Gateway debate grows
Melbourne and Brisbane airports want the Australian government to open Australian routes to foreign airlines willing to serve gateways other than Sydney. They argue that Sydney receives most of the new flights operated by foreign carriers and that Qantas is concentrating more of its overseas capacity at the airport. Melbourne also complains that its international presence is suffering because Qantas is transferring overseas routes to subsidiary Jetstar.
New services for Vancouver
The launch of new routes later this year from Vancouver to Auckland and Sydney could affect transpacific competition between Australasia and North America. Air New Zealand is launching Vancouver-Auckland in November and Air Canada a Vancouver-Sydney service in December, both operating nonstop with Boeing 777s. Air Canada decided to go ahead with the Vancouver-Sydney route after US delays on its request for Los Angeles-Sydney fifth freedom rights.
MAS launches Firefly
Malaysia Airlines is establishing a new regional carrier using Fokker 50s that will be based on the island of Penang. Firefly plans to launch services in early April from Penang to Kota Bahru, Langkawi, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu in western Malaysia and to Phuket and Samui in Thailand.
JAL orders E-170s
Japan Airlines (JAL) is to order up to 15 Embraer 170s in line with plans to operate smaller aircraft on domestic routes. The deal represents a breakthrough for the Brazilian manufacturer in the Japanese market, where only a limited number of Bombardier regional jets are operating. JAL plans to place firm orders for 10 of the type and take five options.
ANA buys more 777s
Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is continuing with an aircraft downsizing programme and has sold three Boeing 747-400s to Oasis Hong Kong Airlines while ordering four more Boeing 777-300ERs. The four additional 777-300ERs will be delivered in fiscal 2009 for use on long-haul international routes to replace the larger 747-400s.
Source: Airline Business
