Five air service developments not to miss this week include flydubai's first Pakistani service; disappointment for Devon and Cornwall after losing a London link; Czech Airlines receiving the go-ahead to restructure and Westjet's new partnership with an Asian carrier.
flydubai to serve Pakistan
flydubai will make its first foray into Pakistan, announcing this week that it will start daily flights to Karachi from June 21.
The carrier is looking to capture Pakistan's many expatriate workers, as CEO of flydubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith confirmed: "Karachi would play an important role in expanding flydubai's reach and will make a significant difference to the Pakistani expatriates working in the UAE."
Its route network now spans to 19 destinations.
According to Flightbase (3rd - 9th May), flydubai will compete with five carriers which currently serve Karachi from Dubai: Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Shaheen Air, PIA and GMG Airlines.
Devon and Cornwall to Lose a London Link
UK regional carrier Air Southwest is to cut its service linking Plymouth and Newquay to London City Airport on May 21, citing a lack of demand on the route, as well as the disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.
The route was launched last year on a twice-daily basis. However the carrier will retain a London link by keeping its four times a week service to London Gatwick.
London City Airport has high airport charges given the scarcity of slots, which is also likely to have influenced Air Southwest's decision.
Czech Airlines' Three Year Restructuring Plan
Czech Airlines is to remove its Boeing fleet by the end of 2012, under a three-year restructuring plan that has just been approved by the Czech Government.
As well as focusing on airbus aircraft, Czech Airlines' overall fleet and network could be cut by up to 30% (including cutting unprofitable routes) during this period as part of the reorganisation, the government said.
Chairman of the Czech government's management board and president of the carrier, Miroslav Dvorak said: "The proposed measures will as a whole lead to the renewal of the company's stability and long-term viability and we look forward to a profitable Czech Airlines in 2012."
Westjet to Interline with Asian Carrier
Westjet has signed an inbound interline agreement with Cathay Pacific - part of its strategy to work with strategically aligned foreign carriers, according to Gregg Saretsky, the airline's CEO, who said: "Our plan is to partner with carriers from each of the major geographic regions around the world." Cathay Pacific already has an interline agreement with Air Canada.
The partnership will focus on co-operating on ticketing and baggage handling, streamlining the process for passengers taking onward connections in Canada on Westjet from Cathay Pacific's international flights. The agreement looks set to take effect within the next few weeks.
Three New Long-Haul Routes for Air Berlin
Air Berlin has announced it will launch three long-haul services from Berlin Tegel: to Mombasa [Kenya] Miami and Dubai, the airline's first regular Middle Eastern route from Germany.
The routes will begin at the start of the winter timetable, and the airline will base a A330-200 at Tegel in order to serve the new routes. Mombasa will be served weekly, Miami will be flown twice weekly, while Dubai will be served three times a week.
All three destinations are currently not served on a scheduled basis from Berlin, according to Flightbase, 3rd -9th May 2010.
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