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Scoot airline to start flights from Singapore in 2012

By Budget Airline News

Starting in mid-2012 with a fleet of four B777-200 aircraft purchased from parent company, Singapore Airlines (SIA), Scoot will offer no-frills service on medium to long haul routes to and from Singapore. It is managed and run independently from SIA, and already operates from separate offices.

Adhering to the low-frills spirit that has proven so popular in short haul arenas in Asia and around the world, Scoot will offer great value airfares up to 40% less than legacy carriers. Guests will be empowered to customize their travel to suit their personal requirements, partaking of only those elements they want and not subsidizing the choices of others. Meals, preferred seats and baggage, amongst many other items, will all be available for selection.

Scoot, which will operate from Changi Airport Terminal 2, will offer two cabins. Specific seats, cabin features and offerings are currently being evaluated.

The Airline’s first-year destinations will include Australasia, China and others – some routes being completely new, others new to no-frills airline operations. The specific cities will be progressively announced over the coming months as negotiations with airports and tourism bodies progress. Flights will open for booking in the early part of 2012.

Thereafter, as the fleet expands and longer-range aircraft are inducted, Scoot’s geographic footprint will steadily grow to encompass India, Europe and other markets at a later stage such as Africa and the Middle East.

The Airline is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), and is proceeding on track for award around the end of the first quarter of 2012. Engineering retrofit and certification of aircraft is scheduled for April-June, and the first commercial flights are targeted for the middle of the year. Recruitment is well under way for administrative staff and pilots, and will commence in earnest for cabin crew in early 2012 with a public campaign.

“The team building Scoot is passionate about this new airline, what it stands for and how it can change the way people travel long distance,” said Wilson. “We’re equally passionate about incorporating Scootitude into all that we do. It promises to be a fun and exciting ride.”

Jin Air to Start Seoul – Hong Kong Flights 5 times per week.

By Budget Airline News

Jin Air, Korean low-cost airline will start Seoul (Incheon) – Hong Kong flights on October 30, 2011. The flights will operate 5 days per week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The flight will depart Seoul Incheon airport at 9:00 am and arrive at Hong Kong airport at 11:50am. The return flight will depart from Hong Kong at 12:50pm and arrive in Seoul at 17:15 pm.

Jin Air began operations in July 2008 with routes to regional destinations in Korea. In October 2009, Jin Air began flights to Macau, Guam and Bangkok.

T’way Airlines to Start Bangkok – Seoul Flights in October

By Budget Airline News

T’way Airlines will start daily flights starting on Oct 15 between Suvarnabhumi and Incheon airports, T’way will be the third Korean low-cost carrier (LCC), after Jeju Air and Jin Air, on the Bangkok-Seoul route. T’way Airlines will use brand-new Boeing B737-800 jets for its flights through Bangkok.Bangkok is one of the first international destinations T’way has chosen, following cities in Japan and China, after establishing itself on its home turf.

T’way will compete with airlines including Thai carriers Thai Airways International (THAI) and Business Air, with what it calls the “most reasonable” fares.

Its initial round-trip fare is about 17,000 baht, undercutting its South Korean LCC rivals. The ticket price, which includes a snack and beverage as well as a 20-kg baggage allowance, will go up by about 1,000 baht next month as T’way takes advantage of high-season demand. T’way expects a load factor of 80% on its Bangkok-Incheon route with about 70% of its passengers being Koreans and 30% Thais, Ms Nawinee said.

T’way Air is a reincarnation of a carrier originally formed in 2004 and known as Hansung Airlines. It was formally relaunched Aug 8 last year when Shinbo Investment and Tomato Savings Bank took a controlling stake in the financially troubled carrier. T’way’s maiden flight was between Seoul’s Gimpo Airport and Jeju, the popular Korean tourist island, on Sept 10, 2010, five days after it took delivery of its first new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The airline is to take delivery of three more new B737-800 jets this year to increase its fleet to five before expanding to nine next year. The twin-engine, single-aisle jets will have 189 seats for the flights to Bangkok. The airline says the letter T in T’way stands for “Tomorrow, Today and Together”, though industry observers say it could also reflect the identity of shareholder Tomato Savings Bank.

Firefly introduces web check-in

By Budget Airline News

Firefly had recently introduced web check-in facility for all domestic routes and flights between Malaysia and Singapore to provide added convenience to passengers. This new facility will allow passengers to check-in from their home, office or from anywhere with an Internet connection and print out their boarding passes.

Firefly’s Head of Marketing & Communications, Angelina Corrina Fernandez, said: “It helps passengers save time at the airport by skipping the check-in queue at the counters. Those with check-in baggage will go straight to a special dedicated counter to drop off their baggage.

“Passengers travelling on domestic flights who do not have check-in baggage can go directly to the boarding gate with their boarding pass and MyKad or their passport for positive identification and then on to their flight. It is that convenient!

“Web check-in can be done as soon as passengers purchase their tickets up to an hour preceding the flight departure. An individual can also web check-in up to nine people at a time provided they are included in one booking.”

IndiGo Airlines to launch Delhi – Dubai flights

By Budget Airline News

IndiGo will launch its first international flight on Delhi- Dubai-Delhi sector on 1st Septemebr2011. It will mark IndiGo’s foray into the international arena after successful completion of 5 years of domestic flying. The first flight, 6E-021, will fly out from New Delhi to Dubai, carrying about 170 passengers on-board. To share the joy of going global with its customers, country’s most innovative airline will present the passengers with “The World’s Smallest Certificate”, welcoming them on board.

IndiGo will operate daily-direct flight services between Dubai-Delhi and Delhi-Dubai at an affordable return fare of 816 AED or INR 9999 (All inclusive). Effective 02nd October, 2011 the airline will also connect Dubai with Mumbai. Flights would operate to and from Terminal 3 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport thereby offering smooth, faster and hassle free airport experience for travelers.

Commenting on the launch of company’s new venture, Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President IndiGo said, “We are indeed very excited about our new journey as a part of our expansion program. We wish to thank our customers for their enduring trust and support. Dubai is a key market for us and holds a lot of promise. We hope to provide the much needed avenue for countless Indians to explore wider horizons and at the same time open up the doors to more and more overseas travelers to experience India.”

Ghosh further added, “We hope to create the same magic and success in the international market and look forward to a great experience with our customers. It is our consistent endeavor to make the journey hassle free for our customers and provide them high quality experience at the best yet affordable prices.”

Tiger Airways to launch thrice weekly Singapore-Davao flights

By Budget Airline News

Tiger Airways will launch direct flights between Singapore and Davao from 1 November 2011. Davao, the second largest city in the Philippines, has in recent years emerged as a major business, investment and tourism hub. Known as the “melting pot of the Philippines”, Davao is a culturally rich and extremely vibrant city. With beautiful beaches, mountain resorts and a low crime rate, Davao was named the ‘Most Livable City’ in the Philippines by the Department of Tourism in 2008.

“We are excited to add Davao to our growing portfolio of exciting destinations. Davao is an ideal destination for travellers who are keen on experiencing both the cultural diversity and natural beauty that the Philippines has to offer,” said Stewart Adams, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore.

With the addition of Davao to Tiger’s portfolio of routes, passengers can now purchase flights to four destinations in the Philippines – Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), Manila
(Clark)1, Cebu and Davao.

Adams added, “As Singapore’s leading low-cost carrier, Tiger Airways is committed to providing customers the lowest airfares on safe and convenient point-to-point air travel, offering travellers low fares, more savings and more choices.”

Tickets to Davao are on sale now from SGD$60 one-way (Singapore to Davao), all-in, for travel from 1 November 2011 to 30 June 2012. There will be three flights a week when the service launches, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Jetstar Launches Singapore – Hangzhou Flights

By Budget Airline News

Low fares leader Jetstar will continue its growth of international low fares services into China announcing another first with future and first time direct Singapore to Hangzhou services to commence in mid March.

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province on the Chinese mainland east coast, is one of China’s most visited cities by tourists, attracting tens of millions annual visitors including increasing numbers of foreign travelers to its renowned natural beauty and historic and cultural heritage.

Commencing from 22 March 2011 Jetstar will become the first carrier to offer a non-stop Singapore to Hangzhou flights, which will be operated by carrier’s growing A320 fleet.

Initially flying three times weekly, Jetstar’s Singapore-Hangzhou flying will grow to four times weekly by 27 March 2011.

Hangzhou (Shanghai)* will become Jetstar’s seventh Chinese destination and its fourth Chinese market introduced in the past twelve months.

From Singapore Changi Airport Jetstar currently serves Haikou, Shantou and Guilin with multiweekly direct flights, and flies at least daily services from Singapore to Greater China destinations of Hong Kong, Taipei and Macau.

Jetstar Asia CEO Ms Chong Phit Lian joined Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport executives and Chinese Government officials in Hangzhou to announce details of the new service. “Hangzhou has long been in our sights as an important addition to our growing Chinese network served directly from our major Singapore flying hub at Changi,” Ms Chong said. “Hangzhou is one of China’s, if not the region’s, most desirable tourism spots and we have no doubt that our low fare offering will inspire more and more new and repeat travellers not only from Singapore but from other parts of the Jetstar network across the Asia Pacific to visit,” she said.

According to the Hangzhou Tourism Board, more than 500,000 Singaporeans visited Hangzhou last year and more than 300,000 Australians.

“As an emerging player in the Chinese market, we hope to play a positive future role in global aviation’s key future travel market. Our future planned Singapore-Hangzhou services form part of this strategy to further grow our low fare services to China,” Mr Buchanan said.

“This route will be particularly attractive to travellers from Zhejiang Province planning their travel to Singapore and then beyond to Jetstar’s Asia Pacific network of over 50 destinations. We will be focusing on marketing Singapore both as a hub and as a destination.”

Cebu Pacific PHP 1 Seat Sale to all Domestic Destinations

By Budget Airline News

The Philippines ’ largest airline and Asia’s third-largest low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) announces a one-day only PHP 1 (USD 0.20) seat sale to any CEB destination within the Philippines . This is for sale on June 11, 2010, for travel from January 1 to March 31, 2011.

CEB has the most extensive network in the country, with 33 domestic destinations and 4 hubs in Manila , Cebu, Clark and Davao . All of its domestic routes and flights are included in the PHP 1 seat sale.

Prime tourist destinations are also up for grabs in this PHP 1 seat sale, such as Boracay, Puerto Princesa and Legazpi, which have direct flights from both Manila and Cebu . Roxas, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Dumaguete, Davao , Cebu and Coron (Busuanga) are also included in the seat sale.

Passengers can likewise avail of the PHP 1 seats to travel around the country, and later connect to the airline’s 15 international destinations. Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

“CEB would like to give back to its local and international passengers with this PHP 1 seat sale, since they were the ones who made the airline the largest in the Philippines for the first quarter of 2010. We thank them for making us number one,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

Based on Civil Aeronautics Board data, CEB overtook Philippine Airline’s passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2010, making it the largest airline in the Philippines . CEB operates the youngest aircraft fleet in the country, and garnered a 91.8% on-time performance in the first quarter of 2010.

Skytrax Names AirAsia the World’s Best Low Cost Airline

By Budget Airline News

In the annual global survey conducted by respected London-based aviation consultants Skytrax, almost 18 million travelers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the World’s Best Low Cost Airline for the second consecutive year. AirAsia came out tops in the independent survey that measures airlines’ product and service standards.

AirAsia Chairman Dato’ Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar accepted the award on behalf of the airline at the ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday. In the same ceremony, AirAsia was also named Best Low Cost Airline Asia.

Dato’ Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said, “We are proud to be recognised as the world’s best for a second consecutive year. The Skytrax award is very special to us because it is voted on by passengers. It reaffirms once again that we are the People’s Champion.”

“The award is public and global recognition for the efforts of my colleagues, the AirAsia Allstars. They are the foundation of AirAsia’s success. The dedication, commitment, creativity and hard work they display every day, day in and day out, enable AirAsia not just to compete but also succeed on the global stage. And we’re just over eight years old!” Fernandes added.

AirAsia’s superstar status rides on the wings of its consumer-friendly products and services, including low fares, a modern fleet, an extensive network and great flight frequencies, convenient booking and payment channels, and choose-your-own features for meals, seats and baggage allowances.

The airline is known for its innovations, popularizing technology-backed travel services such as web bookings; web, mobile and kiosk check-in services; and the use of real-time interactive platforms such as YouTube, blog, Facebook and Twitter in communicating with guests.

AirAsia’s operations are anchored in its mission to democratise travel, encapsulated in its tagline Now everyone can fly. It has ferried more than 92 million guests to date. AirAsia has also established itself as the Truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline, with its unmatched connectivity in the region and its “sky bridges” – routes – that link the capitals and communities of Southeast Asia to each other and beyond.

Since its launch as a Low-Cost Carrier in late 2001, AirAsia has grown from 250 employees, two aircraft and one destination to an Asean-wide Group with almost 7,500 employees, 92 aircraft and more than 65 destinations. AirAsia has been operationally profitable from day one of its launch as a low-cost carrier. Together with its low-cost, long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, the airline now links three continents – Asia, Australia and Europe.

Jetstar to Launch Singapore’s First Long Haul Budget Airline

By Budget Airline News

Jetstar has unveiled plans to launch Singapore’s first long haul low fare airline with services from Changi Airport commencing late in 2010. The low fares leader will operate its next two A330-200 aircraft from Singapore and will employ up to 200 new aviation jobs across its growing Pan Asian network including Pilots, Cabin Crew, Engineers and Airport Customer Service staff.

Jetstar presently flies up to 2000 weekly flights to 57 destinations with a fleet of 61 aircraft across the Asia Pacific Region. The first time launch of value based long haul flying in this market by Jetstar plans to introduce new services to Australia, North Asia and/or European destinations.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the airline was in discussions with several airports to finalise arrangements and hoped to soon launch commercial pre-flight sales. “Jetstar continues to grow strongly as we build our Pan-Asian presence,” Mr Buchanan said.

Jetstar Asia & Valuair Chief Executive Officer Ms Chong Phit Lian said the start of wide-body services later this year would see Jetstar become Singapore’s first long haul low fare airline. “It represents the latest and an important chapter in our Pan Asian network growth plans made possible through our partnership in growth with Singapore Changi Airport,” Ms Chong said.

Mr Yam Kum Weng, Executive Vice President Changi Airport Group, said: “We are pleased that Jetstar is on track to be the first airline at Changi Airport to offer low-cost long-haul flights for passengers. “This is an exciting development. It will give air travellers greater choice, while enhancing Singapore’s connectivity and attractiveness as an air hub. Changi Airport Group will continue to work with Jetstar to support its growth at Changi,” he said.

Jetstar’s A330-200 fleet is configured in two classes for 303 passengers and offers its international business class product StarClass. Jetstar long haul international services now operate from Australia directly into Asia and the Asia Pacific destinations of Bali, Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Phuket and Honolulu.