09-May-2008 RUSSIA :
Sky Express stated its market share on the Moscow-Kazan route is currently 14%, with the airline targeting to increase this to 20% by the end of the year (akm.ru, 07-May-08).
09-May-2008 UNITED KINGDOM :
Flybe commenced (08-May-08) service between Inverness and Exeter, Manchester and Southampton on 08-May-08, as part of the continued roll-out of services under its 2008 Summer schedule.
09-May-2008 UNITED KINGDOM :
British Airways (BA) CEO, Willie Walsh, revealed he was aware of potential problems with London Heathrow International Airport’s new Terminal 5 prior to its launch, and stated delays during the construction of the facility resulted in a compromise on both baggage system testing and staff familiarisation with the terminal's workings (Reuters, 08-May-08).
09-May-2008 AUSTRIA :
Austrian Finance Minister, Wilhelm Molterer, stated Austrian Airlines should remain an independent carrier (Reuters, 08-May-08). Saudi-Austrian investor, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa al Jaber, was to take a 20% stake in the airline via a capital increase at EUR7.10/share, equating to an investment of EUR150 million.
09-May-2008 UNITED KINGDOM :
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) confirmed that it has renewed its managed services contract with Virgin Atlantic. By entrusting the management of its IT infrastructure and applications management to Tata Consultancy Services, Virgin Atlantic is in a position to focus on core business activities and flex with the future challenges of the international airline industry.
09-May-2008
Most major airlines are rushing to increase “fuel surcharges” as crude oil prices climb remorselessly towards USD130. Several European carriers announced increases this week.
09-May-2008 GERMANY :
Lufthansa stated that in response to the recent rise in oil price to all-time highs, Lufthansa is adjusting its fuel surcharge on all its flights. The fuel surcharge on long-haul routes will be raised by five euros to EUR82 per flight segment.
09-May-2008 IRELAND :
Aer Lingus is to increase its long haul fuel surcharge on routes to the US, effective from 14-May-08. The increase is as a direct result of the record upsurge in the price of oil in recent weeks and the airline's rising fuel bill. No fuel surcharge is applied on any of the 82 short haul routes operated by Aer Lingus.
