Jet Airways lays off cabin crew
Jet Airways has laid off 800 employees as it cuts flights amid soaring costs.
India’s largest private airline said cabin crew hired for a planned expansion programme, which had been suspended, would lose their jobs.
Jet said it expected to cut more jobs. Its announcement follows a recent cost-cutting alliance with India’s second largest private airline, Kingfisher.
The two airlines, which have nearly 60 per cent of the market in India, said the rise in the price of jet fuel by a quarter this year was a major factor in wanting to join forces in order to cut costs.
“As a first step, around 800 flight attendants, recently recruited for the planned expansion programme, which has now been suspended, have been released,” Jet Airways said in a statement.
“The other categories include probationary and unconfirmed personnel in other areas, including cockpit crew and management personnel, to reflect the lower number of flights and seats offered.”
The airline said it will be offering 15 per cent fewer flights than scheduled this winter because of “declining traffic volumes”.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Airline bankruptcies “to double”
Airline bankruptcies “to double”
The number of airline bankruptcies around the world this year is set to double over the winter to at least 70, a leading industry body has warned.
Mike Ambrose, director general of the European Regional Airlines industry body, said: “We are now up to around 35 (bankruptcies) this year. I see at least that number over the winter.”
He said that the current climate for airlines was “far more significant, far more far-reaching” than the period after September 11, describing 2008 as a “year from hell”.
He called for a lower regulatory burden for airlines, estimating that a European scheme to make airlines pay for carbon emissions could add six million euros a year to a typical regional airline.
The number of airline bankruptcies around the world this year is set to double over the winter to at least 70, a leading industry body has warned.
Mike Ambrose, director general of the European Regional Airlines industry body, said: “We are now up to around 35 (bankruptcies) this year. I see at least that number over the winter.”
He said that the current climate for airlines was “far more significant, far more far-reaching” than the period after September 11, describing 2008 as a “year from hell”.
He called for a lower regulatory burden for airlines, estimating that a European scheme to make airlines pay for carbon emissions could add six million euros a year to a typical regional airline.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Wing flaps caused Madrid crash
Wing flaps caused Madrid crash
The Spanair jet that crashed in August had faulty wing flaps and a warning system that failed to sound, an initial report has found.
The MD-82 plane reached an altitude of just 12m (40ft) before flopping back down on to its tail and careering off the runway. It shot across 1km of scrub before falling into a ravine and bursting into flames at Madrid’s airport, killing 154 people on board.
The investigators’ preliminary report does not apportion blame, saying that the pilots carried out routine checks.
The investigators, who studied voice and flight data recorders, found no evidence of prior engine problems and concluded that the plane had caught fire only after hitting the ground.
It is unclear why the wing flaps failed to deploy, but the error was compounded by the failure of the cockpit alert system, which should have sounded a warning to the pilots.
A judge will now decide whether anyone can be held criminally responsible.
The Spanair jet that crashed in August had faulty wing flaps and a warning system that failed to sound, an initial report has found.
The MD-82 plane reached an altitude of just 12m (40ft) before flopping back down on to its tail and careering off the runway. It shot across 1km of scrub before falling into a ravine and bursting into flames at Madrid’s airport, killing 154 people on board.
The investigators’ preliminary report does not apportion blame, saying that the pilots carried out routine checks.
The investigators, who studied voice and flight data recorders, found no evidence of prior engine problems and concluded that the plane had caught fire only after hitting the ground.
It is unclear why the wing flaps failed to deploy, but the error was compounded by the failure of the cockpit alert system, which should have sounded a warning to the pilots.
A judge will now decide whether anyone can be held criminally responsible.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
BA to launch St Kitts service
BA to launch St Kitts service
British Airways has underlined its commitment to the Caribbean by launching flights to the idyllic Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis this winter.
BA has more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier. This will be further enhanced by weekly flights on Saturdays from Gatwick to St Kitts starting on January 10, 2009.
Adam Daniels, head of leisure sales, said: “The introduction of St Kitts as a British Airways route means we now operate to 11 destinations in the Caribbean.
“The region is performing extremely well for us. Our customers also tell us that they feel secure flying with an airline with an established heritage and longevity in the market in these turbulent times.”
Other route news from the airline also includes increasing flights to Dubai and Johannesburg next summer and moving Atlanta and Toulouse services from Gatwick to Heathrow Terminal 5. Heathrow flights to Dubai increase from 14 to 20 each week from March 29 next year, while flights from Heathrow to Johannesburg will increase from 14 to 19 each week from May 1, 2009.
Atlanta is the latest US destination that the airline is moving from Gatwick to Heathrow following the ‘open skies’ agreement. Daily flights head to Heathrow from March 29, 2009.
Toulouse flights will also move from Gatwick to Heathrow on March 29, 2009, with two flights each day to the Rose City.
British Airways has underlined its commitment to the Caribbean by launching flights to the idyllic Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis this winter.
BA has more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier. This will be further enhanced by weekly flights on Saturdays from Gatwick to St Kitts starting on January 10, 2009.
Adam Daniels, head of leisure sales, said: “The introduction of St Kitts as a British Airways route means we now operate to 11 destinations in the Caribbean.
“The region is performing extremely well for us. Our customers also tell us that they feel secure flying with an airline with an established heritage and longevity in the market in these turbulent times.”
Other route news from the airline also includes increasing flights to Dubai and Johannesburg next summer and moving Atlanta and Toulouse services from Gatwick to Heathrow Terminal 5. Heathrow flights to Dubai increase from 14 to 20 each week from March 29 next year, while flights from Heathrow to Johannesburg will increase from 14 to 19 each week from May 1, 2009.
Atlanta is the latest US destination that the airline is moving from Gatwick to Heathrow following the ‘open skies’ agreement. Daily flights head to Heathrow from March 29, 2009.
Toulouse flights will also move from Gatwick to Heathrow on March 29, 2009, with two flights each day to the Rose City.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Forty injured in Qantas jet
Forty injured in Qantas jet
A Qantas aircraft made an emergency landing in Western Australia after 40 people were injured following a “sudden change in altitude”.
The Airbus A330-300, flying from Singapore to Perth with 313 people on board, landed at Learmonth Airport in Exmouth after making a mayday call.
Qantas, which operates the route on a code-share with BA, said there was no sign yet as to what caused the altitude change. Emergency services, including medical personnel, met the aircraft on landing.
A number of those injured suffered fractures and lacerations, Qantas said. Ten people with severe injuries were taken to hospital.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has sent two aircraft to Exmouth to help transport the injured to the state capital Perth, around 1,100km (700 miles) south of the town, if necessary.
The police later said Qantas was sending two planes to bring the rest of the passengers to Perth.
A Qantas aircraft made an emergency landing in Western Australia after 40 people were injured following a “sudden change in altitude”.
The Airbus A330-300, flying from Singapore to Perth with 313 people on board, landed at Learmonth Airport in Exmouth after making a mayday call.
Qantas, which operates the route on a code-share with BA, said there was no sign yet as to what caused the altitude change. Emergency services, including medical personnel, met the aircraft on landing.
A number of those injured suffered fractures and lacerations, Qantas said. Ten people with severe injuries were taken to hospital.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has sent two aircraft to Exmouth to help transport the injured to the state capital Perth, around 1,100km (700 miles) south of the town, if necessary.
The police later said Qantas was sending two planes to bring the rest of the passengers to Perth.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
IATA: 20 airlines face bankruptcy
IATA: 20 airlines face bankruptcy
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that at least 20 international carriers are at risk of bankruptcy amid the worst crisis the industry has ever faced.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said passenger demand growth in August slowed to 1.3 per cent, following disappointing growth of 1.9 per cent in July.
Passenger load factors fell to 79.2 per cent – a sharp drop-off from the 81 per cent recorded during the same period last year as capacity growth outpaced demand.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and chief executive officer, said: “The global industry is in a perfect storm of high fuel costs and falling demand.
“The financial turmoil in the US is also affecting the airline industry and at least 20 airlines are at risk. The industry crisis is deepening and no region is immune.”
IATA forecasts the industry will make a loss of $5.2 billion this year and $4.1 billion in 2009.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that at least 20 international carriers are at risk of bankruptcy amid the worst crisis the industry has ever faced.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said passenger demand growth in August slowed to 1.3 per cent, following disappointing growth of 1.9 per cent in July.
Passenger load factors fell to 79.2 per cent – a sharp drop-off from the 81 per cent recorded during the same period last year as capacity growth outpaced demand.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and chief executive officer, said: “The global industry is in a perfect storm of high fuel costs and falling demand.
“The financial turmoil in the US is also affecting the airline industry and at least 20 airlines are at risk. The industry crisis is deepening and no region is immune.”
IATA forecasts the industry will make a loss of $5.2 billion this year and $4.1 billion in 2009.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
True provenance at 35,000 feet for BA
True provenance at 35,000 feet
British Airways is considering introducing TV dinners at 35,000 feet following the success of a menu created for BBC Two’s ‘The Restaurant’ series.
Three couples were challenged by top chef Raymond Blanc to create a dish for First Class BA customers.
The clear favourite was roast saddle of organic Manor Dorset lamb, served on baked turnip round, with a warm radish salad and lavender jus, created by Kent couple Lindsie and Tim Selby, who run a restaurant in the series named ‘True Provenance’.
The judges included Raymond Blanc and his two inspectors, as well as representatives from BA and catering supplier Gate Gourmet.
Catering manager Carol Conway said: “We think this dish is so good we are considering including it in our next seasonal menu. Lindsie and Tim’s restaurant concept mirrors the new focus for our food, particularly the emphasis on quality and the importance of British and seasonal ingredients.”
British Airways is considering introducing TV dinners at 35,000 feet following the success of a menu created for BBC Two’s ‘The Restaurant’ series.
Three couples were challenged by top chef Raymond Blanc to create a dish for First Class BA customers.
The clear favourite was roast saddle of organic Manor Dorset lamb, served on baked turnip round, with a warm radish salad and lavender jus, created by Kent couple Lindsie and Tim Selby, who run a restaurant in the series named ‘True Provenance’.
The judges included Raymond Blanc and his two inspectors, as well as representatives from BA and catering supplier Gate Gourmet.
Catering manager Carol Conway said: “We think this dish is so good we are considering including it in our next seasonal menu. Lindsie and Tim’s restaurant concept mirrors the new focus for our food, particularly the emphasis on quality and the importance of British and seasonal ingredients.”
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