New RTW service
A new round-the-world service is being launched later this year with the introduction by Air New Zealand of an eastbound routeing from London to Auckland via Hong Kong. This second daily departure will be in addition to the existing westbound service via Los Angeles, establishing the only daily RTW service on a single airline.
There have been similar services in the past, most notably Pan American’s legendary circular routeing, and currently code-share options are available on two or more airlines, but none with just one carrier.
The planned double daily service from Heathrow, which starts on October 29, will be operated by ANZ’s newly refurbished Boeing 747-400s, with 46 fully lie-flat Business Premier seats, 23 seats in the Premium Economy cabin, and 324 in Economy, all with on-demand audio-visual entertainment. Single brand for Brussels
Belgium-based airlines SN Brussels and Virgin Express, already under joint ownership, will operate as a single brand within 12 months, with the new name being announced by the end of the year, says the company.
"The new airline will offer two distinct services – a basic product to be offered to price-sensitive customers, and an upgraded product, for the more time-sensitive customers seeking greater convenience and flexibility," according to a statement by the two companies.
The joint airline plans to step up flights from Brussels to the main business centres in Europe, expand its services to Africa and add other long-haul destinations.
SN Brussels Airlines, which took over from the failed Belgian national carrier Sabena, has a fleet of 38 aircraft, while Virgin Express, which operates low-cost services, has 10 Boeing 737s. Both use Brussels Zaventum airport.
SN added services to Frankfurt, Dubrovnik and Genoa as well as resuming its seasonal flights to Nice at the start of the summer schedule, while Virgin Express, which serves around two dozen destinations, introduced new routes to Palermo, Naples and Bari. The merger plan was agreed last month by SN Airholding, which owns both airlines. BMED restores Ankara link
Direct flights between London and Ankara have been restored after more than 15 years. British Airways’ franchise partner BMED has launched a six times weekly service between the two capitals, increasing to daily from July.
The service from Heathrow uses late model A321s, configured 31 Club and 118 Economy, taking about four hours in each direction and cutting journey times via Istanbul by up to half. The evening flights from London continue to Khartoum before making the return journey, with an early morning departure from Turkey’s chief government and administration centre.
BMED chairman Lord Hesketh says there is strong business demand for non-stop flights as well as rapid access to Ankara over Heathrow for North American passengers. BA/Iberia merger?
A merger between British Airways and Iberia, or an extension of its current joint venture, has been ruled out for the time being, according to the head of BA’s Spanish and Portuguese operations.
Jordi Porcel is reported as saying there are no plans in the short- or medium-term, although the airlines intended to extend their code-share arrangements between London and Madrid and Barcelona. News in brief...
(With the first anniversary this month of the launch of its services to India, BMI has increased the number of flights on the London Heathrow-Mumbai route to a daily frequency. The three-class service, which includes a Premium Economy cabin, is operated by Airbus A330s.
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