Snippets

SAS Receives First Airbus A340-300

Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) recently received its first Airbus A340-300, becoming a new operator of the type. It will initially use the A340 to fly between Copenhagen and Delhi.

SAS has a further six A340 on order and will use them to introduce a new economy-extra class, offering passengers more space and comfort in economy class, while also offering the preferred cabin for business travellers without a middle seat. SAS A340-300s will seat 261 passengers and are powered by the environmental friendly CFM56-5C4-engines.

In addition to its seven A340-300s, SAS has ordered four twin-engine, A330-300s, which offer the lowest operating costs of any aircraft in their class. With the introduction of the market leading A330/A340 family, SAS will increase the number of seats available on medium and long haul flights by 50 per cent, and cargo capacity by 40 per cent.

Lion Airlines Plans To Open Regional Routes To India And Indonesia

PT Lion Mentari Airlines plans to open regional routes to East Timor, Taiwan, South Korea and India, this year, in a bid to further strengthen its foothold in the regional airline industry. Lion Airlines president, Rusdi Kirana mentioned that, the airline would commence its daily flights from Denpasar to Dili, East Timor in May.

In July, the airline will inaugurate its flights from Denpasar, Taipel and Seoul four times a week. Further, Kirana, added that, its international flights linking Kuala Lumpur, Medan and Madras in India, would commence in October 2001. PT Lion Mentari Airlines, which started its service in June last year, presently flies to Kuala Lumpur from Surabaya and Jakarta daily, and to Penang from Medan daily. It also provides flights from Pekanbaru and Singapore thrice a week. The airline’s domestic routes include flights from Jakarat to Pekanbaru, and Pekanbaru to Batam daily. Kirana also added that flights from Denpasar to Seoul and from Kuala Lumpur to Madras, will be served by a newly rented Airbus 310-300.

A-I Commences Services To Singapore And Hong Kong

Air-India has introduced direct non-stop twice-weekly services from Mumbai to Hong Kong and thrice weekly to Singapore. Commencement of these new direct services, which will reduce travelling time, follows the induction of the fourth dry leased Airbus 310-300 aircraft. Three A310s had joined the fleet earlier, enabling A-I to add frequencies to many of the existing overseas destinations by linking various cities in the country. The direct non-stop flights to Hong Kong, operate on Tuesday’s and Sundays.

Two direct services have also been introduced between Chennai and Hong Kong on Mondays and Thursday’s. With the induction of the four new services. A-I flights to Hong Kong have stepped up from five to nine per week.

With the introduction of the non-stop services to Singapore, the total number of flights between India and Singapore have been raised to 19 a week. Special promotional fares are also being offered to passengers travelling on direct flights to Hong Kong and Singapore. These are valid till September 30, 2001.

Virgin Launches New Onboard Workout Video

Virgin Atlantic recently launched a new onboard workout video. It features exercises designed by chartered

physiotherapist, Jan Vickery, who’s aim is to help passengers keep active during long haul flights. This isn’t the first time that airline has demonstrated seat exercises, but has had a health video onboard for over two years.

The workout video will be shown in all classes over Virgin Atlantic’s award winning in-flight entertainment system as part of the virgin travel channel. The Virgin Travel channel also provides helpful advice and relaxation tips for nervous flyers and information on Virgin Atlantic’s destinations.

Fronted by TV presenter, Dani Behr, the video supports an advice leaflet given to passengers both when they book their flights with Virgin Atlantic and once they arrive at the airport. The leaflet and video explains to passengers the effect of flying long haul, reassuring them about the low levels of risk to their health but also giving advice on the kind of preexisting conditions that might mean, passengers have to take extra care, when travelling.