Airline news round-up 04Oct12
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A round-up of airline news from today.
Qantas prepares to switch Kangaroo Route
Qantas has taken the first steps towards establishing a new ‘Kangaroo Route’, operating flights via Dubai rather than Southeast Asia. Confirmation of the revised Qantas routes, Sydney-Dubai-London and Melbourne-Dubai-London, come as Australian competition authorities consider the proposed Qantas-Emirates partnership, which remains subject to regulatory approval. All being well, Qantas expects to re-route its flights through Dubai from 31 March 2013. Click here for full story
United announces extra flights
United Airlines is to launch a third daily service between Houston and Heathrow next year. the additional flight will be added on 30 March 2013. In addition, the airline will commence flights between Shannon and Chicago for the summer from 6 June.
World Routes moves to Las Vegas
The 19th World Routes Development Forum will take place in Las Vegas next year. The baton was handed to the US city’s McCarran International Airport following the close of the 18th annual World Routes event in Abu Dhabi. The 2013 event will take place from will take place from 5-8 October 2013.
First mobile phone on A380 launched
Mobile phone connectivity on an Airbus A380 has been introduced for the first time by Emirates. The Dubai carrier has partnered OnAir to offer the service, which means passengers can use their own mobile for calls and data. The service was first used on its Dubai-Munich flight on Tuesday with the first recorded A380 inflight call to China at 11,500 metres high. “Emirates continues to invest in the most innovative technology possible and promises to keep pushing the boundaries of the inflight innovation for the benefit of our passengers,” said its VP corporate communications producer, publishing, digital and events Patrick Brannelly.
Thomson, Lufthansa named best for wine
Thomson Airways and Lufthansa have been named as the European airlines with the best red and white wines respectively. The airlines’ wines were favourite of a panel that blind-tasted 21 wines from economy class. Thomson Airways’ Finca La Linda, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 was named best red wine with SAS five points behind in second and Pegasus Airlines at third. Meanwhile for white wine, Lufthansa topped the list followed by KLM and easyJet. Across the board, KLM and Pegasus were the most consistent. Click here to see the top five
September traffic up at Monarch
Monarch has seen its September passenger traffic increase 28% year-on-year. The numbers are against a 26.75% rise in capacity with its load factor up 1% to 94%. “Monarch recorded another excellent month for passenger numbers in September, with our load factor of 94% driven in part by a surge in late bookings post the Olympics as well as increasing consumer awareness of our brand and new leisure routes,” said Kevin George, managing director of Monarch.
