Virgin Atlantic to Start Daily Delhi-London-New York Flights

British airline, Virgin Atlantic announced the launch of daily flights service from India connecting Delhi with New York. The flights will operate with a quick connection at London Heathrow from October 28, 2012.

 

The flights are sure to benefit British, American and Indian passengers with convenient connections and higher availability of seats on flights to India, UK and USA’s most important cities which are popular centres for business and leisure.

 

The new flights to New York’s JFK complement the airline’s existing same day connection from Delhi to Newark via London Heathrow, which turned out to be a major success. Sources reveal that it has remained consistently a top choice on the Delhi-Newark route this year with over 50 per cent growth year-on-year in terms of traffic out of India.

 

The increasing traffic on the Newark route indicates that most passengers prefer to take a connection for unwinding and indulging in some duty-free shopping.

 

With the launch of new flights between India’s capital and USA’s financial hub, the airline hopes to repeat the success story of its existing connection between two cities.

 

As per the airline’s flight schedule, a daily flight from Delhi would arrive at London Heathrow shortly before 6 p.m. (local time) and will depart for JFK at 7:25 p.m. (local time). At around 11:30 p.m. (local time), the flight will arrive in JFK.

 

India is one of the key markets for Virgin Atlantic and the airline is targeting to connect more passengers from India’s capital to JFK and Newark.

Jetstar, Japan Airlines Form a Low-Cost Carrier

Australia’s Qantas Group and Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today the launch of a low-cost Japanese carrier, Jetstar Japan. Together with Mitsubishi Corporation, the two oneworld partners hope to make this new airline operational by the end of the next year. Each three of them will hold 1/3 share in the new airline.

Jetstar Japan will be a budget carrier that will cater to those airline passengers who look for cheap flight tickets. The airline is expected to offer flights from the Tokyo, Narita Airport and Osaka, Kansai International. Jetstar Japan is also expected to provide short haul international flights eventually. Its international operations will most likely cover key Asian cities.

Jetstar Japan will initially launch with a fleet of three Airbus A320s, with each of them configured for 180 passengers in a single class. Within first few years, the airline hopes to grow to 24 aircrafts.

Qantas Group’s Jetstar first entered Japan in 2007 and since then has become the preferred carrier of those who opt for cheap tickets on flights. Keeping the Jetstar’s low fare model in mind, Jetstar Japan promises to offer low airfares on its flights too. ‘Price Beat Guarantee’ policy may also be adopted by the Qantas and JAL’s new airline.

Qantas’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan Joyce, described the airline launch as an historic step for the Qantas Group.

“The Qantas Group has a long history of serving the Japanese air travel market, with Qantas and Jetstar operating regular services between Australia and Japan,” Mr Joyce was quoted in the press release posted on the company’s website.

“Qantas and JAL have a long-standing relationship, as codeshare partners and fellow oneworld™ alliance members. We are also delighted to be joining with Mitsubishi Corporation– one of Japan’s great global brands – to launch Jetstar Japan, building on the successful expansion of the Jetstar brand across Asia.”

“The Qantas Group has a wealth of experience in establishing low cost carriers and we’re looking forward to working with our two partners on this new venture which will offer low fares to the Japanese travelling public,” Alan Joyce further added.

President of Japan Airlines, Mr. Masaru Onishi was also buoyed by the development and expressed hopes that the new airline will assist JAL to cater to wider market in Japan.

“We are confident that Jetstar Japan will broaden the spectrum of travellers as it creates new demand in this market,” observed Mr. Onishi.

“It will encourage even more movement of people within the country and also increase the number of visitors from Asia to Japan. We anticipate this to stimulate consumer spending and play a role in revitalizing the Japanese economy,” he added.

Volcano, Ash & Flights: Know Your Rights

The volcano ash is back, back again to haunt the holiday makers who planned fondly for their vacations! Iceland’s volcano eruption is sending plumes of ash into the atmosphere around Europe and preventing airlines from operating in the affected area.

Around 500 flights have been cancelled so far in the UK, disturbing the plans of many a holiday makers. Travellers who were lucky enough to get cheap tickets on flights are surely disappointed. However, the clouds of gloom look to fade away as many airlines are set to resume almost normal flight schedules.

Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet that are renowned to provide tickets on cheap flights believe that the volcano ash is not likely to cause massive flight trouble. UK’s flag carrier, British Airways also believes that the situation is not that bad, especially after the airline conducted an approved test flight into the ash cloud's red zone with no damage to the plane.

Mr Walsh told BBC, “We flew in the red zone for about 45 minutes at different altitudes over Scotland.

“'Initially it flew over the north of England, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, back to Newcastle.

“The aircraft then returned and has been examined. All the filters were removed and will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The simple answer is that we found nothing.”

While the extent of damage on flight operations is still debatable, there is no doubt in the fact that there have been people who have affected by flight cancellations and delays. Let us find out about the alternatives such travellers have.

What If Your Flights Get Cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled airlines are liable to offer you either a full refund of your unused ticket or a substitute flight. EU-based airlines are obliged to provide you accommodation and meals if the traveller is delayed.

Under EU rules, airlines within the European Union must pay compensation to the passengers if their flight is cancelled or delayed, unless the situation has been caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.’

Airlines may try to claim the case of volcanic ash delays as 'extraordinary circumstances', however they still are obliged to offer travellers with accommodation, meals and refreshments and transport between the airport and accommodation.

One must keep in mind that if you are flying back to the UK from outside the EU on a non-EU airline, then these rules do not apply. Is such circumstances, passengers must contact their airlines.

Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurers must refund your premium (single trip travel insurance) if your flight is cancelled and you do not travel. If you make plans for an alternative flight at some other date, your travel insurer should be able to change your policy to cover this. However, it is best to check with your insurer for all the details.

FCO Announces a New Charter Flight as Egypt Descends Into Violence

FCO’s special charter carrier is set to take off from the Cairo International Airport amidst growing tension in the country. Meanwhile, FCO announced another flight for its fellow citizens stuck in the country that just witnessed a gruesome attack on anti-government protestors by a mob of pro-government supporters in Tahrir Square.

Foreign Office’s first charter that is slated to depart today is carrying out nearly 180 Britons out of the country. Passengers on the special flight are required to shell out £300 per air ticket, which is approximately the same amount for an air ticket with a commercial airline would cost, a move that has been criticised by many.

FCO defended its decision of not offering cheap tickets on the flight as it does not want to undermine commercial airlines by offering tickets in much a cheap flights.

FCO also advised travellers to get out of Cairo as early as possible as political heat is set to rise in the region.

"The situation in Cairo remains unpredictable, and the FCO advises all British nationals to leave the city unless they have a pressing reason to stay," FCO spokesperson was quoted by online resources.

"A large team remains on the ground, including significant specialist reinforcements sent in the course of the last week from London and other British Embassies in the region.

"Staff who is not immediately involved in responding to the crisis or helping British nationals are being temporarily removed in line with our travel advice," the spokesperson further added.