Mandarin Airlines Considers Link to Wenzhou
Taiwanese carrier Mandarin Airlines is understood to be considering launching flights between Taipei Taoyuan and Wenzhou on behalf of its parent China Airlines. The city, in Zhejiang province in southeastern China, is currently only linked to 18 domestic destinations and this November there will be around 350 weekly flights from Wenzhou’s Yongqiang International Airport. Mandarin Airlines is believed to be planning a three times weekly service from March 25, 2012 using a Boeing 737-800 although reservations for the flights are not yet open and it is not currently displaying in the airline’s GDS inventory despite being displayed on the Amadeus timetable listing.
Iberia to End Argentine Link
Spanish national carrier Iberia is to cancel its Madrid – Córdoba service from January 20, 2012 ending the only link from Europe to the second largest city in Argentina. In fact Iberia is the only carrier from outside of the Central and South American region to currently offer flights to Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L V Taravella International Airport in the city, located in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, approximately 700 km (435 mi) northwest of Buenos Aires. The airline currently offers a three times weekly non-stop connection from Madrid but will reduce this to a twice weekly link via Montevideo in January 2012 before dropping the route altogether later the same month. Around 14,000 O&D passengers travelled on the route in the past year, just 46 per cent of the estimated traffic between the two cities.
Air France’s Cargo Link to Mumbai
Air France will this month inaugurate dedicated freighter services to the Indian city of Mumbai. The airline’s Air France Cargo division will, from October 30, offer a twice weekly link between Paris CDG and Hong Kong with outbound stops in Dubai and Mumbai. The inbound flight is scheduled to operate non-stop from the Asian business capital to Paris. The airline will utilise a Boeing 747-400F on the route.
Etihad Airways Signs Codeshare with TAP Portugal
United Arab Emirates (UAE) national airline Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal, its 34th such arrangement with international partners. The new partnership has come into immediate effect and will see Etihad’s ‘EY’ code appearing on TAP’s flights from Lisbon to Brussels, Düsseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Funchal, Geneva, London, Milan, and Porto as well as on links from Porto to Brussels and Geneva. TAP will place its ‘TP’ code on Etihad’s links from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, and Milan under the agreement.
Atlantic Returns to Coventry
Atlantic Group, Europe's largest regional specialist cargo airline, has re-introduced scheduled freight operations at Coventry Airport after a gap of nearly two years. For the immediate future West Atlantic will base two BAe ATP turboprops at the airport serving Dublin, Lille and Maastricht. Discussions are thought to be taking place regarding scheduled passenger services too, according to sources. West Atlantic was created in 2008 through the merger of two of Europe's most established independent cargo operators, Atlantic Airlines, and West Air Sweden, with Coventry Airport serving as the airline's operational headquarters and engineering base. The airline had previously operated from the Midlands’ facility but was forced to move in December 2009 when the airport ceased operations after a High Court hearing.
Filipino Domestic Developments
In the past couple of days Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Airways have expanded their domestic networks in the Philippines. National carrier PAL resumed daily flights between Manila and Legazpi on October 16 having suspended its flights to the Southern Luzon province on September 27 and has increased links between Iloilo and the capital Manila. Meanwhile, following the delivery of additional Airbus short-haul equipment Cebu Pacific inaugurated a daily Zamboanga - Tawi-Tawi and a three times weekly Iloilo – Cagayan de Oro route on October 14. The airline already flies from both Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro to Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Senegal and Belgium Agree Air Traffic Deal
A new air services arrangement has been reached between Senegal and Belgium and could, according to newswire reports, help close a bilateral dispute that led Belgium to recall its ambassador to the West African nation in January. The Belgium Government had recalled its envoy after Senegal withdrew the rights for Brussels Airlines to operate flights via Dakar to other African points following the launch of its new flag carrier, Senegal Airlines. The revised deal was formalised by Senegalese Transport Minister Karim Wade and Belgian counterpart Etienne Schouppe this week and provides for eight flights per week between the countries - four for each national carrier. However, Brussels Airlines is reported to have signed a deal with Senegal Airlines allowing the Belgian carrier to operate more than the agreed four flights against a payment of royalties. “We are hopeful that this agreement will lead to a political will that will enable more air links and promote social and economic development between Dakar and Brussels," said Etienne Schouppe during a news conference to announce the new agreement.
Cargolux Adds New Around the World Cargo Links
Luxembourg freight carrier Cargolux launched one of its longest flights yesterday (October 19) a ten sector, 75 block hour service covering three continents and offering the airline’s first ever USA – Australia - USA link. The flight is scheduled to depart Luxembourg every Wednesday evening, arriving in Hong Kong and then New York the following day. The aircraft then flies on to Chicago in the early hours of Friday morning before continuing on to Sydney, where it is scheduled to land on Saturday afternoon. It then returns to the US and the city of Los Angeles, arriving earlier the same day, then continues onto Chicago before returning to Luxembourg for a mid-afternoon Sunday arrival. A second new weekly route is scheduled be launched from October 22 providing a direct link between North America and Africa. This departs Luxembourg every Saturday and operates to Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago, New York, Houston, Lagos and Accra returning to Luxembourg on Tuesday evenings.
Aeolian Airlines to Take Flight in Greece
A start-up carrier in Greece has taken delivery of its first aircraft. Aeolian Airlines received a single McDonnell Douglas MD-83 at the end of September and plans to initially offer charter and ACMI services from Athens International Airport. In the longer-term the carrier has suggested that it could enter the scheduled market, according to local sources, and provide links to destinations across Europe.
ACCC Gives Draft Approval to Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia Alliance
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted its draft approval to the proposed alliance between Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia, although the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) is yet to rule on the proposed tie-up. Regulatory approval will enable Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia to build an integrated alliance, with an expanded network and seamless service offerings for travellers. The alliance will connect Singapore Airlines' global network with Virgin Australia's wide range of Australian and Pacific destinations, offering customers enhanced connections, convenient flight schedules, access to more airport lounges and greater opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles.
Related Content
