SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines Commences Flights To Seattle

Singapore Airlines is going ahead with non-stop services to the US with the departure of flight SQ28 to Seattle this morning.

The flight departed Changi International Airport earlier and is scheduled to arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport today, at 09:05 local time.

Customers departing from Singapore received an exclusive goodie bag containing items such as a commemorative certificate, SIA batik pen and passport cover as well as a mini notepad featuring the Seattle skyline.

Upon arrival in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the aircraft will be receiving a water cannon salute.

Seattle is the fourth US destination after Los Angeles, New York (Newark) and San Francisco to be served non-stop from Singapore.

The Seattle flights will initially be operated three times weekly before increasing to four times weekly in October, bringing the total number of weekly non-stop Singapore-US services to 31.

When combined with SIA’s existing one-stop services to Houston, Los Angeles, New York (JFK) and San Francisco, total US service frequency will increase to 57 per week.

The new Seattle services will further strengthen the Singapore hub by providing customers faster and more convenient connectivity from key markets such as south-east Asia, south Asia and Australasia to North America.


Tourism Observer

Low-Cost Airlines Boosted Global Air Traffic In 2016

Worldwide passenger air traffic grew again last year, albeit at a slightly slower pace, led by the dynamic growth of low-cost air carriers, the International Civil Aviation Organisation reported.

A total of 3.7 billion passengers were transported by the world’s airlines last year, a 6 per cent increase from 2015. That was just under the previous year’s 7.1 per cent rise, the United Nations agency said.

Growth was most pronounced in the Middle East (11.2 per cent), Asia (8 per cent), Latin America (6.5 per cent) and Africa (5.7 per cent), while it was slower in Europe (4.3 per cent) and North America (3.5 per cent).

Over half of the world’s tourists who travel across international borders each year were transported by air, the Montreal-based agency noted in a statement.

Low-cost carriers accounted for 28 per cent of all passenger air traffic. Passing a milestone, they transported more than 1 billion passengers for the first time. In Europe, low-cost carriers transported nearly a third of all passengers, slightly more than the 31 per cent in Asia or North America’s 25 per cent.

The increasing presence of low-cost carriers notably in emerging economies contributed to the overall growth of passenger traffic,the ICAO said.

As for scheduled domestic flights, North America accounted for 43 per cent of the total, up 4.3 per cent from the previous year, while domestic traffic in Asia was up 10 per cent, largely due to growth in India and China.

Increased traffic and significantly lower fuel costs helped boost airlines’ operating profits, which the ICAO put at US$60 billion for last year, some US$2 billion more than in 2015.

More than a third of the profits are expected to come from the carriers of North America, whose domestic market represents 66 per cent of their total operations, the agency reported.

JAMAICA: Ethiopian Ambassador On Tourism, Sports Collaboration With Jamaica

Ethiopian Ambassador to Jamaica, North America and Mexico, Girma Birru, arrived in Jamaica on Sunday to explore ways in which Ethiopia can further collaborate with Jamaica in tourism, education, culture, sports, and air transport.

While on the island, the ambassador is slated to meet with Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Transport and Mining Michael Henry, as well as Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade officials to discuss bilateral matters.

A news release from the Consulate of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said the ambassador will also be touring the facilities of various private sector enterprises, including Red Stripe and Sutherland Global.

In discussing the visit to Jamaica, the ambassador stated: “Jamaica and Ethiopia have enjoyed a historical and cultural affinity; however, there are many opportunities for Ethiopia and Jamaica to cooperate with each other – particularly in the strategic development of tourism, the trade sector and the sporting industry. This visit will, therefore, shed light on areas for further collaboration.”

Birru is the first ambassador appointed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Jamaica, having presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, on Tuesday May 12, 2015.

His visit comes weeks prior to a visit by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to Jamaica.

Birru will remain on the island until Thursday, June 2.

ZIMBABWE: African Airlines Association Meeting In November, Host Zimbabwe

Air Zimbabwe’s turnaround strategy is set to receive a major boost this year after the national airline won the right to host the 48th African Airlines Association (AFRAA) annual general assembly (AGA) in Victoria Falls later this year.

The event, which will take place from November 20 to November 22, is expected to attract 400 high profile delegates from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

AFRAA secretary-general Dr Elijah Chingosho, who was in the country on an advance visit and also witnessed the unveiling of the logo for the general assembly, yesterday said the general assembly was a unique opportunity for Air Zimbabwe to spread its wings as it is expected to play a major role in bringing delegates to the general assembly and taking them back to their countries.

“As the host airline, Air Zimbabwe is expected to play a pivotal role in the transportation of delegates to and from the country.

“The hosting of this event in Zimbabwe and the Victoria Falls in particular also presents an excellent opportunity to strengthen aviation in the country and the tourism sector because we are encouraging all the delegates to travel with their spouses so that they can sample what Zimbabwe has to offer.

“This is also a chance to show the visitors the business opportunities that exist in the country and to state clearly that Zimbabwe is open for business,” he said.

AFRAA president and Air Zimbabwe’s acting chief executive Mr Edmund Makona said Air Zimbabwe was geared for the challenge.

“The secretary general said the purpose of hosting the general assembly in a specific country and being hosted by a specific airline is meant to maximise benefits for that airline. As Air Zimbabwe we have taken note of that. Within Air Zimbabwe we have also said it cannot be a strategy without the attendant issue of growth and sustainability. So growth and sustainability are at the heart of what we are doing.

“So we really are geared to grow that route network. I do not want to pre-empt other than just to confess that it cannot be an airline without the attendant issues of growth otherwise there is no need for the management at Air Zimbabwe to preside over a still birth airline.

“We will be the host airline and carrier of choice during the general assembly and we cannot do that if we have not spread our wings. We want to assure you that by the time the AGA takes place we would have spread our wings beyond the thin route network that we are currently operating. We have started some initiatives but we would want to under promise and over perform,” he said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said hosting the AFRAA general assembly will be the best opportunity to look for partners to boost our Air Zimbabwe.

“We are busy talking to several airlines who want to partner with us to revitalise Air Zimbabwe so that we can come up with one because the shopping list of partners is long since many companies are approaching us from the Middle East, China and from Europe.

“We are expecting that in the next three to four years Air Zimbabwe will be back as a leading airline in the continent,” he said.

He added that the ministry is looking at bigger airplanes and small to complement the airline’s fleet so that it can resuscitate its old routes.

“I am looking at possibly engaging with partners before the end of the year and it’s a process, when you bring somebody to partner in such an industry which a number of countries are struggling to boost.

“We are we are aiming at bringing in new airlines and experts to revitalise Air Zimbabwe,” he said.

Meanwhile the general assembly would see delegates discussing issues on the development of air transport in Africa and development opportunities for African airlines in particular. AFRAA has a membership of 35 airlines that include all major intercontinental African operators.

The members also represent over 85 percent of total international traffic carried by African airlines. This is the third time that the annual general assembly is being held in the country.