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Cathay Pacific to launch service to Jeddah
Cathay Pacific Airways, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, has announced the launch of a new route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The four-times-weekly service, which is to operate through Dubai on the way to and from Hong Kong, will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft in a two-class configuration. The carrier launched its service to Riyadh in 2001 and the number of flights per week was recently increased from five times a week to daily.
Airbus considers delaying A380 deliveries
Airbus has said that one or two of the superjumbo A380s scheduled for delivery this year may be pushed back to January 2010, Reuters has reported. Client financing remains difficult and it would take time for the business environment to return to normal, the France-based firm said. "Everything will depend on airlines' capacity to take these planes at the end of the year," Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier said. Airbus has to date delivered seven of the 13 A380s scheduled for this year.
Qatar Airways wants revised A380 delivery schedule
Akbar al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, has said that in view of the airline's "performance requirements", the carrier has sought a revised schedule for the delivery of Airbus A380 aircraft, Gulf Times has reported. However, Qatar Airways will take delivery of the "contractually committed aircraft," he said. "We have placed orders for five Airbus A380s. These are firm orders and we have not gone for any other option," al-Baker said. The airline originally planned to start taking delivery of the double-decker A380 once the new airport in Doha was completed.
SriLankan adds new flights to Dammam
SriLankan Airlines has launched another flight to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, offering now a total of four flights per week to its Dammam-Colombo route, Arab News has reported. SriLankan has two flights from Riyadh and two from Jeddah.
Gulf Air flights move to London Heathrow T4
Gulf Air has announced its recent move at London Heathrow Terminal 4 (T4) from T3. First and Business passengers and Gold and Silver members of Gulf Air's Frequent flyer programme will have access to the Sky Team lounge located opposite Gate 10 at T4.
RJ profits rise but passenger numbers fall
Jordan's national carrier, Royal Jordanian has reported a net profit of JD25.5m for the first nine months of 2009, compared to JD3.8m in net losses during the same period of last year. Gross profit increased by 89% to JD40.7m from JD21.5m in the corresponding period of 2008. However, there was a 3% drop in the number of passengers and 32% drop in cargo that the airline carried during the period. This resulted in operating revenues falling 16% to JD449m, from JD532m during the first three quarters of 2008. The airline said the profit was due to falling fuel costs and a 20% drop in operational costs.
Oman Air starts Maldives flights
Oman Air has started a non-stop service between the Sultanate and the Republic of Maldives. The flights to the Maldives capital, Malé are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, returning the same day. The route will be operated by Oman Air's newly introduced Airbus A330 aircraft, which has first, business and economy class seating, the airline said.
Saudia adds two Airbus A320s to its fleet
Saudi Arabian Airlines has taken delivery of two more aircraft as part of its new fleet of A320 Airbus planes. The new 120-seat planes are part of its plans to modernise its fleet with 70 new aircraft, which will consist of 35 Airbus A320s, 15 Airbus A321s, eight Airbus A330s and 12 Boeing 787s. The airline has now taken delivery of four new A320s.
Jazeera Airways plans new direct Syria flights
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways is launching three direct flights a week to Lathqiyah, Syria, starting December 15. The flights will be on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday of each week, the budget airline said.
Gulf Aviation Academy invests $34m in new simulators
Bahrain-based Gulf Aviation Academy has taken delivery of the first of three flight simulators purchased under a $34m investment plan. The new simulator will allow pilots to train on the A320 aircraft type. The second and third simulators are due to arrive in January and March 2010, the academy said.
Etihad to launch two Japanese routes
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is set to open its first Japanese services early next year, with connections to Tokyo and Nagoya. The carrier will operate a four flights a week service to Nagoya, via Beijing, from Monday February 1, increasing to five flights a week from March 27. A five flights a week direct service to Tokyo's Narita airport is also scheduled for launch on March 27.
Jazeera Airways ups winter 2009 frequencies
Kuwait's Jazeera Airways has announced an increase of frequencies in its winter schedule, including additional weekend flights between Dubai and Kuwait, bringing the total number of weekly flights to the emirate to 45. In addition, flights between Bahrain and Dubai and Bahrain and Sana'a have increased to three per day.
Emirates launches service to Luanda, Angola
Emirates Airline has launched new non-stop service to the capital of oil-rich Angola. The new service to Luanda will leave on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday using an Airbus A330-200. This new route marks the 18th destination in Africa for Emirates.
Qatar Airways eyes Bombardier's CSeries
Akbar al-Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways, has said the airline is 'very interested' in buying Bombardier Inc's CSeries jetliners, but needs to address commercial issues before it makes an order, Reuters has reported. The carrier had previously said it is looking to boost the number of smaller planes in its fleet and in June ordered 24 Airbus A320 series aricraft, which can carry between 107 to 185 passengers.
Sama to relaunch flights to Sharjah
Saudi Arabia-based low-cost carrier, Sama Airlines, has announced the restart of its flights from Riyadh to the UAE emirate of Sharjah starting November 11th, 2009. The airline will operate three flights per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The new flights are in addition to Sama's current three weekly flights from Jeddah to Sharjah.
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