Bodrum - London service introduced by Turkish Airlines and drops out of SkyTrax

Continuing its massive global expansions, Turkish Airlines has introduced a direct service from the popular holiday airport of Bodrum to London.

Turkish Airlines say the Bodrum-London flights, which started on June 13th, 2018, will be operated two times a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays during this summer season giving passengers great service to a popular holiday region.

The Turkish carrier first started serving the United Kingdom way back in 1961 and now operates a total of 90 flights per week between Turkey and the UK. It has flights to London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. The new seasonal flight from Bodrum to London Gatwick currently offers fares from £235 (including taxes and fees).

Norwegian continues expansion in Ireland with first route to Canada

The popular low-cost airline, Norwegian, is today continuing its Irish expansion with the launch of the carrier’s first route to Canada. Commencing 31st March 2019, the new daily service between Dublin and Hamilton – Toronto will mark the first direct flight between the two cities, providing passengers with greater choice and flexibility at an affordable price. Fares start from €189 one way.

Norwegian’s daily nonstop flights from Dublin to Hamilton – Toronto will be operated using brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft offering 189 seats in a high quality, modern single-class cabin.

Bjørn Kjos, Chief Executive Officer at Norwegian said: “Today marks a milestone in Norwegian’s transatlantic expansion from Ireland as we announce the first ever direct route between Dublin and Hamilton – Toronto, this is also our first ever service between Europe and Canada. We are committed to providing Irish passengers with greater choice and lower fares across our network as we continue to invest in the Irish market. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board our new service to Canada from March 2019.”

Air Belgium to go to America?

The new startup airline, Air Belgium is looking to already expand its route network from Brussels Charleroi Airport after only a couple of weeks into its first service to Hong Kong.  The new airline is hoping to spread its wings across the Atlantic to the US.

According to reports, the carrier has already applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for Exemption Authority and Foreign Air Carrier Permit, to allow it to offer service to America.  Once the paperwork is done and approval granted the airline believes it will be offering charter flights on the Belgium-US market before introducing its Airbus A340 into the scheduled services market.

Air Belgium currently has two Airbus A340-300s, one is currently operating the airlines' flights to and from Hong Kong and its home base of Brussels Charleroi.  The other has been wet-leased to Air France for a short-term period, however, it's believed will be returned to Air Belgium and used to operate the company's previously announced proposed services to mainland China. 

Jetlines appoints a new CCO - a ULCC expert!

Canadian carrier, Jetlines has announced the appointment of Mr Javier Suarez as the Chief Commercial Officer, he'll take up the post at the end of July this year.  Incoming CEO Lukas Johnson commented, "I am excited to bring Javier to the Jetlines team. Javier's ultra-low-cost carrier expertise in network planning and revenue management gained with many years of experience at VivaAerobus and Vueling will be invaluable as we continue to develop and deliver on the Jetlines strategy. I look forward to working closely with Javier to build Canada's first true ultra-low-cost air carrier."

New airline is going to be a star!

Star Air is a new scheduled commercial airline that aims to connect the real India and is promoted by Ghodawat Enterprises, part of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group. Star Air will target routes are where passengers are currently suffering a lot of transit layover delays and aims to provide a very reliable, safe and comfortable travel experience with direct connections. 

The airline will be headquartered in the Bangalore International Airport, "What we aim for is to create the right balance between a common man's pocket and the expectations which he holds from an airline," Capt. Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air said, "In due course time, we aim to provide an all jet engine fleet connecting new city pairs," he added.

Star Air will be introducing the Embraer ERJ-145 for the first time to the Indian commercial aviation sector and plans to start up with two aircraft initially, with steady expansion. Its first routes will be Hubli - Pune, Hubli - Hindon (Delhi) and Hubli - Tirupathi.

The exact start date has not yet been agreed, however, Star Air expected to be taking off for the first time in mid-July 2018. 

Wizz Air introduces four new routes from London Luton

Wizz Air, announced this week the launch of four new winter routes from its London Luton base. The new services are to the Israeli seaside resort of Eilat (Ovda), the gateway to the French Alps in Grenoble, Verona in Italy and Tromsø in Norway, famous as one of best spots for viewing the Northern Lights.

2018 has been a year of massive growth for Wizz Air across its network and these new winter routes mark the next phase of growth for its UK operations, following the launch of Wizz Air UK, the newest British airline which is now operating eight new Airbus aircraft from its London Luton base.  The four new routes bring the total of new WIZZ destinations from London Luton launched this year to 12, including the services to Larnaca, Tirana, Tallinn, Bratislava, Lviv, Athens, Keflavik and Bari.  WIZZ, the second-largest airline at London Luton airport, has increased its operations at the airport by 10% year-on-year and now has 7.9 million seats already on sale for the coming year, offering 51 destinations in 25 countries from London Luton and providing fantastic opportunities for UK customers to explore even more of Europe at truly low prices and the fares for the new services start at just £26.99.

Surf's up for an Encompassing confrontation. Encompass Aviation start legal action against Surf Air

The battle lines are drawn over a dispute between Surf Air and Encompass Aviation that has erupted over the decision by Surf Air to drop Encompass as its primary operator in California.

On 15th June, Surf Air terminated its flight agreement with Encompass Aviation, preferring to work with partners that it says can continue to provide its members with the exemplary service that they've come to expect.  However, this didn't go down too well with the directors at Encompass who fired off a highly defamatory press release claiming that Surf Air was financially distressed and in breach of contract and warning that it had filed papers with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Encompass said it should have had the first refusal of the contract with Surf Air and also claims Surf Air has been repeatedly late in paying them, the company says that as of June 14, 2018, Surf Air owed Encompass more than $3,100,000. 

WestJet Link takes off.......... the new regional airline begins services

WestJet inaugurated its new regional airline service today, WestJet Link, from Cranbrook and Prince George to Calgary. Service starts from Lethbridge and Lloydminster to Calgary on June 21 and Medicine Hat to Calgary on June 22. Overall, WestJet Link connects five new cities to WestJet's growing hub at the YYC Calgary International Airport.

"This is a great day for the communities who now benefit from WestJet's non-stop service and convenient connectivity to the WestJet network," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "WestJet continues to offer Canadians more travel options and WestJet Link brings more choice, lower fares and WestJet's renowned guest service to these five communities."

These new routes add to WestJet's existing leadership position in Calgary, offering more flights and seats to more destinations than any other airline with an average of 147 daily departures to 49 destinations.

Flair Airlines to move HQ to Edmonton International

The low-fare Canadian airline, Flair has announced that it will be on the move to a new home base.  The expanding carrier says that after extensive analysis, it will build on the success of Edmonton International Airport as its main transfer hub by officially establishing itself as Edmonton's Hometown Airline. 

Flair Airlines plans to continue to expand its route network to and from Edmonton by growing its frequency and destinations served, both domestic and trans-border; announcing new low-fare routes in the coming weeks.  Flair will also progressively relocate its operations and executive base in Edmonton.

Flair's Executive Chairman, David Tait, commented, "Just last week Flair doubled its frequency out of Edmonton and, as one of the fastest growing cities in the country, the community and the airport are uniquely positioned to support our ongoing growth: Already, of Flair's almost 200 flights per week, 65% of them fly to/from Edmonton. We are also looking forward to tapping into Edmonton's professional talent pool, as we progressively establish our headquarters here over the coming months."

Two US airlines say no to US officials over transporting separated children

Two of the biggest US air carriers, American Airlines and United have asked the US federal government not to fly immigrant children separated from their parents'  on their aircraft following  US President Trump's “zero tolerance” on illegal immigrants. 

The two leading airlines say they have no idea if  US officials had previously used their flights to transport separated children. American Airlines said, “We would be extremely disappointed to learn that is the case.” adding “We have no desire to be associated with separating families, or worse, to profit from it."

United said, "Based on our serious concerns about this policy and how it’s in deep conflict with our company’s values, we have contacted federal officials to inform them that they should not transport immigrant children on United aircraft who have been separated from their parents," 

The Trump supporting, Delta Air Lines said it would continue working with the US immigration officials.

Following global condemnation of the policy, Trump said on Wednesday that he would sign an order to halt the enforced separation of the families but vowed to remain strong on illegal immigrants which he says are infesting the US.

British Airways sells cheap tickets and then cancels them for being too cheap!

Nearly 2500 passengers of British Airways have had their travel plans scuppered by the carrier who have cancelled their tickets - but not for the more usual reasons of bad weather or a broken down aircraft, but because it sold the tickets too cheaply!

Passengers booking in good faith mainly through online travel companies, although some have said they booked directly with BA on ba.com, had snapped up some bargain tickets to Dubai and Tel Aviv. They've now been left in the lurch by the company which has called a halt to the deals it offered with tickets and plans cancelled.  The airline said the sale fares that averaged £220 return to Dubai and £200 to Tel Aviv been a mistake and bluntly said in a statement: "Errors like this are exceptionally rare, and if they do occur, under contract law, there is no binding contract between the parties."  Reluctantly they later added, "We have apologised to customers and offered a gesture of goodwill."  The gesture of goodwill in this occasion the chance to continue with their book flights at a much higher cost and take a voucher of £100 for a future flight, yet the restrictions on the voucher make it all but impossible for most people to use, according to those affected.

 

Air India sale halted

The Indian Government has called a halt to its plans to sell off the 76 percent stake it holds in troubled state-owned airline, Air India.  The reason, simply a complete lack of interest from any viable bidders -  yes it seems no-one wants to take on the massive loss-making carrier.

No bidders for Air India

The Indian government confirmed the situation on Wednesday after advising that the sales offer had failed to attract any buyers for the debt-laden national carrier. “We ran a disinvestment process where we made it very clear what type of bid we were interested in receiving. Nobody expressed any interest ... that process right now is over so we have to move forward and consider other alternatives,” Junior Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha told the media at a briefing.

Ontario International Airport extends strong gains in May passenger and cargo volumes

               

     Ontario International Airport has welcomed the arrival of the busy summer travel season by continuing a double-digit surge in domestic and international travel that has made ONT one of the fastest-growing airports in Southern California.

More flights to Asia says Qantas

The Australian super airline, Qantas is making adjustments to parts of its Asia-Pacific network, from December 2018, Qantas will operate additional Airbus A330 services on the Sydney-Singapore and Sydney-Jakarta routes to meet the increase in demand.

From 13 December, the Sydney-Jakarta services (QF41/42) will increase from five to six weekly, with the additional service operating on Thursdays.

From 14 December, a third Sydney-Singapore service (QF83/84) will be added on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.^ This brings the total Sydney-Singapore services to 17 per week, up from 14 previously.

In addition, Qantas will increase its Sydney-Noumea service from three to four times weekly from 12 December 2018, using its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The additional service will operate on Wednesdays.

Cathay Pacific becomes second operator of the A350-1000 widebody

Cathay Pacific Airways has become the second airline to operate the A350-1000, the world’s newest long-range widebody airliner. The airline took delivery of the aircraft at a special event in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft is the first of 20 A350-1000s ordered by Cathay Pacific and will join the carrier’s growing fleet of A350 XWB aircraft, which already includes 22 A350-900s. Both aircraft are complementary and provide for maximum commonality with unmatched operating efficiencies while offering passengers the highest levels of comfort in all classes. Travellers will benefit from absolute well-being in the cabin, with more personal space, optimised cabin altitude, more fresh air, controlled temperature and humidity, integrated connectivity and the latest-generation in-flight entertainment system.

Increased capacity and highest levels

of comfort for the airline’s longest flights