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  • Singapore Airlines looking to hire more overseas pilots

    Singapore Airlines looking to hire more overseas pilots

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) is reportedly expanding its search for cadet pilots beyond Singapore’s borders.

    This is part of an aggressive recruitment drive to hire more pilots to meet the needs of a growing fleet. The carrier had ordered 67 Airbus 350s, six of which arrived last year.

    Job advertisements recently posted on online pilot forums stated that all nationalities are welcome to apply.

    Previously, the airline tended to hire Singaporean Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) for its cadet pilot training programme, industry observers told.

    The cadet pilot training programme typically takes three years to complete.

    As a comparison, the carrier continues to seek Singaporeans or PRs for the direct entry second officer position, as posted on its website.

    More than 80% of its 2,000 cockpit crew are either Singaporeans or PRs.

    But SIA said it will continue to recruit mainly Singaporeans, according to spokesman Nicholas Ionides.

    “As an international airline, we do have employees of various nationalities, including pilots who must meet our stringent requirements. This policy has not changed.”

    Last year, SIA became the last Singapore airline to hire women pilots through its cadet pilot intake.

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  • Singapore Airline not fussed by empty seats while ACT records rise in tourism

    Singapore Airline not fussed by empty seats while ACT records rise in tourism

    Singapore Airlines is “pleased” with the number of passengers flying in and out of Canberra although a federal government report has revealed lots of empty seats on its first flights.

    A report into international airline activity in September by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development showed more than 3200 people flew in and out of Canberra after the Capital Express route launched on September 21.

    But while the first flight that touched down was 95 per cent full, analysis has shown the six flights from Wellington to Canberra had an average of 94 seats occupied.

    Flights from Singapore to Canberra fared a little better, with an average of 142 seats occupied per flight.

    The Boeing 777-200 can carry up to 266 passengers, which includes 38 business class seats and 228 economy seats.

    However these figures do not take into account traffic carried via Canberra between Singapore and Wellington, a spokesman from the Department of Infrastructure noted.

    The carrier wasn’t fussed by the low numbers either, Singapore Airlines ACT manager, Tan Chin Yu said.

    “We have been encouraged by the support from the local community since we went on sale in January and remain pleased with the number of customers choosing to travel on the new service, both to Singapore and beyond with direct connections to UK/Europe,”  he said.

    “There has been a good mix of business and leisure travellers in both the business and economy class cabins.”

    The data also revealed around a quarter more people flew out of Canberra than into the capital on the first six flights.

    The international airline activity showed there were 1421 inbound passengers to Canberra in September compared to 1784 outbound passengers.

    Flying out of Canberra, flights to Wellington had an average occupancy of 142 passengers. Flights to Singapore had an average of 181 passengers.

    The report came as the ACT recorded a 45.5 per cent swing in visitors from SIngapore and a 25.5 per cent spike in visitation from New Zealand.

    New Zealand and Singapore are now respectively fourth and fifth on the list of the ACT’s top international markets, behind China, the UK and the US.

    Singapore tourists now make up 5 per cent of the ACT’s international market while New Zealand tourism accounts for 8.6 per cent.

    A record 206,915 people visited the ACT in the year to September 30, up 11.2 per cent on the previous year. Visitors spent a record $432 million in the capital, a surge of 13.4 per cent.

    Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the visitor reporting period ended in September and covered only nine days of international flights, but the numbers boded well for the future.

    “The latest results reflect the ACT Government’s commitment to growing the visitor economy to $2.5 billion by 2020. VisitCanberra’s One Good Thing After Another marketing platform and enhanced travel trade engagement are among the activities taking place in addition to the cooperative work with Singapore Airlines,” Mr Barr said.

    Last week Qatar Airways announced it would be the second international carrier to fly into Canberra, opening up another gateway into Europe and vice versa.

    The decision sparked excitement within Canberra’s business community that direct flights could help bring in more tourists during the soft summer trading period and that more airlines could soon follow suit.

    But Air New Zealand has hosed down speculation the airline could be the next to fly into Canberra.

    “Air New Zealand is constantly assessing its route network however we don’t have any current plans to operate flights to Canberra,” a spokeswoman said.

    Emirates and Etihad Airways also shot down suggestions they could be next.

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  • Singapore Airlines celebrates 70 years with biggest travel fair, affordable deals

    Singapore Airlines celebrates 70 years with biggest travel fair, affordable deals

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) marks another milestone as they celebrate their 70th anniversary across the globe with exciting deals, service expansion, and the largest showcase and travel fair for its Filipino patrons.

    According to Carol Ong, SIA general manager in the Philippines, “Innovation has always been at the core of SIA’s operations. For our 70th year, we continue to push our boundaries by expanding our network and pioneering services guaranteed to give the best experience to our customers.

    “We want to continue doing our best to exceed our customers’ expectations—whether it be more travel destinations, more frequent flights, or more great value deals.”

    Premium Economy class. Photo courtesy of SIA.

    Travel for less
    All-inclusive round-trip Economy Class fares to Singapore and other Asian destinations are available from US$160. Fares to Australia are offered from US$570 while traveling to key destinations in Europe starts at just US$670. Customers can also travel to South Africa at fares starting from just US$770 and to the United States starting from US$970.

    As parts of its 70th anniversary celebration, Singapore Airlines' airfares to Cape Town start at USD770. Photo courtesy of SIA.

    Passengers can experience SIA’s newest cabin offering, the Premium Economy Class, with the most attractive all-in round-trip rates. All-in fares on Premium Economy Class to Asian destinations are available from US$1,000, to Australia from US$1,350, to Europe from USD1500, and to South Africa from US$1,700. A trip to New Zealand is offered from USD1800, and to the United States for just US$1,850.

    Customers can choose to travel in luxury and style with SIA’s all-in Business Class fares. Travelling to various Southeast Asian destinations is offered from US$850 all-in, and to Australia from US$2,000. Discounted rates to Europe and New Zealand are also available from just US$2,500. Starting at US$3,000, passengers can already fly Business Class to the United States or South Africa.

    Travel to Austria and visit the Vienna Opera House. As part of its 70th anniversary celebration, Singapore Airlines is offering special airfare to Europe for as low as US$670.

    Travel to Austria and visit the Vienna Opera House. As part of its 70th anniversary celebration, Singapore Airlines is offering special airfare to Europe for as low as US$670.

    For this year’s Singapore Airlines Showcase and Travel Fair, customers will also have access to SIA’s network of subsidiaries and partners and enjoy exclusive promotional rates. Customers will be able to travel from the Philippines to SIA’s online gateways in Europe and connect to additional destinations such as Brussels, Madrid, Hamburg, Oslo, Vienna, Venice, Lisbon, Prague and its newest destination, Sweden.

    With 85 destinations to choose from at exceptional rates, SIA provides its customers the perfect opportunity to achieve their travel goals this year for less.

    This sale is still valid for purchase at the Singapore Airlines Showcase and Travel Fair 2017 at the TriNoma Activity Center on February 26 to 28, 2017. The sale is also available online and at SIA and SilkAir ticket offices until 20 February 2017. Travel period is from February 1 until December 31, 2017. Promotional fares are available for travel from Manila, Cebu, Davao and Kalibo.

    The promotional fares are exclusive to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members, BPI credit cardholders, Globe Platinum customers as well as TriNoma and Ayala Center Cebu shoppers.

    Travel to Athens and visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon for only USD570 via Singapore Airlines. Photo courtesy of SIA.

    Travel to Athens and visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon for only USD570 via Singapore Airlines. Photo courtesy of SIA.

    Exclusive rewards
    Loyal patrons will also enjoy perks and rewards such as the Real 0% Installment Plan of up to 6 months for BPI credit cardholders and upfront US$50 Cash Back, an exclusive introductory offer of SG$25 Singapore exPass that gives access to two of Singapore’s world-class attractions, and a SG$20 Changi Dollar Voucher that passengers can redeem at Singapore Changi Airport, valid for use at participating shops and restaurants at the airport. Terms and conditions apply.

    All these exclusive deals are in cooperation with SIA’s network of partner companies like BPI, Ayala Malls, Globe Platinum, Changi Airport Group and Singapore Tourism Board.

    Visit singaporeair.com and Singapore Airlines’ Facebook page for the complete set of mechanics and guidelines, and for other announcements.

    For bookings and inquiries, visit Singapore Airlines and SilkAir ticket offices, or call SIA Manila Reservations at (+632) 756-8888, SilkAir Cebu at (+6332) 505-7871, SilkAir Davao at (+6382) 227-5301, SilkAir Kalibo at (+6336) 500-7226, or contact any participating travel agent from 20 January to 20 February 2017. For details, visit singaporeair.com/FLYSQ70.

    To enjoy up to 6 months Real 0% interest Special Installment Plan on your BPI credit card, book through SIA or SilkAir ticket offices.

    Singapore Airlines flies from Manila to Singapore four times daily, which conveniently connects to onward flights to the rest of the world. Passengers traveling from Cebu, Davao and Kalibo can fly to Singapore via SilkAir, which flies 12 times weekly from Cebu, nine times weekly from Davao, and three times weekly from Kalibo.

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  • Economy Vietnam Airlines’ NASCO to list on UPCoM

    Economy Vietnam Airlines’ NASCO to list on UPCoM

    The Nội Bài Airport Services Company (NASCO) will list its 8.3 million shares on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) under the code NAS, according to the Hà Nội Stock Exchange.

    NASCO, an affiliate of Vietnam Airlines, the country’s largest aviation corporation, has a chartered capital of VNĐ83 billion (US$3.7 million). Currently, its parent company Vietnam Airlines holds 51 per cent of NASCO’s capital and Saigon Thương Tín Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank) holds another 10 per cent.

    The company, which is headquartered at Nội Bài airport in Hà Nội, offers various services at airports such as duty-free shops, restaurants, VIP lounge, and travel and transport services.

    In the first nine months of 2016, NASCO’s revenue touched around VNĐ400 billion, down 8 per cent year-on-year. Its post-tax profit was around VNĐ24.5 billion, roughly the same as in 2015.

    Of its total revenue, the income earned from the transport service segment was the highest at VNĐ200 billion. Though the revenue gained from restaurants was lower, its profit accounted for half of the company’s total profit.

    NASCO is currently the only firm at Nội Bài airport that offers a business-class lounge with its interiors meeting 4-5 star standards.

    In 2016, NASCO faced business challenges after Terminal 2 became operational at Nội Bài airport as it affected the number of tourists using its services. The restructuring and upgradation of T1 has narrowed NASCO’s spaces at the airport, as well as thrown up fierce competition from new rivals.

    Two other companies that operate in Việt Nam’s airport service sector are Tân Sơn Nhất Airport Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO) and Đà Nẵng Airport Service Joint Stock Company (MASCO), both subsidiaries of Vietnam Airlines.

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  • Singapore Airlines and Scoot take flight with ShopBack

    Singapore Airlines and Scoot take flight with ShopBack

    Homegrown start-up ShopBack takes off the year with Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot on board as its Flight vertical partners. The collaboration strengthens the runway for the smarter way to shop. All travellers can now access air tickets befitting their budget, elevated with Cashback from ShopBack all year round.

    The checking in of SIA and Scoot adds significant weight to ShopBack’s Flight vertical as it widens the runway of travel options for travellers, from first-class to budget.

    The start-up’s suite of top three world-class airlines (Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards) – Emirates, Qatar Airways and SIA – is now complete. With ShopBack, affluent travellers are empowered with a fuss-free way of spending and saving with poise.

    Scoot, the Best Low Cost Airline (Asia Pacific) as named by AirlineRatings.com for three consecutive years, is the first budget airline onboard. With ShopBack, cost-sensitive travellers are able to maximise the worth of their dollars with Cashback stacked atop credit card rebates and miles. 

    “For a two-year-old start-up, being able to have the chance to soar to greater heights with long established aviation partners might sound impossible,” said Mr. Joel Leong, Head of Merchants and Partnerships, ShopBack. “But with the belief that we can overcome disparity in company age and size with concrete data-backed results, our team pursued the golden ticket relentlessly and pushed boundaries to seal the deal for consumers.”

    Available on web, desktop and mobile (iOS and Android apps), ShopBack currently powers user’s online transactions with a stackable layer of savings in the form of Cashback, which translates to actual cash transferrable to either user’s bank or PayPal account.

    Consumers can enjoy 1.0% Cashback from ShopBack for their air tickets purchased from the SIA x VISA as well as Scoot site. For those who prefer to buy on the go, both airlines are also available on ShopBack mobile app.

    SIA and Scoot join ShopBack Singapore’s fleet of over 500 online retailers, including Uber, Cathay Cineplexes, Expedia, ASOS, Muji and more, to give consumers uplift in their savings through Cashback.

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  • Singapore Airlines Cargo Achieves CEIV Pharma Certification

    Singapore Airlines Cargo Achieves CEIV Pharma Certification

    We are honoured to have been awarded the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, which reinforces our commitment to our customers from the pharmaceutical sector to deliver the highest standards of care and professionalism in handling their time- and temperature-sensitive shipments,” said Yau Seng Chin, president of SIA Cargo. “We are acutely aware of the important role that these shipments play in serving the broader community, and hope that this certification will give our ultimate customers additional assurance and comfort that these shipments, which are often life-saving, are in good hands.”

    According to SIA Cargo, the networks of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot, covering more than 100 destinations, are included in the certification.

    The CEIV Pharma certification assesses an airline’s operations, processes and training to ensure that they comply with international good practices and standards.

    “The Asia-Pacific freight market is the largest in the world, accounting for close to 40% of total global trade,” said Glyn Hughes, global head of cargo at IATA. “Having SIA Cargo, one of the region’s largest operators, achieve CEIV Pharma certification is a significant boost not only for the airline’s customers but also the region. We congratulate them on their achievement and for taking the industry one step closer to having a global standard for transporting pharmaceuticals in place.”

    SIA Cargo is one of six companies that form Singapore Changi Airport’s cargo community, which Changi Airport Group is supporting to undergo the CEIV Pharma certification process.

    SIA Cargo and CAG are also members of Pharma.Aero, a new independent organization formed in October 2016 which aims to improve the quality of pharma handling by promoting collaboration between CEIV Pharma-certified airport communities.

    SIA Cargo is the eighth carrier in the world to be awarded the CEIV Pharma certification, joining AirBridgeCargo, Air France, CAL Cargo Airlines, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

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  • Pilot shortage puts Vietnamese airlines on standby

    Pilot shortage puts Vietnamese airlines on standby

    Big bonuses are being offered by airlines to woo more pilots. Vietnamese airlines are grappling with what they believe to be a serious shortage of professional pilots, so to keep the pilots they currently have on their payrolls and to lure new ones, they are offering hefty bonuses.

    “Vietnam’s airline market is growing rapidly, so there’s a huge demand for qualified professional pilots,” Lai Xuan Thanh, the director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, said at a recent meeting of transport authorities.

    He added although salaries in the airline industry have increased significantly in recent years and many airlines have even offered fat bonuses to attract and retain professionals, the supply remains below the demand. According to the aviation administration, that demand is growing at 5 percent per year.

    The CAAV has mainly blamed the shortage on the fast-growing airline market.

    Vietnam’s airline industry is growing at the third-fastest pace in the Asia-Pacific region with the number people traveling by air in 2016 jumping by 29 percent from 2015 to about 52 million.

    To meet the demand, local carriers have expanded in recent years, buying more planes, opening new routes and increasing the number of flights.

    “At present, the shortage of pilots is endemic throughout the airline industry,” Thanh said. “For example, only 30 percent of national flagship Vietnam Airlines’ pilots are Vietnamese. The figures at low-cost carriers Vietjet Air and Jetstar are much lower.” he said, implying that domestic airlines are having difficulties hiring enough pilots to replace retirees and to support expansion.

    The aviation administration suggested that airlines could offer more bonuses and even set up partnerships with flight centers.

    “The CAAV will not issue executive orders to help ease the shortage. Airlines will have to transform themselves to retain workers,” said Thanh.

  • Vietnamese airlines approved for 1,270 additional domestic flights during Tet

    Vietnamese airlines approved for 1,270 additional domestic flights during Tet

    Vietnam’s aviation watchdog has approved several proposals from local airlines to increase flight frequency to meet spiking demands during the upcoming Tet holiday, though only half the requested additions were approved.

    Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year holiday, falls in late January, though city residents typically begin flying back to their hometowns weeks before holiday to begin festivities with friends and family.

    Local airlines, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and budget airlines Vietjet and Jetstar, sought permission to collectively add 2,486 flights, with only 1,270 of the proposed flights actually gaining approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).

    In a report submitted to the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, the CAAV said the three would be allowed to run the additional domestic flights between January 16 and February 12, an 8.5 percent increase in flights typically running during the period.

    Vietnam Airlines is permitted to add 380 flights, totaling 76,758 seats, during the Tet season, while Vietjet and Jetstar will add 560 flights (100,800 seats) and 330 flights (59,400 seats), respectively.

    Approximately 1,067 of the approved extra flights will depart or land in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the country’s busiest airdrome, already operating beyond its design capacity.

    Despite potential overload issues, during the Tet holidays the Ho Chi Minh City-based airport will serve 807 flights per day during peak time, a 7.7 percent increase from the usual schedule.

    Vietnam Airlines is the only of the three carriers happy with the CAAV decision, with nearly 100 percent of their extra flight plan approved, meanwhile Vietjet will only be able to offer half of its proposed additional services while Jetstar was approved for 30 percent of its requests.

    Under the CAAV decision, the three carriers will collectively be forced to cut 230,000 seats from their previously planned Tet services.

    With some airlines allegedly selling tickets for the extra flights before having obtained approval from the CAAV, passengers with booked tickets are sitting on hot bricks, fearing they will not be able to return home for Tet celebrations.

    Ho Quoc Cuong, head of aviation transportation under the CAAV, said the air carriers may not sell tickets for all of the planned extra services, so there is little chance passengers with purchased tickets will miss flights.

    “If it is really the case, carriers must compensate and take full responsibility for the passengers,” he said.

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  • 1,300 more domestic flights to operate for Tet

    1,300 more domestic flights to operate for Tet

    Special flights will be introduced from January 16 to February 12, the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) said.

    Vietjet has been allowed to increase its number of flights by 8.9 per cent, so it will operate 560 flights, or 100,800 seats. National carrier Vietnam Airlines will offer 330 more flights, or 76,785 seats. Jetstar Pacific will have an additional 330 flights, or 59,400 seats.

    HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which is the busiest airport among the 21 airports nationwide, is estimated to receive 1,065 extra flights during the holiday season, 7.7 per cent more than its normal schedule.

    The flights will be operated in the slots or the duration during which the aircraft usually remain grounded at airports. It is estimated to have 38 flights per day.

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  • Singapore Airlines rolling out more planes with premium economy cabins

    Singapore Airlines rolling out more planes with premium economy cabins

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) is banking on premium economy services to entice travelers to pay more for extra comfort.

    About four in 10 SIA planes now offer the service, slightly more than a year since it rolled out premium economy cabins, which offer perks such as more legroom and better food.

    And the carrier said it will continue to retrofit more aircraft with such cabins to meet travelers’ needs.

    Demand is especially strong on long-haul routes, said SIA spokesman Nicholas Ionides.

    The premium economy cabin includes features such as wider seats with greater recline and more legroom.

    First introduced more than two decades ago, such cabins are now found on more than 50 carriers worldwide, including American, European and Asian airlines.

    Apart from SIA, airlines that have rolled out such cabins in recent years include Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, which introduced them in 2012.

    Middle Eastern airlines, which have so far resisted the option, are now considering it as well.

    Premium economy services have caught on as they are popular with travelers who do not mind paying more for extra comfort, especially on long-haul flights.

    Cost-conscious businesses are also turning to them as an option for their executives on work trips, experts said.

    A premium economy ticket can cost up to 1 ½ times more than the economy fare, though this also varies depending on routes and time of travel.

    “The difference between the economy and premium economy fares for last-minute bookings can reduce significantly to just around 20 per cent to 30 per cent in some cases,” said Akshay Kapoor, director (Asia-Pacific) at CWT Solutions Group, which manages travel for corporate clients.

    While most airlines have taken a keen interest in the premium economy product, most tend to roll this out rather cautiously, he said.

    The number of premium economy seats is typically below 10 per cent of the total number of seats on the aircraft, said Kapoor.

    One concern that airlines have is that instead of economy travelers upgrading, business travelers could end up downgrading.

    Brendan Sobie, a Singapore-based analyst at the Centre for Aviation think-tank, said: “The idea is always to get economy class passengers to upgrade rather than to cannibalise business class.

    “However, there is always some cannibalisation – generally not a significant amount but there’s always the risk.”

    At Cathay Pacific and SIA, premium economy passengers are a mix of those who have downgraded from business and those who used to fly economy but are increasingly drawn to premium economy, especially on long-haul flights to North America and Europe, for example.

    However, given the uncertain global economic outlook, experts expect more business travelers to downgrade.

    Kapoor said: “With continued economic uncertainty expected over the next few quarters, we believe that organisations will increasingly be seeking avenues to drive savings in their travel spend without having to cut down on the amount they travel.

    “Taking premium economy over business class could save 60 to 70 per cent of the airfare and allow for more trips to a destination for the same dollar amount.”

    Rayman Som, 51, a human resource director who travels four to five times a year, has flown twice on SIA’s premium economy class on company expense.

    He said he took a short flight to Hong Kong the first time, so it did not make much difference. But he flew to Paris the second time and it proved a different experience.

    “The wider seat, more legroom and greater recline were much welcomed on the longer flight,” he said.

    He added: “Would I pay out of my own pocket for premium economy? For a short flight, no. For longer journeys, it makes sense if the price is right. I think 30 to 40 per cent more is reasonable.”

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  • Vietnam Airlines conquers French market

    Vietnam Airlines conquers French market

    At a customers and agents meeting on December in Paris, Phuong reported that Vietnam Airlines’ revenue in France has increased by 10 percent against last year, in which business class turnover upped 20 percent.

    The carrier’s flights from France to Vietnam made up 54 percent of the market share, posting a year-on-year increase of 1 percent, Phuong said.

    He also noted that the national flagship will continue use Airbus A305 on Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City – Paris routes, adding that the modern planes and service improvement have helped Vietnam Airlines meet requirement of passengers and gain a SkyTrax’s four-star airlines title.

    Vietnam Airlines is always the first choice of Vietnamese living in France and French customers, said representatives from many agents.

    It has made a record of transporting over 20 million passengers in 2016.

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  • Vietnam Airlines switches Australian routes to all-787 operation

    Vietnam Airlines switches Australian routes to all-787 operation

    Australia has become an all Boeing 787 destination for Vietnam Airlines after the Skyteam alliance member switched both its Melbourne and Sydney services to the next-generation Dreamliner.

    Vietnam Airlines’ first 787 flight to Australia arrived on Friday morning, when VN781 operated by 787-9 VN-A865 touched down at Melbourne Tullamarine at about 0930, after an eight hour and 20 minute journey from Ho Chi Minh City. The route was previously served with Airbus A330-200 equipment.

    The airline is the eighth carrier to serve Melbourne Tullamarine with the 787 alongside Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Royal Brunei Airlines, Scoot, United and Xiamen Airlines.

    And Melbourne is due to get another 787 operator with LATAM announcing the start of Melbourne-Santiago nonstop flights from October 2017.

    Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines’ first 787 service to Sydney arrived less than an hour after the flight to Melbourne landed.

    Flight VN773, operated by 787-9 VN-A870, arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport a little after 1010, with passengers taken on a scenic fly over Sydney Harbour prior to landing.

    Vietnam Airlines previously operated Boeing 777-200ERs on the Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney route. The switch to the Dreamliner brings to nine the number of carriers operating the aircraft at Sydney – Vietnam Airlines joins Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Jetstar, LATAM Airlines, Scoot, United and Xiamen Airlines.

    Qantas places its QF airline code on Vietnam Airlines’ two Australian routes.

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  • Vietnam Airlines prepares for Czech launch

    Vietnam Airlines prepares for Czech launch

    Vietnam Airlines has appointed a new General Sales Agent (GSA) in Prague, ahead of the launch of its first ever flights to the Czech Republic.

    A ceremony was held on 14 December 2016 to mark the occasion, attended by Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Truong Manh Son. While details of the national carrier’s planned Prague services have not been confirmed, they are likely to make use of Vietnam Airlines’ new fleet of long-haul aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

    These modern jets have already been deployed on routes to several European cities, including London, Paris and Frankfurt.

    The new route, which would likely be served from Hanoi, would mark the first direct connection between the Czech Republic and Southeast Asia. The only other Asian carriers operating to Prague’s Václav Havel Airport at present are China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air and Sichuan Airlines.

    Vietnam Airlines and Czech Airlines are partners in the SkyTeam alliance and the new flights could also open up codeshare opportunities.

  • Philippine Airlines firms order for five Q400s

    Philippine Airlines firms order for five Q400s

    Philippine Airlines has firmed an order for five Bombardier Q400 turboprops, with purchase rights for an additional seven aircraft.

    The five Q400s, which will be configured with 86 seats in two classes, will be delivered throughout 2017, says Bombardier in a statement. The deal is worth $165 million at list price.

    “The Q400 aircraft is the ideal solution for the airline as it develops its domestic operations network from secondary hubs and increases intra-island connectivity,” says Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer.

    The Q400s will be operated by the Philippine flag carrier’s PAL Express unit, which currently operates four Q300s and four Q400s, largely on services to island destinations. It also has nine Airbus A320s and two A321s in its fleet.

    Its current Q400 fleet has an average age of 14 years, while its Q300s are 10 years old on average.

  • Singapore Airlines launches A350 service to Manchester/Houston

    Singapore Airlines launches A350 service to Manchester/Houston

    Mancunians will be able to sample Singapore Airlines (SIA) latest A350 from January 17. SIA’s new three-class (business, premium economy and economy) twin-jet enters enters service on the Singapore-Manchester-Houston route.  It will replace the larger B777-300ER which currently plies the route.

    But the B777-300ER had the advantage of providing first class which will be unavailable with the A350.

    I cannot talk about Houston, but in the case of the UK regions there is not the same demand for a top premium cabin as there would be from London.

    Mancunians now have non-stop access both to Singapore and Houston. (Previously the Manchester-Singapore service was one-stop service via Munich. Singapore-Houston previously operated via Moscow).

    Both are hub airports so the canny traveller can fly onwards to Asia/Australasia (in the case of the former) and Texas and the Southern US in the case of the latter.

    Interestingly, for Mancunians seeking fast flights to Perth/Australia,  what SIA is offering out of Manchester takes away the advantage of Qantas’ non-stop London-Perth service which launches in 2018.

    Why fly Manchester-London-Perth with British Airways/Qantas (with a Heathrow terminal change)  when SIA can take you Manchester-Singapore-Perth ?

    Schedules are daily except Monday and Thursday.

    • Flight SQ052 will depart Singapore at 0215 arriving into Manchester the same morning at 0840. Its flight continues to Houston at 1010 arriving in the Texas city at 1430.
    • Return flight SQ051 departs Houston at 1850 to arrive into Manchester the following morning at 0840. It then departs at 1110 and, after another overnight aloft, it arrives into Singapore at 0755.
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