Short Takes
August 19th 2014
Airlines: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have received the regulatory approval needed to start an alliance that will boost the capacity between each airline's country by up to 30%. Cathay Pacific has announced it will reduce premium economy on half its A330 fleet from currently 28 to 21 seats. Read More » Finnair has unveiled the cabin of its soon-to-be-delivered A350s and surprised with an “economy comfort” section. The Helsinki-based carrier will send its A350s first to Bangkok, Beijing and Shanghai. Xi’an-based Joy Air has placed an order for 60 MA60 aircraft with AVIC Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co. worth US$437 million at current list prices. Qantas is offering business class passengers a free upgrade to first on its A380 services between Sydney and London, Dallas/Fort Worth and Hong Kong, and between Melbourne and London via Dubai.
Airport: Singapore Changi International Airport’s Terminal 3 has opened a new hawker facility dubbed “Singapore Food Street” occupying 1,000sqm and featuring 13 stalls offering over 200 popular hawker dishes.
Routes: Air China will launch a second daily A330 Beijing to London Heathrow service from October 26. Emirates has commenced a new daily non-stop service from its base in Dubai to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Etihad Airways will add a second daily A380 service to London Heathrow next March in addition to the already-announced A380 service starting December 27. Garuda Indonesia is cancelling its planned Manila and Mumbai operations due to poor financial performance in first-half 2014, but is adding a three-class B777-300ER Jakarta – Amsterdam – London (Gatwick) service from September 8. Qatar Airways will launch a twice-weekly A320 service to Asmara starting December 4. From October 17, Royal Brunei will reinstate a four-weekly A319/320 service from Bandar Seri Begawan to Ho Chi Minh it had suspended in 2011. Royal Jordanian will cease operations to both Delhi and Mumbai in September and October, respectively. Singapore Airlines will roster a 471-seat A380 to Auckland from October 27. THAI Smile will add services to and from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport effective August 8. Initial destinations include Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Phuket.
