Having downsized our operation a little bit about a week ago, we’re now upscaling again: adding additional flights to some destinations, putting on bigger aircraft – for example our A380s are back in the sky now.Simon Talling-Smith (Qatar Airways)
Category: The Independent Page 1 of 12
As a global network airline, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot viably operate passenger services until countries re-open their borders, and travel confidence returns.Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Emirates)
1. Da Nang, Vietnam; 2. Sao Paulo, Brazil; 3. Seoul, South Korea; 4. Tokyo, Japan; 5. Tel Aviv, Israel; 6. Marseille, France; 7. Vienna, Austria; 8. Bangkok, Thailand; 9. Dubai, UAE; 10. Perth, Australia.Google
The aircraft manufacturer has replaced president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Kevin McAllister, who was in charge of the Boeing 737 Max programme. Mr McAllister is the most senior executive to leave the company since the jet was grounded in March.Cathy Adams (The Independent)
Top 10 cities for visitor numbers: 1. Bangkok, Thailand; 2. Paris, France; 3. London, UK; 4. Dubai, UAE; 5. Singapore, Singapore; 6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 7. New York, USA; 8. Istanbul, Turkey; 9. Tokyo, Japan; 10. Antalya, TurkeyMastercard Global Cities Index
Should everyone be flying around Europe for €9? Probably not. But if that’s what it takes to get people to fly to Frankfurt on a Tuesday in November, we’ll take it.Michael O’Leary (Ryanair)
At present 737s are being produced at a rate of 42 per month. Boeing’s figures assume that the production rate will rise to 57 per month in 2020, and that all the aircraft produced during the grounding will be delivered within “several quarters” following the plane’s return to service.Simon Calder (The Independent)
In December 2018 the Saudi budget airline, Flyadeal, signed a deal with Boeing worth up to $6bn for 30 of the latest version of the 737 – with an option for 20 more. But the airline has switched the order to Boeing’s rival, Airbus, with a new agreement for the the same number of A320 Neo aircraft.Simon Calder (The Independent)
Ryanair’s fares fell by 6 per cent in the year to March 2019, leading to a slump of 29 per cent in the airline’s profits. But with full-year profits of over €1bn (£880m), Europe’s biggest budget airline remains in far better shape than many of its rivals. Last year, the carrier’s average one-way fare was €37 (£32), down 6 per cent. Passenger numbers grew by 7 per cent to 139 million, representing a profit per passenger of £6.33. Non-fuel costs rose by 5 per cent, largely due to an increase in salaries – particularly for pilots.Simon Calder (The Independent)
I’m in La Plagne – a ski resort in the French Alps which, until now, has catered mostly to the family market. But this winter, it’s upping its appeal to millennial visitors with a new concept in hostel accommodation, ho36. With beds from €18 a night, the option to self-cater and cheap beers at the bar (pale ale from €2.90), you can save on accommodation and spend most of your holiday budget on Instagrammable experiences, like sunrise ski touring, instead.Lucy Grewcock (The Independent)