AVIATION

Malaysia Airways joins oneworld family

M F Jabir in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia officially joined the oneworld alliance by unveiling its first aircraft with oneworld livery in Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Thursday.

An MAS Airbus A330-300 aircraft departed February 1 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Melbourne marking its first flight where oneworld's full range of services and benefits were offered to MAS travellers.

The airline's entry adds 16 new destinations, including Brunei, into oneworld's route map, strengthening the alliance's connectivity between key business cities in Asia. By joining the alliance, MAS would now be able to fly its passengers to oneworld's global coverage of 842 destinations in 156 countries.

"This is a momentous occasion for Malaysia Airlines. We are proud to carry the oneworld logo to all our destinations like in the long haul to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and US, travellers could now enjoy a variety of benefits with MAS, which acts as the alliance's sole representative in the South-East Asian region. Malaysia Airlines' two million Enrich loyalty programme members will be able to enjoy full oneworld frequent flyer benefits when flying with any oneworld member airline worldwide," added, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Executive.

Oneworld's CEO Bruce Ashby said MAS will enhance the alliance's presence in Southeast Asia and turn Kuala Lumpur into its gateway to the region.

Ashby said: "We didn't have a member in Southeast Asia. We had Hong Kong, we had Sydney, but we were lacking a presence in this area. We now have Malaysia, and Sri Lanka will be coming in probably later this year."

Malaysia Airlines is Oneworld's 12th member.

The alliance operates over 9,000 daily flights, carrying nearly a million passengers a day.

It currently flies to more than 850 destinations in almost 160 countries.

MAS said joining the alliance is part of its key strategy in its turnaround plan.

	A Malaysian music and dance troupe performing at the event
L-R: oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby, Malaysia Airlines’ Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce unveiling the oneworld logo

Etihad Airways posts 200% rise in net profit

Etihad Airways, the fast-growing carrier of Abu Dhabi, posted a 200 percent rise in net profit in 2012 and a 17 percent increase in revenues, the airlines said in a statement on Monday.

Etihad posted a net income of $42 million last year compared to $14 million in 2011 when it made its first ever profit, said the statement which attributed the rise to strong improvements in revenues, passengers and cost control.

The flag carrier of the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said revenues increased to $4.8 billion in 2012 compared to $4.1 billion the previous year.

The number of passengers grew a healthy 23 percent to 10.3 million compared to 8.4 million in 2011, significantly boosted by Etihad's partnerships which delivered more than $600 million in total revenue.

"This has been a game-changing year for Etihad Airways," James Hogan, the airline's president and chief executive officer said.

"We have delivered improved net profit, the second consecutive year we have been in the black, a remarkable achievement given the youth, ambitious growth and ongoing investment made by this airline in a challenging global economic environment," he said in the statement.

Etihad said it succeeded in building the first "equity alliance" with investments of 40 percent in Air Seychelles, 29.2 percent in airberlin, 9.0 percent in Virgin Australia and about 3.0 percent in Aer Lingus.

"We have taken great strides in building the industry's first equity alliance ... which (is) contributing significant value to our business," Hogan said.

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 24 percent to $170 million, while EBITDAR (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals) rose to $753 million, up 16 percent, Etihad said.

Hogan said more than 50 institutions have provided around $6.8 billion in cumulative funding for the airline's ongoing expansion.

Planned fleet upgrades for 2013 include 14 aircraft, with 11 passenger aircraft deliveries and three freighter deliveries, Etihad said. The orders are for nine wide-bodied Boeing and Airbus aircraft and five narrow-body Airbus aircraft. These will meet Etihad Airways' immediate growth requirements.

At the end of 2012, the company had 10,656 employees, 18 percent more than in 2011, representing more than 125 nationalities.

Etihad Airways, which began operations in 2003, serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

It operates a fleet of 70 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 90 aircraft on firm order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft.

Global firms eye contracts in India

South Asia's biggest airshow kicks off in India on Wednesday, where global armament firms will be vying for multi-billion dollar contracts from the world's biggest importer of weapons.

India launched the biannual Aero India event in 1996, three years before a mini-war with Pakistan prompted New Delhi to go on a global shopping spree for tens of billions of dollars worth of hardware to equip its million-strong military.

A total of 78 countries have confirmed their attendance, while companies from 27 of them will showcase their latest products at the five-day show in Bangalore, the hub of India's aviation, space and IT industries.

India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which signed a deal with Russia in 2010 worth $30 billion to jointly produce 250 to 300 fifth-generation fighter jets, says it hopes to ink major contracts during the show.

"A number of memorandum of understandings in the pipeline are likely to be signed at the airshow," a senior HAL source said without elaborating.

Seattle-based Boeing last year pipped its rivals to provide India with 37 attack and heavy-lift helicopters worth more than one billion dollars. Negotiations are currently underway.

Such negotiations are not a guarantee of sale in Indian defence deals, which can be excruciatingly slow and are often held up by administrative problems and red tape.

India in February last year chose Dassault Aviation of France as the preferred bidder in a $12 billion deal for 126 fighter jets, but talks are still underway with no progress expected this financial year.

Other deals still awaiting a green light include a $600 million contract to supply 197 helicopters to the Indian army, which was scrapped in 2007 after being awarded to the European manufacturer Eurocopter.

The helicopter unit of aerospace giant EADS in 2010 resubmitted a bid for the same deal, with Russia's Kamov also in the running.

AFP

Qantas broadens reach in Asia

Australian flag-carrier Qantas Monday announced plans to broaden its reach in Asia as part of a strategy to turn around its struggling international arm, with several extra destinations being considered.

The move is a consequence of its global alliance with Dubai-based Emirates, which means its services to Asia will no longer be tied to onward links to Europe.New direct destinations from Australia being considered include Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo-Haneda, while increasing capacity and frequency of flights to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Qantas International chief executive Simon Hickey said Asia was a key pillar of the company's future. "Our first step has been to restructure existing services to Asia now that they are no longer tied to onward links to Europe," he said.

"The number of dedicated seats on Qantas services to Hong Kong and Singapore is increasing significantly, because capacity previously set aside for customers going to Europe via these hubs can be freed up.

AFP

Singapore airport handles record 51 mn passengers

Singapore's Changi Airport said Thursday it had enjoyed its busiest year in 2012, handling a record 51.2 million passengers, underscoring its position as a regional aviation hub.

"Passenger traffic for the year totalled 51.2 million, increasing by 10.0 percent over the whole of 2011," Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a statement.

Itwas the first time in the airport's 31-year history that the number of people passing through had crossed 50 million, CAG said, adding that the rise came despite economic woes in Europe. Its previous record of 46.5 million passengers was seen in 2011.

"Despite weak market conditions in the eurozone, there was encouraging improvement in demand for travel to and from Europe. In 2012, passenger traffic between Singapore and Europe grew 7.5 percent," it said.

Changi was voted the second-best airport in the world by Airports Council International in 2012, behind Seoul's Incheon.

"Changi continued to experience strong growth in the South Asia, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific regions, accentuating its position as a key air hub in Asia-Pacific," the operator said.

The busiest route the airport served last year by passenger traffic was to and from Jakarta, followed by Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

CAG chief executive Lee Seow Hiang said "2012 was indeed a good year for us".He added: "In spite of the economic challenges faced by the aviation industry, we stayed nimble and worked extremely closely with our partners.

AFP

Emirates offers free tickets to HSBC Credit Card holders

Emirates and HSBC have once again collaborated to reward HSBC credit cardholders in Sri Lanka, with a chance to win eight return airline tickets from Colombo to Dubai and Singapore.

The promotion which runs until March15, 2013, is open to all HSBC credit cardholders and valid for online purchases via www.emirates.com/lk, at travel agency counters or at the Emirates Colombo office.

Winners will be selected through a draw after March15 for eight prizes - four prizes of 40,000 Skywards Miles each and four prizes of 30,000 Skywards Miles from the airline's frequent flyer programme.

40,000Skywards Miles may be redeemed for a Colombo - Dubai Economy Class return air ticket, while 30,000 Skywards Miles is the equivalent to a Colombo - Singapore Economy Class return air ticket.

"HSBC credit cardholders represent an important segment of our customers, and Emirates is happy to reward them for their patronage," said Devika Ellepola, Emirates Sales Manager in Sri Lanka.

"As an enabler of global connectivity and experiences, we also hope this promotion will stimulate the 'globalistas' among this special group of customers."

"We are pleased to partner Emirates in offering our cardholders beneficial travel rewards when they fly for business or pleasure," said Nilantha Bastian, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC. "We believe this will help increase the propensity for travel among our cardholders and give them the opportunity to enjoy a world class travel experience onboard Emirates Airline."

Emirates and HSBC have collaborated on several occasions in the past to offer customers attractive deals. Some of the most recent offers include a 10 percent discount for HSBC Signature cardholders on tickets to 10 popular destinations, and a zero-interest payment scheme on travel to all points on the Emirates global network.

To be eligible to participate in this draw, all HSBC credit cardholders who pay for their tickets using their credit cards during the two month promotion will be required to register themselves on a special landing page on the Emirates website www.emirates.com/lk. Outbound travel on the purchased ticket will also have to take place betweentJanuary 15 and March15 , 2013.

Sri Lankan air force personnel work on a new runway in northern region of Kilinochchi on January 30, 2013, the former stronghold of Tamil Tiger rebels who were defeated by security forces in May 2009. Troops captured the Iranamadu air strip from the rebels during the war and now the facility is being developed as a domestic airport. AFP