Airlines
Finnair first in Europe to fly Airbus A350
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innair became the first airline in Europe and the third in the world to begin flying Airbus’ new-age A350 jet. The carrier made its first regular passenger flight on the jet on a route between Helsinki and Amsterdam. Finnair's first A350 flight came just two days after the airline took delivery of the jet in Toulouse, France.
Hong Kong airline alliance extended
The A350 is the first of 19 ordered by the Finnish flag carrier. The jet initially will fly on intra-European routes before shifting to long-haul service on November 21, when Finnair begins using the A350 for its service between Helsinki and Shanghai. The airline plans to launch A350 flights to the USA by the end of the year, using the aircraft on the New York JFK-Helsinki route.
BA to fly direct LondonCosta Rica in 2016
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ritish Airways has announced the opening of a nonstop flight between Gatwick airport in London and Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica starting May 2016. This will be carrier’s first route to Central America. Currently only Spanish carrier Iberia has a direct route to Costa Rica from the old continent.
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he Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific partnership between Auckland and Hong Kong has been extended by the government despite objections from the tourism industry. The two-and-half-year-old alliance has been extended for four years until October 31, 2019. The alliance has ensured the airlines work together on tourism and marketing initiatives so travellers can continue to benefit from more seats, improved flight schedules, shorter connection times, and reciprocal frequent flyer schemes. Since the alliance was approved in 2012, visitor arrivals from Hong Kong to New Zealand have increased by more than 16 per cent. Cathay Pacific has announced it will operate an extra 13,500 seats on the Auckland-Hong Kong route in the 2015/16 peak summer period.
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November 2015
The Costa Rica Tourism Board estimates that the new route could move some 30,000 passengers per year. It could also attract more visitors from British Airways connections to 130 destinations worldwide. The route will be operated using Boeing 777 with capacity for 275 passengers.