Airline News

Korean Air flew 3.83 billion RPKs in May, up 46.4% over the year-ago period. Capacity climbed 23.6% to 5.27 billion ASKs and load factor gained 11.3 points to 72.7%. For the five months ended May 31, RPKs rose 19.3% to 18.07 billion, ASKs jumped 11.2% to 25.79 billion and load factor increased 4.7 points to 70%. Jul 2, 2004

Korean Air launched three weekly nonstop A330-200 flights from Seoul Incheon to St. Petersburg, Russia. Jul 15, 2004

Korean Air launched three weekly flights between Penang and its hub at Seoul Incheon using a 269-seat A330. Jul 30, 2004

Kuwait Airways implemented Mercator's MARS Airline Reservation System and MACS Airport Control System. Jul 1, 2004

LanChile, LanPeru and LanEcuador introduced complimentary ground shuttle service between New Jersey and LAN's New York JFK terminal. The shuttle service is available daily from Paterson Station, Union City Station and Newark Station. Jul 15, 2004

A survey of business travelers at US-based companies reveals that 23% of respondents use primarily low-cost carriers for business travel while 46% place quality of customer service above loyalty programs in terms of influencing their purchase decision, a percentage seemingly at odds with continuing service reductions by US legacy airlines. Furthermore, 71% said their use of LCCs for business travel will remain the same or increase over the next six months. The survey of 429 travelers, conducted by Accenture, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%. Twenty-one percent of those surveyed said they had taken at least six flights in the past six months and 34% had taken 3-5 flights. Also, 41% of travelers experienced at least one maintenance-related delay or cancellation within the past six months while 5% experienced 3-5 such incidents. The survey also confirmed widespread use of the Internet for travel arrangements, with 75% purchasing tickets online and 48% using Internet check-in. Jul 15, 2004

LTU will introduce a new Comfort-Class on its short and medium-haul network by Nov. 1 2004. The airline claims it will become the first European charter carrier to offer a premium product on continental routes. Jul 14, 2004

Lufthansa will begin three weekly flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town Oct. 16 2004 using an A340-300. The service will increase to daily from the end of Oct. 2004. Jul 16, 2004

Lufthansa and Air China decided to extend their 15-year-old Ameco- Beijing joint venture for at least 25 years, according to German news agency dpa in Beijing. Approximately 4,000 employees work for Ameco- Beijing, which provides maintenance for Air China as well as dozens of other airlines. Annual turnover is around eur130 million ($158.1 million). Air China holds 60% of the JV and Lufthansa has a 40% stake. Jul 2, 2004

Lufthansa Technik will provide total maintenance support to Barcelona- based startup Vueling Airlines under a five-year contract covering its A320 fleet, including line and base maintenance, component support and engine overhauls. Vueling will start operating this month with two A320s and plans to acquire six more by the end of 2005, according to LHT. Jul 1, 2004