Europe’s largest low-cost airline for Central and Eastern Europe will commence flights between the two cities from June 15, 2015, operating twice weekly.
The airline will offer a three times weekly link between Mahe and Paris Charles De Gaulle from July 1, 2015, using an Airbus A330-200, replacing the current twice weekly offering via the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This latest expansion will further strengthen the carrier’s position as the airline with the greatest international connectivity from Guadalajara, where it now operates 20 international and 18 domestic flights. Since it introduced flights it has transported more than 16 million passengers from the city.
The construction of an international airport is a major development for the island. Long rumoured and discussed, the British Government finally announced its plan to construct the facility in March 2005 for completion in 2010. However, the financial crisis and delays with consultations meant that it was not until November 2011 that an agreement was reached with a South African contractor to build the international lifeline.
The award of the Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development of the Government of Zimbabwe, which is responsible for administering the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), is a significant step towards the Company obtaining an Air Operating Certificate (AOC) and its plans to grow its footprint in Sub- Saharan Africa.
Spanish carrier Vueling, and American Airlines have announced a new connection agreement, which will bring more long-haul passenger traffic to Barcelona.
Rwanda’s national carrier says it will deploy its new A330s on medium-haul and long-haul routes from its home base at Kigali International Airport to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The aircraft will be configured in a three-class arrangement seating with 261 (A330-200) and 300 (A330-300) passengers and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines.
Cathay Pacific introduced the link between Hong Kong International Airport and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport in July 2010 and operated a three times weekly rotation using an Airbus A340-300.
The introduction of a daily Emirates link between Dubai and Orlando will bring an estimated $100 million economic impact for Central Florida, according to Frank Kruppenbacher, chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, who described the arrival of the UAE carrier as “the biggest move forward for our airport and this community.”
The mystic spice island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean will take the total number of destinations in the airline’s African network to 20 cities. The new destination is a popular island holiday spot for leisure travellers with its white sandy beaches, abundant wild life, rich culture and long history.
The start-up will inaugurate flights on April 2, 2015 with a three times weekly links to Budapest and Prague, while three times weekly flights to the Italian destinations of Milan and Rome will follow from April 3, 2015.
According to Ding Shaoxiang, vice governor of Yunnan province government, the route successes of China Eastern Airlines linking Kunming to Paris Charles De Gaulle last year and Vancouver International Airport from this year should be followed by a new direct link to Australia in 2016 serving either Melbourne or Sydney.
In its nine years of operation as a HNA Aviation group subsidiary, Lucky Air has developed its network to cover more than 40 destinations across 21 Chinese provinces with a fleet of approaching 25 aircraft. It now serves 61 routes and handled 5.67 million passengers last year.
Ryanair last week revealed it was in talks with manufacturers, with a view to ordering long-haul aircraft after its board approved plans to begin transatlantic flights. However, the carrier has subsequently said said no approval has yet been received to expand into the long-haul, transatlantic market, putting the erroneous information down to a “miscommunication”.
With nearly 80 per cent of the Chinese population and economy within a range circle of about 2,000 km across Central and Eastern regions, congestion will remain a major talking point in China and an issue that will not be easily resolved. Meanwhile, domestic air travel will remain very important for China’s aviation development.
Air Serbia, the national airline of the Republic of Serbia recently launched its very own theme song, titled “The Wings of Europe”, especially dedicated to the carrier and its passengers.
United Airports of Georgia will host the route development forum for CIS, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Asia for the second time in July 2015
