Airline and ground staff face drug, alcohol tests

By Stephen Moynihan

FOR the first time thousands of aviation employees including pilots, flight attendants and baggage handlers will be forced to undergo drug and alcohol testing.

All employees who work on or in close proximity to aircraft will be tested under new Federal Government regulations.

Under the plan, to be phased in over the next 18 months, security staff, air traffic controllers and ground refuellers will also be tested.

Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss announced the proposal yesterday following a recommendation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The Department of Transport and CASA estimate that 8 per cent of pilots are alcohol dependent, with similar figures for flight attendants and maintenance workers.

The Australian and International Pilots Association, which represents Qantas pilots — has accepted the proposal but is concerned guidelines for the testing have not been established and the tests will play down other factors in aviation safety.

"The key issues that should not be lost sight of include fatigue and the level of training and experience of flight crew," union vice-president Jeff Lunt said.

Qantas, the country's largest employer of commercial airline pilots and flight attendants, has welcomed the move, saying it will complement an existing drug and alcohol program introduced in 2003.

Drug and alcohol testing has already been implemented for workers in the road transport, mining and forestry industries and a similar "broad approach" to testing will be implemented in the aviation sector.

The secretary of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia, international division, Michael Mijatov, said the new regulations would have to ensure that all aviation employees were treated fairly and reasonably.

Lawrie Cox, manager of industrial relations for the Australian and International Pilots Association, said it was a "knee-jerk" reaction to the death of a pilot flying a light plane at Hamilton Island in 2002 who tested positive to traces of cannabis and alcohol following an autopsy.

"We're not opposed to drug testing … but as a profession as a whole, pilots undergo far more rigorous medical testing than other occupations," Mr Cox said.

Original Article 

Airline apologises to passengers hit by 34-hour delay

AIR Scotland today issued a grovelling apology after passengers were offered just £8 to buy food and drink during a nightmare 34-hour flight delay.

The budget airline left more than 200 holidaymakers "hungry, tired and frustrated" after a jet fault caused huge knock-on delays.

Bosses today said the incident was "unfortunate but unavoidable" and offered their "sincere apologies".

They finally said sorry two days after up to 130 passengers were bussed from Glasgow Airport to Manchester when their Spanish-bound flight, which was due to leave at 7am on Sunday, suffered technical problems.

Furious holidaymakers, who booked for the Malaga flight, were then told their replacement jet had failed to turn up.

Families, couples and elderly passengers were put up in a hotel overnight until the plane left at 5pm yesterday … 34 hours after the scheduled departure time.
Despite the marathon delay, the passengers were offered only a £3 voucher at Glasgow Airport and a £5 token for an evening meal in Manchester.

And many complained they couldn't get through to a customer helpline for information because it was closed.

Meanwhile, there were angry scenes in Spain as more than 100 Scots suffered a similar delay as they waited to board the same plane home. Campaigners branded the way the people were treated a "scandal".

But today Lindsey Schultz, manager of Air Scotland, said: "It was totally unacceptable and we offer all the passengers involved our sincere apologies.
"We had a technical problem with one of our aircrafts and we were let down when we tried to arrange a replacement.

"Since the buyout in January, we have worked hard to restore Air Scotland's reputation. This incident was very unfortunate but was unavoidable.

"When it comes to compensation, each individual will have their case reviewed individually, depending on their circumstances. Once again, I would like to apologise. A 34-hour delay is totally unacceptable."

Glasgow East MP David Marshall, who has campaigned for a better deal for air travellers, said: "Air Scotland's becoming notorious for this. They way these people were treated was an absolute scandal.

"These operators are cutting costs to the bone. I urge the Civil Aviation Authority to launch an inquiry into operators who put cost before their customers."
Passenger Susan Reid, 40, of Fife, who checked in for the flight at Glasgow Airport at 4.30am on Sunday, said: "There was no explanation from the airline and there were young children and elderly passengers who were hungry, thirsty and tired."

The airline's customer service helpline was closed yesterday because of the bank holiday and callers to its Glasgow HQ were greeted with a recorded message.

Officials at Malaga said Scots hit by the knock-on delay were taken to a hotel to wait.
The jet left Spain at around 9.30pm last night and arrived back in Glasgow after midnight.

TIMESFILE:
•EU regulations state airlines should pay passengers up to £170 for flights of less than 935 miles which are cancelled or are overbooked
•Pay-outs rise to £276 for flights between 935 miles and 2215 miles, and £415 for flights over 2215 miles, where no alternative flight is offered
•The compensation package includes free meals, refreshments, phone calls and hotel accommodation for flights delayed overnight
•Airlines are able to get round paying out the maximum compensation by offering alternative flights
•Airlines failing to comply risk fines of up to £5000 per passenger

Original Article 

Royal Jet nominated for Best MENA Airline award

Royal Jet, the UAE's luxury executive flight services company, has been nominated for best Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Airline at the MENA Travel Awards.

The awards ceremony is to be held on May 4th at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, and will be honoring corporations across all sectors that have excelled in their respective fields during the past year.

"We at Royal Jet are honored by this nomination, and believe it is the fruit of all the hard work and dedication of the company's staff and stakeholders,"

said Ammar Balkar, VP Sales and Marketing at Royal Jet. 'Being among the top six companies in our industry also poses as a testimony of the premium service we are committed to offer to our distinguished clientele,' he concluded.

The MENA Travel Awards is an annual competition hosted by the Consultants of Hospitality Administrators International (CHA International), a hospitality consultancy company engaged in Managerial Consultation and Strategic Management. The MENA Travel Awards were first launched with the aim of encouraging companies in all business sectors to achieve service excellence, stimulate competitive spirit, motivate cooperation and team work, all the while raising industry standards. The annual awards recognize companies that have showed real virtuosities and have offered superior services in the MENA region.

Royal Jet has proved to be an industry leader in aviation and luxury executive flight services. The company has witnessed tremendous growth and success in the 3 years it has been operating, with a growing fleet of aircraft consisting of BBJ, Gulfstream (G300), Bombardier Challenger (CL300) and a VIP helicopter, the Augusta Bell (AB139).

Royal Jet is owned by the UAE government and today manages the world's largest BBJ1 fleet. Royal Jet's customers include corporates, high net worth individuals and governments.

Original Article 

Senior opposition to a new THAI airline

A new initiative to set up a domestic-regional airline owned by Thai Airways International is facing its first hurdle _ lack of consensus among the national carrier's senior executives. Apinan Sumanaseni, the newly appointed THAI president, yesterday came out strongly in support of plans to establish a subsidiary, tentatively called Euarng Luang, or Royal Orchid in English.

Kanok Abhiradee, the departing Thai Airways president, offers applause for Apinan Sumanaseni, at a ceremony yesterday to mark Mr Apinan's promotion to head the national carrier. — NATTHITI AMPRIWAN

But Somchainuk Engtrakul, a THAI director and acting president before Mr Apinan took office this month, opposed the initiative when it was first floated in February as part of the airline's business plan.

Mr Apinan yesterday indicated an intention to create the new airline, to operate on domestic routes and flights to neighbouring countries with a two- to three-hour range, in two months.

He said Euarng Luang would be positioned to serve the markets between premium and low-cost, and may start flying later this year within Thailand and to Laos, Cambodia and Burma.

Euarng Luang would be THAI's second sister airline, after the budget airline Nok Air established in 2004.

The proposed airline would allow 46- year-old THAI to concentrate on international and long-haul operations as well as streamlining operations.

The Euarng Luang concept is similar to SilkAir, the subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.

But Mr Somchainuk shook his head when asked if the new carrier would get off the ground. ''It may not make sense,'' he said without elaborating.

However, Mr Apinan is receiving preliminary support from some of his vice-presidents for his plan.

''Mr Somchainuk's disagreement may stem from his concern that THAI's labour union would be strongly opposed, as it was when the airline went through splitting its operation into business units,'' said one executive who asked not be named.

Original Article 

IATA airline assn joins appeal against Aeroports de Paris tariff hike – report

PARIS (AFX) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) plans to become a plaintiff in an appeal case launched by French airline associations against a series of tariff hikes planned by Aeroports de Paris (ADP), the state-owned Paris airports operator.

According to a report in French daily Les Echos, the IATA, which represents 265 international carriers, claims that the tariff hikes are an unfair use of ADP's monopoly power.

ADP has been authorised by the French government to raise the fees it charges to airlines by 5 pct annually from this year to 2010.

The decision is already being appealed by three French airline associations, the FNAM, Scara and BAR.

The government is planning to launch an initial public offering of ADP shares in the coming weeks.
Original Article 

Airline says thank you to freight agents

A MILLION-dollar award night recognising the contribution of six local freight agents to Fiji's largest airline carrier was held last Thursday night at the Fiji Mocambo Hotel in Nadi.

Air Pacific recognised the support and allegiance of Air Terminal Services, Corporate Freight Services Fiji Ltd, Gibson Freight International (Fiji) Ltd, International Freight and Clearance Services Ltd, Williams and Gosling and Carpenters Freight Services for giving more than $1million worth of business to it.

Amongst the guests that attended this awards night were Air Pacific chief executive John Campbell and the airline's Airport managers for Narita in Japan, Sydney in Australia, Brisbane in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand and Melbourne in Australia.

Original Article

Marriott International to partner with Emirates Airline on 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany promotions

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) will partner with Emirates Airline on a number of promotions in conjunction with the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ later this year.

As an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, Emirates has made 200 match tickets available to support the various promotions being planned by Marriott and the airline. Additionally, Emirates plans to make 30 airline tickets available for the winners of the various promotions to key gateway cities and destinations.

The primary promotional activity will center around Emirates Skywards Gold & Silver members who stay at participating full service Marriott-branded hotels during the FIFA World Cup games June 9 – July 9, 2006. Each package will include an arrival amenity and access to the hotel's Executive Lounge and services in addition to exclusive screening areas of the matches within the lounges. Many of the hotels will also offer food and beverage specials during the games.

Other promotional activities will include on-line quizzes on Marriott's language web sites in the United Kingdom (http://www.marriott-emirates-promotion.co.uk) and Germany (http://www.marriott-emirates-promotion.de) that will enable players to win tickets to selected matches; match ticket raffles at both the Marriott and Emirates stands at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market in Dubai; and a number of win-a-trip promotions in daily newspapers in selected Emirates-served gateway cities. All match tickets are courtesy of Emirates Airline.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Marriott International as a partner for the global promotions Emirates has planned around the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup. Football is a sport that brings the world together and through this partnership we are confident of taking the game to even more supporters around the globe."

The 2006 FIFA World Cup™ begins June 9, 2006. Twelve cities across Germany will host all of the matches before the final match on July 9 in Berlin. This is the 18th FIFA World Cup tournament with 32 countries participating.

Original Article