Aviation

Emirates, ASA tie up to save fuel consumption

Emirates Airline has saved almost 10 million litres of jet fuel and 772 hours of flight time in the five years since working with AirServices Australia (ASA) to pioneer an innovative flight route planning and airspace management programme called Flex Tracks.

The Flex Tracks programme, which involves the use of sophisticated ground and cockpit technology to track live weather to chase tailwind and favourable conditions, was developed by ASA and Emirates in December 2003.

Following the fifth anniversary of Flex Tracks, Emirates has now fully analyzed the results over this period and can reveal that the partnership to cut fuel burn, flight time and emissions has delivered aggregated fuel savings of 9.6 million litres (equivalent to approximately 351 tanker trucks) and cut flight times by 772 hours and 21 minutes.

The fuel burn reductions achieved by Emirates has also resulted in substantial cuts to emissions, with a total reduction of 26,644 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and 163 tonnes of Nitrogen Oxide (NO2). "Since its launch in 2003 Emirates has progressively expanded the operation of Flex Tracks to all its Australian services and is a major pillar of the airline's efforts to drive eco-efficiencies throughout its global network," said President Emirates Airline.

"Emirates has made a multi-billion dollar investment in new state-of-the-art aircraft, and Flex Tracks helps us stretch the environmental performance and unlock the full potential of these new aircraft. Emirates' partnership with ASA is a great symbol of our commitment to driving eco-efficiency throughout our operations. Saving 9.6 million litres of fuel makes good commercial sense and also delivers significant environmental dividends," he said.

Flex Tracks allow pilots and Emirates flight operations to exploit prevailing weather conditions and maximise tailwind.

The Flex Tracks programme is particularly significant for ultra long-haul flights where weather reports of upper-level winds are regularly updated in-flight, allowing significant fuel burn and time savings to take place.

Riyadh joins Singapore Airlines network

Singapore Airlines launched its inaugural flight to Riyadh last week.

To celebrate this special occasion, customers will be treated to refreshments and a special gift to commemorate the event at the gate-hold room before boarding.

The return leg of the trip - SQ453 - will depart from Riyadh at 2015 hrs, and arrive in Singapore at 1105 hrs the next day. Both legs of the flight will operate via Dubai, UAE.

The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh boasts both modern skyscrapers, such as Kingdom Centre, and historical monuments, such as the walled city of Dir'aiyah and Musmak Fortress.

Dir'aiyah is the kingdom's first capital and now a Saudi archaeological site, while Musmak Fortress is the city's most significant historical monument dating back to 1865.

Singapore Airlines Executive Vice-President Marketing and the Regions, Huang Cheng Eng, believes the addition of Riyadh, a city of much importance in the region, will strengthen Singapore Airlines' presence in Saudi Arabia.

"We are delighted to welcome Riyadh as the latest destination in our global network, and we look forward to extending our welcome to customers on this new service.

The warm relationship between Singapore and Saudi Arabia has grown over the years, and we believe the introduction of Singapore Airlines' new service between the two cities will help foster even closer bilateral trade links."

Customers on this new service can look forward to a variety of delightful dining choices. Customers travelling First Class can try the mutton in coriander gravy, a specially created dish by world-renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor, a member of Singapore Airlines' International Culinary Panel. Customers in all classes may also choose dishes from Singapore Airlines' Popular Local Fare programme, including the famous Singapore chicken rice, among others.

Riyadh is the second city in Saudi Arabia to which Singapore Airlines operates, after Jeddah.

The Airline will maintain its current three-times-weekly services to Jeddah, via Abu Dhabi.

Customers interested in booking flights and viewing fares for flights to Riyadh can visit singaporeair.com.

Thai Airways reduce fuel surcharge by 40%

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that it has reduced its fuel surcharge on its domestic and international routes by 40 per cent last week.

In a statement issued by the company, Pandit Chanapai, Thai Executive Vice-President, Commercial Department said that the reduction was a result of the decline in the global oil prices.

For Thai domestic routes it will be THB400 instead of the current THB700 per flight, excluding Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son v v, THAI will charge THB200 per sector.

Fuel and Insurance Charges are subject to change, the statement said. Travellers are advised to contact local travel agents for more information.

(AIS1)

International air traffic decline continues

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced international air traffic for October showing a second consecutive month of global decline. International passenger traffic declined by 1.3 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year-a smaller decline than the 2.9 per cent drop experienced in September.

The October load factor was 75 per cent, approximately 2 per cent below previous year levels.

International air freight traffic contracted by 7.9 per cent in October for a fifth consecutive month of increasingly severe drops. "The gloom continues and the situation of the industry remains critical. While the drop in oil prices is welcome relief, recession is now the biggest threat to airline profitability.

The slight slowing in the decline of passenger traffic is likely only temporary. The deepening slump in cargo markets is a clear indication that the worst is yet to come," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Asia-Pacific carriers, which represent 31 per cent of global international passenger traffic, saw passenger traffic decline by 6.1 per cent (slightly improved from the 6.8 per cent decline in September). A capacity reduction of 2.3 per cent could not keep pace with the drop in demand, taking load factors for the region's carriers to 72.2 per cent.

Year-to-date growth for Asia-Pacific carriers fell to 0.3 per cent, the weakest growth outside of Africa.