Airline News - Europe.

For more airline news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Aug 28, 2006

Assn. of European Airlines members posted a 99% completion rate on short/medium-haul flights in the second quarter with an 81.1% ontime performance, down 2.2 points from the year-ago period, according to data supplied by 26 of the 31 member carriers. Long-haul flights were completed 99.7% of the time with 72.7% punctuality, down 4.2 points. Baggage irregularities rose to 13.3 missing bags per 1,000 passengers from 11.9 in the second quarter of 2005. The reporting carriers flew approximately 93 million passengers during the quarter on 980,000 flights. Aug 22, 2006

Aer Lingus 

Aer Lingus will provide passengers on flights originating in the US with a free 0.5-liter bottle of water. The move is in response to new US security requirements prohibiting passengers from carrying liquids onto flights. Aug 21, 2006

Atlantic Express 

Jersey is to be connected from Stansted by three daily Atlantic Express flights next summer. The Coventry-based regional airline says it is pleased with the response to a twice daily service introduced at the end of May using a 46-seat ATR 42 turboprop. It plans to introduce a lunchtime return flight from Jersey which will make it far easier for passengers to connect with the many 'low cost' services available at Stansted into Europe. The airline recently introduced a courtesy tea, coffee or orange squash service. Curiously bar sales went up. Aug 26, 2006

European Business Jets

European Business Jets (EBJ), based at Cambridge Airport, has been granted an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) at a time when, due to the security problems at the major airports, the private aviation business is booming. EBJ floated on AIM in April last year and now operates a pair of six-seat Cessna Citation CJ1 aircraft. Innovative EBJ has introduced what it calls its five hour "Demonstration Card", which effectively allows cardholders to test drive the service whenever and wherever they wish for a set price of [pounds sterling]2,950 an hour. The EBJ concept is based on a streamlined version of the fractional ownership model. Individuals and companies purchase a portion of a specific aircraft - an interest that meets their travel requirements based on the number of actual hours they expect to fly annually. They are then guaranteed exclusive use and availability of an aircraft in Europe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with as little as 12 hours' notice. This is Graeme Deary ceo. Aug 26, 2006

French Connection

French Connection: A new business class only service from Paris Orly to New York Newark is likely to be operating by the end of the year. New paper airline Elysair is to take an ex-Condor Boeing 757 and refurbish it with a 100 executive seats and has already signed up for Aviation Partners blended winglets. These popular units are said to pay for themselves within three years with less fuel burn, additional range and reduced emissions of both nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide. A second 757 (complete with winglets) is programmed for early 2007 although the route has not been divulged. By the end of the year there is likely to be business class only routes to New York from the France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. Aug 26, 2006

Globespan

Globespan has released details of its three-class operation which is to be introduced on some of its transatlantic flights. Economy class will offer a free baggage allowance of 20kg, passengers paying onboard for their food selection; premium economy gives 30kg plus 34" seat pitch and a chance to preselect catering, whilst with business class the airline offers massive 40kg luggage allowance (although here two cases are suggested - try lifting 40 kgs). Both the upgraded classes offer priority check-in and seat selection as well as complimentary food and bar service. Business class has dedicated seating with individual in-flight entertainment, priority check-in and the use of the airport executive lounge. Champagne is offered after departure and during the flight passengers enjoy complimentary gourmet meals served with fine wines. Aug 26, 2006

Icelandair

Icelandair announced changes to some of its Reykjavik-US service for the winter season. Flights from Baltimore/Washington International will be suspended on Jan. 9 and resume March 8 with four-times-weekly service. Minneapolis-St. Paul service will shut down Jan. 10 and resume March 15 with four-times-weekly flights. Five-times-weekly service from New York JFK will run through Jan. 4, at which time it will be reduced to four-times-weekly. Boston will remain a daily service. An earlier item in AirGuideNews contained incorrect information that subsequently was corrected. Aug 21, 2006

KLM 

KLM announced it will not reinstate service to Beirut, even after the airport is fully operational, as "the route was already loss-making." Partner Air France intends to resume flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle. Aug 24, 2006

Lufthansa

Lufthansa will launch services from Hamburg to Moscow Sheremetyevo (four-times-weekly from Oct. 30), Geneva (daily from Oct. 29), Innsbruck (twice-weekly from Dec. 21) and Palma (thrice-weekly from Feb. 17). Aug 25, 2006

Lufthansa

Lufthansa Says Unable To Resume Beirut Flights. Lufthansa said it was no longer able to resume its five weekly flights to Beirut from August 23. Aug 22, 2006

Lufthansa

Lufthansa said it has developed a new "corporate sound" that will be played for customers holding on the phone and on radio and TV ads, as well as when passengers board aircraft. Aug 21, 2006

Northwest Airlines, Air France

Northwest, Air France launch code-share agreement. Northwest Airlines and Air France have signed a code-sharing agreement to take effect Sept. 2. The pact will allow travelers to book flights to Paris through Northwest and fly with either carrier without separate tickets. The airlines in the fall will expand the agreement to cover cities throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Aug 22, 2006