

India Today

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 with all-business class upper deck

 

Singapore Airlines' new A380s will sport business class seats from tip to tail

 

Singapore Airlines looks set to add a second tranche of Airbus A380s to its fleet next month with an extended business class cabin running the entire length of the upper deck.

The long-rumoured change appeared in global airline booking systems today, according to booking resource AirlineRoute, although Singapore Airlines has yet to officially announce the new layout.