Business AVIATION

BIA should be ready for nextgen aircraft

Hiran H. Senewiratne

Colombo Airport (BIA) is one of the best airports in the region but needs to expedite its expansion work to attract next generation airlines in the future, Qatar Airways (QA) Regional Manager Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives Rajeewa Jayaweera said.

He said that AirBus A 380 flight Super Jumbos one of the latest new generation high-density flight which will come into play in the future. “Therefore, runway of the Colombo Airport needs to be broadened to attract such aircraft in the future,” Jayaweera said.

Sri Lanka has to be competitive in the region, as most of airports are coming up well in most of the countries in the world. With these trends, Colombo Airport need to be upgraded to attract next generation airlines in the future, he said.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News Business’ said; “QA is one of the youngest and many modern fleet of aircraft in the skies today. Therefore, expansion is phenomenal with ongoing orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over US$ 30 billion.

They have also ordered latest next generation flights like Airbus A 380-800s for delivery from 2010, he said.

He said that their latest aircraft type, Boeing 777s features QA next generation Oryx Entertainment in flight entertainment system offering every passenger in both Business and Economy Class, a choice of more than 700 audio and video options.

Jayaweera said that at this point of time they are not looking at increasing the routes in Sri Lanka and looking at consolidate its position in Sri Lanka by attracting Sri Lanka travellers going out of the country.

“Sri Lanka is a good market for them and they are consistent at all times despite the country’s uncertain situation,” he said.

The Regional Manager said that they have a healthy cabin factor for different types of markets and have been consistenting all the time to maintain scheduled in all flights. At present they have 65 aircraft in the fleet will cross the 100 threshold soon being among the top 30 airlines, in the world, he said.

“QA will hope to have 120 Aircraft by 2012 to fly more than 81 destinations including Europe, USA, Asian and African regions. Therefore they practise a revenue management system to sell based on different levels of air fares to their passengers,” he said.

“According to Jayaweera they have a loyalty card system for frequent flyers and also signed with other airlines including Kingfisher Airlines, Lufthansa, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic which could earn miles for passengers”.

SriLankan to fly between UK and Maldives

SriLankan Airlines will be introducing new scheduled flights between the UK and Maldives in autumn 2008 foreign Wire services said.

The airline plans to start a four-time weekly service from Heathrow airport to Male from October 26, 2008.

Air Maldives reportedly operates direct flights to the UK, but has been finding it difficult to cater to the increasing consumer traffic on various routes.

This has resulted in Sri Lankan Airlines dominating the scene with regard to scheduled flights for the past 20 years, according to media reports.

The new move is likely to further expand SriLankan Airlines’s reach. “We recognise the need to introduce this nonstop service for such a popular holiday destination.

Customers’ needs are our priority and we believe that this new direct service will provide a time-effective way to travel in style and comfort to their paradise location,” the Dhivehi Observer quoted Chanaka Olagama, the airline’s spokesperson, as saying.

Emirates to launch A380 to USA

Air travellers will be able to experience Emirates Airline’s state-of-the-art A380 aircraft for the first time on August 01, when the airline launches its first A380 commercial service from Dubai to New York JFK.

The 14-hour non-stop flight will also be the first-ever commercial A380 service to the America.

Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: “The Americas represent a key focus area in Emirates’ route development plans, and we are delighted to be the first airline to launch commercial A380 services to the continent.

We are confident that Emirates’ customers travelling to and from North America will welcome the A380’s additional space and capacity, as well as our luxurious on board amenities which will provide a very high quality travel experience previously associated only with private jets.”

Emirates’ A380 interiors and on board product, which have been kept under wraps thus far, will be revealed for the first time when the airline receives its first A380 from Airbus’ Hamburg facility on July, 28.

Powered by Engine Alliance’s GP7200 engines, Emirates’ A380s can fly up to 12,000 kilometres on a full passenger load, and offer better fuel economy per passenger kilometre than most hybrid passenger cars.

The A380 is also quieter, both inside and outside of the cabin, which means more comfort for passengers and a smaller noise footprint. On August 01 and 03 Emirates will operate its brand-new A380 aircraft between Dubai and New York JFK on a commercial basis. These will be additional flights to its existing twice-a-day non-stop service.

Subsequently, Emirates will deploy the A380 between Dubai and New York, on one of its scheduled twice-daily flights.

Emirates expects delivery of five A380s in its current financial year, all featuring its ultra long-haul configuration of 489 seats: 14 in First Class, 76 in Business and 399 in Economy; with 13 tonnes of bellyhold capacity for cargo.

After New York, these aircraft are slated to operate on Emirates’ routes from Dubai to London Heathrow, and Sydney-Auckland.

The largest customer for the A380 superjumbo, Emirates last week announced it will receive the first of its 58 A380 aircraft on order on July 28. The 58 A380s are worth US$ 18.8 billion at current list prices.

Silverjet crash lands

Another airline casualty as British business-class airline Silverjet became the latest victim of soaring fuel costs; the airline ceased operations on Thursday night suspending its flights after failing to secure a crucial funding. Siverjet was the last of the business class airlines; US based EOS and MaxJet have both ceased operations this year.

The airline, which operates from London’s Luton Airport to New York and Dubai and is listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market, was suspended from trading last week. The company had signed a funding deal with Middle Eastern fund Viceroy Holdings for $100.0 million and had sought an initial installment of $5.0 million, but the funds failed to materialize.

Silverjet says it is in talks with other investors, but with fuel prices continuing to head north the airline is unlikely to fly again.

Mandakalli airport to take off

Mandakalli airport, which is being upgraded with various infrastructure facilities, will be ready for landing and taking off private aircrafts by this Dasara, beginning on Sept. 30, disclosed Lok Sabha member C.H. Vijayashankar.

Commercial flights will start by February 2009, the MP said, while addressing a press meet after taking part in a meeting of officials to review the progress in the works relating to upgradation of Mandakalli Airport in the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Work on the first phase of upgrading the airport is almost completed.

The work relating to the terminal building was to be completed by December. However, as the officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI) urged for construction of additional three floors to the terminal building in keeping with the second phase work, the terminal building will be ready by February, the MP said.

Land measuring 162.32 acres in five villages and in the vicinity of Chamundi Hill has been identified for shifting stretch of Mysore-Ooty National Highway 212 passing alongside airport to a distance of 2.5 km. The approval from Government for acquiring land has been obtained.

Approval has also been given by the government for construction of 60 metre wide four-lane road. (Star of Mysore)

Jazeera to the Maldives

The Kuwait-and Dubai-based Jazeera Airways announced the launch of its non-stop service from Dubai to the Maldives.

Jazeera Airways, which operates a fleet of new Airbus A320s, all fitted with signature leather seats, is the second carrier to operate non-stop flights to the Maldives from Dubai, which will fly every Sunday and Tuesday.

Jazeera Airways Chairman and CEO Marwan Boodai said, “We are incredibly excited about our new route to this breathtaking country known for its great weather, amazing beaches and serene atmosphere. Our fares start at Dh249 to the Maldives.