AIRLINE & TRAVEL NEWS

Airguide Online, Nov, 2004

Delta Air Lines, like its major competitors, struggling on in harsh economic times, says it has no intention of taking the easy way out and going into Chapter 11 with serious consequences for investors, staff and ultimately the public. It says restructuring is well on its way. As if to reinforce the position the airline confirms that it would like to introduce further ex-UK services for next year but is constrained by a lack of suitably equipped aircraft ex-domestic Boeing 767s those available earmarked for proposed South American services. If these routes were not to be approved an extension of the Gatwick and Manchester fights are the most likely scenario, but new UK gateways have not been ruled out. Delta says that its transatlantic services are profitable and also confirms that Song is performing as per budget. Just like everyone in the industry it is keeping an anxious eye on fuel prices. http://www.delta.com Nov 22, 2004

Delta Air Lines and Air Tahiti Nui have entered into an MOU to form a partnership that could include codesharing and reciprocal frequent-flier benefits as well as other areas of cooperation such as lounge sharing, cargo and assistance in facilities and passenger handling programs. The carriers also will discuss launching a codeshare flight from New York JFK to Papeete in 2005. Nov 5, 2004

Delta Air Lines will launch two weekly nonstop flights between Atlanta and St. Croix March 5 2005 using 737-800s. Nov 3, 2004

EasyJet launched 16 new routes with the start of the winter schedule Oct. 31 2004. About half of the routes connect more UK bases with Germany, Hungary, Italy and Spain and also are being used to add Estonia to the network, while the other half will expand the carrier's intra- continental network. Additionally, the LCC is launching a new London Luton-Basel service Nov. 1 and flights from Bristol to Valencia, London Stansted to Valencia and Luton to Warsaw Nov. 3. By the end of March, easyJet will operate 189 routes across 55 cities. Most of these routes will be operated by the 13 new A319s that are being delivered this winter, the airline said. Nov 1, 2004

EL AL has finally moved into the new state of the art Terminal 3 at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. The Israeli national carrier has split the check-in areas into two with business and first class completely separate from economy. After the check-in area, passengers enter a huge shopping complex including restaurants, shops and seating areas where family and friends can stay with passengers before going through to passport control. On the other side of passport control, passengers will enter a walkway to an impressive round hall with a waterfall at its center. The hall offers a selection of duty-free shops, restaurants, coffee shops and service areas such as a mother-and-child room, a games room and a synagogue. For the first time TLV will have air bridges. http://www.elal.com Nov 8, 2004

Emirates will add a further five weekly services from Dubai to Paris Charles de Gaulle to complement its existing once-daily service. The expansion of services between the cities is the result of a new bilateral agreement reached between France and the United Arab Emirates and is effective from summer 2005. Under terms of the agreement, in summer 2006 Emirates will be allowed to offer double-daily frequencies on the route. Nov 25, 2004