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AIRLINE & TRAVEL NEWS
Airguide Online, Dec, 2004
United States outbound travel in 2003 dropped for the third straight year; yet travel to overseas destinations showed a strong rebound during the later part the year according to figures only just issued by the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, part of Washington's Department of Commerce. Mexico and Canada suffered the worst with the rest of the world up 5%. In 2003, 56.2m US residents traveled abroad for one night or longer. This was down 3% from 2002 and not that much less than the outbound record of 61m in 2000. Mexico was once again the lead destination with 17.6m travelers and Canada the number two at 14.2m. The top five overseas markets visited by US travelers in 2003 were the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Jamaica. Of these, the only markets to experience an increase over 2002 were the UK, which increased to 3.3m plus 1% and Jamaica to 1.5m. Other countries showed large percentage gains but the actual numbers were small. Other statistics issued by the travel and tourism office include top outbound cities, package tourism, decision times and spend. http://www.ita.doc.gov Dec 20, 2004
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Airborne Internet problems. Now if there is one quandary that aircraft designers have not overcome is the use of the on board rest rooms (toilets to the English, or "lav" &endash; short for lavatory) as a place to quietly sit and read. With limited facilities on board overindulgence is just not fair. Smoking was banned (don't believe the stories about safety &endash; loo puffers were just taking up too much time) which eliminated some of the waiting period but now we have another problem. It seems that with the emergence of Connexion by Boeing and other airborne Internet systems passengers have been seen taking their laptops into that most private of rooms. New rules and regulations will now have to be organized and no doubt both Airbus and Boeing will come out with stickers (at $100 per sticker &endash; nothing is cheap on an aircraft &endash; and it has to be approved by the joint air worthiness board). "Surfing the Internet whilst in this area is banned! A [pounds sterling]500 fine will be levied and your domain name removed!" Japanese versions as well! Dec 13, 2004
Aer Lingus has announced an additional four new routes to Europe in its summer schedule for 2005. Since the end of 2001 the airline has more than trebled its network of routes, with the introduction of 42 new scheduled services. The new flights from Dublin to Seville, Naples, Marseilles and Hamburg will commence at the end of March 2005. Earlier this year the airline announced four new services from Cork to Munich, Rome, Nice and Faro due to commence at the end of April 2005. Readers may be interested to know that Willie Walsh, chief executive, who recently tendered his resignation together with two other senior members of the management, will be guest of honor at the London Aviation Club on 9 February. Expect a good turnout from the Irish. http://www.aerlingus.com http://www.aviationclub.org.uk Dec 20, 2004
AeroMexico will add a fourth daily nonstop flight between Miami and Mexico City Jan. 10 2005 using an MD-80. Dec 16, 2004
AeroMexico will launch twice-weekly nonstop service between Puerto Vallarta and San Diego Jan. 13 2005. Dec 6, 2004
Afriqiyah Airways, the Tripoli-based Libyan airline just about to be privatized, celebrated its third birthday in a unique way by organizing a party in the Sheraton Park Lane London with a picture of Colonel Gaddafi staring down on the 200 guests. The event also celebrated the airline's upping of its recently introduced Gatwick &endash; Tripoli schedule to four times a week, the Libyan capital serving as a hub for various African destinations including Accra and Lagos. Both Paris and Geneva are on the Afriqiyah Airways schedule. The airline operates two class Airbus A320s on the London route and also the Airbus A300 for the longer routes to the south. Future plans include the Airbus A330. http://www.afriqiyah.aero Dec 6, 2004
Air China, who operates a daily Boeing 747 service between Heathrow and Beijing, has gained regulatory approval to list its shares on the Hong Kong and London (LSE) Stock Exchanges, with trading scheduled to commence on 15 December. The company, China's largest international carrier, intends to raise an estimated $1bn in the dual listings. The number of overseas airlines on the LSE is very limited typically ANA joining in the early nineties and subsequently delisting. In another move the China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation (CASGC) has announced its decision to acquire 23 Airbus A320 series aircraft, a mixture of A319 and A320, these said to be for the use of Air China. http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/index.jsp Dec 13, 2004
Air Finland will start a twice-weekly service from Helsinki to Rome Ciampino using 757-200s April 22 2005. Dec 21, 2004
Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines equity held by the French State is now down to 20% following a share sale as planned. This reduction in the government holding is in line with the arrangements agreed between the French and Dutch under the agreement to merge Air France and KLM. As agreed with the unions, present and former employees of Air France and its subsidiaries will be entitled to purchase Air France &endash; KLM shares at a discount under a rights issue in return for a wage cut. A statement from AF makes it clear that the French government plans to remain a major shareholder of the Air France &endash; KLM Group. http://www.airfrance.com Dec 13, 2004
