| AVIATION NEWS |
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| October-November 2002 |
| SYDNEY AIRPORT AND VIRGIN BLUE IN COURT The ongoing row between Macquarrie Bank owned Sydney Airport and Virgin Blue recently landed in court. Virgin claims it had an agreement with airport management over use of the former Ansett Terminal earlier this year. Since then the airport has been sold and its new owners have refused to uphold any such agreement and asking double the original lease price. The issue recently went to court where the judge ruled that there definitely is a case to be examined. The case goes back to court in six months but both parties are rumoured to be back in negotiations. |
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| TO BE, OR NOT TO BE??? Will Australia see a third domestic carrier enter the market? While many speculate over whether it will or won't happen, a team of executives from Singapore Airlines has just completed research here into wheather it is feasable for a third carrier to start up domestic operations. The study showed that there is room for a third profitable airline which would help Star Alliance fill the void left since the collapse of Ansett. Despite admitting conducting a feasability study Singapore Airlines is remaining coy stating only "We're not ruling it in......but we're not ruling it out either" |
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| VIRGIN MOVES INTO NEW TERMINALS Despite the issues over terminal space at Sydney Airport, Virgin Blue has recently moved into new multi user terminals formerly owned by Ansett. The former Ansett terminals at Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide have become multi user terminals which Virgin Blue has recently moved into. The new terminal space will allow Virgin passengers expanded facilities at checkin, departure gates and baggage claim areas. Pictured left is gate 4 at Melbourne airport which features aerobridges for undercover boarding. |
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| AUSTRALIAN AIRLINES TAKES OFF Australias newest airline is set to take of later this month with the launch of Qantas owned 'Australian Airlines'. The first flight of the newborn airline will be on October 27th to a range of international cities. Australian Airlines will be based in Cairns and will fly to Osaka, Fukuoka, Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong and Nagoya with later expansion to Phuket and other cities in Asia expected. The airline will start with a fleet of four Boeing 767-300 aircraft expanding their fleet along with new routes. While the airline is an all economy low cost carrier, they state that they are a 'full service' airline offering inflight catering and entertainment. Although Austalian Airlines is a Qantas frequent flyer partner, you can only redeem Qantas points for use on Australian but cannot earn points when flying with them. |
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| SYDNEY TERMINAL EXPANSION FOR QANTAS While there has been some difficulty with airlines agreeing with Sydney Airport over use of the former Ansett terminal, Qantas has finally settled on a lease of what is now known as 'Terminal 2'. From the end of September, regional flights operated by Qantaslink will depart from 'pier B' of Terminal 2. Pier B is the section of the former Ansett terminal closest to the current Qantas domestic terminal. The correct terminal to use will depend on the flight number, as follows: QF001-399 Terminal 1 (international terminal) QF400-1599 Terminal 3 (current Qantas domestic) QF1600 and above Terminal 2 (former Ansett terminal) Qantaslink flights to Canberra and Gold Coast will still depart from the current Qantas domestic terminal. A 230 seat Qantas Club lounge will also be located in the new terminal 2 building near gate 11. |
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| VIRGIN BLUE EXPANDS INTO SUNSHINE COAST From October 17 Virgin Blue will commence direct flights to Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) with a daily Sydney-Maroochydore service. Airfares will initially start from $109 for a one way fare booked on the internet up to $279 (fully flexible). It is expected that greater frequency and direct services to more cities will be rolled out once new aircraft have been delivered. |
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| VIRGIN BLUE TO GO INTERNATIONAL A new international subsidiary of Virgin Blue is expected to hit the skies in the next 12 months. Richard Branson confirmed a further 50 aircraft for domestic and new international services will be placed on order shortly. It is believed that the international carrier will operate larger aircraft with a greater range than the 737's, possibly Boeing 767's or Airbus A330's. A new name will be used and some inflight services will differ from that of Virgin Blue. |
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| NEW LOOK FOR REGIONAL EXPRESS The recently merged Hazelton & Kendell Airlines now known as Regional Express, or 'Rex' is steadily rolling out the new colours. Aircraft painted in the new colour scheme are being rolled out and the airline has moved into new terminal space at Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra with spacious gate lounges and checkin areas sporting the new colour scheme. Rex continues to fly to 31 ports in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania with a fleet of SAAB 340 and Metro 23 aircraft. |
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| AIR PACIFIC SPREADS THEIR WINGS Fijian international carrier 'Air Pacific' is set to acquire larger aircraft to expand services. The airline which is 46% Qantas owned is to take delivery of two Boeing 747-400 aircraft in the coming months. Air Pacific will increase Nadi-Sydney flights from 4 to 7 a week and double weekly flights to Los Angeles. The airline currently flies an all Boeing fleet: 1x747-200, 1x767-300, 1x737-700 and 2x737-800's. The current 747-200 will be retired early 2003. |
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| FIRST QANTAS AIRBUS ARRIVING SOON The first of over a dozen new Airbus aircraft currently on order will arrive in Australia in the next few weeks. The first Qantas A330 has rolled off the Airbus production line in France and is due to be delivered in November although it is not likely to enter scheduled flights until early 2003. Qantas has also ordered the massive A380 aircraft although production and delivery is still several years off. |
| AIRSHOW 2003 The Australian International Airshow held every two years is rapidly approaching.. Avalon Airport just out of Melbourne will again host the international airshow which is promised to be bigger than ever for the year that marks the centenary of flight. Public days are Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of February 2003. Tickets start from $35 (adult) for a day pass and can be purchased at the gate or in advance via RACV travel. For more information go to www.airshow.net.au If you are interested in going, please email me so that we can organise a group social outing. |
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| REX JOINS ALTITUDE PROGRAM Regional Express (Rex) has joined forces with Westpac Visa card 'Altitude Rewards Program'. Westpac cardholders can now earn bonus points when using their Visa card to pay for Rex flights and will also be able to redeem their points for flights with Rex. Ironically both parties have previously had similar commercial links. Rex (formerly Kendell & Hazelton) were partners of the former Westpac Global Rewards scheme under Ansett. For more information go to www.westpac.com.au |
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| UP, UP AND AWAY FOR EASYJET UK based 'no-frills' carrier Easyjet is about to place an order for up to 120 A319 aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus. Easyjet has a fleet of over 60 Boeing 737-300's after it recently bought out poorly performing rival no frills airline 'GO' formerly owned by British Airways. However the new aircraft are not planned to replace the current fleet but will be part of expected growth. The Airbus fleet will be an addition to over 60 Boeing new generation 737-700's currently on order. |
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