Airline News - Europe.

For more airline news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Sep 4, 2006

Air Baltic

Air Baltic will start thrice-weekly Riga-Zurich flights from Oct. 29 aboard 737-500s. It will be the 34th destination it serves directly from Riga. Aug 28, 2006

Air Dolomiti 

Air Dolomiti will test a new business model and begin feeding Lufthansa's Munich hub with daily morning flights from 16 Italian destinations. According to Financial Times Deutschland, the Verona-based LH subsidiary must change its operations completely in order to fly from each destination in the morning. CEO Michael Kraus said the new model will raise operational costs 10%-15% but LH will benefit from more Italian business travelers. Kraus also said it could be possible to change Air Dolomiti's fleet to 100-seat jets. It currently operates five BAe 146s, six ATR 42s and eight ATR 72s. "With this new business model, we could be operating up to 25 100-seat aircraft in the next two to three years," he said. The carrier increased passenger numbers by 12% in the first six months of 2006 and expects to transport 1.5 million this year. Aug 31, 2006

Air France

Air France last Thursday moved all its flights to the United States to Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle except for services to Detroit and Cincinnati. Passengers who have up to now passed through this terminal (mainly operations to African destinations) have been transferred to other international terminals at Paris-CDG2, mostly to 2C. These changes have been brought about by the additional security measures recently introduced. Air France operates flights to 13 cities to the USA, a total of 22 daily flights. The airline strongly advise customers to check on its Internet site and make provision for connections when transferring to and from its UK regional destination. http://www.airfrance.com Sep 2, 2006

Air France

Air France flights to the US (except Detroit and Cincinnati) will be concentrated at Paris Charles de Gaulle's Terminal 2E from today. Flights that were handled at 2E, mainly to Africa, will be transferred elsewhere in T2. AF operates 22 daily flights to 13 US cities. Aug 30, 2006

BMII

BMI is offering a good business class deal for flights from Chicago O'Hare to the United Kingdom throughout August. The roundtrip rate to Manchester: $2,530. Connecting on to London Heathrow, Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh? The price is $2,568. To grab this rate, you'll either have to stay three days or a Saturday night. Aug 30, 2006

Iberia

Iberia launched versions of its website for customers in Cuba, Egypt, Morocco, Russia, South Africa and Turkey. It now has 37 country-specific sites. Aug 28, 2006

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Amman in Jordan is to be dropped by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from the Amsterdam winter schedule, together with Damascus in Syria. The airline says both are loss making and is offering Paris Charles de Gaulle with partner airline Air France as an alternative. From AMS Royal Jordanian continues with a limited service to Amman as does Syrian Arab Airlines to Damascus. http://www.klm.com Sep 2, 2006

SAS Scandinavian

SAS Scandinavian Airlines took delivery of the first of four A319s. Aug 28, 2006

Swiss International

Swiss International takes to the skies with Appenzell cuisine. The Swiss Taste of Switzerland culinary programme welcomes dishes from the region of Appenzell on board Swiss flights from September. With the beginning of autumn approaching, chef Kathi Fassler of the Hotel Hof Weissbad and holder of 15 Gault Millau points, presents the delights of Appenzell cuisine to Swiss passengers travelling in first and business class on long-haul flights from Switzerland (and on selected inbound flights) and in business class on longer flights within Europe. Aug 31, 2006

TAP Portugal

TAP Portugal said it will continue serving Venice during its winter schedule beginning Oct. 29, offering daily service from Lisbon. It also will operate daily flights to Bologna and thrice-weekly service to Zagreb. Sep 1, 2006

Ukraine International Airlines 

Ukraine International Airlines launched weekly Kiev-London Heathrow flights aboard a 737. Aug 31, 2006

Virgin Atlantic

Las Vegas, already linked to the UK by both Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick and bmi from Manchester, is to have a route from Stansted. Maxjet is the operator, and says it is not taking a gamble with the new service. The all business class airline, already established on New York and Washington routes, will launch a twice-weekly flight Thursday November 2 to the casino capital of the world departing 1300 with a 1700 arrival local. From 1 October the airline is revising its existing schedule. The six weekly New York flights will depart from Stansted at 1145 and JFK 2015. The Washington, four times per week schedule calls for STN departure at 1500 with the aircraft leaving 2030 for the return trip. http://www.maxjet.com Sep 2, 2006