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TKMCE
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Joined: 27 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: Etihad flights to TRV/COK finally a reality? |
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Well looks like the long wait for Etihad to enter TRV and COK is finally over. No official annoucement yet from the airline , but DGCA website (www.dgca.nic.in) has the details of the latest India UAE bilaterals and from what is given there, it is a near certainity that the flights will start and start soon (keeping in mind that the sumemr season rush to India is about to commence).
Permission given is for 3 weekly flights to TRV/4 flights to COK with immediate effect which is to become daily to both places in Winter 2007.
More interestingly India UAE bilateral now makes it clear that the earlier "joint entitlements" with Bahrain/Qatar/Oman and UAE is no longer valid. This is what Eithad had long wanted and may result in GF no longer being allowed to fly direct to AUH from Indian points.
Indian carriers have also been given additinal entitlements to AUH as a quid pro quo and my guess is you may see IC announcing services to AUH, the only prominent Middle East point still not connected by them.
Request from UAE side for permission to start BLR/HYD/MAA/AMD/CCJ has not been granted. This is good news for UL in CCJ (not to speak of AI and IC) which can enjoy their near monopoly for some more time. Bad news for the people of north kerala since the official "international gateway" status for the CCJ airport has not resulted in any tangible benefits. High time the elected representatives of Kerala in parliament do some real campagining on this issue instead of wasting their time quibling about shifting Palghat railway division HQ to Salem and other trivial issues.
Full details of bliaeral given here
[/url]http://www.dgca.nic.in/bilateral/mou_uae2007.pdf[url]
NB: "UAE" does not include Dubai for India UAE bilateral puposes since there is a separate India DXB bilateral. |
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BigTom
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Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Location: Dubai, UAE
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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Etihad entering the India-AUH sector is good news for all of us here, especially those of us who travel to the South. They have good standards of service and spanking new plans, unlike poor old GF. The more competition the better. Can't wait for 9W to start Gulf flights, then it will be really interesting.
Cheers |
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karatecatman
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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With air services talks between India and Gulf countries slated for review shortly, Gulf Air plans to add new destinations of Hyderabad and Ahmedabad and expand commercial ties with Indian airlines, says a UNI report.
‘‘We are looking at the possibility of increasing frequencies on existing routes and start services from secondary destinations like Hyderabad and Ahmedabad,’’ Richard Hirsch, the airline’s Regional General Manager for the Indian sub-continent, has said.
Asked how many flights was the Gulf carrier considering to operate from these two cities, he said the best schedule should be daily services, but at least thrice a week could be considered for commercial reasons.
Gulf Air, a full-service carrier which started its Indian operations in 1971, connects seven Indian destinations, including Delhi and Mumbai, to Bahrain and Muscat.
The bilateral air services agreement with India and these countries is likely to be reviewed in April-May.
He said there was enough room on this sector for both full-service and no-frill carriers to operate as there were over 4.2 million Indians living in the Gulf region, besides tourist traffic from India.
Asked how would it face heightened competition on the India-Gulf sector if the Indian government allowed private carriers to operate, Hirsch said while competition was welcome, ‘‘we may be looking at expanding the commercial relationships we already have with some Indian carriers’’. Currently, only Indian and Air India are allowed to operate on the highly-profitable India-Gulf sector. Government could allow private carriers to operate on this route after reviewing the decision when its validity ends next year.
The Gulf Air official, however, said ‘‘no formal talks are going on now’’, though the airline has commercial relationship with Indian airlines.
Opening up of the India-Gulf sector would definitely give rise to opportunities ‘‘to utilise partnerships with Indian carriers. While we can extend our reach to the Middle-East and Gulf nations, Indian carriers could provide connectivity to our passengers to the interiors in India’’, Hirsch said.
Competition would also provide an opportunity to offer better products to the burgeoning Indian customer base, he said.
On product upgrades, he said Gulf Air has made ‘‘large investments’’ especially in its in-flight entertainment set-up on all classes of travel. It has also rebranded its premium products for first and business class travellers.
‘‘We will have audio-video on demand very soon,’’ Hirsch said, adding it could be available as early as in June-July this year.
Flights to India, where A-330s are used by the carrier, would have these product upgrades in the first phase itself, he said, adding trained personnel like Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies to take care of children are present on board, concludes the UNI report. |
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avbuff
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Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 5031
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| BigTom wrote: | Etihad entering the India-AUH sector is good news for all of us here, especially those of us who travel to the South. They have good standards of service and spanking new plans, unlike poor old GF. The more competition the better. Can't wait for 9W to start Gulf flights, then it will be really interesting.
Cheers |
well EY is bringing the A340-300 to BOM which is a big disappointment
if they will bring those aircrafts in the south ,,,, wot be much of a difference between any other airline and EY
EY standards are only on the A330-200, A340-500, B777-300
if ur getting the B763 , A343 better think twice .. too mediocre |
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karatecatman
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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New Indian Express
http://tinyurl.com/yrwbaj
Wednesday March 21 2007 13:54 IST
NEDUMBASSERY: The Cochin International Airport will witness a huge growth in air traffic, especially in the domestic sector, during summer. The summer schedule will start on March 25 and will continue till October 27.
The commencement of low-cost airline service has resulted in the increase of air traffic to various destinations in the domestic and international sectors.
The launching of early morning and late night flights from Cochin airport to Delhi and Bangalore during the summer schedule will be a great blessing for tourists, businessmen, politicians and bureaucrats.
“The CIAL is expecting a major growth of not less than 25 percent in both aircraft and passenger movements during the summer schedule,” said CIAL Managing Director Shriram Bharath. The airport will have 106 aircraft movements daily in the summer schedule.
Explaining the details and salient features of the summer schedule, Airport Director A.C.K.Nair said that the number of departure of aircraft would be increased to 370 from 306 per week. In the domestic sector alone, 166 flights are being operated at present. This will be enhanced to 225 flights a week.
Kochi has been well connected with daily services to destinations like Delhi (4 flights), Mumbai (9), Bangalore (9), Chennai (7), Hyderabad (2) and Thiruvananthapuram (3).
Sixteen flights will be operated weekly to Agatti in Lakshadweep. Indian, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Paramount Airways, Go Air and Alliance Air will operate 225 schedules in the domestic sector from Cochin airport. Alliance Air is expected to commence its service in July.
In the international sector, Kochi has been connected to West Asia, Male, Singapore and Colombo. There will be 145 flight departures from Kochi per week. Fourteen airlines, Air India, Air India Express, Indian, Oman Air, Silk Air, Kuwait Airways, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Gulf Air, Mahan Air, Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways operate services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Sharjah, Dammam, Riyadh, Al-Ain, Salala, Kuwait, Bander Abbas, Singapore, Male and Colombo, A.C.K.Nair said.
Many airlines operating to international destinations from Kochi have shown keen interest to increase their frequency of operation. Most of the international carriers, apart from Air India, will be having onward connections to the US and European destinations.
CIAL has taken the initiative to have direct flights from Kochi to the US and European countries. CIAL is also planning to have more flight operations from Kochi to Riyadh where a huge number of NRKs are working.
CIAL Manager (Public Relations) C Dineshkumar also attended the press meet here on Tuesday.
Once the 777s arrive, AI has definitely planned West bound flights ex-Chennai, Hyderabad and Cochin. Aircraft will most probably be the leased UA 777s or the 747-400s. |
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XBValk
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Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 124
Location: NYC/COK
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:48 am Post subject: |
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| I wonder if those Mallus flying EK or AI from NYC will consider EY now given they'll be flying into COK? |
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VABBy
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 823
Location: DEL
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:41 am Post subject: |
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any idea when are they going daily from New Delhi???
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BigTom
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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| XBValk wrote: | | I wonder if those Mallus flying EK or AI from NYC will consider EY now given they'll be flying into COK? |
If the transit times are good, why not?
Cheers |
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BigTom
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Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Location: Dubai, UAE
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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| avbuff wrote: | | BigTom wrote: | Etihad entering the India-AUH sector is good news for all of us here, especially those of us who travel to the South. They have good standards of service and spanking new plans, unlike poor old GF. The more competition the better. Can't wait for 9W to start Gulf flights, then it will be really interesting.
Cheers |
well EY is bringing the A340-300 to BOM which is a big disappointment
if they will bring those aircrafts in the south ,,,, wot be much of a difference between any other airline and EY
EY standards are only on the A330-200, A340-500, B777-300
if ur getting the B763 , A343 better think twice .. too mediocre |
The large majority of southbound passengers from the Gulf are low income workers. Their custom is mainly price driven, most of them won't give a toss whether it's an A340 or a 763 and whether the standards match the other EY services. They wouldn't have flown on them anyway. More competition is always welcome on this sector on which fares are kept high by the operators because of the high traffic. Anyway EY should compare well with Air Arabia, AI 310s, IC's 320s and AIX.
Cheeers |
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TKMCE
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Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| In addition to what Big Tom said, there is also a very pronounced PEAK for this route. May/June is the rush hour for Gulf to Kerala and August/Early September is the PEAK on the other way. And if Onam festival falls "early" then the rush to get back after Onam is unimaginable and fares go through the roof! |
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avbuff
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Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 5031
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| BigTom wrote: | | avbuff wrote: | | BigTom wrote: | Etihad entering the India-AUH sector is good news for all of us here, especially those of us who travel to the South. They have good standards of service and spanking new plans, unlike poor old GF. The more competition the better. Can't wait for 9W to start Gulf flights, then it will be really interesting.
Cheers |
well EY is bringing the A340-300 to BOM which is a big disappointment
if they will bring those aircrafts in the south ,,,, wot be much of a difference between any other airline and EY
EY standards are only on the A330-200, A340-500, B777-300
if ur getting the B763 , A343 better think twice .. too mediocre |
The large majority of southbound passengers from the Gulf are low income workers. Their custom is mainly price driven, most of them won't give a toss whether it's an A340 or a 763 and whether the standards match the other EY services. They wouldn't have flown on them anyway. More competition is always welcome on this sector on which fares are kept high by the operators because of the high traffic. Anyway EY should compare well with Air Arabia, AI 310s, IC's 320s and AIX.
Cheeers |
Well iam very much aware of that
what i was mentioning was for the premium pax .
For price sensitive people Air Arabia , AIX , should do everything .. in addition to that KU has reasonably low fares , so does GF |
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XBValk
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Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 124
Location: NYC/COK
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| BigTom wrote: | | XBValk wrote: | | I wonder if those Mallus flying EK or AI from NYC will consider EY now given they'll be flying into COK? |
If the transit times are good, why not?
Cheers |
With EK now if you are flying into COK you have a long layover in at DXB on the return, if EY can do away with that, then im sure more mallus are willing to try the service. I also wonder what the prices are for them… |
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Simple
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Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 21
Location: DOH
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
The large majority of southbound passengers from the Gulf are low income workers. Their custom is mainly price driven, most of them won't give a toss whether it's an A340 or a 763 and whether the standards match the other EY services. They wouldn't have flown on them anyway. More competition is always welcome on this sector on which fares are kept high by the operators because of the high traffic. Anyway EY should compare well with Air Arabia, AI 310s, IC's 320s and AIX.
Cheeers |
Most of their employer give a return ticket or ticket fare.Now a days some mallu people care about their comfortable journey. They prefer comfortability and comparatively low price. |
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Simple
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Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 21
Location: DOH
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| XBValk wrote: | | BigTom wrote: | | XBValk wrote: | | I wonder if those Mallus flying EK or AI from NYC will consider EY now given they'll be flying into COK? |
If the transit times are good, why not?
Cheers |
With EK now if you are flying into COK you have a long layover in at DXB on the return, if EY can do away with that, then im sure more mallus are willing to try the service. I also wonder what the prices are for them… |
But most of the mallu people utilizing that long lay over in DXB. Some people stay in DXB for 1 or 2 days and visit their relatives and friends and do some shopping before they come to COK/TRV.
Regards,
Ansari |
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XBValk
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Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 124
Location: NYC/COK
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:37 am Post subject: |
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| Just checked Amadeus on EY JFK-COK nothing is loaded for the summer months as of today... |
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BigTom
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Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Location: Dubai, UAE
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Simple"] | XBValk wrote: | | BigTom wrote: | | XBValk wrote: | | I wonder if those Mallus flying EK or AI from NYC will consider EY now given they'll be flying into COK? |
If the transit times are good, why not?
Cheers |
With EK now if you are flying into COK you have a long layover in at DXB on the return, if EY can do away with that, then im sure more mallus are willing to try the service. I also wonder what the prices are for them… |
| Quote: | | But most of the mallu people utilizing that long lay over in DXB. Some people stay in DXB for 1 or 2 days and visit their relatives and friends and do some shopping before they come to COK/TRV. |
I suppose you could do the same with AUH, though the current airport there is very congested during peak times. DXB can be congested too but is a better overall experience. EY I'm sure will try harder than EK at least initially.
cheers
BigTom |
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BigTom
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Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Location: Dubai, UAE
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Simple"] | Quote: |
The large majority of southbound passengers from the Gulf are low income workers. Their custom is mainly price driven, most of them won't give a toss whether it's an A340 or a 763 and whether the standards match the other EY services. They wouldn't have flown on them anyway. More competition is always welcome on this sector on which fares are kept high by the operators because of the high traffic. Anyway EY should compare well with Air Arabia, AI 310s, IC's 320s and AIX.
Cheeers |
| Quote: | | Most of their employer give a return ticket or ticket fare.Now a days some mallu people care about their comfortable journey. They prefer comfortability and comparatively low price. |
True on both counts, but EY does provide another full service option which is welcome. Standards of service on most Gulf-India flights are indifferent to put it mildly, but EY are likely to try that bit harder to make an initial impact.
Cheers |
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