Qatar Airways Boss Hits Out at Maldives Fee Hike
The out-spoken boss of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, has hit out at the plans by the operator of Male International Airport in the Maldives to raise handling fees by more than a half, threatening to cancel the carrier’s current link to the popular holiday destination from Doha. In a statement, Akbar Al Baker said he was “dismayed” to hear of the “totally unreasonable” plans to increase fees by around 51 per cent, a move he explained that would “threaten” the future of air services. Qatar Airways currently offers a twice daily service between Doha and Male, a key route that supports access to the Island archipelago from a variety of destinations across the glove, via the airline’s hub at Doha International Airport. "My message to the Maldives authorities is to think again, think rationally and think about the future prosperity of your tourism industry,” he explained. "These steps may have not been thought through seriously by the airport operator and I urge them to think again." "If we or any other major player withdraws services because of these unwarranted and draconian measures, it will be the people of the Maldives who will lose out, impacting their livelihoods as they rely heavily on the tourism industry," added Al Baker, noting that the Maldives economy is wholly based on tourism.
Southwest Adds New Cancun Connections
US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines has confirmed that it has received approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for AirTran Airways to launch flights to Canacun International Airport from both Denver International and Austin-Bergstrom International; the latter a new destination for the carrier. The Denver Cancan route will be served on a daily schedule between April 16, 2012 and July 7, 2012, reducing to four times weekly between July 8, 2012 and August 12, 2012 and then to a twice weekly weekend only offering from August 13, 2012 until September 28, 2012. The Austin – Cancun route will be flown on a four times weekly basis from May 25, 2012 until August 31, 2012 when it will be reduced to a three times weekly schedule until the end of September. "We are excited to offer more domestic markets new opportunities to travel to Mexico," said Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Southwest Airlines and President, AirTran Airways. "The additional service is one way Customers are already realising the benefits of the Southwest and AirTran acquisition." In addition to the new international services, AirTran will also operate new domestic flights between Houston Hobby and San Antonio and between Houston Hobby and Austin to support its international offering. The new link between Houston and San Antonio begins May 24, 2012, and the new service between Houston and Austin begins May 25, 2012 and both routes are planned to operate through to the end of the carrier’s current available schedule on September 28, 2012. AirTran has already announced the launch of flights between San Antonio and Cancun from May 24, 2012 and between San Antonio and Mexico City. Additionally, beginning June 3, 2012, AirTran will initiate service between Orange County in California and Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo and between Orange County and Mexico City.
Air Seychelles to Offer Abu Dhabi Link
Etihad Airways is to increase its offering to the Republic of Seychelles Indian Ocean Island archipelago through its new partnership with the country’s national carrier Air Seychelles. As part of its management contract, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier has recently introduced a revised management team at Air Seychelles and this arrangement is the first network development since it announced a deal to acquire a 40 per cent shareholding in the airline. Air Seychelles will offer a twice weekly link from Mahé to Abu Dhabi, which will complement Etihad’s existing four times weekly service, which was launched in November 2011: a seventh weekly rotation will be introduced from June 2012. The new Air Seychelles rotation will be operated using a two-class Boeing 767-300ER. The aircraft had been expected to return to the lessor after the airline suspended its European programme earlier this year. “The Seychelles have already proven to be a hugely popular holiday destination amongst Etihad Airways guests. With these additional two Air Seychelles weekly flights, we look forward to successfully serving the route, tourism and business at each end and beyond,” explained Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ recently appointed Chief Executive Officer. The executive previously held a position as Etihad’s regional general manager for Asia Pacific South and Australasia.
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