With Higher fuel prices, the Indonesian Airlines faced tough times during the beginning of year 2011, however the industry in optimistic of great times ahead in year 2012.

With $118.o5 per barrel, jet fuel prices saw its maximum hike since September 2008 in February 2011. This jet fuel price hike led to lesser profit margins for airlines and addition of fuel charges in air fares for passengers.

However due to stabilized jet fuel prices towards the fag end of 2011 and expansion of the Indonesian economy by 6.5% in its 3rd quarter, has assured airlines of a great 2012.

The airlines are expecting an overall 18% increase in air traffic in the year 2012. As per market experts Indonesian airline market will see double the growth compared to the Indonesian economy.

Iberia Airlines recently brought changes to its frequent flyers program much to the chagrin of the popular loyalty scheme Airmiles members.

The airline said that it is now going to ask its Airmiles members claiming ‘free flights’ to pay all the charges incurred on fuel and airport taxes.

The recent loyalty scheme overhaul has been jointly brought into vogue by British Airways as well as its new partner Iberia Airlines.

According to the airline, customers will be required to pay up to US$161.43 for returntrip to Europe, US$484.29 for New York, US$678 for Tokyo and up to US$968.58 for Australia.

Airmiles frequent flyer program is owned by British Airways and is also being used by Iberia Airlines after its merger with British Airways.

The loyalty scheme overhaul will affect nearly 8 million members of British Airways, Iberia Airlines and other member airlines.

China Airlines, Taiwan’s biggest carrier, recently said that it has acquired membership in the second largest global airline alliance SkyTeam, which will significantly see its destinations increase tenfold.

The membership approval has come after 11 years of unending efforts from the 13 SkyTeam members.

The airline said that its air network will extensively widen after September 28, 2011 when the SkyTeam partnership deal is finalized.

The partnership will enable China Airlines customers avail the option of 14,000 daily flights to 169 countries in 926 destinations.

Besides, the customers of the airline will also be able to earn as well as redeem miles on all the qualifying flights network-wide.

EVA Airways is offering attractive travel package and cheap flight deals to Taipei to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The ‘Taipei Free and Easy Package’ being offered as part of ‘EVA Air 20th Anniversary Special’ is an excellent opportunity for travelers to visit the magnificent capital of Taiwan and see many of its attractions, such as Taipei 101, tallest building in the world until 2009; Shilin Night Market, biggest night market of Taipei; National Palace Museum; Longshan Temple; Taipei Zoo; and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park.

The ‘Taipei Free and Easy Package’ offers 4 Days and 3 Nights stay at select hotels with complimentary daily breakfast. The roundtrip Economy Class ticket is available starting from US$629*. The travelers will be provided airline discount of US$60 per adult and US$40 off per child. The customers need to book air tickets latest by September 2, 2011. The travel on this offer should be completed by September 30, 2011.

Benefits:

• Baggage allowance 10 kg extra as well as priority baggage
• Dedicated check-in counter
• Wulai day tour complimentary on Day 4
• Roundtrip airport transfers

* Other terms and conditions applicable.

SriLankan Airlines recently announced that it has decided to reverse its plan and will go ahead with its European flights schedule as planned earlier.

The airline said that it will reverse its plan of the late-morning/afternoon schedule for Colombo-Dubai-Moscow Domodedovo flight services operations.

According to the airline, the route will start from September 15, 2011 and will operate in early morning as earlier planned.

Besides, flight services to Italy from Colombo will be re-scheduled to early morning hours from midnight.  

Flight Schedules:

• Colombo – Dubai – Moscow Domodeodvo
• UL531 CMB0730 – 1045DXB1130 – 1640DME 320 46
• UL532 DME1740 – 2225DXB2325 – 0525+1CMB 320 46
• Colombo – Milan Malpensa – Rome – Colombo
• UL571 CMB0500 – 1115MXP1245 – 1405FCO1520 – 0505+1CMB 332 357

EVA Airways recently announced that it will start direct cross-Taiwan Strait flights from August 15, 2011, and will offer “Elite Class” seats to customers traveling to Beijing and Shanghai from Taiwan.

The airline will start bookings for new flights from August 10, 2011.

The airline said that the customers traveling in Elite Class cabins will be offered shape-memory seats with 38-inch seat pitch and adjustable headrests. The customers will also be able to enjoy other amenities, which include electronic outlets, 8.4-inch touch screen, exclusive check-in counter, exquisite in flight meals and 25 kg baggage allowance.

EVA Airways in a statement said that the flights to Beijing as well as Pudong in Shanghai will make its departure from Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport. Besides, there will also be flights to Pudong from Kaohsiung.

Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia’s national carrier, is offering fantastic cheap flight deals on its daily flights to Jakarta from Hong Kong. Couples and families in Hong Kong are greatly fascinated by Bali, the popular tourist destination in Indonesia, and love to spend their holidays here. Keeping this in view, the new cheap air deals have been put in to place to win more customers.

The airline has tied up with leading hotel groups in Bali to offer these fabulous deals.

Garuda Indonesia is offering special airline discount on roundtrip flights to Jakarta from Hong Kong. Cheap tickets to Jakarta on this offer can be booked till October 31, 2011. The roundtrip airfares to Jakarta are available at only US$335.66*.

The special flights will depart from Hong Kong at 4.55 pm and will arrive in Jakarta at 8.55 pm.

Domestic flights from Jakarta to Bali are also available to the passengers on payment of an additional US$74.30.

Terms & Conditions

• Tickets must be booked at least 14 days in advance
• Airfares are exclusive of fuel surcharges and other airport taxes
• Maximum period of stay up to one month within Indonesia

* Other terms and conditions applicable.

Leading Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines recently started new Taiyuan-Beijing direct flights for summer, which will operate till August 30, 2011 every Tuesday.

Flight Schedule:

• Taiyuan-Beijing- Flight HU7667 – Departure: 07.50 – Arrival: 09.00
• Beijing-Taiyuan- Flight HU7668 – Departure: 10.00 – Arrival: 11.10

The airline is deploying Boeing 737 aircraft on the Taiyuan-Beijing route.

Meanwhile, the daily flights to Beijing and Taiyuan continue to operate as scheduled.

Are you planning to spend your holidays in Amsterdam, London, Vienna, Frankfurt or Rome?  Then here’s good news you have been awaiting for.
China Airlines is offering amazing cheap flight deals to these five historic and beautiful cities via Taipei. The outbound departure on this offer is valid from Brisbane and Sydney.

The travelers departing from Brisbane need to complete their journey up till November 13, 2011. One free stopover in Taipei for maximum 5 nights is allowed under this offer. However, those traveling between November 14 and December 31, 2011 on this offer will be allowed stopovers in Taipei in both directions. The maximum stay period is for 3 months.

For departures from Sydney, the travelers will be allowed one free stopover in Taipei. The maximum stay in Taipei is four days. However, the maximum stay allowed for travelers from Sydney is one year.

Departure and Fares details:

• Departures on or between: 01 Aug-13 Nov – Brisbane: US$1549* – Sydney: US$1499*
• Departures on or between: 14 Nov-15 Nov – Brisbane: US$1739* – Sydney: US$1499*
• Departures on or between: 16 Nov-02 Dec – Brisbane: US$1739*
• Departures on or between: 03 Dec-31 Dec – Brisbane: US$2029*
• Departures on or between: 14 Jan-31 Jan – Brisbane: n/a – Sydney: US$1499*

* Other terms and conditions applicable.

Get ready to save big on your air travel this holy month of Ramadan. UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways is offering fabulous cheap flight deals on its Coral Economy Class, Pearl Business Class to more than 20 destinations around the world from Abu Dhabi during Ramadan.

The travelers should buy flight tickets for Coral Economy Class and Pearl Business Class up till August 7, 2011.  These airline deals on Etihad Holiday Packages can be availed up till August 31, 2011. The travel on this offer should be completed by September 30, 2011.

Promotional airfares include:

• Muscat: Economy from UD$132.04*; Pearl Business from US$450.58*
• Amman: Economy from US$246.39*; Pearl Business from US$766.40*
• Beirut: Economy from US$249.11*; Pearl Business from US$948.81*
• Athens: Economy from US$543.15*; Pearl Business from US$1,457.93*
• Bangkok: Economy from US$641.16*; Pearl Business from US$2,193.03*
• Manchester: Economy from US$654.77*; Pearl Business from US$4,676.01*
• Munich: Economy from US$692.89*; Pearl Business from US$3,178.60*
• Paris: Economy from US$692.89*; Pearl Business from US$4,123.33*
• Johannesburg: Economy from US$837.19*; Pearl Business from US$3,508.03

Etihad Holidays will offer three-night packages for destinations including:

• Beirut from US$522.73*
• Muscat from US$643.88*
• Cyprus from US$672.47*
• Athens from US$815.40*
• Bangkok from US$834.46*
• London from US$1 087.66*

Terms and Conditions:

• Fares are inclusive of taxes and surcharges and exclusive of service fees
• Black-out dates apply for Coral Economy Class: 25 August – 1 September 2011
• Package prices are starting prices, including applicable taxes and are per person sharing in a twin room for 3 nights
• Package prices include return Coral Economy Class flights with Etihad Airways departing from Abu Dhabi, breakfast and applicable taxes
• Complimentary airport transfers are provided in Beirut, Muscat, Athens & Bangkok

* Other terms and conditions applicable.