News for Europe/MEA

Etihad Airways announced (10-Feb-2023) its interline agreement with United Airlines has been discontinued, effective 09-Feb-2023. As a result, passengers will no longer be accepted on United Airlines using an Etihad Airways ticket. [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways reopened (09-Feb-2023) its premium lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, available for premium passengers and eligible oneworld alliance partners. The over 1000sqm lounge can accommodate over 200 passengers and is equipped with two dining areas, including 'The Brasserie' and 'The Global Deli', prayer rooms, business centre, shower facilities and WiFi. The carrier's 'Paris Premium Lounge' launched its operations in 2017. [more - original PR - English/Arabic]

Air New Zealand extended (08-Feb-2023) its partnership with Wamos Air. Wamos Air is set to continue to operate daily return Auckland-Perth service on behalf of Air New Zealand until 28-Oct-2023. The move is still a temporary solution while the airline continues to build back and face unprecedented demand for travel, which is set to be especially high over the Easter and Jul-2023 school holiday periods. All customers on the service will be offered an Air New Zealand meal service, including beverages. Customers will also receive inflight entertainment. Customers will also be greeted by Air New Zealand customer service agents at the airport check in and at the gate. [more - original PR]

British Airways announced (08-Feb-2023) a codeshare partnership with Airlink (South Africa) to improve connectivity between the UK, Europe, North America and 18 destinations in Southern Africa. The agreement with allow British Airways customers travelling from or transiting through London Heathrow to connect to their final destination via Cape Town or Johannesburg on a single ticket. Other destinations in Southern Africa are pending government approval and may join the codeshare agreement at a later date. [more - original PR]

Japan Airlines announced (31-Jan-2023) the following schedules changes to its international network for summer 2023, effective 26-Mar-2023 to 28-Oct-2023:

• North America: Increase from 82 to 92 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-New York JFK: Increase from daily to twice daily from 28-May-2023;
  • Tokyo Narita-New York: Increase from five times weekly to daily from 26-Mar-2023 to 27-May-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Los Angeles: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• Europe: Increase from 32 to 33 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Helsinki: Increase from four to five times weekly;
• Southeast Asia: Increase from 109.5 to 122 times weekly;
  • Osaka Kansai-Bangkok: Increase from weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Singapore: Increase from 11 to 14 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Manila: Increase from 4.5 times weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Narita-Manila: Increase from 13 times weekly to twice daily between 26-Mar-2023 to 30-Jun-2023;
• Oceania: Increase from 10 to 11 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Melbourne: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• East Asia: Maintain 56 times weekly;
• Hawaii/Guam: Maintain 36 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Honolulu: Reduce from 10 to eight times weekly, except between 13-Jul-2023 and 04-Sep-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Honolulu: Increase from three to four times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Guam: Increase from three to four times weekly from 15-Jul-2023 to 31-Aug-2023. [more - original PR - Japanese]

Etihad Airways announced (30-Jan-2023) plans to migrate to Amadeus' Altea Passenger Service System (PSS) from 08/09-Mar-2023. The carrier's online booking management portal, online check-in, reservation systems and mobile apps will be temporarily offline during the system change. [more - original PR]

Flybe, via its official website and Twitter account, announced (28-Jan-2023) it ceased trading and entered administration on 28-Jan-2023. The UK High Court appointed David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators of Flybe Limited. UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed all Flybe services to and from the UK have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. CAA consumer director Paul Smith stated: "It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers". [more - original PR - UK CAA - I] [more - original PR - UK CAA - II]

Qatar Airways partnered (24-Jan-2023) with Qatar Duty Free (QDF) enabling Privilege Club members to collect and spend Avios reward currency at almost 200 outlets at Doha Hamad International Airport from 24-Jan-2023. The carrier also announced Privilege Club members will receive Avios points upon check in, to be credited up to 120 minutes prior to departure. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker stated: "We are enabling access to a truly unique airport shopping and dining experience. A first in the world initiative, this demonstrates our commitment for going the extra mile". [more - original PR]

Ethiopian Airlines announced (24-Jan-2023) plans to commence five times weekly Addis Ababa-Vienna-Copenhagen service on 22-May-2023. The airline will operate the service with 315 seat Boeing 787-9 equipment. Copenhagen will be the airline's 21st destination in Europe. Copenhagen Airports CEO Thomas Woldbye said the service will create opportunities for Danish businesses, especially in the pharmaceuticals industry. Mr Woldbye commented: "It has for a long time been our desire to improve the connection between Copenhagen and Africa". Ethiopian Airlines previously served Copenhagen for four years from Nov-1999. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Danish]

Air China, via its official WeChat account, announced (19-Jan-2023) the following international service resumptions: 

• Beijing Capital-Bangkok: Weekly from 27-Jan-2023;
• Beijing Capital-Phuket: Three times weekly from 30-Jan-2023;
• Beijing Capital-Chiang Mai: Twice weekly from 14-Feb-2023;
• Beijing Capital-Geneva: Weekly from 09-Feb-2023;
• Beijing Capital-Melbourne: Three times weekly from 01-Feb-2023;
• Beijing Capital-Sydney: Three times weekly from 03-Feb-2023;
• Chengdu Shuangliu-Taipei: Twice weekly from 18-Jan-2023;
• Wuhan-Macau: Three times weekly from 20-Jan-2023.