By Ceyda Caglayan and Dominic Evans ISTANBUL (Reuters) - After three false starts and a labour protest over harsh working conditions, Turkey will fully open a new airport in Istanbul this week that will give its fast-growing flagship airline a platform to challenge Gulf rivals for regional dominance. Authorities plan to shift flights from the city's Ataturk Airport, on the edge of the Sea of Marmara, to the new airport 30 km (20 miles) north on the Black Sea shores, in a mammoth 45-hour transfer operation starting on Friday. The $8 billion airport is one of several infrastructure mega-projects championed by President Tayyip Erdogan and will initially be able to handle 90 million passengers a year, a number which Turkey hopes to more than double by 2027. That would make it the biggest in the world, measured against current airport operations globally. "Istanbul Airport will rise to second place in terms of passenger numbers it serves in around five years," Transport Minister Cahit … [Read more...] about Turkish Airlines aims to spread its wings at Istanbul’s giant new airport
Etihad new routes
Vietnamese airports struggling to cope
In the opening days of 2019, Vietnam’s aviation market welcomed a new carrier - the FLC Group’s Bamboo Airways - with its first commercial flight, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, taking off on January 16. Industry analysts said that the arrival of Bamboo Airways provides passengers with yet another choice when making travel plans and makes the country’s aviation market even more competitive. Vietnam’s aviation market catered to an estimated 71.4 million passengers in 2018, an increase of 15 per cent against 2017, of which Vietnamese carriers ferried more than 50 million passengers, up 14 per cent, according to figures from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV). The market now has 68 foreign airlines from 25 countries and territories and Vietnamese airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, VASCO, and Bamboo Airways. These figures clearly indicate that Vietnam’s aviation market is now more vibrant than ever. Crowded … [Read more...] about Vietnamese airports struggling to cope
Etihad, Jet Airways in talks on rescue deal
By Aditi ShahNEW DELHI (Reuters) - Etihad Airways is holding talks with Jet Airways Ltd <JET.NS> and its bankers on a rescue plan for the debt-laden Indian carrier, two sources aware of the matter told Reuters.gi Executives from Etihad and Jet have met some of the airline's bankers in Mumbai in recent days to discuss ways to address its cash flow issues and evaluate the carrier's future business plan, the sources said.Etihad, which owns 24 percent stake in Jet Airways, is also considering investing fresh funds in the airline if it can agree on the structure, one of the sources said, adding that no deal has been finalised.The sources did not want to be named as the discussions are private. Jet, which is India's biggest full service carrier by market share, is in desperate need of cash. The 25-year-old airline, founded by Naresh Goyal, owes money to lessors and vendors, has delayed salary payments to pilots and senior executives and is cutting flights on non-profitable routes to … [Read more...] about Etihad, Jet Airways in talks on rescue deal
Routes: Lufthansa jet swap; Level at SFO, Hainan, EVA, AA, Alitalia, Etihad
A round up of this week's most important air route news Chris McGinnis Published 10:22 am PST, Friday, November 9, 2018 Keep an eye out for this bird! Lufthansa's SFO-Frankfurt route will briefly get a 747-8 in January- among other jet swaps Keep an eye out for this bird! Lufthansa's SFO-Frankfurt route will briefly get a 747-8 in January- among other jet swaps Photo: Lufthansa Level will deploy more SFO-Barcelona capacity next summer. Level will deploy more SFO-Barcelona capacity next summer. Photo: Level Hainan Airlines will use a 787 for new Seattle and Boston service. Hainan Airlines will use a 787 for new Seattle and Boston service. Photo: Hainan Struggling Alitalia is launching new flights between Rome and Washington Dulles Struggling Alitalia is launching new flights … [Read more...] about Routes: Lufthansa jet swap; Level at SFO, Hainan, EVA, AA, Alitalia, Etihad
Qatar Airways announces $69 million revenue loss this year
Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Updated 12:53 am PDT, Wednesday, September 19, 2018 FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2015, file photo, a Qatar Airways jet arriving from Doha, Qatar, approaches the gate at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Qatar Airways said Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 that it suffered a loss of $69 million this year off revenue of $11.5 billion amid a boycott of Doha by four Arab nations. less FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2015, file photo, a Qatar Airways jet arriving from Doha, Qatar, approaches the gate at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Qatar Airways said Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 that it suffered a ... more Photo: Michael Probst, AP FILE - In this April 24, 2017 file photo, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker speaks at a press conference during the Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Qatar Airways said Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 that it suffered a loss of $69 million this year off … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways announces $69 million revenue loss this year