American Airlines announced a new 17-year lease at Dallas Love Field but will suspend American Eagle flights at the airport from June 11 until terminal renovations are complete in 2013. Eagle serves Chicago O'Hare from DAL."We have every intention of returning service to Love Field when the new terminal is completed," AA VP-State and Community Affairs Kevin Cox said. AA does not operate mainline flights at the airport, which is dominated by Southwest Airlines. Separately, Eagle will launch a daily Dallas/Fort Worth-Santa Fe flight on June 11.
Claiming that some airlines are "overreacting" to the current downturn with hasty reductions of their networks, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker confirmed that the carrier's winter expansion will include its first services to Australia.
Qantas and Etihad Airways announced a codeshare agreement effective March 29 under which QF will place its code on EY's 21 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane via Singapore as well as connections from AUH to Amman, Beirut and Bahrain. Etihad will place its code on "selected" QF flights between Australia and Auckland and on "a range" of Adelaide-MEL, SYD-BNE and SYD-Cairns flights, Qantas said. The deal is designed to open up the Middle East market for QF customers while countering the growing influence of Emirates in Australia.
Terminal 2 at Dubai International has undergone a major refurbishment, extending check-in and boarding facilities, revitalising the interior and exterior decor, plus offering more dining choices.
Oman Air detailed some of its long-haul expansion plans ( ATWOnline, March 6) and will operate flights from Muscat to Frankfurt (six-times-weekly from Sept. 17), Paris Charles de Gaulle (four-times-weekly from Oct. 11) and Colombo/Male (four-times-weekly from Oct. 12).
Ryanair confirmed yesterday that it plans to close all airport check-in counters by Oct. 1, forcing all passengers to check in online ( ATWOnline, Feb. 24). Check-in will be available from 15 days to 4 hr. prior to scheduled departure. Beginning March 19, Web check-in will be available to non-EU/EEA citizens, passengers with checked baggage--£5/€5 ($6.99/$6.32) per person per flight--and reduced mobility customers. Airport check-in will cost £10/€10 per person per flight.
Air Berlin is evaluating the future of its long-haul network owing to the global economic downturn and a drop in bookings through tour operators. "We have implemented an internal AB efficiency program called 'jump.' This will include a look at whether our long-haul network can develop or whether we will focus on medium-haul routes in the future," a spokesperson told ATWOnline. AB is considering all possibilities, including canceling its long-haul flights or finding another platform for the operation.
Emirates has unveiled its dedicated technology and entertainment corner called e-zone, located in the business class lounge at Dubai International's Terminal 3.
Southwest Airlines yesterday launched service at Minneapolis-St. Paul with eight-times-daily service to Chicago Midway. SWA will operate from two gates at MSP's Humphrey Terminal ( ATWOnline, Oct. 2). Delta Air Lines will launch thrice-weekly Atlanta-Brasilia flights Dec. 17 aboard a 757-200ER. Finnair will suspend its four-times-weekly Helsinki-Mumbai service from May until mid-October due to "unfavorable economic conditions" and overcapacity.
Virgin Atlantic Airways will suspend its London Heathrow-Mumbai service on May 2, citing falling passenger demand and "irrational pricing" by rivals. Passenger numbers declined 18% between January and November 2008, VS said. Separately, it promoted Director of Engineering Steve Griffiths to COO, succeeding Lyell Strambi.
The UK Department for Transport yesterday outlined its airport regulation reform proposals, which it claimed are designed to improve the passenger experience and call for CAA to promote the interests of passengers as a primary responsibility and to ensure that airports meet environmental obligations.
Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Air Canada began rerouting flights that normally pass through North Korean airspace after Pyongyang said it was "compelled to declare that security cannot be guaranteed for South Korean civil airplanes flying through the territorial air of our side."
Oman Air CEO Peter Hill said the carrier will continue to enhance its network despite the current industry downturn and expects to operate to up to 40 destinations by year end. It currently serves 27. Hill was speaking at this week's Aviation Outlook Middle East conference in Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to add Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Colombo and Male this year. It recently took delivery of a 737-800, bringing its fleet to 15 aircraft, and expects to take four more -800s and four A330-300s in the coming months.
