Int'l Airport News

[Isan]

Big plans for big plane

Giant Airbus needs city to back 30M in bonds

Daily News Exclusive


BY LORE CROGHAN
DAILY NEWS BUSINESS WRITER

The double-decker Airbus A380 unveiled last month to great fanfare near Toulouse, France.
It's coming. The world's biggest plane is on the way to Kennedy Airport.

And making it all possible will be a rebuilding job to be funded by $30 million in city-issued bonds.

The foreign airlines that operate Kennedy Airport's Terminal 1 will rebuild four passenger gates to receive the 1.2 million-pound, double-decker Airbus A380, which was just unveiled last month to great fanfare.

The carriers are eager to do what it takes to give their enormous planes a welcome to New York.

The city Industrial Development Agency's board is set to vote next month on a $402 million bond issue for Terminal 1 that includes the construction funding.

At a public hearing this week that's a prerequisite to the board vote, not a soul showed up to object to the project.

"We'll be ready with two gates well in advance of the first aircraft's arrival, and the third and fourth gates should be ready in time, too," said Ed Paquette, executive director of Terminal 1, which is controlled by Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air and Japan Airlines.

The Port Authority is also doing its part to prepare Kennedy for the mega-planes. Construction's underway to widen runways and strengthen taxiway bridges, with a $179 million price tag.

If the terminal bonds are approved, the 18-month construction project will start in the fall - to avoid disruptions during JFK's peak travel season, which is summer.

Air France will be the first carrier to fly the super-bird into JFK, in early 2007. Korean Air will start landing its A380s here in the summer of 2007. Lufthansa's buying some for its fleet, too, but hasn't picked a date to inaugurate JFK service.

With room for 555 seats and an array of onboard restaurants, bars and shops if carriers follow the manufacturer's design suggestions - or more than 800 seats if they don't - the A380 will bring some glamor and excitement to the airline industry. Terminal 1's operators are eager for New York City to get a taste of that excitement.

"This will change the paradigm of air travel," said Arthur Molins, chief executive of Terminal One Group Association, as the foreign carriers' partnership is called.

The project will start with the rebuilding of Gate 1/2 - where the now-retired Concorde landed - and Gate 5. Once Lufthansa commits to a debut date for its A380s, Gate 7 and Gate 8 will be rebuilt.

New passenger loading bridges will be installed - which can be raised or lowered to reach the doors on the upper and lower decks of the two-deck aircraft. At Gate 1/2 and possibly Gate 8, an extension will be added to the building, because there are legal limits to how long passenger bridges can be.

The space where the planes stand while loading passengers will be rebuilt to accommodate the planes' huge size. New parking spaces will also be built for the planes when they need repairs or have crew layovers.

The project does not entail changes to waiting rooms or ticket counters - which can handle the additional passenger load.

Originally published on February 5, 2005

[Isan]

World's Busiest Airport Won't See Airbus A380

February 4, 2005

NEW YORK, Feb 4 (AFP) - Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, the world's busiest, will not be equipped anytime soon to handle the new Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet, a spokeswoman said Friday.

The airport, which is the world's busiest in terms of passengers serviced and behind only Chicago O'Hare in takeoffs and landings, would need to make improvements in its runways and other facilities for the A380, spokeswoman Felicia Browder said.

"In the short term, we will not make the changes in order to make the aircraft (the A380) part of our regular operations," she said.

Browder said a capital improvement program is underway at the airport that includes a fifth runway set to open in May 2006, but that the plans were not made with the A380 in mind.

The new aircraft is set to begin operation in mid-2006.

The Atlanta airport is the main hub for Delta Air Lines, a Sky Team partner of Air France, which is expected to be among the first airlines using the new aircraft capable of carrying up to 840 passengers.

[Isan]

Lagos Airport Named Highest Revenue Generating


This Day (Lagos)

February 3, 2005
Posted to the web February 4, 2005

Ndubuisi Francis
Lagos

As Chanchangi, Sosoliso, others bag FAAN awards

The Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos has lived up to its billing as the nation's foremost airport as it emerged the highest revenue generating airport in the country last year.
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Chanchangi and Sosoliso Airlines were among the domestic and international carriers which also bagged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Corporate Awards for 2004.

While Chanchangi Airlines emerged the 'Highest Revenue Generating Domestic Airline of the Year', Sosoliso bagged the "Best Domestic Airline of the Year" award.

The 'Best Cargo Airline of the Year' award also went to DAS Airline with Afrijet as first runner up while Middle East airline won the award of 'Best International Airline of the Year'.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos emerged 'Highest Revenue Generating Airport of the Year' with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Port Harcourt Airport as first and second runners up respectively.

The Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri bagged 'Best Airport of the Year' award just as the Kaduna Airport was adjudged 'Most Improved Airport'.

British flag carrier, British Airways also emerged 'Highest Revenue Generating International Airline of the Year' followed by KLM and Virgin Atlantic respectively.

Speaking at the colourful award ceremony in Lagos, FAAN's Managing Director, Engr. Mohammed Gambo Umar remarked that the airlines have been wonderful while commending the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

"The airlines have been wonderful. We have to commend the efforts of the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for their guidance and support throughout last year. Our commitment towards the provision of customer-centric airport facilities at world class standards of quality is total

"In delivering these qualities, we need to shore up our revenue base to enable us provide the kind of facilities and services that would be the envy of all and transform some of our airports to regional hubs. Tthe success achieved so far is reflected in the number of airlines operating in the country in the last five years", he affirmed.

Gambo expressed hope that "this impressive growth" has had a positive effect on returns on investment by stakeholders in the aviation industry.

He also commended FAAN's concessionaires for being up and doing in the last year, adding that they "have proven to us that our strategic partnership is imperative if we are to actualise our vision of being among the best airport groups in the world".

He reassured the management and staff of the Authority that the human capital is the most important resource and noted that efforts targeted by his administration at staff welfare and training priorities were open for all to see.

"It is our hope that this gesture shall be reciprocated appropriately. We carried the two in-house unions along in our quest to move the organisation forward and fully appreciate their contributions towards the achievement of our laudable goals and objectives", he said.

Gambo observed that the corporate award was symbolic of the very high regard FAAN has for and a token of appreciation of the strategic role "that our esteemed customers play in ensuring that we remain viable".

He affirmed that FAAN relies on internally generated revenue for operations except for some strategic capital projects, hence the recent impetus given to the collection of accrued revenue and oustanding debts.

According to him, the individuals and corporate bodies being singled out for the awards had contributed immensely to the modest success of the Authority in 2004.

He noted that in line with FAAN's continued desire to provide world class service at the airports, it was relaunching its Passenger Support Service (PSS), adding that the service is available at the Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Akanu Ibiam (Enugu) airports.

Gambo who also spoke on the issue of service excellence, stated that FAAN has set for itself high goals to exceed the expectations of customers by focusing on quality service delivery.

"We will enhance your comfort by ensuring the standards and dramatically change. The second issue of quality service we will be addressing is the consistency of our service. Throughout my tenure, we have decided to have an open door policy with you, the customer as a permanent feature of steering FAAN in the right direction", he said.

He applauded the National Assembly for "all the efforts they have been putting in the passage of our budget for the year 2005" just as he lauded the Aviation Minister, Mallam Isa Yuguda for his leadership qualities.

[Isan]

Qantas and British Airways open revamped Airport Lounge at Changi

3 February 2005


The Qantas and British Airways Singapore Lounge was formally opened today, following a S$11.25 million expansion and upgrade.

Stephen Limbrick, Regional General Manager for Qantas and British Airways South East Asia, said the lounge had undergone a total transformation.

“One of the first things our customers will notice is the space, because the new lounge is around three times larger than the previous area, with seating for 400 customers.

“The other thing people will appreciate is the sheer beauty of the space,” he said. “The design is spectacular, with elegant furnishings and luxurious touches.”

The features of the new lounge include:

• a six metre long artwork, Verdant Veil 2004 – from the Green Space series by renowned Australian artist Janet Laurence – in the entrance foyer;
• dark timber accents and slatted timber dividing walls giving an Asian flavour, contrasting with a cool limestone floor;
• luxury bathroom facilities with 20 fully appointed shower suites, reached through a spa-like entrance way complete with water feature;
• a stylish, serviced bar set against a stunning marble wall, featuring a series of Italian-designed moooi Random Lights floating above the bar and offering a choice of seating – bar stools, lounge chairs or ottomons;
• an internet café style PC bench overlooking the terminal, offering a bank of flat screen computers with free internet access;
• new business facilities with six fully equipped private workstations, printing, photocopying, phone and fax services;
• power and data ports located throughout the lounge enabling customers to plug in their lap-tops or recharge their mobile phones in a variety of environments;
• new buffet area and self-serve bar areas offering complimentary beverages and light refreshments throughout the day; and
• a dedicated television/entertainment zone featuring large plasma television screens and oversized sofas and lounge chairs for maximum comfort.

“What we have tried to achieve with the new Qantas and British Airways Singapore Lounge is to offer customers a choice of environment, so there are areas for conducting business, there are entertainment zones, and there are quiet lounge areas for people who want to relax,” Mr Limbrick said.

[SkylineTurbo]

Subang Airport- Malaysia

SUBANG airport will be turned into a maintenance, repair and overhaul hub for aircraft in the region.
Among the services it will offer include general aviation, logistics, training of aviation-related personnel and a helicopter centre.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said his ministry has come up with a development masterplan for Subang airport.

“We will submit the masterplan to the Cabinet for consideration by June this year,” he said.

[Isan]

Cathay Pacific opens New Airport Lounge in Vancouver

5 February 2005


Cathay Pacific Airways has opened its new double-sized First and Business Class lounge in Vancouver.

The newly designed lounge is one of the biggest passenger lounges at the airport, and at 500 square metres is twice the size of the airline’s previous lounge. Cathay Pacific operates twice daily from Hong Kong to Vancouver and daily from Vancouver to New York.

The design echoes themes from Cathay Pacific’s The Wing and The Pier lounges at its Hong Kong International Airport hub, with fine marble and wood finishes, a touch of Asian elegance and the signature “Long Table”. A wide variety of Western and Asian dishes including dim sum and sushi are also on offer from a constantly updated menu.

A unique feature of the new Vancouver lounge is the spectacular view from a 3-metre-high window running the entire length of the lounge that looks out directly onto the Cathay Pacific aircraft readying for departure and the airport runway beyond.

The lounge features seven “Personal Living Spaces,” private and comfortable areas with full broadband access for passengers to work or check email. The lounge is also equipped with ample laptop connections for broadband, modem and wireless Internet access. There are areas to read, relax, drink, dine and enjoy a great range of cable and digital channels on 42” plasma screens.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Airports Anna Thompson said: “Vancouver is one of our most valued markets in North America and this is definitely our flagship lounge in the region. Once again, we have raised the standard for airport lounges and I think our passengers will be delighted to experience another example of the kind of product that sets Cathay Pacific apart.”

With the addition of Vancouver, Cathay Pacific now has nine lounges in Bahrain, Bangkok, London, Paris, Seoul, and Taipei that follow The Wing and The Pier designs in Hong Kong.

[Isan]

Huge expansion plans to consolidate Guangzhou airport as rival to Hong Kong


Guangzhou's huge new airport in southern China, which has vowed to unseat Hong Kong as the region's air hub, will move further towards that goal with major construction work starting next month, state media said Monday.

The second phase construction project for Baiyun International Airport, which began operations in August, is expected to be completed by 2009 and come into operation the year after, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The report did not specify details of the building work but an airport official, who did not want to be named, told AFP that construction would focus mainly on enlarging the main terminal building,

Once the project is completed, the airport would be able to handle 80 million passengers a year, up from 27 million now, Xinhua said, citing an industry symposium held in Guangzhou, the capital of the southern province of Guangdong.

By the end of the decade, the airport is also expected to be capable of processing 2.5 million tonnes of cargo, up from one million tonnes now, it said.

The report would appear to confirm that Baiyun, built at a cost of 19 billion yuan (2.4 billion dollars), aims to become a major player in the regional aviation market.

It is particularly bad news for Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) away.

The Hong Kong airport, opened in 1998, currently handles 35 million passengers annually as well as three million tonnes of cargo, more freight than any other in the world.

Guangzhou's huge new airport in southern ChinaAnalysts have said Baiyun, in the center of China's manufacturing heartland, could rob it of vital trade.

Baiyun International Airport has so far opened 83 domestic and 28 international routes, according to Xinhua, adding that it planned to add another 15 international flights this year.

[Isan]

Metro Airport's passenger totals hit near-record high

Web-posted Feb 7, 2005

By HANK SCHALLER
Of The Daily Oakland Press

ROMULUS - Detroit Metropolitan Airport experienced the second-best year in its history in 2004, with nearly as many passengers boarding and departing on flights there as during its record year of 2000.

Preliminary figures released today revealed that 35,187,517 passengers flew in and out of Metro Airport last year, up 7.5 percent from the 32,738,900 who used the airport in 2003.

The gain of 2,448,617 passengers over 2003 passenger totals meant that Metro Airport has closed to within 347,563 passengers of its record-breaking year of 2000, when 35,535,080 passengers used the airport.

"Our passengers are back," said Lester Robinson, chief executive officer of the Wayne County Airport Authority. "If we stay on our current pace, there is no question that 2005 will be Detroit's new record-breaking year."

The airport also experienced a 9.4 percent increase in thenumber of international passengers who boarded and departed on flights to other countries at the Edward H. McNamara and Berry International terminals.

There were 2,867,532 passengers on board international flights at Metro Airport in 2004, up from 2,621,356 passengers in 2003. Even so, that total remains 26 percent below the record 3,911,118 passengers who flew on international flights in 2000.

This was the first year since 2000 that the number of international passengers had increased.

Also showing growth was the number of aircraft landing and taking off at Metro Airport. There were 522,538 operations in 2004, up 6.4 percent from the 491,073 aircraft that landed and took off in 2003.

"This is not only good news for the Wayne County Airport Authority, but also for our local communities," Robinson said. "Activity at the airport generates an enormous number of jobs and stimulates the tourism sector of our economy."

Airport officials have said Metro provides jobs for more than 17,000 people on site and spins off more than 50,000 more jobs in the area.

Among the major airlines showing passenger gains at Metro Airport in 2004 were America West, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink flights operated by Pinnacle Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Major airlines experiencing declines in the number of passengers were British Airways, Comair Airlines, Continental Express, Northwest Airlink flights operated by Mesaba Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

Northwest Airlines continued to be far and away the dominant airline in Detroit, with 23,273,592 passengers boarding and departing flights at Metro Airport, the Eagan, Minn.-based airline's largest hub airport. The number is roughly 66 percent of all the passengers who flew in and out of Metro Airport.

That compares with the 21,595,576 passengers who flew Northwest at Metro Airport in 2003.

The Northwest dominance was also boosted by the 997,479 passengers who boarded Northwest Airlink flights offered by Mesaba Airlines and another 1,277,243 passengers who boarded Airlink flights offered by Pinnacle Airlines.

Ranking second behind Northwest among major air carriers at Metro Airport was Spirit Airlines. The low-fare air carrier had 1,704,974 passengers arrive and depart on its flights at Metro Airport in 2004. That was down slightly from the 1,709,752 passengers who flew on Spirit in 2003.

[SkylineTurbo]

Airline opens new lounge at Auckland Airport

Emirates Airlines has opened a lounge for first and business class passengers at Auckland Airport.

The $2 million facility consists of three areas, including a dining room, lounge area and business centre.

The lounge also offers shower facilities.

The facility is modelled on the airline's lounges in Dubai.

Minister for Communications David Cunliffe officially opened the lounge.

[Isan]

Further delays expected at CKS

BACKLOG: Airport officials said that they hope to restore some order to flight schedules today after about 200 passengers refused to leave their plane yesterday, demanding compensation

By Wang Hsiao-wen
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005,Page 1


With the western part of the country still buried under a thick layer of fog which paralyzed air transportation on Sunday, officials at CKS International Airport said yesterday that, although further delays are expected, they hope to get schedules back to normal today.

"At 11:30am, 38 flights were delayed and two cancelled. We hope that the airport will be able to digest the backlog by today," the airport's deputy director Liu Chuang-sheng (劉創生] said.

The bank of fog disrupted domestic and international air travel on Sunday, affecting 150 flights and more than 20,000 passengers. Some passengers were forced to stay at the airport overnight after checking in.

Officials said the airport is now operating more smoothly. Passengers have started boarding and most flights are arriving on time.

A few international flights were still delayed or cancelled yesterday. Some flights to Tokyo, Phuket, Hong Kong and Macau were cancelled, while flights to Southeast-Asian cities like Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and others like Delhi, Nagoya and Los Angeles have been rescheduled.

Passengers wait at Taipei's Sungshan Airport yesterday after their flights were delayed by heavy fog.
PHOTO: JIAN RONG-FENG, TAIPEI TIMES
As heavy fog is likely to affect air transportation for the next few days, Liu advised passengers to contact airlines to confirm flight times, or check the Web site www1.cksairport.gov.tw/english.

"At this festive time of the year, travelers wish to get to their destination as quickly as possible. We understand this and urge passengers to check with airlines first. We will rearrange flights to take passengers home before Lunar New Year's Eve on Tuesday," Liu said.

Downtown Taipei is shrouded in a haze yesterday as fog swept in from China.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Some passengers in Macau were furious when Eva Air's flight BR-806 was delayed for 12 hours because some passengers apparently refused to board. When they arrived in Taipei yesterday morning, more than 200 passengers refused to leave the plane and demanded to be compensated for the inconvenience.

After mediation by members of the aviation police, Eva Air agreed to give NT$2,500 back to each of the passengers. Most passengers were satisfied and left, although a few stayed behind in the departure lounge demanding an apology.

The airline said that the delay was caused by weather factors beyond its control.

"The airline is the biggest victim of the bad weather. We humbly ask our customers to understand and cooperate with us so that further delays can be averted," Eva Air said in its news release.

The Consumer's Foundation called on passengers and airlines to establish a negotiation mechanism about disputes.

"The delays were caused by the weather, but airlines' attitude plays a key role in resolving disputes with their costumers. We must have a constant negotiation mechanism so that both sides can argue their cases reasonably. Otherwise, both sides would only hastily wrap things up with whimpers," said Cheng Jen-hung (程仁宏), vice chairman of the Consumers' Foundation.

Meanwhile, the Central Weather Bureau extended its fog warning and forecast that fog and mist are likely to continue to blanket western areas throughout the Lunar New Year holiday.

Heavy fog, coming from the southeastern coast of China, will loom over western cities, resulting in reduced visibility.

"Motorists should heed weather reports and exercise more caution when they take to the highways," the forecast center's deputy director Daniel Wu (吳德榮] said.

[SkylineTurbo]

Fraport Signs Narita Cooperation Accord

Frankfurt airport operator Fraport has signed a cooperation agreement with Tokyo's Narita Airport to enable the airports to work more closely together, the company said on Thursday.

Under the accord, the two airports will swap information and research and may consider joint projects and worker exchanges, Fraport said.

Both airports are suffering from capacity shortages caused by the high demand for take-off and landing slots from airlines, Fraport said in a statement.

Narita, which handles international flights, has about 27 million passengers annually, compared with more than 50 million at Frankfurt.

Fraport has said its strategy includes looking for opportunities abroad to manage airports and airport-related projects.

[Isan]

American adds flights at DFW airport

Tuesday 8th February, 2005 (UPI)

American Airlines and American Eagle will add 119 daily fights at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by this summer, officials said Monday.

Demand has increased 12 percent at the North Texas airport since Delta Air Lines began shutting down its hub operation at the airport and American announced its new fare structure, said Dan Garton, American's vice president for marketing.

American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, will have 119 more daily flights at DFW by July than they did a year ago. Overall, American will have increased daily flight frequencies on 61 routes from the airport.

American will add additional flights to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston and more than 50 other U.S. destinations, and increase frequency to such international points as London's Gatwick Airport and Tokyo.

American Eagle either has or soon will begin service to 11 new destinations: Peoria and Champaign, Ill.; Pensacola, Fla.; Torreon, San Luis Potosi, and Chihuahua, Mexico; Buffalo, N.Y.; Lexington, Ky.; and Savannah, Ga.

[SkylineTurbo]

HACTL Cargo Volume Up 20 Percent In January

Hong Kong's main cargo handler HACTL said on Monday it handled 20.1 percent more cargo in January than a year ago, helped by the fact cargo activity was slow in January last year due to the early Chinese New Year holiday.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL), 25 percent-owned by Jardine Matheson and 20 percent by Swire Pacific, said in a statement it handled 174,772 tonnes of cargo in January.

The Chinese New Year fell in January last year, but this year will fall in February.

[SkylineTurbo]

Flights Resume As Nepali Airport Reopens

Flights between Nepal and the rest of the world were largely restored on Wednesday, a day after the airport in the capital, Kathmandu, was shut after King Gyanendra sacked the government and assumed power.

Airline officials in the Indian capital New Delhi, which has the highest number of flights to Kathmandu, said state-run Indian Airlines' daily Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi flight was operating normally.

"Our flight is already there and should return to Delhi later this evening," an Indian Airlines official said.

Nepal's state-run Royal Nepal Airlines (RNA) and privately owned Cosmic Air also said their daily Kathmandu-Delhi-Kathmandu flights were operating on schedule.

The RNA flight was the only international flight to operate on Tuesday after Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport was shut and three Indian flights and a Thai Airways flight turned back without landing in the Himalayan city.

Thai Airways also resumed normal operations with two flights to Kathmandu on Wednesday, company officials in Bangkok said.

However, private Indian airlines Jet Airways and Air Sahara said their Delhi-Kathmandu flights were cancelled for a second day on Wednesday. Airline officials did not have details of when services would resume.

King Gyanendra sacked the government, declared a state of emergency and assumed charge of the country for the next three years saying the political leadership had failed to restore peace or hold national elections.

[leauparkenzoguy]

At London airports, two genial guys organized the following "incredible" joke: they wrote some fake names on a sheet of paper and asked the information desk if it was possible to call them over the loudspeaker.

To be more credible, they dressed like taxi chauffeurs and presented themselves to the counter 45 minutes upon landing of an international flight from Pakistan, India or Thailand, pretending that they didn't meet their clients.

At the same time, their accomplice was close to the loudspeakers to record the information desk employee’s pronunciation.

After the fifth message, police got wind of the joke and kicked them out of the airport. The last message below was recorded at Gatwick.

Arhevbin Fayed and Bybeiev Rhibodie = I hate this fucking job, and I will be fired

Arhevbin Fayed and Bybeiev Rhibodie = I‘ve been fired, and bye-bye everybody

Aynayda Pizaqvick and Malexa Kriest = I need a piss quick, and my legs are crossed

Awul Dasfilshabeda and Nowaynayda Zheet = Oo-ah, that feels better and now I need a shit

Makollig Jezvahted and Levdaroum DeBahzted = My colleague just farted, and left the room, the bastard

Steelaygot Maowenbach and Tuka Piziniztee = Still, I got my own bath and took a piss in his tea

[SkylineTurbo]

^ , they are avaliable on mp3.

[Isan]

Nagoya's Komaki Airport – Still in Business

Although all JAL’s international flight and most JAL domestic flight operations now based at Nagoya’s Komaki Airport will move to Centrair when it opens, J-Air, a JAL Group commuter subsidiary operating CRJ-200 regional jets will serve Komaki in response to an expected

[Isan]

High fliers sit taller at Melbourne airport

Thursday, 10 February 2005

Airline passengers sitting in luxury lounges will have spectacular views of Mt Macedon under a major expansion of Melbourne airport.

A third level will be added to the international terminal and the seating area doubled for departing travellers.

The works are part of a $220 million development to prepare for huge traffic growth and the arrival of the new A380 super jumbo aircraft next year.

Two new gates with dual aerobridges will enable passengers to board and disembark from both levels of the double-deck Airbus A380 -- the world's biggest passenger plane.

The airport's north-south runway will be widened by 15m to accommodate the aircraft's 80m wingspan.

Qantas will start flying the 550-seat jet between Melbourne and Los Angeles from October 2006, with Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways also expected to bring it here.

Airport acting CEO Kirby Clark yesterday said the works would include construction of a third level above the terminal extension to house three premium penthouse airline lounges.

[Isan]

Air Canada opens new Maple Leaf Lounge at the Infield Terminal at Toronto Pearson Airport

MONTREAL, Feb. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada will officially open its newest Maple Leaf Lounge at the Infield Terminal at Toronto Pearson Airport on
February 10, 2005. The Infield lounge boasts 6,566 square feet, clean architectural lines, and wall-length windows providing customers with a bird's eye view of airfield activities, while they relax in comfortable, leather-backed chairs.

Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges are designed to make the time prior toboarding relaxing and to offer premium customers an unrivaled level of service in a quiet and comfortable setting away from busy airport common areas.

"The new Infield Lounge now offers our eligible overseas customers a relaxing environment conveniently co-located with international gates at the Infield Terminal. The design, services, view and amenities offer our premium passengers an environment that will meet all their expectations," said George Reeleder, Senior Director, Marketing for Air Canada.

Air Canada is proud to have partnered with a variety of high profile sponsors to provide customers with a unique and first class experience. The new lounge will feature:

- Over 100 seat capacity
- Xerox Business Centre with individual work areas enabling travellers
to maximize their productivity
- IBM flatscreen personal computers
- Xerox business equipment, including the latest model fax machine,
copier, and Phaser solid ink colour printer
- Bell high speed Internet
- Bell's Access Zone wireless Internet throughout the lounge
- Sony Entertainment, including a state-of-the-art large screen TV
- Magazines & newspapers
- Shower facilities
- Light snacks and beverages (including complimentary beer, wine &
spirits)
- Complimentary local phones & (credit card) long distance phones

The Toronto Infield Lounge becomes the third Maple Leaf Lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport complementing existing lounges at New Terminal One and the Transborder Lounge at Terminal 2. Air Canada features a total of 19 Maple
Leaf Lounges located at all major airports across Canada and key international stations as well as an arrivals lounge in London Heathrow. In co-operation with its Star Alliance partners, Air Canada offers customers access to over
500 airport lounges worldwide. More than two million customers visit Air Canada's award-winning lounges every year.

[Isan]

New Bangkok Airport On Schedule

September 21, 2004


Thailand's new international airport is on track to open in September next year as part of the country's plan to become a regional aviation hub, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Tuesday.

"Our aim is to make Thailand an air hub in Southeast Asia. And next year, we will have the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is our new dream," Suriya told a news conference.

His comments came amid growing speculation that the airport on the outskirts of Bangkok might not open on schedule after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said earlier this month delays of 12-18 months were likely.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport, which covers 3,200 hectares (7,900 acres), will be able to handle 45 million passengers per year and compete with Singapore's Changi Airport and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport, government officials said.

It will be operated by state-run Airports of Thailand, which runs the capital's Don Muang Airport and four other international airports around the country.

(Reuters)