Air Nigeria takes delivery of A330-200 aircraft

Generally speaking, making its non-fully utilized fleet available for lease is an advantage for EgyptAir. That advantage will be maximized in case of wet lease as the airline would be able to utilize its surplus of crewmembers as well.

For Air Nigeria, the case is not necessarily the same. It is true that the airline would satisfy its short-term operational needs. However, leasing specifically from EgyptAir is a separate issue and has two strong points of concern. They are language and quality of service.

Unfortunately, EgyptAir cabin crewmembers speak the Egyptian dialect of Arabic language plus limited, if any, English language. That issue would have its negative impact on the communication quality between the cabin crew and the passengers of Air Nigeria and consequently the service quality. Putting the language aside, did Air Nigeria carefully check the level of customer-centricity of EgyptAir cabin crew before signing the ACMI lease?

To be on the safe side, Air Nigeria is advised to use its own crewmembers side by side with EgyptAir crewmembers for the sake of improving issues of both language and quality. Alternatively, damp lease, rather than wet lease, would resolve the previously-mentioned issues.

Date: 17 May 2012 commenting on http://leadership.ng/nga/

30 seconds with Vietnam Airlines

Sure, the quality of service in Sheremetyevo Airport is far less than its rival Domodedovo Airport. Moreover, Domodedovo takes the lead if we are talking about domestic connectivity. Considering the hardship of transfer between Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo, staying with Domodedovo is definitely a good idea. However, Vietnam Airlines is creating a gap in the vision of SkyTeam by flying to Domodedovo while its SkyTeam’s Aeroflot operates from Sheremetyevo.

Date: 15 December 2011 commenting on http://www.anna.aero/

EgyptAir owes Petroleum Ministry LE1 billion, says minister

Is Mr. Massoud confused between his old position in EgyptAir and his new one in the Ministry of Civil Aviation? Why is he talking on behalf of the new EgyptAir chief?
If the dues have been paid regularly since July, what would be the reason behind accumulating one billion pounds?
Having an initiative of applying some austerity measures is definitely a good idea. However, the transparency about the initiative and the ministry’s current losses is more important than the initiative itself.
Unfortunately, the minister incorrectly linked the capability of eliminating the deficit with the level of security and stability. Is he trying to tell us indirectly that the ministry’s share form the Egyptian budget has been decreased? If that would be the case, does he really plan for an austerity program or is he just trying to cope with budget cut?

Date: 15 December 2011 commenting on http://www.almasryalyoum.com/

Vladivostok Avia connects Russia’s two biggest cities with A320 service

Four flights a week?
For any airline to be competitive with the other air operators on a specific city-pair, it has to operate at least twice daily (i.e. 14 flights a week).
The limited options offered by four flights a week makes Vladivostok Air unfavorable compared with the major players of Moscow-St Petersburg corridor. 
However, the position of Vladivostok Air is different as its flights bound for St Petersburg originate from Vladivostok. In other words, the airline is mainly serving St Petersburg with one stop en route in Moscow. We can safely say that the airline is not competing with the other operators in Moscow-St Petersburg market. Thus, any traffic picked up from Moscow to St Petersburg will be a plus on the airline operating figures.

Date 11 August 2011 commenting on http://www.anna.aero/

Air traffic controllers who can’t be fired

Are they untouchable?
The job nature and its requirements are well known in advance before the hiring process. There is no room for excuses available to those who accepted the job and its responsibility.
The job requires a high degree of concentration along with minimum or no distraction at all. The lives of thousands are at the hands of air traffic controllers.
It is irresponsible to treat air traffic controllers the same way like other federal employees. If federal employees could be fired due to their carelessness in doing their jobs, firing air traffic controllers would not be enough. They are supposed to face criminal charges as well.

Date: 01 August 2011 commenting on http://www.businessweek.com/

Man seized in Moscow for blinding jetliner pilots

How naive!
Did they believe him so easily?
Did they confiscate the laser light only? They were supposed to confiscate his freedom as well.
Playing with laser light has become a serious issue all over the world, not only in Russia. Considering the fact that such simple toy could turn into a tool with a catastrophic effect, there should be some serious measures to deter those careless individuals before messing up with airplanes like that.

Date: 29 July 2011 commenting on http://www.kyivpost.com/

Flight attendants flying high and on TV too

I can not agree with you more.
In-flight service is an extremely important component of the airline brand. However, the integrated concept of airline branding has a long way to go before being the norm. Unfortunately, some airline executives still look at the airline industry as a cash cow.
On the other hand, considerable number of today’s passengers has humble idea of what a good in-flight service is supposed to be. Putting extreme cases aside, those passengers - mostly from the third world countries - will be satisfied with the service they receive most of the time.

Date: 27 July 2011 commenting on http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/