Oman Air Celebrates Two Wins

OMAN Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has won two prestigious design awards – best New First Class 2018 and Best New Lounge 2018 in TheDesignAir Awards 2018. 

TheDesignAir Awards have been running for six years and celebrate the very best in aviation design across the globe. The judging panel, made up of eight aviation and design experts, awarded Oman Air with the accolades following the unveiling of the new lounge at Muscat Airport and the launch of the three-class Dreamliner earlier this year. 

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Lucky Thirteen: Paris to Fuzhou

XIAMEN Airlines, voted China's "Best Airlines" for its extraordinary aviation service for 6 consecutive years since 2012, is officially launching its new direct flight between Paris and Fuzhou on Dec. 11th, 2018. The opening of this new route will provide unique experiences for passengers.

The Paris – Fuzhou route operates three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 13 hours and 25 minutes one way. It departs from Paris at 13:30 (GMT+8) and arrives at Fuzhou around 07:30 the next morning; the returning flight departs at 00:30 from Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) and reaches Paris at 06:55.

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Aeroflot flying high

AEROFLOT'S leading position in global aviation was affirmed this weekend when it took two top prizes at the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards 2018 - World's Leading Airline Brand and World's Leading Airline - Business Class.

Aeroflot maintained its status as the No. 1 brand in global aviation for a second year in a row, remaining the only holder of this title from the World Travel Awards in history. Aeroflot took the World's Leading Airline - Business Class category for the first time.



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Bangkok Airways and Philippine Airlines partnership

BANGKOK Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are all set to embark on a partnership to expand convenient connections for passengers traveling between Philippines and Thailand. This will enable Bangkok Airways’ passengers to travel on Philippine Airlines’ flight between Bangkok and Manila while PAL passengers flying from Manila will be able to connect seamlessly on Bangkok Airways’ flights to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Passengers on these codeshare flights will be checked-in all the way to their final destination. Plans are underway to expand this partnership further to include other destinations in Thailand which are gateways to the most popular Thai beaches, resorts and other breathtaking cultural and natural attractions.

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Up in the air . . .

THE UK Civil Aviation Authority has published its initial review of how airlines allocate seats to passengers.

CAA research concluded that, for most people, having to pay in advance to sit together was one of their biggest concerns. The findings were further reinforced by the number of consumers who contacted the CAA directly for advice.

Seating policies varied between airlines operating in the UK, which meant those flying with some airlines were more likely to report being separated from their group than those flying with others.

The CAA report revealed consumers were most likely to spend £5-£30 per seat, per journey, but seats could cost up to £100.00.  Collectively, consumers may be paying between £160 million to £390 million per year for allocated seating.

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Flight Attendants Cheer in the U.S.

THE 50,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, received the news of the passage of a five-year FAA Reauthorization Bill including a 10 hour minimum rest provision to combat Flight Attendant fatigue. The bill includes more Flight Attendant safety priorities including forever banning knives on planes, no voice calls on planes, and extending the smoking ban to e-cigarettes. 

Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America.



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Up in the air: history made by Qantas

QANTAS' first Perth to London flight has taken off, marking the start of the only direct air link between #Australia and #Europe – and the fastest way of traveling between the two continents. 

The history-making QF9, carrying more than 200 passengers and 16 crew, pushed back just before 7pm on Saturday evening and will landed in London at 5am on Sunday. Operated by a Boeing 787-9, the flight reduces total travel time by eliminating stopovers and taking advantage of the most favourable winds on any given day without having to factor in a mid-point in the Middle East or Asia when choosing a flight path.

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Heathrow offers prize for green aviation ideas

UK businesses and organisations are being invited to apply for Heathrow’s first Sustainable Innovation Prize submitting ideas on how to address the environmental challenges of airports and the aviation industry.

The winning entry of the Sustainable Innovation Prize will be awarded £20,000 and the green light to develop their idea, earning the opportunity to use Heathrow as a ‘live laboratory.’ Here they will be able to trial and develop their winning concept and gain exposure to Heathrow’s operation and partners in the process.

This launch of the Sustainable Innovation Prize coincides with activity marking the anniversary of the Heathrow 2.0 - the airport’s plan for sustainable growth. The prize will further Heathrow’s ambitions to make its business a centre of excellence for aviation sustainability, reducing the airport’s social and environmental impacts, while maximising the economic opportunities in the UK.

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Emirates makes Dubai even more attractive for Australians

EMIRATES is extending its popular My Emirates Pass program to Australians visiting #Dubai. The program gives #Emirates customers exclusive offers and discounts across the city by turning the Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card. 

This comes as Emirates offers Australian travellers more chances to take advantage of its global route network with improved connections from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 

Those flying to or through Dubai between 1 January and 31 March 2018 can take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification.

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Up in the air . . .

ETHIOPIAN Airlines, the largest Aviation Group and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce that it has won Airline of the Year Award, for the sixth consecutive year in a row, by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) during its 49th Annual General Assembly held on November 13, 2017, in Kigali. The AFRAA annual awards recognize excellence in service delivery, innovation and competitiveness in airlines, individuals and service providers in the African aviation industry.

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First Irish tail fin hero for Norwegian

AIRLINE Norwegian and the Crean Family have announced that Irish Antarctic explorer Tom Crean will become its first Irish tail fin hero – the explorer’s portrait will appear on the airline’s new 737MAX aircraft that will serve new transatlantic routes from Cork, Shannon and Dublin to the US East Coast this summer.

Born in County Kerry in 1877, Tom Crean joined the Royal Navy aged just 15, quickly becoming recognised as an accomplished sailor. In 1901, a chance encounter with Robert Falcon Scott saw Crean join Captain Scott’s ship ‘Discovery’ for an exploration into the unchartered Antarctica waters – it would become the first of several polar expeditions undertaken by Crean that led him to become known as one of Ireland's greatest Antarctic explorers.

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New Zambian aviation charges introduced

THE Zambian Civil Aviation Authority and National Airports Corporation Ltd have announced the following aviation fees effective 1 December 2016:-

1. Passenger Safety charge (Zambian Civil Aviation Authority)
2. Navigation fees (National Airports)

The implications of these fees are as follows:-

International flights:
Payable on any tickets bought from 01/12/16 at US$ 10 per person. This will be added to the ticket by the airline and has an IATA code H2. All tickets bought prior to today are exempt.

Domestic flights:
An additional US$ 5 per person will be collected for passenger's safety charges and airport charges effective from the 1st of December 2016. This extra charge will be collected directly from guests at the airport.

Helicopter & Microlight flights:
An additional US$ 6 per person will be collected for passenger's safety charges and airport charges effective from the 1st of December 2016. This extra charge will be collected directly from guests at the helipad.

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Eyes Down

THE Civial Aviation Authority (CAA) in partnership with VisitEngland have launched '400ft Britain', a #drone #photography and videography #competition.

In keeping with the national tourism organisation's #OMGB marketing campaign to celebrate amazing 'Oh My Great Britain' moments and experiences, budding drone enthusiasts are invited to submit an image or short video of the British countryside, whether it's the stunning Yorkshire Dales, a sunset over the South Downs or the picturesque Lake District.

Running until 31 January 2017 imagery can be submitted through the simple hashtag #400ftBritain either via Twitter or Instagram.

The competition terms and conditions can be read here: www.400ftBritain.com.

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Picture Credit: William Hook flickr.com/photos/83542829@N00/29546352454 Milford Canal & River Sow Panorama  via photopin.com

Malta tops list of world's best 10 scenic airport landings

‘It's like flying into a Picasso painting.’ 

#MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT has topped a global poll of the world's most scenic landings.

Jet booking service PrivateFly asked a panel of international travel experts and frequent travellers for their most scenic airport approaches. One panel member commented: ‘Landing on this gem in the Mediterranean sea is not to be missed! The islands of Malta and Gozo fit into your window... the sea, the blue skies, the landscape, the greenery, the cities, the temples, and all the colours that this beautiful island has to offer. Beats any landing by far!’

Ex-New York Times travel writer Joe Sharkey said: ‘Approached from a churning blue sea, the tiny, isolated rocky island nation suddenly appears and you immediately understand Malta's strategic geo-political importance for literally millennia by sea and later air in the middle of the Mediterranean.’

Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly and an experienced pilot, said: ‘PrivateFly's poll has become an annual checklist for the well-travelled, and this year's voting was the most competitive yet. The 2016 top ten includes perennial favourites such as the imposing city views of Los Angeles and London City, the stunning mountain scenery of Queenstown; the tiny island airstrip of Saba in the Caribbean (the world's shortest commercial runway); and the unique beach landing at Barra in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.

‘Flying into Malta is a truly special experience – it's a tiny island landing that packs a big punch. There is so much to take in. Without being hectic, the landscape changes from coast, to farmland to the historic city of Valletta. It's like flying into a Picasso painting.’


The full top 10:

1. Malta International Airport

2. Nice Cote D'Azur Airport, France

3. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

4. Barra Airport, Scotland

5. Saba Airport, Caribbean

6. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

7. Donegal Airport, Ireland

8. St Maarten Airport, Caribbean

9. Los Angeles International Airport, US

10. London City Airport, UK

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2015 the ‘safest’ year for aviation

THE AVIATION industry recorded its best ever year in terms of safety in 2015, with a global fatal accident rate of just one in five million flights. 

While the year was marked by the losses of the Germanwings and Metrojet flights, commercial airlines safely operated more than 40 million flights and carried in excess of 3.5 billion passengers across the world in 2015.

There were four major accidents involving large Western-built jets operated by commercial airlines, which resulted in a total of 374 fatalities.

Commenting on the industry’s safety performance, Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines said: ‘Flying today is extraordinarily safe, and aircraft accidents are now increasingly rare events. The 2015 accident rate is the lowest ever recorded, but we can never afford to be complacent.’

While aviation safety has hit the headlines in recent years, with incidents including the two Malaysia Airlines losses and the AirAsia crash in December 2014, it is worth noting that over the last five years, the global rate of major accidents has more than halved.

‘Public perceptions of aviation safety are, understandably, still strongly influenced by reactions to particular events, rather than statistical trends. The challenge is to recognize the importance of both dimensions when reviewing the aviation industry’s safety performance,” said Mr Herdman.

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Picture Credit: Preserved @ Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace Air France F-BPVJ Boeing 747-128 cn/20541-200 built 1972 Exhibit at Le Bourget Musee L'Air since 2/00 in Air France livery</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

New aircraft tech could see co-pilots grounded

AIRCRAFT manufacturers are working on plans – part-funded by the European Commission – which could see commercial jet co-pilots out of a job. 

The project, backed by a consortium of companies including manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, is attempting to make flying safer by reducing the number of accidents. According to reports this could mean greater reliance on auto-pilot technology and less on flight deck crew.

Within the next six months, the Across Project (Advanced Cockpit for Reduction of Stress and Workload) is expected to develop new technology to fly aircraft remotely. This will be especially designed for flying in poor weather, in emergency situations, or in congested skies.

According to The Times, Across envisages the long-term the evolution of single pilot cockpits.

Balpa, the British pilots trade union, warned the move was a step towards fully automated aircraft which would be more vulnerable to hackers.

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: It comes as no surprise that the European Commission is helping to fund this crackpot project. What would surprise me very greatly is seeing the people who sign the cheques in Brussels boarding co-pilotless planes.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60687350@N07/6767906077">Jetstar pilots in A320 flight deck</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

Wizz Air heads for Kosice

#WIZZAIR is to start twice-weekly flights from Bristol Airport to Kosice, #Slovakia, in October.

This follows the introduction of Sofia, Bulgaria, to Wizz Air’s schedule from the West Country airport. The addition of the Kosice flight brings the total number of Wizz Air destinations to three from Bristol – Katowice (Poland), Sofia, and Kosice.

Peter Downes, head of Aviation Development at Bristol Airport, said: ‘Wizz Air is opening up new, previously unserved markets for passengers in the South West and Wales. As a previous European Capital of Culture, and serving as a gateway to six UNESCO world heritage sites, Kosice is one of the hidden gems of Eastern Europe.’

Kosice is the second largest city in Slovakia after the capital, Bratislava.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46145615@N02/14071871535">Paneláky. Post-communist landcape</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

easyJet adds Vienna & Basel to Bristol schedules

FLIGHTS from Bristol to #Vienna and #Basel are to be started by easyJet in November, taking the number of destinations served by #easyJet from Bristol to 55.

With prices starting from £23.49 one-way, Bristol to Basel in Switzerland will be a year-round service flying four times a week. Bristol to the Austrian capital will be a year-round, twice-weekly service with prices starting from £23.99 

one-way.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Commercial manager, said: ‘These two destinations are a fantastic addition to our offering from Bristol Airport and further highlight our commitment to serving the South West.’

Shaun Browne, Aviation Director, Bristol Airport, commented: ‘The addition of Vienna links Bristol to yet another capital city, taking the total number of European capitals served by us to 16.’

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Picture Credit: Parlament Vienna Austria by Jebulon - Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Up in the air …

RYANAIR is to open a base in Gothenburg, Sweden, an expansion which will mean additional flights to and from London.

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said: ‘Our Gothenburg-London route will increase from two to three flights daily from September.’

A MOBILE app for passengers to monitor their health and wellbeing before, during, and after a flight has been unveiled by the International Air Transport Association. 

Used in conjunction with a ‘Jawbone’ fitness wristband, the SkyZen app enables air travellers to view their activity and sleep patterns throughout their flights. 

Tips will enable users to improve their travel ‘experience’ and combat jet lag when crossing time zones. The app is free to download from the Apple iTunes store.

TRAVELLERS in the UK pay some of the world’s highest taxes on flying, according to a study by UHY Hacker Young, an accountancy group. 

According to the study, charges levied in Britain are currently the highest in the European Union and well above the average for G7 countries.

The higher charges, says the accountancy firm, impact tourism; penalize small and medium-size companies trying to expand overseas; disadvantage regional cities; and affect airlines’ abilities to offer less profitable routes. And although taxes on flying are often billed as ‘green taxes’, in the UK, as elsewhere, the revenue raised is not used for environmental protection projects.

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Picture Credit: Ryanair wing Boeing 737-800 by Moviefan - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons, Ephemera, A trio of 2002 boarding passes - Flickr by Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand - Ephemera: A trio of 2002 boarding passes. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Mobile app - ecg by Zacfranks - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Manchester Airport sets 23 million passenger target

MANCHESTER AIRPORT aims to surpass 23 million annual passengers by the end of the year. The target was set as the airport broke its all-time passenger record in the last financial year, with 22.32 million people using the northern gateway in the last financial year.

Managing director, Ken O’Toole, said: 

‘This is a magnificent achievement, an historic milestone for Manchester Airport and UK aviation, as well as a huge boost for the economy and the north of England.

‘It’s great news that an increasing number of the 22 million UK residents living in our catchment area are choosing to fly from Manchester. We have made great headway to unlock the spare capacity at Manchester airport and are in talks with a range of carriers to further capitalize on the potential we offer in the short to medium term and develop our role as the UK’s global gateway from the north.’

Recent developments on the long haul front at #ManchesterAirport include Cathay Pacific adding a service to Hong Kong, increased capacity to Atlanta through Virgin Atlantic’s partnership with Delta, and an additional service to New York JFK in May. May also sees Thomas Cook Airlines starting a twice-weekly service to Miami.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10413717@N08/7122667477">Manchester to Amsterdam</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)