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Thomas Cook Group Airlines to launch Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics, applies for Majorca AOC

19 October, 2017

Thomas Cook Group Airlines launched (18-Oct-2017) Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics, a new Majorca based carrier to supplement its existing operations in Germany, UK and Scandinavia. Details include:

  • Airline Operator Certificate applied for in Majorca with the aim of scheduling services from early 2018;
  • New carrier to commence operations with at least three Airbus A320 aircraft, previously operated by Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium;
  • Aircraft to initially take over short and medium haul services for Condor to replace third party aircraft leases.

Thomas Cook Group chief airline officer Christoph Debus commented: "The new airline and base will provide us with the right platform to better manage the seasonal demand in our business, giving us more control at lower cost as we continue to expand the choice of destinations we offer our customers. With more than one million Thomas Cook customers flying into Palma every year, we have a strong existing infrastructure on which to build". [more - original PR]

Flybe to increase London Southend capacity, bases fifth aircraft to counter easyJet expansion

18 October, 2017

Flybe announced (18-Oct-2017) plans to increase capacity by 80% at London Southend Airport for summer 2018. Highlights include:

  • Relaunch of Dubrovnik and Zadar services;
  • Launch of four times weekly Antwerp service operating with 70 seat ATR 72-600 aircraft;
  • Fifth aircraft to be based at the airport from franchise partner Stobart Air, following easyJet's decision to base a fourth A320 aircraft at Southend from 25-Jul-2018;
  • 15,500 additional seats on France services including Rennes, Caen and Lyon;
  • 15 routes in total.

Stobart Aviation CEO Glyn Jones commented: "There's a correlation showing travel demand is driven by airline capacity. We've added hundreds of extra flights... But what is helping London Southend Airport go from strength to strength is our promise to deliver a better way to travel - more comfort, faster access, fewer queues and a friendlier experience than larger airports in the South East". [more - original PR]

IAG CEO optimistic Aer Lingus-Ryanair connecting services partnership will launch in summer 2018

18 October, 2017

IAG CEO Willie Walsh, speaking on CAPA TV, commented (Oct-2017) on Aer Lingus's planned connecting service partnership with Ryanair at Dublin Airport, stating: "There's a good business case for it. We're always argued that if the customer wants to do it then we should try and make it easy for the customer... I'd be optimistic that we will have something in place for next summer [2018]". Mr Walsh also ruled out participating in easyJet's connecting service initiative at London Gatwick Airport. [more - CAPA TV]

Emirates may resume second daily Lagos frequency and Abuja service

18 October, 2017

Emirates regional manager West Africa Afzal Parambil said the airline is in discussions with Nigeria's Government on resuming a second daily Dubai-Lagos frequency (The Nation, 17-Oct-2017). He said: "We stopped our second flight between Lagos and Dubai because of operational reasons. We are discussing with the Minister to restoring the routes. Very soon, you will hear from us on the matter". The carrier may also resume Abuja service. Mr Parambil said: "There is indeed possibility to return to Abuja".

Cobalt Air CEO outlines five year plan

18 October, 2017

Cobalt Air CEO Andrew Madar, speaking on CAPA TV, stated (Oct-2017) "what we foresee in about five years is a handful of long haul routes to China, India, South Africa and US and connecting them to shorter routes within Europe and Middle East". [more - CAPA TV]

Air France-KLM to receive 15 new Boeing 787s by the end of winter 2017/18

18 October, 2017

Air France-KLM reported (16-Oct-2017) it expects to take delivery of 15 new Boeing 787s by the end of the winter 2017/18 season. KLM is slated to receive 10 787s to serve 18 destinations, including Dubai, Mauritius, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Minneapolis, Calgary, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Cartagena, San José, Osaka, Colombo, Mumbai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu and Shanghai. Air France is slated to receive five 787s to serve seven destinations, including Cairo, Toronto, Boston, Panama City, Sao Paulo and Abidjan. [more - original PR]

Norwegian Reward partners with Groupon UK

18 October, 2017

Norwegian partnered (17-Oct-2017) with Groupon UK to enable Norwegian Reward loyalty programme members to earn points when purchasing Groupon UK offers. Norwegian Reward MD Brede Huser said: "There's never been a better time to partner with an internationally renowned brand like Groupon as Norwegian rapidly expands into the USA, Asia and South America". [more - original PR]

Blue Air invites passengers to propose new Liverpool destination for summer 2018

17 October, 2017

Blue Air invited (17-Oct-2017) passengers to propose new destinations from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, to operate in summer 2017. Blue Air sales and marketing manager for North West UK Elena Signorelli said: "This is a great opportunity for us as to get to know the local people and to help Blue Air choose a new destination for next summer". The carrier currently operates services from Liverpool to Alicante, Bacau, Bucharest, Cluj, Milan Bergamo and Rome Fiumicino, according to OAG. [more - original PR]

Rwanda outlines measures for implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision and single African market

17 October, 2017

Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority announced (16-Oct-2017) immediate measures towards implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and establishment of a single African air transport market, including the following:

  • 23 bilateral air services agreements, including fifth freedom traffic rights, signed and initialed with other African countries;
  • Notified the African Civil Aviation Commission of the designation of RwandAir for international services for consideration under the eligibility criteria of the Yamoussoukro Decision;
  • Representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and RwandAir designated to constitute the national implementation committee. [more - original PR]

Etihad Airways to reduce frequency, deploy larger aircraft on Los Angeles service from Jan-2018

17 October, 2017

Etihad Airways plans to reduce Abu Dhabi-Los Angeles frequency from daily to five times weekly, effective 15-Jan-2018 to 30-Apr-2018, according to a 16-Oct-2017 GDS display. The airline will replace Boeing 777-200LR with 777-300ER equipment on the service during the same period.

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