30 JANUARY 2017
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- COMMENT: Baring all for Brexit
- A4E takes EU to task
- Additional flights for Vietnam
- All stars together in T2
- American scraps screens
- Aviation history never previously published
- Cathay's new LHR lounge
- Etihad’s Hogan to step down
- Flybe connects at Heathrow
- Israel routes surprise
- Loganair flies on
- London City boost for Toulon
- More walk-outs at BA
- New ground for Virgin Hotels
- Oman boost for First Class
- Pakistan-Turkey pact
- SAS coup for CityJet
- Size is all for Qantas
- US anger at Emirates
- Views sought on noise rules
- Virgin first with US precheck
- ON TOUR: Mallorca’s city for all seasons
- AND FINALLY: BCAL will fly again
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Israel routes surprise
Foreign airlines may be allowed to operate domestic routes in Israel at the expense of Israeli carriers Israir and Arkia, under plans being considered by transportation minister Yisrael Katz.
New ground for Virgin Hotels
Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels plans to open and operate a new hotel in New Orleans, with work expected to start in April and the property opening for business in early 2019.
Pakistan-Turkey pact
A wide-ranging codeshare expansion allowing entry into new markets for two major airlines has been signed by Turkish Airlines and Pakistan International Airlines to take effect from this Wednesday, 1 February.
US anger at Emirates
The lobby group representing major international US carriers, the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, reacted furiously last week to plans by Emirates for a new daily service between Dubai and New York Newark via Athens.
COMMENT: Baring all for Brexit
In the week the Supreme Court ruled MPs must oversee the UK’s departure from Europe, Brexit and aviation’s place in it were unsurprisingly the hot topics at the Airlines UK annual dinner. Keynote speaker Chris Grayling, the transportation secretary, delivered a sturdy call to arms for the future, setting out plans for what he called the “biggest programme of UK airspace modernisation in half a century”.
A4E takes EU to task
EU aviation policy and what has been done to benefit European passengers will be in the spotlight for the latest summit organised by the Airlines for Europe (A4E) group in Brussels on 8 February.
American scraps screens
Seatback video screens will be scrapped on American Airlines’ new B737 MAX fleet after the carrier said almost all passengers now bring aboard their own devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops that do the same job.
Aviation history never previously published
The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has published a book to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Called “Delivering the Dream”, and written by Richard Gardner, the aviation historian, it is on sale at £15 for 150 pages of close text, which is exceptional value.
Etihad’s Hogan to step down
A global search for new top management at the Etihad Aviation Group is under way after the company announced president and chief executive officer James Hogan and CFO James Rigney are to step down later this year to join an investment company.
Flybe connects at Heathrow
Heathrow Airport's “Flight Connection” webpage has now added Flybe's new Scottish routes. A very simple site to use, it will be particularly helpful for passengers when flying down from Aberdeen and Edinburgh who wish to join a service out of either T3 or T4. It works the other way too, and connects all pairs of flights whatever the airline.
Loganair flies on
The contract to operate the Orkney inter-isles service, which includes the world’s shortest scheduled flight, for the next four years from 1 April has been awarded to Loganair following a competitive tendering process.
More walk-outs at BA
Contingency plans are due to be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) by British Airways to deal with the first wave of six days of further walk-outs by mixed fleet cabin crew in the so-called “poverty pay” row.
SAS coup for CityJet
In a major expansion, CityJet has acquired Danish airline Cimber, a subsidiary of SAS, and won a six-year wet-lease contract from SAS for regional services from Copenhagen. Both take effect tomorrow, 31 January.
Size is all for Qantas
The ever-changing view at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as the facility pursues its modernisation programme has a new landmark with the opening last week by Qantas of a giant new hangar.
Views sought on noise rules
A public consultation was launched last week on new government measures to cut the noise allowed from night flights at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, in part by encouraging the use of quieter aircraft.
ON TOUR: Mallorca’s city for all seasons
Jan Edwards reports from Mallorca on the latest developments in the capital, Palma. A freelance journalist, she has lived on Mallorca since 2004. She writes for a luxury lifestyle magazine on the island and is the author of the blog www.eatdrinksleepmallorca.com
AND FINALLY: BCAL will fly again
The sound of the bagpipes at Biggin Hill Airport has heralded a revival of the renowned “Caledonian Girls” of British Caledonian Airways (BCAL) in aid of charity. The occasion, their first official reunion in 10 years, was an aircraft-naming ceremony.
Additional flights for Vietnam
Vietnam routes are in the news in the Far East, with Qantas subsidiary Jetstar entering the market to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon from Sydney and Melbourne and VietJet announcing its latest international route connecting Hanoi and Singapore.
All stars together in T2
Moves to consolidate the presence at Heathrow of member airlines of the Star Alliance in Terminal 2, the Queen’s Terminal, have been finalised with the successful transfer of Air India operations.
Cathay's new LHR lounge
Featuring separate First and Business Class areas, Cathay Pacific has unveiled its new premium lounge in Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3, the only one of the airline’s facilities of its kind outside Hong Kong with the distinct zones.
London City boost for Toulon
Hard on the heels of its latest deal with SAS (see this issue), CityJet has announced it will increase its schedule for 2017 and operate additional flights on its service from London City Airport to Toulon Hyères Airport between 8 April and 26 October.
Oman boost for First Class
The First Class cabins on Oman Air’s three A330-300s have been renovated as part of what the airline calls its “journey to become the best” and despite a reduction in government support over the past three years.
Virgin first with US precheck
A faster and easier method called TSA Precheck for passengers departing US airports to move through security screening has been adopted by Virgin Atlantic, the first UK airline to do so. The system was introduced by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).