Brown1950

Understand FlyDubai will concentrate on services with a max flight time of 4hrs so this would seem to exclude Bangkok.

Gulf Air operate 3 x day Heathrow / Bahrain using modern aircraft. Heathrow-Bahrain use A330-200 delivered in Jan 08 Baharin - Bangkok use A340 -300 delivered in Nov 07

Finnair have flights ex Manchester to Bangkok for less than 400 pounds in Aug/Sept

Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia X has launched its second Australia destination, starting direct flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur from November. The services to the Malaysian capital will start with six flights per week, increasing to daily services by March 2009. AirAsia, which also has a Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast service, announced an introductory offer on one-way flights from Perth to Kuala Lumpur for $99 for travel between November and April, 2009. Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the deal between Tourism WA, AirAsia and Westralia Airports Corporation could inject nearly $100 million into the WA economy in the service's first year. Ms McHale said Malaysia is already one of WA's top tourism markets, with nearly 40,000 visitors every year spending $157 million. AirAsia next year plans to link Australia with London via Kuala Lumpur - which will further boost the number of United Kingdom visitors to WA. Ms McHale said low-cost carriers had historically been successful in boosting tourism by offering competitive fares and attracting visitors who had not travelled widely before. Westralia Airports Corporation chief executive Brad Geatches said the arrival of AirAsia would be a profitable win for the state's tourism industry. He said the deal presents an opportunity for Perth Airport to become a major hub for low-cost carriers. "Our recently announced $1 billion plan to consolidate the international and domestic terminals means we will be well-placed to meet the growing demand from people travelling through Perth," he said. In 2007, AirAsia carried 18.5 million passengers around its network of 90 routes across south east Asia and China. Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group owns a 16% stake in Air Asia as well as a 25% stake in Virgin Blue. It has been suggested that Virgin Blue and AirAsia could possibly develop a partnership in the future with Virgin Blue feeding Air Asia's long-haul network from various points in Australia. AAP

And Air Asia don't use fuel ???? All Airlines will have to increase prices to stay solvent indeed CEO of Qatar is predicting $200 a barrell by the end of 2008 ??? Over the next coming months you can expect more of :- a) Airline Mergers Airlines going BUST c) Large increases in Fuel surcharges The days of cheap flying are well and truly over.

Oasis Hong Kong ceased operations today ! (Belly Up)

Malaysian no-frills airline Air Asia X has delayed the start of its UK flights from the Autumn to the end of the year, but promised return fares to Kuala Lumpur from £300 once it is running. The airline has had difficulty securing suitable Airbus A340 aircraft to operate the route, but still plans to launch by Christmas. Chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said the airline’s low operating costs would allow it to offer market-beating fares of £300 return including taxes and charges. He said: ‘It is something we are prepared to not make money on at today’s oil prices because if we establish the London link, we will get a whole suite of new travellers.’ The carrier’s arrival in the UK will be backed by a huge marketing campaign stressing the connections from Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia X offers Australia’s Gold Coast and Hangzhou, about 100 miles from Shanghai, while sister brand Air Asia flies to more than 40 destinations across Asia. Passengers will have to buy food onboard Air Asia X, and Mr Osman-Rani said customers who pre-ordered would pay around £8 for a meal with drinks. The airline looks certain to choose Stansted as its UK entry point (as indicated by the 'London link' comment in the statement above). Mr Osman-Rani admitted Stansted would be the logical choice, adding ‘we are a logical company.' Air Asia X, in which Sir Richard Branson has a 16% investment, will offer seat-back videos in economy and Mr Osman-Rani said the carrier also planned to offer inflight wi-fi. A premium economy section, priced between £900 and £1000 return, will offer flatbed seats with a 50-inch seat pitch, but passengers will still have to buy food.

6 hour layover in Bahrain i think is acceptable for the price ! Especially when flights with short layovers costing in excess of £500.00 you end up spending 12 hours in Doha/Abu Dhabi (flight delays)

Gulf Air have flights ex LHR for £380.00 covering selected dates in April/May/June

Air Asia X will only use the A346 as a temporary measure. Long term plans are to use B77W if they can get hold of any ! Config for the A346 is expcted to be :- Y= 406 B= 35 Regarding the leasing aspect i understand QR handing back 2 x A346 to Airbus who will then lease to Air Asia X.

Understand Air Asia X will be leasing 2 x A346-600 (ex QR) which will enable direct flights to Manchester commencing early 2009.

Decrease is month on month. One reason could be reducing agents commission to nil ?

Qatar show a decrease of 24% PAX for Jan ex Manchester !

Oasis HK slots now loaded into Manchester AMOSS System (Airport Management Operations Support System) commencing 1.6.08 - looks like an announcement on this service will be issued soon.

Understand talks are at an advanced stage however AiaAsiaX problem is lack of a/c. With EasyJet shortly to start some services from Manchester and the sponsorship of MUFC i am confident AirAsiaX will decide on Manchester as against Stansted. However cannot see service start until 2009. Oasis HK Update Expect an announcement soon on flights ex Manchester. Now expected to start in August via DUS. Tenders have been sent out for cargo contracts !

Rumour is a combination of :- a) Lack of high yields in business class shortage of a/c

SQ reducing flights ex MAN to 5 x weekly for winter 08/09 schedule. Losing Wed & Fri departures.

Oasis HK have applied to commence service in June ex Manchester to HKG. Days 124 & 6 in 0910 out 11.50 747-400 aircraft - Flights will operate via Dusseldorf.

For Emirates tickets would suggest :- http://barrhead.ticketwindow.co.uk/tc.dll?...mp;tid=barrhead -Prices sometimes cheaper than most UK consolidators. As an alternative try Etihad - booking around Feb when i would expect Etihad to be cheaper than Emirates by approx £40/50

Would suggest Emirates ex Newcastle. New service = cheaper prices !

For business passengers or gold/silver members Emirates use 'Escape' lounge in Manchester. Very small lounge - drinks/food ok

I am certainly not looking for sympathy ! I thought my 'post' might help newbies on this forum !

Used the Emirates Business class lounge last month - arrived 0430 place was nearly empty however by 0600 the place was packed ! This lounge just cannot cope with the level of passengers now using Emirates. Hopefully should be better next year when the new terminal opens.

BIB got me last month outside Marriot Hotel for putting cig butt out on pavement. Told me 2000bht fine ! i said only had 1,000bht so they accepted and said NO receipt. Nice little earner !

The first A330-300 (leased) Airbus will have a 396 seat configuration in 'Y' class however regarding 'J' class no info has been released. The layout in Y will be 3--3-3 configuration. Until the first A340 (2009) is delivered the service from KU to UK will be via Dubai.