A new regular airline AL-MASRIA Universal Airlines announced the delivery of its first new leased Airbus A320. This delivery will be followed by a further three aircraft over the next 12 months. "Al-Masria will provide competitive pricing on its tickets, implement aggressive distribution policy, be consistent in product delivery, provide high customer service, and capture international flight connections," said Hassan Aziz, Al-Masria CEO. "Our aim is to be one of the world's leading value-based airlines. We plan to offer scheduled flights to about 20 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, matched by fleet growth to 10 Airbus A320 passenger jets within five years of launching," added Aziz Etihad expands summer schedule AIR travellers in Egypt can look forward to new destinations, new aircraft and improved flight connections from Etihad Airways this summer, with a new 20 per cent larger seasonal flying programme, which was launched on Sunday, 29 March. According to Shereen Ahmed, Etihad's Country Manger in Egypt, Etihad recognises Cairo as one of its first and most popular African routes whereby it currently offers 7 flights per week for passengers travelling from Egypt. "As we anticipate a growing demand during the summer season, it's now possible for more than 1400 Egyptian travellers per week to fly to more than 50 destinations on our services", stated Ahmed. Supporting its long-term strategy, she added, Etihad will launch services in June to Istanbul in Turkey, Athens in Greece and Larnaca in Cyprus. The airline will also launch flights to Chicago from the beginning of September. The five new destinations will bring the airline's global flight network to 55 cities. In addition to the five new routes, Etihad Airways will add depth and frequency into its existing network with extra flights to Amman, Beirut and Doha in the Middle East, Brussels, Geneva, Milan and Moscow in Europe and Kuala Lumpur in Asia. Summer flights by GulfAir BAHRAIN'S national carrier GulfAir is set to launch two summer-only routes from Manama to both cities Alexandria in Egypt and Salala in Yemen. Effective 1 July, the carrier will operate three weekly flights to Salala. On 22 July, GulfAir will operate three weekly flights to Alexandria. Both routes will stop by mid-September. Lufthansa reports Q1 loss GERMAN airline Lufthansa reported a first quarter net loss of 256 million euros last week, as the economic crisis cut into global travel and freight volumes. Lufthansa's loss for the January-March period compares with a net profit of 44 million euros in the first quarter of 2008. In a brief statement, the company said revenues in the period fell 11 per cent to 5 billion from 5.6 billion euros compared to the same time last year. Lufthansa said its operating loss was 44 million euros during the first three months, compared with an operating profit of 172 million euros in the first quarter of 2008. It blamed the decline partly on "weak demand for passenger and freight flights." The company is due to report full earnings today. Lufthansa shares closed 7.14 per cent higher at 9.38 euros in Frankfurt. LH, Swiss and Austrian join TB3 CAIRO International's state of the art terminal building 3 has increased operation by moving more airlines to operate from its halls this week. On Monday, German airlines Lufthansa, SwissAir and Austrian Airlines moved their flights to operate from TB3 instead of TB2. The three airlines are Star Alliance member airlines. TB3 is dedicated for alliance members. Next Monday more two star members will move to TB3, Singapore airlines and Aegean airlines.
