AirlinesAir China to boost direct sales to 50% in 2017Air China aims to boost direct sales of tickets from 27% to 50% in 2017 as a part of its strategic initiatives to improve its e-commerce platform. As a result of the new policy, Air China would impose huge fines on domestic online travel agents (OTAs) and even cancel the qualifications of OTAs if their ticket prices are 2% lower than those sold on the carrier’s official website.
LinkAmerican to reach final integration milestone next monthAmerican Airlines has reached four out of five milestones for its merger integration with US Airways. The final milestone, integrating the two passenger service systems, is slated to finish on Oct. 17.
LinkAmerican Airlines opens new operations center in TexasAmerican Airlines opened its new operation center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday. Some 1,600 employees work at the Robert W. Baker Integrated Operations Center, which is open around the clock.
LinkEmirates to increase capacity on Dubai-Saint Petersburg routeEmirates Airline will increase capacity on its Dubai-Saint Petersburg route, despite turbulence in the Russian market. The Dubai-based carrier will use a Boeing 777-300ER instead of an Airbus A330-200 on six out of seven weekly services from Oct. 25. From Dec. 1, the 777-300ER will operate all flights on the route, which will increase capacity 50%, according to the carrier.
LinkFinnair preparing for national labor union demonstrationsFinnair is gearing up for nationwide labor union demonstrations on Friday, Sept. 18, that could significantly affect customer service, baggage handling and other services related to flight departures at Helsinki Airport. The demonstration is expected to impact thousands of Finnair passengers due to flight delays, timetable changes and flight cancellations on Friday and into the weekend.
LinkKingfisher Investigated Over Alleged IrregularitiesIndia's financial fraud agency has sought information from United Spirits in connection with an investigation into former group firm Kingfisher Airlines over alleged diversion of funds. The agency is looking into alleged financial irregularities from 2005, when Vijay Mallya's UB Group controlled both companies, TV channel CNBC TV18 reported.
LinkSkyWest to operate more 76-seat regional jets for UnitedSkyWest Airlines, based in Utah, will operate more Embraer E175s on behalf of United Airlines. SkyWest will add 18 of the 76-seat regional jets under a new agreement with United.
LinkSouthwest offers contest to attend Calif. music festivalSouthwest Airlines is offering a contest for two people to win a trip to Napa Valley, Calif., for a music festival in November. Barenaked Ladies, one of the top acts at the festival, also performed an inflight concert aboard a Southwest Boeing 737 aircraft.
LinkVietjet Lines Up USD$347 Mln Aircraft FundingVietJet Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi UFJ for a USD$347.2 million loan to part finance its fleet expansion. The loan will cover financing for three Airbus A321s, the airline said in a statement. The deal is part of VietJet's plans to buy or lease a total of 107 aircraft over the next decade, receiving 10 to 12 new planes a year.
LinkATSB probes Virgin Australia A320 flight control incidentThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into an automated flight control issue involving a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines-operated Airbus A320 on 12 September. The ATSB says the aircraft, registered VH-FNP (MSN 429), was around 20 minutes into a flight from Perth to Boolgeeda when air traffic control noticed it was deviating from its assigned flight level.
LinkWestJet to fly to London Gatwick from six Canadian citiesWestJet will operate Boeing 767-300 flights to London Gatwick from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and St. John’s starting in early May 2016. The Canadian low-cost carrier (LCC) had previously announced it would fly to London Gatwick, but the airline revealed the specific routes and introductory fares Sept. 15. Introductory one-way base fares plus taxes will range from C$199 ($150) to C$299 as the Calgary-based carrier attempts to lure passengers with low transatlantic fares.
LinkStrike Causes Chile Flight CancellationsFlights in and out of Chile were cancelled on Tuesday as workers tied to the country's civil aviation authority went on a 24-hour strike ahead of a September 18 national independence day holiday. Chile's civil aviation authority, the DGAC, said all of the country's airports were affected as a majority of workers affiliated with it went on strike to demand improved benefits and working conditions.
LinkTunisia Enhances Security To Win Back TouristsTunisia has seen tourism numbers drop after a gunman killed dozens of tourists at a beach resort in June, but hopes increased security at hotels, airports and museums can start to restore some confidence in the country. "We are scared Tunisia will disappear off the tourist map," Abdellatif Hamam, the director general of the Tunisian Tourist Office said at a tourism conference in Germany.
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