KLM has officially revealed many changes to its long haul network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:
YYZ - frequencies increased from 10 weekly to double daily nonstop flights using a B 772ER daily + MD 11 six times per week.
YYC - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using a MD 11.
CPT - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER.
ICN - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily nonstop using a B 744 Combi.
DAR - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER.
EBB/KGL - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly flights using an A 332.
Sri Lankan Airlines has officially announced that it shall be launching new 3 weekly flights to CAN-Guangzhou, China via Bangkok from Jan 28th 2011 onwards. UL has 5th freedom rights on the BKK-CAN sector and will be using an A 343 twice a week + an A 332 once a week for this new route. As a result of this, flights to BKK shall be increased from 10 to 13 weekly nonstop services.
Thai Airways has been officially cited by the Bangkok Post newspaper that it shall be dry leasing 8 brand new Boeing 777-300ERs from Bank of China from August 2012 onwards to replace the 3 currently leased 9W B 773ERs it has in its fleet + 5 of its oldest Boeing 747-400s. TG will be paying US$ 1.15 million per month for each of these jets + $ 5.87 million non refundable commitment fee. The configuration of these new B 773ERs will have 346 seats in a 2 class layout seating 40 in business class + 306 in economy class.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/200305/thai-to-lease-eight-boeings
Qatar Airways has officially revealed that it shall be launching additional flights to Europe from March 2011 thus further boosting its presence in this key market segment. The main highlights are as follows:
CPH - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.
MUC - frequencies increased from daily to 11 times per week using A 332s.
STR - new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be launched to STUGGART effective March 9th 2011 using an A 319. With this increase, QR will henceforth operate 31 weekly flights to Germany out of the 35 it is allowed.
Air Canada has officially announced its first set of changes to its long haul route network for the peak Summer 2011 season i.e. eff June 1st. The main highlights are as follows:
YUL / BRU - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.
YYZ / ZRH - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.
YYZ / MEX - frequencies increased from 11 weekly to double daily nonstop.
Ethiopian Airlines has officially announced that it shall be increasing its frequencies to both Kuwait and Bahrain from Nov 1st 2010 onwards. Currently, ET operate 5 weekly flights to both these cities in a triangular fashion i.e. ADD-BAH-KWI-ADD using a Boeing 737-700. It will increase its frequencies to a daily operation from November using the same aircraft type.
Air India has just released an amended long haul schedule for the IATA W10 season.
The main highlights are as follows:
DEL/CDG – planned increased from 3 weekly B 77Ls to daily B 77Ws has been cancelled. New schedule is for AI to only increase CDG from 3 to 4 weekly flights but using a smaller 238 seater Boeing 777-200LR (77L).
DEL/LHR – planned double daily B 773ER operation has been cancelled and replaced with double daily B 77Ls.
HYD/DEL/ORD – capacity increased from daily B 77L to daily B 77W.
DEL/HKG/KIX – capacity increased from 3 weekly B 77Ls to 3 weekly B 77Ws.
DEL/HKG/ICN - capacity increased from 4 weekly B 77Ls to 4 weekly B 77Ws.
Taiwan and UK have recently signed a new bilateral accord which further liberalizes access to the UK for EVA Air and China Airlines. The main highlights are as follows:
LHR - flights can be increased from 10 to 14 per week.
MAN - new 7 weekly pax + 10 weekly cargo flights can be operated. 5th freedom traffic from BKK to MAN and vice versa available.
British Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to San Diego, California from June 1st 2011 onwards. BA will be operating a daily service on this route which it suspended a decade ago. The aircraft to be used is a 3 class Boeing 777-200ER i.e. J/W/Y.
EL AL of Israel has officially announced that it is increasing flights to Hong Kong from Tel Aviv effective Nov 1st 2010 onwards. An additional 5th weekly nonstop flight shall be operated using a Boeing 777-200ER.
Air Mauritius has officially announced that it shall be increasing its flights to HKG-Hong Kong from July 2011 by adding a 4th weekly nonstop service on this sector. All services shall be operated with an Airbus A 330-200.
Bahrain Air has just announced a major expansion for its route network for the IATA Winter 2010 season. The main highlights are as follows:
DMM – new 10 weekly nonstop flights to be launched eff Oct 31st
ALY – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights using an A 320.
BEY – frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop service.
RUH - frequencies increased from 6 to 8 weekly nonstop flights.
NJF - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.
KTM – frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.
COK - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.
CCJ - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 weekly nonstop flights.
