Richard Maslen has travelled across the globe to report on developments in the aviation sector as airlines and airports have continued to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions. Initially managing the weekly newsletter for respected aviation insurance loss adjuster Airclaims Limited, he later joined aviation media company Key Publishing where he spent almost nine years interviewing many of the industry’s senior players producing content for renowned titles such as Airliner World and Airports of the World. In 2011, he joined air service development specialist Routes (latterly part of UBM) where he developed a complete digital editorial content strategy for the business and has become well respected by the aviation community for his knowledge and insight. In April 2017, he left to establish his own business, Maslen Aviation Consultancy, providing storytelling content production, delivery and promotion support as well as consultancy services on aviation topics. He has already started working independently for a number of clients providing online content, event coverage, conference speaking, media appearances, advice on marketing and live event experience as well as project management on an exciting new content platform.
The low-cost airline currently has a fleet of five older 737-400 models and will use the 737-800s to support growth in existing markets and to support future network expansion. The additional capacity of the 737-800 versus the 737-400 of around 20 seats mean a like-for-like aircraft deployment switch will boost capacity by around 12.5 per cent.
The West African market will be served alongside the airline’s existing route between Dubai and Dakar, in Senegal, which is operated using an Airbus A340-300 configured with offers 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 213 Economy Class seats. Bamako will be linked directly from Dubai, but return flights will operate via Dakar.
This is actually the third time that Star Alliance has welcomed a major Brazilian carrier into the grouping having previously had Varig alongside TAM Airlines as a former member and will once again open up Latin America’s largest country to the international flights of its member airlines with new connection opportunities via São Paulo’s Guarulhos International and Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International airports.
