Airlines
Vistara brand to be dropped after merger, says Air India CEO
Campbell Wilson, the chief executive officer of Air India, announced on Monday that the Vistara brand would be discontinued after the merger. The full-service airline will only be known as Air India, a name that is much more recognizable outside of India. Wilson indicated that in that “new manifestation,” some of Vistara’s heritage would be preserved.
Since assuming control of the losing Air India in January of last year, Tata Group has been working to transform the airline group. As part of this effort, it has announced that Vistara will merge with itself and that AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, will be integrated into Air India Express.
“One full-service and one low-cost airline will be included in the group, respectively. Air India and Vistara will amalgamate to create the full-service airline “explained Wilson.
Tatas rename AirAsia India as AIX Connect ahead of merger(Opens in a new browser tab)
According to Wilson, Air India is far more well-known outside of India due to its 90-year history, despite Vistara having very strong recognition inside the domestic market. According to him, they intend to keep the Maharaja brand and want it to be a part of “Air India’s future.” Wilson remarked, “That is really loved… It will be a part of our future.”
Air India will take over as the nation’s leading domestic and international airline if the purchase is finalised. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is anticipated to close by March 2024.
Airlines
Air India Enters Into Codeshare Agreement With AIX Connect for 100 Flights
A codeshare arrangement has been made between AIX Connect, formerly known as Air Asia India, and Air India, which is controlled by the Tata Group. A codeshare arrangement allows one airline to sell seats on a different carrier’s flights while both use the other’s flight number.
ANA and EI AI Israel Airlines Sign Codeshare Agreement(Opens in a new browser tab)
Over 100 flights per day on 21 destinations operated by AIX Connect will now have Air India’s ‘AI’ designator code. It will gradually add more routes covered by the codeshare agreement. In a statement, Air India announces that reservations for the codeshare flights are now being accepted at all points of sale, with travel beginning on September 27, 2023.
Tatas rename AirAsia India as AIX Connect ahead of merger(Opens in a new browser tab)
The codeshare flights are now accepting reservations at all points of sale, with travel beginning this Wednesday. The extent of the agreement between the two airlines allows passengers to have their bags checked in all the way to their ultimate destinations and receive their boarding tickets at the initial point of departure for all of the travel sectors on a single ticket. To comply with government regulations, passengers connecting from international to domestic flights must go through customs at the initial point of entrance into India, according to Air India.
In addition to the shared destinations between the route networks of the two airlines, Air India has expanded its domestic route network with the introduction of the codeshare agreement to include Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Surat.
Airlines
British Airways will be the sole airline offering full business class suites on routes between the UK & Japan
British Airways launching its latest business class Club Suite cabin, on flights between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda. From 31 October, it will be the only airline offering a business class suite with a full privacy door on direct flights between the UK and Japan. Club Suite has been designed to offer privacy, comfort, and space for customers wanting to work, rest, and play.
Chefs have designed commemorative dishes for all four cabins based on heritage menus from the airline’s enormous collection, which will be served on Heathrow to Haneda flights from September 1 to October 31. Customers will be able to experience the most popular foods served on the route in 1969 – beef stroganoff and beef cheek okaribayaki – and the airline has also produced a festive cherry meringue gateau, the characteristic dessert enjoyed by flyers on the London to Anchorage segment that same year.
Emirates Resume Tokyo Haneda Flights(Opens in a new browser tab)
In a 1-2-1 layout, the airline’s Club Suite flat-bed seat provides direct aisle access and a suite door for increased privacy. boasting an impressive 18.5-inch in-flight entertainment screen, WiFi, a vanity stand with a mirror, and 40% extra storage. The B777-300ER* fleet’s BA6 and BA5 flights will provide the most recent business class seats. Across the Club World cabin, customers enjoy a luxurious plush pillow and warm quilt from The White Company, an amenity kit and an improved dining experience.
Customers flying in the airline’s First cabin to and from Tokyo starting on September 1 will enjoy the most luxurious service available, including custom loungewear and amenity kits created by Temperley London, a high-end British fashion label, as well as goods from ELEMIS, including the renowned ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range and bedding made from recycled plastic bottles.
Airlines
Air France-KLM Orders 90 Airbus A350 Long-Range Aircraft
The Air France-KLM Group has today stated that it intends to place a historic aircraft order in an effort to modernize and simplify its long-haul fleet, enhancing the Group’s economic and environmental performance.
First deliveries of the 50 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft under this group order are scheduled to begin in 2026 and continue through 2030, with the option to purchase a further 40 aircraft. In accordance with market dynamics and regional regulatory frameworks, the Group will have the flexibility to assign aircraft among its portfolio of airlines under this evolving order.
These aircraft will replace previous-generation aircraft, namely Airbus A330 and older Boeing 777 aircraft. This new order will come in addition to an existing Air France-KLM order for 41 Airbus A350-900s for Air France, of which 22 have been delivered to date. With these combined orders, covering up to 99 aircraft, Air France-KLM would become the world’s largest A350 family aircraft operator.
The Airbus A350 symbolizes the transition to a more sustainable air transport industry. The aircraft consumes 25% less fuel than an equivalent-sized, previous-generation aircraft, thanks to the use of lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
By 2028, the share of new-generation aircraft in the Air France-KLM fleet will reach 64%, compared to 5% in 2019. Air France-KLM was flying 533 aircraft as of September 25, 2023, to more than 300 locations across the world. After placing this order, the Group will have over 220 aircraft on order, including 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, with maiden deliveries anticipated by the end of 2023.
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