Aer Lingus’ new Dublin-Washington DC flight on August 6th was the first to operate under the new Open Skies agreement that facilitates granting of new routes between the EU and the United States. Although the pact will not be fully implemented until March of 2008, Aer Lingus has been granted rights for three new routes before the end of this year. Flights to Orlando and San Francisco will be launched in October, bringing the number of US destinations served by the airline to seven. The new flights will provide for 6,200 additional passengers each week on Ireland – US routes. The Irish government obtained the new air rights in advance of other EU airlines. [Read more…]
Hong Kong Express Adds Bangkok and Phuket Routes
Hong Kong Express Airways will open two new routes to Thailand this year, starting in early September with Bangkok. The four-times-weekly flight to Bangkok will be on its B737-800 aircraft. The airline started flying to Thailand in June of 2006 with service to Chiang Mai, and will add Phuket to its Thai destinations later this year. In addition to Phuket, Hong Kong Express will add four more regional routes in 2007. [Read more…]
Frontier Flies Denver – Baton Rouge
Frontier became the first and only budget airline to fly into Baton Rouge, Louisiana when it launched a twice-daily non-stop service from its Denver hub August 15th. The new route provides low-fare flights and connections to other cities served by Frontier, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Calgary.
Anthony J. Marino, Director of Aviation, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport said, “The maiden voyage from Baton Rouge to Denver and vice versa will ensure the residents of Baton Rouge and the surrounding area more options, lower fares, and superior service.” [Read more…]
Jet Airways Launches Mumbai – New York Route
On August 5th, Jet Airways began daily service to New York (Newark) from Mumbai, via its Brussels hub. Jet is the first Indian airline in the private sector to fly this route. The lighting of a traditional lamp marked the event, which was attended by local dignitaries and airline senior management. To mark the event, the first passenger to check in for each class was presented with flowers.
The flight carries 312 passengers in a three-class configuration on a new Boeing 777-300 ER airplane. Each First Class passenger will occupy a private space with dual sliding doors that provides over 26 square feet of usable space, creating the first airline suite aloft. The suite contains a 23-inch flat-screen monitor, and an 83-inch flat-bed seat, the world’s longest. The beverage service will offer single malt whiskies, French wines, and champagnes that include vintage Dom Perignon and Krug. [Read more…]
Cebu Pacific Adds Cagayan de Oro Flight
Cebu Pacific will start serving Cagayan de Oro with three direct flights per week starting September 27. The budget airline will also add a Thursday flight to its Hong Kong schedule September 13, bringing the total number of flights per week to six.
The carrier offered a reduced introductory one-way fare of P98 (US $2.15) on the Cebu-Cagayan de Oro flight, with purchase required before August 15th. The lowest regular fare offer will be P288 (US $45.67) one way, an 82% reduction from the normal fare for this route. All fares are exclusive of surcharges and taxes. The Airbus A319 will be used on the new route, which leaves Cebu Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:05, arriving in Cagayan de Oro at 1:50. The return leg leaves at 2:20 for arrival in Cebu at 3:05. [Read more…]
