Airlines

Qatar Airways Reveals Seven New Destinations, 11 Resumptions

Blocking Qatar Airways Flights by Australian Government Might Incur Annual Costs of Up to $500 Million

Qatar Airways drew major attention on the opening day of ITB Berlin 2023, the world’s largest international travel and tourism trade show, as the World’s Best Airline’s Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, unveiled new destinations, and announced flight resumptions and frequency increases during a press conference held on the first day of the exhibition.

Qatar Airways Wins the “Airline of the Year” Award by Skytrax for an Unprecedented Seventh Time and Takes Home Three Other Major Awards(Opens in a new browser tab)

Over seven new destinations planned for launch in 2023, including Chittagong, Juba, Kinshasa, Lyon, Medan, Toulouse, and Trabzon. Qatar Airways is also resuming flights to 11 destinations: Beijing, Birmingham, Buenos Aires, Casablanca, Davao, Marrakesh, Nice, Osaka, Phnom Penh, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Tokyo Haneda. Multiple destinations also saw frequency increases scheduled for the year 2023.*

Airbus develops package of new A380 Cabin Enablers, including “New Forward Stairs” option, for A380 customers(Opens in a new browser tab)

Qatar Airways booth offers a thrilling Formula 1® sports car simulator experience, showcasing the airline’s most recent sponsorship announcement. FC Bayern Munich legend Claudio Pizarro is also making a special appearance at the stand. Representing Qatar Airways’ innovative technological adoptions, the booth is also equipped with Qatar Airways’ virtual reality experiences, ‘QVerse’, and a tour of the newly expanded Hamad International Airport terminal, The ORCHARD.

The following destinations are slated to receive an increase in flight frequency:

· Abuja – Port Harcourt – increased from two weekly flights to three

· Abuja – Kano – increased from three weekly flights to four

· Athens – increased from seven weekly flights to 14

· Belgrade – increased from five weekly flights to seven

· Berlin – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14

· Bucharest – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

· Cairo – increased from 21 weekly flights to 28

· Copenhagen – increased from four weekly flights to seven, and 10 from winter season 2023/24

-Finnair also operates 7 weekly flights, totalling 17 weekly in Copenhagen

· Denpasar – increased from 14 weekly flights to 21

· Dublin – increased from 12 weekly flights to 14

· Düsseldorf – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 for winter season 2023/24

· Edinburgh– increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

· Hanoi – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12

· Hong Kong – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14

· Khartoum – increased from seven weekly flights to 14

· Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 14

· London Gatwick – increased from seven weekly flights to 10 (14 weekly flights for peak summer season)

· London Heathrow – increased from 42 weekly flights to 45

· Madrid – increased from 16 weekly flights to 18

· Manila – increased from 17 weekly flights to 18

· Milan – increased from 16 weekly flights to 21

· Mogadishu – increased from three weekly flights to four

· Nagpur – increased from four weekly flights to seven

· Oslo – increased from seven weekly flights to 12 for winter season 2023/24

· Phuket – increased from 14 weekly flights to 21 for winter season 2023/24

· Saigon – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12

· Sarajevo – increased from three weekly flights to four for summer season 2023

· Sofia – increased from three weekly flights to four weekly flights in summer and five weekly flights in winter season 2023/24

· Stockholm – increased from three weekly flights to five for winter season 2023/24

– Finnair also operates 7 weekly flights, totalling 12 weekly in Stockholm

· Taif – increased from three weekly flights to seven

· Vienna – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

· Warsaw – increased from seven weekly flights to 14 from winter season 2023/24

· Yerevan – increased from seven weekly flights to 10

· Zagreb – increased from four weekly flights to seven

· Zurich – increased from 10 weekly flights to 14

Airlines

IndiGo Awards 45-Day Bonus to Employees Equivalent to 1.5 Months’ Salary

IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has made headlines with its latest announcement of a generous reward for its workforce, celebrating their exceptional contributions throughout the fiscal year 2024.

In a move aimed at recognizing and appreciating their outstanding performance, the company has unveiled the “Thank You Bonus,” equivalent to 1.5 months’ basic salary. This bonus will be disbursed as an ex-gratia payment alongside the May 2024 salary.

The decision comes on the heels of remarkable financial achievements for IndiGo, marked by a notable surge in profits during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024. With a staggering 110% increase in profits, the airline reported standalone profits of Rs 2,998 crore for the quarter ended December 31, compared to Rs 1,423 crore in the same period of the previous year.

IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has consistently emphasized the company’s resilience in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. This substantial bonus underscores the company’s positive trajectory and its commitment to recognizing and rewarding the dedication and hard work of its employees.

Beyond financial success, IndiGo is also dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. The Thank You Bonus initiative is not just about monetary appreciation but also about empowering every member of the IndiGo family, including specially-abled colleagues, by providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills and abilities.

Moreover, this move reaffirms IndiGo’s core values of providing an affordable, punctual, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers. The airline has consistently prioritized accessibility, ensuring that all its facilities, technologies, information, and privileges are accessible to persons with disabilities.

In sum, IndiGo’s decision to award a 45-day bonus to its employees amid significant profits not only reflects the company’s financial success but also underscores its commitment to its workforce and its values of inclusivity, excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Airlines

A New Player Takes Off: Embraer Poses a Formidable Challenge to Boeing

In the midst of ongoing challenges faced by Boeing and the aviation industry at large, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has been thrust into the spotlight.

Recent reports suggesting that Embraer is eyeing the development of a next-generation narrow-body aircraft have sparked intrigue and speculation. However, the company has swiftly moved to quash such rumors.

Internal assessments conducted within Embraer have indeed highlighted the company’s impressive technological prowess and manufacturing capabilities. These findings have led some to speculate about the potential for Embraer to enter the narrow-body aircraft market, traditionally dominated by industry giants Boeing and Airbus.

In light of Boeing’s recent challenges, including the protracted grounding of its 737 MAX jets and leadership upheavals, some industry analysts have suggested that there may be an opportunity for smaller players like Embraer to disrupt the market duopoly. Airbus, too, has plans to introduce a new narrow-body aircraft in the future, further intensifying competition in this space.

However, despite the potential openings created by Boeing’s troubles, Embraer appears cautious about overextending itself. The company is currently focused on maximizing the success of its existing portfolio, which includes the innovative E2 aircraft series.

Additionally, the emergence of alternatives such as China’s Comac C919 adds another layer of complexity to the competitive landscape. While the C919 has thus far secured orders primarily from Asian carriers, Boeing’s challenges could prompt airlines worldwide to explore alternative options.

Airlines

Air India Revised Baggage Rules for Domestic Flights

Air India Trims Baggage Allowance for Domestic Flights

Air India, one of India’s leading airlines, has implemented significant changes to its baggage policies, affecting travelers across various fare classes.

Effective May 2, 2024, the airline has rolled out a revised baggage allowance scheme, marking a reduction in the permitted weight limits for most fare categories. Under the updated guidelines, passengers booking economy and business class tickets will notice a decrease in their baggage allowance by 5 to 10 kilograms compared to previous allowances.

These adjustments reflect Air India’s response to market dynamics and regulatory requirements. In the Economy Comfort category, encompassing S, T, U, and L fare classes, travelers will now have a baggage allowance of 15 kilograms, down from the previous 20 kilograms. As reported by livefromalounge.

Similarly, passengers availing themselves of Economy Comfort Plus, including G, W, V, Q, and K fare classes, will see their baggage allowance reduced to 15 kilograms from the earlier 25 kilograms.

However, not all fare classes are subject to reductions. Economy Flex passengers, represented by the H, M, B, and Y fare classes, will maintain their previous baggage allowance of 25 kilograms.

In the business class segment, changes are also evident. Business Comfort Plus, consisting of Z and J fare classes, will now offer a baggage allowance of 25 kilograms, down from the prior 35 kilograms. Meanwhile, passengers booking Business Flex tickets under the D and C fare classes will have a revised baggage allowance of 35 kilograms, compared to the previous 40 kilograms.

For passengers planning their upcoming journeys with Air India, it is essential to review the updated baggage policies to ensure compliance and avoid any inconvenience during their travel experience.