Northstar

AIRLINES www.travelweeklyweb.com Singapore Airlines to order up to 50 more A350s Photo: Airbus SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced that it will purchase up to 50 more A350 XWB aircraft. The agreement covers a firm order for 30 more A350-900s plus options for a further 20 aircraft. The deal allows for the airline to select either the baseline A350-900 or the larger A350-1000 when exercising the options. The agreement will represent the third order from Singapore Airlines for the A350 XWB. Upon confirmation, it will see the airline's total firm orders for the all-new aircraft increase to 70, excluding options. The aircraft will be used by the airline on both medium and long haul routes. The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The aircraft will bring new levels of efficiency to the mid-size market, using 25 per cent less fuel than existing aircraft in this size category and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. "The latest announcement from Singapore Airlines is another major endorsement for the A350 XWB," said John Leahy, chief operating officer, Customers, Airbus. "As we move closer to first flight, demand for the A350 XWB continues to grow, especially for the larger models. Airbus is set to bring a step-change to the midsize widebody market and we are proud to have Singapore Airlines on board in such a big way." Air Astana and Turkish Airlines agree on codeshare SINGAPORE – In line with its strategic aim to become Eurasia's transit hub, Air Astana has signed a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines on routes between Kazakhstan and Turkey. The agreement was signed by Peter Foster, president of Air Astana and Dr Temel Kotil, president and chief executive officer of Turkish Airlines, at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Cape Town on June 3, 2013. Air Astana and Turkish Airlines signed the Letter of Intent to expand the range of cooperation between the two carriers in March 2013. The codeshare agreement allowed passengers to benefit from a higher number of combined frequencies for better connectivity and increased travel flexibility between the two countries. Codesharing on flights between Almaty - Istanbul and Astana – Istanbul additionally include special prorate agreements on sectors beyond respective hubs in Almaty, Astana and Istanbul. "Under the strong and visionary leadership of Temel Kotil, Turkish Airlines has become a globally recognized network carrier serving more countries globally than any other carrier and achieved the Skytrax rating as "Best Airline in Europe" for the past two years consecutively. The code-share agreement signed today is the latest step in the increasingly close link between the two airlines; both of which show equal ambition to continue to progress well above average world ratings and fully committed to delivering excellence in customer service," said Foster. "We are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Air Astana and aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to passengers through the extensive networks of both airlines. Air Astana continues expanding successfully, offering superior customer service, with a very young fleet. We believe the partnership with Air Astana will bring enormous benefit to both airlines, not only from a commercial perspective in rapidly growing Kazakhstan, but also in technical and training areas," said Dr Kotil. Air Astana commenced regular flight operations on 15 May 2002 and currently operates a network of almost 60 international and domestic routes from hubs in Almaty, Astana and Atyrau. Air Astana flies an allwestern fleet comprised of two Boeing 767s, five Boeing From left: Peter Foster, president of Air Astana and Dr Temel Kotil, president and chief executive 757s, twelve Airbus A320 family aircraft, and seven Embraer 190s. officer of Turkish Airlines signing the codeshare agreement in Cape Town, South Africa 10 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | JUNE 2013 www.travelweeklyweb.com

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