Aug 15-22 Airline News

Etihad Airways has officially revealed major capacity changes across its entire network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

MNL - capacity increased to 12 weekly B 773ERs nonstop from daily B 773ER + 5 weekly A 332. This means an extra 1624 seats offered on a round trip basis i.e. 19% increase in weekly capacity.

ISB - capacity increased to 3 weekly B 773ERs + 4 weekly A 320s from 6 weekly A 320s + weekly A 332. A further capacity increase takes place from Dec 19th onwards when a 4th weekly B 773ER gets added in alongside 3 weekly A 320s. This means an extra 1860 seats offered on a round trip basis i.e. 84% increase in weekly capacity.

FRA - capacity increased from double daily A 332 to daily A 333 + daily A 332 effective Dec 1st.

LHE - capacity increased to daily flights operated exclusively by an A 340-600. Currently, EY operates 2 weekly A 332s + 3 weekly A 346s + a weekly A 320 and a weekly B 773ER so the capacity increase is 204 seats on a round trip basis i.e. 11%.

MEL - capacity increased from 6 weekly A 345s + weekly A 346 to 3 weekly A 346s + 4 weekly A 345s.

ORD - capacity reduced from daily A 346 to weekly A 345 + 6 weekly A 346.

EBL - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly flights operated by an A 320 exclusively.

SYD - capacity reduced from 11 weekly A 346s to 2 weekly A 345s + 9 weekly A 346s.

CDG - capacity increased to 8 weekly A 333s + 2 weekly A 332s.

GVA - capacity increased from Dec 1st from 5 weekly A 332s to 5 weekly A 333s.

Emirates has officially announced major capacity changes across its entire medium and long haul network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

SYD - frequencies reduced from triple daily to double daily flights i.e. daily A 380 nonstop + daily B 773ER via BKK.

AMS - capacity increased to daily nonstop flights operated by a B 773ER exclusively.

HKG - capacity increased from double daily B 773 to daily A 380 via BKK plus daily B 773ER nonstop.

PER - capacity increased to 13 weekly B 773ERs + weekly B 772LR.

MAD - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily A 343.

ISB - capacity increased to 4 weekly B 773ERs + weekly B 772A.

LHE - capacity increased to 4 weekly B 773ERs.

TUN - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly flights operated by an A 332.

LAX - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop flights using a B 777-200LR for all services.

MXP - capacity adjusted to double daily A 343s.

IAH - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop flights using a B 777-200LR for 13 flights + weekly B 773ER (payload restricted).


Cathay Pacific has officially announced that it is increasing capacity to SFO-San Francisco from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season. It was planned to serve HKG-SFO with a daily B 744 + daily B 773ER, however that has been changed to 10 weekly B 744s + 4 weekly B 773ERs. In addition, other changes revealed are as follows:

SYD - frequencies increased from 25 to 28 weekly flights all operated with an A 333.
AKL - frequencies reduced from double daily nonstop flights to 12 weekly i.e. daily B 744 + 5 weekly A 343.

KIX - frequencies increased from double to triple daily nonstop using an A 333 for all flights.

BNE - frequencies increased to 11 weekly flights.

CNS - frequencies increased to daily flights.

Qatar and Sri Lanka have officially announced signing of a new air bilateral accord which has the following highlights:

a) Frequencies can be increased from 21 to 28 weekly flights.

b) Out of these flights, 14 must be operated using narrow body equipment.

c) Fares to be common rated with UL on DOH-CMB-DOH sector.


Gulf Air has revealed on the GDS system that it shall be increasing capacity to Karachi, Pakistan for the entire IATA Winter 2010 season. Planned daily A 320 services are being increased to a daily A 321 which offers an extra 34 seats per flight. This change is effective Oct 11th 2010.


GMG Airlines has officially announced that it has been granted the authority by the Saudi and Bangladeshi Governments to operate 10 weekly nonstop flights from Dhaka to Saudi Arabia effective immediately. The allocation is 6 weekly JED + 4 weekly RUH flights. As a result, GMG has commenced operations on the DAC-JED sector 4 times per week using a Boeing 767-300ER along side RUH-DAC 3 times per week using the same aircraft type. Z5 has stated on its website that its B 763ERs are configured to hold 264 passengers.

Air China has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies on its flights to Dubai from Beijing from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season. Flights are to be increased to 5 times per week nonstop using an Airbus A 330-200 for all services.


China Airlines of Taiwan has officially announced few capacity changes to its long haul route network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

JFK - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 weekly flights using an A 343.

DEL/FCO - frequencies reduced from 3 to 2 weekly flights using an A 343.

LAX - frequencies reduced from double daily B 744s to 12 weekly B 744s.


Air Canada has officially confirmed that it is reducing frequencies to Geneva for the IATA Winter 2010 season. AC planned to serve Montreal-Geneva 5 times per week using a B 763ER, however that is being reduced to 4 times per week now using the same aircraft type.

Air India has officially announced major capacity increases to its domestic operations from its new Delhi hub from the onset of the IATA Winter 2010 season. This has been done in order to better feed its long haul and regional international flights from the DEL gateway point. The main highlights are as follows:

DEL/ATQ – frequencies increased from double daily to 5 daily flights with all services using an A 321.

DEL/BOM – frequencies increased from 11 to 14 daily flights.

DEL/AMD – frequencies increased from double to triple daily flights with all services using an A 319.

DEL/HYD – frequencies increased from double daily to 4 daily flights with all services using an A 320.

DEL/COK – frequencies increased from daily to double daily using an A 321 and A 320 each respectively.

DEL/CCU – frequencies increased to five daily flights using a mixture of A 319s/320s/321s.

EVA Air of Taiwan has officially announced that it shall be adjusting capacity on its flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for the entire IATA Winter 2010 season. Services to SIN are being increased from 5 weekly A 332s to daily nonstop flights using a B 773ER. On the other hand, KUL flights are being reduced from 5 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.


Egypt Air has officially announced few capacity changes for its medium haul network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

KWI - frequencies increased to double daily nonstop flights.

AUH - frequencies increased to 10 weekly nonstop flights.

CDG - frequencies increased to 9 weekly nonstop flights i.e. daily A 333 + 2 weekly A 320.

DXB - capacity increased from Jan 4th to daily A 333 + daily A 332.

Airline News Aug 7-14

Cathay Pacific has officially announced that it shall be increasing its flights to YYZ-Toronto and PER-Perth from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season i.e. Oct 31st. Operations to YYZ are being increased from the current 10 weekly to 12 weekly nonstop with all flights being flown using a Boeing 777-300ER. On the other hand, services to PER are being increased from daily A 333s to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A 333 nine times per week + an A 343 once a week. CX too confirmed that has signed a LOI with Airbus for 30 A 350-900s and shall be exercising options to convert 6 Boeing 777-300ERs into firm orders as the carrier continues to implement its on going fleet replacement strategy. These A 359s are meant to replace CX's oldest A 333s and its entire A 343 + B 772A fleet. When the order is officially on announced on Airbus's order books, it is expected to consist for many more A 359s as the number of planes it will be replacing total 60+ in the A 359 size category.


Gulf Air has officially announced that it will be launching 3 new destinations and increasing frequencies to Kuala Lumpur + Kathmandu for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The three new cities are Addis Ababa, Basra and Isfahan. The main highlights are as follows:

ADD - new 5 weekly nonstop flights to be launched effective Dec 6th using an A 320.

IFN - new 3 weekly flights to be operated using an E70.

BSR - new 4 weekly flights to be operated using an E70.

KTM - frequencies increased from 9 to 11 weekly nonstop flights using an A 320.

KUL - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a mixture of A 332s and A 343s.

Ethiopian Airlines has officially confirmed that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to IAD-Washington DC from Dec 15th 2010 onwards as well as increasing frequencies on this flagship route of theirs. ET will be utilizing its brand new Boeing 777-200LR for this flight which will accommodate 321 passengers in a 2 class configuration i.e. 34 business class + 287 economy class. Services to IAD are being increased from 6 weekly to daily flights with the outbound flight from ADD making a technical stopover in FCO-Rome but IAD-ADD will be operates nonstop. The flying time between IAD and ADD is 12 hours 30 minutes.


Air India has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to CDG-Paris from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season i.e. Oct 31st. Currently, AI operates 3 weekly nonstop flights from its new DEL hub using a 238 seater Boeing 777-200LR. However from Oct 31st, capacity shall be increased by 44% as a 342 seater Boeing 777-300ER will be used to operate this service. The reason for the capacity increase AI confirmed is to aggressively target 6th freedom transit traffic bound to Bangkok and Kathmandu via DEL for which good connections are on offer in both directions. AI too confirmed via an earlier press release, that it does have clear cut intentions of increasing CDG-DEL to a daily service within the next year.


Singapore Airlines has revealed on the GDS that it shall be implementing few changes to its medium haul network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

IST - capacity increased to 4 weekly nonstop terminator services using a Boeing 777-200 instead of operating via Dubai.

DXB - frequencies reduced from double daily to 11 weekly.

PVG - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 times daily.


EVA Air has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing capacity across its international network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

SFO - frequencies increased from 10 to 12 weekly nonstop flights using a B 773ER.

SEA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 744.

HND - new double daily nonstop flights to be launched using an A 332.

NRT - capacity increased to daily B 773ER + daily A 332.

JKT - capacity increased to 6 weekly nonstop flights using a B 744 Combi.


Air Asia X has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to IKA-Tehran, Iran from Dec 1st 2010 onwards. D7 will be operating twice weekly nonstop services from its Kuala Lumpur hub using an Airbus A 330-300 with the following flight schedule:

Days of operation: MON/WED

D7 2904 Dep KUL1610 Arr IKA 2040 D7 2905 Dep IKA 2155 Arr KUL 1055
Etihad Airways has officially announced that it will be changing its business model on many low yielding regional routes that are within a 5 hour flying radius of its Abu Dhabi home base. It has revealed that it will be changing the configuration of 10 of its 15 Airbus A 320-200s to an all economy class layout seating 162 passengers offering a seat pitch of 32 inches. Initially 2 aircraft by October 31st will be reconfigured and shall be used on flights to Damascus, Colombo, Calicut and Trivandrum where as in the future services to Cochin, Chennai, Peshawar, Amman, Athens and Beirut too will see this product. EY's CEO Mr Hogan stated that this is a direct response to Fly Dubai who has poached a lot of market share to many cities which has caused some concern not only amongst EY but also amongst all GCC carriers. In total, EY has ordered 20 A 320s hence half of this fleet will get the all economy configuration.


Emirates has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing capacity on its route to LAD-Luanda, Angola from Nov 1st 2010. Currently, EK operates 3 times per week nonstop from Dubai using a 3 class A 330-200, however from November it shall be using the larger Boeing 777-200ER to operate this route due to the huge cargo and premium class demand that it has been experiencing on this sector.
Lufthansa has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to EWR-Newark, USA for the IATA Winter 2010 season by adding a second daily nonstop service. Currently, LH only operate a daily flight on the FRA-EWR route using an A 346 but ever since it has grown in stature as a major Star Alliance hub due to Continental Airlines being based there. Both of LH's FRA-EWR daily flights shall be operated using an A 340-300.


Qatar Airways has officially confirmed that it will be increasing its flights to DAR-Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from January 2nd 2011. Currently, QR operate a daily nonstop flight from DOH to DAR, however from January frequencies are being increased to 11 weekly services using an A 320.


Japan Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing its flights to Delhi, India from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season. Currently JAL operates a 3 weekly nonstop service using a Boeing 777-200ER however, from Nov 1st an additional 4th weekly nonstop service will be initiated using the same aircraft type.

July 30-Aug 06 Airline News

British Airways has officially revealed that it shall be reducing capacity on its London-Delhi route from Feb 1st onwards as the carrier takes delivery of more B 773ERs. For the IATA Winter 2010 season, it is operating a double daily B 744 service to DEL, however from Feb 1st, it gets reduced to a daily B 773ER + daily B 744. In addition, BA too confirmed that its flights to North America will see capacity changes for the Winter 2010 season in the following manner:

LAX- frequencies reduced from triple daily B 744s to double daily services using the same aircraft type.

EWR - capacity increased to triple daily B 772ERs.

JFK - frequencies increased to 48 times per week from LHR using a B 744 36 times per week + 12 weekly B 772ERs.


Virgin Atlantic has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to Delhi, India from its London Heathrow base from the on set of the Summer 2011 season i.e. March 27th. Currently, it operates a daily nonstop service using an Airbus a 340-300 however from March 27th, a larger Airbus A 340-600 shall be used by the carrier to fly the route on a daily basis.


Air India has officially announced that it will be rescheduling its operations to Toronto with the much anticipated daily nonstop flight being announced from Delhi from Nov 1st 2010. AI will be using a Boeing 777-300ER for this dedicated flight with a same flight number to ATQ-Amritsar. However, the DEL-ATQ sector will be operated using an A 320/321. The flight schedule is as follows: Days of operation - DAILY AI 187 Dep DEL 0125 Arr YYZ 0645 AI 188 Dep YYZ 1035 Arr DEL 1125+1

Other long haul changes announced by the airline to take effect from Nov 1st are as follows:

DEL/LHR – frequencies increased from 10 weekly B 77Ws to double daily nonstop using a B 77W + B 77L each daily. Flights shall arrive into LHR at 1330 and 1855 with departures being at 1330 and 2130 respectively.

BOM/FRA/ORD – canceled

AMD/FRA/EWR – canceled

DEL/LHR/YYZ – canceled

ATQ/LHR/YYZ – canceled

DEL/ORD – daily nonstop flights to be operated using a B 77L.

BOM/EWR - daily nonstop flights to be operated using a B 77L.

DEL/FRA – daily ‘day light’ terminator flight to be operated using a B 77L. This will be the only India-FRA service operated by the carrier as it is abolishing its scissors hub at FRA airport from Oct 31^st.

Singapore Airlines has officially revealed many capacity changes to its medium and long haul route network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

SYD - capacity increased to double daily A 380s + double daily B 772ERs.

KIX - frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A 333 for all flights.

DAC - capacity increased from daily B 772As to daily A 333s.

BKK - capacity increased from 4 daily B 772As to 4 daily A 333s which seat 19 more passengers per flight.

AMD - capacity increased from 2 weekly B 772As to 2 weekly A 333s.

LAX - all business class A 345 operated flight sees frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop.

DME/IAH - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using a B 773ER.


Qatar Airways has officially revealed that it will be reducing capacity on its Singapore-Bali route from Jan 1st 2011 onwards. Currently, QR operates this service on a daily basis using a 335 seater B 777-300ER, however from the new year it will be using a smaller 259 seater B 777-200LR three times per week along side the B 773ER four times per week. This translates into a 24% reduction by QR on this sector.


KLM has confirmed that it shall be implementing few capacity changes for its long haul network for the Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

LIM - capacity increased from daily B 772ER to 3 weekly B 773ER + 4 weekly B 772ER.

SFO - capacity increased from daily B 773ER to daily B 744 from June 26th.


Oman Air has officially announced few changes to its Indian subcontinent network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. Services to Bangalore are being increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights where as flights to Chittagong are also being increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights. BLR will be served with a B 737-700 where as CGP is operated with a B 738.


Fly Dubai has officially announced that it will be increasing its flights to Bahrain and Muscat from Nov 1st 2010 onwards. Both cities will see frequencies lifted from double daily to triple daily flights using a 189 seater B 738X.


Spice Jet under a new management team has confirmed to the Indian media that it shall be ordering 30 new Boeing 737-800s which shall be delivered to the carrier from 2014 onwards. This will make the total B 738 fleet number 58 aircraft.


Finnair has officially announced that it shall be leasing into its fleet 2 used Airbus A 340-300s from April 2011 as the carrier looks to further expand its highly successful long haul services to Southeast Asia from its HEL hub. The aircraft will come from ILFC and are expected to be ex Virgin Atlantic aircraft as the latter is receiving few A 333s from next summer which are replacing the A 343s on trans-atlantic services.

Farnborough Air Show 2010 aircraft orders

At the on going Farnborough Air Show being held in the UK, the following major aircraft orders were placed by airlines worldwide:

a) Emirates confirmed an order for 30 Boeing 777-300ERs and stated all these aircraft will have a 3 class configuration hence meant for higher yielding medium/long haul routes.

b) Qatar Airways confirmed an order for 2 Boeing 777-200LRs + 3 options of the same variant. These shall be delivered in 2012 and shall be used to launch new nonstop flights from Doha to Los Angeles.

c) GECAS Leasing placed an order for 60 Airbus A 320s + 40 Boeing 737NGs.

d) Garuda Indonesia officially confirmed placing an order for 6 Airbus A 330-200s.

e) Aeroflot officially confirmed placing an order for 11 Airbus A 330-300s.

f) Air Lease Corporation (founded by former ILFC CEO Mr Udzvar) confirmed placing an order for 20 A 321-200s (10 with Sharklets) + 31 Airbus A 320-200s + 20 EMB 190ARs + 60 Boeing 737NGs.

g) Saudia Airlines was identified as the UFO customer for 12 new Boeing 777-300ERs.

h) Norwegian Airlines confirmed placing an order for 15 Boeing 737-800s.

i) Flybe ordered 100 EMB175s i.e. 35 firm + 65 options

j) Hong Kong Airlines announced an order for 10 Airbus A 330-200s + 15 Airbus A 350s.

k) Royal Jordanian ordered 3 Boeing 787-800s.

l) RBS Aviation Capital ordered 52 Airbus A 320s + 43 Boeing 737NGs.

m) Air Austral ordered 2 Boeing 777-200LRs + 1 Boeing 777-300ERs.

n) ALAFCO of Kuwait exchanged a previous order of 12 Airbus A 350-800s for 12 Airbus A 350-900s.

o) American Airlines officially confirmed placing an order for 35 Boeing 737-800s.

p) Virgin America signed with Airbus an order for 40 Airbus A 320-200s with Sharklets + 20 options.

q) LAN Chile signed a MOU for 50 A 320s out of which 10 are A 321-200s.

r) Azerbaijan Airlines officially confirmed placing an order for 2 Boeing 767-300ER freighters + 1 B 763ER pax model.

Airline News July 15-23 2010

Thai Airways has revealed on the GDS further capacity changes to its route network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

OSL - capacity increased from daily A 345 to daily B 772ER.

DEL - capacity increased to daily B 744 + daily B 773A from daily A 333 + daily B 773A.

DME - frequencies increased from 3 weekly B 772ERs to 4 weekly nonstop flights using a B 773A.

MXP - capacity reduced from 3 weekly B 772ERs to 3 weekly A 346s.

DXB - capacity reduced from daily B 773A to daily B 772ER.

SYD - frequencies increased from double daily to 18 weekly nonstop with all flights being operated using an A 340-600.

JKT - capacity increased from daily B 772A to daily B 744.


Qatar Airways has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies to DAC-Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 1st 2011. Currently, QR operates 11 weekly flights between its Doha hub and Dhaka which shall be increased to 13 times per week i.e. 10 weekly A 333s + 3 weekly A 332s. QR too confirmed that it is increasing capacity to Europe for the IATA Winter 2010 season in the following manner:

ZRH - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 332.

CPH - frequencies and capacity increased from 4 weekly A 319LRs to 6 weekly A 332s from Feb 2011.

ESB - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 320.


Gulf Air has officially announced that it shall be launching 2 new destinations from this winter onwards. Services to Colombo shall be resumed after a 5 year gap with 5 weekly nonstop flights operated using an A 320-200 and new 4 weekly services to Aden, Yemen will also be launched as a tag on service from Sanaa.

CMB will have a split flight schedule which will connect very well with Europe/North America three times per week outbound and twice a week inbound to cater to the large Sri Lankan/Tamil immigrant communities that reside in the Western Hemisphere. However, London Heathrow shall witness convenient 5 weekly connections in both directions via BAH.


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it shall be launching new 4 weekly nonstop flights to LAX-Los Angeles, USA from March 31st 2011. TK will operate this new service with its brand new Boeing 777-300ER that will be delivered factory fresh from Boeing. The flight schedule for LAX is as follows:

Days of operation: TUE/THU/SAT/SUN

TK 009 Dep IST 1110 Arr LAX 1625
TK 010 Dep LAX 1855 Arr IST 1710+1

The above mentioned flight schedule connects very well with TK's entire Levant, North Africa, Middle East, GCC, BOM, DEL, East Africa, South Africa flights in both directions via IST. With regards to Karachi connections, it connects thrice weekly outbound and twice weekly inbound.

As far as the cabin configuration of its new B 773ERs are concerned, they will seat 337 passengers in a business, premium economy and economy cabin. TK's new premium economy product will have a seat pitch of 45 inches, seat width of 19.6 inches and a recline of 130 degrees. The other routes that shall be getting TK's new B 773ERs on regular flights are Hong Kong and Shanghai from March 8th onwards.


Virgin Atlantic has revealed few capacity changes with regards to its North American schedule for Summer 2011. The main highlights are as follows:

BOS - capacity increased from 4 weekly B 744s + 3 weekly A 343s to 6 weekly A 346s + weekly A 343.

EWR - capacity increased to double daily A 346s from daily A 343s + daily A 346s.

MIA - capacity reduced from daily B 744 to 2 weekly A 346s + 5 weekly B 744s.


KLM has revealed on the GDS many capacity changes to its long haul route network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

MNL - capacity reduced to 3 weekly B 773ERs + 4 weekly B 772ERs.

YYC - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.

DXB - capacity reduced to 13 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332 only.

DEL - capacity increased from Feb 1st onwards to a daily B 773ER.


Etihad Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching new daily nonstop flights to ICN-Seoul, South Korea from Dec 10th 2010 onwards from its Abu Dhabi hub base. EY will be operating a 3 class configured A 330-200 on this new route.


Air India has officially confirmed that it will be increasing its flights to Abu Dhabi from its Mumbai hub effective Oct 31st onwards. Currently, it operates 5 times per week using an A 321 which shall be increased to daily nonstop flights using the same aircraft type.


Delta Airlines has officially revealed that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to HND-Tokyo Haneda from Jan 29th 2011 onwards from its Detroit and Los Angeles hubs each respectively. Both cities will see daily terminator service to HND using a Boeing 747-400.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has officially announced details of a massive expansion plan in Europe and Southeast Asia which shall commence from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 season. This includes the addition of 6 new cities to its ever expanding global network which include Phuket, Hanoi, Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest and Nice. In addition, QR has too revealed on the GDS that it shall be adding a third daily nonstop flight to BKK-Bangkok from Nov 2nd 2010 onwards using an Airbus A 330-300. This third daily flight enables connections in both directions via DOH to North America and all EU/African cities that depart between 745-1045am Doha time.

The main highlights of this expansion plan are as follows:

BRU - new 5 weekly nonstop flights to be flown using an A 332.

HKT (Phuket) - new daily flights to be flown using an A 333 via KUL with full 5th freedom rights.

HAN - new four weekly flights to be flown using an A 333 via BKK with full 5th freedom rights.

SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily flights using an A 332 i.e. 3 weekly via BKK with full 5th freedom rights + 4 nonstop.

BKK - frequencies increased from double to triple daily nonstop flights using a B 777-300ER double daily + daily A 333.

NCE - new three weekly flights to be operated via MXP using an A 333.

BUD/BUH - new 4 weekly flights to be flown using an A 320 as a tag on triangular service.

Analysis:

Out of all these flights, BRU and Vietnam I feel has the best chance of being successful. Unlike its other EU route launches, BRU has a standardized timing which allows excellent connections via QR's Doha hub to connect beautifully in both directions to all of QR's Southeast Asian destinations + KHI, CMB, DAC and KTM. They will get a good amount of high yielding business class traffic on this route and give Etihad a tough time henceforth.

With regards to HAN, its an excellent move to fly there via BKK with 5th freedom rights especially now since Air France will be suspending flights to the city from October onwards. With HAN being the capital of Vietnam, one would expect QR to get a good amount of high yielding J class flying political/military traffic on board bound to Europe and GCC in particular.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa has officially revealed major capacity and frequency changes for its long haul network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

MAA - capacity increased from daily A 343 to 6 weekly A 346s + weekly A 343.

CPT - frequencies increased to daily nonstop flights using a B 744.

AUH/MCT - frequencies increased to daily flights using an A 333 six times per week + weekly A 343.

ICN - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights using an A 346.

ATL - capacity adjusted from daily A 343 to daily A 333.

JNB - capacity increased from daily B 744 to 3 weekly A 380s + 4 weekly A 346s.

LOS - capacity adjusted from daily A 333 to daily A 343.

ALA - frequencies increased to daily nonstop flights using an A 343 twice a week + A 333 five times a week.

DFW - capacity adjusted from daily A 343 to daily A 333.

EWR - capacity reduced from daily B 744 to daily A 346.

PHL - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly nonstop flights using an A 343.

ABV - frequencies increased to daily flights using an A 333 six times per week + an A 343 once a week.

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines has officially announced that it shall be increasing capacity on its route to Dubai, UAE from January 19th 2011 onwards. Currently, OS operates a daily nonstop flight using a Boeing 767-300ER which will from mid January onwards be increased to the larger Boeing 777-200ER. In addition, OS has too confirmed that it shall be increasing capacity to TLV-Tel Aviv with a double daily nonstop service using an Airbus A 321-200.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines has officially revealed major changes to its long haul route network for the IATA Winter season that shall come into effect from Oct 31st 2010. The main highlights are as follows:

JFK/AMS/BOM - daily same plane service using an A 332 instead of the route originating from ATL.

EWR/AMS - capacity increased from a daily B 763ER to a daily A 332.

ATL/AMS - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily A 333.

MEM/AMS - capacity increased from a daily B 763ER to a daily A 332.

LAX/NRT - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily B 744.

NRT/HKG - capacity increased from daily A 333 to daily B 744.

NRT/PVG - capacity increased from daily A 333 to daily B 744.

ATL/MXP - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using a B 763ER.

Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines has officially revealed few changes to its Asia medium haul network effective July 15th on routes to Male, Manila and Hyderabad. The main highlights are as follows:

HYD - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 738.

MNL - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop flights using a B 738.

MLE - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using an A 333.

Royal Brunei

Royal Brunei has officially announced that it shall be increasing capacity on its route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia effective August 2nd 2010. Currently, BI operates 5 times per week nonstop using a Boeing 767-300ER, however this shall change when from August it will be utilizing one of its leased ex SQ Boeing 777-200ER to operate the service.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways has officially disclosed many changes to its medium and long haul network from August 1st 2010 onwards. The main highlights are as follows: DXB - capacity increased from a daily 267 seater A 346 to a 388 seater B 777-300A i.e. 45% capacity increase!

SYD - frequencies reduced from triple daily to double daily nonstop flights using an A 340-600 for both services.

AKL - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER.

HYD - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using an AB6.

BNE - frequencies increased from 3 to 5 weekly nonstop terminator flights using a B 772ER.

DPS - frequencies increased from daily to 11 weekly flights using a B 773A daily + an A 333 four times per week.

JKT - frequencies increased from daily to 10 times per week using an A 333 for all services.


Thai Airways has officially announced that as part of its fleet modernization plan, it shall be leasing 8 Boeing 777-300ERs and purchasing 7 Airbus A 330-300s. The 7 A 333s will be exclusively used to on regional routes within Asia to boost capacity and replace all current routes operated by their aging AB6 fleet. The 8 B 773ERs on the other hand shall be utilized on high yielding long haul routes that see considerably business class traffic.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/39042/thai-divides-jet-orders-between-boeing-airbus

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has officially announced that it will be placing a large order for wide bodied jets this year (most likely at the Farnborough Air Show) to replace its fleet of Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A 340-300s and Boeing 777-200As / -300As as the carrier looks to streamline its fleet and cater for expected growth in traffic during the later part of the current decade. Thus far it has indicated that it will not order the Airbus A 380 and instead it shall be initially focusing its attention on both the A 350, B 773ER and B 787 family line to meet its expectations.

Comments:

Interesting announcement by CX which indicates that they are writing off the A 380 for now but who knows as this could be a bargaining tactic used by them to get Airbus to sweeten the deal if they do order a dozen or so A 380s! For CX's wide bodied fleet replacement, they should implement the following changes:

1. B 773As to be replaced by B 773ERs and used on regional routes in a 2 class configuration in the same manner that EK uses these aircraft on short/medium haul sectors. The B 773As need to be gradually replaced from 2013 onwards and in order to have fleet commonality, costs controlled etc, the B 773ER is the best replacement as its flexibility too would in the future allow longer range flights to new or existing markets.

2. A 343s, B 772As and A 333s to be replaced by A 359s due to the latter's similar pax carrying capability + greater nonstop flying range ability.

3. B 744s to be replaced by A 380s and not B 773ERs because the current CX B 744 fleet seats 380 pax approximately where as their B 773ERs seat only 301. Now a typical 3 class A 380 in CX's configuration would likely seat 500 pax which means 120 pax more than their B 744s i.e. nearly 30% more. One would instead suggest that the A 380s of CX be used exclusively as a 4 class aircraft with a new premium economy cabin added into the on board product so that the total 4 class capacity becomes 450 pax max which means 70 more than the B 744 i.e. approx 18% more which is manageable from a sales stand point. In addition, traffic volume on potential CX A 380 routes should increase by approx 20% over the next 5 years so this is all manageable. If CX orders A 380s at this summer's Farnborough Air Show, they would probably get the A 380s delivered from 2014 onwards.

The A 380s of CX should be used on:

HKG-LHR
HKG-LAX
HKG-JFK

HKG-CDG...in this way like how SQ reduced ZRH frequencies, CX can fly a daily A 380 to CDG rather than 10 weekly B 744s.

HKG-SYD
HKG-SFO

HKG-SIN (regional route as part of a continued same plane service from a long haul flight)
HKG-NRT (regional route as part of a continued same plane service from a long haul flight)
HKG-TPE (regional route as part of a continued same plane service from a long haul flight)

Emirates

Emirates has officially announced at the Berlin Air Show that they have placed a massive order with Airbus for 32 additional Airbus A 380-800s. This means that by the time all these additional aircraft are delivered by 2017, EK's A 380 fleet size will jump from 58 to 90. EK too confirmed that these additional A 380s will not be used as a replacement aircraft for any of its wide bodied fleet and instead to propel further capacity growth in key high density markets worldwide.

Comments:

One should not be surprised at all if many of these A 380s end up being transferred to its aircraft leasing unit i.e. DAE and leased out to interested airlines worldwide. Some too feel that this order has also been placed in order to create a further backlog on the A 380 production line thus causing further delivery issues for carriers that would like to place new or additional orders.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing its flights to Munich and Manchester from Sept 1st 2010 onwards. Currently, 5 weekly flights are flown as SIN-MUC-MAN-MUC-SIN with 5th freedom traffic rights on the MUC-MAN-MUC sector using a Boeing 777-300ER. However from Sept 1st, these flights shall witness a rise in frequency from 5 weekly to daily flights using the same aircraft type.

Air France

Air France has officially revealed few changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:

GIG - frequencies increased from 12 weekly to double daily nonstop flights using a B 744 and an A 332 each daily.

NRT - frequencies reduced from 20 weekly to double daily flights flown nonstop using an A 380 and B 773ER each daily.

ATL - capacity increased from daily A 343 to daily B 772ER.

China Eastern Airlines

China Eastern Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing its flights to YVR-Vancouver and JFK-New York City from its PVG-Shanghai hub effective Oct 31st 2010 onwards. Services to JFK shall be increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 340-600 where as operations to YVR are to be upgraded from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 340-300.

British Airways

British Airways has officially revealed details of the layout of its new Boeing 777-300ER cabin configuration as well as what routes it shall be operating on from the on set of the IATA Winter 2010 timetable. BA's B 773ERs will seat a total of 297 seats in a 4 class configuration i.e. 14 first class + 56 business class + 44 premium economy and 183 economy class. The initial routes that shall be getting these new aircraft are Mumbai and Dubai only.

Hence for the Winter 2010 season, BA's capacity to BOM will drop from a daily B 744 + daily B 772ER to a daily B 773ER + daily B 772ER where as DXB's capacity too shall be reduced as it will see a daily B 773ER + daily B 772ER + daily B 763ER operating rather than a B 744 for the winter season.

Alitalia

Alitalia is expected to announce shortly that it will be increasing its flights to Japan in particular NRT-Tokyo from Nov 1st 2010 to take full advantage of the withdrawal of JAL-Japan Airlines on the high yielding Italy-Japan sector. AZ plans to add an additional weekly flight operated nonstop both from its Rome and Milan stations to Tokyo which shall see the carrier offering a total of 14 weekly flights on the Tokyo route i.e. 10 from FCO and 4 from MXP.

United Airlines

United Airlines has officially confirmed that it shall be reducing capacity to BKK-Bangkok from July 1st. Currently, UA operates a daily Boeing 747-400 to BKK via Tokyo with full 5th freedom traffic rights however it will be reduced to a daily Boeing 777-200ER as the B 744 will instead be used to boost capacity to TPE-Taipei which is also flown via NRT.

UA too announced that it shall be boosting capacity to BRU-Brussels from its IAD-Washington hub for the IATA Winter 2010 season from a daily Boeing 767-300ER to a daily Boeing 777-200ER.