Airline New Routes News
Emirates launches Geneva service
Emirates has launched daily flights between Dubai and Geneva. The Geneva route is Emirates’ second gateway into Switzerland after Zurich, which started in 1992, and is now double daily. Much of the capacity out of Geneva is expected to be used by the luxury sector, one of the top employers in the Geneva region and responsible for 60 percent of its exports.
Egypt Air expands sub-Saharan services
Egypt Air is expanding its fast-growing network further with the launch of a twice weekly service between Khartoum, Sudan, and the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
Qatar Airways boosts Indian network
Qatar Airways is set to expand its Indian network with a 20 percent increase in frequency covering the cities of Delhi, Cochin and Amritsar from this month.
Emirates increases Saudi services
Emirates is to increase flights from Dubai to Al Medinah al Munawarah in Saudi Arabia to seven flights per week from 31 October 2010 due to the growing importance of economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Virgin Blue axes New Zealand
Pacific Blue, a subsidiary of Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue, is axing its New Zealand domestic operations after suffering from years of heavy losses. It will redeploy planes and staff on transtasman services to Australia.
BA launches Cancun service
British Airways is boosting its Mexico services with the launch of two direct flights a week from London Gatwick to Cancun from November 2010. The route will be served by a Boeing 777 with three cabin classes.
Etihad expands Iraq services
Etihad Airways has highlighted the burgeoning opportunities in Iraq by launching a new service to the northern city of Erbil. This follows the successful launch of a service to Baghdad in April.