Caviar-free flying

Full article on economist.com

In many parts of the world, low-cost carriers are synonymous with no-frills flying. The liberalisation of the world's more mature aviation markets has resulted in intense competition on short-haul sectors, prompting cost-conscious airlines to strip out all but the most essential services. In America, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 paved the way for budget carriers like Southwest to gain market share. In Europe, the phased introduction of open skies during the 1990s allowed a tiny Irish company called Ryanair to become the continent’s most recognisable airline. Other regions, however, have not been so lucky. The Middle East has yet to tear down its aviation regulations, so its new breed of low-cost carriers has developed a less Spartan ethos...

Czech mates

Full article on economist.com

In an industry dogged by tight operating margins and volatile cost structures, "strength in numbers" is the mantra du jour. Large airlines have fortified themselves with a series of grand mergers, strategic partnerships and alliances over the past two decades. But big is not always better. Tasked with finding a European partner to redistribute its connecting passengers, Korean Air has opted for the diminutive charms of Czech CSA Airlines. The South Korean flag-carrier bought 44% of its Czech counterpart in July, lifting frequencies on the Seoul-Prague route and introducing onward codeshares at both ends...

Emirates' love affair with London

Full article in JPG format: page 25 & page 26/27

When Emirates Airline, the flag carrier of Dubai, launched its new flight simulator attraction in the British capital this summer, airline president Tim Clark and London Mayor Boris Johnson stood shoulder to shoulder in praising the £4 million ($6.2 million) investment.

Clark said the Emirates Aviation Experience, which includes two Airbus A380 and two Boeing 777 simulators, should go "some way in demonstrating just how dedicated we are to this captivating city". Boris, deploying his trademark patter, called the east London attraction a "veritable Aladdin's cave of technological wizardry and gizmos that will give … a real insight into the wonders of flying".

The two men had every reason to be cordial – Emirates gains brand exposure with the facility, while London gains another world-class attraction – but it was not long before Clark broached more contentious issues. Unlike Boris, he supports expansion of London's capacity-constrained Heathrow Airport, and he was happy to explain his stance to the assembled journalists...