Originally based in Sharjah in the UAE, Air Arabia established itself in Morocco last year through its Air Arabia Maroc start-up and it is trying to repeat this in Egypt during 2010. In April it will launch Air Arabia Egypt, a joint venture with Travco, the major Middle Eastern tourism and hospitality group. Routes News examines the evolution of Air Arabia and what it hopes to achieve in the Egypt market.
Kingfisher Airlines announced new routes from Delhi to London Heathrow and Hong Kong in the past week, along with plans to join oneworld in the second half of this year. Routes News examines its significance.
Jet Airways is currently India's second-largest international airline and the largest operator in the domestic market. It operates over 400 daily flights to 64 destinations. The carrier has grown its domestic and international traffic for four consecutive months and has recently been recognised in a string of awards, including “Best Long Haul Carrier” at the TM Travel Awards in Brussels last year.
Last month’s opening of Gold Coast Airport’s second passenger terminal coincided with double-digit month-on-month growth of international passenger traffic (in January). The new facility is designed primarily to meet the needs of low-fare carriers and the airport seeks to expand its long-haul network, working in partnership with the Queensland Government and Gold Coast Tourism to deliver new route incentives.
Operating from 36 UK airports, Flybe is the largest UK domestic operator (measured by weekly seat capacity and number of destinations). Announcing the first scheduled services for Kent International and Humberside to Edinburgh and Belfast City respectively, Flybe plays to its many strengths: operating high-frequency services to thin or new markets using suitably sized aircraft. Routes News examines this rise and asks if it can maintain it position amid competition from easyJet.
