Qantas and British Airways Increase Flight Services on Joint Services Agreement

Australia’s Qantas announced on Tuesday plans of enhancing Joint Services Agreement (JSA) with British Airways. Enhancements will strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better services on flights between London Heathrow and Australia.

Qantas and British Airways are set to develop their long-running Joint Services Agreement (JSA). The two airlines aim to strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better products and services to passengers booking flights between London Heathrow and Australia. The move is seen as a part of the Qantas Group’s plan to create a competitive global airline business.

Qantas will maintain its Airbus A380 operations from Melbourne and Sydney to London via Singapore. The carrier also proposes to construct a new premium lounge at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. On the other hand, UK’s flag carrier, British Airways will upgrade its London to Sydney (via Singapore) operations from a Boeing 777 to Boeing 747.

These developments will consolidate Singapore’s standing as the principal hub in the relationship, reinforcing the two airlines’ competitive position in the Asia-Pacific region. Both airlines are known to be premier carriers. Cheap flight tickets may not be their forte, but the carriers still enjoy popularity among travellers for offering quality on-board services.

Under the updated Joint Services Agreement, Qantas will offer flights on Australia – Bangkok and Australia – Hong Kong routes, while British Airways will provide services on Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes. This move is aimed at maximising the carrier’s respective operational strengths and will come into effect from 2012 beginning. BA also plans to augment the frequency of London – Hong Kong flights from 14 per week to 17 per week.

Australia’s Qantas will discontinue its Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes and BA will terminate Bangkok-Sydney operations in favour of Qantas operating flights on the route. This will ease early retirement of Qantas’ four Boeing 747 aircrafts.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce remarked that the time was right to restructure the JSA between British and Qantas Airways.

“Strengthening our relationship with British Airways is an important element of our new strategy for Qantas International,” Mr Joyce said in the company’s press release that was posted on the website on Tuesday.

“Singapore will become the focal point of the JSA relationship, with daily Qantas A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney and onward to London, increased British Airways capacity and a new premium lounge.

“The new approach is a smarter use of both airlines’ resources that will enhance our competitive position in Asia and in the Australia – Europe market.

“Regardless of which airline is operating flights between Australia and the United Kingdom, we are focused on delivering a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for passengers. Restructuring the JSA will put us on the front foot in the fiercely competitive Australia – UK air travel market,” Mr Joyce further elaborated.

Qantas Announces New Lounges and Fleet Upgrades

Qantas also announced that it is going to invest almost $400 million in new international lounges, in-flight entertainment and aircraft refurbishment to enhance travellers’ experience.

“Qantas will construct a new First Lounge and Business Lounge in Los Angeles, three times the size of the current space, as well as new First Lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong,” Mr Alan Joyce was quoted in the company’s press release.

Mr Joyce stated that the introduction of the A380 in 2008 brought new levels of customer satisfaction and now the airline aims to make sure that consistent superiority is maintained across the fleet and lounge network.

“In February last year, Qantas announced a $250 million upgrade for nine Boeing 747-400s to meet the changing demands of the airline’s international customers. The first reconfigured B747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week,” he said.

The Qantas Group additionally launched a new low-cost airline, Jetstar Japan, in partnership with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi. The airline is aimed at Japanese market and will serve travellers who seek cheap flight tickets.

Japan Airlines and American Airlines Increase International Cargo Flight Destination and Cargo Capacity

Airlines to Utilize Worldwide Networks to Offer Customers More Routing Choices and Increased Cargo Capacity Between Asia and the Americas.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines (American) have embarked on a closer cooperation aimed at strengthening international cargo operations for the two airlines. Their agreement, concluded in April this year, provides cargo customers with more routing choices, new destinations, and increased cargo capacity by more effectively utilizing the combined worldwide network of both airlines, covering some 300 distinct destinations worldwide, while maximizing the value of their combined routes between Asia, the United States, and Latin America.

The two airlines have begun using Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York and Honolulu as key transfer points for cargo traffic in the United States and Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya as transfer points in Japan. The agreement enhances the significance of Honolulu as an important transfer point for cargo between Asia and the Americas. The tighter cargo relationship is expected to enable both airlines to provide their respective customers with additional value, while maximizing the utilization of cargo capacity for both airlines.

In addition, new synergies between the carriers’ express products will now provide seamless transfer of express shipments between the airlines. Shipments which do not exceed 100kg will now receive immediate confirmation of space on both airlines, when customers select JAL’s J-PRIORITY and American’s EXPEDITE(SM) product for the routing.

The joint business agreement between JAL and American which began April 1, 2011, is expected to benefit customers on many levels, including cargo. Both airlines continue to explore ways in which closer cooperation can bring increased benefit to customers.

About JAL Cargo

JAL Cargo, a division of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., (JAL), provides cargo transportation services within Japan and to 17 countries and regions or 33 overseas airports utilizing the airline’s operations of approximately 1,000 flights a day on 109 domestic routes and 47 international routes (as of May 1, 2011). JAL, awarded the most punctual major global airline in 2009 and 2010, is a member of the oneworld® Alliance and has a global passenger network reaching more than 225 airports in 38 countries and regions together with its codeshare partners. With a fleet of some 220 aircraft including Boeing 777s, 767s, 737-800s, and Brazilian-made regional jets, Embraer E170, JAL serves destinations in Asia, Europe, and Oceania, as well as in North America including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Vancouver. JAL CARGO, which carried 897 thousand tons of payload in fiscal year 2010, offers a series of high-quality, tailored services collectively known as J Products that cater to the unique needs of various shipment that make all kinds of transportation possible. For more information, visit: www.jal.co.jp/en/jalcargo/.

About American Airlines Cargo

American Airlines Cargo(SM), a division of American Airlines, Inc., provides over 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift capacity to major cities in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional airlines serve more than 250 cities in over 50 countries with more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American provides one of the largest cargo networks in the world, with cargo terminals and interline connections available across the globe.

American Airlines and British Airways Take Flight in Tokyo

American Airlines and British Airways have launched their new Tokyo Haneda International Airport flights.

Both airlines’ inaugural services from the Japanese capital’s newly expanded gateway departed within minutes of one another yesterday morning.

American is now offering the only flights between Tokyo Haneda and New York, with its daily JFK schedule complementing Japan Airlines’ established service between Haneda and San Francisco. Both services carry the codes of both airlines.

British Airways is operating Haneda’s only route to the UK, serving the airport an initial five times a week non-stop from its London Heathrow hub, in addition to its established daily Tokyo Narita schedule.

Yesterday’s debut services were marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Tokyo Haneda hosted by American’s VP and managing director Asia/Pacific Theo Panagiotoulias and British Airways’ area GM Asia Pacific Jamie Cassidy, joined by Japan Airlines president Masaru Onishi.

American’s VP and MD Asia/Pacific Theo Panagiotoulias said: “We are very excited by this new flight that links two of the world’s largest financial markets and offers passengers the ability to fly from New York to Haneda, the closest airport to downtown Tokyo, and which hasn’t had service from the USA since 1978 when Tokyo’s Narita International Airport opened. We also are pleased to be offering this new service as part of our new transpacific joint venture with our valued oneworld partner, Japan Airlines.”

British Airways’ Area GM Asia Pacific Jamie Cassidy added: “Today is a historic day for British Airways as we start our new route from Haneda which compliments our existing service from Narita. The start of this route allows us to offer our customers greater choice and flexibility. We are proud to be the only carrier operating from Haneda direct to the UK. The start of this service demonstrates our commitment to Japan and the deepening of our growing relationship with JAL.”

Japan Airlines president Masaru Onishi stated: “Japan Airlines began operating on new international routes from Haneda at the end of October last year. Passenger numbers have been very encouraging and are a good indication of the demand for flights to and from Haneda. The launch of

American’s and British Airways’ flights today is undoubtedly great news for the traveling public in Japan and is certain to strengthen further oneworld’s service offerings to customers.”

In addition to the new flight from Haneda to New York JFK, American and its partner Japan Airlines also offer non-stop daily service from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to JFK. American flies between the US and Tokyo using Boeing 777 aircraft with 247 seats – 16 in First Class, 37 in Business Class and 194 in Economy Class.

Flight AA135 will depart JFK daily at 6:10pm, arriving at Haneda at 10:15pm the following day. The return AA134 will depart Haneda at 6:40am daily, landing at JFK at 5:15 am the same day.

With the launch of the its new five-a-week service from Haneda in addition to its daily Tokyo Narita schedule, British Airways will operate 12 flights a week between Tokyo and London Heathrow.

Flight BA7 will depart London Heathrow on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8am, landing at Haneda at 5am the next day. The return flight BA8 will depart Haneda on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 6:25 am, arriving at Heathrow at 10am the same day.

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific Delayed Flight to Europe and UK

Several airlines in the Asia-Pacific delayed flight to Europe because of volcanic ash clouds in the area of Iceland. Flight delays caused by several international airports in the UK and Northern Europe are closed. Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines and around 10 airlines have canceled flights.

Qantas, which has more than 1,000 passengers holding at Asian stopovers, cancelled four services today and is unlikely to resume Europe flights before April 18, spokesman David Epstein told reporters. Singapore Air axed eight flights while Air China Ltd. and All Nippon Airways Co. also scrapped services.

The National Air Traffic Services Ltd. extended its U.K. airspace restrictions until 7 p.m. local time tonight on concern that airborne debris from the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjöll volcano could damage engines or parts such as speed sensors. Read more

AirAsia X Flights to Melbourne and Perth Using Airbus A330 Aircraft

AirAsia X will operate flights to Melbourne and Perth, with three more Airbus A330 aircraft coming in, as securing routes to Seoul and Sydney are a challenge.

Currently, it is using six A330 and two A340 aircraft.

“For some reasons we are not privileged enough to get some routes. So, we will be adding more flights to Perth and Melbourne and keep pushing Mumbai and New Delhi routes in 2010,” says chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani.

AirAsia X will service the New Delhi route in August.

“However, that doesn’t mean AirAsia X is dropping those routes from its plan, we still want to fly to Seoul, Sydney, Jeddah and to one city in Japan as there is huge demand.

“So, the guys next door are not going to run away from competition as we will keep throwing in more flights in the current routes,” he told reporters after unveiling the budget airline’s premium “Lie-Flat Bed” seats at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal here on Monday. Read more

All Nippon Airways Cooperation With Star Alliance to Add Service on International Flights at Haneda Airport, Tokyo

All Nippon Airways Co. is set to boost its international service amid a travel upturn in Asia by capitalizing on its Star Alliance partnerships, recent government aviation agreements and new slots at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

Demand for international flights has grown in March and April, led by increasing travel to China, ANA President and Chief Executive Shinichiro Ito said in an interview.

“The worst is over,” said Mr. Ito, referring to the industry’s travails in the past couple of years due to the global downturn.

“It is vital how we can transform the growth in customer numbers to growth in income per customer,” he added, noting that income growth usually follows a pickup in passengers by several months.
Read more

Asia, Pacific Nations Vow To Fight Threats To Civil Aviation

Asia and Pacific nations vowed Saturday to fight emerging terror threats to commercial aircraft by boosting international security standards and measures, including screening technology.

The declaration was made in Tokyo at a one-day meeting attended by ministers and senior officials from 17 countries, plus Hong Kong and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security was held in response to an aborted terror attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 approaching Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano noted that the 289 people aboard the plane were from 18 countries including Australia, Japan, Canada, India, Pakistan and China.
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American Airlines Steps Up Efforts To Woo JAL

American Airlines on Thursday stepped up efforts to save its partnership with Japan Airlines, the troubled carrier that is the lynchpin of its Asian network, by promising a $1.1bn investment to support the group.

The investment – much of which would be provided by US private equity group TPG – exceeds a rival offer from Delta Air Lines, which is trying to lure JAL away from Amercian’s OneWorld alliance.

Last month Delta and its SkyTeam partners offered to inject $500m of new equity into JAL and to extend another $500m in asset-backed financing and compensation for the cost of switching teams.
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American Airlines Future investment in Japan Airlines Corp.

American Airlines said preparations for an investment in Japan Airlines Corp. are at an advanced stage after Delta Air Lines Inc. announced a package of incentives to lure the Asian carrier into a new alliance.

Japan Air, as the airline is known, would face a regulatory risk in leaving American’s Oneworld group and joining Delta’s SkyTeam, Theo Panagiotoulias, American’s Pacific director, told reporters today in Tokyo.
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Delta Air Offers $1 Billion to Japan Air, Rivals AMR

Delta Air Lines Inc. and its SkyTeam alliance partners offered as much as $1 billion in incentives to lure Japan Airlines Corp. away from the Oneworld group led by American Airlines.

SkyTeam airlines may invest $500 million in Japan Air, and Delta would supply $200 million in financing and $300 million to cover lost sales, Delta President Edward Bastian said today. American’s bid may consist of $1 billion from private-equity firm TPG Inc. and $300 million from the airline.
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