US Airways Drops Charlotte- Honolulu Service

Just four months since the route was kick-started, US Airways has announced it will cancel its daily service from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Honolulu from September 8. The carrier cites increasing fuel prices for its decision, which has a long sector length of around nine hours and is operated with B767s. US Airways will continue to serve Hawaii's main airport from Phoenix on a twice-daily basis, using B757 aircraft.

Wataniya Heads for Europe

Privately owned Kuwait-based Wataniya Airways will fly non-stop from Kuwait City to Rome (FCO) on May 31st - its first European destination.

The new three times weekly will go head-to-head with Kuwait Airways' four-times weekly schedule. 27,000 O&D passengers flew the route between January 2009 and 2010 (according to IATA BSP data). The carrier will also serve Vienna from June 2nd.

Houston On The Cards?

Monterrey-based VivaAerobus has filed an application with the US Department of Transport requesting a daily service to Houston (Texas) from June 1st. If approved, the carrier will compete with Continental Airlines, which offers multiple daily frequencies. VivaAerobus will look to attract a strong outbound market with an aggressive pricing structure.

New Florida Services for AA

American Airlines has begun a new three-times weekly from Chicago (ORD) to Jacksonville (JAX), competing with United Airlines, which offers the same weekly frequency. "These new flights provide more opportunities for Jacksonville business and leisure travelers flying to Chicago," said Barbara Halverstadt, JAA's manager of development and marketing.

Tackling The Competition

From May 13, AirAsia will begin a non-stop from Penang to Langkawi - bringing competition to a sector which is currently served by Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiary Firefly.

The route will be a daily rotation using A320 aircraft.

Kathleen Tan, AirAsia Berhad's regional head of commercial, said: "Langkawi is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia and there is huge potential for the route, with a lot of tourist traffic stopping in Penang before continuing to Langkawi."