Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Avianova Airbus A320 (EI-EEI)

The name written on the engine is in English language as it is Avianova's website. Names of all websites should be written out in English. However, the name shown on the fuselage is half-Cyrillic (авиа) and half-Latin (nova). Definitely, this is not a typo. The name was intentionally written that way as an integral part of the trademark.
As of today, the traffic figures of Avianova have not been released. However, the aggressive style of utilizing Avianova’s fleet could tell us something about the expected operation results.

Date: 28 October 2009 commenting on http://www.flickr.com/

Sunday, October 18, 2009

An open letter to Sky Express and Avianova

Competition is the healthiest feature of the free-market economy. Monopoly may be as ugly as Dracula. So, let us welcome Avianova as a new addition to the Russian airline industry.

Whether Mr. Andrew Payne accidentally or deliberately ignored Sky Express, and irrespective of his subjective or objective opinions, he is free with his own beliefs to the maximum limit permissible by the applicable anti-slander laws.

Business rivals might tend to speak derogatorily about their competitors. They might apply a tactic of belittling or ignoring the existing competition. I would say that respecting the existing competition may create better results on the long run. Let us wait and see. What we know is that Sky Express carried 1,041,308 passengers in 2008 and ranked 13 among other Russian air carriers which is something yet to be achieved by most Russian airlines including Avianova.

With the advent of electronic ticketing, passengers do not receive tangible tickets at the time of purchase. The ticket purchase will be shown on their credit/debit cards as one total amount without details.
I checked today the lowest price of one way air fare from Moscow to Sochi for travel on 28 February 2010. The following have been found:
• Sky Express: 399.00 + 1100.00 taxes = 1499.00 rubles
• Avianova: 750.00 + 204.26 taxes = 954.26 rubles
• Aeroflot: 1500.00 + 924.00 taxes = 2424.00 rubles

The point here is not about air fares. It is about taxes instead. Putting Aeroflot aside as it flies from Sheremetyevo, the attention is drawn to 1100.00 rubles and 204.26 rubles of Sky Express and Avianova respectively as they both fly from Vnukovo Airport. What could be the reason for such huge discrepancy in the amount of taxes?
It is understood that airlines are free to set up their prices. The question if they are equally free to apply the applicable taxes.
So, being the first Russian Low Cost Carrier is not the concern for the customers. I am quite sure that they care more about the first transparent Russian air carrier?


Date: 18 October 2009 commenting on http://www.aviaport.ru/

Saturday, October 17, 2009

EasyJet to go live on Sabre next year

EasyJet modifies distribution channels:
The internet has enabled major airlines to reduce their distribution costs. In addition to the savings from selling directly to their customers online, they have restructured their compensation schemes with both travel agencies and GDSs. That situation will contribute to evolve as airlines pressure travel agencies and GDSs to further reduce costs. So, for EasyJet not to offer corporate deals and discounts is a logical decision. It will join Sabre to increase distribution channels only without changing its other marketing variables.
As a result of the evolved market conditions, many GDS operators are reinventing themselves in order to stay relevant as distribution providers. In addition to expanding and diversifying their products and services, their focus is on reducing internal costs and finding ways for the costs to be borne by users, not the airlines.
Email: management@ultraconsultants.net

Date: 17 October 2009 commenting on http://www.abtn.co.uk/

Friday, October 2, 2009

Avianova Airbus A320 (EI-EEL)

As of 23 September 2009, the two Airbus A320 operated by Avianova are still owned by International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG).
Moreover, the Airbus A320-232 (registration EI-EEL) is still in the Irish registry and owned by ILFC.
It is true that US Airways was operating the same aircraft under the US registration. However, the aircraft (registration N605AW) was owned by the American branch of ILFC.

Date: 01 October 2009 commenting on http://www.flickr.com/

Wizz Air об одесском аэропорте: Полоса настолько плохая, что мы меняли колеса каждый день

Before canceling the flights to/ from Odessa, Wizz Air thought of releasing the arriving passengers and their luggage by one cooperative parachute.
Wow, what a brilliant idea for avoiding the questionable condition of the runway! However, they had to discard it as no similar solution for departing passengers. Unfortunately, parachutes function downward only.
Oh boy! It seems that low cost carriers do not like bumpy runways.

Date: 04 September 2009 commenting on http://korrespondent.net/

Украинским авиакомпаниям могут запретить полеты в ЕС

The European Union went on with its plan and adopted the regulation despite the pressure exerted by both International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
With about 4,000 airline operators from all parts of the word which are included in the legislative act, there is a little chance to find exceptions. If the big players are already included in the list, what would be the case for Ukrainian air operators? Simple logic, isn’t it?
Putting aside the interests of individual countries and air operators, and downplaying the possibility that the European Commission is somehow frantic about the environment, we have to look at the environmental issues from a global perspective. After all, Mother Nature needs and requires some serious measures to be taken to guarantee its survival.

Date: 31 August 2009 commenting on http://korrespondent.net/