As 2019 draws to a close, Routesonline revisits some of the biggest stories making the headlines. Part one of our review looks at the first six months of the year, featuring Thai Lion Air, Air Transat, airBaltic, Qantas, Jet Airways and more.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a codeshare deal with Vistara to open up more routes between India and Tokyo. The Japanese flag carrier has also outlined its medium-term strategy, which includes the launch of a low-cost carrier and ambition to serve 500 cities.
What will the year ahead have in store for the commercial aviation industry? From further consolidation in Europe to a shake-up of global airline alliances, Nigel Mayes from leading consultancy ASM casts his eye on what might shape the aviation world in 2019.
This week: Small Planet Airlines to restructure; Norwegian’s latest financials, fuel costs weigh heavy for JetBlue; Vistara secures cash injection; Q3 Boeing deliveries and more.
This week: Ryanair reverses Dublin decision and plans Exeter launch; new CEO at Jetlines; Aeroflot signs for 100 SSJ100s; BA and Vistara to codeshare and more.
Featuring the latest news and orders announced at the 2018 Farnborough Airshow, including big wins for Boeing and Airbus, as well as details of serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman's latest venture.
Our top five stories this week: Norwegian's growth story; Vistara to beef up its fleet; step forward for Air Tanzania’s ambitious revival plans; Airbus' A220 in pictures; an interview with Vantage's Jeremy Pennington and much more.
Indian full-service carrier Vistara hopes to take advantage to changes in air service regulations to launch international flights within the next year, its chief strategy and commercial officer, Sanjiv Kapoor, confirmed during a panel discussion at the Routes Asia Strategy Summit in Okinawa, Japan earlier today.
Huge aircraft orders, the removal of dated regulations and a growing middle class who are eager to travel are all helping to bring India to the forefront of the aviation market. Passenger numbers are growing at a faster rate than the rest of the world, as India is on course to become the largest market by 2030.
Delivering on a brand promise of “a world class flying experience” Vistara is the first full service carrier in India to introduce a ‘Premium Economy’ class to the domestic market. It will configure its A320s in a 148-seat arrangement with 16 seats in Business Class, 36 in Premium Economy and 96 in Economy Class.
The start-up has bold ambitions to set a new industry benchmark for others to follow in India. It will initially launch operations from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport serving a mixture of metros and non-metros markets where there is a clear demand for a full-service carrier.
