Aviation

Colombo good destination for Emirates

Shirajiv Sirimane

Colombo as a destination has yielded very positive results for Emirates said Sales Manager, Sri Lanka, Devika Ellepola.

Speaking to Daily News Business she said they have maintained 85 percent cabin factor last year. "This is an increase as against the previous year," She said.

She however said due to the global financial crises 2008 would not be very productive.

The airline has a mixture of business and leisure travellers and with the recent tourism promotions launched by Sri Lanka Tourism there is a increase in Gulf traffic to Sri Lanka. "This is very pleasing," she said.

Many passengers also use Dubai as the hub to fly out to USA, Canada and Australia. "The immediate connections are the biggest attractions to them," he said.

She also said Emirates is one of the few airlines that have not levelled a separate fuel surcharge on the ticket.

The airline, which operates daily frequencies, will soon introduce A380 to Australian sector as well. It's already flying to USA and London and is in high demand. "The airline has ordered over 50 modern A380 aircrafts," he said.

The second A380 will join its sibling, the airline's first A380 delivered in July, on the Dubai-New York JFK non-stop service (EK201/202). This increases Emirates' A380 service on the route to once-a-day from Sunday. Emirates operates two flights a day to New York JFK, the second daily service using a Boeing 777-300ER.

Emirates' first A380 has 489 seats: 14 in first class suites, 76 in business and 399 in economy. The first class passengers on Emirates A380 will be the only ones with access to the shower.

Emirates Airline, the wholly-owned airline of Dubai government, commenced operations between Dubai and Bangalore, dubbed the Silicon Valley of India. The airline added 2,000 seats and 120 tonnes of cargo per week with eight flights through the Bangalore operation.

“Christmas in the Tropics with Singapore Airlines”

Singapore Airlines “The world’s most awarded Airline” introduces its latest promotion aimed at the Christmas Holiday Season.

In collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board’s “Sweet Christmas” campaign, the promotion is now on offering two return economy class tickets to Singapore economically priced for two adults inclusive of all taxes.

Additionally up to two children below 12 years of age can travel free by paying the applicable taxes only.

Tickets on this promotional fare must be purchased before December 5, for travel out of Colombo by December 31.

“This is a surprise gift to be given to your loved ones during this festive season,” an official from the airlines said.

Thai reduce airfare for the second time

Thai Airways celebrated their 32nd anniversary of flying to Sri Lanka last week. With years of successful operations in Sri Lanka, “What is most important to us is the uninterrupted service provided to our passengers for 32 years,” said Station Manager, Weerawat Sawasdibutra.

“Sri Lanka has been one of the important destinations in our TG network and we are laying much emphasis on this destination whilst making every effort to promote travel. Thai Airways International being the national carrier of Thailand will take full responsibility for all our customer needs.”

Thailand Tourism Authority’s (TAT) Executive Director, Prakit Piriyakiet, said Thai Airways International and TAT are working closely and have declared the year 2009 as “Visit Thailand Year”. “We expect a large volume of tourists to visit Thailand and not only Bangkok which is already popular amongst Sri Lankans and other nationalities but explore the hidden beauty of 14 other domestic destinations too. We hope to offer attractive airfares from November 08 - March 09 to welcome passengers.”

“Our next project from Sri Lanka would be to introduce a code share flight on Bangkok Airways, which could be expected in the near future.

We hope to operate this code share flights from Bangkok-Male and on the other hand Sri Lankans in Male could opt to use the route Bangkok-Male-Colombo.” The Airline has once again reduced their fares.

This year is significant to us and we have focused on potential areas such as Kandy and Kurunegala, in addition to Colombo. We have had product presentations in order that Agents are able to familiarise themselves with our product. We have further added value, to our Business Class passengers by offering them a baggage wrapping service at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Open Skies Agreement

SINGAPORE: Singapore, Kuwait forges Open Skies Agreement. Under the new agreement, Singapore carriers may now operate any number of flights between Singapore and points in Kuwait, as well as beyond Kuwait to any other city in the world. Similarly, Kuwait carriers will be able to operate any number of flights to and beyond Singapore.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Director General and CEO Lim Kim Choon, and Fawaz Al-Farah, President of Civil Aviation, Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between the two governments at the Seif Palace in Kuwait City. Commenting on the latest OSA inked, Lim said: “This is a very positive agreement that demonstrates our countries’ commitment to promoting liberalisation in the aviation industry.”

He continued, “Singapore carriers will now have full flexibility to plan their commercial operations and to react quickly to future market opportunities.”

Currently, Singapore Airlines Cargo operates to weekly freighter flights between Kuwait and Singapore. With the Singapore - Kuwait OSA, Singapore has concluded OSAs with more than 30 countries.

To date, Changi Airport is served by 81 scheduled airlines operating more than 4400 weekly scheduled flights to 191 cities in 61 countries. (AviationRecord Co.)

Dubai first in Middle East to launch IATA e-freight

Dubai is ushering in a new era for air cargo, as it becomes the first city in the Middle East to launch the IATA e-freight initiative, and only the 14th e-freight location worldwide to deliver paper-free cargo. The ground breaking IATA e-freight initiative went “live” on November 4, and is now operational on the trade lanes between Dubai and Singapore, Hong Kong and London.

Led by Emirates Airline and Dubai Customs, the Dubai IATA e-freight implementation team started work in June 2008 and delivered IATA e-freight on schedule, in a co-ordinated exercise which also involved Dnata, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Schenker, DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne and Nagel, Modern Freight Company, Freightworks, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA e-freight is one of five “Simplifying the Business” projects led by IATA to improve service and cut costs.

It puts in place business, technical and legal frameworks to enable airlines, freight forwarders, customs administrations, ground handling agents and Governments to seamlessly exchange electronic information and e-documents instead of paper. IATA e-freight eliminates the need to send 13 paper documents with air cargo shipments, effectively streamlining processes, improving speed and reliability, and reducing costs.

Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo for Emirates Ram Menen said: “The launch of IATA e-freight in Dubai takes us into a new, more efficient era for air cargo.

Emirates has been one of the key supporters of this initiative, as we see clear benefits in having paper-free operations - efficiency and direct contribution to the bottomline.

IATA e-freight is a revolution for a US$55 billion business that generates 12 per cent of airline revenues and has broad implications for e-trade and the global economy.”

Executive Director for Cargo Operations from Dubai Customs Mohammed Matar Al Marri said: “Over the past 10 years Dubai Customs has been at the forefront of Dubai government departments improving the trade supply process; working with other Government departments and the private sector to facilitate faster processing of legitimate trade movement in Dubai.

Over the last five years we have seen an average yearly growth of more than 22 per cent on the value of imports and exports in Dubai.

“Because of this growth Dubai Customs had already taken the necessary steps to deliver paperless trading to improve business performance and the timing of the IATA e-freight initiative is perfect as it compliments Customs’ other projects to make paperless trading a reality within Dubai.

Currently, Dubai Customs processes over 75 per cent of all declarations through electronic channels and by reaching this milestone of air cargo e-freight with our partners it further delivers goals that we have to facilitate e-trade across air, sea and land channels.”

Over the past year, IATA has assessed the readiness of 209 locations worldwide in addition to the original six e-freight sites. Of these, 46 countries, representing approximately 60 per cent of global air-freight volumes, have the appropriate international treaties and high level customs framework in place to qualify for IATA e-freight.

Special treatment for SriLankan passengers booking online

SriLankan Airlines is rewarding passengers who book through its website www.srilankan.aero (http://www.srilankan.aero) and use its on-line check-in facilities, with special treatment that includes valuable gift packs.

The airline has opened a dedicated counter at Bandaranaike International Airport for passengers who purchase tickets on-line from SriLankan, and also check-in through the on-line check-in facility.

Head of Service Delivery, Captain Milinda Ratnayake, said: “Internet bookings and On-line check-in are now very popular among travellers around the world, as they greatly increase passenger convenience.

However in Sri Lanka the level of Internet usage is still relatively low, and we are encouraging passengers to utilise these useful tools.

You can do this from the convenience of your home, office, or even on the go through your laptop.”

Booking tickets on-line is a simple process due to SriLankan’s easy to use website. Passengers can find information about fares, and choose their destinations, dates of travel, return journeys, class of seating, make bookings for multiple passengers, and even give their meal preferences.

Payment is made on-line by credit card. The website provides all details of flights, and passengers receive an E-ticket.

On-line check-in eliminates the need to stand in long queues at airport check-in counters.

Passengers can check-in as much as 24 hours prior to departure, and even have the luxury of choosing their own seat on the aircraft.

He or she then merely keys in four simple details - name, airport, flight number, and booking reference number.

The Boarding Pass is then displayed on screen, with all necessary details. Passengers may take a print-out of their boarding pass if they wish, although it is not required since he or she can show the e-ticket at the airport and receive a print-out of the Boarding Pass from SriLankan staff.

The website even has a “Guide to Booking On-Line” and a “Guide to Check-in On-line”.

Chinese Passenger Assistants on SriLankan flights to Beijing

SriLankan Airlines has made its Beijing service even more convenient for Chinese passengers by appointing Chinese Language Assistants on board each flight in addition to the airline’s cabin crew.

Head of Service Delivery Captain Milinda Ratnayake said “At SriLankan, we are constantly looking for ways and means to further enhance the level of convenience and comfort of our passengers.

The introduction of Chinese Passenger Assistants will greatly assist our Chinese passengers, many of whom are not fluent in English.” SriLankan Airlines is strongly supporting the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to promote ties between China and Sri Lanka.

Standard Chartered Bank gives customers a reason to smile

ODEL Catwalk sponsored by Standard Chartered FlySmiLes

Standard Chartered Bank took to the catwalk last weekend and launched not only ODEL’s Autumn Collection but also the Standard Chartered FlySmiLes Co-branded Credit Card. The designs unveiled at the catwalk included the latest and trendiest ladies and gents wear.

The ladies range comprised of Didier Parakian, Aftershock, Morgan, and Jus D Orange, while the gents range included Kenzo and Calvin Klein amongst others.

As part of the event, Standard Chartered Bank Credit Cardholders were rewarded with a staggering 20 per cent discount for purchases above Rs.5,000 at the event and during the week preceding the event in addition to many gifts and surprises, free Standard Chartered Credit Cards were offered to all those who applied on the above dates.

“We were thrilled to partner ODEL and offer our shoppers this unique opportunity.

Going by the response we received, during the ODEL Catwalk weekend, the event was an astounding success” said Head of Credit Cards and Personal Loans Sheahan Arasaratnam.

Standard Chartered Bank becomes the first bank in Sri Lanka to launch the FlySmiLes Co-branded Credit Card with Sri Lankan Airlines.

The Bank is also the first to tie up with SriLankan Airlines and its frequent flyer programme.

Aimed at its large audience of frequent flyer customers the Bank and the National Carrier have launched this attractive credit card focused at giving the customers a unique new accelerated mode of accumulating Air Miles and enjoying its subsequent rewards.

Customers can spend on anything from groceries to clothing, jewellery to dining, furniture to family entertainment, and enjoy a truly rewarding experience by earning 1 FlySmiLes miles for every Rs.100 spent.

Additionally, reward flights can be redeemed from just 10,000 Miles upwards.

Customers can now enjoy the benefits of this innovative programme by applying for a FlySmiLes card at any of the Standard Chartered Bank branch and existing Standard Chartered Gold Master Cardholders can simply switch to the new FlySmiLes programme.

Singapore Airlines says Q2 net profit down 36.2 percent

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Thursday its fiscal second quarter net profit fell 36.2 percent from the previous year and the outlook remained weak as a global economic slump escalates.

The airline earned 324 million Singapore dollars (218 million US) in the three months to September, down from 508 million dollars.

Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a net profit of 333 million dollars.

Revenue came in at 4.38 billion dollars, up 9.4 percent from the same quarter last year, but expenditure surged 20.3 percent to 4.15 billion dollars led by higher fuel costs, SIA said in a statement.

The airline said it spent 1.92 billion dollars on fuel during the quarter, or 46 percent of total expenditure. “The financial turmoil around the world and weak consumer confidence are impacting demand for air transportation,” it said.

“Although advance bookings for the immediate next quarter are holding up reasonably well, there are signs of weakness beyond that.

Fuel prices have retreated but fuel remains the biggest single item of operating expenditure.”

SIA said the “recent volatility in currency markets presents another challenge.”

As fuel and aircraft-related payments are made in US dollars, the sharp appreciation of the greenback and the concurrent depreciation of the euro, British pound and the Australian dollar has affected the company, it said.

“In such an environment, the company’s sound finances and low level of debt put it in a position of strength. Management will monitor business trends closely and respond appropriately,” SIA added.

SIA said it took delivery of three Airbus A380-800s and four Boeing B777-300ERs during the fiscal first half.

As of September 30 it had a fleet of 101 aircraft with an average age of six years and three months.

Due to weaker demand, SIA said it suspended services to Osaka via Bangkok from May 2008 and Los Angeles via Taipei from October. From February next year, the airline will suspend services to Amritsar in India.

Analysts have said the aviation industry will be hit hard by the global economic downturn as people cut back on travel.

SINGAPORE, Thursday, AFP