Airlines

How low-cost airlines provide cheap flight tickets

Low-cost airlines have revolutionized the airline industry by providing affordable air travel options to a wide range of passengers. These airlines, also known as budget or no-frills carriers, operate on a business model that focuses on minimizing operating costs while still offering reasonably priced flights. Here are some typical methods used by low-cost airlines:

World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines 2022(Opens in a new browser tab)

No-frills service: Low-cost airlines often provide a basic or no-frills service, concentrating on giving passengers the necessities of air travel without any extras. This indicates that they frequently do not offer amenities like free meals, in-flight entertainment, or prior seat selection. These extras can be removed to cut costs.
Point-to-point routes: Instead of the hub-and-spoke patterns utilized by regular carriers, low-cost airlines often fly point-to-point routes. As a result, there is no need for connecting flights as passengers are transported straight between well-known locations. They can serve routes with high demand more effectively and their operational costs were decreased.
Secondary airports: Secondary airports outside of major cities are frequently used by low-cost airlines. Compared to primary airports, these airports typically charge cheaper landing fees and have lesser operating expenses. Although they may be farther from the city center, low-cost carriers can pass on these cost savings to passengers in the form of cheaper fares.
High aircraft utilization: By keeping its aircraft in the air for extended periods of time, low-cost airlines seek to maximize the utilization of their fleet. They accomplish this by speeding up airport turnaround times, cutting down on layover time, and adding more flights per day for each aircraft. The fixed costs are distributed over a greater number of flights and passengers through to this effective utilization of resources.
Simplified fleet:A standardized fleet of aircraft models is frequently used by low-cost airlines. This lowers costs by streamlining operational, maintenance, and training processes. With fewer additional spare parts and specialized training requirements, it enables them to negotiate better terms with aircraft manufacturers.
Online bookings and cost-cutting measures: Low-cost airlines largely rely on online reservations to avoid paying for call centres or travel agencies. Additionally, they employ a number of cost-cutting strategies across all aspects of their business, including lowering staffing levels, maximising fuel efficiency, and streamlining administrative procedures.
Ancillary revenue: By providing add-on services and collecting fees for them, low-cost airlines generate additional revenue. Onboard sales, priority boarding, seat selection fees, baggage fees, and other charges are a few examples. They maintain low base tariffs while making money from ancillary services by unbundling services and letting customers select only the services they require.

Low-cost airlines can save money by combining these strategies, which they can pass on to passengers by reducing ticket prices. Before making a reservation, travelers should carefully read the terms and conditions as extra charges for services and facilities beyond the basic fare may apply.

Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines Boosts Fleet with Arrival of Three Embraer E195-E2 Jets

In order to improve operational flexibility and support network development, LOT Polish Airlines plans to add the Embraer E195-E2 to its fleet.

With the addition of the 25% more efficient E2 to their fleet, LOT will lease three new E195-E2 from Azorra, demonstrating their continued commitment to sustainable growth. This year, the first jet will arrive by the end of July, and all aircraft deliveries will be finished by October.

As the airline’s network expands, LOT needs a flexible solution to meet its capacity needs. In addition to providing passengers with an unparalleled flying experience without middle seats, the E2 enables LOT’s current E-Jet first generation flight crews to seamlessly transfer over a matter of days.

Additionally flexible, the new E2s match LOT’s larger narrow body aircraft with comparable seat prices. The airline plans to set up E195-E2, which can accommodate up to 146 passengers, in a cosy single class configuration with 136 seats.

The remarkable success of Embraer’s new aircraft family began with the 85-minute, 520-kilometer trip to Vienna; the 1800th E-Jet in the programme, an E190-E2, was just delivered to a customer in the Middle East.

LOT is one of the biggest E-jet operators in Europe with a fleet of 43 aircraft as of right now. Over 1.4 million flight hours, 850 million kilometres, and over 60 million passengers—nearly double Poland’s population—have been transported by LOT’s E-jet fleet to date.

Airlines

Qatar Airways Flight Encounters Severe Turbulence Over Somalia

A routine flight from Doha to Mount Kilimanjaro turned harrowing for passengers aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR1499, as the aircraft encountered severe turbulence over Somalia due to adverse weather conditions.

The incident, which unfolded on Friday, left the aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 leased from Oman Air, with internal damages and passengers shaken.

An Airbus A330-200 (A4O-DA), which is presently leased from Oman Air, was used for the flight. The aircraft is still at Kilimanjaro International Airport, as per FlightAware, however the flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Dar es Salaam (DAR) did not continue after the incident.

A Qatar Airways flight from Doha encountered severe turbulence over Somalia due to adverse weather conditions. As a result, the aircraft sustained internal damage, and at least one passenger required medical attention and was transferred to a Nairobi hospital for treatment. pic.twitter.com/81afJnQXrd— DP 🇰🇪 (@DanChepta) May 6, 2024

Images of the inside show damaged ceiling panels and lights, which are usually the consequence of turbulence causing passengers and service objects to fall into the ceiling.

Surprisingly, the Kenyan airports authority says that this never took place. I haven’t seen that reported online, even though they clearly deny the claim that the plane touched down in Nairobi.

1/2: 🚨 Our attention has been drawn to circulating Social Media reports alleging that a Qatar Airways flight encountered severe turbulence and internal damage before landing at JKIA. We want to clarify that these reports are FALSE. pic.twitter.com/fF9Ruo9bPR— Kenya Airports Authority (@KenyaAirports) May 6, 2024

According to flight tracking, the aircraft carried on to Dar es Salaam before returning to Doha later that day. It doesn’t seem like anyone was too seriously hurt in this incident, even though the cabin sustained significant damage.

The incident should serve as yet another timely reminder for passengers to always wear their seatbelts when sitting, even if the seat belt signs were activated at the time owing to the predicted adverse conditions in the area.

Airlines

Riyadh Air Initiates Talks with Airbus and Boeing for New order

Image:Jetline marvel

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s emerging second flag carrier, is poised for a significant expansion as it sets its sights on bolstering its fleet to commence operations by the summer of 2025.

Reports indicate that the airline is currently engaged in advanced discussions with aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus to finalize a substantial order of wide-body aircraft, marking a crucial step in its journey towards becoming a prominent player in the aviation industry.

CEO Tony Douglas revealed that Riyadh Air is on the verge of clinching a deal for additional narrow-body aircraft, with an announcement expected in the near future. This move underscores the airline’s strategic commitment to fortify its fleet capacity in preparation for an ambitious network expansion.

The imminent narrow-body order complements Riyadh Air’s recently completed acquisition of narrow-body jets, the details of which are set to be disclosed in the coming months. Riyadh Air’s expansion strategy aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at revitalizing the nation’s aviation sector and fostering increased international tourism.

With plans to connect the capital city with over 100 destinations by the end of the decade, Riyadh Air envisions rapid growth, targeting a fleet of more than 200 aircraft within the initial five years of operation.

Notably, Riyadh Air’s endeavors come under the auspices of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, signaling strong government support for the airline’s ambitions. However, amidst the backdrop of robust demand for aircraft and supply chain challenges plaguing both Airbus and Boeing.

Douglas emphasized the imperative of timely jet deliveries to ensure Riyadh Air’s successful debut in the competitive aviation landscape. Both Airbus and Boeing find themselves grappling with production constraints amid burgeoning demand, underscoring the urgency for Riyadh Air to secure its fleet on schedule.

As the airline prepares to take flight, these negotiations epitomize Riyadh Air’s determination to surmount industry challenges and carve out a prominent presence in the global aviation arena.