Aviation Thread [Part 5]

[SA BOY]

A380 to Durban for world cup

read this in the UAE aviation thread and this giuy knows his stuff
new A380 routes:

eff 01JUL10 Dubai – London Heathrow EK003/004 (Previously planned Daily A380 in W09 but postponed)
eff 01AUG10 Dubai – Beijing EK306/307
eff 01SEP10 Dubai – Manchester EK017/018, First Class offered
eff 31OCT10 Dubai – New York JFK EK201/202, this marks the return of A380 service to JFK
eff 01JAN11 Dubai – Shanghai EK302/303

also, during FIFA2010, 2 EK A380s will start serving JNB and DUR plus they are going to have a couple of T7s and A330s based in Soth Africa to help relieve the pressure off South African Airways.

Can't wait to see the whale jet in the yellow zebra livery for the world cup!!!

[annman]

That's good news out of all the bad... amazing the A380 will be at KSIA right after it opens, what an achievement!

It's really bitter-sweet though, as Cape Town has had nothing but bad news all around aviation-wise. No new carriers, no new hardware, every seasonal flight abandoning us.. seems we're just f*%ked!!!

[grjplanes]

Well, we hope it's true, as that's the same rumours that's been going around for the last year...and still nothing confirmed...with today just 4 months left to kick-off. The amount of different things being said about backing-up SAA has still not delivered anything...no sign of the 20 leased aircraft and all the hundreds of additional flights 24hours, nothing of the european idle aircraft standing at JNB everyday being used and also this of Emirates with 777s and A330s, if any of it is to happen it should be very very soon, before it's too late.
As I mentioned in the 'World Cup Aviation thread' there is signs of SA Express and a little bit from Airlink of adding major extra flights. It seems that schedule loadings for the SA group only happens on Tuesday/Wednesday and sometimes Thursdays, and it's a long process. It looks as if they've only started loading from this last Tuesday, with flights for the first 3 days of tournament so far only from JNB to Polokwane and Bloemfontein around there first matches...29 extra flights to PTG on 13 June and 35 to BFN on 14 June...will probably take a while before we see all extras loaded.

[Cigar]

All from flyairlink.com:

airlink upgrades to jet operated services dur and bloem
10 february 2010

JOHANNESBURG – Airlink is pleased to confirm that its double daily service between Durban and Bloemfontein was upgraded to an all jet operation from this past Monday (08 February 2010).

“Following the arrival in the country last week of the fourth of our recently acquired Embraer 135 37 seat regional jets, we were able during the weekend to position one of these in Durban to operate our Durban-Bloemfontein and Durban-George services. This now brings the airline’s Embraer 135 regional jet fleet to 8 aircraft, with the total fleet now numbering 29 aircraft. We are excited about this development and the opportunity it has allowed to offer our passengers an increased level of service’, said Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster. “On Monday Airlink was also able to re-introduce its Durban – George service. We sincerely appreciate the support we have had from our customers whom have implored us to re-introduce the George service, and we apologize for any inconvenience our loyal supporters may have suffered as a result of the temporary suspension” Foster added.

“We continue to work very hard to normalize and enhance our services, we anticipate being able to make further announcements in the days ahead about further improvements to our services on other routes, which will also see upgraded service as a result of the addition of the 4 - 37 seat Embraer ERJ135 Regional jets” said Foster

airlink re-starts service between pe and east london
february 2010


JOHANNESBURG - Airlink is pleased to confirm that its service between Port Elizabeth and East London will recommence on the morning of Monday 22 February 2010.

" Following receipt of numerous calls and letters of support from businessman and residents in the Port Elizabeth and East London region we are very pleased to announce that we have been able to re-introduce this important service between the two Eastern Cape cities, our first flight on Monday is already fully booked." said Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster. "We sincerely appreciate the support and apologise for any inconvenience our loyal supporters may have suffered as a result of the temporary suspension of our service" he added.

The route will operate twice daily Monday to Friday with early morning and late afternoon flights. An additional feature of the service will be the inclusion of a Port Elizabeth - Mthatha return flight, which will operate on Fridays. This routing will be to exchange the aircraft which will now be based in Port Elizabeth during the week, with one out of Johannesburg in order to facilitate scheduled maintenance.

"We have been working very hard over the course of the past three weeks to normalize our services and the Port Elizabeth - East London route is yet another aspect of this. We anticipate being able to make announcements in the days ahead about further improvements to our network as the 4 additional 37 seater Embraer ERJ135 Regional jets, which have now been delivered to us, are introduced into service" said Foster

Good to see things picking up for Airlink, they are an important player in the local aviation industry and if they went belly-up many towns would be without any scheduled air services.

[grjplanes]

It's all back in service the routes, but less than before.
The 2 ERJ DUR-BFN flights is replacing 3 J-41 flights, so capacity down from 87 seats to 74 daily.
PLZ-ELS was 3 daily before, now only 2 daily...in the meantime the aircraft is standing idle at PLZ almost all-day with the PLZ-BFN routing not back as well.

[grjplanes]

New airline 'not licensed'
Feb 11 2010 11:19


Maputo - Plans by a new airline to start offering flights between South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique have foundered after TTA Airlink was found to lack a valid licence, Mozambican media reported on Wednesday.

TTA Airlink is a joint venture between South Africa's private SA Airlink and Mozambique's privately-owned TTA airline.

The airline was scheduled to begin operating daily flights between Mozambique's capital Maputo and South Africa's biggest city, Johannesburg, starting February 14.

Mozambique's Civil Aviation Institute (IACM) ruled that, although TTA Airlink was a licensed airline, it did not have a valid license for the Johannesburg-Maputo route.

Traffic between South Africa and Mozambique has increased in recent years, in tandem with a surge of foreign investment in the former Portuguese colony, which boasts large coal and natural gas deposits and nearly 2 500 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline.

Only the countries' national carriers have so far been licensed to fly between Johannesburg and Maputo.

- DPA

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by SA BOY

A380 to Durban for world cup

read this in the UAE aviation thread and this giuy knows his stuff
new A380 routes:

eff 01JUL10 Dubai – London Heathrow EK003/004 (Previously planned Daily A380 in W09 but postponed)
eff 01AUG10 Dubai – Beijing EK306/307
eff 01SEP10 Dubai – Manchester EK017/018, First Class offered
eff 31OCT10 Dubai – New York JFK EK201/202, this marks the return of A380 service to JFK
eff 01JAN11 Dubai – Shanghai EK302/303

also, during FIFA2010, 2 EK A380s will start serving JNB and DUR plus they are going to have a couple of T7s and A330s based in Soth Africa to help relieve the pressure off South African Airways.

Can't wait to see the whale jet in the yellow zebra livery for the world cup!!!

Awesome news! Lets wait for an official release though. The first bit of increased international capacity we have heard of - but expected as they are the preffered carrier.

If others do not announce anything soon there i will take that as no one offering additional capacity. pathetic

[SA BOY]

a EK pilot told me that as they are official carrier they are allowed to do domestic routse for duration of world cup, hense the planes in SA

[grjplanes]

The first bit of increased international capacity we have heard of - but expected as they are the preffered carrier.

If others do not announce anything soon there i will take that as no one offering additional capacity. pathetic

It's not as if there's nothing yet, although not as much as anticipated or that we would have wanted...
Flight increases from BA, Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Delta and Air Mauritius.
Aircraft upgrades,thus capacity increases from Air France, Turkish, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Arik Air and Air Austral.
Together with permanent increases and new routes from V Australia (MEL 2x weekly from 13 March), Thai (BKK 4xweekly from 13 May), Malaysian (increase JNB-KUL from 2 to 4xweekly from 28 March) and a few other regionals.
On the charter side I don't know how much news we'll be able to receive about that, but at least from South America there's alot of talk of mostly TAM (from various points in Brazil) and Aerolinas Argentinas and LAN Chile...hopefully we'll know beforehand when and where these flights will be.

[Lefa]

hahaha . . . kulula?

Kulula challenges other airlines

Johannesburg - Airline kulula.com - Comair's low cost subsidiary - has challenged all South African airlines to lower their airfares during the Fifa World Cup.

"The World Cup should not be seen as a 'get rich quick' scheme," it said in a statement on Thursday.

This followed last month's announcement by the Competition Commission that it was investigating collusion among South African airlines on World Cup prices and pricing strategies.

"Since the World Cup draw, at the beginning of December 2009, kulula.com has consistently offered the lowest airfares during the tournament.

"An additional 28 000 seats, mostly on its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, have already been added to cater for World Cup fans."

The airline said it had also undertaken to provide an additional 15 000 seats if demand for World Cup seats grew.

"It's our policy to rather add more flights than to rely on pushing prices up.

"If you compare the prices of domestic flights during the tournament, our prices are the lowest, finished and klaar."

It challenged all airlines in the country to reduce their prices.

"Many of the additional seats have been added, to and from Lanseria [airport], which has proved to be a popular choice for World Cup travellers for its ease of use and low cost flights.

"Flights from that airport during June 2010 are still being sold from as little as R419."

Kulula.com said that even though there had been "a lot of whinging and misinformation" from one of its competitors about its fares out of Lanseria, this competitor's fares from OR Tambo International Airport were higher than those from Lanseria.

"Over the World Cup period they are three times higher," kulula.com alleged.

It was announced earlier this week that 1time airline would take its complaint against rival Comair to the Competition Tribunal.

Comair and Lanseria airport have an agreement that kulula.com flights have exclusive use of the airport for flights to Durban and Cape Town.

The agreement is due to expire only next year.

From Fin24.com

[dysan1]

what a load of crock! They were the worst offenders, but as always they like to be percieved as the people's champions - anything to get their muggs in the press even if they have to lie and deceive to get there

[juzzy]

novick is a prick, as you mentioned mike, Kulula were the major culprits in the saga and now they are trying to make out that they are the heroes

[dysan1]

the day 1time gets proper planes they will motor ahead...but with the crap they fly they wont

[Leftfoot]

..Sorry Guys this might be completely off topic.
Check out this site for "real time" radar info on flights. Click on an aircraft for details.
From what I understand these are HAM hobbiests feeding info onto the net to create a virtual radar image of their area.....check out area around Heathrow. I take my hat off to ATC's !!!!

Here in SA, there is one chap near PMB so in theory we should be able to track aircraft in and out of the WIDER KZN area! I think thats pretty cool!

The link.
http://www.radarvirtuel.com/

[grjplanes]

Hopefully Jet Airways soon:

According to Travelinfo:
JET Airways is recruiting staff in South Africa in preparation for the launch of its direct Mumbai-Johannesburg flights.

The airline, represented by GSA, Rogers Aviation, in the SA market, will be appointing, among others, a district sales manager, reservation and ticketing supervisor and various clerks, in addition to staff in Durban.

Jet Airways head office said it would be in a position to confirm details regarding its flights to SA in “a short while” but could not confirm media reports that the airline would launch flights in time for the World Cup in June.

[dysan1]

Durban staff...? Tagging the flight on to Durban?

[grjplanes]

I guess the perfect solution would be to do a triangular flight BOM-JNB-DUR-BOM, especially if they're to operate with A330 aircraft (which is the most likely, as they only have this and 777-300ERs, which is probably too big to start off with). Then they won't have any problems taking off from JNB with a full load, rather have it fully loaded taking off from KSIA at the coast. Will have to wait and see...using interesting words like "flights to SA", so not saying directly just JNB and talking of a "direct" Mumbai-JNB, which doesn't necessarily mean nonstop. Hopefully we'll know soon.

[Durbsboi]

Originally Posted by Lefa

hahaha . . . kulula?

Kulula challenges other airlines

Johannesburg - Airline kulula.com - Comair's low cost subsidiary - has challenged all South African airlines to lower their airfares during the Fifa World Cup.

"The World Cup should not be seen as a 'get rich quick' scheme," it said in a statement on Thursday.

Such BS, they still working out the most expensive airline to fly on for me, I see Mango dropped the price of their Durban to Jhb route, was R1129 now R630 for 1 way.

[Cigar]

Some more stuff for the WC:

South African Airways during World Cup is operating extra flights on domestic routes. As per 15FEB10, planned extra flights are the following:

Johannesburg – Bloemfontein All service operates on 14JUN10
SA1907 JNB0645 – 0745BFN CRJ
SA1909 JNB1015 – 1115BFN CRJ
SA1901 JNB1230 – 1330BFN CRJ
SA1905 JNB1230 – 1330BFN CRJ
SA1911 JNB1315 – 1415BFN CRJ
SA1913 JNB1615 – 1715BFN CRJ
SA1903 JNB1900 – 2000BFN CRJ
SA1915 JNB1915 – 2015BFN CRJ

SA1908 BFN0830 – 0930JNB CRJ
SA1910 BFN1145 – 1245JNB CRJ
SA1902 BFN1400 – 1500JNB CRJ
SA1906 BFN1400 – 1500JNB CRJ
SA1912 BFN1445 – 1545JNB CRJ
SA1914 BFN1745 – 1845JNB CRJ
SA1904 BFN2030 – 2130JNB CRJ
SA1916 BFN2045 – 2145JNB CRJ

Johannesburg – Cape Town
SA3351 JNB0205 – 0415CPT 738 x256 16JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3361 JNB0230 – 0440CPT 738 x256 16JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3363 JNB0235 – 0445CPT 738 x256 16JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3351 JNB0205 – 0415CPT 738 x357 21JUN10 – 28JUN10
SA3361 JNB0230 – 0440CPT 738 x357 21JUN10 – 28JUN10
SA3363 JNB0235 – 0445CPT 738 x357 21JUN10 – 28JUN10
SA3351 JNB0205 – 0415CPT 738 x345 28JUN10 – 04JUL10
SA3361 JNB0230 – 0440CPT 738 x345 28JUN10 – 04JUL10
SA3363 JNB0235 – 0445CPT 738 x345 28JUN10 – 04JUL10
SA3351 JNB0205 – 0415CPT 738 12JUL10
SA3361 JNB0230 – 0440CPT 738 12JUL10
SA3363 JNB0235 – 0445CPT 738 12JUL10

SA3352 CPT0210 – 0410JNB 738 26 12JUN10 – 19JUN10
SA3354 CPT0215 – 0415JNB 738 26 12JUN10 – 19JUN10
SA3362 CPT0230 – 0430JNB 319 26 14JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3364 CPT0235 – 0435JNB 738 26 15JUN10 – 19JUN10
SA3366 CPT0240 – 0440JNB 738 6 19JUN10
SA3384 CPT0740 – 0940JNB 738 24JUN10
SA3352 CPT0210 – 0410JNB 738 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10
SA3354 CPT0215 – 0415JNB 738 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10
SA3362 CPT0230 – 0430JNB 738 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10
SA3364 CPT0235 – 0435JNB 319 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10

Johannesburg – Durban
SA3501 JNB0200 – 0305DUR 738 x256 16JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3509 JNB0230 – 0335DUR 738 x256 16JUN10 – 21JUN10
SA3501 JNB0200 – 0305DUR 738 x357 21JUN10 – 28JUN10
SA3509 JNB0230 – 0335DUR EQV x357 21JUN10 – 28JUN10
SA3501 JNB0200 – 0305DUR EQV x345 28JUN10 – 05JUL10
SA3509 JNB0230 – 0335DUR EQV x345 28JUN10 – 05JUL10
SA3501 JNB0200 – 0305DUR 738 12JUL10
SA3509 JNB0230 – 0335DUR 319 12JUL10

SA3502 DUR0200 – 0310JNB 738 14JUN10
SA3504 DUR0205 – 0315JNB 738 14JUN10
SA3506 DUR0210 – 0320JNB 319 14JUN10
SA3508 DUR0215 – 0325JNB 319 14JUN10
SA3502 DUR0200 – 0310JNB 738 23JUN10
SA3504 DUR0205 – 0315JNB 319 23JUN10
SA3506 DUR0210 – 0320JNB 738 23JUN10
SA3508 DUR0215 – 0325JNB 319 23JUN10
SA3502 DUR0200 – 0310JNB 738 08JUL10
SA3504 DUR0205 – 0315JNB 738 08JUL10
SA3506 DUR0210 – 0320JNB 738 08JUL10
SA3508 DUR0215 – 0325JNB 319 08JUL10

Johannesburg – Port Elizabeth All service operates on 18JUN10
SA3403 JNB0830 – 1010PLZ 738
SA3406 PLZ1040 – 1220JNB 738

Cape Town – Durban
SA3652 CPT0200 – 0355DUR 319 26 12JUN10 – 19JUN10
SA3662 CPT0230 – 0425DUR 319 26 12JUN10 – 19JUN10
SA3600 CPT0520 – 0825DUR 319 23JUN10
SA3606 CPT0905 – 1225DUR 319 23JUN10
SA3652 CPT0200 – 0355DUR 319 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10
SA3662 CPT0230 – 0425DUR 319 25JUN10/30JUN10/07JUL10

SA3651 DUR0200 – 0410CPT EQV 14JUN10/23JUN10/08JUL10
SA3661 DUR0230 – 0440CPT 319 14JUN10/23JUN10/08JUL10

Cape Town – Port Elizabeth All flights operating on 23JUN10
SA3600 CPT0520 – 0630PLZ 738
SA3451 CPT0530 – 0640PLZ 738
SA3606 CPT0905 – 1030PLZ 738
SA3471 CPT2030 – 2140PLZ 738

SA3452 PLZ0710 – 0825CPT 738
SA3621 PLZ2115 – 2255CPT 738
SA3476 PLZ2150 – 2305CPT 738
SA3472 PLZ2210 – 2325CPT 738

Durban – Port Elizabeth All flights operating on 23JUN10
SA3621 DUR1810 – 1945PLZ 738

SA3600 PLZ0700 – 0825DUR 738
SA3606 PLZ1100 – 1225DUR 738

http://airlineroute.net/2010/02/15/sa-wc10/

Kenya Airways 767 to Johannesburg

Kenya Airways from 28MAR10 to 31AUG10 is to operate Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on Nairobi – Johannesburg KQ762/763 service, replacing Boeing 737. The remaining 2 daily flights continues to operate with 737.

http://airlineroute.net/2010/02/15/kq-jnb-s10/

[waltjie]

Originally Posted by grjplanes

I guess the perfect solution would be to do a triangular flight BOM-JNB-DUR-BOM, especially if they're to operate with A330 aircraft (which is the most likely, as they only have this and 777-300ERs, which is probably too big to start off with). Then they won't have any problems taking off from JNB with a full load, rather have it fully loaded taking off from KSIA at the coast. Will have to wait and see...using interesting words like "flights to SA", so not saying directly just JNB and talking of a "direct" Mumbai-JNB, which doesn't necessarily mean nonstop. Hopefully we'll know soon.

According to the GDS,

From April 14th 2010 9W will operate daily flights to Jo'burg


9W 242 BOM - JNB 0205 0735 9 hours
9W 241 JNB - BOM 1100 2330 9 hours.

It will be a daily A332 operation offering Business and Economy class.

Flights are filed as direct and non-stop.