Airlines

Kenya Airways first-half loss narrows 15% as borders reopen

Kenya Airways reported on Wednesday that the first half of the year saw a 15% reduction in pretax loss because to an increase in passenger and cargo income brought on by the opening of borders and the relaxation of COVID-19 regulations.

Pretax losses for the airline were 9.861 billion shillings ($82.35 million), down from losses of 11.542 billion shillings a year earlier. First-half revenue jumped by 76% over the same period last year, while operational expenditures increased by 53%.

At a conference, Kenya Airways officials stated that fuel costs were a significant cost factor and that the pretax loss would have been 3.328 billion shillings at last year’s fuel rates.

According to the chief financial officer of the company, The airline did not hedge on jet fuel in the first half but occasionally does and continues to observe market developments.

Some important markets have had swift recoveries as a result of worldwide border openings. The first phase of the travel recovery is still being actively embraced by Kenya Airways.

Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways Group, is “confident” that the airline would resume growth and profitability in 2024 as a result of the restructuring and cost-reduction initiatives.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.