For the seventh time in a row Air France-KLM has been recognised as ‘Air Transport Leader for 2011’ in the field of corporate social responsibility and confirmed in two Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.
The group has also been named the leader of the entire “Transport and Leisure” sector for the third time.
In 2010-11, Air France-KLM made progress in areas such as the development of sustainable biofuels, the implementation of recycling uniforms and meals trays served on board, as well as supporting several humanitarian projects.
The airline has been committed to reducing its environmental impact, to implement a responsible social policy, contribute to regional development, while offering its customers a quality service and innovative products.
Air France-KLM was confirmed in the two Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes - DJSI World and DJSI Europe - which select the leading companies every year in terms of social responsibility, following a review process conducted by the Swiss group SAM (Sustainable Asset Management Indexes GmbH).
Air France-KLM’s sustainable development report for 2010-11 can be viewed online at www.airfranceklm.com.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Kenya Airways Receives New Aircraft
In line with plans to build capacity that is more efficient for the airline’s Africa market, Kenya Airways has received a new Embraer E190 jet, which will be deployed to operate to the South, Central and North Africa regions.
The introduction of the new 96-seater aircraft has been necessitated by growing regional passenger and cargo demand and a rapidly expanding route network.
Registered as 5Y-KYR, the E190 touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Sao Jose dos Campos - Embraer headquarters in Brazil - whilst another Kenya Airways E190 underwent its maiden test flight in Brazil and is expected to be delivered to Nairobi by next month.
Recently, Embraer and Kenya Airways finalised the contract for the acquisition of 10 Embraer 190 jets. The deal also includes purchase rights for 16 aircraft, which could be the Embraer 190 or other models of the E-Jet family.
This fleet modernisation will boost the airline's aggressive network expansion strategy and in particular, boost plans to fly to all African capital cities by the end of 2013.
The introduction of the new 96-seater aircraft has been necessitated by growing regional passenger and cargo demand and a rapidly expanding route network.
Registered as 5Y-KYR, the E190 touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Sao Jose dos Campos - Embraer headquarters in Brazil - whilst another Kenya Airways E190 underwent its maiden test flight in Brazil and is expected to be delivered to Nairobi by next month.
Recently, Embraer and Kenya Airways finalised the contract for the acquisition of 10 Embraer 190 jets. The deal also includes purchase rights for 16 aircraft, which could be the Embraer 190 or other models of the E-Jet family.
This fleet modernisation will boost the airline's aggressive network expansion strategy and in particular, boost plans to fly to all African capital cities by the end of 2013.
ExecuJet Launches Special Charter Packages
An increased charter demand for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand has seen ExecuJet Australasia, in cooperation with travel company Quintessentially, launch special packages that allow ‘time poor’ rugby supporters to still be at the heart of the action.
Packages include flying by private jet from any one of Australia’s major cities into the choice of three destinations - Auckland, Queenstown or Wellington, on the day of the match, being transferred to and from the stadium, before a chartered flight home after the game.
ExecuJet Australasia has already seen an increase in normal charter activity and demand of up to 35%. The airline has secured a number of charters to the various games on their heavy jet fleet, with one client booking a Falcon 900C for the entire month of October to ensure that he and his guests get to both semi-finals and the final.
In November 2010, ExecuJet was issued with a New Zealand Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, allowing the company to commence base aircraft operations in the country.
The ExecuJet Aviation Group, which manages 150 business jets worldwide, has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Packages include flying by private jet from any one of Australia’s major cities into the choice of three destinations - Auckland, Queenstown or Wellington, on the day of the match, being transferred to and from the stadium, before a chartered flight home after the game.
ExecuJet Australasia has already seen an increase in normal charter activity and demand of up to 35%. The airline has secured a number of charters to the various games on their heavy jet fleet, with one client booking a Falcon 900C for the entire month of October to ensure that he and his guests get to both semi-finals and the final.
In November 2010, ExecuJet was issued with a New Zealand Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, allowing the company to commence base aircraft operations in the country.
The ExecuJet Aviation Group, which manages 150 business jets worldwide, has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Air Namibia retains direct flights from Joburg to Walvis Bay
Air Namibia has decided to retain directly operated flights from Johannesburg to Walvis Bay.
The airline has enhanced its schedule on the route with a flight departing at 7:45 in Johannesburg, to arrive at Walvis Bay at 10:00. A flight from Walvis Bay would depart at 18:25, arriving in Johannesburg at 20:40.
Air Namibia has also decided to pay travel agents an additional 1% BSP commission, over and above the 7.01% Domestic and Regional commission, commencing on 1 September until 31 October.
This commission is based on all published fares based on the BSP billing point of sale of the following countries: BSP ZA – South Africa and Namibia; BSP BW – Botswana; BSP GH – Ghana; BSP ZM – ZAMBIA
The airline has enhanced its schedule on the route with a flight departing at 7:45 in Johannesburg, to arrive at Walvis Bay at 10:00. A flight from Walvis Bay would depart at 18:25, arriving in Johannesburg at 20:40.
Air Namibia has also decided to pay travel agents an additional 1% BSP commission, over and above the 7.01% Domestic and Regional commission, commencing on 1 September until 31 October.
This commission is based on all published fares based on the BSP billing point of sale of the following countries: BSP ZA – South Africa and Namibia; BSP BW – Botswana; BSP GH – Ghana; BSP ZM – ZAMBIA
KLM introduces flights to Angola
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch a flight service between Amsterdam and de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, Angola effective from 14 November.
KLM, together with Air France, will offer four weekly flights to Luanda using Boeing 777-200 equipment, which offers seats for 318 passengers - 35 in Business Class and 283 Economy Class.
The first flight will depart from Schiphol on Monday 14 November at 13:20 and arrive in Luanda on the same day at 21:55. The return flight will depart from Luanda at 23:55, arriving back in Amsterdam on the following day at 8:30.
Luanda is to be KLM’s 71st intercontinental destination.
KLM, together with Air France, will offer four weekly flights to Luanda using Boeing 777-200 equipment, which offers seats for 318 passengers - 35 in Business Class and 283 Economy Class.
The first flight will depart from Schiphol on Monday 14 November at 13:20 and arrive in Luanda on the same day at 21:55. The return flight will depart from Luanda at 23:55, arriving back in Amsterdam on the following day at 8:30.
Luanda is to be KLM’s 71st intercontinental destination.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
New Award for SWISS
Swiss International Air Lines has been named “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class” in this year’s World Travel Awards, coinciding with the installation of the advanced new SWISS Business Class on all the company’s long-haul aircraft. SWISS travellers can now enjoy the new Business cabin on all long-haul flights, with a seat that reclines into a two-metre-long lie-flat air-cushioned bed.
The seat is also fitted with individually-adjustable firmness or softness settings and a special massage function.
The retrofit of the new Business Class cabin into all 15 of its Airbus A340s is one element in SWISS’s extensive programme of investments in its product and its aircraft fleet, which began with the service entry of the first of its 10 new Airbus A330-300 long-haul twinjets in 2009.
SWISS has withdrawn service of its last Airbus A330-200 and is the only airline in Europe to offer a three-class cabin product – First, Business and Economy – on all its intercontinental flights.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Qantas B747 passengers to get A380 experience
Extensive refurbishment work has begun on a $250 million project to overhaul the interiors of nine Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft with the installation of state-of-the-art Airbus A380 style seats and in-flight entertainment units.
The quarter of a billion dollar investment is part of the first phase of the Qantas Group’s five-year plan to build a modern, customer-focused and competitive global airline business.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu today visited the Qantas heavy maintenance facility at Avalon Airfield to inspect works on the first aircraft.
“The new interiors will vastly improve the flying experience for tens of thousands of Qantas passengers every year,” Mr Joyce said.
“Installing A380 style interiors on these B747 aircraft will provide passengers with more style, more comfort, more space and more entertainment,” Mr Joyce said.
“Since Qantas introduced the A380 in October 2008, there has been unprecedented demand for seats on these aircraft. This refurbishment program will give more passengers the opportunity to fly to more destinations with a premium flying experience.”
Each of the aircraft will be fitted with 364 seats: 58 Business, 36 Premium Economy and 270 Economy.
The seats in all three cabins have won awards for their design and comfort, including the 2009 Australian International Design Award for the Economy seat.
Other new features include: Panasonic on-demand in-flight entertainment in every seat with over 1500 entertainment options, and a self-service snack bar in economy.
The project will see the current B747 cabin including seats, electrical wiring, fittings, galleys and in-flight entertainment stripped from the aircraft and brand new cabin fittings, in-flight entertainment and equipment installed. It takes six weeks for the interior of each aircraft to be overhauled.
Mr Joyce said the project had secured 120 jobs at the Avalon engineering and maintenance facility, with a further 400 people being employed on other work at the facility.
“The project was awarded to Avalon after a competitive tender process and after beating strong competition from overseas,” he said.
“Qantas is proud that 90 per cent of its aircraft heavy maintenance is done here in Australia. Qantas has facilities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and at Avalon Airfield. No other major airline does any heavy maintenance in Australia.”
The first reconfigured Boeing 747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week.
The remaining eight aircraft will be introduced across the international network by the end of 2012. Qantas is yet to determine which route the aircraft will fly.
Qantas will have a fleet of 14 A380s and nine reconfigured B747 aircraft by the end of next year.
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