Emirates has officially revealed on the GDS system that it will be launching new nonstop flights to BSR-Basra, Iraq effective Feb 2nd 2011. EK will be deploying a three class configured Airbus A 330-200 seating 237 passengers and shall operate the service 4 times per week with the following flight schedule:
Days: MON/WED/THU/SAT
EK 945 Dep DXB 1345 Arr BSR 1445
EK 946 Dep BSR 1615 Arr DXB 1910
The above mentioned flight schedule for its 'EU/North American destinations' has a good connection from IAH, JFK and LHR only but out of BSR, a minimum transit of 7-11 hours is required at DXB airport. EK too has confirmed that it is further increasing flights to both Jeddah and Riyadh from Jan 5th 2011 from 12 weekly to double daily nonstop to each city respectively. The additional 2 JED flights will be operated using an A 340-300 where as the 2 additional RUH flights will be flown with an A 330-200.
Lastly, according to Frankfurt Airport slot filings for the IATA Summer 2011 season, EK has applied to increase its popular DXB-FRA nonstop service from double to triple daily with the third daily flight arriving into FRA at 6am and departing at 850am. For this service, EK will be utilizing a 2 class configured Airbus A 330-200 if approved by FRA Airport Authorities.
Qatar Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to ALP-Aleppo, Syria from April 6th 2011. QR will be operating the service 4 times per week using a 144 seater Airbus A 320-200 (12J + 132Y). This new route has been announced as QR's 100th destination in its network and its flight schedule is as follows:
QR 430 Dep DOH 1230 Arr ALP 1545
QR 431 Dep ALP 1645 Arr DOH 1940
Lufthansa has officially announced that it is going to be increasing capacity to ORD-Chicago, USA for the IATA Summer 2011 season. Currently, LH was planning to operate from FRA nonstop to ORD on a daily basis using an A 340-600, however that is being changed to a larger Boeing 747-400.
Turkish Airlines has officially confirmed that it will be increasing frequencies to South Africa from January 17th 2011 as the carrier looks to further expand its presence on this popular route. An additional 5th weekly flight will be added and be flown as per the normal rotation i.e. IST-JNB-CPT-JNB-IST. However from April 23 2011, capacity will be further increased to a 5 weekly A 330-300 which seats 289 passengers in a 2 class configuration versus TK's A 343s that seat 270 pax.
Other changes that TK has released for IATA Summer 2011 are as follows:
DXB - capacity increased to daily A 333 + daily A 321.
IKA - capacity increased to 4 weekly A 333s + 10 weekly B 738s.
ICN - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 332.
CMN - capacity increased to daily wide bodied service i.e. 4 weekly A 343s + 2 weekly A 333s + weekly A 332.
Alitalia's CEO has officially announced that the Italian state carrier will be launching new nonstop flights to PEK-Beijing, China effective June 2011. AZ will operate the service nonstop from its main FCO-Rome hub using an Airbus A 330-200 five times per week.
Sky Mark Airlines of Japan who shocked the airline industry worldwide last week with its order of 6 A 380s has officially revealed its business plan on what it intends to do with these aircraft. In a total U Turn from its current low cost business model, the carrier plans an ultra-premium configuration for its super jumbo fleet seating 394 passengers only in a 2 class configuration. It will install 114 business class flat bed seats with a 60 inch seat pitch along with 280 premium economy class seats with a 38 inch seat pitch. The initial 6 aircraft will be used to operate nonstop services to New York, Frankfurt and London initially. After it receives all of its 6 A 380s, pending performance, the airline intends on ordering a further 9 units to expand to Paris, LAX, Vancouver, Rome, Hawaii, Bangkok, Melbourne and Singapore.
Egypt Air has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing capacity to DXB-Dubai from January 1st 2011 by deploying a double daily nonstop service using Airbus A 330-300s for all the flights instead of a mixture of A 330s and B 738s. MS too reconfirmed that its popular CAI-LHR nonstop flight will henceforth too be operated exclusively with a Boeing 777-300ER rather than an Airbus A 330-300.
Malaysia Airlines has officially confirmed that it will be increasing flights to AKL-Auckland, New Zealand from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season i.e. March 28th 2011. MH will be launching a 6th additional weekly nonstop flight to AKL from its KUL hub using a Boeing 777-200ER which is also the aircraft type being used for all the other flights as well.
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