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.

Airline News till May 7th 2011

Kuwait Airways has officially announced that it has been granted additional access to Saudi Arabia with 5 extra weekly frequencies allocated to Jeddah and new 3 weekly frequencies designated for Medinah.

As a result, KU has revealed officially in the GDS system the following increases:

JED - frequencies will be increased immediately from daily A340s to 12 weekly flights using a mixture of A340s and AB6s.

MED - 3 weekly nonstop flights to be operated with an A 320 effective 16JUN 2011. In addition, KU too confirmed that it will be relaunching services to IST-Istanbul effective 16JUN three times per week using an A320.


The Turkish Govt has officially announced that it's flag carrier i.e. Turkish Airlines has been granted approval from the Pakistani Civil Aviation Authorities to launch new flights to Islamabad operated nonstop from its Istanbul hub. TK will be using Airbus A 330s on the IST-ISB route which is expected to be operated 4 times per week from the later part of this summer season. With TK being a fellow STAR ALLIANCE member, it is expected that Lufthansa, BMI and United Airlines will be interlining to tap into his important market segment. TK too announced many changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2011-12 season with the main highlights being as follows:

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

JNB - frequencies and capacity increased from 5 weekly A 332s to daily A 333s.

JFK - capacity reduced from 11 weekly B 773ERs to daily B 773ERs + 4 weekly A 332s.

ICN - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 332.

CPT - frequencies and capacity increased from 5 weekly A 332s to daily A 333s.


Qatar Airways has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to FCO-Rome and CAI-Cairo from July 2011 onwards. Currently, QR operates a daily A 330 service on the DOH-FCO sector, but these shall be increased to 11 times per week with the additional 4 weekly services being operated with an A 320. As far as CAI is concerned, frequencies will be raised from daily to 9 times per week with the 2 additional weekly flights operated with an A 320. QR too confirmed it has purchased a 33% stake in Cargolux and thus aims to become one of the top 5 leading cargo airlines of the world by 2015. The arrangement with Cargolux has made QR decide to convert 15 of its current A 330s into freighters gradually once its new Boeing 787s start getting delivered. Lastly, at the upcoming Paris Air Show, QR is expected to finalize an order for 20 additional A 380s (10 firm + 10 options) + 50 A 320NEOs + 20 Bombardier C 300 Series to fuel its 'regional strategy' to Iran, Iraq and Central
Asia.


EVA Air has officially revealed many changes to its USA long haul schedule for the IATA Winter 2011 season with the main highlights being as follows:

LAX - frequencies increased from double daily to 18 times per week.

SFO - frequencies increased from 10 to 12 times per week.

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


Air Berlin of Germany has officially announced major increases to its long haul network for the IATA Winter 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

TXL(Berlin)/DXB - frequencies increased from 3 to 6 times per week using an A332.

TXL/BKK - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 times per week using an A332.

TXL/HKT (Phuket) - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 times per week using an A332.

TXL/MIA - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 times per week using an A332.

DUS/BKK - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times per week using an A332.

DUS/YYZ - summer seasonal service goes year round with 3 weekly A 332s in winter.

DUS/JFK - summer seasonal service goes year round with 4 weekly A 332s in winter.


Korean Air has officially announced that it has placed a big order for 7 additional long haul aircraft to supplement its rapid worldwide expansion strategy focusing on USA and Sky Team hub airports in Europe. KE announced that it has purchased 5 additional A 332HGWs and 2 Boeing 777-300ERs.

Qatar Airways has officially revealed another round of massive expansion focusing on Saudi Arabia, Central Asia and Africa to further fuel its regional strategy growth. The main highlights are as follows:

JED - frequencies increased from daily to double daily using a combination of B 777s and A 330s effective 01JUN.

DMM - frequencies increased from triple daily to four daily using A 320s effective 01JUN.

RUH - frequencies increased from daily to double daily using a mixture of A 330s and A 320s effective 01JUN.

MED - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using an A 320 effective 14JUN.

EBB (Entebbe, Uganda) - new daily nonstop flights to be launched using an A320 effective 02NOV.

GYD (Baku, Azerbaijan) - new daily nonstop flights to be launched using an A320 effective 02NOV.


Jet Airways of India has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to Hong Kong, Singapore, Brussels and Newark effective 28JUL due to rising demand in both the passenger and cargo departments on these three important routes. The main highlights are as follows:

BOM/HKG - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily B 773ER.

BOM/BRU/EWR - capacity increased from daily A 332 to 2 weekly B 773ER + 5 weekly A 332.

DEL/SIN - capacity increased from daily B 738s to daily A 332.


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing its flights to SGN-Ho Chi Minch City, Vietnam effective 30JUN 2011. Currently, TK operates 4 weekly services via Bangkok using an A 340-300. These shall be increased to daily flights via BKK using the same aircraft type with 5th freedom traffic rights. TK too confirmed that it will be increasing frequencies to GYD-Baku to four times daily effective 31MAY using a mixture of B 737s and A 320s.


Lufthansa has officially revealed few changes to its DUS-Dusseldorf hub for its long haul winter 2011 schedule. The main highlights are as follows:

YYZ - frequencies to be maintained year round at 3 weekly.

ORD - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly.

MIA - frequencies reduced from daily to 5 weekly.

In addition, LH too confirmed that it will be reducing flights to BAH-Bahrain effective 09MAY until the end of October due to crippling demand on their services to the Gulf state. Frequencies will be reduced from daily A 333s to 5 weekly with all of them operating via DMM in both directions.


Gulf Air has revealed on the GDS that it will be increasing its services to Istanbul effective 15MAY 2011 by adding an additional 5th weekly flight to the route as well as increasing capacity from 4 weekly E70s to 5 weekly A320s. The schedule will be a split one which would allow all the key high volume markets to get connected with IST in both directions via its BAH hub.

Airline News Mar 01-12

Etihad Airways has officially announced that it shall be further increasing frequencies to MAN-Manchester, UK to keep in line with the serious increase in competition hailing from Emirates and Qatar Airways in particular to its market share out of the Northern UK. Originally, plans called for EY to increase from daily to 10 weekly effective Aug 1^st 2011. However, another round of increase sees the AUH-MAN route being planned to operate on a double daily basis nonstop using a 2 class configured A 330-200 effective Aug 1^st. In addition, EY too confirmed that its flights to PEK-Beijing, China will be increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop services using an A 332 effective July 2^nd 2011.

With regards to its fleet options, EY has also announced that it has canceled an already existing order for 4 Boeing 787-900s (out of an order for 35 jets of this model type) and in return ordered 3 Boeing 777-300ERs in order to rapidly fuel its international long haul expansion plans which are being hindered with the frequent delays of the B 787 program.

Aeroflot has officially announced that it has placed a billion dollar order with Boeing this week for 8 new Boeing 777s. The break down of this order is 6 B 777-300ERs + 2 B 777-200ERs. SU claimed that with Russia hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 FIFA World Cup, growth opportunities exist that can be tapped especially as external tourism ex Russia grows along with the fact that SU can better feed its Sky Team member hubs in the distant future.

Cathay Pacific has officially confirmed that it has placed a multi billion order with both Boeing and Airbus earlier on this week for 27 wide bodied aircraft. These include 2 A 359s + 15 A 333s + 10 B 777-300ERs. The latter are expected to be fitted in a 2 class configuration designed to replace the aging Boeing 777-300As from 2013 onwards.

Emirates has unveiled another major round of worldwide restructuring of its entire route network for the entire 2011 calendar year keeping mind high rise of oil prices + political unrest in the MENA region. There have been major frequency and capacity increased too announced in Europe and Asia in particular. The main highlights are as follows:

CPT - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop using an A 345 + B 773ER each daily.

VIE - frequencies increased from daily to 13 times per week i.e. daily B 773ER + 6 weekly A 345.

MXP - capacity increased from double daily A 343s to double daily B 773ERs i.e. additional capacity of 2492 r/t seats per week!

ZRH - capacity increased to double daily flights using a B 773ER.

MAN - frequencies increased from double daily to triple daily nonstop flights i.e. daily A 380 + daily A 332 + daily B 773ER. The new 3rd daily flight arrives into MAN at 0730 and departs back at 0940 MAN time respectively.

SYD - third daily flight reinstated i.e. double daily nonstop + daily via BKK.

PVG - capacity increased from daily A 343 + daily B 773ER to double daily B 773ERs.

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

SAH - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly A 332s.

TUN - frequencies reduced from 5 to 3 weekly A 332s.

DAM - frequencies reduced from double daily to 13 weekly.

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

Qatar Airways has officially announced another round of major expansion of its worldwide route network effective June 2011 with new flights being launched to Sofia, Calcutta, Oslo ad Manchester. The main highlights are as follows:

MAN - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop using a 2 class configured A 332.

OSL - new 5 weekly nonstop flights to be launched from 05OCT using a 2 class A 332.

FRA - frequencies increased from 10 to 13 weekly flights using a daily B 772LR + 6 weekly A 332 effective 01JUN.

CCU - new 5 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using an A 320 effective July 27th.

SOF - new 4 weekly flights to be launched with an A 320 effective 14SEP.

LGW - all flights suspended effective 01JUN 2011.

STR - an additional 4th weekly flight to be added using an A 319 effective early June.

Air China has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to DUS-Dusseldorf, Germany effective March 27^th 2011. CA will be operating the route from its main Beijing hub using an Airbus A 330-200. Frequencies will be 3 times per week which shall be increased to 4 weekly from June 21^stMUC-Munich will too be increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332 effective May 11^th 2011. Lastly, CA officially announced that it has placed an order for 5 new Boeing 747-800 passenger models. These birds will be used as an immediate replacement aircraft for its fleet of 5 B 747-400s. CA becomes the third passenger airline after Lufthansa and Korean Air to order this 747 variant. onwards. The Chinese flagship carrier too confirmed that its services to

China Southern Airlines has officially announced few changes to its route network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows out of its Guangzhou hub airport base:

DEL – frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 757.

KTM – frequencies reduced from 6 to 3 weekly flights using an A 319.

NRT – capacity reduced from daily B 772A to daily A 332.

Air India has officially confirmed that it will be increasing its services to DMM-Dammam, Saudi Arabia^th 2011 onwards. The main highlights are as follows: from March 27

DEL/DMM – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A 320.

BOM/DMM – frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using an A 320.

Vietnam Airlines has officially announced that it will be significantly increasing its presence in the Australian market from June 13^th 2011. The main highlights are as follows:

SGN/SYD – frequencies increased from 5 weekly A 332s to daily nonstop flights using a B 772ER.

SGN/MEL - frequencies increased from 5 weekly A 332s to daily nonstop flights using the same aircraft type.

British Airways has officially announced that it shall be increasing its flights to PVG-Shanghai, China^th 2011 onwards. Currently, BA operates 5 times per week nonstop from London Heathrow to PVG, however an additional 6^th weekly flight will be launched from late April using a Boeing 777-200ER. effective April 28

Hong Kong Airlines officially announced that it has placed a mega order with Boeing earlier on this week for6 Boeing 777-200LR freighters + 32 Boeing 787-900s. The B 789s will be used in the long run as a full time replacement aircraft of its current A 332 fleet. 38 aero planes. The breakdown of the order is

Iberia of Spain has officially announced that it has placed a huge order with Airbus this week designed to primarily replace its entire fleet of Airbus A 340-300s from 2014 onwards. This order includes 8 A 333s + 8 options. Currently, IB has in its fleet 18 A 343s that can 260 pax in a two class configuration.

Airline News Feb 19-25

Qatar Airways has officially revealed further changes to its route network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

SYZ - new twice weekly nonstop flights to be launched effective June 5th using an A 321. These services shall be gradually increased to 5 times per week.

MAN - frequencies increased from daily to double daily nonstop flights using an A 332.

KHI - capacity increased from daily A 320 to daily A 332 effective May 1st.

FRA - capacity increased from 10 weekly A 332s to 6 weekly B 772LRs + 4 weekly A 332s.

TUN - capacity reduced from 5 weekly A 332s to 5 weekly A 320s.

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


Etihad Airways has revealed on the GDS that it shall be increasing its flights to PEK-Beijing, China from July 2nd 2011 onwards. Currently EY operate 5 weekly nonstop flights on the AUH-PEK sector using an A 332, however from July these shall be increased to daily services using the same aircraft type.


Oman Air has officially announced further changes to its route network for the IATA Summer 2011 season as the carrier continues to receive more aircraft to fuel its rapid expansion. The main highlights are as follows:

CMB - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A 333.

DAR - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 738.

MLE - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times per week using an A 333.


Vietnam Airlines has officially announced many capacity and frequency increases to its Far East Asian network for the IATA Summer 2011 season from its secondary HANOI hub. The main highlights are as follows:

PEK - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A 321.

BKK - frequencies increased from daily from double daily nonstop flights using an A 321.

SIN - frequencies increased from daily to 11 weekly nonstop flights using an A 321.


According to the media in Sri Lanka, the national carrier i.e. Sri Lankan Airlines is reportedly in discussions with Boeing to purchase at least a 8-10 Boeing 777s to replace its fleet of Airbus A 340-300s as well to cater for future growth. Though Boeing has been pitching its largest B 773ER to UL, this aircraft type is deemed to be a bit too big for any of UL's worldwide routes hence it is expected that the carrier might opt for the Boeing 777-200ER which would seat approximately 330 passengers in a comfortable 2 class configuration.


Egypt Air has officially announced that in order to cut back on costs for 2011 due to a heavy toll that the on going Egyptian political crisis is having on its current flights and for the foreseeable future, it will be leasing out nearly 40% of its fleet to interested airlines for up to a year. The planes it is keen to dry or wet lease out are A 333s, A 332s and B 773ERs along with few A 321s, E170s and B 738s.


Lufthansa has officially disclosed the configuration details of its new Boeing 747-800s that are scheduled to be delivered soon to the carrier. It will seat a total of 386 passengers only with the layout being 8 first class + 80 business class and 298 in economy class. No initial long haul routes have been mentioned by LH but it is expected that JFK, Tokyo and Singapore would be the first recipients.


United Airlines has officially disclosed many capacity adjustments to its European service from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

IAD/CDG - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using a B 772ER + B 757 each daily respectively.

IAD/AMS - capacity reduced from daily B 772ER to daily B 757.

EWR/ZRH - capacity increased from daily B 762ER to daily B 763ER.

Airline News Feb 12-18

Alitalia has officially announced that it will be embarking on a major long haul expansion out of its FCO-Rome hub in 2012-13 as the carrier takes more delivery of new Airbus A 330-200s already on order with Airbus. AZ has disclosed that the new routes it shall be launching are Delhi, Seoul, Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi. With regards to AUH, it is expected to be a code share with Etihad Airways as part of a broader partnership where by EY flies MXP-AUH and AZ does FCO-AUH. Beyond AUH, AZ will code share on EY's services to Australia, Far East and Indian Subcontinent where as EY would code share beyond FCO/MXP to domestic Italian points + to key offline EU points.


Malaysia Airlines has officially announced that it shall be increasing its presence in JED-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season. Currently, MH offers 4 weekly nonstop flights between KUL and JED using a Boeing 777-200ER. However from March 27th, frequencies are increased to 6 times per week using a Boeing 747-400 four times per week + twice a week B 772ERs. In total, the capacity increase on offer is from 1128 one way weekly seats to 2000 i.e. 872 more aka 77% increase in capacity.


Jet Airways of India has officially confirmed that it has been granted rights to fly nonstop to Amsterdam, Holland from Delhi from the on set of the IATA Winter 2011 season. In addition, in a move that has generated a lot of interest within the aviation fraternity, 9W too has applied to start nonstop flights to New York City from either BOM or DEL from IATA W11. This is in response to the positive feedback that Air India's nonstop services to USA have been receiving from the Indian travelers which has also in turn hurt 9W's performance over the past few months on the BOM/DEL-NYC route. For the nonstop NYC route, 9W would be using a Boeing 777-300ER which can operate without payload issues out of DEL but not out of BOM. It hasn't yet disclosed which airport in NYC it would prefer flying to nonstop but since its current international expansion is more on the lines of flying to Sky Team hubs, JFK would likely get the nod. However, DEL-JFK is already flown nonstop by AI but from BOM its EWR so in order to differentiate itself, one would reckon BOM-JFK being chosen as it has more higher yielding premium passengers flying F & J versus DEL-JFK.


Oman Air has officially revealed a massive expansion plan for its entire network for the IATA Summer 2011 with capacity and frequency increases to Europe, Middle East and Far East. The main highlights are as follows:

BAH - frequencies increased from double to triple daily flights.

DOH - capacity increased to triple daily nonstop terminator flights.

MXP - capacity increased to 4 weekly A 330s having terminator nonstop flights in both directions i.e. no longer linked with MUC eff June 1st.
DXB - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 times daily.

BKK - frequencies increased to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.

KUL - frequencies increased from 5 to 7 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.

AUH - frequencies increased from triple daily to 4 times daily.

MUC - capacity increased to 4 weekly A 333s having terminator nonstop flights in both directions i.e. no longer linked with MXP eff June 1st

DME - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using a B 738.

KRT - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched using a B 738.

Qatar Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to VCE-Venice, Italy effective June 15th 2011. QR will be operating this new route using an Airbus A 320. In addition, QR too has confirmed that it shall be increasing frequencies to SEZ-Seychelles effective June 1st from 4 times per week to daily nonstop service using an A 320.


Cathay Pacific has officially announced many changes to its route network for the IATA Summer 2011 season of which the main highlights are as follows:

MXP - frequencies to be increased from 4 weekly B 773ERs to daily nonstop flights using the same aircraft type effective July 02.

TPE - frequencies increased from 101 to 108 weekly flights.

JKT - frequencies increased from 18 weekly to triple daily nonstop.

SUB - frequencies increased to daily nonstop flights

In addition at the currently on going Routes America conference, CX has disclosed that it is interested in launching new flights to Dammam, Kuwait and Madrid in the near future as it sees a lot of potential in these markets.


American Airlines has officially confirmed that it will be reducing frequencies to DEL-Delhi, India effective May 1st 2011. Currently, AA offers a daily nonstop service using a B 772ER, however from May, it shall be reduced to 6 times per week only using the same aircraft type.


KLM has officially announced that it will be launching new flights to EZE-Buenos Aires, Argentina effective Oct 21st 2011. KL will be operating the new services nonstop using a B 772ER.


Lufthansa has officially announced that it shall be launching new flights to GIG-Rio De Janerio, Brazil effective Oct 30th 2011. LH will be operating the new service nonstop from its FRA hub using an A 340-300 on a daily basis.


Hawaiian Airlines has officially announced that it will be launching new flights to KIX-Osaka, Japan effective July 12th 2011. HA will be operating the service using a Boeing 767-300ER on a daily basis.


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

DXB - frequencies reduced from 5 to 4 weekly nonstop flights.

JKT - frequencies increased to 10 times per week nonstop.

MNL - capacity reduced from double daily B 773s to double daily B 772s.

TLV - capacity increased from 3 weekly A 332s to 3 weekly B 772ERs.

GUAM - frequencies increased from daily to 11 weekly i.e. daily B 773 + 4 weekly A 333s.

Airline News till Feb 11th

The CEO of Turkish Airlines has officially announced the carrier's USA long haul expansion plans that shall be taking place in 2012. He revealed that new flights to Houston, Miami, Detroit and Boston have been planned with IAH and MIA being on the top priority list. MIA is expected to be launched nonstop from the on set of the IATA Winter 2011 season using an A 330-200 operated 3 times per week from IST. Houston on the other hand would initially be receiving an Airbus A 340-300 until more B 777-300ERs arrive into the TK fleet. From MIA, TK's main target market is Africa, Southeast Asia and Southern Europe where as from IAH, the emphasis will be on high yielding oil traffic bound to TK's niche Central Asian network as well as the oil cities of the Middle East, North Africa, Iraq and Levant. In 2011 and 2012, TK will be taking delivery of an additional 6 A 333s + 5 B 773ERs + 2 A 332s + 6 A 319s + 14 A 321s + 10 B 738s and 10 B 739s.


Qatar Airways has officially confirmed that it will be increasing its frequencies to Singapore effective May 2011. It will be done in stages in the following manner: a) From May, frequencies increased to 10 weekly. b) From Oct, another 3 more to be added. c) From Nov 3rd, an additional weekly flight to make it double daily. The aircraft to be used for the double daily flights are a B 773ER and A 332.


Thai Airways has officially announced further changes to its medium and long haul route network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows: MXP - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER. DXB - capacity reduced from daily B 772 to daily A 333.
JNB - frequencies reduced from 4 to 3 weekly nonstop flights. BOM - frequencies reduced from double daily to 12 weekly. CAN - capacity increased to double daily A 333s. JKT - frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly flights i.e. daily B 744 + 3 weekly A 333. DPS - capacity increased to daily B 744 from daily A 333. MAA - capacity increased from daily AB6 to daily A 333. DAC - capacity increased to daily B 773 from daily A 333.

Bahrain Air has officially announced its network expansion plan for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

BEY – frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily using a 160 seater A 320.

DAC – frequencies increased from 3 to 5 weekly using a 160 seater A 320.

BOM – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly using a 160 seater A 320.

DXB – frequencies increased from double to triple daily using a mixture of A 320s and A 319s.

Jet Airways of India has officially announced that it will be launching new flights to the Middle East from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 timetable i.e. March 27th. The main highlights are as follows:

BOM/DMM - new daily nonstop flights using a B 738.

BOM/DXB - a new third daily flight using a B 738.

Yemenia has officially confirmed that it will be increasing flights to CAN-Guangzhou, China from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season. An additional weekly flight shall be operated via Dubai with 5th freedom traffic rights using an A 330-200. This will raise the total operation to 3 times per week using the same aircraft type.


Sri Lankan Airlines has officially confirmed that they are dry leasing an additional Airbus A 340-300 which is an ex Cathay Pacific aircraft configured in a 3 class layout with F/J/Y. The airline will not be retrofitting the aircraft and is most likely going to be using it on its highest yielding long haul route which has considerable premium demand i.e. CMB-LON.


Qatar Airways has officially announced that they shall be launching new nonstop flights to YUL-Montreal, Canada from this summer onwards. Mr Al Baker (CEO) confirmed this at a press conference held at Brussels airport earlier this week. Services would be operated 3 times per week using a Boeing 777-200LR. Main target markets out of Montreal would be the Indian Subcontinent, GCC, Iran and tour operator business bound to BKK, SIN, KUL and DPS. QR also announced that it will be placing a massive order for Boeing and Airbus A 380 planes at this summer's Paris Air Show which is also expected to see the airline announcing a much anticipated order for at least 20+ Bombardier C300 Series to fund its 'regional expansion' into Iran, Iraq and Central Asia.


Emirates has officially announced further changes to its medium haul schedule for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

KRT - frequencies reduced from daily A 345s to 3 weekly A 332s.

HAM - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights.


Oman Air has officially announced that it will be launching new nonstop flights to DME-Moscow, Russia effective June 9th 2011 onwards. WY will be using a Boeing 737-800 to operate the flight nonstop from its Muscat hub 4 times per week. The main target markets for WY on this route is Far East, Colombo, Maldives and Dubai. In addition, WY too officially announced that it shall be launching new 4 weekly nonstop flights to KRT-Khartoum, Sudan which will be operated effective May 5th using a Boeing 737-800.


Air India has officially announced that it shall be increasing capacity to Toronto from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 schedule by deploying a 342 seater Boeing 777-300ER on the nonstop India-YYZ-India route on a daily basis. The routing structure will be a same plane service ATQ-DEL-YYZ-DEL-ATQ. The total capacity increase is 104 seats daily one way i.e. 44% increase in capacity.


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it has obtained approval from its Board of Directors to launch new nonstop flights to KBL-Kabul from this summer onwards. Flights are expected to be operated 4 times per week nonstop using a Boeing 737-800.


Philippine Airlines has officially confirmed that it shall be suspending all of its flights to RUH-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia effective March 31st 2011. PAL currently operates 4 weekly nonstop flights from Manila using a B 747-400. The airline sees high loads on this sector but due to losing close to US$ 200,000 per flight, the high level losses have forced it to abandon RUH flights once again.


Korean Air has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing flights to ORD-Chicago, USA from July 25th 2011. KE currently operates a daily nonstop flight from its ICN-Seoul hub using a B 747-400, however from late July, these will be increased to 10 times per week nonstop using a B 744 for all flights.


Air Canada has announced further capacity and frequency changes for its long haul network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

YVR/NRT - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily B 773ER.

YUL/CDG - frequencies increased to double daily using a B 763ER.

YYZ/SCL/EZE - frequencies increased to daily using a B 763ER.


Lufthansa has officially announced many changes to its long haul schedule for the IATA Summer 2011 season out of its FRA hub. The main highlights are as follows:

YYC - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly.

PVG - frequencies increased from 10 weekly to double daily using a B 744 and A 346 daily each respectively.

IAD - frequencies reduced from double daily to 13 weekly.

DFW - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly.

PHL - frequencies reduced from daily to 6 weekly.


KLM has officially announced that it shall be increasing flights to Dubai, UAE from the on set of the IATA S11 timetable. Services shall be lifted from 13 weekly to double daily nonstop using an Airbus A 330-200 for all flights. This is expected to be a direct response against Emirates who has negatively effected KLM's loads on the O&D sector plus KL's market share to India and Far East Asia in particular.


Alitalia has officially confirmed that it shall be increasing services to LAX-Los Angeles, USA from June 5th 2011. AZ will be adding an additional weekly nonstop flight from Rome to LAX using a B 772ER which will bring its total frequencies to 6 weekly.

Latest Airline News till Jan 14

Asiana Airlines of South Korea has officially confirmed that it has placed a firm order with Airbus to order 6 new Airbus A 380s. OZ has said that the configuration of these planes will be similar to that of KE's i.e. high number of premium seats and will be used to connect high density STAR hub routes such as SFO/FRA/NRT/BKK primarily.

Saudia Airlines has officially confirmed that it is on course to formally join the SKY TEAM Alliance in 2012 with Air France being its main sponsor in the group. As a result of its impending membership, SV has announced few changes to its Summer 2011 plan which are as follows:

CAN (Guangzhou) – New 3 weekly nonstop flights to be flown from JED via RUH using a B 772ER.

JED/JFK – frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER eff May 2nd.

RUH/CDG – capacity increased from 4 weekly A 320s to 4 weekly A 333s eff June 23rd.

JED/CDG - capacity increased from 4 weekly A 320s to 4 weekly A 333s eff June 23rd.

JED/IAD – frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using a B 772ER eff June 19th.

Qatar Airways has officially revealed further capacity and frequency changes to its IATA Summer 2011 schedule. The main highlights are as follows:

BLR - capacity increased from daily A 321 to daily A 332.

CPH - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily A 332s.

BCN - capacity increased from 4 weekly A 319s to 4 weekly A 332s.

JKT - capacity reduced from daily A 333s to daily A 332.

MLE - frequencies reduced from double daily A 320s to 13 weekly A 320s.

Emirates has officially revealed capacity reductions to Johannesburg for the IATA Summer 2010 season as the carrier looks to redeploy on routes that have higher summer seasonal demand across its network. To JNB, capacity has been reduced from triple daily B 773ERs to daily A 343 + double daily B 773ER.

Etihad Airways has officially announced and published in the GDS that they shall be increasing AUH-JED flights from Feb 1^st 2011 from daily flights to 12 weekly services. Flights shall be flown using a B 773ER daily (412 seats) + 5 weekly A 320s (140 seats).

The 5 additional flights schedule is as follows:

EY 313 Dep AUH 0150 Arr JED 0350

EY 314 Dep JED 0515 Arr AUH 0845

The above mentioned flight schedule is designed primarily to connect JED conveniently in both directions to EY’s entire USA/YYZ/EU/SYD/BKK/MNL/JKT flights. Other changes announced by EY for the Summer 2011 season are as follows:

MAN - frequencies increased from 7 to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332 from Aug 1st.

SYD - capacity increased with all flights operating with A 346s rather than a mixture of A 345s and A 346s.

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

Korean Air has officially announced details of where it will be sending it’s A 380s once it starts receiving them from June 1^st 2011. The routes destined for the mega jumbo are LAX, BKK, HKG, NRT and JFK. KE’s A 380s seat 407 pax in a 3 class layout i.e. 12F + 94J + 301Y. The main highlights for North America are as follows:

JFK – capacity increased from double daily B 773ERs to daily A 380 + daily B 773ER eff Sept 1^st.

LAX – Out of the 5 daily ICN/LAX flights, KE 17/18 will be upgraded from daily B 744 to daily A 380.

In addition, other operational changes announced by KE across its network for Summer 2011 are as follows:

SIN – frequencies increased from daily to double daily i.e. daily B 773A + daily B 772A.

TLV – frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.

MNL – capacity increased to double daily B 773As.

SGN – frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using a B 773A daily + B 739 daily.

United Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies on its popular Washington DC-London Heathrow service from the onset of the IATA Summer 11 season i.e. March 27^th by adding an additional daily frequency on the route. This would make IAD-LHR a 4 times daily service using a double daily B 772ER + double daily B 763ER.

China Southern Airlines based out of CAN-Guangzhou, has officially announced that it shall be increasing its flights to CDG-Paris and LAX-Los Angeles from the onset of the IATA Summer 11 season i.e. March 27^th in the following manner:

CDG – frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 332.

LAX - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 772ER.

CZ has also confirmed that it will be launching a new long haul route next summer i.e. AKL-Auckland, New Zealand operated nonstop from its CAN hub base. A B 772ER would be used to launch this route 3 times per week effective April 8th.

Fly Dubai has officially announced that it will be launching new 4 weekly nonstop flights to DAC-Dhaka, Bangladesh from Feb 14th 2011 onwards. FZ will deploy a 189 seater B 737-800 on this sector with a flight schedule similar to that of its newly announced Chittagong service.

Lufthansa has officially announced that it shall be increasing capacity to CCS-Caracas, Venezuela from the on set of the S11 season. Currently a daily A 343 is used for this route flown nonstop from FRA. However, from March 27th, a bigger A 346 will be deployed as LH experiences high load of premium passengers on this flight of theirs. Fly Dubai, the low cost carrier based out of UAE has officially announced that it shall be launching new flights to CGP-Chittagong, Bangladesh effective Jan 17th 2011. FZ will be operating the route nonstop from its DXB base 4 times per week using a Boeing 737-800. The flight schedule is as follows: Days: MON/WED/FRI/SUN FZ 587 Dep DXB 1340 Arr CGP 2020 FZ 588 Dep CGP 2120 Arr DXB 0125+1


Korean Air has officially revealed details of the configuration of its fleet of Airbus A 380 jets which will have the lowest density configuration of any airline that currently operates it. KE's A 380s will be seating 407 passengers only in a 3 class configuration with 12 first class + 94 business class (all on the upper deck only) + 301 in economy class.


Egypt Air has officially revealed on the GDS that it will be adding an additional weekly flight to YYZ-Toronto from the on set. Instead of the original plan of operating 3 weekly nonstop flights from CAI using a B 773ER, MS will be flying 4 weekly services using the same aircraft type. The new 4th weekly service will be operated on a Tuesday with the same flight schedule as the other ones on MON/THU/SAT.


Turkish Airlines has officially revealed a massive expansion plan for its European network for the IATA Summer 2011 season. The main highlights are as follows:

CPH - frequencies increased from double daily to 18 weekly nonstop flights using a mixture of A 320s and B 738s.

SVO - frequencies increased from triple daily to 24 weekly nonstop flights.

OSL - frequencies increased from daily to 9 weekly nonstop flights.

FCO - frequencies increased from double daily to 18 weekly nonstop flights.

ARN (Stockholm) - frequencies increased from double daily to 18 weekly nonstop flights.

CDG - capacity increased from 4 daily B 738s to daily A 333 + daily A 320 + double daily A 321.

VCE - frequencies increased from 10 weekly to double daily nonstop.

HEL - frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly nonstop flights using a B 738.

LIS - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.

GOT - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 738.

BCN - capacity increased from double daily A 321s to 3 weekly A 333s + 11 weekly A 321s.

CGN - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using a B 738 only.


Air Canada has officially revealed its European network plan for the peak summer 2011 season (June 1-Sept 30) which sees many capacity reductions across the board. The main highlights are as follows:

YUL/LHR - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using a B 763ER only.

YUL/BRU - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.

YYZ/CPH - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using a B 763ER.

YYZ/MAD - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using a B 763ER.

YYC/LHR - frequencies reduced from 12 weekly to daily flights using a B 773ER.


Asiana Airlines of South Korea has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to USA from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season. Services to San Francisco shall be increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights effective May 24th 2011 using a B 772ER exclusively. As far as Seattle is concerned, flights to this city are also increased from 5 weekly to daily services from the same date but with using an A 333 instead of a B 772ER.


Cathay Pacific has officially revealed that it shall be increasing flights to CDG-Paris, France from March 29th 2011. Currently, CX operates 11 weekly nonstop flights from its HKG hub to CDG however from the IATA SU season, these shall be raised to double daily flights using a B 744 11 times per week + 3 times a week on an A 343.


US Airways has officially announced that it shall be launching an additional daily nonstop flight from its CLT-Charlotte hub to Frankfurt, Germany from May 19th 2011 onwards. The second daily flight will be flown using a Boeing 767-200ER where as the current daily service is operated with an A 333.


The UAE Govt has been busy signing new bilateral accords with various states over the past two weeks namely Portugal and Cambodia. It has struck an open skies with Portugal where as with Cambodia, its carriers can operate up to 7 flights per week maximum with fifth freedom rights available via BKK, SIN or KUL.

Latest Airline News till Dec 10

Airbus has officially announced that during the French Prime Minister's recently concluded official trip to India this week, it has struck a major aircraft leasing deal with Air India and Jet Airways to lease up to 35 aircraft from 2011 onwards. 9W will be leasing 10 Airbus A 330s which are a mixture of A 332s and A 333s where as AI shall be leasing 10 A 330s and 15 A 320s. 9W announced too that some of these A 330s will be used to launch new nonstop flights from Mumbai to Rome as well as services to Amsterdam are being seriously evaluated.


Cathay Pacific has officially announced a major expansion plan for its long haul network from the onset of the IATA Summer 2011 season with 2 new destinations plus major frequency increases. The main highlights are as follows:

AUH - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched from June 1st using a 2 class Airbus A 330-300.

ORD - new daily nonstop flights to be launched from Sept 1st using a Boeing 777-300ER.

YYZ - frequencies increased from 12 weekly to double daily nonstop using a B 773ER for all services effective May 1st.

JFK - frequencies increased from triple daily to 4 times daily from May 2011 using a B 773ER for all services.


Singapore Airlines has officially announced that it shall be launching a new Airbus A 380 route i.e. LAX-Los Angeles from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 schedule i.e. March 27th. SQ confirmed that the flight to LAX operated via NRT-Tokyo shall be upgraded from a daily B 744 to a daily A 380. It will be the first Asian airline offering trans-pacific A 380 service as a result of this upgrade.


Egypt Air has officially announced changes to its entire network for the IATA Summer 2011 season with capacity increases and adjustments all across the board. The main highlights are as follows:

BAH - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights using a B 738.

CDG - frequencies to be increased from 10 to 11 weekly nonstop flights.

KWI - frequencies increased from double daily to triple daily nonstop.

FCO - frequencies increased from 9 to 12 weekly nonstop flights.

DAM - frequencies increased from 11 weekly to double daily.

MUC - capacity increased from daily B 738 to 2 weekly A 332s + 5 weekly B 738s.

DOH - capacity increased from daily A 320s to 5 weekly A 342s + 2 weekly A 320s.

LCA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.

AUH - capacity increased from a daily A 332 to a daily B 772.

BEY - frequencies increased from 16 weekly to triple daily.

BCN - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily.

BRU - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily.

AMM - frequencies increased from 19 weekly to triple daily.

AMS - frequencies increased from 6 weekly to daily nonstop.

ATH - frequencies reduced from 12 to 10 weekly nonstop flights.


Royal Jordanian has officially revealed many changes to its medium haul network for the IATA Summer 2011 season which sees capacity increases and decreases all round. The main highlights are as follows:

JED – frequencies reduced from triple daily to double daily.

FCO - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights

MUC - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights.

SAH - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights.

MCT - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights

BSR - capacity reduced from 4 weekly E95s to 4 weekly E75s.

AMS - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights.

ATH - frequencies reduced from 6 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.

BOM - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights using an A 319.

BRU - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly nonstop flights.

CMB - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop flights.

LCA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.


KLM has officially announced new changes to its international long haul network for the IATA Summer 2011 season with capacity increases and adjustments. The main highlights are as follows:

XMN - new 3 weekly nonstop flights to be operated to Xiamen, China using a B 772ER.

ALA - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly nonstop flights.

CTU - cargo capacity increased from 4 weekly B 772ERs to 4 weekly B 744 Combis.

EBB/KGL - frequencies increased from 5 to 6 weekly nonstop flights.


Air China has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to YVR-Vancouver, Canada for the IATA Summer 2011 season. Currently, CA operates a 10 weekly nonstop service using an A 330-200 for all flights from its Beijing hub. These shall be increased to 12 times per week nonstop using the same aircraft type.


Air Canada has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity to PEK-Beijing for Summer 2011 from May 2nd onwards. Daily flights operated with a Boeing 767-300ER shall be increased to a larger Boeing 777-300ER.


Malaysia Airlines has officially announced that it will be increasing frequencies to ADL-Adelaide, Australia from the on set of the IATA Summer 2011 season i.e. March 27th. Flights shall be upgraded from the current 4 weekly to 6 times per week nonstop operated with a Boeing 777-200ER only. MH is the only airline operating international long haul services to/from ADL.


Air Asia X has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to CHC-Christchurch, New Zealand from April 1st 2011. D7 will be operating the flight 4 times per week from its KUL hub using a 2 class configured A 330-300 seating 383 passengers.


Tunis Air of Tunisia has officially announced that it shall be inaugurating new nonstop flights to YUL-Montreal, Canada from June 2012. Flights will be operated twice a week nonstop using an Airbus A 330-200.


Qatar Airways has officially announced that it will be serving EZE-Buenos Aires nonstop from Doha in the near future as the carrier is now seriously focusing on expanding its presence in Latin America. It has also confirmed that it will be launching 2 new cities in China as part of its expansion plan in 2011-12. These two are expected to be Xiamen and Chengdu.

Airline News till Nov 29

Egypt Air has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to YYZ-Toronto effective June 1st 2011. MS shall be operating the service 3 times per week using their brand new Boeing 777-300ER which shall seat 349 passengers in 2 class configuration. Its main target market for this sector is O&D to CAI plus transit traffic bound to North Africa, Levant and GCC region of the Middle East. The flight schedule is as follows:

Days: WED/FRI/SUN

MS 995 Dep CAI 2330 Arr YYZ 0540+1
MS 996 Dep YYZ 1130 Arr CAI 0600+1


Emirates has officially revealed on the GDS a massive expansion plan for its worldwide route network for the entire year 2011 in Europe and Far East Asia. The main highlights are as follows:

HAM - frequencies increased from daily to double daily flights using a B 773 and a B 772ER each respectively effective Sept 1st.

MAD - capacity increased from Oct 30th 2011 from daily A 343 to daily B 773ER.

SYD - frequencies increased from double to triple daily with the third nonstop flight operated nonstop with a B 773ER effective Oct 1st.

AMS - capacity increased to a daily B 773ER versus 6 weekly B 77Ls + weekly B 773ER effective June 1st 2011.

ZRH - capacity increased to double daily B 773ERs versus daily B 772ER + daily B 773ER effective Sept 1st 2011.

MXP - capacity increased from Oct 30th 2011 from double daily A 343 to daily B 773ER + daily A 343.

SIN - frequencies increased to 4 times daily with the new additional flight being operated with a B 773ER effective Oct 29th 2011. It is expected that since this new frequency has a 12 hour ground time at SIN, a tag on to DPS-Bali is also expected to happen in due course.

BKK - frequencies increased to 4 daily nonstop flights i.e. triple daily B 773s + daily A 380 effective May 30th 2011.

DKR - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop flights using an A 332. In addition, EK has also filed to launch new daily flights to GVA-Geneva using a B 772ER effective June 1st 2011 with the following flight schedule:

EK 089 Dep DXB 0950 Arr GVA 1430
EK 090 Dep GVA 1600 Arr DXB 0010+1


Turkish Airlines has officially announced that it will be undertaking another round of significant expansion in China this winter season by increasing its presence in the Communist state by adding more flights. Effective Jan 30th 2011, TK will be launching new 3 weekly nonstop flights to CAN-Guangzhou, China operated with a Boeing 777-300ER. In addition, it has also confirmed that its services to PEK-Beijing shall be further increased from the current 5 weekly to a daily nonstop terminator service using a B 777-300ER as well.


Air France has officially revealed its latest Airbus A 380 destination i.e. IAD-Washington DC, USA. From June 6th 2011, capacity shall be greatly increased from double daily B 772ERs to a daily A 380 + daily B 772ER. IAD is one of AF's highest yielding long haul routes seeing consistently high loads in the premium cabins in particular.


Air Arabia of Sharjah, UAE has officially announced that it shall be launching new 4 weekly nonstop flights to KABUL, AFGHANISTAN effective Dec 16th 2010 using an Airbus A 320-200.

Their flight schedule is as follows:

Days: 2/3/5/7

G9 261 Dep SHJ 0600 Arr KBL 0900
G9 262 Dep KBL 0945 Arr SHJ 1205


Royal Jordanian has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights to TXL-Berlin, Germany effective June 2nd 2011. RJ will be operating the service twice a week nonstop using an Airbus A 320-200. Its main purpose is to connect an upcoming major One World partner hub of Air Berlin and to offer seamless connections for the massive Iraqi and Arab diaspora community residing in the city itself.


RAK Airways of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE has officially announced that it shall be launching 3 new routes this December as part of its rapid expansion within a 4 hour flying radius of RAK airport itself. The 3 new routes it announced to be flying are Chittagong, Dhaka and Cairo. All flights shall be flown using its fleet of used/leased Boeing 737-400s only. Services to all these three new cities will be operated three times per week nonstop only effective Dec 15th 2011.


Hawaiian Airlines has officially confirmed that it has placed an order with Airbus for 6 additional Airbus A 330-200s to the ten it already has previously ordered from the manufacturer. These additional A 332s will be used to fully replace the B 763ERs and to expand further with new long haul nonstop flying from HNL to the U.S. East Coast + Far East Asia and Australia/AKL. HA's A 332s seat 294 passengers in a 2 class configuration.