AVIATION

SriLankan, Royal Jordanian seal code-share deal

SriLankan Airlines has concluded a code-share agreement with Royal Jordanian (RJ), which will permit SriLankan to sell on RJ on their three weekly flights between Colombo and Amman.

The codeshare is effective from August 26. Under this agreement, SriLankan will be the marketing carrier and will place its marketing carrier code between the Amman and Colombo route operated by RJ. SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, said, “Royal Jordanian becomes SriLankan’s sixth code-share partner, and the first that is a full-fledged one world member. We look forward to a future that will give us more opportunities together with Royal Jordanian, where we will build on the synergies of the two networks and explore avenues of cooperation.”

RJ President/CEO, Amer Hadidi, noted that RJ is glad to partner with one of Asia’s fastest growing airlines acknowledged for its high-class service and reliability; particularly that it will be a full-fledged ‘one’world member next year.

“Our partnership will also allow us to boost the ‘one’world global network in a region of high air travel demand,” he said.

This co-operation between SriLankan and RJ will be expanded whereby the two airlines will have code-share operations beyond Colombo and Amman, providing more travel options to their passengers.

Singapore Airlines set to redefine airport lounge experience

Singapore Airlines has appointed renowned architectural and interior design firm NG&ONG to develop a new design concept to be applied to the entire Airline’s airport lounges worldwide.

The appointment is part of a more than $20 million investment programme in SilverKris Lounges for the next five years intended to enhance the travel experience of our customers.

The new design concept will be rolled out progressively to the Airline’s lounges from the middle of next year. The SilverKris Lounge at Sydney Airport will be the first to be fitted out with the new design concept.

Customer engagement will be a part of the design process, and a mix of customers will be involved from the initial conceptualisation to the testing and evaluation of prototypes.

“Many of our customers tell us that the moment they step on board a Singapore Airlines aircraft, they feel an immediate sense of ‘home’. We hope to replicate that ‘home away from home’ experience in our lounges, along with the warm Asian hospitality that Singapore Airlines is renowned for,” said SIA’s Senior Vice President Product & Services, Tan Pee Teck.

“Apart from providing customers with an inviting and exclusive contemporary space, the next generation of SilverKris Lounges will meet the changing needs and expectations of both business and leisure travellers and better integrate the ground and air travel experience.”

ONG&ONG was selected following an extensive tender exercise involving the participation of both local and international design firms. The project will be headed by ONG&ONG’s Experience Design studio OX:D which is known for its 360º design approach that combines both design and business solutions.

Tan added: “We are very pleased to be working with ONG&ONG. Much like Singapore Airlines, it is a home-grown company with extensive regional and international experience, which will help provide important insight into customer desires and expectations.”

Said OX:D’s Director, Mr Ken Yuktasevi: “The heart of Experience Design (OX:D) at

ONG&ONG is deeply rooted in creating a meaningful experience based on the needs of the user. The ability to evoke an emotional response makes the difference between an experience and a space. Being selected as a local designer for this project is a privilege and honour, and we look forward to working with Singapore Airlines to create a memorable travel experience for their customers.”

Ahead of the introduction of the new design concept next year, Singapore Airlines continues to focus efforts on improving existing SilverKris Lounges, as part of the more than $20 million investment programme over five years. Singapore Airlines has 15 SilverKris Lounges at airports around the world, inclusive of new lounges at Delhi and Seoul airports.

In addition, the SilverKris Lounge at Melbourne Airport will be undergoing expansion and renovation works. Due for completion around the end of November, the improvements will offer increased seating capacity as well as a new dining area.

Etihad Airways, daily to Brisbane

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced plans to increase flights between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi from three times a week to a daily service from February 1, 2013.

This will bring to 28 the total number of flights Etihad Airways operates between Australia and Abu Dhabi, together with partner airline Virgin Australia.

The additional four services will continue to operate via Singapore in both directions and provide a new daily link between the city pairs.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the increase in frequency was a game-changing move for the airline on the Abu Dhabi-Singapore-Australia route. “Going daily to Brisbane and Singapore puts Etihad Airways in a stronger competitive position and will increase the airline’s brand footprint exponentially in these markets.

“We are now able to offer corporate and leisure travellers a more appealing proposition: more flights, more convenience, improved connections and a wider choice of destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Countries, and on the Virgin Australia domestic network.

“These extra flights to Brisbane and Singapore underscore the strategic importance of Australia and the Asia Pacific region and the contribution each makes to the airline’s goal of sustainable profitability.

“We look forward to working with our partners in government and industry to increase business and leisure tourism and to cement the route’s enduring success.”

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said Etihad’s plan to increase the number of flights was a boost to Queensland’s economy and the tourism industry.

“This will see thousands of extra people a year coming into Queensland, injecting millions of dollars into our economy and resulting in more jobs being created,” said Newman.

“More flights into the state opens up opportunities for international travellers to see some of the many wonderful tourist attractions Queensland has to offer.”

Etihad Airways commenced thrice weekly flights to Brisbane and Singapore on September 28, 2007. The Queensland capital was the airline’s second destination in Australia and the 43rd in its global network. It operates an Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the Abu Dhabi-Singapore-Brisbane route. The aircraft is configured in two classes with 22 seats in Pearl Business Class and 240 seats in Coral Economy Class.

Emirates resumes services to Tripoli

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, is to restart its flights to Tripoli from October 29, 2012, illustrating Libya’s importance in Emirates’ global network and the airline’s commitment to the country.

Under the new schedule, Emirates four-weekly flights to Tripoli would leave Dubai every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 0925hrs and arrive at the Tripoli International Airport at 1400hrs. Flights to and from Tripoli would be served by an Airbus A330-200 in a 3-class configuration, offering 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 183 Economy seats, alongside up to 15 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity.

“In resuming our flights to Tripoli, Emirates is underlining its commitment to Libya at a time when the country is demonstrating its strength and resilience in the face of adversity,” said Jean Luc Grillet, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Africa. “We have been closely monitoring the situation in Libya and feel that the time is right to re-launch our services, which would help to support business, international trade and passenger travelto and from Tripoli, as well as strengthening the country’s overall infrastructure.”

Tripoli has been part of Emirates’ route network since March 2001, when services were launched with 4 flights a week.

On Junethis year, Emirates underlined its commitment to Libya with the reopening of its Tripoli town office. The one-stop travel hub has been designed to make business and leisure travel easier and more convenient, with ticketing and reservation counters for general enquiries and dedicated counters for premium passengers, Emirates Holidays customers and travel agents.

Tripoli is one of 21 destinations to which Emirates currently flies in Africa. The resumed service wouldbe of particular benefit to passengers with connections within the GCC, Indian Subcontinent and Far East points.