PAWA DOMINICANA ADDS MIAMI AND VALENCIA LINKS FROM SANTO DOMINGO
Caribbean operator Pan American World Airways Dominicana (PAWA Dominicana) is to expand its network from Santo Domingo in the Domincan Republic with new links to Venezuela and the United States. The airline currently offers regional links within the Caribbean with flights from Santo Domingo and San Juan as well as seasonal flights to Aguadilla from Punta Cana and Santo Domingo and San Juan from Punta Cana. The two new routes to Miami and Valencia will begin on August 1 and will be operated six times weekly using a McDonnell Douglas MD-80. American Airlines already serves the Santo Domingo – Miami route with up to four daily flights. An estimated 267,000 O&D passengers travelled on this route in the past year with the US major currently holding a monopoly in this market.
EVAS INTRODUCES SEASONAL DOMESTIC LINK
Canadian regional carrier Exploit Valley Air Services (EVAS) introduced a weekly flight linking Gander, Goose Bay and Iqaluit, the first new scheduled air service between Newfoudland and Nunavut (Territory) for around eight years. The route is being flown by a Beech 1900D on a seasonal basis, although subject to demand the schedule could be extended year-round. EVAS currently operates a range of regional air services in the country for national carrier Air Canada, but this route is being flown under its own responsibility.
SKY AIRLINES EYES NEW MARKETS
Turkish carrier Sky Airlines is targeting more international destinations for expansion following the recent launch of flights to Kuwait, only its second market outside of Turkey. The carrier inaugurated a twice weekly flight between Antalya and Kuwait City on June 14 adding to its existing flight to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Having predominantly focused its activities on the charter market, the scheduled arena is now growing in importance in the eyes of Sky Airlines’ management team. “Kuwait is a rich country with a strong potential. We saw that the Kuwaitis were very closely interested in Antalya and we decided to arrange direct flights between this city and their country,” said Tahir Görgülü, General Manager, Sky Airlines. Now the company is looking at other scheduled markets and could add further destinations before the end of this year.
THY BOOSTS FREQUENCIES TO USA
Turkish Airlines (THY) is to introduce an additional weekly rotation on its flights from Istanbul Ataturk to Los Angeles and Washington Dulles during the second half of this year. The Star Alliance member will introduce a fifth weekly flight to Los Angeles from August 31, while Washington Dulles will welcome a sixth weekly flight from the start of the Northern Winter schedules at the end of October. THY currently dominates the traffic on both these routes as it is the only airline to offer direct services. In the past year it carried an estimated 11,000 O&D passengers between Istanbul and Los Angeles (47 per cent share of the market), and 10,000 between Istanbul and Washington Dulles (a 53 per cent share).
NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN PHILIPPINES AND MALAYSIA
The Philippines Civil Aeronautics Board has agreed to open the skies on any routes between the country and Malaysia, with the exception of flights between the two capitals, Manila and Kuala Lumpur. After these successful negotiations it will now turn its attention to update existing agreements with Hong Kong and Japan before the end of the year. Under the revised deal airlines from the two countries will be able to offer flights from any two points outside of the capital in a move that will certainly enhance international tourism, boost investment in the regions and foster trade and generate employment. The new agreement will also make more capacity available between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, increasing the seat threshold from 2,300 per week to 2,520. Last year an estimated 478,000 O&D passengers travelled between the two countries, a market dominated by AirAsia (44.6 per cent) followed by Cebu Pacific Air (26.7 percent) and Malaysia Airlines (21.3 per cent). The busiest routes between the two countries are AirAsia’s flights from Diosdado Macapagal International to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur (22.2 per cent), followed by the numerous operators flying between Manila Ninoy Aquino International and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Last year the Philippine Government completed bilateral bilateral air talks with China, Singapore, Qatar, South Korea, among others and is working with international partners to help boost visitors to the country. The goal of the government is to meet its target of around $4.6 billion tourism revenues by 2016, contributing 6.35 percent to gross domestic product.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTRODUCES A380 TO LOS ANGELES
Singapore Airlines today (July 1) inaugurated its first scheduled passenger link to North America with its Airbus A380 Super Jumbo. The type will operate a daily flight to Los Angeles, the eighth destination in its network to have regular A380 flights. “The introduction of the A380 to Los Angeles is another wonderful milestone in our history. We have had the privilege of serving customers on this route since 1980, and we are proud to be able to introduce our flagship aircraft to North America,” said Mr Mak Swee Wah, Executive Vice President Commercial, Singapore Airlines, ahead of the first departure. “We are confident that our customers will appreciate the industry-leading cabin products available on the A380.” Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the A380 and has now carried more than five million customers on its aircraft since inaugurating flights with the Super Jumbo in October 2007. It now has 12 aircraft in its fleet with seven more on order and has clocked up around 128,000 flying hours on more than 13,000 flights with the type.
VUELING TO FLY PARIS – ZURICH ROUTE
Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling Airlines is to expand its network from the French capital with a new Paris Orly – Zurich route due to be launched this winter. The carrier will offer a twice daily service between the two cities and will be the only carrier providing flights from Orly: Air France and Swiss European Air Lines each serve the Swiss city from Charles De Gaulle with up to six flights a day. An estimated 1,500 O&D passengers already travel between Paris Orly and Zurich last year using the connecting flights of airberlin and Iberia. The total Paris to Zurich market is a strong 374,000 O&D passengers, the majority (62 per cent) flying on the services of Swiss European Air Lines from Paris CDG. Vueling currently serves seven points from Paris Orly and with the exception of Rome Fiumicino they are all destinations in its Spanish homeland. Zurich, meanwhile, is served from Barcelona and Santiago de Compastela and was due to be linked to Vueling’s Amsterdam base from September, although that route is now no longer available for reservation.
AIRBALTIC FLIES CHARTER SERVICE TO CANARY ISLANDS
Latvian national carrier airBaltic has concluded an agreement with international tour operator Tez Tour for summer charter flights to Tenerife in Spain. The airline is already offering 105 charter flights this summer to Turkey and Greece, but from June 9 has added more than 20 flights from Riga to the Canary Islands to its schedule. These will operate on a daily basis using a Boeing 757-200. Tez Tour has offered charter flights to Tenerife for three years, and says that experience has shown that this is a popular destination among Latvian tourists, especially those not wishing to be constrained by all-inclusive holiday packages.
FLYBE ESTABLISHES NORDIC SUBSIDIARY
UK low-fare airline Flybe and Finnair have confirmed that they have agreed a deal over the control of regional carrier Finnish Commuter Airlines (FCA) as they attempt to create what they describe as the leading regional airline for the Nordic and Baltic countries. The new joint venture, to be split 60 per cent Flybe and 40 % Finnair, will see the UK carrier take over the day-to-day operation of the regional venture from August 1. According to Flybe, the intention is to expand FCA’s network to include Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia, offering a service that will differ substantially to existing carriers, through Flybe’s well established low-fare business model. Details of the new route network are expected to be revealed in mid-August and will take effect from the Northern Winter schedules from October 30. Commenting on the Flybe's vision, Jim French, Flybe Chairman and Chief Executive said: "Finnish and Nordic passengers will see something very different from what has been available to them in the past,” said Jim French, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Flybe. “In establishing much-needed point-to-point routes, opening new bases in Finland, expanding into new markets - and in the process, becoming a recognised champion dedicated to the Nordic regions, the companies hope to create a brand new generation of Flying Finns!"
JIN AIR SETS START DATE FOR SAPPORO SERVICE
South Korea’s Jin Air, a low-cost subsidiary of the country’s national carrier Korean Air, is to inaugurate flights between Seoul Incheon and Sapporo this month, 12 weeks later than originally planned. The company had set April 11 as the proposed launch date for the new international service but cancelled the start following the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier that month. The proposed schedule was to offer four flights per week, but Jin Air will now operate two flights per week on the route from July 15, potentially ramping up capacity subject to demand. Its parent, Korean Air, already offers two flights per day between Incheon and Sapporo, but Jin Air will be targeting a different market and offering a very different in-flight service to its owner. An estimated 176,000 O&D passengers travelled on the route in the past year, paying an average fare of around $425 each way. Jin Air will likely offer tickets around half this price accommodating price sensitive travellers and allowing Korean Air to maintain its strong yield.
NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN PHILIPPINES AND MALAYSIA
The Philippines Civil Aeronautics Board has agreed to open the skies on any routes between the country and Malaysia, with the exception of flights between the two capitals, Manila and Kuala Lumpur. After these successful negotiations it will now turn its attention to update existing agreements with Hong Kong and Japan before the end of the year. Under the revised deal airlines from the two countries will be able to offer flights from any two points outside of the capital in a move that will certainly enhance international tourism, boost investment in the regions and foster trade and generate employment. The new agreement will also make more capacity available between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, increasing the seat threshold from 2,300 per week to 2,520. Last year an estimated 478,000 O&D passengers travelled between the two countries, a market dominated by AirAsia (44.6 per cent) followed by Cebu Pacific Air (26.7 percent) and Malaysia Airlines (21.3 per cent). The busiest routes between the two countries are AirAsia’s flights from Diosdado Macapagal International to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur (22.2 per cent), followed by the numerous operators flying between Manila Ninoy Aquino International and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Last year the Philippine Government completed bilateral bilateral air talks with China, Singapore, Qatar, South Korea, among others and is working with international partners to help boost visitors to the country. The goal of the government is to meet its target of around $4.6 billion tourism revenues by 2016, contributing 6.35 percent to gross domestic product.
AIR CHINA REACHES NEW HEIGHTS WITH TIBET ROUTE
Air China will this week inaugurate flights between Chengdu and Rikaze/Shigatse its fifth destination in the autonomous region of Tibet. The airline will offer a three times weekly Airbus A319 service into the Tibetan airport from July 8. The facility is located at an elevation of 3,782m above sea level, making it one of the highest airports in the world. Air China offers more than 90 flights per week into Tibet, with existing links to four destinations: Lhasa, Nyingchi, Qamdo Bangda and Shiquanhe Ngari. The capital Lhasa has flights from Chonqing and Chengdu while Nyingchi and Qamdo Bangda also have direct links from Chengdu and Shiquanhe Ngari is served from Lhasa as an extension of three of the weekly services from Chengdu. Air China also has four flights per week from Lhasa to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. Air China will soon face competition on its flights to Tibet following the recent delivery of the first of three Airbus A319s to Tibet Airlines. The start-up carrier is planning to offer links to Beijing and Chengdu from Lhasa, as well as serving local destinations including Ali Kunsha, the highest airport in the world.
SKYMARK TO INCREASE COMPETITION ON OKINAWA – MIYAKOJIMA
Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines is to introduce a five times daily link between Okinawa and Miyakojima from September 15, a route already served 13 times a day by Japan Transocean Air and ANA Group subsidiary Air Nippon. The arrival of Skymark will see available capacity on the route increase by around 12 per cent. There is a very strong demand on this domestic route with around 728,000 O&D passengers travelling between the two cities in the past year. The market is currently dominated by Japan Transocean Air with a 71 per cent share, while Air Nippon holds a 24 per cent share of the traffic, with a slightly weaker yield than its rival. In the past year the market has grown by approximately one per cent, although more encouragingly yields have strengthened by around 8.5 per cent with average fares increasing to an estimated $205 each way. The additional capacity in the market is sure to lead to some form of price competition and will likely lead to average fares falling.
AIRBERLIN OFFERS CURACAO LINK FROM DUSSELDORF
German carrier airberlin is to introduce a weekly flight to the Caribbean island of Curaçao from its Dusseldorf base this November, subject to Government approval. The new link to Hato International Airport on the Dutch territory is due to launch on November 15 and will be the only non-stop scheduled link from Germany. Currently KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Martinair and charter provider, Arkefly, offer services from Amsterdam, while Blue Panorama Airlines has flights from Milan Malpensa.
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