Emirates commences 777-300ER operations on the Dubai-Dublin sector

Emirates commenced Boeing 777-300ER operations on the Dubai-Dublin sector on 01-May-2012, two months earlier than originally planned. 777 equipment will be deployed during May-2012 and Jun-2012. Previously, the airline planned to operate 777-300ER on this route on temporary basis during May-2012 and on a scheduled basis from 01-Jul-2012. The carrier is the sole operator on the sector, according to Innovata.

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easyJet may introduce allocated seating across network

easyJet may introduce allocated seating across its network from Oct-2012 if it can maintain 25-minute turnarounds in trials currently being run, according to the LCC’s UK director, Paul Simmons. The airline is currently trialling allocated seating on services from London Luton to Malaga and Sharm El Sheikh.

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Dubai Airports unveils new Smart e-Gate system

UAE’s Dubai Airports unveiled a new Smart e-Gate system, which will eventually be installed across all Dubai International Airport’s immigration entry and exit points. The system will initially be installed at Terminal 3.

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Dubai Airports commences testing of Concourse 3 at Dubai International Airport

UAE's Dubai Airports announced it commenced operational readiness testing of the new Concourse 3 at Dubai International Airport ahead of the planned opening in 1Q2013 Responsibility for the baggage handling system and train system linking Terminal 3 to the new concourse have been completed and will be handed over to Dubai Airports in the coming weeks. Work on the facility is concentrating on internal infrastructure and activation of airport systems. The facility will be dedicated to Emirates and was expressly designed to accommodate the A380.

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Dubai Airports talking to flydubai and other carriers about move to Dubai World Central

UAE's Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said flydubai could be an "anchor airline” at the new Jebel Ali International Airport/Dubai World Central but the company is also talking to other carriers about a move to the airport.
The airport is preparing for scheduled passenger operations from 2013 onwards. Mr Griffiths said there is a case for flydubai to move to the new airport, as Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport will eventually be unable to accommodate the scale of the carrier’s operations. Mr Griffiths said Emirates is likely to shift its operations to the new airport between 2025 and 2027.

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Batavia Air suspicious of Government’s Hajj tender

Batavia Air stated it is suspicious of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s decision to award Garuda Indonesia the tender to transport Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 2012 and will meet with the Ministry to discuss the matter.
Garuda Indonesia was given rights to carry 54% of passengers while Saudi Arabian Airlines was approved to carry the remaining 46%. Batavia Air stated it met the requirements yet the tender was still given to Garuda Indonesia which has operated the services since 1956.

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Garuda Indonesia orders 11 more A330s

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 11 more A330-300 widebody aircraft. The contract was signed today in Jakarta by Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia and Tom Williams, Executive Vice President, Programmes, Airbus, in the presence of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The order is the third to be placed by Garuda Indonesia for the A330 since July 2010, with the carrier now having a total of 21 aircraft on firm order for future delivery. All the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.
Garuda Indonesia has chosen the latest extended range 235 tonne maximum take-off weight variant of the A330-300. The carrier will operate the aircraft with a premium two class layout on services from its hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) to destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.
“The A330 has proven to be a key element in the success of the revitalised Garuda Indonesia,” said Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia. “The low seat mile cost and high passenger appeal make the aircraft a perfect fit for our fleet and a firm favourite with our passengers.”
“We are pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with Garuda Indonesia,” said Tom Williams, Executive Vice President, Programmes, Airbus. “The A330 is undisputed leader in its class. It offers proven reliability, low operating costs and one of the most comfortable cabins in the sky. This winning combination makes it the preferred choice of airlines worldwide and will enable Garuda Indonesia to realise its full potential as a premier international carrier.”
The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded nearly 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and more than 800 aircraft are flying with some 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.
Garuda Indonesia currently operates 14 A330 aircraft, comprising eight A330-200s and six A330-300s.

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