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Archive Category: Airlines

"Hybrid" airlines edging out traditional LCCs: Sabre

A new breed of "hybrid" carrier is quickly overtaking traditional low-cost carriers (LCCs), according to a study released today by Sabre Airline Solutions.

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"Oil remains the biggest challenge and uncertainty": easyJet

easyJet's first-half losses trebled to 57.5 million pounds ($112.9 million) as the airline termed oil as the biggest challenge and uncertainty.

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Increasing revenues via baggage charges

Aer Lingus is to increase charges for checking in bags on its short-haul flights by as much as 50%, with  the cost of checking in bags at airports will increase from €12 to €18, while the fee for online baggage check-in will rise to €12 from €9. 

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Southwest enhances its corporate blog

Southwest Airlines has introduced new features in its corporate blog, Nuts About Southwest.

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Emirates Airline increases its profit by 62% to $1.37b

The Emirates Group has managed a new profit record, as the Group net profits increased 54.1% to US$1.45 billion for the financial year ended 31st March 2008, on revenues of $11.2 billion.

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Silverjet gets at least $25 million injection

UK-based all-business class carrier Silverjet has secured at least $25m (£13m) rescue deal from an anonymous Middle East investor.

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BA, American Airlines and Continental in talks to form an alliance

British Airways is exploring opportunities for cooperation with American Airlines and Continental Airlines.

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Online is not the panacea for all distribution problems

TDS Asia 2008 Special

One of the most cost-effective methods of distribution – from a cost per transaction perspective – is online since the GDS and travel agent commissions do not apply.

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BA finalises partners for affiliate marketing account

British Airways has chosen TradeDoubler and LinkShare as its affiliate partners.

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Airline propagates solution to aviation emission problem

Aer Arann recently invested €180 million in a new fleet of ATR 72-500s and by 2009 the entire Aer Arann fleet will be brand new lower emission craft.

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Ryanair to increase baggage fees until half of passengers check-in online

Ryanair has announced that airline's checked in baggage fee will rise from €9 to €10 while airport check-in fees will increase from €4 to €5.

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Ryanair promotes Sinead Finn

Low-fare airline Ryanair has appointed Sinead Finn as Director of Commercial Revenue.

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Eos files for bankruptcy

Eos has filed for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

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Continental chooses not to merge

Continental Airlines' Board of Directors has decided not to merge with another airline at this time considering the current industry environment.

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easyJet's API connected to LOW.FARE

Partners Software has signed an agreement with easyJet to connect to low-fare airline's Application Programming Interface (API) via its leading product LOW.FARE.

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Northwest transforms its online presence

Northwest Airlines has enhanced its website NWA.com, focusing on fulfilling consumers wide-ranging travel needs via a full-service booking engine.

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Lufthansa opts for UK and Ireland for its mobile services

Lufthansa has chosen the UK and Ireland as the key launch market for its pioneering mobile services product.

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Profitability of Delta-Northwest in year one would depend upon fuel prices

The chiefs of Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. expect to receive antitrust approval from the Justice Department for their proposed merger.

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Eos Airlines secures $50 million of capital

Eos Airlines, the premium New York to London carrier, has agreed to a term sheet outlining the terms on which Eos will secure an additional $50 million in capital from a current investor.

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Aer Lingus to honour £4 flights, glitch to cost about £790,000

Aer Lingus has agreed to honour £4 (€5) flights to the US, in a reversal of its earlier decision not to honour transatlantic flights bought on its website for just £4.

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"Prospects of Delta/ Northwest merger occurring probably not even as good as 50%": CAPA

Post the announcement of Delta and Northwest merger, the shares of two airlines slid on concerns about buyout obstacles and costs.

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OpenSkies opts for integration of traditional and non-traditional methods of distribution

OpenSkies has chosen Orlando-based Radixx International, Inc. for its reservation and airline management systems. The new airline from British Airways expects to launch this summer.

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"We will review our strategic alternatives": Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines has acknowledged that the Delta/Northwest merger will change the competitive landscape for Continental and the entire airline industry.

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Delta and Northwest combine to create America's premier global airline

Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corporation have signed an agreement in which the two carriers will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America's premier global airline.

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easyJet signs distribution deal with Multicom

Travel technology specialist Multicom has signed a deal with easyJet to use its booking Application Programming Interface.

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UBS predicts plunge in British Airways' profits: media

British Airways' joint broker UBS has issued the most bearish profits forecasts yet for the airline's next financial year, underlining the challenges facing the flag carrier's embattled chief executive Willie Walsh.

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"Where Oasis has failed, others will prosper": CAPA

Post the recent entry of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines into voluntary liquidation after 17 months of service, concerns have been raised about the viability of the low cost long-haul model.

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Silverjet launches mobile website

Silverjet has introduced Silverjet Mobile, described as "the UK's first full-service mobile airline website."

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Hong Kong budget airline in liquidation

Hong Kong budget airline Oasis has stopped flying and has announced it had gone into liquidation.

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Alitalia names new chairman, urges Air France to revive talks

The Italian government vowed Thursday to keep its planes flying despite the collapse of talks with Air France-KLM, the sole remaining bidder for the money-losing carrier.

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US airlines to lose more than $1b in 2008: media

The US airline industry is being tipped to lose more than $1 billion this year due to high fuel prices and likely fare cuts as a result of slackening demand, but liquidity for major airlines was sufficient for now, according to a report.

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LCCs call for shake-up of EU air traffic control

A group of low-cost European airlines have reportedly called for a broad shake-up of the way that air traffic is managed in Europe's crowded skies, citing big gains for the environment and consumers.

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Vueling to start merger talks with Clickair

Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling has agreed to start merger talks with rival Clickair.

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easyJet completes GB integration, achieves Euro operating certificate

easyJet has successfully completed the operational integration of GB Airways, with the enlarged airline being first major in Europe to operate under the new European operating certificates.

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Role of GDS in enabling airlines to effectively market their value propositions

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

GDSs acknowledge that travelers should be able to purchase whatever traveler content they desire via whatever channel they prefer.

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Are trans-Atlantic travel fares going to take a dip in near future?

As the Open Skies agreement between the United States and the European Union goes into effect, Air travel to Europe is about to undergo a significant change, one that is likely to spell more choices and cheaper fares for travelers.

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US Airways expands its international web presence

US Airways recently launched five international websites, with four more to be introduced soon, using the Amadeus e-Commerce Airline Suite to power its online shopping and reservations.

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Virgin Blue Group to introduce new Australian airline in December

Virgin Blue Group has introduced V Australia, its new premium three-class international airline.

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Indian LCCs show signs of technology adoption

India Distribution Special

Low cost carriers in India are making steady progress towards technology adoption, terming it as imperative development for their business to stay ahead of the growth curve.

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Skybus Airlines appoints Mike Hodge as CEO

Skybus Airlines has chosen Mike Hodge to succeed Bill Diffenderffer as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

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All Nippon Airways may launch budget airline by next March

Japan's All Nippon Airways Co Ltd plans to set up a low-cost Asian airline. Nikkei Business Daily reported that ANA plans to launch the low-cost airline as early as fiscal 2008, citing unnamed sources.

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New LCC to be launched in Dubai

Dubai is gearing up for a new low-cost carrier. Emirates has stated that the new initiative will result in the formation of a new company that will operate a low-cost airline model with its own brand and identity.

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Air Canada's Robert A. Milton emerges as investor in AirAsia X

Robert A. Milton, chairman and chief executive officer of Ace Aviation Holdings Inc, parent company of Air Canada, has been identified as a minority shareholder in Malaysian long-haul, low-cost carrier AirAsia X.

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BA increases Iberia stake to 13.15%

British Airways is reportedly in talks with the major shareholder of Iberia and has not ruled out making a bid for the carrier.

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American Airlines launches application on Facebook platform

American Airlines has launched Travel Bag, an application on Facebook Platform that makes it easy for users to share travel experiences with friends in their network.

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AirAsia X targets flying 250,000 guests in its first year

Low-cost, long-haul carrier AirAsia X has achieved a milestone of 100,000 seats sold valued at approximately RM100 million in less than five months of its operations.

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Do airline executives need to think of themselves as being in the travel business?

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

In one of our recent interviews, impact on brand was cited as one of the major reasons for traditional carriers' adopting cautious approach towards ancillary revenues.

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Dealing with the scale, culture and developmental differences in a market like Asia

TDS Asia 2008 Special, Singapore

About Asia it is acknowledged that language issues is not the predominate factor. Rather local economies, their maturation and intricacies really determine market entry.

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TUI Travel expects TUIfly merger in 6-8 weeks: media

TUI Travel expects to announce the merger of its TUIfly low cost airline with rival Germanwings in under two months, according to media reports.

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Abacus strengthens its LCC content, signs up Firefly

Travel facilitator Abacus International has expanded its low cost carrier airfare content with the first GDS partnership with Malaysian low cost carrier, Firefly.

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Aer Lingus grows its ancillary revenues by 71.5% to €108.7m

Irish low-cost, low-fares airline Aer Lingus has reported a 16% rise in operating profits for 2007, describing the performance as a strong one, particularly in light of the continued increases in oil prices and competition.

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American Airlines adds features to mobile version of AA.com

American Airlines has added several new features to the mobile version of AA.com, providing greater access to its service not only while planning and booking travel, but also while traveling.

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Is it better for airlines to partner specialists for ancillary revenues?

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

It is acknowledged that airlines are starting to learn about retail behaviour beyond what they already know from retailing via travel agents and their own direct distribution.

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BA to save millions from the elimination of expensive legacy technology

British Airways has chosen a new software from the aviation IT specialist, SITA, and expects to save millions from the elimination of expensive legacy technology.

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LCC model is well-suited to emerging markets of Asia

TDS Asia 2008 Special

Low cost carriers are growing rapidly in Asia but it is important to keep in perspective that they have just crossed the 10% total market share threshold.

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easyJet cheap flights ad banned owing to complaint from Ryanair

easyJet has been forced by the Advertising Standards Agency to withdraw some of its adverts.

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Skybus founder wants to start low-cost airline: media

The founder of Skybus Airlines at Ohio's Port Columbus International Airport is reportedly planning a similar project for Yeager Airport.

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"Be ruthless in concentrating efforts on streams that make the money"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

Should airlines concentrate on the part of the business where they can add value? Should they also enter into commercial relationship with an array of partners?

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Airlines should take more control of the whole buying process on the web

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

Any discussion of ancillary revenue should also include a realisation of how the core revenue is being sold. Once core retailing strategy is in place, which ancillary revenue and how it is going to be sold comes into the picture.

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easyJet uses Windows Server 2008 technology for its website

easyJet is deploying a range of Microsoft server technology, in particular the IIS7 web browser, for its website.

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easyJet to buy back its shares

easyJet is reportedly planning its first share buyback with a proposal to purchase and cancel up to 10% of outstanding stock.

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Datalex and CarTrawler join hands to boost airline ancillary revenue

Datalex and CarTrawler have today entered into a strategic agreement which will combine the power and flexibility of the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform (TDP), with the multi-source procurement capability of CarTrawler's Car Rental Distribution system.

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"Middle East region is poised to redefine global aviation"

The Middle East region is poised to redefine global aviation, as local carriers and airports undergo massive capacity expansion and foreign airlines establish in the region.

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Lufthansa raises operating profit to almost Euro 1.4bn

The Lufthansa Group's revenue totalled Euro 22.4bn (previous year: Euro 19.8bn) at the end of the financial year 2007 according to the preliminary figures.

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Qatar Airways opens exclusive office for First and Business Class passengers

Doha-based Qatar Airways has opened a new sales, reservations and ticketing office in Doha exclusively for First and Business Class customers.

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Assessing the foreign airlines' interest in consolidation in the US

US airline-merger talk is piquing the interest of foreign airlines toward consolidation as a gateway to global expansion, but US regulations would limit their reach, reports Dow Jones.

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Role of XML technology in enabling airlines to garner true additional ancillary revenue

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

Technology is now allowing airlines to completely outsource the car rental ancillary product, and shift more of the benefits of the channel towards the airline rather than others.

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Aer Lingus continues partnership with Mondial Assistance Travel Insurance

Aer Lingus is to continue its successful partnership with Mondial Assistance Ireland to administer travel insurance solutions for its European customers.

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"LCC will sell anything to anyone if it generates them more money"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Despite having access to attractive consumer segments, only a few airlines generate significant ancillary revenue and these include the likes of Ryanair with non-traditional business models.

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Focus on your retailing strategy before selling ancillary items

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Ancillary revenue is surely a proposition which airlines seemingly can't do without especially when companies are constantly working on covering all of customers' travel needs and keep them loyal by packaging additional content.

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"Recognise that ancillary revenue is important to an airline's prosperity"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Maximising your ancillary return is not just about commissions, products or technology but also your ancillary strategy which should now be at the core of any airlines' business.

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Stretching the supermarket e-commerce analogy to an airline environment

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

With websites garnering millions of unique visits per month and sizable opt-in e-mail subscriber lists, low-cost airlines have vast customer bases they are able to sell directly to. To what extent are they ready to expand their product basket to extract maximum revenues from their customers?

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Understanding consumer retail behaviour for driving ancillary revenues

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Even as experts convey that ancillary strategy should be at the core of any airlines' business, there are quite a few challenges, which deter airlines from achieving the same.

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SkyMall and GuestLogix join hands to offer an enhanced on-board shopping experience

In-flight catalog shopping provider SkyMall and GuestLogix Inc. have signed a multi-year agreement to deliver a new on-board shopping service integrated with SkyMall's on-board catalogs.

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BA and Virgin Atlantic settle price-fixing claims

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have agreed to pay $200m to settle a US class-action lawsuit to compensate 8m customers who were cheated in a price-fixing scam.

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Asiana Airlines forays into LCC segment

South Korea's Asiana Airlines is to enter the budget airline market by taking a controlling stake in Pusan International Air.

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US Airways changes its FFP to offset fuel prices

US Airways is changing its frequent flyer programme to help offset record fuel costs.

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BA pilots express concern over the launch of transatlantic subsidiary

A union representing British Airways Plc pilots has described the carrier's plan to start a subsidiary named OpenSkies as a "Trojan horse" aimed at reducing pay and conditions for staff.

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Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched its new US marketing campaign, Love from Above.

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Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments

Continental Airlines will distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments to tens of thousands of employees at more than 200 locations worldwide on Feb. 14, 2008, Valentine's Day.

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Online travel agents wary of airline consolidation

Online travel agents could feel the pinch from airline consolidation as per the indications from senior executives from Orbitz Worldwide and Priceline.com.

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Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments

Continental Airlines will distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments to tens of thousands of employees at more than 200 locations worldwide on Feb. 14, 2008, Valentine's Day.

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Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched its new US marketing campaign, Love from Above.

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"GDS will remain as the most effective platform for global distribution"

TDS Asia 2008 Special

Recently, low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X's CEO Azran Osman-Rani acknowledged that even as legacy carriers have their place, the mass global travel is clearly heading towards the LCC model and travelers are voting with their wallets.

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How do the customers feel about the airlines?

A few months ago we delved into Facebook with the intention of getting the reaction from consumers about ancillary revenue.  Instead the users led the discussion in a much more general direction covering ethics and general treatment they had received from airlines.

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Airline industry profitability in China will be under considerable pressure this year

None of China's airlines, with the exception of Air China, are expected to make profits on international routes this year.

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Avoiding the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter

Spirit Airlines has announced its new luggage policy giving passengers the option to avoid the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter.

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Profits may decline next year: Ryanair

The European airline sector is currently facing a cyclical downturn, according to Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary.

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Continental Airlines focuses on digital communications strategy in the UK market

Continental Airlines will use the Neolane software platform to create one-to-one personalised marketing communications.

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TUI signs MoU with Lufthansa

TUI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Albrecht Knauf Industriebeteiligung GmbH.

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American Airlines introduces Mobile AA.com

American Airlines has introduced a mobile version of AA.com that allows customers to access many of the helpful features of AA.com via a web-enabled cell phone or other web-enabled device.

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Asia Pacific aviation is entering "unknown territory", with a new industry structure potentially better positioned to cope with an economic downturn, according to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison.

Asia Pacific aviation is entering "unknown territory", with a new industry structure potentially better positioned to cope with an economic downturn, according to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison.

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Ryanair increases baggage charges to encourage free online check-in

European low fares airline Ryanair has increased checked-in baggage and airport check-in fees with immediate effect for all new bookings.

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Virgin Group eyes domestic airline in India

Virgin Group's Richard Branson has sought permission to start a domestic airline in India.

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China Eastern opposes alliance offer from Air China

China Eastern has reportedly described an offer by Air China's state-owned parent company to buy a 30% stake in it as incomplete and lacking legal validity.

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Rob Friedman chosen as AAdvantage Marketing Programs President

American Airlines has named Robert J. Friedman President - AAdvantage Marketing Programs.

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Jet Airways interested in bmi: media

Sir Michael Bishop, the chairman of Bmi British Midland, has been approached about a potential sale of his stake in the company by Jet Airways.

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SITA sets up a lab to match the speed of new technology development

Airline-owned IT provider SITA has announced the creation of SITA Lab, a facility for technology research.

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Air Arabia to start a LCC in Nepal

Low cost carrier Air Arabia is to start a budget airline in Nepal with local carrier Yeti Airlines.

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Silverjet CEO defends strategy after MAXjet failure: media

Post the recent suspension of MAXjet Airways' flights, business class-only airline Silverjet has defended its strategy.

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"Mass global travel is clearly heading towards the LCC model": Air Asia X's Azran Osman-Rani

TDS Asia 2008 Special

The launch of AirAsia X, a low-cost long-haul airline, last year yet again underlined the fact that the aviation industry continues to embrace new business models with open arms.

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AirAsia X to sell 20% stake for $75m?

Low-cost long-haul airline AirAsia X Sdn is reportedly planning to sell 20% stake to two investors for a total of $75 million. The development, reported by Bloomberg, has been attributed to "two people familiar with the deal".

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Monarch exemplifies its commitment to `care' via new ad campaign

  Low-fare airline Monarch has launched a new style advertising campaign to highlight Monarch's unique commitment to care and the introduction of a new website address, www.monarch.co.uk.

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bmibaby ties up with Nedstat for tracking customer behaviour on its site

bmibaby has selected Nedstat to provide comprehensive website analytics for bmibaby.com.

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Southwest its change flight schedule to reflect demand and grow revenue

Southwest Airlines Co. must find $1 billion in annual revenue from new sources before it adds flights at a quicker pace, Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly reportedly said.

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Indonesian airline Lion Air to form JV with SkyAirWorld

Indonesia's Lion Air is to form a joint venture with Brisbane-based SkyAirWorld to operate domestic and long-haul services from Australia.

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BA plans to launch its new US-EU subsidiary airline in June 2008

British Airways is planning to launch its new US-EU subsidiary airline "OpenSkies" with daily flights from New York to Brussels and Paris.

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Ryanair worst for extra fees: Holiday Which?

Travellers flying with no-frills airlines are still paying more than the advertised price of the ticket, according to Holiday Which?.

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China Eastern not to merge with Air China despite investors rejecting SIA offer

China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has stated that it would not merge with, or become a strategic partner of, Air China.

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Malaysia Airlines has withdrawn commissions for agents in Malaysia

Malaysia Association of Tours and Travel Agents (MATTA) members will impose service fees on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) ticket bookings following the implementation of the national carrier's zero commission distribution policy.

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Mesa Air Group appoints Jorn Bates as Mesa Airlines' COO

Mesa Air Group, Inc. has appointed Jorn Bates as Chief Operating Officer, Mesa Airlines. In another change in the senior management, Mesa shared that it has chosen Joe Serratelli as Chief Operating Officer for Freedom Airlines.

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GB Airways flights go on sale on easyJet website

Low fares airline easyJet has announced that 32 routes operated by GB Airways for summer 2008 are now available for sale at www.easyJet.com.

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Oil at $100 - no fuel surcharges ever at Ryanair

Ryanair, today, as oil hit an unprecedented $100 a barrel, renewed its guarantee to passengers that it will never apply a fuel surcharge, not today, not ever.

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SIA-China Eastern deal termed as "unfair" one

China National Aviation Holding, the parent company of flag carrier Air China, said in a statement that the HK$7.2 billion ($923.8 million), offer by Singapore Airlines and its parent, the government investment arm Temasek Holdings, did not "reflect the fair value of China Eastern."

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Preferred bidder for Alitalia SpA by mid-January

The Italian government will make its decision on the sale of Alitalia by mid-January, as per the information available.

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Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair launch first airline carbon offset scheme in Asia

Cathay Pacific Airways and its sister airline Dragonair have launched "Fly Greener", a new voluntary carbon offset scheme that will give passengers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by offsetting the carbon emissions attributable to their journey.

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Kingfisher Airlines-Deccan to merge

India's low-cost airline Deccan is to merge with Kingfisher Airlines next year.

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Virgin America lost $35m in its 1Q

Virgin America lost $35 million during its first quarter in the business. The figure was reported on the US' Department of Transportation website.

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easyJet introduces Speedy Boarding Plus

Low-fares airline easyJet has upgraded its Speedy Boarding service and introduced Speedy Boarding Plus across Europe.

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Lufthansa to buy 19% stake in JetBlue

Germany's national flag-carrier Deutsche Lufthansa is to buy a 19% stake in low-cost US airline JetBlue Airways in a deal worth about $300 million.

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First GDS partnership for a low cost carrier in India

Travel facilitator Abacus International has announced the first GDS partnership in India's low cost carrier (LCC) market with the launch of its distribution of fares for Deccan.

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Which airline tops Email Brand Equity?

Email Data Source, a provider of email competitive analysis data, ranked ultra low cost carrier Spirit Airlines as the number one airline in its latest Email Brand Equity Index ranking of marketers in the airline industry.

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Sabre Travel Network comes up with technology breakthrough for LCCs

Sabre Travel Network has launched enhanced air shopping capabilities with AirTran Airways that will provide the airline and Sabre Connected travel agencies a distinct advantage in serving their customers.

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GOL Linhas expects passenger number to touch 27.4 million next year

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes expects passenger numbers to rise to 27.4 million in 2008 from the 24.1 million it expects to carry in 2007 as the parent company of GOL Transportes Aereos S.A. and VRG Linhas Aereas S.A announced the preliminary outlook for the full year 2008.

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First low-cost Caribbean airline to be launched in Jamaica: media

A group of entrepreneurs has reportedly applied to the Jamaican government to create the first Caribbean low-cost airline.

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Poland's LOT partners Mondial Assistance

LOT, the largest airline company in Poland attracting 3.7 million travellers in 2006, has chosen Mondial Assistance to distribute travel insurance on its website.

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Delta cuts fourth quarter margin guidance

Delta Air Lines, Inc. has warned of a fourth quarter operating loss on account of higher-than-expected fuel prices.

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"US airline mergers no magic wand"

Mergers between US airlines are not add a "magic wand" and could add to problems at carriers in the short term rather than fix them, according to an industry executive.

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Continental Airlines launches a carbon offsetting programme

Continental Airlines has launched a carbon offsetting programme, developed in partnership with non-profit Sustainable Travel International.

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Improvement trend in the US airline industry expected to reverse a five-year decline

The US air transportation industry is poised to begin producing real contributions to economic growth, according to a report by IBISWorld, Inc.

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BA to explore web 2.0 via special innovation unit

British Airways (BA) has reportedly set up a special innovation unit to explore ways the airline can use web 2.0, shareware and open source technologies.

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AMR poised to spin off its regional jet operation

AMR, the parent company of American Airlines, has indicated about its plans to shed its American Eagle regional airline unit.

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Virgin American appoints C. David Cush as CEO

Virgin America has chosen former American Airlines Global Sales Vice-President David Cush to succeed Fred Reid as Chief Executive of the low-cost start-up carrier.

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S7 signs contract with EB2 for Internet Booking Engine

S7, the first airline to introduce online booking in Russia, has signed a multiple-year contract with EB2 International for an Internet Booking Engine solution in 2008.

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AirAsia once again delivers record profit growth

Low cost carrier AirAsia's net income more than doubled to 180 million ringgit, or $54 million, in the first quarter (three months ended September 30).

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South Korea's Korean Air is planning to launch a low-cost airline next year. The airline is striving to become Asia's biggest budget carrier by 2012.

South Korea's Korean Air is planning to launch a low-cost airline next year. The airline is striving to become Asia's biggest budget carrier by 2012.

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Air France-KLM Group net profit jumps 97% in 2Q

Air France-KLM Group's profit almost doubled in the second quarter as the figure jumped 97% to $1.1 billion in the three months to 30 September.

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Low fares may end up costing more than airlines think

Jetstar, Australia’s newest low cost carrier, offered 5000 fares for just five cents in a move to draw the spotlight away from Tiger Airways launch on the Australian domestic network.  However, shadowing this move is the threat that Jetstar may be investigated over the way they treat their customers under the Fair Trading Act.

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AirAsia not to raise its fuel surcharge

AirAsia will reportedly not raise its fuel surcharge despite the rise in world crude oil prices, which topped US$99 a barrel yesterday.

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Jetstar to offer five cent airfares

Jetstar is offering five-cent interstate flights as Singapore-backed Tiger Airways prepares for its first flights on Friday.

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Another year of record profit at easyJet

easyJet has posted a record pre-tax profit, up 56% to £202 million, as the carrier shared its preliminary results for the 12 months to 30 September 2007.

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Aviation industry in India battles with high aviation fuel prices and low fares

Travel Distribution India Special

The aviation industry in India has witnessed consolidation this year after a spate of launches, especially in the low-cost sector in the last few years.

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British Airways re-launches customer-focused High Life Shop! website

Customer publishers Cedar Communications in partnership with web agency Reactive, has re-launched British Airways' premier gift portal www.highlifeshop.com.

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New air fare comparison site launched in India

Indoflights.com, described as a first of its kind airfare comparison travel site, has been launched in India.

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Podcast: KLM on GDSs and that easyJet deal

EyeforTravel speaks with Rob Westerman, Director of Distribution Strategy for KLM.

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Ryanair maintains an industry leading after tax margin of 26%

Ryanair has posted record half year after tax profits of €408m, a 24% increase over last year.

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GOL carries 70 million people in less than seven years

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. has stated that GOL Transportes Aereos has transported 70 million passengers, achieving the milestone two months shy of its seventh anniversary.

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Tiger Aviation, South Korea's Incheon city in low-cost airline JV

Tiger Airways Pte, the budget airline unit of Singapore Airlines Ltd, is to set up an airline in South Korea in partnership with the Incheon city government.

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"It's official – easyJet is just another high fares airline": Ryanair

Ryanair has accused easyJet of being a "closet high fares airline" following its deal to sell flights through travel agencies.

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AirAsia X expects to be profitable in a year's time

Newly launched long- haul budget airline AirAsia X reportedly expects to be profitable in a year as economic growth boosts demand for leisure travel.

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BA sees possibility of achieving 10 percent operating margin by March 2008

British Airways posted a 52 percent increase in first-half net profit as it shared its results for April-September 2007 period.

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Sticking to `KISS principle'

"We believe in the KISS principle – keep it simple, stupid".

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US carriers raise fares to offset fuel costs

American Airlines has raised its US round-trip fares by $20, termed as the biggest in a series of hikes carriers have pushed through in recent weeks as oil prices have surged.

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KLM partners Mondial Assistance for online travel insurance distribution

KLM and Mondial Assistance have signed a global agreement to distribute travel insurance via KLM.com.

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Aviation community is a popular whipping post for the environmental lobby

Senior executives from the aviation industry discussed the failure of the airline community to communicate its environmental credentials and the folly of limiting or taxing aviation activity under the pretext of saving the planet.

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TRAVELfusion touches 130 LCC milestone

TRAVELfusion, which operates the world's largest LCC XML API distribution solution, has added Oasis Hong Kong Airlines.

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Porter Airlines gets ready for branded fares

In a Canadian travel market first, Sabre Travel Network and Porter Airlines are set to launch merchandising capabilities allowing the airline to more broadly and powerfully promote their fare brands to Sabre-Connected travel agents.

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Allowing travel companies to automatically calculate the carbon footprint for an itinerary

Dolphin Dynamics has introduced Carbon Emissions Calculator in the Dolphin TravelScanner booking engine allows travel companies to automatically calculate the carbon footprint for an itinerary.

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British Airways completes $1.70 billion debt financing

British Airways has concluded arrangements for a long term multiple option facility for US$ 1,700,000,000.

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Maximising on-board retail revenues and profits

GuestLogix Inc., a provider of on-board retail solutions to the airline industry, and Mantix Solutions, a retail consultancy to the travel industry, have signed an agreement to jointly develop new business aimed at expanding in-flight retail opportunities using the GuestLogix Mobile Virtual Store platform.

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easyJet to acquire GB Airways Ltd for a cash consideration of £103.5 million

easyJet PLC has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of GB Airways Ltd excluding its slots at Heathrow Airport, from the Bland Group Limited, for a cash consideration of £103.5 million.

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"I find it remarkable that GDS continue to extract the fees they do"

By EFT Correspondent in Las Vegas

GDS renegotiations have been the centre of attraction for a while. But have airlines missed out an opportunity?

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Indian aviation sector may see more new players, and even more M&As

By Ritesh Gupta

After battling with serious concerns related to yield levels going down to unsustainable point, over-capacity and mounting losses, the Indian aviation industry finally witnessed consolidation earlier this year.

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"The aviation sector is steadily heading towards the tipping point in its favour"

India Special: Interview with  Captain GR Gopinath, Executive Chairman, Air Deccan 

"The potential of the  travel and tourism industry in India is largely untapped. The need of the hour is, to develop multiple distribution and access channels to create a wide scale consumer base. The Internet plays critical role in empowering travel agents with increased market and consumer reach."

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Jet Airways implements a utomated online risk management solution

Jet Airways has implemented an automated online risk (fraud) management solution, the first such initiative from any airline in India, according to the company.

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American Airlines signs exclusive opaque participation agreement with Priceline.com

American Airlines, Inc. and priceline.com have signed an agreement where American will make priceline.com its exclusive distribution partner for opaque airline tickets.

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Tiger Airways slashes airfares

Singapore-based Tiger Airways has marked the opening of Melbourne Airport’s new fourth terminal with another round of discount airfares.

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easyJet achieves significant improvement in margins

easyJet expects pre-tax profit growth to be towards the top end of its earlier guidance of 40-50 percent.

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United to unlock `value of biz units’

United Airlines intends to spend nearly US$4 billion on improvements in the next five years and reiterated interest in a merger.

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Unisys AirCore solution goes live

Hahn Air Systems GmbH has successfully implemented the initial phase of Unisys Corporation’s eTops next-generation airline booking system based on the Unisys Airline Core Systems Solutions (AirCore).

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A carrier in India scales down fleet expansion

India’s GoAir has decided to scale down its expansion plan by reducing the number of planes it is going to operate in the next four years.

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Continental eyes major expansion in Asia in the years to come

Continental Airlines Inc is planning to operate to more destinations in India and China. The development was shared by the airline as it announced a non-stop Mumbai-New York service.

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Dolphin FlightScanner features enhanced, to support multiple fare options

Dolphin Dynamics has enhanced its FlightScanner booking engine to display multiple fares for LCCs