Aerospace Diary

Jane's Airport Review Neelam Mathews , Chicago 2015-Dec-14 Star Alliance plans to apply lessons learned from day-to-day operations at Heathrow Terminal 2 (T2), with particular attention to capacity-constrained airports. T2 opened in June 2014 as a base for all but one carrier (Air  India ) in the 28-member alliance, with an emphasis on self-service technology for passenger processing. Speaking to  IHS Jane's   in early December 2015 during the Star Alliance annual meeting of chief executives in Chicago, chief executive officer (CEO) Mark Schwab said that success in this area can be mirrored at other airports. Value-added initiatives include dedicated Star Gold Track security lanes for first and business class customers. Gold Track is available at around 70 airports worldwide. More locations will be added in 2016. Star Alliance is also looking at some airports "where we can offer this service for Gold Track members at immigration clearance and m...

Neelam Mathews Oct 9, 2013 What Air India couldn’t do- Etihad can. The carrier today announced its intention to purchase from Air India five Boeing 777-200 LRs, the longest range passenger aircraft in operation to support its accelerated network growth plan. The two carriers signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Mumbai earlier this week paving the way for the deal. Subject to approvals, the aircraft will be delivered to Etihad Airways from the beginning of 2014 and each will be re-fitted in a three class cabin configuration consistent with similar aircraft in the Etihad Airways fleet.  It is expected the first aircraft will enter service in April 2014. The five Air India 777-200LR aircraft, which Etihad Airways is purchasing, are on average, six years old, helping the airline to maintain its overall position of having one of the most modern fleets in the industry. The 777-200 LRs will be used on the airline’s new route between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, announced yesterd...