Aviation

Singapore Airlines set for biggest debut

Singapore Airlines (SIA), which will be the first to receive delivery of the Airbus A380 jet, said Thursday, the biggest passenger plane ever built will make its commercial debut on October 25.

Flight SQ380’s first commercial flight departing Singapore for Sydney on October 25 will take place 10 days after SIA receives its first of 19 A380s from European aircraft maker Airbus, the carrier said in a statement.

“Everyone at Singapore Airlines is keenly anticipating the delivery of this new plane... the first flight promises to be one of the most exciting occasions in aviation history,” said chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng.

SIA, which will receive its first A380 in Toulouse, said SQ380 will be configured to seat 471 passengers in three classes with the new Singapore Airlines Suites the most luxurious segment.

The plane is capable of carrying more than 800 passengers in an all economy-class configuration, and 555 in a standard three-class set-up.

The Singapore flag carrier announced last month seats on the A380 first commercial flight between the city-state and Sydney will be offered for sale on the eBay online marketplace with all proceeds from the ticket sales to go to charity.

SIA has committed to buy 19 A380s despite a series of delays that pushed back delivery from early last year.

AFP

Etihad back again

Etihad Airw- ays which pulled out recently due to operational reasons have decided to resume their operations again from early next month.

An official of the airline told Daily News Business that now they are programming future frequencies.

Emirates accelerates into road show blitz ahead of further route launches

Emirates Airline is powering up for a transcontinental road show blitz to support a flurry of route launches across the world, beginning with the Newcastle service on September 1st.

From Ahmedabad in India to Sao Paulo in Brazil, Emirates is criss-crossing the globe in the coming months with a series of events to publicise the latest additions to the airline’s increasingly global footprint.

The promotions, which come hot on the heels of the successful Venice route launch, started in Sao Paulo, the most important financial centre in Latin America.

Road shows were held there on 14 & 15th August to support the beginning of the Emirates’ service on October 1st. Further road show activities are planned in the effervescent city of Rio on 21 and 22nd August.

In Europe, Emirates will address the travel trade in Newcastle in the UK on August 23rd, to promote its sixth gateway into the UK, with services starting September 1st.

After Tyneside, its back across the Atlantic to the United States to promote the December 3rd Houston launch. Events are taking place in Houston itself on August 29th, with further activities in Miami on September 6th and in Dallas on September 28th.

On 10th September, another continent comes into the frame with India. Emirates is organising a road show in Ahmedabad, India’s sixth largest city and a place sometimes dubbed the “Manchester of the East” because of its booming textile industry. Emirates will fly there from October 28th.

In Canada, road shows to support the new Toronto service, which begins October 29th, will take place in Toronto on September 19th and later in Calgary on September 24th.

Emirates’ road shows are aimed at raising awareness, primarily within the travel and tourism industry, ahead of the start of a new service. They involve trade presentations, dinner functions and press briefings.

Mike Simon, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, said: “This is a busy year for Emirates as far as route launches and the resulting promotional activities go. But, as ever, we are ready for the challenge.

It is an exciting time for the airline as it continues to spread its wings across new boundaries and further establish its international reputation.

We are particularly keen to launch services into South America and we now offer the only direct air link between Venice and the Middle East. Meanwhile, it’s a case of watch this space, as more announcements are on the way.”

During the second half of 2007, Emirates will launch a total of six new routes - Venice (which started July 1st), Newcastle (September 1st) Sao Paulo (1st October), Ahmedabad (28th October), Toronto (29th October) and Houston (3rd December).

The heavily decorated, Dubai-based carrier currently flies to 92 destinations in 59 countries across five continents with a fleet of 106 modern aircraft.

Qantas announces profits jump, share buy-back

Australian flag carrier Qantas said Thursday its annual net profit surged 50 percent to a record 719.4 million dollars (589.7 million US dollars) as robust passenger demand offset higher fuel costs.

Qantas also announced a billion dollar buy-back of about 10 percent of its shares, made possible by a cash position of 3.4 billion dollars.

The company said the year-to-June profit figure included a provision of US$ 47 million against a potential fine, the airline may incur in the United States for involvement in an alleged freight cartel.

AFP