Air Arabia to start flight to Samara, Russia

Sharjah based low-cost carrier, Air Arabia will launch regular flights to the Russian city of Samara on October 26, 2009. The twice weekly service will take off from Sharjah on Mondays and Fridays and the route will be served by Airbus A320 aircraft in economy-class configuration.

Leela Hotels to provide inflight meals to Lufthansa

One of India’s most renowned luxury hotel groups is partnering with another industry leader. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has joined forces with Lufthansa, the European airline offering the most flights to India, to provide authentic Indian cuisine to travelers. For the next two years, First and Business Class passengers on Lufthansa flights to and from India can enjoy royal Indian cuisine prepared by two chefs of the award-winning Leela group as part of the airline’s Star Chefs program. Lufthansa passengers can dine on prawn curry masala with thalimpu sadam or lal mans, a Rajasthani meat dish, or Alleppy fish curry.

For vegetarians the menus offer an appetizer of moong dal pakoda chat with Imli Chutney, followed by khade masale ka paneer (cottage cheese) with jeera rice and dal tadka, and for dessert kacha golla. With over 36 years as a chef at some of India’s finest luxury properties, Corporate Master Chef Farman Ali has distinguished himself as a pioneer in preparing fine Indian cuisine and presides over the kitchens at the group’s flagship Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore. His culinary mastery ranges from Hyderabadi, Marwari, Kashmiri and Awadhi cuisines to those of Gujarat and the northwest frontier.

Jet Airways starts daily New Delhi-Hong Kong flight

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, launched its New Delhi-Hong Kong service, its second daily flight to Hong Kong from India, aboard a state-of-the-art wide-body Airbus 330-200 aircraft. The airline marked the occasion with a small inaugural ceremony at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, in the presence of senior company officials. Jet Airways will also flag off its inaugural flight to Delhi from Hong Kong on October 1, 2009, China National Day, the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The new daily flights will facilitate business and leisure travel between the Indian capital and the commercial hub of the East, Hong Kong, and complement the airline’s existing Mumbai-Hong Kong services.

From September 30, 2009 to October 24, 2009 and from March 28, 2010 to October 30, 2010, flight 9W 72 departs Delhi at 2250 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0655 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1330 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1650 hrs. From October 25, 2009 to March 27, 2010, flight 9W 72 will depart Delhi at 2245 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0620 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1335 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1720 hrs. Jet Airways' Première (Business Class) guests enjoy 180 degree lie-flat beds in a unique herringbone configuration that ensures easy aisle access from every seat, an oversized table, laptop power, telephony, SMS, Email and live text news, providing guests who want to work with a 'flying office'.

Première guests may also choose from a delectable menu of Indian and non-Indian cuisine, and an extensive wine list. Economy guests enjoy advanced, ergonomically-designed seats to minimise muscular and sinew tension, personal reading lights and on-demand In-flight Entertainment, among other amenities. According to Mr. Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways, "We are delighted to connect Delhi and Hong Kong with daily services, and launch our inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Delhi on the occasion of China National Day. There continues to remain a strong demand for quality services on the Delhi-Hong Kong sector, on account of the latter’s popularity as a leading global business and leisure destination."

Air India cuts fares after pilots strike ends

After the five-day Air India strike, the Maharaja is out to woo back its fliers. On Thursday, Air India announced that it had increased the quantum of cheap ticket inventory on all its flights. It has also introduced savings in its frequent flyer programme as well as air-ticket purchase scheme. "Our flights have started operating according to the normal schedule. By noon, the on-time performance of our flights was 89.7%," said an airline spokesperson, adding that the airline had started taking bookings. "The number of seats on special fares has been increased."

The official however could not furnish statistics on the percentage of the rise in cheap tickets as it depended on the demand. The number will vary from route to route and also on the flight timings. The airline expects the number of passengers to return to the pre-agitation level in the next four to five days. Prior to the strike, Air India ferried about 22,000-24,000 passengers per day. During the strike, it fell to half. Under the super-saving scheme, the airline offers a four coupon economy class ticket for Rs 41,316 instead of the earlier Rs 49,000.

Indian Air Force plans to induct more Sukhoi Su30 fighter aircraft

With both China and Pakistan bolstering their air combat fleets, IAF is now seeking another 50 Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role "air dominance" fighters to cater for any contingency on both the eastern and western fronts. These 50 new Sukhois will in addition to the 230 of these twin-seater fighters already contracted from Russia in three deals worth upwards of $8.5 billion. Having inducted 105 of the 230 Sukhois till now, IAF has already begun to base these jets in the North-East in a clear move to counter China's rapid modernisation of its armed forces. Incidentally, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has been directed to complete the manufacture of 140 of the 230 Sukhois under transfer of technology by 2015 at all costs.

India's "dissuasive deterrence" military posture against China, after all, revolves around the Sukhois as well as the 3,500km nuclear-capable Agni-III missile, which will be ready for operational deployment by 2011, and the 5,000km range Agni-V missile in the pipeline. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said that his force was indeed "interested" in acquiring more Sukhois, which will be the mainstay of India's fighter fleet for the forseeable future, to further enhance its combat potential. Bombarded by a spate of questions on the military equation vis-a-vis China on day the People's Liberation Army showcased its staggering military might to mark 60 years of communism, ACM Naik said IAF's acquisition of combat capabilities was not "country or adversary-specific".

While exuding "confidence" that a repeat of the 1962 conflict was simply "not possible", the IAF chief said, "We need to develop certain capabilities which are required or will be required in the future in tune with India's aspirations." IAF, after all, needs to project power as well as have "strategic reach" from Hormuz Strait near Persian Gulf right down to Malacca Strait, which India visualises as its primary area of geopolitical interest. In its quest to emerge as a "strategic aerospace force", IAF has embarked on a major modernisation drive, which ranges from Israeli AWACS and aerostat radars to American C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft.

Jet Airways' Chennai-Coimbatore aircraft returns due to technical problems

A Coimbatore-bound Jet Airways plane with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram onboard returned to the Chennai airport on Friday due to a technical problem that developed mid-air. The problem was detected while the flight was mid-air, following which it flew back to Chennai, airport officials said. Later, the passengers including Chidambaram were put on another Jet Airways flight which left for Coimbatore, they said.

British Airways aircraft makes emergency landing in Mumbai

A London-bound British Airways aircraft with about 250 passengers aboard on Thursday made an emergency landing at Mumbai as the fire alarm went off in the cockpit soon after its take off. The flight took off from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 0300 hours but landed back at 0410 hours as the fire alarm went off in the cockpit, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) spokesperson said. Emergency was announced, which was withdrawn at 0424 hours, the spokesperson said. On landing, the plane's undercarriage was inspected but no damage was detected, he said, adding the plane was later parked at a bay. A British Airways spokesperson said the aircraft had about 250 passengers on board and the "flight requested a priority landing after it developed a technical problem. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers were disembarked," the BA spokesperson said.

Etihad branded taxis launched in Manchester

Etihad Airways has unveiled 12 'hackney carriage' Manchester taxis in its unique black and gold livery. The taxi sponsorship was unveiled at Manchester City FC's stadium with club mascots, "Moonchester" and "Moonbeam", joining in the fun. The airline recently began a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of Premier League side, Manchester City FC and the taxi sponsorship is the latest initiative to build awareness of Etihad Airways in the Manchester area. Clive Wratten, Etihad Airways UK Country Manager, said, "We are delighted to have these eye-catching Etihad-sponsored taxis on the road in Manchester. The black and gold branding makes the taxis standout and is a novel way to build our brand profile across the city."

Oman's Muscat Festival cancelled due to H1N1

Oman has declared the cancellation of its annual event Muscat Festival due to fears about H1N1 swine flu. The month-long festival is due to be held in January and attracts foreign visitors every year. Oman has reported nearly 2,000 cases and 18 deaths from the H1N1 virus so far.

Norwegian Air Shuttle to start daily Scandinavia-Dubai flight

Europe's fifth-largest low-cost airline and the second-largest airline in Scandinavia, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has announced that it will increase its four-days-a week timetable for flights from Scandinavia to Dubai to a daily service during the winter season 2009-10. The privately-owned carrier, which launched Dubai flights last autumn, will fly three times weekly from Oslo and Stockholm each and once weekly from Copenhagen starting from October 15.

Air France to start Airbus A380 flights to Dubai

Air France has announced it will reduce its services to Dubai from 14 weekly flights to a daily service, but will offset the reduction by introducing its A380 aircraft on the route. The superjumbo is scheduled to operate on the route from January 18, 2010. The change is part of the airline's 2009 winter schedule.

Saudi Arabia & India sign expanded air services agreement

Saudi Arabia and India have amended their air services agreement to allow for more airlines to serve the two countries and to increase the weekly capacity. Currently, only Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air India operate services between the two countries. The new amendment enables both sides to 'designate any number of airlines as they wish' to operate services, according to India's aviation ministry. The two countries have also agreed to an open skies agreement for all cargo services with full third and fourth freedom traffic rights.

Taj Hotels joins Etihad frequent flyer program

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme from Etihad Airways, has announced its latest exciting new hotel partner to boost the extensive benefits already available to its 650,000 plus members, the Indian Hotels Company. The Indian Hotels Company is one of Asia's largest hospitality groups. The group offers three distinct hotel brands, collectively known as Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces: Taj (luxury, full-service hotels, resorts and palaces), Taj Exotica (resorts and spas) and Gateway Hotels (mid-market, full service hotels and resorts). The group comprises more than 60 hotels in 45 locations across India, ranging from historic sites and pilgrim centres to hill stations and beaches.

The company also offers international hotels in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Etihad Guest members will earn 500 miles per stay at the group's Taj hotels and 250 miles per stay at Taj Exotica and Gateway Hotels. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, said,"With Etihad Guest, we seek to offer our members the most exclusive of benefits when they join our award-winning loyalty programme. The Indian Hotels Company certainly meets these high standards and we are very pleased to have them on board." Ajoy Misra, senior vice president, sales and marketing for the Indian Hotel Company, said, "Like Etihad Airways, we are always looking at ways to offer our guests something extra."

"Our hotel guests are used to sampling the highest standards of hospitality on the ground and now they can look forward to the same experience in the air, when they fly with Etihad." Etihad currently flies to six destinations in India, the commercial capital Mumbai, the national capital New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode in Kerala, as well as Chennai The airline will also launch a new service to Hyderabad from November 2009. Mr Misra added, "This is also a strategic partnership - the geographic spread and location of our hotels complements Etihad's own expanding network, especially within India where the airline continues to expand its presence." Etihad Guest was voted best website, best member communication, best bonus promotion and best award redemption at the 2008 global 'Freddie' awards.

Qatar Airways gets world five star airline ranking

Skytrax Research has confirmed that Qatar Airways has been certified as a world five star airline for the 2009/2010 ranking period, repeating it's earlier quality ranking success in this exclusive group of airlines. Commenting on the latest Certification, Edward Plaisted, Skytrax CEO, said,"This 5-Star Airline Certification is the ultimate quality approval that an airline can receive in recognition of its front-line Product and Service quality. We are delighted to see Qatar Airways again measuring up to the highest quality requirements that are inherent in the 5-Star status."

Qatar Airways is the only airline in the Middle East region to have gained this 5-Star Airline certification, and one of just six airlines worldwide that currently meet the exacting and rigorous quality criteria set for this ultimate ranking. The 5-Star Airline status is awarded to airlines achieving the very highest quality performance across all front-line areas that passengers will experience. The 5-Star Airline status recognizes airlines at the forefront of product and service delivery achievement, and are generally the airlines that set trends to be followed by other carriers in due course.

Air India's flight operations still affected after pilots strike

Notwithstanding the announcement of calling off the strike, a majority of the agitating Air India pilots have not resumed duty yet, leaving the flight operations disrupted on the 5th day of the stir today. Only 23 of the 180 executive pilots, who have been agitating against the cut in productivity-linked incentives (PLI), have reported for duty after Capt V K Bhalla, representative of the protesting pilots, announced that they were calling off the strike in deference to government's decision to maintain status quo on cost cutting measures. Hectic discussions continued late in the evening at the Airlines House, headquarters of the erstwhile Indian Airlines, between the pilots and Air India Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav.

Air India issued an order keeping in abeyance the controversial Sept 24 order on cutting the PLI allowance "until a Board Sub-Committee comprising the CMD, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser of the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry examine all issues and submit its recommendations to the Board". Capt R L Mathur, an executive pilot who was part of the talks in the Airlines House, announced later that all pilots would be reporting fit and resuming duty "right away". "This direction will apply to pilots all over the country," he said. Air India decided to operate six long haul international flights tomorrow while cancelling the Mumbai-New York and Delhi-New York flights, the airline sources said in Mumbai. Mathur said the CMD has "assured us very clearly that all problems raised by the executive pilots will be considered and that he would take personal interest in the matter".

He said the pilots would first report to Air India doctors for fitness certificates for which special arrangements were being made in Safdarjung and at the IGI Airport, Delhi. "The pilots will join duty as soon as possible," he said. Facing threat of action, the Air India pilots called off their agitation in the morning saying they had received assurances that there would be status quo on the decision relating to cut in their incentives and allowances. "The agitation is being called off in view of the assurances by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel that status quo will continue on issues," Capt Bhalla said.

Bhalla also participated in the talks at the Airlines House. With about 200 pilots reporting sick as a mark of protest over Air India's decision to cut their productivity- linked incentive (PLI) and allowances, over 240 flights were cancelled and the national carrier is estimated to have incurred a loss of over Rs 100 crore. "I apologise to the passengers for the inconvenience caused to them due to the agitation," Bhalla said asking the pilots to join work immediately. Bhalla also thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Patel for intervening in the matter. Government had issued an ultimatum to the pilots to resume duty from midnight last night or face action.

Oman Air all set to start daily Muscat-Paris flights

Headed by the Airline's CEO Peter Hill, Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman displayed its unique style of hospitality at Top Resa, the leading French travel trade exhibition. The four day event that took place in Paris between September 22nd-25th featured a dedicated Oman Air stand manned by sales and marketing staff. Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer Peter Hill explained that Top Resa, the leading international high profile tourism show in France, would help raise the airline's awareness in the French market. Alongside Ministry of Tourism he stated, "We are promoting Oman as one of Arabia's most attractive yet undiscovered countries, which will become more accessible through our new service to Paris. As expected, a steady stream of visitors were welcomed at the Oman Air stand, over what was an extremely busy and fruitful four days."

Effective October 9, Oman Air will commence four weekly non-stop frequencies between Muscat, the airline's operational hub in the Sultanate of Oman, and the French capital, Paris. The airline will operate a Business and Economy class state-of-the-art Airbus A330 on the route. Promoting the new service, Oman Air offered a special attractive Round-Trip Introductory Fare, giving customers the chance to sample the airline's own unique brand of hospitality as well as experience the very special delights that a visit to the Sultanate of Oman affords. In conclusion, Peter Hill pointed out that Oman Air is growing at a phenomenal pace, opening up new routes, and adding new aircraft to the airline's rapidly expanding fleet. Oman Air has recently taken delivery of its first A330-200, becoming the newest operator of the aircraft. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the A330 will be configured in an ultra high comfort two-class layout with 20 Business and 196 Economy seats.

Gulf Air starts flights to Najaf in Iraq

Gulf Air, Bahrain's national announced the beginning of its new four times weekly service to Najaf in Iraq. The new service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until October 25, after which it will go daily, the airline said.

Jazeera Airways to add additional cabin classes

Low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways plans to add additional cabin classes as part of an effort to build revenues by attracting business and leisure travellers. New management is implementing changes at the Kuwait-based airline, including the new cabin classes as well as targeting other travel segments and adding more bases of operation throughout the region, in a bid to become one of the top regional carriers.

Finnair launches daily New Delhi-Helsinki flight

Finnair is launching daily flights to Delhi from Helsinki today. The route, which began in October 2006, has been expanded due its popularity among both business and leisure travellers. Flights to the Indian capital from Helsinki last just six-and-a-half hours thanks to its location on the great circle route. It is the shortest flight time between India and anywhere in the European Union. The route, which is the only direct link between northern Europe and Delhi, offers Scandinavian-bound passengers onward connections to Baltic Sea destinations in addition to London and Paris. Passengers travelling to the Indian capital can benefit from Delhi's status as a major hub, with flights operating to most major cities in the country.

Indian Railways rushes to the aid of stranded flyers

With the agitation by Air India executive pilots leading to cancellation of scores of flights for the fourth consecutive day, Railways today started operating 'May I Help You' booths at major airports, including Delhi, for the benefit of stranded passengers. "Passenger reservation counters would also start functioning shortly at all major airport terminals," said a senior railway official after Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee announced running special trains from Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore for those stranded. The official said services at the 'May I Help You' booths would be further beefed up if the need arises.

She said an additional coach could be attached to each superfast train to carry the extra passengers as per the instructions of the Minister. This apart, zonal railways have also been instructed to coordinate with airline officials to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers, the official said. All zonal authorities have been asked to provide information to passengers about vacant berths in all express trains at the temporary reservation counters and help booths at major airports, she said. Banerjee, earlier in the day, said she has asked Union minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy to arrange a special service of the Shipping Corporation of India tomorrow to bring back stranded air passengers at Port Blair.