COMMENT:

Legacy alliances have outlived their usefulness says Etihad Airways CEO

The introduction by Etihad Airways of a daily Abu Dhabi – Washington Dulles flight gave the opportunity for the airline's President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, to address the International Aviation Club in its home city. COMMENT this week is a report on what he had to say.

Mr Hogan (57) is an Australian and prior to his present position (appointed September 2006) held a similar post at Gulf Air in nearby Bahrain.

James Hogan began his career in 1975 at Ansett Airlines, and subsequently held senior positions with the then British Midland Airways, Hertz and Forte Hotels.

Mr Hogan said that Etihad Airways’ unique business model, which is a combination of organic growth, code-shares and minority equity investments, was proving very effective in building passenger numbers, revenue and profit for all its partners.

Read full article   Index

Ascott goes free wi-fi

The campaign by this publication, and others, for all hotels to offer complimentary wi-fi is beginning to have its effect, and now has reached the apartment rental industry.

Read full article   Index

Aviation Club and airport captivity

Britain’s airport capacity is likely to be a highlighted subject when David McMillan addresses Aviation Club members and their guests at London’s Institute of Directors Thursday week (25 April).  Now Chair of the Flight Safety Foundation, but a long time civil servant, Mr McMillan has unique experience on both sides of the air transport industry, previously as Director of Eurocontrol, and a UK Department of Transport stalwart where he finished up as Director General of Civil Aviation.

Read full article   Index

Delta at Los Angeles

With the new JFK Terminal 4 now due to open on 24 May, and Terminal 5 at Atlanta ready to celebrate its first 12 months, Delta Air Lines has confirmed plans to significantly overhaul Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The US$229m construction has already begun and is scheduled to take place in several phases with full completion in 2015.

Read full article   Index

Emirates on North Atlantic

Milan to New York is the latest route to be targeted by the ever expanding Dubai-based Emirates.  From 1 October 2013 a daily Boeing 777 service will be introduced by the airline, in effect an extension of one of the carrier’s three daily operations from its home base into Milan’s Malpensa airport.

Read full article   Index

Liverpool Z

Z Hotels has celebrated the introduction of its third property with the launch of Z Liverpool.  This opening marks the first time that the hotel group has expanded to a city centre location outside of London.

Read full article   Index

New management at Stansted

Stansted’s new management, M.A.G. (Manchester Airport Group), now into its sixth week of ownership, has been quick to reinvigorate what had become a lethargic operation under the previous Heathrow (BAA) control.  There is undoubtedly a newfound buzz with previous Manchester Airport Managing Director Andrew Harrison firmly in charge and hands-on.  Even the much criticised Stansted Express, which represents 25% of the airport's 17.5m 2012 passengers, seems to be improving with reliability, the latest rolling stock including UK three-pin electric plugs in both classes and free wi-fi.

Read full article   Index

The Flyer – A new roller bag

Introduced to the UK market by Zuca is a new roller bag, marketed as “The Flyer”.  It claims to provide a revolution in luggage for the regular business traveller and is produced by a company in Silicon Valley, California, only founded in 2004, but now a leader in winter sports travel goods.

Read full article   Index

Vueling and IAG

The board of Barcelona-based Spanish airline Vueling has unanimously recommended shareholders accept an improved takeover offer of €9.25 (US$12.10) per share from IAG.

Vueling was initially created in 2004 and in 2009 was the successful target of a reverse takeover by Click, a competing low-cost carrier which had begun services in 2006.  Click had been created by American educated Spanish national Alex Cruz who took over the same position with Vueling and remains in charge.

Read full article   Index

ON TOUR: Europe’s regional aviation fraternity meets in Edinburgh

Alison Chambers reports:

Simon McNamara made his public debut in Edinburgh last week as the new Director General of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). At its Regional Conference he delivered a polished and authoritative performance, facilitating topical panel discussions and encouraged lively interactive debate from delegates.  In the audience, his mentor for the past 14 years, Mike Ambrose, representing the Flight Safety Foundation, must have been proud.

Read full article   Index

AND FINALLY:

Save by slimming says Samoa Air the airline of the Independent State of Samoa

Read full article   Index