Economy Class & Beyond

Another day, another day of strikes at Frankfurt

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Oh yes, it shouldn't come as a surprise, but Frankfurt ground staff are still on strike. The news gets worse as it's due to continue until at least Friday according to Lufthansa. Here's the hit list http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/info_and_services/irregularities/canceled_flights?nodeid=3526064&l=en&cid=18002 Bottom line: Short Haul Domestic programme … [Read more...]

Kingfisher – Endgame?

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As Live from a Lounge has covered, the good times of Kingfisher may be drawing to a close according to The Hindu Times. Kingfishers bank accounts are in a very precarious state - that of being frozen. Only 16 planes out of a 64 fleet strong aircraft are serviceable. It also seems the lack of pay has forced employees to jump ship with 35 commanders jumping to IndiGo and … [Read more...]

Another Day, another Strike at Frankfurt

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It seems the GdF union has placed Frankfurt airport under strike action, and it will be hitting today (20th Feb). The strike will from Monday, 20 Feb 2012 from 05:00 CET to till Tuesday, 21 Feb 2012, 05:00 CET The Lufthansa cancellation list is up - and it's.. hefty. See … [Read more...]

IRIS switched off at Manchester and Birmingham. London to follow…

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In what is the bonehead maneuver of the day (although UK Borders will call it "cost saving"), the IRIS Border Authentication Machines has been now confirmed as switched off at Birmingham and Manchester Airports by visitors to the Business Traveler forum. What is more concerning are two other bits of information that have surfaced: No new registrations for IRIS will be … [Read more...]

Surprise Surprise. Virgin makes a complaint over the BMI takeover by IAG

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Well, if you couldn't see this coming... you need new glasses. Virgin Group today lodged a formal complaint at the European Commission over International Consolidated Airlines Group takeover of British Midland Airways. Virgin group argues there will be a " "choice of one" on flights between Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Heathrow (ignoring the small matter of flights to other … [Read more...]

Qantas – Delays 787-8 deliveries

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Well it seems Qantas is trying to save money "any way possible", with the announcement that they will be deferring delivery of the first of their 787 fleet as a way of reducing capital expenditure. Qantas cites the delays by Boeing to actually deliver aircrft as a good excuse, with savings that are not inconsiderable. Well the odd million Aussie dollars to Qantas can be lost … [Read more...]

Kingfisher takes another loss

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Well it seems KingFisher is really suffering with losses by increasing 75% during to October to December period, and it's raising new concerns about the carrier as an ongoing business. Kingfisher (which has never made a profit in its existence) has lost 4.44bn rupees ($90m; £57m) Oct-Dec 2011, compared with 2.54bn rupees in Oct-Dec 2010. Kingfisher states that the cost … [Read more...]

Virgin to Hire, Qantas to Fire…

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It's all kicking off with news that Virgin Atlantic will be hiring up to 500 new cabin crew to support its new Airbus A330 London fleet. The crew (dual based between Heathrow and Gatwick) will be used to support Virgin Atlantic's new routes to Cancun and Vancouver, as well boost its staffing on other long haul fleet. Which is nice. Meanwhile in a land down under, … [Read more...]

Iberia pilots to go on strike. Again.

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IAG's Spanish arm - Iberia - is looking like once again, it is going out on strike. This time, it's four days over two weeks - and below are the dates: 17th February 2012 - List of What's cancelled 20th February 2012 - List of What's cancelled 24th February 2012 29th February 2012 Iberia has been working on a replacement timetable for the first two strike dates, … [Read more...]

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