Air Southwest up for sale

PLYMOUTH could be in danger of losing its link to London and other parts of the UK following the decision of Sutton Harbour Holdings plc to offer for sale Air Southwest, created in 2003 after British Airways ditched its former Brymon subsidiary.  Plymouth had already lost its Heathrow services, dumped by BA in a slots benefit move.  At the time Sutton Harbour also acquired Plymouth City Airport, part of which is now being redeveloped for housing.  The airline has dropped its twice daily service to London City.  Any potential purchaser would require some kind of guarantee that the airport would remain open. www.airsouthwest.com

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Branson speaks out

VIRGIN ATLANTIC has introduced a three times per week service between Heathrow and the Ghana capital Accra, operating an Airbus A340-300, with the standard Virgin layout of Upper Class (34), Premium Economy (35) and Economy (171) seats.  It is the Crawley-based airline’s fifth African route and flies in direct competition with British Airways and their previous near monopoly.  Sir Richard Branson used the inaugural to again attack BA with regard to its tie-up with American Airlines which he calls “anti-competitive”, but also hinted that Virgin was not standing still, floating the idea of a link-up with another airline or even a sale.  Virgin Atlantic is 49% owned by Singapore Airlines. www.virgin-atlantic.com

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Carlisle Airport loses planning application as Southend progresses

CARLISLE AIRPORT is not to be developed as a scheduled operation and freight storage and distribution centre.  The airport owner, transport group Stobart, has had its planning approval rejected by the Court of Appeal after an application by local farmer Gordon Brown.  Judges found that the submission was unlawful, noting that the City Council should have conducted a full environmental impact assessment before approving the plan by Stobart Air.  There is no right of appeal although Stobart says it is still in discussion with the Council, who have supported the scheme.  Stobart is also the owner of Southend Airport where a major development is under way. www.stobartgroup.com

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Chinese agreement

CHINA AND TAIWAN have signed an agreement to further increase fights between the two countries.  At the present time nine mainland carriers operate 135 weekly services covering 27 destinations.  Airlines will be permitted to add 100 weekly cross-straits flights.  Two new destinations are also included in the accord, Shanghai’s old Hongqiao Airport and Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province.  Currently, direct flights between Shanghai and Taipei must be operated to/from the new Pudong International. www.caa.gov.tw www.caac.gov.cn/English

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Iraq flights dropped in dispute, and also gained

BAGHDAD is in the news flight-wise, with Iraqi Airways dropping its services to the UK and Sweden after a row with Kuwait over war reparations.  Last month an aircraft owned by the carrier was impounded at Gatwick on the basis of a court order obtained by a lawyer for state-owned Kuwait Airways.  Kuwait has a significant war repatriation claim against planes seized by the Saddam regime.  Iraq is now threatening to wind up the airline which could leave Kuwait with no financial compensation.  On a positive front, following the successful introduction of flights to Erbil from Frankfurt in April, Lufthansa will on 30 September introduce a four times per week service from Munich to Bagdad, the service operator flights flown by a PrivaAir Boeing 737. www.kuwait-airways.com www.lufthansa.com

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London to get no more runways

BAA AIRPORTS LTD has withdrawn its planning permission applications for a third runway at Heathrow and a second runway at Stansted.  In what could be seen as a sop to the new UK government these have been withdrawn before being forced to by Westminster.  It is now up to the coalition to come up with a proper airports’ policy, the idea of a Thames estuary international airline hub also being ruled out.  BAA will now be able to concentrate on the redevelopment of Heathrow Terminal 2, and hopefully seriously consider a dedicated high speed rail link to Stansted.  In an interview with the London Evening Standard new Transport Minister Philip Hammond confirmed that the bonus culture was very much still with us saying that he wants to end the "Heathrow hassle".  "It means that we pay the operator more when he makes the queues shorter," he said.  What he did not say was where the money was coming from, presumably once again from the traveller. www.baa.com

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Ryanair and Barcelona

BARCELONA EL PRAT AIRPORT is to gain some 20 Ryanair routes in the balance of 2010 following yet another about face by the airline.  The Dublin-based carrier was vociferous with its attacks on the airport when it opened a base at Girona, some 60 miles to the north west, in 2003, where it is now the major carrier.  In the meantime El Prat has been redeveloped with a new terminal.  Whether the authorities relent on their requirements for air bridges will be seen when the airline introduces its services in September, a quick turnaround a major factor in the Ryanair success story.  On Tuesday (1 June) the carrier will announce its April 2009-March 2010 figures which will not include the estimated 1.2m drop in numbers due to April’s ash problems.  SEE ALSO HAPPY TALK. www.ryanair.com

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HAPPY TALK: Do not believe what you read

Ryanair’s April Traffic Grows 17%

That was the figure splashed across the press release.

Journalists and city followers of Michael O’Leary have long been accustomed to scrutinising the small print for the truth and in this case have come up trumps.  The Ryanair April figures include 1.2m passengers the airline did not fly due to the ash problems (and whose fares and “reasonable expenses” were returned).  Ryanair actually carried a very respectable 5m passengers at an unknown load factor but not the 6.2m or the 67.4m suggested for the full year.

However at the average fare of €30 quoted by Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara this translates to €360m in April alone, plus ancillary costs.  On Tuesday (1 June) Ryanair announces their full year profits until the end of March, which are expected to be in the €275 range.  Quite what Michael will forecast for 2010/2011 is anyone’s guess.

But read the small print.

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The Aviation Club of the United Kingdom will have as its guest of honour Paul Griffith, CEO Dubai Airports, Tuesday week (9 June).  Paul is well known to many members as previously Managing Director of Gatwick and before that a long standing senior member of the Virgin Travel Group.  Dubai International (and the future Dubai World) epitomise trade freedom in airline operations.  Perhaps he has some words of advice for the new owners of Gatwick, and for that matter BAA. www.aviationclub.org.uk

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Argentine airline in catering breakthrough

AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS has introduced a new concept of disposable meal cartons on all its domestic flights.  The innovative meal box will be served to all Economy Class passengers on routes within Argentina and complement the first stage of a change that commenced with the introduction of the Snack Bag (a hermetically sealed bag that can be recycled).  Its outside is printed with characteristic landscapes of Argentina, typically the ocean, the mountains, the jungle and the countryside.  Coca Cola and Arcor, an Argentinean confectionery company, through a co-branding agreement, will provide their logos and products for both the box and the bag. www.aerolineas.com.ar

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British Airways v Unite (continued)

BRITISH AIRWAYS is still in dispute with the Unite union as AERBT closed up on Sunday evening and is in very urgent need of a return of pubic confidence.  Following six hours of ACAS sponsored talks on Friday the meeting broke up without agreement and clearly with misunderstandings as to the next step.  With the strike now with us until midnight Friday BA says it will get 70% of flights away, but for the airline the biggest problem must remain the travelling public’s perception of what is available.  Another walkout is planned for the following week. www.unitetheunion.com www.ba.com

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Cathay adds at Tokyo

CATHAY PACIFIC is to return to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after a break of over 30 years.  Following the opening of the airport's fourth runway this coming October, and a change of Japanese government policy, the airline is to introduce a twice daily service to Hong Kong.  This will be in addition to operations at Narita International Airport which will continue.  In total the airline currently offers 91 passenger flights and 11 freighter services per week between Hong Kong and five major gateways in Japan: Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo and Tokyo. www.cathaypacific.com

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Europe to Cordoba

IBERIA is to introduce non-stop flights between Madrid and Cordoba (Argentina version) on 1 October operated by two-class A340 aircraft.  Cordoba is Argentina’s second largest city, in the central region of the country.  It has a population of around 10m.  Flights will be three times per week.  The Spanish airline currently holds a 26% market share of passenger traffic between Europe and Argentina, and with the new Cordoba flight expects this to increase to some 30%.  In February the airline added three weekly return flights to Buenos Aires, for a total of 17 flights per week. www.iberia.com

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London City to more French destinations

CITYJET is to introduce two destinations in France from London City Airport next month.  Starting from 24 June the Dublin-based Air France-owned airline will operate to Deauville, the French holiday resort and horse racing centre on the English Channel, four times per week, until 27 September.  Brand new is Brive-Souillac Airport, half way between Bordeaux and Clemont Ferrand on the E9 Paris to Toulouse motorway.  It is expected to quickly establish itself as the best situated airport for visitors to the Dordogne, Lot and Correze regions.  The CityJet/Air France service is the first scheduled operation to be announced for the airport. www.cityjet.com

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Manx and the Welsh flyer

MANX2 has taken over the PSO (public service obligations) service between Cardiff to Anglesey following the bankruptcy of the former operator Highland Airways.  Manx2 is not an actual airline and could probably be best described as a ticketing agency or marketing arrangement with the German company FLM Aviation and Czech carrier VanAir, both of whom have an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), enabling them to carry fare paying passengers on scheduled services.  This was the way that easyJet started, Air Foyle the legal operator back in 1997.  EU legislation allows for the current situation.  Based on the Isle of Man, Manx2 has a fleet of three Dornier 228s, three LET 410s and a single BAe Jetstream.  Hubbing from the island it serves a variety of destinations including Belfast City, Blackpool and East Midlands. www.manx2.com

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ON TOUR: Aircraft Interiors Show Hamburg

Alison Chambers has visited the World’s most important aircraft cabin services exhibition.  This is what you may experience in the future.

Recession has hit the aviation industry hard these past 12 months, but the aircraft interiors industry seems to be more resilient than most judging by the large exhibitor stands, new innovations and general camaraderie at the 11th annual Aircraft Interiors Expo at the Messe in Hamburg this month.

Serious networking and seeing who’s pioneering what’s new in IFE, communications and cabin/seat design makes this Reed Exhibitions’ Show a must attend for companies courting the world’s airlines.  Some 852 representatives from 200 airlines were in attendance among the 7,316 visitors during the three-day event.  Tim Clark, President of Emirates, noted Aircraft Interiors Expo is “growing in stature” as a result of manufacturers now engaging further with interiors’ suppliers to address issues of weight, strength and durability.  “People like me come here to learn, to counsel and impart some of the things we know as airline operators we are going to need.”

With BE it is exclusive

BE Aerospace was pre-booking appointments exclusively with airline decision makers to showcase their new concepts of First Class seats.

And on the day that Lufthansa formally accepted its first Airbus A380 at Hamburg Airport, showing off an eight-seat, First Class environment, with oak veneer surfaces, sheet brass and tailored sound proofing, the conversation in the halls turned to addressing future travellers’ needs.  At the opening press conference there was discussion on Lufthansa’s decision to opt for 2m long lie flat ‘at an angle’ beds – all 98 of them in Business Class, versus Air New Zealand’s recent move to install lie flat beds in Premium Economy – a class itself that some long haul airlines are still pondering the merits of – against the current climate. 

But getting the product right in the Economy cabin is the big challenge, insisted Clark.  “It generates 70% of the income and will continue to do so,” he said.  “Flying ultra long range missions where you expect people to fly in Economy cabins for up to 16 hours, you have to meet the basic requirements.”

Innovation is the name of the game

If innovation is the name of the game then great credit must go to Hamburg-based Dasell Cabin Interiors scooping one of this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards for its revolutionary aircraft lavatory concept.  It can be used as a standard sized 37in toilet.  However, by pulling on two handles on the outside wall of the lavatory, the cubicle can be extended to 52in for use as a changing room or a toilet for disabled people.

Carter Stewart, Aviation Services Director at Prospect Consulting and Design, highlighted that manufacturers need to consider a number of geo-political emerging patterns when designing their aircraft cabins.  “An ageing population requires improved cabin pressure systems, along with a supersized population which is now taller and wider – hence the need for increased space."  The population is living longer and increasingly solo travellers are flying – long haul – in their 80s, he commented.  There is a big challenge for the airline alliances too as they promote their airline’s Business and First Class products, because in some cases the offering from a sister alliance member can be somewhat different.

In-flight communications 

In Hamburg, IFE and communications businesses constituted one of the main exhibitor groups.  ARINC, for example, which was sharing a stand with Inmarsat is advancing with its plans to get its Onboard Internet into service this year.  During the show Qatar Airways announced a deal with Thales to equip up to 60 Boeing 787s with its broadband connectivity services. 

Looking after the needs of the younger generation of air travellers – the so called ‘digital natives’ who have a need for constant connectivity, we are not far off the day where passengers bring their own entertainment to aircraft.  Those carriers that provide capacity for usage will win out, a panel discussion noted.  “Manufacturers need to be bold in anticipating this requirement,” added Airbus Head of Interiors Bob Lange.

A new trend for the industry is CTT Systems’ Cair system being fitted for the first time in the First Class cabin of Lufthansa’s new A380s.  Cair is a dual-purpose system which increases cabin humidity to 20-25% relative humidity.  Already popular with new business jet deliveries, Cair is designed to improve sleep, reduce jetlag and tiredness and alleviate dehydration of the eyes, skin and linings of the mouth and nose.  “We are confident this is the beginning of a new era in premium-class cabins.  Dryness in aircraft cabins and the negative effects it causes to the human body is a known fact among airlines and frequent travellers,” highlighted Torbjörn Johansson, CTT’s President. 

A much talked about newcomer this year was Optimares who turned heads with ‘Allison’, a 4.3m high ‘woman’ modelling an enlarged example of the company’s Premium Economy seat.  People are the “big” focus for the company’s product development which includes an emphasis on space, mood lighting, and on their Business Class seats, a privacy barrier built into the head rest. 

The retrofit market

For the retrofit market and in recognition that not all airlines can run to expensive new IFE systems, Manchester, UK-based Airline Services Ltd (ASL) had a busy stand demonstrating its 175 AeroScreen, a 17.5 inch HD-ready monitor, designed and developed in-house.  A relative newcomer to the IFE sector, ASL’s light-weight AeroScreen offers improved reliability, reduced weight and lower energy consumption, whilst delivering a screen image of remarkable clarity and brightness.  It also boasts a far wider viewing angle, (in excess of 160° horizontal and 130° vertical).  The screen is currently showcasing on board a bmi Boeing 757.

One innovation that drew considerable interest came from the team of Envisage Design, Holovis and Autodesk, three companies who have pooled their expertise to virtually create a 3D aircraft interior allowing developers to digitally design, visualise and simulate their idea so reducing the need to create physical prototypes, which, in turn, translates into cost savings.  Visitors viewed a futuristic airline seat by Envisage so demonstrating the ingenuity of the concept. www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com See also AERBT 24 May “Disabled access improvement for airlines”. 

alison@emeraldmedia.co.uk  www.emeraldmedia.co.uk

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