Thai to launch Bangkok-Dubai flights using new Airbus A330 aircraft

From 21st September, Thai will offer 10 weekly flights between Dubai and Bangkok on the all new Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Featuring an improved cabin layout for greater comfort, an extensive range of in-flight entertainment options including audio, video and games on personal seat monitors and 32' seat pitch in Economy plus convenient departure times, Thai's new Airbus A330-300 service is both enjoyable and reasonably priced. The A330-300 flights depart Dubai daily at 2240, arriving Bangkok 0805 the following day, with additional flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday departing 2000 arriving 0525 the following day. The Thai Airbus A330-300 features 263 Royal Economy class seats and 35 Royal Silk Business Class seats, increased seat width in Economy as well as fewer Business Class seats with greater seat pitch and enhanced in-flight comforts.

PC Power outlets are provided for all passengers, with one per Business Class seat and more than one per couple in Economy. In-Flight Entertainment is provided by Panasonic 3000i with audio video on demand in six languages in all classes, plus in-seat telephone. Royal Silk Business Class passengers flying Thai from Dubai until 19 November also enjoy two nights accommodation in Bangkok in a 5-star hotel for only AED 100 additional charge including American Breakfast and return hotel transfers in Bangkok. For Royal Economy Class passengers, a wide range of promotions are on offer until mid November, including Family, Golf, Honeymoon, Health, Medical, Leisure and Luxury options.

Indian Air Force opens new airfield at Ladakh near Chinese border

For the first time ever, the Indian Air Force landed an AN-32 transport aircraft at the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground in eastern Ladakh, just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The touchdown by the medium lift transport aircraft signifies India's capability to move its troops quickly to the forward areas, whenever required. The IAF move comes in the wake of reports of recent Chinese intrusions into the Indian side of the LAC, including airspace violations by their helicopters and painting Mandarin letters on rocks in red. The AN-32 aircraft, flown by Shaurya Chakra awardee Group Captain S C Chafekar and carrying Western Air Command (WAC) chief Air Marshal N A K Browne and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen P C Bhardwarj, landed at Nyoma at 0625 hours, WAC spokesperson Flt Lt Priya Joshi said in New Delhi.

Nyoma ALG is situated at an altitude of 13,300 feet above sea level and is the third such ALG opened by IAF in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir in the last two years. The ALGs opened earlier were Daulat Beg Oldi, the world's highest airfield at 16,200 feet, in May last year and Fuk Che in November that year. The IAF had, before this AN-32 landing, used Nyoma airstrip only for helicopter operations. Only recently, the IAF took up work to convert it into an ALG for transport fixed-wing aircraft operations by laying a compacted airstrip, IAF officials said. "After deliberating on all aspects and carrying out aerial and ground reccees, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed wing operations as well," Joshi said. An Engineer Regiment of the Army's 14 Corps executed the task of developing the ALG to standards required for fixed wing operations.

"The successful landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Army to enable the IAF to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the Army," she said. "The joint development of Nyoma, braving the extremely difficult working conditions and hostile weather, is yet another step towards enhanced jointmanship between the two services," she added. Joshi said Nyoma was developed with an aim to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland. "This would also ensure that movements in the area continue when the road traffic gets affected, during the harsh winters besides enabling improved communication network in the region, facilitating economical ferrying of supplies as well as promotion of tourism to the general area," she added.

American Airlines to charge for checked in baggage on flights from India

Flying is all set to get more expensive with the concept of pay for check-in baggage arriving in India this week. One of US' biggest carriers, American Airlines, has from Monday discontinued the earlier practice of allowing economy passengers to check in two bags of up to 23 kg each for no charge. The airline, which flies between Delhi and Chicago, will now charge $50 for the second bag and $150 for the third one, said the airline's call centre. Aviation industry insiders say the concept had been prevalent in US and Europe for a while and it was only a matter of time before cash-strapped airlines here too start levying it. "It is a new trend that has come to India. So far only American has told us of this change. Very soon, other airlines, including domestic low cost carriers, could start levying it here too."

"Nothing will come for free to flyers," said Rajendra Rai, president of the Travel Agents Association of India. American's website said, "Customers purchasing economy class tickets on or after September 14 for travel between India and US may check one bag for no charge and the second bag for $50." The airline's call centre said the first bag allowed to be checked in for free should weigh up to 23 kg. "If that bag is over 23 kg and below 32 kg, a charge of $50 will be for being overweight. Similarly, if the second or third bags also weighs between 23 kg and 32 kg, then a similar fee of $50 will be levied on each in addition to the additional bag charge of $50 and $150," said the call centre for economy class passengers. People flying out of India can pay in rupees.

Foreign carriers, especially US airlines, had earlier this year started levying charge for both internal and international flights. Many even levy a charge of $20-30 for the first check-in bag. LCCs abroad, like Britain's Ryan Air, also make passengers pay for check-in baggage. "Airlines have suffered huge losses in past two years and now are looking at every possible way of increasing revenue generation. Jet Airways chief Naresh Goyal always used to say that charging for food onboard is not possible as that's like charging for lunch and dinner that's served at home to guests. But he had to change that philosophy for his LCC when airlines flew into a financial bad weather. So nothing is impossible," said an airline CEO.

Kingfisher Airlines starts Mumbai-Hong Kong flight

Kingfisher Airlines flagged off services between Hong Kong and Mumbai with its inaugural flight taking off from Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport on Wednesday. Mr. Ravi Nedungadi, Director, Kingfisher Airlines Limited said, "A growing number of travellers from India to Hong Kong and the South East Asia are demanding more choice, greater luxury and better value for money when choosing flights for business and leisure trips to India. There is tremendous potential for this route which Kingfisher Airlines is committed to develop with its new aircraft and superior service." Earlier in the day, the maiden flight of Kingfisher Airlines was welcomed by Howard Eng, executive director, Airport Operations, Hong Kong International Airport.

JetLite aircraft makes emergency landing in Kolkata

A JetLite plane with 47 passengers landed under emergency conditions at Kolkata's NSC Bose International Airport shortly after taking off for Patna due to malfunctioning of a wheel. Airport sources said the flight took off but one of its wheels did not retract during the ascent forcing the pilot to ask the Air Traffic Controller for permission for emergency landing. All the arrangements for emergency landing were made and the plane landed safely.

Indigo Airlines to launch Hyderabad-Patna flight

Indigo airlines will start thrice weekly services from Hyderabad to Patna via Delhi from September 17. The new flight will leave Hyderabad at 0935 and reach Patna at 1415 via Delhi, where it will land at 1145. The return flight will leave Patna at 1445 and reach Hyderabad at 1905. It will halt at Delhi at 1615. The flight will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines plans more flights to Middle East

The multinational airline of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, SAS Scandinavian Airlines plans to expand in the Middle East and to South Asia by using Dubai as its regional hub. The carrier plans to increase the frequency on its current Dubai flights because 'Dubai is a good and increasing market and the region is becoming more and more important for us,' according to Albert Henschel, the airline's UAE manager.

Royal Jordanian and Siberian Airlines sign codeshare agreement

Royal Jordanian has signed a unilateral Free Sale codeshare Agreement with the largest Russian domestic carrier, Siberia airlines, where S7 will place its code on RJ flights operated on Amman-Domodedovo-Amman route. The agreement will enable RJ to operate three flights a week, which will run on on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The carriers plan to expand the agreement to be bilateral once the necessary approvals for the Moscow, St Petersburg sectors are ready.

Emirates and V Australia sign code share agreement

Dubai based Emirates and Virgin Blue Group's new international airline, V Australia, have announced a code share partnership on the trans-Tasman route, effective 25th October 2009. The code share agreement; Emirates' first with an Australian carrier will provide V Australia guests seamless connections when travelling between New Zealand and the USA.

Oman Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A330 aircraft

Oman Air has taken delivery of the first of seven ordered Airbus A330-200s, as part of the airline's international network expansion. The new aircraft, which was acquired through a lease agreement with Dublin based AWAS, is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines and is configured with 20 business class and 196 economy class seats. By the end of this year, the Sultanate's national carrier's fleet will feature two A330-200s and two A330-300s. During 2010-11, the airline will take an extra three A330-300s.

Air Arabia Egypt to start flights by year end

The recently announced low-cost airline formed by Egypt's Travco Group and UAE-based Air Arabia may launch operations by the end of 2009 from as many as five Egyptian airports, Travco's chief executive has said. The new airline, Air Arabia Egypt, will seek Egyptian government permission to use airports at Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. The company will lease aircraft from Air Arabia or other sources, he said.