Robert Mugabe, the leader of Zimbabwe is not in a hurry to go anywhere nor it seems, is his country’s national carrier. After suspensions of services several times. multiple strikes and groundings and suspension from IATA, the carrier’s ceasing of flight’s seemed to spell the end in February. Not so! In March 2012, the government of Zimbabwe disbanded Air Zimbabwe Holdings, absorbed a one hundred and fifty million US dollar debt and established Air Zimbabwe Private Limited. They then flew from Harare to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls (all in Zimbabwe) from May 2nd to July 2nd, 2012. Now the airline is on its…
Virgin Australia’s Next Move
The Australian airline industry has become like a giant game of chess. Virgin Australia 18 months ago, upped the ante with a dramatic series of movies including new planes, refurbished cabins, a business class product and expanded lounges. These changes began in tandem with new partnerships with Delta, Air New Zealand, Singapore and Etihad which plugged the airline into a worldwide network for a much reduced cost. The aim was to poach as many of Qantas customers as possible. Qantas responded by forming a major alliance with Emirates. This threw the gauntlet down again. I have been…
Air Koryo Goes Online
Few people have flown Air Koryo. The North Korean carrier officially has 14 destinations in six countries. It reportedly has a fleet of 30 old mostly Soviet aircraft which are usually grounded due to lack of fuel and or parts. Video of the fleet can be found here. Combined with an erratic schedule and a one star Skytrax rating, the airline has been described as “the world’s worst airline“. Following a visit to the airline’s headquarters in July, 2012, by the country’s new leader, Kim Jong-un, the airline has reportedly attempted to modernise. The carrier has launched an on line booking service: www.airkoryo.com.kp giving customers “easier,…
My 200 000th mile
I vowed last year to reduce my flying but it looks like I am on track to fly over 200 000 miles (almost 300 000 kilometres). In fact this week, I will reach the dubious milestone of over 412 hours flown this year – the most number of hours I have ever done. I travel this week across USA and with Turkish airlines (who I have ever flown before( from USA to Europe) This years so far, 20 airlines have taken me in 20 different types of planes to 53 Airports in 13 countries!
Tiger Australia certified safe again
On 22nd October 2012 Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced it will issue a new safety certificate and lifting all restrictions placed on Tigerair Australia. These came after the airline was grounded from 1st July to 10th August 2011, by CASA. The authority took this action to ground Tiger Airways Australia because of serious safety concerns about the operation of the airline. It is now satisfied, after working with Tiger management that these restrictions are no longer needed. I am still not flying them. Related Posts Tiger Wins Battle- Loses War: I miss my flight…
AA wants more time
AMR Corp. is seeking more time to resolve its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. The Fort Worth-based airline company filed a joint motion Tuesday with the Unsecured Creditors Committee in the case requesting another 30 days to file an exclusive restructuring plan, the Dallas Business Journal reports. AMR – the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle – and the UCC propose to push the exclusivity period to file a plan from Dec. 28 to Jan. 28. They also want to push the deadline for gaining acceptance of that plan from Jan. 28 to March 28.
Travel Tip: Mystery Rooms
Hotels with spare capacity will offer their rooms up to companies that sell them as a mystery deal. The companies that i most deal with are Wotif.com, Lastminute.com and Hotwire. Expedia also has Secret saver hotels but I have not used them. As a customer, you are advised of the location, the Star rating, some of the amenities and price for the selected nights. Once you accept the mystery deal, it is generally not refundable or changeable in any way. Is it worth it? Yes! I have got some great rooms at a great deal. I…
Kingfisher finally klipped
I have been sadly waiting for this moment for some time. Kingfisher Airlines has had its scheduled Operator Permit suspended by India’s aviation regulator: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) The authority stated that Kingfisher Airlines had failed to come up with a viable plan for its financial and operational revival and had not resolved the impasse with employees over non payment of salaries. News Report here. (Photo from Reuters Media) The airline has been tasked on October 5 to show cause as to why licence should not be suspended on October 20. Kingfisher asked for more time yesterday and said…
You are carrying what?
One wonders how a man dressed in a bulletproof vest and fire-resistant pants and travelling with a smoke grenade, gas mask, leg irons and weapons managed to fly from Japan to Los Angeles via Seoul unmolested. Yongda Huang Harris, 28, a US citizen was arrested on Friday 5th October, 2012 ta Los Angeles airport, on “suspicion of transporting hazardous materials “, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. In his checked luggage, Harris was carrying knives, body bags, a hatchet, a collapsible baton, a biohazard suit, a full-face respirator, billy clubs, a respirator,…
Debby’s First Flight: Norfolk to Columbus
I had settled into my bulkhead row at the front of the USAir economy section when one of the flight attendants approached me and explained that they were re-seating a passenger who had never flown before. Soon a middle aged woman was escorted to the seat next to mine. She was terrified. Every noise made her jump. She gripped the armrest tightly – and we had not left the gate. I introduced myself: “Martin”. She responded: “Debby”. I said: “with an ie” or a “y”? She smiled with relief and said “y”. Debby explained to me that her…
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