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Showing posts with label avianca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avianca. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 June 2020
CHILE: LATAM Files For U.S. Bankruptcy Protection Seeking Emergency Reorganization Due To The Pandemic.
LATAM Airlines Group has sought chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as the company seeks to reorganise in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Affiliates in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador are all involved in the move.
Colombian carrier Avianca took a similar step earlier this month.
LATAM entered the Covid-19 pandemic as a healthy and profitable airline group, yet exceptional circumstances have led to a collapse in global demand and has not only brought aviation to a virtual standstill.
But it has also changed the industry for the foreseeable future, says Roberto Alvo, chief executive of LATAM.
We have implemented a series of difficult measures to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented industry disruption, but ultimately this path represents the best option to lay the right foundation for the future of our airline group.
We are looking ahead to a post-Covid-19 future and are focused on transforming our group to adapt to a new and evolving way of flying, with the health and safety of our passengers and employees being paramount.”
LATAM laid off 1,800 employees out of over 40,000 in the lead-up to its bankruptcy filing.
The group said it had secured the financial support of shareholders, including the Cueto and Amaro families, and Qatar Airways, to provide up to $900 million in debtor-in-possession financing.
In addition, as of the filing for voluntary protection, the group had approximately US$$1.3 billion in cash on hand.
The chapter 11 financial reorganisation process is a legal framework under which LATAM, and its affiliates, will have the opportunity to resize operations to the new demand environment.
LATAM said it was also in discussions with the governments of Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Peru to assist in sourcing additional financing, protect jobs where possible and minimise disruption to its operations.
Faced with the biggest crisis in the history of aviation, the Board has approved this path forward having analysed all the available alternatives to ensure the sustainability of the group.
As we have adapted to new realities in the past, we are confident that LATAM will be able to succeed in the post-Covid-19 context and continue to serve Latin America, connecting the region with the world, said Ignacio Cueto, chairman of LATAM board of directors.
LATAM Airlines, the largest Latin American air transport group, had losses of $2.12 billion in the first quarter after an accounting adjustment of its assets amid the coronavirus pandemic, the company said in a statement late on Friday.
LATAM said its operational quarterly result was 17% higher year-on-year despite the fact that in March it reduced its offer of flights due to the first effects of the health crisis.
The firm mainly attributed the loss to a goodwill impairment loss of $1.73 billion as a result of the pandemic, the statement said.
The accounting loss is a natural consequence of the impact that COVID-19 has had over the entire industry, where inevitably the assets of airlines are devalued due to the impossibility of operating, CEO Roberto Alvo said in the statement.
Revenue from ordinary activities fell 6.8% to $2.266 billion between January and March.
LATAM filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, becoming the world’s largest carrier so far to seek an emergency reorganization due to the pandemic.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is an airline holding company headquartered in Santiago, Chile. It is considered the largest airline in Latin America with subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru.
Although LATAM Airlines' headquarters are located in Chile, the carrier is an American depositary receipt and trades on both the Santiago Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States on May 26, 2020 due to economic problems attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation.
Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines signed a non-binding agreement to merge on 13 August 2010, followed by a binding agreement on 19 January 2011 and papers to close the merger on 22 June 2012, with TAM Airlines’ shareholders agreeing to the takeover by LAN Airlines.
Enrique Cueto, former CEO of LAN, became the CEO of LATAM;[16] Mauricio Rolim Amaro, formerly vice-chairman of TAM, became LATAM chairman.
Thursday, 28 June 2018
SURINAME: Copa Airlines To Fly To Suriname, Avianca Airlines Interested As Well
The Suriname government is actively looking to attract legacy carriers like Avianca and COPA after it recently announced the construction and modernization of a new arrival terminal and other upgrades for passenger comfort.
Legacy Star Alliance member, COPA airlines, with a vast network connecting every city in Latin America and the Caribbean to its Panama hub, is looking to commence service to the Johan Pengel International Airport (JAP), Paramaribo.
Suriname is the only independent country in South America that the airline’s network doesn’t reach. This will change, according to reliable sources.
Suriname is isolated and lacks air connectivity to major capitals in the region. COPA airlines has put in writing its interest in serving the Suriname market and is expected to announce air operations to Suriname before the end of 2018.
The airline had met since 2015 with government, aviation and Surinam Airways (SLM) officials, but there was no agreement.
COPA officials assessed the local infrastructure, including the facilities at the Johan Pengel International Airport (JAP).
The airline wanted an incentive package, and now the airline is again in Suriname and seriously looking at the market.
They also met with SLM. The Colombian airline is also looking to land at the Cheddi Jagan Airport, Guyana.
COPA focuses on North and South America and the Caribbean, while Avianca Colombia, besides Latin America and the Caribbean, has a growing European network.
Through its Star Alliance partnership, Avianca will link Georgetown and Paramaribo to its vast destinations in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The Bogota hub is well connected with the world and, for countries like Guyana and Suriname with very poor air connectivity.
An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report in 2015 recommended that the Guyanas be connected to Panama City and Bogota.
Ethiopian, Emirates and Turkish Airlines are also looking to add Bogota to their networks.
The IDB report concluded that Suriname’s air agreement with Colombia is the most restrictive and one that protects Avianca, the Colombian carrier.
Flights out of Suriname are allowed only to land in Barranquilla and Cali, and can be routed via Port-of-Spain or Georgetown.
Hence, a lot of these issues have to be fleshed out before Avianca Airlines commences service to Paramaribo.
SLM is looking to cooperate with other airlines and in particular Avianca and Copa, but they must also benefit from any arrangement.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that SLM has a code-share agreement with Avianca, but to date, the two companies have yet to operate a single flight with their joint codes.
Perhaps a code-share agreement does exist but in name only.
Tourism Observer
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
COLOMBIA: Avianca To Start Flights To Boston 2nd June
The announcement came only three weeks after the airline announced its Bogota to Montevideo flight.
Boston will be served with four weekly flights, departing from Bogota at 14:40 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, arriving in Boston at 21:57.
The return leg will leave Boston on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 00:27, and will be back to the Colombian capital at 05:57, all local times.
The flight will be operated in a 120-seat Airbus A319, with 12 seats in business and 108 in economy class.
Avianca will become the third Latin American carrier at Boston, with Aeromexico that has five weekly flights to Mexico City and Copa Airlines, which offers daily flights from Panama City.
The Colombian airline announced an increase to a daily flight in the service to Los Angeles, effective from March 26.
The schedule will also be adjusted to an earlier departure from Los Angeles to Bogota, which currently leaves Los Angeles at 10:15, arriving at Bogota at 19:30.
The new schedule will be changed to leave at 02:29 from Los Angeles, arriving in Bogota at 11:44, all local times.
The Bogota – Los Angeles route is served by Avianca’s 250-seat Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with 28 seats in business class and 222 in economy class.
Tourism Observer
Saturday, 29 July 2017
VENEZUELA: Airlines To Suspend Venezuela Operations,instability in the country and poor performing economics
According to the letter submitted by Delta to the Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aviation, the last flight DL781 from Atlanta to Caracas will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017.
The return and final farewell flight to Atlanta, DL802, will depart Caracas the following morning on September 17, 2017.
Delta has not published an official statement on the cancellation of the route.
Earlier Avianca also announced the suspension of its daily services to Venezuela.
The airline also suspended all tickets sales to and from Venezuela effective immediately.
In a press release, the carrier said the decision was taken last night in a meeting with the Colombian Aviation Authorities in Bogota, due to the great struggle the airline is currently dealing with to maintain service to Venezuela.
After 60 years of service in Venezuela, Avianca regrets this difficult decision, but our duty is to warranty the security of the operations,said Hernan Rincon, President of Avianca Airlines.
As a company, we have the disposition and will to return operations, once we have the required conditions.
Delta and Avianca claim that the current instability in the country and poor performing economics are the main drivers in such harsh decision.
Both airlines will now join the ever growing list of carriers that have already ceased flying to Venezuela: Air Canada, Alitalia, Lufthansa, LATAM, GOL, Insel Air, Dynamic, Aeromexico, and United.
The last standing U.S.-based carrier flying to Venezuela, American Airlines (AA), has also taken drastic measures ahead of the dramatic political situation the South American country is going through.
Initially flying to Caracas from Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), New York (JFK), and Miami (MIA), AA decreased its connectivity to the Venezuelan capital to just two daily flights between Miami and Caracas.
Numerous frequent flyers based in Caracas commented on social media how this affects their connectivity to the United States, especially now that United is gone and AA remains with two daily flights.
No crew members are interested in flying to Venezuela. They say it is too unsafe.
If American decides to leave, chances to fly to the U.S. on reliable carriers are gone.
Airline Avianca says it will stop flying to Venezuela due to operational and security reasons.
The Colombian company is the latest to suspend its flights to the South American country amid a growing economic and political crisis.
US airline Delta also announced in a tweet that it was suspending services to Venezuela from mid September.
Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Alitalia, Latam, Lufthansa and United Airlines have already stopped their flights.
Avianca has operated in Venezuela for 60 years.
The airline, one of the biggest in Latin America, said customers who had bought tickets for flights departing after that date would be reimbursed fully.
Airlines still operating flights to Venezuela include Air France, Iberia, Air Europa and TAP, but Venezuelans have complained about the increasing difficulty of getting flights in and out of the country.
Many used Avianca's twice-daily Caracas to Bogota route to connect with other flights.
With fewer flights available those having to book at short notice sometimes struggle to get seats.
The Venezuelan women's volleyball team missed the world grand prix tournament in Canberra, Australia, on the weekend.
The team had to use chartered planes because a shortage of seats stopped them taking commercial flights to Australia, Venezuela's charge d'affaires Daniel Gasparri-Rey said.
But when the chartered planes were delayed and it became clear the team would arrive too late to take part in the tournament, they turned back, the diplomat said.
The Venezuelan Volleyball Federation could now face a fine of up to $30,000 (£23,800) for missing the matches.
Player María José Pérez said the team members felt frustrated because they had been robbed of the chance to make an impression at the tournament, for which they had qualified for the first time.
These are airlines that have opted to suspend flights to Venezuela:
- United Airlines, daily flight from Houston on June 30, 2017.
- Dynamic Airways, daily flight from Fort Lauderdale on August 13, 2016.
- LATAM, a weekly flight from Lima, twice weekly flight from Santiago on August 1, 2016.
- Aeromexico, thrice weekly flights from Mexico City on June 23, 2016.
- Lufthansa, thrice weekly flights from Frankfurt on June 17, 2016.
- LATAM, a weekly flight from Sao Paulo on May 28, 2016.
- Alitalia, a weekly flight from Rome on April 3, 2015.
- Air Canada, four weekly flights from Toronto on March 18, 2014.
Would you be happy to travel to Venezuela, with all that chaos and insecurity?
Think more than once.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Friday, 19 May 2017
HONDURAS: Honduras Introduces Improved Air Travel For American Tourists
Direct flights to Honduras from the United States increase the connectivity of this Central American country.
The next time you think of traveling to Honduras, forget long layovers and expensive flights, but start thinking of saving time and money as Honduras announces improved air travel for North American visitors.
Spirit Airlines, the low-cost airline company has begun to offer non-stop flights from two major U.S. hubs, namely Fort Lauderdale and Houston.
Honduras is one of the few countries in Central America to have two direct flights coming from the U.S., granting one Central American country a competitive advantage for greater connectivity and accessibility in its fares. Since Spirit established air service to San Pedro Sula, the airline has transported more than 350,000 passengers.
In expanding their routes to Central America, Spirit accompanies American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Avianca, and United Airlines in offering direct non-stop service or connecting cities through Miami and Dallas (American and Avianca), Atlanta (Delta), and Houston (United & Spirit), making the Mayan archaeological site of Copan even closer.
Along with American airlines, Canadian tourist companies have sought to expand their service to Honduras through Transat Tours, a Canadian Tour-Operator. Beginning in December 2016, just in time for winter in the northern hemisphere, they will add direct flights from Quebec City to the island of Roatán, Honduras.
This new service will be in addition to their existing flights from Montreal, Quebec to Roatán and Toronto, Ontario to Roatán.
Additionally, Transat Tours and Sunwig Vacations who also offer direct flights to Honduras from major Canadian cities, sold an estimated of 15,000 packages to the country.
This expansion in the tourism sector reflects an aggressive promotional effort made by private companies to further relationships with Honduras. Over the past 24 months, Transat Tours, with the help of the Honduran government, has seen an increase of more than 15% from previous seasons.
The development of these relationships has been crucial in these companies being able to meet their mutual sales goals.
“Thanks to these new investments in the tourism sector and the diversified efforts carried out by the government and private companies, Honduras will continue positioning itself as an ideal destination for Americans and Canadians as the most diverse tourist offering in Central America,” noted Emilio Silvestri, Director of the Honduran Institute of Tourism.
From the rich history of Comayagua, to the unmatched beauty of the Bay Islands, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, which houses the largest coral reef in the Americas, together with the rough shores of the Pacific coast, crossing over mountains, lakes, and forests, then to discover the ancestral legacy of the Mayan culture in Copan or uncovering the mysteries of an unknown civilization in Kaha Kamasa, Honduras has a natural and cultural beauty unlike anything else the world has discovered.
Another step forward in the relationship between Tegucigalpa and Taipei, as Honduras welcomes Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for her first trip to this emerging Central American country. In the beginning of January, Honduran officials laid out the red carpet for President Tsai, welcoming Taiwanese interest and investment in the country’s promising economic future.
The Taiwanese president’s stop in Honduras is a part of a larger Central American tour, where she visits El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Her decision to begin the trip in Tegucigalpa reflects the sustained importance that Honduras has in the eyes of Taiwanese leadership.
Overall, this week-long circuit seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation between Taiwan and its Central American allies.
Following a meeting between President Tsai and President Juan Orlando Hernández held in Taipei in October, President Tsai traveled to Tegucigalpa to affirm economic, diplomatic, and commercial ties strengthened through bilateral trade agreements and major cooperation projects.
The two nations have maintained a fraternal relationship for more than 75 years and the leaders are confident that 2017 will welcome a new chapter of economic prosperity for both countries.
Over the years, Honduras has been steadily increasing their agricultural exports to China (Taiwan), as Taiwanese investors have kept an eye on the increasing economic prosperity of this Central American gem.
Following the meetings and as a part of the larger and most important economic initiative in the history of the country, Honduras 20/20, Taiwanese consumers can expect an increase in Honduran goods in their local supermarkets such as melon, beef, powdered milk, and other basic products.
Along with increased economic benefits, President Tsai’s arrival reflects a strong cultural relationship that seeks to engage Honduras’ strongest resource: its people. Over the past several years, Honduras has sent over 300 culturally curious students to Taiwan to study abroad and participate in the Taiwan Scholarship Program, providing young Hondurans with first-hand exposure to Chinese culture.
Through the initiative #JovenesHN, launched by Marca Honduras in efforts to connect and engage with Honduran youth studying abroad, the event held in Taipei hosted close to 100 students eager to learn more about their country’s brand in their home away from home.
With only a month into 2017, this year continues to look promising for the future of Honduras and through continued international support the country hopes to increase its global footprint while strengthening its internal infrastructure.
President Tsai’s visit to Honduras symbolizes further confidence in Honduras’ growing economies, which will provide both nations with increased stability, commerce, and global recognition.
The next time you think of traveling to Honduras, forget long layovers and expensive flights, but start thinking of saving time and money as Honduras announces improved air travel for North American visitors.
Spirit Airlines, the low-cost airline company has begun to offer non-stop flights from two major U.S. hubs, namely Fort Lauderdale and Houston.
Honduras is one of the few countries in Central America to have two direct flights coming from the U.S., granting one Central American country a competitive advantage for greater connectivity and accessibility in its fares. Since Spirit established air service to San Pedro Sula, the airline has transported more than 350,000 passengers.
In expanding their routes to Central America, Spirit accompanies American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Avianca, and United Airlines in offering direct non-stop service or connecting cities through Miami and Dallas (American and Avianca), Atlanta (Delta), and Houston (United & Spirit), making the Mayan archaeological site of Copan even closer.
Along with American airlines, Canadian tourist companies have sought to expand their service to Honduras through Transat Tours, a Canadian Tour-Operator. Beginning in December 2016, just in time for winter in the northern hemisphere, they will add direct flights from Quebec City to the island of Roatán, Honduras.
This new service will be in addition to their existing flights from Montreal, Quebec to Roatán and Toronto, Ontario to Roatán.
Additionally, Transat Tours and Sunwig Vacations who also offer direct flights to Honduras from major Canadian cities, sold an estimated of 15,000 packages to the country.
This expansion in the tourism sector reflects an aggressive promotional effort made by private companies to further relationships with Honduras. Over the past 24 months, Transat Tours, with the help of the Honduran government, has seen an increase of more than 15% from previous seasons.
The development of these relationships has been crucial in these companies being able to meet their mutual sales goals.
“Thanks to these new investments in the tourism sector and the diversified efforts carried out by the government and private companies, Honduras will continue positioning itself as an ideal destination for Americans and Canadians as the most diverse tourist offering in Central America,” noted Emilio Silvestri, Director of the Honduran Institute of Tourism.
From the rich history of Comayagua, to the unmatched beauty of the Bay Islands, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, which houses the largest coral reef in the Americas, together with the rough shores of the Pacific coast, crossing over mountains, lakes, and forests, then to discover the ancestral legacy of the Mayan culture in Copan or uncovering the mysteries of an unknown civilization in Kaha Kamasa, Honduras has a natural and cultural beauty unlike anything else the world has discovered.
Another step forward in the relationship between Tegucigalpa and Taipei, as Honduras welcomes Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for her first trip to this emerging Central American country. In the beginning of January, Honduran officials laid out the red carpet for President Tsai, welcoming Taiwanese interest and investment in the country’s promising economic future.
The Taiwanese president’s stop in Honduras is a part of a larger Central American tour, where she visits El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Her decision to begin the trip in Tegucigalpa reflects the sustained importance that Honduras has in the eyes of Taiwanese leadership.
Overall, this week-long circuit seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation between Taiwan and its Central American allies.
Following a meeting between President Tsai and President Juan Orlando Hernández held in Taipei in October, President Tsai traveled to Tegucigalpa to affirm economic, diplomatic, and commercial ties strengthened through bilateral trade agreements and major cooperation projects.
The two nations have maintained a fraternal relationship for more than 75 years and the leaders are confident that 2017 will welcome a new chapter of economic prosperity for both countries.
Over the years, Honduras has been steadily increasing their agricultural exports to China (Taiwan), as Taiwanese investors have kept an eye on the increasing economic prosperity of this Central American gem.
Following the meetings and as a part of the larger and most important economic initiative in the history of the country, Honduras 20/20, Taiwanese consumers can expect an increase in Honduran goods in their local supermarkets such as melon, beef, powdered milk, and other basic products.
Along with increased economic benefits, President Tsai’s arrival reflects a strong cultural relationship that seeks to engage Honduras’ strongest resource: its people. Over the past several years, Honduras has sent over 300 culturally curious students to Taiwan to study abroad and participate in the Taiwan Scholarship Program, providing young Hondurans with first-hand exposure to Chinese culture.
Through the initiative #JovenesHN, launched by Marca Honduras in efforts to connect and engage with Honduran youth studying abroad, the event held in Taipei hosted close to 100 students eager to learn more about their country’s brand in their home away from home.
With only a month into 2017, this year continues to look promising for the future of Honduras and through continued international support the country hopes to increase its global footprint while strengthening its internal infrastructure.
President Tsai’s visit to Honduras symbolizes further confidence in Honduras’ growing economies, which will provide both nations with increased stability, commerce, and global recognition.
Friday, 28 April 2017
INDIA: Jetstar Denies It Is World’s Worst Airline
LOW-cost carrier Jetstar has hit back at claims it is the worst airline in the world and said the findings research by consumer watchdog Choice had no credibility.
Data compiled by 11 consumer groups globally including Choice was released earlier today after 11,000 passengers who travelled in the past year gave feedback and scored the performance of 73 airlines.
The findings showed Qantas was ranked as the best of the national carriers (ranking 36), ahead of rival airline Virgin Australia (51) and Jetstar came in last (73).
Jetstar has come dead last in a new survey of more than 100 airlines.
A new global study has found Jetstar to be the worst performing overall according to more than 11,000 people who took part.
But the budget airline has hit back, saying the survey lacks "veracity".
Jetstar spokesman Luke Enright criticised how the research was conducted and said it was not a fair indicator of all airlines.
He said the data size of Jetstar passengers which included more than 100 respondents of the 11,000 overall was “around half the number of people we carry on one flight and a lot less than 34 million customers who flew with us last year.”
They also called it an international survey but only surveyed people from eight countries, he said.
Emirates took the crown as the best airline in the world.
Tigerair was not included in the survey because the sample size of passengers was too small.
But Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey stood by the research and said it’s unsurprising Jetstar is disappointed in their poor performance but instead of trying to rubbish the survey, they should work on cleaning up their act.
People are sick of poor treatment, particularly when flights are delayed or cancelled.
Jetstar said they continued to do a lot of work behind the scenes on areas where we can improve, particularly on flight punctuality.
Customers rated airlines on a range of criteria including punctuality, checking in, boarding, treatment by staff, comfort on-board, meals, safety and value for money.
In comparison Australia-based airline Qantas ranked the 36th best airline in the world and Emirates came out on top.
The study was conducted by Choice, in association with watchdogs from around the world, and found more than a third of passengers who flew with Jetstar said they experienced disruptions from flight cancellation and waiting times of an average of at least four hours after scheduled departure times, the Daily Mail reported.
Jetstar only received one star out of five for overall satisfaction. The airline was rated 4.51 out of 10 for comfort and its website scored 4.81 out of 10.
Despite the findings, Jetstar say they question the results.
"There are a lot of holes in this latest survey, including leaving out our main competitor Tiger because they didn't collect enough responses, so the veracity of the report is questionable," a spokesperson said.
Air New Zealand ranked 26th in the world - well ahead of the two Australia-based airlines.
Here are the top five airlines according to the survey:
1. Emirates based out of the United Arab Emirates 8.29
2. Avianca based out of Columbia 8.17
3. Qatar Airways based out of Qatar 8.15
4. Luxair based out of Luxembourg 8.1
5. Singapore Airlines based out of Singapore 8.1
Data compiled by 11 consumer groups globally including Choice was released earlier today after 11,000 passengers who travelled in the past year gave feedback and scored the performance of 73 airlines.
The findings showed Qantas was ranked as the best of the national carriers (ranking 36), ahead of rival airline Virgin Australia (51) and Jetstar came in last (73).
Jetstar has come dead last in a new survey of more than 100 airlines.
A new global study has found Jetstar to be the worst performing overall according to more than 11,000 people who took part.
But the budget airline has hit back, saying the survey lacks "veracity".
Jetstar spokesman Luke Enright criticised how the research was conducted and said it was not a fair indicator of all airlines.
He said the data size of Jetstar passengers which included more than 100 respondents of the 11,000 overall was “around half the number of people we carry on one flight and a lot less than 34 million customers who flew with us last year.”
They also called it an international survey but only surveyed people from eight countries, he said.
Emirates took the crown as the best airline in the world.
Tigerair was not included in the survey because the sample size of passengers was too small.
But Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey stood by the research and said it’s unsurprising Jetstar is disappointed in their poor performance but instead of trying to rubbish the survey, they should work on cleaning up their act.
People are sick of poor treatment, particularly when flights are delayed or cancelled.
Jetstar said they continued to do a lot of work behind the scenes on areas where we can improve, particularly on flight punctuality.
Customers rated airlines on a range of criteria including punctuality, checking in, boarding, treatment by staff, comfort on-board, meals, safety and value for money.
In comparison Australia-based airline Qantas ranked the 36th best airline in the world and Emirates came out on top.
The study was conducted by Choice, in association with watchdogs from around the world, and found more than a third of passengers who flew with Jetstar said they experienced disruptions from flight cancellation and waiting times of an average of at least four hours after scheduled departure times, the Daily Mail reported.
Jetstar only received one star out of five for overall satisfaction. The airline was rated 4.51 out of 10 for comfort and its website scored 4.81 out of 10.
Despite the findings, Jetstar say they question the results.
"There are a lot of holes in this latest survey, including leaving out our main competitor Tiger because they didn't collect enough responses, so the veracity of the report is questionable," a spokesperson said.
Air New Zealand ranked 26th in the world - well ahead of the two Australia-based airlines.
Here are the top five airlines according to the survey:
1. Emirates based out of the United Arab Emirates 8.29
2. Avianca based out of Columbia 8.17
3. Qatar Airways based out of Qatar 8.15
4. Luxair based out of Luxembourg 8.1
5. Singapore Airlines based out of Singapore 8.1
Saturday, 30 January 2016
CHILE: LATAM Airlines RefundsTo Pregnant Travelers To Zika-hit Region
LATAM Airlines became the latest carrier to offer refunds or the option of itinerary changes to pregnant women planning to travel to Latin American and Caribbean countries impacted by the Zika virus.
Flight reservations have not been affected so far by worries about Zika, a spokeswoman for the airline said. But hotels and cruise operators who serve the region have said they are seeing growing concerns from travelers.
An outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil, is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week.
American Airlines Group Inc more than doubled its previous list of destinations for which it was offering refunds to pregnant travelers, adding Puerto Rico, Martinique and four countries to an initial list of five Central American airports.
Chile-based LATAM Airlines, Latin America's largest carrier, said it would offer refunds or the opportunity to change destination to medically certified pregnant women and their traveling companions booked on international flights to Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and other affected Latin American and Caribbean countries.
"For pregnant passengers that have already initiated their trips to the aforementioned destinations, they can return early, subject to seat availability, at no extra charge," the airline said in a statement.
U.S. airline United Airlines also said this week it was allowing customers with reserved tickets for travel to impacted regions to postpone their trips or obtain refunds with no penalty.
In a similar move, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd and rival Carnival Corp have said they would allow expectant mothers covered by the CDC advisories to reschedule cruises to a later date or switch to an itinerary outside the affected countries.
LATAM Airlines, a group formed by Chile's LAN and Brazil's TAM, had not yet seen an impact on reservations due to concerns about the outbreak, a spokeswoman for the company said on Wednesday.
Avianca, the region's second biggest airline, and smaller Brazilian carrier Gol made similar comments on Tuesday.
However, the outbreak presents another potential headache for LATAM, which is already struggling with currency fluctuations, labor disputes and a fast declining Brazilian economy. The company is expected to post a net annual loss for the third year in a row when it reports 2015 results in March, according to Thomson Reuters estimates.
Flight reservations have not been affected so far by worries about Zika, a spokeswoman for the airline said. But hotels and cruise operators who serve the region have said they are seeing growing concerns from travelers.
An outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil, is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week.
American Airlines Group Inc more than doubled its previous list of destinations for which it was offering refunds to pregnant travelers, adding Puerto Rico, Martinique and four countries to an initial list of five Central American airports.
Chile-based LATAM Airlines, Latin America's largest carrier, said it would offer refunds or the opportunity to change destination to medically certified pregnant women and their traveling companions booked on international flights to Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and other affected Latin American and Caribbean countries.
"For pregnant passengers that have already initiated their trips to the aforementioned destinations, they can return early, subject to seat availability, at no extra charge," the airline said in a statement.
U.S. airline United Airlines also said this week it was allowing customers with reserved tickets for travel to impacted regions to postpone their trips or obtain refunds with no penalty.
In a similar move, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd and rival Carnival Corp have said they would allow expectant mothers covered by the CDC advisories to reschedule cruises to a later date or switch to an itinerary outside the affected countries.
LATAM Airlines, a group formed by Chile's LAN and Brazil's TAM, had not yet seen an impact on reservations due to concerns about the outbreak, a spokeswoman for the company said on Wednesday.
Avianca, the region's second biggest airline, and smaller Brazilian carrier Gol made similar comments on Tuesday.
However, the outbreak presents another potential headache for LATAM, which is already struggling with currency fluctuations, labor disputes and a fast declining Brazilian economy. The company is expected to post a net annual loss for the third year in a row when it reports 2015 results in March, according to Thomson Reuters estimates.
Sunday, 13 December 2015
COLOMBIA: Avianca Adds Bogota To Bridgetown To Its Caribbean Programme
The new flights will operate twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday, using an Airbus A319 aircraft with both Business and Economy classes. This is the sixth airport served by Avianca in the Caribbean, with regular services already being flown from Bogota to Aruba, Curacao, Havana (Cuba), Punta Cana and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
Avianca also operate a growing number of transatlantic flights from Colombia with convenient gateway cities being London, Madrid and Barcelona. Alternative Airlines consider Avianca as one the world's great airlines with a long history and a growing status as one of the leading airline groups in Latin America. As a unique way to start a trip enjoying classic Colombian hospitality, we recommend Avianca to all our customers as the best way to fly to Latin America.
Saturday, 12 December 2015
COLOMBIA: Avianca And Air Europa Go Head To Head On Madrid To Bogota
The new route which will start 28th June 2016 and use a brand new Boeing 787-800 aircraft is part of AIr Europa's continued expansion of its transatlantic programme to Latin America.
Avianca, which is one of the world's oldest airlines already flies to Bogota from both Madrid and Barcelona and has an extensive network of onward connections from Colombia to the rest of South and Central America.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
VENEZUELA: Dynamic Airways Becomes Latest Carrier To Caracas Airport
Dynamic Airways commenced operations from Caracas Airport on 17 July, becoming the 29th carrier to fly from the Venezuelan capital. The four times weekly rotation that it operates from Fort Lauderdale has resulted in the airline being the 13th largest out of Caracas this September. When the route was launched, Paul Kraus, Dynamic Airways CEO, said that the route launch was a “monumental moment” for the company in reconnecting Caracas and Fort Lauderdale, a city pair that had not been operated since 2005 when American Airlines last flew the route. From 14 November, the carrier will add its second destination to Caracas from New York JFK.
On 22 September, IATA announced that passenger traffic in Venezuela fell by 8.5% in 2014 when compared to the same 12 month time period of 2013. What is worrying about this trend is that other key economies in the region, such as Colombia and Peru, were up 6.9% and 2.5% respectively. The table below shows a more detailed overview of what occurred in the South American and Caribbean region for 2014, relating to the key economies of the region.
The decline of 8.5% also outpaced the 3% GDP contraction in Venezuela during the same period, reflecting the growing impact of draconian government policies on airlines, including restrictions on the repatriation of currency. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO, commented about the traffic decline by saying: “The Venezuelan government’s policies are crippling the air transport sector and depriving its people of the economic benefits that it could bring. Air travel options in Venezuela are diminishing while the country’s citizens and businesses pay more to travel due to the negative impact of government policies.” This statement is very much supported by the changes in seat capacity at Caracas Airport, the country’s leading international transport hub. Analysis of OAG schedule data confirms that since 2014 seat capacity from the facility has fallen by 13%. However, not all airlines have cut capacity at the airport.
Caracas is showing rapid capacity decline
If based on just annual seat capacity alone, the decline of 13% out of Caracas for the whole of 2015 is supporting the statement issued last week by IATA. However, it is worth noting that 2015 (highlighted in light green) still has three months left to pass, which is still plenty of time for an airline to announce and commence operations on a new route, or for other airlines to reduce capacity still further. Nonetheless based on the current figures supplied by OAG, the airport is recording its biggest slump in seat capacity in the past nine years.
Home carriers dominate capacity
As we can see from the table above, only four carriers in the top 12 (highlighted in light green) are foreign airlines. When anna.aero did further analysis into the breakdown of aviation in Venezuela, a reason was uncovered for this possibility and why home carriers are dominating Caracas capacity. Venezuela is breaching international agreements and the principles of the Chicago Convention in its treatment of airlines. One example, as confirmed and published by IATA, is as follows: ‘Foreign carriers are forced to pay for fuel in US dollars instead of Venezuelan bolivars, going against the non-discriminatory spirit of the Chicago Convention which Venezuela has signed. This is particularly problematic as purchasing fuel is one of the few avenues they have for spending accumulated local currency that cannot be repatriated.’
Although IATA has come out with this statement in relation to Venezuela, a further investigation by anna.aero shows that these four carriers are actually reporting growth from Caracas this September when compared with the same time period of 2014, quite considerably in some cases. Avianca (41%), Copa Airlines (18.9%), Aerolineas Argentinas (53%) and American Airlines (40%) are all in fact growing at a much faster rate than the home carriers, with the top three airlines out of Caracas, Conviasa (-38%), Aserca Airlines (-19%) and Aeropostal (-17%), all reporting declines in seat capacity when compared to September 2014.
Domestic market suffering the most
Again, trends seen by IATA seem not to be playing a part in the route development at Caracas, as the market which has taken the most severe impact when compared to the same time period of last year is the Venezuelan domestic market, which is down 41%, and has seen its overall capacity share reduce from 66% in September 2014 to 54% in the same month of 2015. Other markets outside of the top 12 have also shown rapid declines in capacity, with Brazil (15th) showing a 52% drop in seats, and Portugal (16th) down 56%. The airport has also lost a country market when compared to the same time period of 2014, with Italy no longer being served according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.
Double trouble to JFK
Later this year two carriers will introduce services to New York JFK, with Dynamic Airways planning to commence services on 14 November, while American Airlines plans to introduce the city pair to its ever-growing, international New York JFK operations on 17 December. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that currently New York JFK is not served by any carrier from Caracas.
On 22 September, IATA announced that passenger traffic in Venezuela fell by 8.5% in 2014 when compared to the same 12 month time period of 2013. What is worrying about this trend is that other key economies in the region, such as Colombia and Peru, were up 6.9% and 2.5% respectively. The table below shows a more detailed overview of what occurred in the South American and Caribbean region for 2014, relating to the key economies of the region.
The decline of 8.5% also outpaced the 3% GDP contraction in Venezuela during the same period, reflecting the growing impact of draconian government policies on airlines, including restrictions on the repatriation of currency. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO, commented about the traffic decline by saying: “The Venezuelan government’s policies are crippling the air transport sector and depriving its people of the economic benefits that it could bring. Air travel options in Venezuela are diminishing while the country’s citizens and businesses pay more to travel due to the negative impact of government policies.” This statement is very much supported by the changes in seat capacity at Caracas Airport, the country’s leading international transport hub. Analysis of OAG schedule data confirms that since 2014 seat capacity from the facility has fallen by 13%. However, not all airlines have cut capacity at the airport.
Caracas is showing rapid capacity decline
If based on just annual seat capacity alone, the decline of 13% out of Caracas for the whole of 2015 is supporting the statement issued last week by IATA. However, it is worth noting that 2015 (highlighted in light green) still has three months left to pass, which is still plenty of time for an airline to announce and commence operations on a new route, or for other airlines to reduce capacity still further. Nonetheless based on the current figures supplied by OAG, the airport is recording its biggest slump in seat capacity in the past nine years.
Home carriers dominate capacity
As we can see from the table above, only four carriers in the top 12 (highlighted in light green) are foreign airlines. When anna.aero did further analysis into the breakdown of aviation in Venezuela, a reason was uncovered for this possibility and why home carriers are dominating Caracas capacity. Venezuela is breaching international agreements and the principles of the Chicago Convention in its treatment of airlines. One example, as confirmed and published by IATA, is as follows: ‘Foreign carriers are forced to pay for fuel in US dollars instead of Venezuelan bolivars, going against the non-discriminatory spirit of the Chicago Convention which Venezuela has signed. This is particularly problematic as purchasing fuel is one of the few avenues they have for spending accumulated local currency that cannot be repatriated.’
Although IATA has come out with this statement in relation to Venezuela, a further investigation by anna.aero shows that these four carriers are actually reporting growth from Caracas this September when compared with the same time period of 2014, quite considerably in some cases. Avianca (41%), Copa Airlines (18.9%), Aerolineas Argentinas (53%) and American Airlines (40%) are all in fact growing at a much faster rate than the home carriers, with the top three airlines out of Caracas, Conviasa (-38%), Aserca Airlines (-19%) and Aeropostal (-17%), all reporting declines in seat capacity when compared to September 2014.
Domestic market suffering the most
Again, trends seen by IATA seem not to be playing a part in the route development at Caracas, as the market which has taken the most severe impact when compared to the same time period of last year is the Venezuelan domestic market, which is down 41%, and has seen its overall capacity share reduce from 66% in September 2014 to 54% in the same month of 2015. Other markets outside of the top 12 have also shown rapid declines in capacity, with Brazil (15th) showing a 52% drop in seats, and Portugal (16th) down 56%. The airport has also lost a country market when compared to the same time period of 2014, with Italy no longer being served according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.
Double trouble to JFK
Later this year two carriers will introduce services to New York JFK, with Dynamic Airways planning to commence services on 14 November, while American Airlines plans to introduce the city pair to its ever-growing, international New York JFK operations on 17 December. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that currently New York JFK is not served by any carrier from Caracas.
Saturday, 5 September 2015
ECUADOR: Quito Airport In Ecuador Traffic Growth Of 9.1% In 2014
Tame – that controls 37% and 40% of seats and flights respectively at Quito Airport – celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a press conference, the launch of daily flights to Fort Lauderdale, its second US destination after New York JFK.
Located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres east of the capital of Ecuador, Quito Airport (perhaps better known as Mariscal Sucre International Airport) is the primary international gateway to the country. Established in February 2013 to replace the old gateway, the airport caters for a population of three million and serves as the largest hub of tame, the flag carrier of Ecuador that operates around 200 weekly departures this May. Operated by Quiport, the airport controls 46% of the country’s scheduled seat capacity (being followed by Guayaquil with 36%) and offers non-stop flights to 25 destinations in 11 countries within the Americas and Europe (according to OAG Schedules Analyser data for this May).
Analysis of data provided by the airport authority indicates that Quito’s traffic has grown impressively during the 2003-2014 timeframe, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% over this period. The airport handled around six million passengers in 2014 (a new record high), a number that increased from the 800,000 recorded 12 years ago. In addition, when compared to 2013 figures, Quito’s traffic increased by 9.1%. Interestingly, the airport continued to grow even in the worst years of economic recession, experiencing a double-digit growth of 24% in 2010 when compared to the previous year.
tame controls 37% and 40% of seats and flights
Evaluation of OAG Schedules Analyser data for this May indicates that a total of 11 airlines are serving Quito, with tame maintaining its top position. The largest airline of Ecuador accounts for 37% and 40% of weekly seats and flights respectively and operates a total of 16 airport pairs from Quito, of which the domestic route to Guayaquil is the most frequently served airport pair with 64 weekly departures, being followed by the sector to Cuenca with 19 weekly flights. Ranking second with a weekly seat share of 19%, LAN Ecuador (LAN Airlines’ subsidiary established in July 2002) connects Quito to Guayaquil (67 times weekly), Cuenca (17 times weekly), Miami (daily) and Baltra Island (five times weekly).
Total weekly seat capacity at Quito has gone done 11%, with five of the top 11 carriers recording growth, when comparing data from this May with the same week last year, while American Airlines and Aeromexico saw their operations unchanged. Following the integration of Aerogal’s operations as part of their merger, Avianca is the fastest growing carrier, with a net increase of 2,310 weekly seats over the last 12 months. By comparison, LAN noted the greatest capacity decline (-51%), due to having reduced its frequency on the sector from Quito to Guayaquil from 10 times weekly to thrice-weekly, but also owing to having withdrawn its four times weekly departures to Medellin as well as thrice-weekly flights to Cali.
Furthermore, two European carriers (highlighted in bright green) are serving Ecuador’s capital, namely Iberia which links Quito to Madrid with thrice-weekly non-stop flights, and Quito to Guayaquil with eight weekly departures, with the latter being served as part of its 9,007-kilometre airport pair between Quito and Madrid via Guayaquil. Besides Iberia, KLM also flies daily from Quito to Amsterdam via Guayaquil, using its 318-seat 777-200s.
Located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres east of the capital of Ecuador, Quito Airport (perhaps better known as Mariscal Sucre International Airport) is the primary international gateway to the country. Established in February 2013 to replace the old gateway, the airport caters for a population of three million and serves as the largest hub of tame, the flag carrier of Ecuador that operates around 200 weekly departures this May. Operated by Quiport, the airport controls 46% of the country’s scheduled seat capacity (being followed by Guayaquil with 36%) and offers non-stop flights to 25 destinations in 11 countries within the Americas and Europe (according to OAG Schedules Analyser data for this May).
Analysis of data provided by the airport authority indicates that Quito’s traffic has grown impressively during the 2003-2014 timeframe, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% over this period. The airport handled around six million passengers in 2014 (a new record high), a number that increased from the 800,000 recorded 12 years ago. In addition, when compared to 2013 figures, Quito’s traffic increased by 9.1%. Interestingly, the airport continued to grow even in the worst years of economic recession, experiencing a double-digit growth of 24% in 2010 when compared to the previous year.
tame controls 37% and 40% of seats and flights
Evaluation of OAG Schedules Analyser data for this May indicates that a total of 11 airlines are serving Quito, with tame maintaining its top position. The largest airline of Ecuador accounts for 37% and 40% of weekly seats and flights respectively and operates a total of 16 airport pairs from Quito, of which the domestic route to Guayaquil is the most frequently served airport pair with 64 weekly departures, being followed by the sector to Cuenca with 19 weekly flights. Ranking second with a weekly seat share of 19%, LAN Ecuador (LAN Airlines’ subsidiary established in July 2002) connects Quito to Guayaquil (67 times weekly), Cuenca (17 times weekly), Miami (daily) and Baltra Island (five times weekly).
Total weekly seat capacity at Quito has gone done 11%, with five of the top 11 carriers recording growth, when comparing data from this May with the same week last year, while American Airlines and Aeromexico saw their operations unchanged. Following the integration of Aerogal’s operations as part of their merger, Avianca is the fastest growing carrier, with a net increase of 2,310 weekly seats over the last 12 months. By comparison, LAN noted the greatest capacity decline (-51%), due to having reduced its frequency on the sector from Quito to Guayaquil from 10 times weekly to thrice-weekly, but also owing to having withdrawn its four times weekly departures to Medellin as well as thrice-weekly flights to Cali.
Furthermore, two European carriers (highlighted in bright green) are serving Ecuador’s capital, namely Iberia which links Quito to Madrid with thrice-weekly non-stop flights, and Quito to Guayaquil with eight weekly departures, with the latter being served as part of its 9,007-kilometre airport pair between Quito and Madrid via Guayaquil. Besides Iberia, KLM also flies daily from Quito to Amsterdam via Guayaquil, using its 318-seat 777-200s.
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