In a statement, the Philippines Embassy here said the fare included a 10-kg check-in allowance and excluded travel tax and other charges.

“The sale is ongoing until July 15, and travel period is from June 21 to Sept 30,” it said.

AFX will fly the KL-Manila route every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to the KL Low-Cost Carrier Terminal and back, it said.

Philippine’s Ambassador to Malaysia, J. Eduardo Malaya, said the entry of the latest airline would further boost tourism between the two countries.

On June 9, AirAsia Philippines launched its inaugural flight from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Airport, Pampanga to the LCCT.

“The entry of these two airlines creates more opportunities for Filipinos and Malaysians to visit each other’s country and discover the beauty and richness of the tourism destinations, cuisine, culture, shopping and the innate hospitality of our two peoples,” he said.

Philippines’ tourism destinations include the beaches of Boracay, Palawan and the Caramoan peninsula in the Bicol region, indigenous people’s culture of Sagada, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and shopping in Manila.

APX is the new low-cost carrier of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, which also operates Philippine Airlines.

Besides the latest two airlines, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific Air and Malaysia Airlines are also plying the Malaysia-Philipiine route.

Some 80,000 Malaysian tourists visited the Philippines in 2010, while 486,790 Filipino tourists visited Malaysia during the same period.

Read more: Philippine’s low-cost airline starts flight to KL – Latest – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/philippine-s-low-cost-airline-starts-flight-to-kl-1.96742##ixzz1yPNwNKk0

Airlineberg- May 21, 2012- Qatar Airways announced a further expansion of its African operations with plans to launch flights to Mozambique.

Effective from Oct 31, the weekly three flights will operate from Doha to Mozambique’s capital city of Maputo via Johannesburg, becoming the 20th African destination served by the airline, Qatar News Agnecy reported.  Maputo will become Qatar Airways fourth new route across the African continent to be launched during 2012, the carrier said in a statement. Qatar will use its 777 fleet for Maputo service.

Airlineberg

Bahrain Air, the Gulf kingdom’s second carrier, on Monday announced the increase in its flight frequency from to India’s Trivandrum.

It said in a statement that it was increasing to six flights a week from four.

The introduction of the additional flights will provide convenient and flexible travel choices for the passengers with “affordable fare and genuine care”, the airline said in the statement.

The capacity to and from Trivandrum will boost the total number of frequency to India with 20 flights a week spread across Cochin, Calicut, Mumbai and Trivandrum, it added

The frequency increase follows an encouraging response from passengers which has seen steady increase in our load factor on the route, the carrier said.

Bahrain Air, was forced to suspend flights on its Trivandrum route in April after a landing rights dispute that grounded its newly-launched service.

The airline finally got permission from the Indian authorities following two weeks of negotiations.

With 350,000 Keralites living in Bahrain, the Indian sub-continent remains a key focus area for the carrier and the additional flight frequency will further strengthen Bahrain Air’s presence in the India.

This service comes in line with the carrier’s strategy to increase frequency on existing routes to offer its Indian passengers with more choice and flexibility during the peak summer season.

Last week, Bahrain Air said it was set to launch flights to Beirut from its new hub in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Services to the Lebanese capital will start on June 20 and will follow the launch of Bahrain Air’s Khartoum flights from Dammam which began on Wednesday.

Both destinations will be serviced from King Fahad International Airport in Dammam which the airline said last month would operate as its second hub in the region.

By Andy Sambidge

Source: arabianbusiness.com

A new Airbus A321 joined the Royal Jordanian fleet, the third to be introduced this year, and it will serve the medium-haul routes of the RJ network.

The aircraft carries the name of the city of Madaba, southwest of the capital Amman. It is part of the modernisation plan that RJ is undertaking to replace six of its A320s and A321s with seven new ones of the same type.

During this and last year, RJ has already introduced four A320 and two A321 aircraft, whereas the last aircraft will join the fleet this November. With this move, the airline will conclude the plan for medium-range fleet modernisation.

RJ CEO Abdelrahman El-Khatib said that the replacement aims at upgrading the level of onboard services and maintaining a modern fleet. In addition to superb services, the airline saves time and money by having a young fleet.

El-Khatib added that these new airliners were introduced at this stage to meet the growing demand on travel aboard RJ, particularly that a large number of RJ passengers tend to spend their summer vacations in some close by countries.

According to El-Khatib, RJ has been seeing a remarkable increase in the number of passengers since the beginning of this year.

He also mentioned that the A321 seats 162 passengers, 20 in the Crown Class cabin. In addition, all economy and J class seats are equipped with personal touch screens, making it easier and more comfortable for each passenger to watch his/her favorite programs and play the system games.

El-Khatib said that RJ selected the V2500 engines to reduce fuel consumption and ensure operating efficiency.

He added that RJ is now preparing for the introduction of 11 Boeing 787s that will be run on the long-haul network. The first batch is expected to join

RJ as of 2014; the planes will gradually join the fleet until 2017, to replace the currently operating A330s and A340s.

The RJ fleet now numbers 32 aircraft, reaching 60 direct destinations and more than 850 airports through itsoneworld partners.

“Whereas passenger traffic has seen a downward swing in May 2012 over the corresponding period of last month, the airfares have seen a disproportionate spurt,” the statement said.

“Airlines have been directed to address the above issues in a time bound manner,” the statement, issued after a meeting of the sector’s regulator and chief executives of local airlines, said.

The Director General of Civil Aviation had on Monday convened a meeting of scheduled domestic airlines on “exponential increase of air fare of certain airlines in various domestic sectors”.

The director general expressed concern that the increase in airfare was “phenomenal”, even though there was only a 16 per cent increase in jet fuel prices between June 2012 and June 2011, and also pointed out that there was a huge variation in the highest published airfare by different carriers on the same sector.

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes on Monday said he was handing over his role as head of Malaysia operations to shift focus to oversee the budget carrier’s regional expansion.

Fernandes spoke as he introduced his replacement as CEO of AirAsia’s Malaysia operations, part of a change that will see him move to Jakarta to oversee the AirAsia family’s fast-growing core Asian market.

In a news conference at AirAsia’s headquarters outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, Fernandes announced he would hand over responsibility for managing AirAsia’s Malaysia-based operation to the company’s finance chief, Aireen Omar.

Fernandes had run those operations since the former music executive plucked the ailing airline from bankruptcy a decade ago and steered it into an industry success story at a time when many other airlines had struggled.

The 38-year-old Aireen, whom Fernandes described as “tough”, said she would focus on keeping operational costs down and opening up new markets to prepare the carrier for the Southeast Asian open-sky policy in 2015.

The policy will reduce barriers on regional airlines expanding their route networks to other countries and is expected to intensify competition.

Fernandes also confirmed an earlier company announcement that he would move to Jakarta to oversee all group operations.

He added that AirAsia’s Indonesian unit would launch an IPO in the first quarter of 2013.

“We are not abandoning Malaysia. Our homes are here. We do not want to overshadow Aireen. We want a good succession plan and to put our time to develop our regional affiliates,” he said.

He added the world economic slowdown weighing on most businesses is a growth opportunity for his cheap, no-frills carrier.

“Definitely, AirAsia will always benefit from a slowdown. We are always

growing when things are tougher,” Fernandes, whose maverick style has made him a rising star in the industry, told reporters.

“We are now the beneficiaries of a slowdown. We are always growing when there is a slowdown.”

Despite recently abandoning unprofitable long-haul routes to Europe, the airline group’s prospects in Asia are hailed by analysts as bright, and it is refocusing on shoring up its presence in the region against a host of new competitors.

It has set up subsidiary budget carriers in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, and is planning one that will serve the Japanese market.

Besides AirAsia and the other short-haul subsidiaries, the airline group also includes AirAsia X, which operates longer-haul routes of about three hours’ flying time or more.

Last month, AirAsia posted a 4.0 percent increase in first-quarter net profit to 168.0 million ringgit ($53.4 million) on record quarterly revenue of 1.17 billion ringgit.

Source:brecorder.com

HOUSTON-  Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces new non-stop flights to Istanbul beginning April 1, 2013, operated by Turkish Airlines between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (IST).

“Houston’s strong business connections with Turkey created the opportunity to attract this foreign flag airline to our city,” said Mayor Parker. “Houston has become the gateway to the world. Our global business structure helps our economy thrive and our job market remains the envy of the nation.  These four new weekly flights will surely lead to increased economic opportunity for both Istanbul and Houston.”

Turkish Airlines will operate the new route with a Boeing 777-300ER, which seats up to 334 passengers. Based at Ataturk International Airport, Turkish Airlines serves more than 190 destinations and carries 33 million passengers.

The Turkish Consulate General in Houston and a number of Houston community organizations worked closely with the Houston Airport System to attract this new direct air service by Turkish Airlines, including the Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Zaglayan’s support was also instrumental in promoting the opportunity for this flight.

“The Istanbul direct flights operated by Turkish Airlines will be essential in our endeavors to further develop relations at all levels and fields in business, trade and investment relations between Turkey and Texas,” said Turkish Consul General Cemalettin Aydin.

The addition of this new international direct flight will provide a meaningful economic boost to the Greater Houston region. Turkey remains a fast growing and emerging business and leisure economy with a strong cultural link to Houston.

“The total Houston to Turkey trade value in 2011 was $3.6 billion,” said Celil Yaka, President of Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce. “We anticipate this trade will continue to grow significantly thanks to this new flight.”

“The Houston Airport System exists to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston,” said Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. “This flight will open up more convenient travel options to both Turkey and beyond points, in particular, those in South/Central Asia and Africa.”

Flight Schedule:

The new service will operate four days per week with flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• Departure from Houston at 7:50 p.m. local time and arrival in Istanbul at 3:55 p.m. local time.
• Departure from Istanbul at 1:05 p.m. local time and arrival in Houston at 6:05 p.m. local time.

The flights are currently available in the Turkish Airlines reservation system at{##34##}http://www.turkishairlines.com.

Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which is the dominant airline network at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as the largest hub for the Star Alliance.

About Houston Airport System:

The Houston Airport System (HAS) served almost 50 million passengers in 2011. Houston’s three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) contribute more than $27.5 billion to the regional economy. IAH is the 7th busiest airport in the nation.

About Turkish Airlines:

Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines is today a four star airline with a fleet of 179 aircraft (passenger and cargo) flying to 190 cities around the world, comprised of 34 domestic and 156 international destinations. One of the fastest growing airline companies, Turkish Airlines has received several “Passengers Choice Awards” from the consumer ranking group, Skytrax. Based on 2011 results, Turkish Airlines has been chosen as the winner in 3 categories, “Best Airline Europe,” “Best Premium Economy Seats” for its Comfort Class seats and “Best Airline Southern Europe.” It has also received awards for its catering and holds a coveted 4-star designation, putting the airline in a small group of top quality carriers. Turkish Airlines was also given the Skytrax designation of “World’s Best Economy Class On-board Catering” in 2010, and Skyscanner’s “Best On-board Food 2011.” Long haul Business Class passengers also enjoy the Flying Chef service on-board.

SOURCE Houston Airport System

Thai to move forward with plans for ultra low-cost carrier

Thai Airways International (TG) said it still plans on starting an ultra low-cost carrier despite how it will affect the market.

Read More : http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/what-were-reading-thai-plans-ultra-low-cost-carrier-alaska-announces-san-diego-orlando-lot-plans787-service/

Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ loyalty program, will expand to become a multi-airline program later this month it has been confirmed.

The new development will see Seychelles Plus, the Air Seychelles frequent flyer program, becoming fully integrated into Etihad Guest’s loyalty platform.

The change will be effective from June 16th 2012, and all Seychelles Plus members will automatically receive a new co-branded membership based on Etihad’s loyalty program.

As part of the integration of Air Seychelles, the existing tier status of Seychelles Plus members will be carried over to new Etihad Guest memberships.

Read More : http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/etihad-airways-loyalty-program-expands-to-include-air-seychelles/

About 158 passengers on board Jet Airways Riyadh-Mumbai flight on Monday escaped unhurt after a fire broke out in the left engine of the aircraft on its landing here.

The incident took place when the flight arrived around 5.40 am, airport sources said.

The Jet plane was on the taxiway when the follow me up vehicle saw a fire in the left engine of the aircraft. The pilot was told to hold and shut the engine, they said.

“However, the fire was immediately put out and all the passengers were deplaned safely,” they added.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com