Page 10 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

NEWS

NETJETS &
LufTHANSA

Private jet company NetJets Inc., has
extended its partnership with Lufthansa to
offer extended private jet services across
North America. The agreement adds
3,000 American airports to the existing
IN SINg, MAI OuI! 1,000 or so that NetJets and Lufthansa
offer in Europe. The service enables one-
On 1 April, Air France ran its first flight superjumbo in 2009. Since December 2011, ticket destination for smaller airports,
operating an Airbus A380 on the Paris- all Air France’s A380s have been equipped and avoids the expense and scheduling
Charles de Gaulle-Singapore route for the with 516 seats divided between four cabin hassles of typical charter-jet flights,
first time. This first commercial flight will be classes: La Première, with 9 seats located claims Lufthansa’s Martin Riecken.
followed by regular services three times a on the main deck, the Business class cabin NetJets will operate the local flights with
week from June to the end of October 2012. with 80 seats located on the upper deck in Hawker 400XP or Gulfstream G550s and
On departure from Singapore, Air front of the Premium Voyageur cabin, which passengers can now book a flight from
France is offering 38 weekly code- has 38 seats, and the Voyageur cabin with Europe to the U.S. on Lufthansa, and
share connecting flights with Qantas to 389 seats divided between the two decks. then transfer to the NetJet for the final
five destinations in Australia: Sydney, The A380 is the most environmentally- leg. They will have access to a dedicated
Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaïde. friendly aircraft and the quietest in its NetJet/Lufthansa team to book flights,
In summer 2012, seven destinations category. On board this superjumbo, organise ground transportation and order
will be served by the Air France A380: New Air France has innovated by introducing in-flight refreshments. The bonus is
York-JFK, Washington DC, Los Angeles, changing lighting moods depending on they also get to access Lufthansa airport
Montreal, Johannesburg, Tokyo-Narita the stage of the flight and areas dedicated lounges in 21 North American cities. The
and Singapore. to relaxation, such as the contemporary cost of a NetJets flight is competitive
Air France was the first European art gallery area and the six bars divided with direct charter – and in some cases
airline to operate flights with the between the two decks. cheaper for longer trips.

kINgfISHER HICCuP BSP and CASS programs are designed
to facilitate and simplify the selling,
Last month IATA suspended Kingfisher reporting and remitting procedures
Airlines’ participation in the Billing between airlines and travel and cargo
and Settlement Plan (BSP) and Cargo agents, so suspension from the BSP and
Accounts Settlement System (CASS). CASS means that the airline would not be
“The suspension was because the airline able to use BSP and CASS to settle sales
did not provide IATA with a cash deposit, transactions with travel and cargo agents,
required to continue its participation in although it can sell and settle directly
the BSP and CASS. The required cash with them. “Kingfisher’s participation
deposit was intended to ensure the airline in the BSP and CASS will be reinstated
is able to meet its financial obligations after the airline fulfils the cash deposit
in the BSP and CASS,” said IATA. The requirement,” noted IATA.
10 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM