Jet Airways and Garuda Indonesia sign code share agreement

Jet Airways and national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia have concluded a code share agreement for connectivity between India and Indonesia.

Under the arrangement, using Singapore as a hub, Jet Airways will place its marketing code on Garuda Indonesia’s flights between Singapore and Jakarta and Garuda will place its marketing code on Jet Airways’ flights between Singapore and Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

The two airlines have also signed a frequent flyer partnership, allowing members of each others loyalty programs to accrue and redeem mileage on the code-share flights, the entire domestic network of Garuda Indonesia, and on Jet Airways' complete network, domestic and international.

Read more »

Ethiad Airways increases stake in Virgin Australia to 19.9 percent

By BA Staff

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, confirmed its equity stake in Virgin Australia Holdings had reached 19.9%.

This follows a series of on-market purchases of Virgin Australia shares over recent weeks. The Abu Dhabi-based airline now holds more than 515 million shares in the airline.

At 19.9%, Etihad Airways has reached the threshold approved by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board in June 2013.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: 

“We are delighted to have reached this milestone. It reflects our strong support for the business strategy and management team of Virgin Australia and our enduring commitment to the Australian market. It also reflects the close working relationship between our two airlines and we look forward to strengthening its commercial foundations. The strategic partnership continues to deliver significant revenue streams and other benefits to each airline. Increasing our equity in Virgin Australia will further enrich the commercial benefits which the partnership delivers for both airlines as well as increasing the benefits to Australian travellers and visitors to Australia.”"

Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia signed a ten year strategic partnership agreement in August 2010 that includes code-sharing on flights, joint sales and marketing activities, and reciprocal earn-and-burn on their respective frequent flyer programs.

Those benefits include seamless connectivity to more than 40 codeshare destinations in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Thailand and loyalty program privileges such as priority baggage handling, priority boarding and airport lounge access for top tier program members.

Combined, Etihad Airways (25) and Virgin Australia (3) operate 28 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia and passengers have access to a combined global network of more than 280 destinations.

Etihad Airways began flying to Australia in March 2007, when it launched services to Sydney. Flights to Melbourne and Brisbane followed in 2009. The airline has carried more than 2.5 million passengers between Abu Dhabi and these three Australian gateways in the past six years. The airline plans to operate services to Perth in Western Australia in the future.

Etihad Airways also holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus, will acquire 49% of Air Serbia from January 2014, and, subject to regulatory approval, will acquire 24% of India’s Jet Airways. It also has codeshare partnerships with 47 airlines worldwide.

Read more »

Airbus achieves 8,000 aircraft delivered milestone

Photo courtesy Airbus S.A.S. Used under fair use.

Earlier this month, Airbus achieved a historic milestone when it delivered its 8,000th aircraft – an A320 for the Indonesian wing of AirAsia.

Over the years, Airbus S.A.S. has grown from a single aircraft model company to an aircraft manufacturer, offering aircraft covering every segment of the market from 100 to 500+ seats.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia said

“AirAsia has a long-standing, special relationship with Airbus. This is a very special moment for all of us. The people behind Airbus and their commitment in delivering the best product are key to our fruitful relationship, and we are extremely proud to have the 8,000th Airbus as a member of our fleet. It’s the same pioneering, forward-looking mindset and a lot of hard work that have brought both AirAsia and Airbus to their respective leading positions today,” “The excellent fuel efficiency and economics of Airbus aircraft are key contributors to AirAsia’s success – we are confident that these modern aircraft will enable us to continue our ambitious growth plans.”

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO said

“It’s particularly fitting that our 8,000th delivery goes to AirAsia - one of the world’s fastest growing airlines,” “In an increasingly challenging and diverse worldwide economic context, we are more than ever focused on delivering real value to our customers. We will achieve this by continuing to innovate, together with our customers, in all fields of the business to stay ahead of the game and offer the most efficient products and services.”

AirAsia Group is the largest low-cost airline in Asia is the largest customer for the A320 Family, having ordered a total of 475 aircraft, comprising 264 A320neo and 211 A320ceo. Meanwhile, Airbus widebody aircraft are the choice of the group’s long haul affiliate AirAsia X, which has ordered a total of 26 A330-300s and ten A350 XWBs. A total of 141 Airbus aircraft are flying today in AirAsia’s colours out of its 16 bases in the region, which include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Read more »

Video: Boeing delivers its 7,500th 737 to Malaysian start-up Malindo Air

Boeing has delivered a 737-900ER, the 7,500th 737 to come off the production line to Malaysia-based Malindo Air. The aircraft in a two class configuration, 18 business class and 164 economy class seats, features the Boeing Sky Interior featuring sculpted side-walls, improved window reveals, LED lighting and larger pivoting overhead baggage storage. The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time with total orders exceeding 10,500 airplanes.

Malindo Air is a joint venture by Jakarta, Indonesia-based Lion Air and Malaysia's National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI). The name "Malindo" comse from the names of respective countries: Malaysia and Indonesia.

Malindo is a response by Lion Air after the entry of AirAsia from Malaysia, in to their home turf of Indonesia. AirAsia's subsidiary Indonesia AirAsia, in partnership with its parent firm, bought Indonesian carrier Batavia Air to gain foothold in the Indonesian market. Mr Chandran Ramamuthy, personal assistant executive to the president director of Lion Air, has been appointed as CEO of Malindo Air. The airline inaugural flights will be operational from 22nd of March.

Malindo will take a hybrid approach to differentiate itself from the bare bones low cost AirAsia. Malindo will provide a personal TV IFE (in-flight entertainment) system in every seat, free snacks or meals, seat pitches of 32" and 45" for economy class and business class respectively, and a free baggage allowance of 15 kg and 30 kg. The airline also plans to add in-flight Wi-Fi service.



Images courtesy Randy's Journal

Read more »

Jumbo orders from Turkish Airlines and Lion Air further consolidate A320neo lead

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of its first delivery, the European Airbus A320 narrow body, is ratcheting up the pressure on competitor the American Boeing 737 booking two high profile orders during this month.

The first order cames from national Turkish Airlines (THY), which signed a contract, the biggest ever by a Turkish carrier, for up to 117 A320 Family aircraft (25 A321ceo, four A320neo, 53 A321neo and options for 35 additional A321neo aircraft). Turkish Airlines already operates 75 A320 Family aircraft. (ceo=classic engine option, neo=new engine option).

The coup, though, was a 234 A320 Family aircraft order, comprising 109 A320neo, 65 A321neo and 60 A320ceo, from Indonesian carrier Lion Air, until now a Boeing only operator, which had placed Boeing's largest commercial airplane order, at the time. The carrier currently operates a fleet of Boeing 737s dominated by 737-900ERs in an all economy 213 seat configuration. Lion Air will configure its A320 family in an all economy layout, with its A320's seating 180 passengers and its A321's seating 236.

Incorporating new engines and large Sharklet wing tip devices, the A320neo will enter into service from late 2015, followed by the A319neo and A321neo in 2016.

Below is a video of the thank you extended by Airbus employees to Lion Air.

Read more »

Indian Government expands visa on arrival scheme to 11 countries

The Indian Government is expanding its Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme, first introduced in 2010 to the nationals of 11 countries, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. The TVOA facility is only available for arrivals at the four metro airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

The government has also expanded the purpose of visit from tourism and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) to include business and medical treatment, where trips are sometimes required at short notice.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has detailed the guidelines of the TVOA scheme.

Eligibility

• The scheme can be availed by nationals of eleven countries namely Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia.
• The scheme can be availed by foreign nationals visiting India for tourism, medical treatment, casual business or to visit friends/relatives, etc.
• TVOA shall not be granted to foreign nationals who have permanent residence or occupation in India and to holders of Diplomatic/Official passports.
• The foreign nationals must hold a passport with minimum validity of six months and a re-entry permit, if required by the law of his country.
• The foreign national must be a person of assured financial standing.

Validity, extension, and restrictions

• Under the scheme, a foreign national may be granted a single entry visa for maximum period of
• 30 days.
• The TVOA visa cannot be extended or converted in India.
• A visa on arrival can be obtained for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year and there should be a minimum gap of two months between two visits.

Fees

• The visa can be obtained on submission of prescribed application form, one passport size photograph and Indian Rupees equivalent to US Dollars 60.

Read more »

Lion Air launch customer of Boeing 737 MAX 9; confirms largest ever commercial plane order for Boeing

Lion Air, Indonesia's largest private airline, has placed on US airframer Boeing, the largest commercial airplane order ever in Boeing's history by both dollar value and total number of airplanes.

The carrier finalised a firm order for 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range), worth $22.4 billion at list prices, which was first announced last November in Indonesia.

The agreement also includes optional purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of 66 Boeing 737s dominated by 57 Boeing 737-900ERs in an all economy 213 seat configuration.

The 737 MAX is a new engine variant of the venerable Boeing 737NG (Next Generation) i.e. the -700, -800, and the -900ER, developed in response to the Airbus A320neo.

Lion Air will become the launch customer for the 737 MAX 9.

Read more »

Death toll rises to 79 in Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crash

An Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules carrying 98 passengers and 14 crew on a regular flight from the capital, Jakarta, to the eastern most province of Papua crashed in a rice field at about 06:20 (23:20-1 GMT) in Geplak village and burst into flames crashed into several homes and burst into flames Wednesday, killing at least 79 people, including two on the ground.

Nineteen survivors have been rescued and transported to hospital. Recovery of badly burnt bodies continues and we can expect the death toll to increase. Local television is reported to be flashing footage of fire engulfed mangled wreckage.

The aircraft was transporting troops and their families, including at least 10 children, when it tumbled from the sky near an air force base in East Java province smashing in to a row of houses in Geplak village, killing three on the ground, before skidding into a rice field. Large chunks of the wreckage lie strewn across the paddy fields and bordering bushes.

It was not clear what caused the crash, but several witnesses described hearing a large explosion while it was still in the air and then seeing it split apart.

The Indonesian Air Force is still recovering from the crippling effects of sanctions and low budget allocations. This is the second fatal accident involving their planes in recent weeks. Just 5 weeks earlier, on April 6, a Fokker F-27 crashed and burst into flames in West Java’s capital, Bandung, killing all 24 officers on board.

Read more »

Lion Air MD90 lands without nose gear in Indonesia

A Lion Air Boeing MD90 registration PK-LIO performing flight JT-972, on February 23, 2009, had to perform an emergency landing while on a flight from Medan to Batam, both in Indonesia.

The flight with 156 passengers and 6 crew, could not lower the nose gear while on approach to runway 04. While on approach to Batam the crew noticed, that the nose gear did not show down, green, and locked. They aborted the approach and circled the airport which trying to troubleshoot the problem. After 60 minutes, they were forced to land without the nose gear at around 18:30 local time (11:30GMT). The airport's emergency services sprayed foam on the runway for the landing, which the crew performed safely.

The airplane was evacuated with no injuries being reported, however three passengers were taken to local hospitals in shock.

Batam Runway 04/22 is closed, as the airplane is 1990 meters from threshold runway 04.

Inputs from AVHerald.

Read more »