Airline News March 2005

Airguide Online, March 30, 2005

Mar 28, 2005

EuJet

EuJet passengers on can now sign-up to Jet-text, a free SMS service that alerts them about any alterations to their flights. It is believed to be a first for the UK's low cost airline industry. The Kent-based airline introduced the new system last week, just in time to be useful when the UK's most south eastern county was struck by snow blizzards. Passengers need to register their mobile number with the call centre. Importantly the service enables EUjet to track if the message has been delivered and when it was read. Under the new EU regulations the airline has to prove it has contacted the customer. The product has been developed by Mkodo, a leading mobile services specialist. http://www.mkodo.com http://www.eujet.com

Mar 6, 2005

Germanwings

Berlin Schoenefeld has a new tenant airline. Germanwings has chosen the easyJet base as a hub for its own ambitious plans for growth. Eight new routes will be introduced on 5 June: Ankara, Dusseldorf, Istanbul, Moscow, Munich, Split, Stockholm and Zagreb. Schoenefeld is already a destination from Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart, its two existing hubs. Also new from Cologne/Bonn for this summer are Ankara, Birmingham Dubrovnik Moscow and Verona. http://www.germanwings.com

Mar 14, 2005

Icelandair

Icelandair, will resume flights from New York's JFK International Airport on March 11, 2005. Icelandair offers nonstop flights to their hub in Reykjavik, Iceland with nonstop connections to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, Germany, Holland and France. Passengers may Take-A-Break in Iceland for up to seven nights on their way to or from Europe's hottest destinations, at no additional airfare.

Mar 9, 2005

Jet Blue

Jet Blue, one of the most successful of the new breed of US domestic carriers, could be adding the very competitive New York JFK - Boston route to its ever-expanding portfolio. The airline is due to take delivery of its first Embraer 190 in the autumn, the 100-seat aircraft ideal on short sectors such as Kennedy - Logan International. Currently both American Airlines and Delta serve the route with flight timings of just one hour in the less busy periods. http://www.jetblue.com

Mar 14, 2005

Jetsgo

Jetsgo looks like being gone and has closed its operation. The Canadian no frills carrier, which was first established in 2002, shut shop last Thursday and is unlikely to be seen around again. The carrier flew a mixture of MD83 aircraft and recently acquired Fokker 100s to about 30 destinations in Canada and the US. Thousands of passengers were stranded including it is thought 600 from the UK. http://www.jetsgo.net

Mar 14, 2005

Korean Air

Korean Air will be adding Prestige Plus business-class seats and cocoon- style first class seats to its aircraft later this year, along with new in-flight entertainment systems and Internet outlets. In October, all of its front-line staff, flight attendants, pilots and mechanics will have new uniforms designed by Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferre. Korean Air is spending more than $1 billion on its makeovers, and says it aims to be one of the top 10 passenger airlines by 2010.