airline news...

Foreign airlines shunning UK due to lack of space at Heathrow airport, BAA boss Colin Matthews reveals

Foreign airlines are “voting with their feet” and building networks outside of the UK due to the Government’s paralysis on aviation policy, ministers will be warned on Wednesday.

BAA boss Colin Matthews will unveil new research at a conference in London, showing 53pc of airlines are increasing their flights out of other countries due to the severe capacity restraints at Heathrow.

The airports boss will renew his warning that the UK is losing out on vital investment and jobs due to the Government’s lack of support for expanding capacity at Britain’s only hub airport.

A survey by the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK - an organisation that represents 84 global airlines - shows that 86pc would introduce more flights to the UK if a greater number of take-off and landing slots were made available at Heathrow.

Publication of the Government’s much-anticipated aviation White Paper, due by the end of March, has been delayed until the summer, frustrating airline and airport bosses who warn ministers need to urgently address the crippling “capacity crunch” in the South East of England.

Speaking at the Transport Times conference in London, Mr Matthews will say: “These figures show that it is a mistake to believe that flights displaced from Heathrow will automatically fly to Stansted, Gatwick or Birmingham instead.

(This article first appeared in The Telegraph on Wednesday March 18)
 For full story, click:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9209556/Foreign-airlines-shunning-UK-due-to-lack-of-space-at-Heathrow-airport-BAA-boss-Colin-Matthews-reveals.html

Emirates airline may look at investing in India carrier

Dubai-based Emirates airline has indicated that it may look at investing in an Indian carrier, as India's government is mulling to allow foreign airlines to buy stakes in domestic carriers.
"The airline is open to looking at anything that helps its business and is at the right price," said Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline Shaikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
He said, however, nothing is happening for the moment. On whether the airline would consider investing in an Indian carrier such as Kingfisher Airlines, the Gulf News quoted him as saying, "Talking about the business, there are many other companies like that around the world which we could look at, but don't expect us to buy everything."
The airline has been trying to gain additional flying rights in India.

This story first appeared in Economic Times of India. For full story, click:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/emirates-airline-may-look-at-investing-in-india-carrier/articleshow/12715669.cms

JetBlue and Japan Airlines reach codeshare deal

JetBlue Airways Corp. and Japan Airlines said Tuesday that they reached a deal on a codeshare agreement that will make it easier for travelers to book flights between the U.S. East Coast and Japan.
Starting Wednesday for travel on or after Sunday, customers making reservations will see Japan Airlines' code on JetBlue-operated flights, the airlines said.
The agreement coincides with the Japanese airline starting flights between Boston and Tokyo with the new Boeing 787 aircraft. Japan Airlines also currently offers daily nonstop service to Tokyo from New York.

This article first appeared in Business Week, for full story click:

 http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U6OU9O0.htm