SkyTeam members Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines have announced that their transatlantic joint venture (JV) with UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic will take effect from Feb. 13, bringing together a network of 110 non-stop routes.
European regional carrier Flybe is reportedly locked in urgent funding talks as looks to avoid collapse. However, the airline is continuing to operate, with more than 2,300 flights across 96 routes scheduled this week.
UK long-haul operator Virgin Atlantic is considering postponing the retirement of its remaining Airbus A340s because of “ongoing supply issues” with the engines on its Rolls-Royce powered Boeing 787s.
This week: Air France-KLM drops Virgin Atlantic deal plans; Ryanair to close two bases; Transavia to start Brussels service; codeshare agreed between Gulf Air and Middle East Airlines and more.
An expanded transatlantic joint venture between Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic has been given final approval by the US Department of Transportation. The airlines claim the new partnership would offer “the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits”.
Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic have been given the green light to enter into a long-term cooperation agreement on flights between Australia and the UK and Ireland.
Air France-KLM and China Eastern's joint venture is to be enlarged to include Virgin Atlantic. As well as the new partnership, it has also been confirmed that regional airline Flybe, which was acquired earlier this year by a consortium that includes Virgin Atlantic, will re-brand as Virgin Connect.
This week: Virgin Atlantic’s first flights to Brazil; El Al Israel Airlines to add two new European routes; and Delta Air Lines opens reservation for its planned Seoul Incheon – Manila route.
The two airlines are seeking approval to cooperate on services between Australia and the UK and Ireland via mutual connection points. The partnership could result in the launch of new international routes.
Virgin Atlantic is making its first foray into South America with direct flights between London Heathrow and São Paulo in Brazil set to launch next year.
This week: Dublin to get second link to mainland China; Virgin Atlantic to enter London – Tel Aviv market; and Aeroméxico to add its third destination in Colombia.
A takeover has been agreed for struggling regional airline Flybe through a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Group. The joint venture partners now plan to create a “fully-fledged UK network carrier” under the Virgin Atlantic brand, which will provide feed for Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul network.
This week: Wizz Air plots further London Luton growth; Boeing and Embraer agree joint venture terms; Virgin Atlantic's Flybe talks continue; American starts 28 new flights; MEA to take up to six A330-900neos and more.
SkyTeam partners Air France-KLM and Air Europa are hoping that a planned joint venture agreement on flights between Europe and Central and South America will help to unlock new routes and direct flights between the two continents.
This week: LEVEL hires first CEO; JetBlue to cut Q4 capacity; BA to resume Pittsburgh; Alitalia excluded from transatlantic JV; and air traffic strikes hit Wizz’s profits.
Our top five stories on Routes Weekly: WOW's Indian expansion; China to relax international regulations; strong half for easyJet; UAE and US deal; Ethiopian adds Manchester and more.
A week after International Airlines Group bought a minority stake in long-haul low-cost carrier Norwegian, with a view to launching a full takeover of the Scandinavian carrier, Routesonline takes a look at the growth of transatlantic services from Europe to the US and Canada, and how lower fares have impacted this market.
