News till 12FEB

Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be launching an additional 3rd daily nonstop flight to New York's JFK airport effective 28MAY 2012. The new service will be operated with an Airbus A 330-300 where as the remaining two are with a Boeing 777-300ER. The schedule of the 3 daily TK operated flights are as follows:

Dep IST 0725/1100/1715 Arr JFK 1120/1445/2100
Dep JFK 1250/1645/2300 Arr IST 0540/0925/1540

The 3rd daily frequency is the one that departs IST at 0725 and arrives back into IST at 0540 the next day. In addition, TK also confirmed that it shall be increasing capacity on its Istanbul-Seoul service effective 11MAY onwards from daily A343 service to 2 weekly B773ER + 5 weekly A343s.


PIA of Pakistan has officially revealed on the GDS system that they will be suspending all services to ORD-Chicago O Hare Airport effective 24MAR 2012. PK currently operates twice weekly services from Karachi via Lahore and Barcelona to ORD using a B 777-200ER. With Emirates launching new daily B777 services to BCN along with QR in turn further increasing BCN from daily to 10 weekly A330s, the writing is on the wall for PIA in Spain!


Gulf Air has officially announced that it has been awarded additional frequencies to Jeddah and Riyadh effective 01MAR 2012. The main highlights are as follows:

JED - frequencies increased from 10 to 14 weekly i.e. 10 weekly A332s + 4 weekly A320s

RUH - frequencies increased from 14 to 21 weekly i.e. 7 weekly A320s + 14 weekly A332s.


Etihad Airways and Air Berlin have officially announced a massive increase in services to UAE, Thailand and Germany from the on set of the IATA S12 season as the two carriers look to take maximum advantage of both market segments after EY purchased a 29% stake in AB. The main highlights are as follows:

AUH/BKK - frequencies increased by EY from double to triple daily flights using a B777-300ER for all services. EY's B777s seat 412 pax in a 2 class configuration

TXL (Berlin)/AUH/HKT (Phuket) - AB will launch new daily flights to Phuket from Berlin via Abu Dhabi with full 5th freedom rights using an A332. As a result TXL-AUH will be increased from the current 4 weekly to daily flights.

AUH/DUS - new daily nonstop frequencies operated by AB using an A332.

AUH/DUS - EY increases frequencies from 4 to daily flights using an A333. As a result, DUS-AUH is operated double daily by EY/AB !

In addition, EY too confirmed that it will be launching new 6 weekly nonstop flights to LOS-Lagos, Nigeria effective 01JUL 2012. An Airbus A 330-200 shall be used to operate this new service with a split schedule i.e. three flights departing AUH at 0200 and three at 0900.

Qatar Airways today has officially revealed another set of major capacity and frequency increases for the IATA S12 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

KUL – frequencies increased from 13 to 16 times per week nonstop operating with B773ERs.

JKT – frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A333.

MAD – capacity increased from daily A332 to daily B773ER.

ALG – frequencies increased from daily to 11 weekly nonstop operating with A332s.

LOS – capacity increased from daily A332 to daily A333.

CAI – frequencies increased from 9 to 12 weekly nonstop flights i.e. daily B773ER + 5 weekly A320.

GVA – capacity reduced from daily A332 to 4 weekly A319s + 3 weekly A332s.

DAR – capacity increased to double daily nonstop services using an A320 versus current flights routed 1 daily nonstop + 1 daily via NBO.

Emirates has officially announced that it will be operating a new 3^rd daily nonstop flight to MXP-Milan effective 01JUN 2012. The new 3^rd daily flight shall be operated with an A330-200 where as the other two are operated with B777-300s. The other 2 flights depart DXB at 0855 and 1550 respectively. It is expected that services to FCO-Rome will be increased from double to triple daily effective Sept 2012.

The flight scheduled for the new 3^rd daily frequency is as follows:

EK 101 Dep DXB 0340 Arr MXP 0825
EK 102 Dep MXP 1110 Arr DXB 1920

Safi Airways of Afghanistan has officially announced that it shall be increasing its flights on its most popular route i.e. Kabul-Dubai from the on set of the IATA S12 season i.e. 26MAR 2012. Currently 4Q operates double daily nonstop flights on this sector using Airbus A320s, these shall now be increased to 18 weekly flights using the same aircraft type.


Jet Airways of India has officially announced that it shall be reducing services to the Middle East region from March 2012 onwards as the carrier redeploys capacity on more profitable services. The main highlights are as follows:

DEL/AUH - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly using B737s.

DEL/DOH - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly using B737s.

Biman Bangladesh has officially announced that it shall be increasing its services to HKG-Hong Kong, China from its Dhaka hub base effective 26MAR 2012. Currently, BG operates 2 weekly nonstop flights on the DAC-HKG route using a DC10, however these shall be increased to 3 weekly flights using the same aircraft type.


Korean Air has officially announced that it will be resuming flights to CAI-Cairo effective 24SEP 2012. KE will operating the service this time nonstop from its ICN-Seoul base using an Airbus A 330-200IGW on a twice weekly basis only. This service by an A332 will be one of the longest A332 operated flights worldwide along side its CZ's CAN-LHR, HX's HKG-LGW, KE's ICN-NBO and KE's LAS-ICN.

Cebu Pacific, a low cost airline based in the Philippines has officially announced that it will be launching a new long haul low cost services from Manila to the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America with a fleet of 8 new all economy class configured Airbus A 330-300s. These all Y class A333s will be seating 387 passengers and can fly nonstop from Manila to UAE westwards and Hawaii eastwards. It claims that it will be offering fares 35% lower than the scheduled carriers on the high volume Middle east routes in particular and shall be operating to Europe with 5th freedom rights via the Middle East.


The state of Venezuela has officially announced that it has signed a deal to purchase 4 Airbus A 340-500 planes from UAE's Etihad Airways to be used by its own state owned airline i.e. Conviasa. These 4 jets were bought for US$60 million along with a side order being placed for 20 Embraer E90 to enhance its regional operations in Central America.


Air Astana of Kazakhstan has officially announced that it has placed an order with Boeing, Airbus and Embraer this week for a variety of jets to fully revitalize its fleet for the upcoming decade. The breakdown of the order is 3 Boeing 767-300ERs + 3 Boeing 787-800s + 2 Embraer E190s + 4 Airbus A 320-200s.

Norwegian Airlines has officially announced that it has placed on record Europe's largest ever order earlier on this week by announcing a deal to purchase 372 aircraft both from Boeing and Airbus. The breakdown of the order is as follows:

22 firm Boeing 737-800s + 100 firm Boeing 737-800MAX along with another 100 options
100 firm Airbus A320NEOs + 50 options

The airline's primary hub is at Oslo airport but also has large operations at Copenhagen and Stockholm airports respectively. It also has 6 Boeing 787-800s on order with Boeing of which the first is expected to be delivered in Q3 2012 and shall be configured in a 2 class configuration seating 291 passengers i.e. 36 premium economy and 255 economy. These aircraft will be used on new long haul services to New York, Bangkok and Beijing.

Comments:

Just like the rest of the world, I too was quite shocked when I had initially read of this order placed on Wednesday as it made no commercial sense. To be frank, I personally do not think that this order placed by the airline is for itself to be deployed all across its network. One feels that this order has been placed more like an investment where by Norwegian Airlines by buying these jets in massive bulk has obviously managed to obtain a huge discount and hence will use that to its advantage in the future to either sell or lease out the aircraft upon delivery and make a good profit by doing so since the value of the MAX and NEO by the time they get delivered in 2017-18 would have appreciated considerably.

There is no way that an airline with Norway as a primary home market can even support 100 aircraft as part of its fleet, let alone have a huge network unless it has multiple hubs across Europe but that too the intense competition will not allow it to make healthy profits. It is also worth mentioning that no pure low cost carrier maintains two different types of narrow body aircraft as part of its fleet mix. Hence my earlier point stating that I feel this is more of an investment and we could see the airline creating a strong subsidiary leasing company that would handle lease/sale agreements of a majority of these aircraft upon delivery.


Emirates has officially announced that it will be embarking on a major expansion of its Spanish bound services as the carrier confirmed that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to BCN-Barcelona effective 03JUL 2012. EK will be launching the route aggressively with a daily service using a 354 seater Boeing 777-300ER. In addition, it shall also be increasing capacity to MAD-Madrid, Spain by adding a second daily nonstop service to the city with both flights being operated with a B 773ER as well. EK's aggressiveness in Spain is viewed by many to be directly aimed at Qatar Airways as well as to further irritate Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners in Europe who shall see their market share from Spain to Far East Asia and Indian sub-continent further evaporate.


Thai Airways has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies to ARN-Stockholm, Sweden effective 28OCT 2012 i.e. on set of the IATA Winter 2012 season as the carrier looks to capitalize on the ever increasing popularity of Thailand as an affordable destination for Swedish nationals. Frequencies are to be increased from the current daily services using a B747-400 to 9 times per week with the same aircraft type. The additional two frequencies will be tagged on to HKT-Phuket. In addition, TG also announced that as a result of ARN being increased, its services to CPH-Copenhagen will decrease in turn from 10 to 9 weekly flights from BKK using a B747-400 as well.


Asiana Airlines of South Korea has officially announced that it will be significantly increasing its presence in the U.S. market from July 2012 as the carrier looks to further consolidate its presence in this key market segment as it gets more new A330s and B777s delivered. The main highlights are as follows:

ORD - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B772ER.

SEA - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights using an A333.

HNL - frequencies increased from 2 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A333.


In a further sign of its growing concern of the intense competitive state of the Indian market, Air France has officially announced that it shall be reducing services to all 3 of its Indian gateway points for the entire IATA Summer 2012 season in the following manner:

DEL - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly flights using an A343.

BOM - frequencies and capacity reduced from daily to 6 weekly flights using an A332.

BLR - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly flights using an A332.


Biman Bangladesh has officially announced that it will be implementing major capacity adjustments across its medium and long haul network for the IATA Summer 2012 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

KWI – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights using an A310.

MCT – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights using a DC10.

LHR – frequencies reduced from 5 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using a B773ER.

KHI – frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using a B738.

CCU – frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly flights.

DXB – frequencies reduced from 10 to 6 weekly flights using a mixture of A310s/DC10s.

DEL – frequencies increased from 2 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using a B738.

Aeroflot has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies to Beijing, New York, Los Angeles and Havana from June 2012 onwards in the following manner:

PEK – frequencies increased from double daily to 16 weekly flights using a B763ER 9 weekly and an A333 daily.

LAX – frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week nonstop using an A332.

JFK – frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using an A333.

HAV – frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week nonstop using an A332.

Qatar Airways has officially announced that it will be reconfiguring few of its Boeing 777-300ERs in a high density 2 class configuration used exclusively all volume metric routes to Asia where there is minimal demand for business class travel. Currently, QR’s B773ERs seat 335 pax i.e. 42J + 293Y however the new configuration will see 24 business class and 356 economy class with the total seat count increasing to 380 passengers. The routes that these B77Ws will operate to are Manila, Bangkok, Hanoi and later on Jeddah + Islamabad. This is an extremely smart move by QR as it will help reduce its operating cost per seat unit down on these high demand sectors where price competitiveness is key to gaining volume.

RAK Airways of Ras Al Khaimeah, UAE has officially announced that it will be launching 2 new destinations shortly as the carrier continues to grow its medium haul network with its small fleet of Boeing 737-800s. The main highlights are as follows:

BKK – new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using a B738 effective 01JUN.

KTM – new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using a B738 effective 15FEB.

Virgin Atlantic has officially announced that it will be returning back to Airbus 4 out of its fleet of 19 Airbus A340-600s effective October 2012 as the carrier takes delivery of more Airbus A330-300s which shall be used to replace the A346s on trans-atlantic missions in particular. These 4 A346s are early models of the variant i.e. manufactured in 2002 and seat 309 passengers in a 3 class configuration i.e. 46J + 38P + 225Y. It will be interesting to see which airline decides to snap them up though I would place a bet being Aerolineas Argentina as they desperately need to replace their ageing fleet of 3 B747-400s asap.

News between 15JAN-21JAN

Cathay Pacific has officially announced that it has signed an order confirmation with Airbus for 6 more Airbus A350-900s as the carrier looks to fast track the phase out of its aging A343 and B744 fleet by 2016-17. The aircraft shall be used on medium density long haul routes to Europe and Australia. With the signing of this order, the total number of A359s ordered by CX increases to 36.


China Airlines of Taiwan has officially announced that due to heavy losses and below par loads, it shall be suspending all its services to LHR-London Heathrow effective 25MAR 2012. CI launched the route from 28MAR 2010 operated with a 3 weekly nonstop frequency using an Airbus A340-300. Currently, the airline operates 2 weekly services in order to cut the heavy loss burden.


Emirates has officially announced that it will be further increasing its services to the Northern Pakistan cities of Lahore and Islamabad from February 2012 as the carrier was awarded more bilateral access into this high volume, high yielding market segment. Services to Islamabad shall be increased to 8 times per week with all flights being operated with a two class configured 442 seater Boeing 777-300ER where as operations to Lahore will also in turn be increased to 8 times per week but with a standardized schedule using a B773ER five times per week + an A332 three times per week. The schedule for LHE has been changed as the carrier looks to capitalize heavily on the high volume LHE-JED and LHE-North America market segments. In addition, EK too revealed many other capacity changes for its IATA Summer 2012 schedule of which the main highlights are as follows:

BGW - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A332.

DAC - frequencies increased from 17 to 19 times per week using a B773ER.

DUR - capacity increased from daily A332 to daily B773ER.

DUS - capacity increased to double daily B773s from daily A343 + daily B773.


Jet Airways of India has officially announced that it has signed a deal with Boeing to acquire 12 Boeing 737-800s as part of an order swap by exchanging 2 yet to be produced Boeing 777-300ERs for 7 B 738s + 5 options. 9W's B738s form the backbone of its fleet used extensively on domestic and medium haul international routes to the Middle East and Far East regions. For future growth potential, the airline should seriously consider evaluating the Boeing 737-900ER which is a direct competitor to the A321 as within two years a lot of 9W's international services operated currently with a B738 will be requiring a capacity increase hence it would be a cost worthy proposition upgrading from a B738 to a B739ER versus an A332. This aircraft type has already won large orders from Delta (100) and Lion Air (166) as its an ideal plane for high density medium haul routes within a 6 hour flying radius of India.


Etihad Airways has officially announced that it will be significantly increasing capacity to LHE-Lahore, Pakistan as the carrier looks to re-deploy its B773ER capacity on higher volume profitable routes during the IATA S12 season. Currently, LHE is operated on a daily basis using an A332 six times per week + an A320 once a week. However from 26MAR 2012, EY shall be flying to LHE with a 412 seater B773ER on a daily basis thus representing a weekly r/t capacity increase of 2100 seats aka +57%. EY's main focus in LHE in 2012 is also aimed at targeting the high volume LHE-Saudia market along with North America and Europe. In addition, EY too confirmed that it will also be increasing capacity to JED-Jeddah from 26MAR by adding an incremental amount of 1372 r/t seats on its weekly schedule in the following manner:

- Current capacity is 13 weekly flights spread across 6 weekly A320s + 1 weekly A332 + 6 weekly B 773ERs offering 7196 weekly r/t seats. From 26MAR 2012 onwards, it becomes 9 weekly B773ERs + 4 weekly A320s offering 8568 weekly r/t seats i.e. +19% capacity increase.


Privatair of Switzerland has officially announced that it has become the latest and most interesting customer of the upcoming Bombardier C Series jets of which it has placed an order for 10 CS100 aircraft. The breakdown is 5 firm + 5 options. The reason why it is an interesting order is due to the airline being the first to configure these jets into an all business class layout which would accommodate approximately 35 passengers. The flying range capability is 7.5 hours nonstop thus making GCC-London City/EU and LCY-trans-atlantic services possible.


KLM has officially revealed many capacity changes for its long haul network for the IATA Summer 2012 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

DXB - frequencies reduced from double daily to daily nonstop flights using a B744.

BKK - capacity increased with daily nonstop terminator flights using a B773ER four times a week and a B772ER three times per week. The tag on sector to Taipei is dropped.

TIP - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 times per week using a B737.

BAH - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly A332s tagged on to AUH.

DMM - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily tagged on with KWI.

IAH - frequencies reduced from 10 weekly to daily nonstop flights only using a B744 Combi.

MNL - nonstop flights dropped and instead it will be operated via TPE on a daily basis using a B772ER. This will result in KLM being the only airline to offer nonstop services to TPE from mainland Europe.

DEL - capacity reduced from daily MD11 to daily A332.


Air France which is in a serious mode of restructuring its operations in order to reduce losses and cut highly unprofitable routes has disclosed a series of changes for its IATA Summer 2012 schedule of which the main highlights are as follows:

AUH - all flights suspended effective 05MAR; currently AF operates 5 weekly A332s on this sector.

MCO (Orlando) - all flights suspended effective 03Sept.

HKG - frequencies reduced from double daily to 12 weekly i.e. daily B773ER + 5 weekly B772ER.

HAV - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly using a B773ER.


Bahrain Air's CEO has officially revealed at the on going Bahrain Air Show that it is keen to add three regional jets into its fleet by 2014 as the carrier looks to deploy smaller planes on its GCC routes where demand for a larger A320 is not consistent year round. It has shown great interest in the new Russian made Sukhoi Superjet 100 which can seat approximately 85 passengers in a 2 class configuration and fly nonstop with a full payload up to 3500KM.


Transaero of Russia has officially announced that it shall be increasing its presence in the popular New York-Moscow market segment effective 29MAY 2012 as the carrier looks to take full advantage of the peak summer season travel demand. Frequencies shall be increased from the current 4 weekly to daily nonstop services using a Boeing 777-300 for all flights. Note that the B773s operated by Transaero are ex Singapore Airlines owned.

News between 01JAN-14JAN

Qatar Airways has officially revealed many changes to its long haul route network for the IATA Summer 2012 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

YUL – capacity increased from 3 weekly B772LRs to 3 weekly B 773ERs i.e. an additional 456 r/t weekly seats on offer.

MXP – frequencies increased from 11 weekly to double daily i.e. daily A333 + daily A320.

MAN – frequencies reduced from double daily to 10 weekly A330s.

American Airlines has officially announced that due to rising costs and losses, it shall be suspending its services to DEL-Delhi, India effective 01MAR 2012. AA currently operates a daily nonstop product from ORD-Chicago to DEL using a B772ER but suffers a payload restriction on the DEL-ORD sector. Its main competitor on this sector is AI-Air India who also offers a daily nonstop product and is bound to be beaming with joy at this announcement by AA.

Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to LAX-Los Angeles from the on-set of the IATA S12 season i.e. 26MAR. Currently, TK operates 3 weekly nonstop flights from its IST hub base using a Boeing 777-300ER, however from end March, these shall be increased to daily nonstop flights using the same aircraft type.

Emirates has officially announced major details of its planned long haul expansion for the IATA Summer 2012 of which the main highlights are as follows:

SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) – new daily nonstop flights to be launched with an A332 effective 01JUN and then upgraded to a daily B773ER effective 29OCT 2012.

GLA – frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights i.e. daily B773ER + daily A343.

ADD – nonstop terminator flights to be operated with an A332.

EBB - nonstop terminator flights to be operated with an A332 instead of daily A345 via ADD.

Etihad Airways has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to KUL-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a major manner effective 26MAR 2012. Currently, EY operates a daily A332 product on this sector seating 262 pax on board. However from 26MAR, all daily flights shall be upgraded to a daily B777-300ER which seats 412 passengers, therefore offering additional capacity of 2100 r/t weekly seats on the KUL route!

Alitalia has officially announced that it shall be launching new services to RUH-Riyadh effective 01JUN 2012 as part of its efforts to further expand medium haul services especially to SKY TEAM member hub airports.

AZ revealed that flights will be operated from Rome 4 times per week nonstop to Riyadh using an A320 with the following schedule:

Days: 2/5/6/7

AZ 878 Dep FCO 2030 Arr RUH 0240+1

AZ 879 Dep RUH 0335 Arr FCO 0810

Malaysia Airlines has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies to LAX-Los Angeles as well as re-route its current service to the city. Presently, MAS operates 3 times per week from KUL via TPE-Taipei using a B772ER, however from 26MAR, these shall be increased to 4 times per week using the same aircraft type but via NRT-Tokyo with 5^th freedom traffic rights.

Air Asia X, the long haul subsidiary of Air Asia (Malaysia) has officially announced that it shall be suspending all of its long haul services to Europe and India effective March 2012 as the carrier looks to re-organize its strategic plan and cost base. It also blamed the high EU carbon tax for the suspension of European services. The 4 routes canceled are BOM, LGW, ORY (Paris Orly) and DEL.

Fly Dubai has officially announced that it shall be launching 2 new routes from Feb 2012 as it looks further into tapping high yielding niche markets in the Middle East region. FZ confirmed that these 2 new routes are Taif in Saudi Arabia which shall be operated 3 times per week and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan which shall be operated twice a week respectively. All services to be flown using a 189 seater Boeing 737-800.

News between 24-30OCT

Transaero Airlines of Russia has officially announced that it has signed a deal with Airbus to purchase 4 Airbus A 380s to initially replace its fleet of Boeing 747-400s within the next 2 years as the carrier has an ambitious long haul growth plan set in stone. These A380s will be configured with the highest density i.e. 700 seats in a 3 class configuration containing a small business class, premium economy cabin and a dense economy class cabin. Its initial route will be on Moscow-Bangkok where the carrier has a strong following.


Air France has officially announced that it will be placing the Airbus A 380 on its popular LAX-Los Angeles route from 28MAY 2012 onwards as the carrier looks to further increase its premium brand awareness in the local market place. AF will be operating the A380 on a daily basis on the CDG-LAX sector however in turn to cater for the capacity increase, the route's total frequencies will drop from 20 weekly B777s to 15 weekly flights i.e. 8 weekly B 772ERs + a daily A 380. AF too confirmed for the IATA S12, its capacity to YYZ-Toronto shall also fall as the carrier will no longer be operating a daily B 747-400 on this route, instead a daily B 772ER will be used which will come as a sigh of relief for its business class passengers in particular due to the better on board seat product features.


Air Berlin of Germany has officially announced that it will be expanding its long haul network to USA out of its Berlin hub as the carrier looks to strengthen One World's presence in the German market with the cooperation of American Airlines. As a result, it will be launching new 3 weekly nonstop flights to LAX-Los Angeles effective 11MAY 2012 using an Airbus A 330-200. AB too revealed that it shall be implementing further capacity increases which are as follows:

TXL/JFK - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily flights using an A332.

DUS/MIA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly flights using an A332.

DUS/JFK - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using an A332.

DUS/YVR - frequencies reduced from 3 to 2 weekly nonstop flights using an A332.

DUS/LAX - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using an A332.


Ethiopian Airlines has officially announced major capacity changes to its IATA W11 schedule of which the main highlights are as follows: BAH - all flights suspended effective 30OCT

DXB - frequencies reduced from triple daily to 15 weekly flights using a B 777

DEL - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights

KWI - capacity increased from daily nonstop B 737-700s to daily nonstop B 737-800 terminator flights with no extension to BAH.


Air Pacific of the Fiji Islands has officially announced that it has canceled its entire order of eight Boeing 787-900s as it could not accept further delays to the delivery of these aircraft by Boeing. In turn, FJ has placed an order for 3 Airbus A 330-200s which shall be used to replace its entire long haul fleet of 2 B 744s and 1 B 763ER. FJ has confirmed that these A332s will be used to operate to HKG, SYD, LAX and HNL.


Qatar Airways has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to Kuala Lumpur and Phuket effective 25MAR 2012. The main highlights are as follows:

KUL - capacity increased from 13 weekly A 332s to 13 weekly B 773ERs i.e. an increase of approximately 2000 r/t seats per week.

HKT - capacity increased from daily A332 via KUL to daily B 773ER.


United Airlines has officially announced many capacity changes to its long haul network for the IATA W11 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

SFO/LHR - capacity increased from daily B772ER to daily B744.

SFO/KIX - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly B772ERs.

SFO/PVG - capacity reduced from daily B744 to daily B772ER.

IAD/GVA - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly B763ERs.

IAD/FCO - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly B763ERs.

IAH/FRA - capacity increased from daily B762ER to daily B764ER.

IAH/CDG - capacity reduced from daily B764ER to daily B762ER.

EWR/CPH - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly B757s.

EWR/DUB - frequencies reduced from double daily to daily B757s.

EWR/FRA - frequencies increased from daily to double daily.

EWR/ARN - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly.

EWR/GRU - capacity increased from daily B762ER to daily B764ER.

News between 23-30JUL

Singapore Airlines has officially revealed changes to its Middle East flying schedule for the IATA W11 season which sees major capacity adjustments across the board. The main highlights are as follows:

AUH - frequencies increased from daily to 9 times per week.

KWI - all flights suspended.

CAI - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 times per week via Dubai

DXB - frequencies reduced from double daily to 11 weekly.

RUH - capacity reduced from 4 weekly B 773 to 4 weekly A 333s.


Swiss has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to PEK-Beijing, China effective 11FEB 2012 to capitalize on the growing business and tourism traffic that is being witnessed out of Western and Central Europe bound to/from China. LX shall be using an Airbus A 340-300 to operate this service on a daily basis. LX also confirmed that it will be increasing capacity on its ZRH-EWR (Newark) route from the on set of the IATA S12 season by replacing its daily nonstop service operated a B 737BBJ with a larger Airbus A 340-300.


Thai Airways and China Southern Airlines have officially revealed the cabin configuration of their soon to be delivered Airbus A 380s. The main highlights are as follows:

TG - total of 507 seats in a 3 class configuration i.e. 12F/60J/435Y.

CZ - total of 506 seats in a 3 class configuration i.e. 8F/70J/428Y.


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to DMM-Dammam, Saudi Arabia effective 12SEP 2011. TK will be operating the new service 3 times per week using an Airbus A 319. It will be targeting the high volume KSA-IST market along with oil/gas traffic bound to Central Asia, Western Europe, Russia and USA. TK's President also officially announced that his airline plans on launching a new African route in Summer 2012 i.e. Kigali, Rwanda which would be operated 4 times per week using a Boeing 737-800. Flight schedules will be revealed at a later date. Lastly, TK too revealed initial capacity changes for its long haul route network for the IATA S12 season which are as follows:

GRU - frequencies to be increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights using a B 773ER.

HKG - frequencies to be increased from 6 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 773ER.

CAN - frequencies to be increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using a B 773ER.


Emirates has officially announced that it will be implementing capacity + frequency increases across its network during the course of the IATA W11 season. The main highlights are as follows:

KUL - capacity increased from triple daily B 773s to daily A 380 + double daily B 773s.

CAI - frequencies increased from 12 to 13 times per week using B 777s.

MXP - capacity increased from daily A343 + daily B773 to double daily flights using a 3 class configured B 773 only.

TUN - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week.

FCO - capacity increased from daily A 332 + daily B 773 to daily A 380 + daily B 773.

KRT - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 times per wee using A332s only.


Air France has officially announced that it shall be reducing its frequencies to MIA-Miami, USA for the IATA W11 season. Currently, AF operates a daily nonstop flight out of its CDG-Paris hub using a Boeing 747-400, however this shall be reduced to 6 times per week using the same aircraft type for the entire W11 season.


Oman Air has officially announced that it will be majorly increasing its presence in Bahrain and Doha from the on set of the IATA W11 season. Frequencies to BAH shall be increased from triple daily to 31 weekly with flights being operated using E75s. DOH on the other hand also gets a frequency increase from triple daily to 5 times daily with flights being flown using a mixture of E75s and B 738s.


Jetblue has officially announced that it has struck a deal to sell 11 of its yet to be delivered factory fresh Embraer E190 aircraft in 2013. B6 ordered 46 E90s few years ago and took delivery of 35 of them. With the carrier recently also ordering many more A320NEOs and converting existing A320 orders to A321s, the carrier does not seem to require additional E90s for its long term growth.


Egypt Air has officially announced that it shall be increasing frequencies to CAN-Guangzhou, China effective 01OCT 2011. Frequencies shall be raised from the current 4 to 5 times per week nonstop using a Boeing 777-300ER for all the flights.


Air Canada has officially announced numerous capacity changes to its long haul route network for the IATA W11 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

YOW/FRA - frequencies increased to 6 times per week using a B 763ER.

YYZ/CPH - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 times per week using a B 763ER.

YYZ/PVG - capacity reduced from daily B 773ER to daily B 772LR.

YYZ/TLV - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 times per week using a B 763ER.

YYZ/NRT - capacity increased from daily B 772LR to daily B 773ER.

YUL/BRU - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using a B 763ER.

YUL/FRA - capacity reduced from daily B 773ER to daily A 333.

YUL/GVA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using a B 763ER.

Airline News 07JUL-22JUL

British Airways has officially announced that due to increasing demand for its Riyadh bound flights from London Heathrow especially in the premium cabins, it shall be increasing its flights to the city for the IATA W11 season. Currently, BA operates 5 times per week using a Boeing 777-200ER, however from Oct 30th onwards, these shall be increased to daily services using the same aircraft type.


Etihad Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching its 3rd new route in Germany i.e. Dusseldorf from 16DEC 2011 onwards. EY will be initially operating the service 4 times per week using an Airbus A 330-300, however from the on set of the IATA S12 season, flights shall be further increased to daily using the same aircraft type. Its main target market in DUS are pax bound to BKK, MNL, UAE, Iraq, IKA, China and Indian Sub-continent region. EY also announced that it will be increasing flights to EBL-Erbil, Iraq effective 30SEP from the current 2 weekly to 4 weekly flights all using an Airbus A 320.


American Airlines has officially announced that it has placed the world's largest aircraft order in history by signing a deal with both Boeing and Airbus for a combined total of 460 aircraft + 625 options. The break down of the order is as follows:

1. 100 Boeing 737-800s
2. 100 Boeing 737RE family (newly launched product similar to A320NEO)
3. 130 Airbus A 320 family (combination of A320s and A321s)
4. 130 Airbus A 320NEO family (combination of A320NEOs and A321NEOs)

Analysis:

Quite a "coup de tat" for Airbus as this is a huge win for them. Boeing only managed to salvage approximately 40% of this order by hurriedly launching their own B737NG NEO variant otherwise it would have been a huge embarrassment for them seeing one of their top 5 customers jump ship. Make no mistake about it, these A320s bought by AA must have been massively discounted, so much so that if AA were smart, by the time they take delivery of these A320NEOs 6 years later, they can easily sell them off at a 30-40% profit margin.

Now as far as what will AA do with these planes, it is evident that they shall be used to fully replace its aging MD80 and B 757 fleet which it has officially stated. However what is quite interesting to read is that also this order is also meant to fully replace AA's old B 767-200s. Taking all of this into consideration, it is quite evident that out of the A320 family that is on order, the only variants that AA will be ordering are the A320 and A321s; both normal and NEO versions. The A321s will be used to replace their B 757s and B 762s on all domestic and intra-America flights.

As far as the B 737s are concerned, AA currently has only one type of B 737 in its fleet i.e. B 737-800s and that is most likely going to change slightly with Boeing 737-900ERs also going to be ordered as part of this mega order. The reason why one feels that B 739ER will be ordered by AA is because like the A321 it has the same on board capacity of the B 757 + B 762 but it has a greater flying range than the A 321!

Concluding, due to the current seating configuration of its MD80s, B 737s, B 757s/762s, one can rule out AA ordering the A319s and B 737-700s!


Singapore Airlines has officially announced few changes to its IATA W11 schedule which will see many frequency increases particularly in Asia of which the main highlights are as follows:

IST - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 times per week using a B 772ER.

BOM - frequencies increased from double daily to triple daily.

CAN - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using A333s only.

AMD - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly.


Royal Jordanian has officially unveiled massive changes to its IATA W11 flying schedule with capacity increases and decreased across its entire network. The main highlights are as follows:

BAH - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week.

AUH - frequencies increased from daily to 9 weekly.

ORD - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week.

RUH - frequencies increased from 6 to 8 times per week.

HBE - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week.

SAH - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 times per week.

KRT - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily.

ADE - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly flights.


Turkish Airlines has officially revealed major changes to its IATA W11 flying schedule as it adjusts capacity based on seasonal demand. The main highlights are as follows:

DXB - capacity increased from daily A 333 + daily A 321 to 11 weekly A 333 + 3 weekly A 321.

JNB/CPT - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using an A 333.

JFK - frequencies versus W10 increased from daily to 11 weekly flights i.e. 4 weekly A 333s + daily B 773ER.

DEL - capacity reduced from daily A 333 to daily A 332.

BOM - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily A 333.
GYD - frequencies reduced from 4 daily to 24 weekly.

SGN - capacity increased from 3 weekly A343s to 3 weekly B 773ERs all operated via BKK.

NBO/DAR - capacity increased from 3 weekly A 332s to 3 weekly A 333s.


KLM has officially revealed highlights of its Summer 2012 (S12) flying schedule which sees few capacity and frequency changes across its long haul network. The main highlights are as follows:

LOS - capacity increased from daily A 332s to daily A 333s.

CTU - 4 weekly flights to be operated with a B 744 Combi to take advantage of the booming air cargo market.

MIA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using a MD11

DMM - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 times per week using an A332.

DOH - frequencies increased from 4 to 6 times per week using an A332.

GRU - capacity increased from 4 weekly B 773ERs + 3 weekly B 772ERs to daily flights using a B 773ER only.


Thai Airways has officially announced that due to stiff competition for its Sydney flights, it will be reducing frequencies to the city effective 01AUG 2011. From the currently flown 18 times per week nonstop from BKK, TG will reduce the service to double daily only using an A 340-600 for both the flights.


Lufthansa has officially announced major changes to its long haul network out of its Munich hub for the IATA W11 season. The main highlights are as follows:

HKG - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily A 346s.

BOM - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily A 343s.

JFK - capacity reduced from daily A346 to daily A333.

GRU - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily A 346s.

SIN - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily A 346s.


Oman Air has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to both Colombo and Male for the IATA W11 season effective 30OCT onwards. Both routes will be getting dedicated terminator flights rather than tag on flights and as a result MLE will be increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A 333 5 times per week + weekly B 738. In contrast, CMB will be reduced from daily to 6 weekly but due to it being a terminator flight, capacity will be increased with 2 weekly A 332s + 3 weekly A 333s + weekly B 738.

News from 17JUN till 06JUL

EVA AIR of Taiwan has officially announced that it has placed a multi billion dollar order with Boeing and Airbus combined as part of its network expansion and fleet replacement strategy for the next 3 years. BR confirmed that it has ordered 15 Airbus A 321s + 10 new Boeing 777-300ERs. These 2 aircraft types are expected to gradually fully replace its aging B 744 and MD90 fleet.


Turkish Airlines has officially revealed that it will be increasing frequencies to Los Angeles and Washington DC from the on set of the IATA W11 season and then will be implementing a further increase to both these 2 routes from S12 season as well. The main highlights are as follows:

LAX - frequencies to be increased from 3 to 5 flights per week effective 31AUG and then further increased to daily using B 773ERs from 02APR 2012.

IAD - frequencies to be increased from 5 to 6 flights per week effective 30OCT and then further increased to daily using A 332s from 02APR 2012.

In addition, TK has also revealed expansion plans for other areas in its ever increasing flight network which are as follows:

ISB - new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be launched effective 21JUL using a B 738.

TBZ (Tabriz, Iran) - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights effective 18JUL.

ISU (Sulaimaniya, Iraq) - will be operated eff 18JUL 4 times per week nonstop using a 186 seater Airbus A 321-200 with the following schedule: Days: 1/3/5/7 TK 806 Dep IST 2315 Arr ISU 0145+1 TK 807 Dep ISU 0310 Arr IST 0600 (The above mentioned schedule connects beautifully with every single European and North American city in the TK network in both directions via its IST hub)
NJF - will be operated 3 times per week eff 05JUL using a B 737-800 as a triangular routing combining it with Basra-BSR. The schedule is as follows:

Days: 2/4/6

TK 798 Dep IST 0310 Arr NJF 0605

TK 798 Dep NJF 0705 Arr BSR 0750

TK 798 Dep BSR 0850 Arr IST 1215

(The above mentioned schedule connects nicely in both directions in both directions to TK's entire European network + JFK only via its IST hub)

Airbus has officially announced that it has secured 2 important orders from Far East Asia this week for its Airbus A 330-300 model. It announced that Garuda Indonesia signed up officially for 4 additional A 333s and Singapore Airlines signed to lease 15 additional A 333s primarily as a stop gap capacity measure due to the delay of its A 359 delivery schedule.

Thai Airways has officially announced that they are increasing capacity to Europe in a significant manner for the IATA W11 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

BRU - new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be launched effective 17NOV using a B 772ER.

CPH - frequencies to be increased from daily to 10 weekly nonstop flights using a B 744.

MXP - capacity to be increased effective 01JAN 2012, with all flights being operated with A346s instead of A345s.

Oman Air has officially revealed a major expansion of its long haul service to Europe and Far East Asia for the upcoming IATA Winter 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

ZRH - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using an A 332 effective 30OCT.

FRA - frequencies increased from 7 to 9 weekly flights using an A 332 six times per week and an A 333 three times per week.

BKK - frequencies increased from 8 to 12 times per week using an A 332 only.

CDG - capacity increased with all flights being operated with A 333s rather than A 332s.


Etihad Airways today revealed a blockbuster announcement concerning an aggressive major push into mainland China from the on set of the IATA W11 season. The main highlights are as follows:

CTU (Chengdu) - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be flown using an A 332 effective 15DEC 2011. Flight schedule is as follows:

EY 818 Dep AUH 0825 Arr CTU 1845
EY 811 Dep CTU 2015 Arr AUH 0040+1

PVG (Shanghai) - new daily nonstop flights to be launched effective 16APR 2012 using an A 332 with the following schedule:

EY 862 Dep AUH 1010 Arr PVG 2145
EY 867 Dep PVG 0020 Arr AUH 0630


Finnair has officially announced that it will be launching a new long haul route to China to a city called Chongqing in southwestern China effective 09MAY 2012. Services will be operated nonstop 4 times per week using an A340-300.


Alitalia has officially revealed many changes to its long haul route network for the IATA W11 season. The main highlights are as follows:

MXP/JFK - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using an A 332.

FCO/GIG - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using an A 332.

FCO/YYZ - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an B 763ER.


Virgin Atlantic has officially revealed few changes to its long haul route network for the IATA W11 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

MIA - capacity increased from daily A346s to daily B744s.

LAX - frequencies reduced from double daily to 12 weekly.

HAV - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly flights using a B744.


Egypt Air has officially revealed major changes to its international route network for the IATA W11 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

NBO - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily.

KUL - services restored with a daily flight operated via BKK using a B 773ER.
ACC - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 times per week.

AMM - frequencies increased from 17 weekly to triple daily.

DOH - frequencies increased from daily to 10 times per week.

JED - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times daily.

JNB - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

LOS - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly.

DMM - frequencies increased from 10 to 11 times per week.


Royal Jordanian has officially announced major increases in capacity and frequency across its international route network for the IATA W11 season. The main highlights are as follows:

KWI - frequencies increased from 10 to 11 weekly nonstop flights.

JFK - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 times per week versus W10. All flights to be operated in W11 using an A342.

MCT - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 times per week.

CMB - frequencies increased from 3 weekly A 310-300s to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A342.

DEL - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly flights using an A319.

KRT - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly flights.


The Paris Air Show recently concluded a couple of weeks ago and many large orders were placed by airlines and leasing companies respectively. To summarize, the main highlights were as follows for each respective manufacturer:

Boeing

Aeroflot ordered 8 B 777-300ERs
Qatar Airways ordered 6 B 777-300ERs
Hong Kong Airlines ordered 15 B 748s (my personal favorite order of the show)
Air Lease Corp ordered 4 B 789s + 24 B 738s + 5 B 773ERs
Malaysia Airlines ordered 10 B 737-800s
GECAS ordered 2 B 748Fs + 8 B 777-300ERs
Norwegian ordered 15 B 738s + 3 B 788s
UTAir of Russia ordered 7 B 739ERs + 33 B 738s

Airbus

Air Asia of Malaysia ordered 200 A320NEOs
LAN Chile ordered 20 A320NEOs
Saudia Airlines ordered 4 A 333s
Transasia of Taiwan ordered 6 A 321NEOs
Garuda Indonesia ordered 25 A 320NEOs
Jetblue ordered 30 A321s + 40 A320NEOs
Indigo of India ordered 180 A320NEOs
SAS ordered 30 A320NEOs
Air Lease Corp ordered 11 A330s + 1 A321 + 64 A320NEOs
GECAS ordred 60 A320NEOs

Bombardier

Korean Air ordered 30 Bombardier CS300s

News till 16JUN

Thai Airways has officially announced that it has placed a mega order with both Boeing and Airbus for 37 new aircraft that will be delivered to the carrier from 2014 onwards for to meet both its short haul and long haul requirements. The break down of the order is 6 B 787-800s + 2 B 787-900s + 6 B 777-300ERs + 11 A 320-200s + 12 A 350-900s. The B 787s will be used to entirely replace its AB6s on short/medium haul services within the Asian continent where as the A 320s will be used to fully replace its B 737-400s and lastly, the A 359s shall be used to gradually replace its A 333 and B 772A fleet. It is expected down the road, that many more B 773ERs will be ordered by TG to replace a part of their B 744 fleet.


Egypt Air has officially announced that it will be launching new services to Iraq effective 16JUL 2011. MS will be operating to both Erbil and Baghdad with 3 and 4 weekly flights respectively using an Airbus A 320. The timings for EBL are meant specifically to connect its European flights in particular via its main CAI hub in both directions.


Etihad Airways has officially revealed many changes to its long haul route schedule for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

MNL - frequencies increased from 12 weekly to double daily nonstop flights using a 412 seater B 773ER.

FRA - capacity increased to double daily A 333s from double daily A 332s.

ORD - capacity increased from daily A 346 to daily B 773ER i.e. a daily increase of 240 seats round trip.

ICN - capacity increased with all flights operating with A 333s rather than A 332s.

JKT - capacity increased with all flights operating with 412 seater B 773ERs rather than 262 seater A 332s.


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be launching new flights to KBL-Kabul, Afghanistan effective 09JUL 2011. TK will be operating 3 flights per week on WED/SAT/SUN using a Boeing 737-800. Flights will depart IST at 2350 and arrive back by 1135 which is ideally suited to connect JFK and its entire European network in both directions via IST conveniently.


Emirates has officially announced that it will be launching new nonstop daily flights to LED-St Petersburg, Russia effective 01NOV 2011. LED is Russia's second largest and most prosperous city with huge demand primarily for Far East Asia and O&D to UAE itself. For this route, EK will be utilizing 6 times a week an A 332 and once a week an A 343. In addition, EK has also confirmed that it will be launching new 4 weekly nonstop flights to BGW-Baghdad, Iraq effective 13NOV 2011. EK will be deploying a 3 class A 332 for this new service.


KLM has officially announced that it will be launching new nonstop flights to GIG-Rio De Janerio, Brazil effective 01NOV 2011. Services will be flown 3 times per week using a Boeing 777-200ER. Other major changes announced by KLM for its long haul route network for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season are as follows:

DMM - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A 332.

YYZ - frequencies reduced from 10 weekly to daily nonstop flights.

DFW - all flights suspended.

DOH - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A 332.

CTU - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly flights using a B 744 Combi.

DEL - capacity increased from daily B 773ER to daily B 744.

IKA - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 times per week using a MD 11.


British Airways has officially announced major changes to its long haul route network for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season. The main highlights are as follows:

BAH - capacity increased from daily B 772ER to daily B 744.

HKG - capacity reduced from double daily B 744s to daily B 773ER + daily B 744.

CPT - capacity increased from daily B 744 + daily B 772ERs to double daily B 744s.

DEL - capacity increased from daily B 773ER + daily B 744 to double daily B 744s.

DOH - capacity increased from daily B 772ER to daily B 744 operated via BAH.

JFK - capacity increased with all 7 daily flights operated with B 744s rather than a mixture of B 773ERs and B 744s.


Kuwait Airways has officially announced that due to sliding demand for its DAM-Damascus route, it shall be reducing frequencies effective immediately. Flights will be cut from daily nonstop services to 4 weekly nonstop only using a mixture of A 320s (2 weekly) and A 310-300s (2 weekly). This downgrade is due to the ongoing civil unrest in Syria which has caused a major dip in travel to the country.


Sri Lankan Airlines has officially announced that it will be launching new services to ZRH-Zurich, Switzerland effective 23DEC. UL will be operating the flights via MLE-Maldives from its Colombo home base twice a week. An A 340-300 has been designated for this new route.


Continental Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to MUC-Munich and GVA-Geneva for the IATA Summer 2012 season in the following manner:

GVA - capacity increased from daily B 764ER to daily B 772ER.

MUC - capacity increased from daily B 764ER to daily B 772ER.


In a move that shocked the entire aviation fraternity, Malaysia Airlines officially announced last week that it will be joining the ONE WORLD alliance led by BA-AA. Due to its extremely close relationship with KL-NW-DL for many years, it was expected to lean more so towards SKY TEAM but that seems to have changed. With its neighbors i.e. SQ in STAR and GA in SKY TEAM, MH seemed to have no choice but to accept the offer of ONE WORLD to further its global brand positioning and sales distribution.


Korean Air has officially announced all the routes that its initial batch of 5 Airbus A 380s will be operating on out of its ICN-Seoul hub base airport effective 17JUN 2011. They are New York JFK, Bangkok, Paris and Tokyo Narita. KE however has not disclosed how many frequencies operated by the A380 each route shall receive.


Bahrain Air has officially announced that in order to generate cash and minimize losses, it has sub leased out two A 320s to interested airlines and suspended routes for the on going IATA Summer 2011 season until its very end. As a result, BN announced that they are suspending all flights to Riyadh, Dammam, Damascus, Kathmandu and Dhaka effective immediately.

Other main highlights of its S11 schedule are as follows:

IST - frequencies reduced from the planned 5 to 4 weekly flights.

AMM - has been increased to 4 weekly versus 3 earlier.

BEY - frequencies reduced from planned daily to 5 weekly flights.

News till May 21st

Lufthansa has officially announced that it will be increasing its frequencies to BAH-Bahrain and capacity to AUH-Abu Dhabi for the upcoming IATA Winter 2011 season as it looks to reshape its GCC network structure. Frequencies from FRA to BAH will be increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A343 operated via DOH where as AUH will be receiving daily nonstop terminator flights with an A333 rather than having a tag on to MCT-Muscat. Other changes made to LH's Winter 2011 schedule, but this time out of its MUC-Munich hub are as follows:

BOM - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

SIN - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

GRU - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

NRT - capacity increased from daily A343 to daily A346.

ORD - capacity reduced from daily A346 to daily A343.

HKG - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

LAX - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly.


Bahrain Air has officially announced that it has succeeded in obtained more flights to Saudi Arabia from 21JUN 2011 as it unveiled its new S11 schedule on its website.

The main highlights are as follows and are valid from 21JUN onwards only:

DMM - frequencies increased from daily to double daily.

ALY - frequencies increased from 2 to 4 weekly flights.

BEY - daily nonstop flights to resume 21JUN departing BAH at 1150.

KTM - frequencies reduced from 5 to 3 weekly nonstop flights.

AMM - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights effective 21JUN departing BAH at 1200.

DAC - frequencies reduced from 5 to 3 weekly nonstop flights.

DOH - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights.


Air France has officially revealed few changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

BOM - capacity increased from daily B 772ER to 6 weekly B 773ER + weekly B 772ER.

CPT - new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using a B 772ER.

SGN - frequencies increased from 3 to 5 weekly flights using a B 772ER operated as a nonstop terminator service.

MEX - frequencies reduced from double daily B 772ERs to daily nonstop flights using a B 744 only.


Nas Air of Saudi Arabia has officially announced that it will be launching new 14 weekly flights to Karachi, Pakistan as part of its strategy to expand into less competitive nonstop markets from its KSA home base that offer better returns versus its recently suspended lower yielding services to India. It will be operating a daily nonstop 180 seater Airbus A320 from JED and RUH each respectively to Karachi with a daylight schedule i.e. flights departing KSA at 0740 and departing from KHI at 1400 hrs (local time).


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to Bangkok and Osaka for the upcoming IATA Winter 2011 season in anticipation of high volume movement. Capacity to BKK will be increased from 10 weekly A343s to 3 weekly B 777-300ERs + daily A343s which means a total of 468 seats on a round trip basis per week it shall be adding to BKK. In addition, frequencies to KIX-Osaka shall also be increased from 4 to 5 times using an A332.


Virgin Atlantic has officially announced that due to peak summer season demand to NBO-Nairobi, Kenya it shall be increasing capacity marginally on this route to cater for the high demand. Effective 24JUN, daily nonstop flights operated with a smaller A343 will be upgraded to an A346 twice a week where as the remaining 5 weekly's will remain with an A343.


Emirates has officially announced that it has succeeded in obtaining more bilateral traffic rights into Cairo airport from the Egyptian Govt and as result will be immediately increasing frequencies on the route to take advantage of the anticipated peak summer movement. EK confirmed that frequencies will be increased on the DXB-CAI route from 10 to 12 times per week nonstop using a combination of B 777s and A 332s.


Jazeera Airways of Kuwait (low cost carrier) has officially announced that it has succeeded in obtaining 10 additional weekly flights to Cairo airport from the Egyptian authorities this week and as a result will be increasing its presence on the ever so popular yet fiercely competitive KWI-CAI segment. Currently, it operates 11 times per week using an A 320 but shall increased from 16JUN to triple daily nonstop.


Singapore Airlines has officially announced that due to surging demand of its business class cabin on A380 operated flights in particular, it will be increasing the size of this cabin capacity by having a sub-fleet of A380s which will see having the entire upper deck with 84 business class seats. Currently on its upper deck, SQ seats 60J + 88Y class pax but that will change to 84J and the entire A380 capacity will be reduced from 471 to 409 seats only. The launch route for this modified cabin is Sydney.


Fly Dubai has officially announced that it has succeeded in obtaining more bilateral access into the Indian market as it announces new services to AMD-Ahmedabad and Hyderabad respectively. Both routes will be operated using a B 738 but at a different frequency level. HYD will be flown 3 times per week from 11JUN where as AMD will be initially operated once a week only from 11JUL until more access is granted.

News till May 14th

Singapore Airlines has officially announced that it made a net profit of US$ 1.09 billion for the past financial year amidst excellent loads and yields generated in both its cargo and passenger cabins + fuel prices being at stable levels in 2010. As part of its business plan in 2012, SQ will be retiring its remaining 7 B 744s + 5 B 772As that it has in its fleet which will be replaced with 8 more A 380s that are due to be delivered next year.


Lufthansa has officially announced many major changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season. The main highlights are as follows and relevant from FRA hub only:

ATL - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily flights using an A333.

ACC - capacity adjusted from 5 weekly A333s to daily nonstop terminator flights using a B737BBJ.

DFW - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly flights.

EWR - capacity increased from double daily A343s to daily A346 + daily A343.

ICN - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A346.

KRT - capacity increased from 4 weekly BBJs to 4 weekly A343s operated via JED.

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

PHL - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly flights using an A343.

SFO - capacity reduced from daily A380 to daily B744.


DHL has officially announced that it has purchased 13 used Airbus A 300-600Rs (AB6s) that will be converted into full fledged freighter aircraft next year. These jets will be used to replace its aging fleet of AB4s that over 25 years old and have a higher fuel burn rate of over 20% versus the AB6s. These newer AB6s will have a 49 tonne payload carrying capability.


SAS has officially revealed many changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season. The main highlights are as follows:

CPH/NRT - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A343.

CPH/DXB - all flights suspended

CPH/IAD - capacity reduced from 5 weekly A333s to 5 weekly A343s.

CPH/ORD - capacity increased from daily A343s to daily A333s.

CPH/EWR - capacity increased to daily A333s.

ARN/ORD - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly flights using an A333.

ARN/EWR - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly flights using an A333.


Condor Airlines has officially announced that it will not be operating its flights to Asia via Bahrain this winter and instead will be operating via Dubai airport instead. These includes services to Phuket, Bangkok, Colombo and Goa. In addition, it has confirmed that it will be increasing flights on the following routes:

DXB - frequencies increased from 3 weekly to daily using a mixture of B757s and B763ERs.

CMB - frequencies increased from 1 to 2 weekly flights.

NBO - new twice weekly services to be operated using a B763ER.

MBA (Mombasa) - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights using a B763ER.


Egypt Air has officially announced many changes to its route network schedule for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season. The main highlights are as follows:

CDG - frequencies reduced to daily A333s compared to 10 weekly flights i.e. daily A333 + 3 weekly A320.

NRT- frequencies reduced from 5 weekly to 3 weekly flights using a B 773ER.

ADD - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly flights using an A320.

AMS - capacity increased from 6 weekly B 738s to 6 weekly A321s.

ALG - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly flights using an A320.

BKK - capacity increased to daily B 773ERs.

ATH - frequencies reduced from 9 weekly to daily flights.

DME - frequencies reduced from daily to 4 weekly flights using a B 738.


Safi Airways of Afghanistan has officially announced that it will be launching new services to DEL-Delhi, India effective 16JUN 2011 onwards. 4Q has revealed that it shall be operating 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A320 with the below mentioned schedule:

Days - 1/3/4/7
4Q 247 Dep KBL 1100 Arr DEL 1350
4Q 248 Dep DEL 1450 Arr KBL 1540


Emirates has officially announced that it JNB-Johannesburg, South Africa will be its newest A380 destination effective 11OCT 2011. The A380 will be used on the most popular EK 761/762 rotation which departs DXB at 0440 daily and arrives back by 0010 the next day.


Sri Lankan Airlines has officially announced that it will be launching new services to DME-Moscow, Russia effective 15SEP 2011. UL will be operating a twice weekly frequency via Dubai with 5th freedom rights using an A320. Previously the plan was to start DME in December via Abu Dhabi 3 times a week using an A332 but those plans have been scrapped. Ever since Oct 2010, tourism from Russia to Sri Lanka has sky rocketed to unprecedented levels which has prompted UL to try and tap this high volume yet low yielding market segment.