Jet Airways planning to add more A330's to its fleet

Jet Airways has decided to go in for more Airbus 330s, and not Boeing 777s, thanks to the aircraft’s cost-efficiencies. "The Airbus 330 is 30 per cent more cost-efficient compared with the Boeing 777. In the current economic downturn, operating a three-class configuration aircraft is tough, especially the first (class). With its two-class configuration, the Airbus makes much more sense," said Mr Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways. Company sources said that while the Boeing 777’s running cost works out to approximately $13,000 an hour, that of the Airbus 330 is $9,000. Incidentally, the Airbus 330 is a 220-seater aircraft while the Boeing 777 has 312 seats. Jet has 10 Boeing 777s and 12 Airbus 330s in its fleet of 86 aircraft. Of this, it has leased out seven Boeings and only two Airbus. It plans to lease out the remaining three Boeings in the near future.

Kingfisher Red aircraft suffers birdhit at Guwahati

A Kingfisher Red Imphal-Guwahati-Kolkata flight made an emergency landing at Guwahati airport on Saturday afternoon, after a bird hit one of the wings during takeoff. The pilot noticed a technical snag soon after the flight took off at 3.50 pm and sought permission for emergency landing from air traffic controllers. "The flight landed safely and all passengers on board are fine. We have found a few feathers in the propeller," said an airline official.

Jet Airways flight skids off the runway at Dhaka

A Jet Airways Dhaka-Delhi flight skidded on the taxiway of Dhaka's Zia International Airport on Monday morning just before taking off. When the Boeing 737-800 with 131 people on board was heading towards the take off point, it had to make a U-turn. "Unfortunately, Capt Suman Choudhury lost control and the aircraft skidded. The nosewheel of the aircraft entered the soft ground along the runway and got grounded," said an airline official. All the passengers were safely removed and the aircraft was towed to the parking bay. "The incident compelled flight operations to remain suspended for 45 minutes as five international and domestic flights had to be diverted," a Jet Airways official said from Dhaka.

Jet officials said poor runway conditions, particularly due to the monsoon, were responsible for the mishap. "Although the impact of the incident was not too serious and all passengers on board were safe, it was certainly a cause for concern. Flight safety officials in Bangladesh will probe into the matter," an airline official said. Following the incident, Jet sent a plane from Kolkata to take the stranded passengers to Delhi. This aircraft flew back to Dhaka from Delhi and returned here with 94 passengers booked on a Dhaka-Kolkata flight at 6.45 pm, 2 hours and 15 minutes behind schedule. DGCA officials in Kolkata said they were waiting for the pilot's report to ascertain what made the aircraft skid. "The aircraft did not have any snags. A team of engineers was sent to Dhaka to carry out routine inspection," a DGCA official said.

Grand Hyatt Muscat launches 'Rembrandt' package

Grand Hyatt Muscat is showcasing original Rembrandt etchings, as well as offering 'Rembrandt Package' from August 20 to September 20, 2009. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, an exhibition of original Rembrandt etchings will be held in the Afrah ballroom at Grand Hyatt Muscat. This will be the first time that these etchings of Rembrandt van Rijn will be shown in the Middle East and North Africa. Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the most famous Dutch Old Masters, well known for his etchings, drawings, and paintings, which make exceptional use of light and shadow.

The exhibition, which is presented by the Rembrandt House Museum and the Al Salmi Library, will be open daily from 10:00am to 12:00 midnight. Guests can take advantage of a special Rembrandt Package, book a Grand Room and get a second room at a 50% check out. This offer is valid until September 20, 2009, available to GCC residents discount. Every day of the week, children aged up to 12 eat for free at any restaurant at Grand Hyatt Muscat when dining with their paying parents. The promotion is restricted to two children per couple and may not be used in combination with any other promotion.

Jet Airways may lease aircraft to Oman Air

India's private airline Jet Airways has said it has converted the wet lease of its aircraft, where airplanes are given along with the crew and maintenance obligations, to Turkish Airlines into dry lease, which comes without staff and other frills. The airline is also holding talks with Gulf Air and Oman Air for similar conversion. While the lease term with Gulf Air will expire in October this year, the agreement with Oman Air continues until October-November.

Tourists rush to Goa undeterred by swine flu

Flu scare across the country has failed to dampen the tourist inflow in Goa as enthusiasts are still thronging the beaches during weekends, officials said. Goa State Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) said that the state has a bed capacity of 40,000 and most of its hotels have a very good occupancy. The GTDC officials also denied any reports of Flu affecting the tourist inflow in the state. "There is absolutely no need to raise apprehensions. Goa will have around 35,000 tourists visiting this weekend itself," GTDC Deputy Chairman Lyndon Monteiro said. The industry sources also rubbished rumours of weekend travellers cancelling their trips to the coastal state in view of the Swine Flu scare.

"Swine Flu has not yet affected the tourism industry. All the hotels have high occupancy and there is no dearth of weekend tourists visiting here," Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Ralf D'Souza said. "Goa is much safer place compared to rest of the cities. The situation here is much under control and hence this is a good reason for the tourists to come here," he said. The tiny coastal state receives around 24 lakh tourists annually including 20 lakh domestic tourists, who flock to the beaches on long weekends.

AirAsia to start Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata flights

Three years after Malaysia Airlines withdrew operations from Kolkata after servicing the sector for only a year, Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost airline, AirAsia, is set to revive the connection between the Malaysian capital and Kolkata with daily flights from November 7. AirAsia is Asia's largest low-fare, no-frills carrier that began operations in 1996. It will operate a 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. The incoming flight AK 203 will touch down at the city airport at 4.30 pm. The return flight, AK 204, will take off for Kuala Lumpur half an hour later.

The revival of flights to Malaysia comes as a huge boost to the sagging fortunes of international traffic from Kolkata with JetStar Asia, British Airways, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, KLM and even Air India deserting the city. Among carriers that have touched down are Emirates, Air India Express, Bangladeshi private carriers and international wings of Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. The travel trade fraternity has also welcomed the flight's introduction and believes its convenient schedule will ensure that it does not go the way Malaysia Airlines did.

Air India aircraft makes precautionary landing at Kolkata

An Air India Kolkata-Hyderabad flight with 31 passengers on board on Saturday made a "precautionary" landing at the NSC Bose International airport at Kolkata half an hour after take-off as the pilot was alerted by an alarm about technical fault in the aircraft. The flight, IC-7217, which also had a four-member took from the airport at 5:15 pm but returned half an hour later after the alarm, airport sources said. The pilot informed the Air Traffic Control and the aircraft was allowed to return and make a "precautionary" landing, one of the three categories of landing in aviation parlance.

The plane was taken to an isolation bay and the passengers disembarked. However, no ambulance or fire fighter was requisitioned as is the normal practice during emergency landing. Airport sources said the passengers and crew are safe. An investigation is on to find out why the alarm went off and what for, said the sources. The passengers were later accommodated in a Kolkata-Bangalore flight which took off at 6:15 pm.

Oman Air launches 'family get-together' fares to Salalah

Oman Air, the Diamond Sponsor and Official Carrier for Salalah Tourism Festival in its continuing efforts to boost inbound tourism, has designed attractive family rates for passengers travelling from Muscat to Salalah who can now plan to escape to the verdant and delightfully cool Salalah. Abdulrazaq Alraisi, Senior Manager - Sales, Oman Air, said, 'Oman Air is happy to play a pioneering role in activating internal tourism by offering packages and prices that would attract the general public to travel to Salalah. With the heat soaring in the Gulf, the need to cool off in a cooler place has become a need of the moment for everyone. Oman Air's efforts in this regard have not only made the passengers appreciate the ingenuity of the National Carrier but also are earning it laurels for helping boost the tourism potential of Salalah and matches well with the slogan of the ongoing Salalah Tourism Festival - 'family get-together'.'

To help families fly to Salalah and enjoy the clement weather, Oman Air is offering a wide range of fares for family members during the Khareef season in Salalah. The special rates that are on offer for passengers travelling from Muscat to Salalah and back for Parents and for each child for parents travelling with children less than 12 years with one month ticket validity, special fare per ticket for group booking of a minimum of ten adult passengers and maximum of 30 adult passengers travelling jointly (two children paying applicable child fare are considered as one group member) and a special rate for passengers, who are regularly traveling to Salalah or Muscat which includes 4 tickets.

Jet Airways launches Hyderabad-Dubai flight

Jet Airways, India's premier international airline, will launch a new daily flight on the Dubai to Hyderabad sector, aboard a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, effective August 16, 2009. Flight 9W 550 will depart Hyderabad at 0930 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1150 hrs. Flight 9W 549 will then depart Dubai at 1250 hrs, arriving in Hyderabad at 1800 hrs. The new Hyderabad-Dubai flight will be Jet Airways' first international service from Hyderabad, and its second daily service to Dubai from South India. The airline currently flies twice daily to Dubai from Mumbai, and daily from Delhi and Chennai. Hyderabad, or the 'City of Pearls' is the administrative, financial and economic capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Also known as the 'City of Nizams' from its days as the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad, it is renowned the world over for its rich history and distinctive 'Hyderabadi' culture- a unique mix of the linguistic and cultural traditions of North and South India, as well as Hindu and Muslim traditions. A delightful mix of old-world charm and modernity, Hyderabad has, in recent years, grown to become one of the coutnry's leading IT and biotechnology hubs. Shakir Kantawala, General Manager, Dubai and Northern Emirates, Jet Airways, said, 'Hyderabad is another step to further enhance the Indo-Gulf connectivity. Dubai is home to one of the largest number of Andhra expatriates and our new operation will surely help our valued guests residing and working in UAE who come from Hyderabad and other important areas around Hyderabad, like Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Adilabad, who can now experience our world class services, on the ground and in the air.'

Kantawala said, 'Jet Airways also plays an important role in promoting tourism and Hyderabad has always been a favorite holiday destination. Also, Hyderabad is one of Asia's largest IT hubs and our operation will offer better options for corporate and commercial travel.' He added, 'We have a very special All Inclusive introductory Return fare, in Economy, valid for travel from Dubai to Hyderabad in the first week of our new operation from 16th August to 22nd August and return travel can be completed by 30 September 2009. Jet Airways will continue to offer value for money.' Bookings can be made and tickets can be purchased through any travel agent, Jet Airways office, or the Jet Airways website.

According to Mr. Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways, 'With the growing popularity of Dubai as a leading business and leisure destination, there has been an increasing demand for enhanced air connectivity to the Gulf emirate from Southern India. We are confident that the new service from Hyderabad will be well-appreciated by travellers and will complement our existing services from India.' With the introduction of this new Hyderabad - Dubai service, Jet Airways will fly to eight destinations in the Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai from several Indian cities.

Oman extends bid deadline for new terminal at Muscat airport

Oman has extended until August 31 a deadline for international firms, including French Vinci and Indian Larsen & Toubro, to bid for the construction of a new terminal at Muscat's main airport. The tender, which contractors say is worth about $1.4bn, has already been pushed back twice this year. 'Bidders need more time to prepare for the new changes,' an Oman tender board official has said.

Finnair to restart Mumbai-Helsinki flight from October

Nordic carrier Finnair is restarting its operations from Mumbai to Europe from Oct 18, with a brand new fleet of Airbus aircraft, sensing a revival in passenger demand after some trying times over the past year. The carrier has also fixed an inaugural tariff of Rs.29,900 for an all-inclusive return ticket to Helsinki and 11 European destinations with the flexibilities for rescheduling normally available on a full-fare business ticket, a senior airline official said. "This is our Diwali gift to Mumbai," Kari Stolbow, director for the Indian subcontinent, said. "The fare includes all levies and taxes and holds not just for Helsinki, but also to 11 European destinations including London, Brussels, Oslo and Amsterdam." He said Finnair was deploying new A-330 aircraft for the operation, beginning with three flights a week, with a configuration of 42 business class seats and 229 seats in the economy section. "The business class fare is also priced competitively at Rs.78,000."

Air India awards call centre contract to InterGlobe Technologies

Despite the objections raised by aviation companies, the National Aviation Company of India the merged entity of erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines will go ahead with InterGlobe Technologies, which will implement the passenger ticketing call centre project. A formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made in the next few days. IGT was named as the lowest bidder for call centre contract valued at Rs 74 crore in February. "Some parties had filed petitions against the award of contract to IGT. The project was kept on hold because the central vigilance commission (CVC) had sought clarifications," an industry insider, close to the development, said.

Kingfisher Airlines plans to launch Delhi-London flight

After receiving a less than expected response for its Bangalore-London-Bangalore service, the Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines has decided to pull out from this route September 15 onwards and has given a fresh proposal to the civil aviation ministry, seeking permission to fly on the Delhi-London route. The airline, which has been in the red and owes substantial amounts to airport operators and oil marketing companies alike, has projected that it will be able to generate revenue to the tune of Rs 23 crore per month if allowed to tap this route; its operating cost is likely to be around Rs.16-18 crore per month, said sources close to the development. It has proposed daily flights on the London-Delhi route.

Jet Airways to launch Gaya-Varanasi-Bangkok flight

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will connect the Thai capital of Bangkok with Gaya and Varanasi, two important Indian cities on the famed Buddhist circuit, with twice weekly flights, effective October 6, 2009. The airline will operate with twice weekly services on the sector, on Tuesdays and Fridays respectively. These flights will allow people from the South Asian region to visit the famed Buddhist pilgrimage sights. Effective October 6, 2009 to October 24, 2009, 9W 69 will depart Bangkok at 0845 hrs, arriving in Gaya at 1015 hrs. Flight 9W 69 will then depart Gaya at 1145 hrs, arriving in Varanasi at 1230 hrs.

Flight 9W 70 will then depart Varanasi at 1400 hrs, returning to Bangkok at 1845 hrs. However, effective October 25, 2009 to March 27, 2010, 9W 69 will depart Bangkok at 0830 hrs, arriving in Gaya at 1015 hrs. Flight 9W 69 will then depart Gaya at 1145 hrs, arriving in Varanasi at 1230 hrs. Flight 9W 70 will then depart Varanasi at 1400 hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 1835 hrs. While Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, Gaya is home to the famed Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO heritage site, and the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, according to Buddhist traditions.

Sama Airlines considering Mumbai-Dammam sector during Hajj

Saudi Arabia-based Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Sama Airlines is considering restarting Indian operations during the Hajj season (October – January) this year. The airline started its Indian operations during early November last year on the Dammam – Mumbai route by operating three flights a week. The airline had also planned to operate flights twice a day on Dammam – Mumbai route by January this year. Due to shortage of aircraft, the airline discontinued its Indian operations by early March this year. The airline moved the aircraft from Indian routes and deployed it on Saudi Arabia – Egypt route. Currently Sama Airlines has six Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

A source close to the development informed that due to high demand and low connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia route during Hajj season, the airline is considering restarting Indian operations specifically for the Hajj season this year. The airline recorded close to 70 – 80 per cent load factor on Mumbai – Dammam route from November 2008 - March 2009 and is expecting similar load factors, if it restarts its operations for Hajj season this year. If it starts operations, the airline will operate only on Mumbai – Dammam route. It might, however, expand operations to other cities if required.

Flydubai refunds passengers due to deferred launch

FlyDubai, the low-cost airline floated by the Al-Maktoum royal family of Dubai recently, has started re-funding passengers after being forced to defer its India plans with government clearances not coming through. The cold shoulder from civil aviation authorities comes amid concerns that FlyDubai’s cut-throat fares could hit the Middle East operations of Air India Express, the budget airline of the bleeding national carrier. The airline had sought permission for flights to Chandigarh, Coimbatore and Lucknow from mid-July onwards. FlyDubai was offering fares as low as Rs 4,700, including taxes, on the Dubai-Lucknow sector. Other destinations, including Goa, were likely to be added subsequently.

A senior government official said none of the initial destinations sought by FlyDubai figured in the existing ‘points of call’ in the MoU signed between India and UAE last year. He, however, said the three cities were part of the ‘note verbale’ exchanged by the two countries. "The three cities Chandigarh, Coimbatore and Lucknow were part of 'note verbale' exchange and had to be agreed later as additional points of call. Also, these new points of call agreed were to have seat entitlements within the overall existing entitlements," he said. Simply put, FlyDubai’s connections to these proposed points of call have to be a part of the existing seat entitlements for UAE carriers, and not additional capacities created. UAE carriers like Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia have 54,200 seat entitlements weekly to 10 Indian destinations currently.

Bomb threat on Indigo Airlines flight at Delhi

An anonymous phone call threatening that a bomb has been placed in a Kolkata-bound Indigo Airlines fllight with 130 people, including six crew, on board on Wednesday sent security agencies into a tizzy at the Delhi airport. The call was made to Indigo's call centre at around 4 pm that a bomb has been placed in the Delhi-Kolkata flight 6E 203, which was to take off at around 4:30 pm, an airport official said. The flight was actually to take off at 3:30 pm but was rescheduled because the airport was closed for about two hours as part of a security drill ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Security personnel have cordoned off the plane and checks are on. There were 124 passengers and six crew on board.

Swiss-Belhotel to manage four-star hotel in Muscat

Swiss-Belhotel International, one of the fastest growing medium sized international hotel management companies, will manage a new four-star property in Oman, as part of an aggressive expansion plan in the Middle East and Asia. Swiss-Belhotel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shaikh Sulaiman Al Yahyai, owner of the soon-to-be-built four-star business hotel in Al Khuwair in central Muscat. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President, Swiss-Belhotel International, said, "It makes us extremely proud to see the confidence that Shaikh Sulaiman Al Yahyai has shown in our brand and our group. With this project we have been given yet another opportunity to expand within the territory of Oman. The country of Oman is so rich and widespread in its culture that it is exciting to be part of their developing tourism industry."

Gassan Aridi, Vice-Chairman, Swiss-Belhotel International Middle East and CEO, Alpha ToursAlpha Tours, added, "Our relationship with Shaikh Sulaiman continues to develop and with the signing of this agreement, it endorses our future together." Swiss-Belhotel in Al Khuwair will be built with technologically advanced and sophisticated systems to cater to the comfort of its guests. The hotel will include 141 deluxe rooms, business and meeting facilities, an all day dining restaurant and a specialty restaurant as well as a fitness club with a roof deck pool. The hotel is targeted to be operational within 24 months and will be an exciting addition to Al Khuwair. Swiss-Belhotel Ihas more than 21 years of experience and enjoys strong global brand recognition. With over 55 hotels and projects, Swiss-Belhotel International is focused on continuing its expansion in the Middle East as well as growth in Asia.

Mihin Lanka appoints GSA in India

STIC Travel Group has partnered with Mihin Lanka as their General Sales Agent (GSA) in India. STIC Travel Group is now responsible for all marketing, sales and operational activities for Mihin Lanka in India, while actively working towards developing the Indian market for the airline. Mihin Lanka commenced its operations from Bodh Gaya and Varanasi to Colombo on 2nd and 5th of this month. As an introductory offer, the airline has priced a return airfare from Bodh Gaya to Colombo and Varanasi to Colombo at Rs 5,999 inclusive of all taxes on per person basis. From Varanasi, it will fly once every Wednesday and from Bodh Gaya, there are two flights every Sunday. Mihin Lanka flights are in operation with A320 and have all Economy Class fares. It also flies to Dubai and Kuwait via Colombo from both the cities and has interline fares for Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on Sri Lankan Airlines from Colombo.