UK airline bmi has agreed to form a code share agreement with TAM, Brazil’s largest airline.
The initial phase of this agreement will allow both airlines to expand services for customers travelling between Brazil and the UK. This will result in a wider range of destination options for passengers with an easier connection process within the two countries. For example bmi passengers will be able to check in at Manchester for a flight to Sao Paulo Brazil. The flight will operate via Heathrow and Rio de Janeiro but you will not need to check in your luggage again for the TAM flight within Brazil.
Bmi has revealed that the partnership will be expanded to include flights into Europe and destinations in South America, such as Argentina and Chile.
Passengers travelling within the USA will not have failed to note the progress made by Delta Air Lines in its re-branding operation of Northwest Airlines, following their recent merger.
As March drew to a close all Northwest airlines crew and ground staff wore their old uniforms for the last time and are now visible in their Delta Air Lines clothing.
The merger is moving rapidly as both airlines strive to combine their strengths to bring quality and value to passengers.
Not only have the uniforms changed, but also the following:
- Increased First Class offerings, such as improved meal choice on flights over 900 miles and a wider variety of snacks on flights over 250 miles.
- Economy passengers travelling on Northwest operated routes of more than 250 miles will benefit from the return of free snacks. On flights over 600 miles food will be made available for purchase.
- In addition to the return of in-flight food, passengers in Northwest economy seats will once again benefit from free, in-flight entertainment on all flights within the USA (but the safety video shown will be a Delta Air Lines video).
- Passengers on both Delta and Northwest operated routes will benefit from a single in-flight magazine, “Sky”.
Delta Air Lines offers a number of cheap flights from a number of regional UK airports to several destinations throughout the USA.
Air Canada is continuing its fight for survival but the outlook currently appears bleak.
Despite the resignation of its Chief Executive and the appointment of a new one in April, business and finance analysts believe the carrier is getting closer to its second filing for creditor protection in 6 years. Air Canada’s chances of surviving without bankruptcy protection stand at no better than 50%.
The new management team have been given 6 months to try and find a solution to some of the problems which are currently crippling the company, such as Union matters, a pension black hole which stands at C$3 billion, other debt obligations, weak demand for travel and increasing competition from other rivals such as WestJet who offer low cost flights throughout the region.
Air Canada will need to make fleet reductions and seek to cuts its cost base substantially to stand any chance of survival in the future.
Nigerian airline Arik Air has something to cheer at the moment. The airline’s first international flight between London Heathrow and the Nigerian capital Lagos is performing ahead of all expectations, with the vast majority of flights operating at close to full.
There were fears that demand would fall during the current economic crisis, but Nigeria still has a healthy, cash rich economy, making it an attractive place for foreign investors and businesses.
Plans for further flight expansion have been revealed by the airline with flights to New York and Johannesburg due to commence in the second and third quarter of 2009 respectively. Arik Air plans to serve up to 11 international destinations within the next 5 years. The new routes will be service by two Airbus A340-500 aircraft.
Despite the global economic slowdown, Ethiad Airways, which is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), continues to grow in size and strength.
During 2009 the airline aims to increase its passenger numbers by 15% to a figure around 7 million. To cope with increased passenger numbers the airline plans to increase its fleet by 8 to a total of 50 aircraft. Increases in staff will also be required, and Ethiad plans to employ 15% more staff by the end of the year, bringing the total number of staff to around 8500.
Ethiad currently offers a total of 900 domestic and international flights per week which is an increase of 20% over the same time period last year.
Ethiad Airlines not only offers flights throughout the Middle East region and beyond, but also now offers cheap breaks and holidays in the region.
