The attacks on Brussels in March continue to dampen demand for flying in Europe, though traffic was strong during the Easter holidays, Ryanair CE Michael O'Leary said Wednesday. O'Leary last month predicted Ryanair's profits would fall by E10-20m in January-March as a result of the Brussels attacks and air traffic control strikes, and forecast airlines would have to cut fares. BA-owner IAG and Lufthansa in recent days cited the Brussels attacks as a factor in trimming growth plans for the year. "The Brussels effect has dampened demand into April-May though funnily enough it did not create as much disruption over the Easter period, but I think that's because a lot of families had holidays booked," O'Leary said. He said Brussels Zaventem airport, where suicide bombs killed 16 people, would be back up to full capacity by the end of June and the impact on summer demand would depend on whether there were further attacks. "The danger for us is that you have one or two more of these events somewhere in Europe during the summer and that will effect confidence," he said.<br/>
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A man flying to Hong Kong earlier this week claimed he lost goods worth approximately $260,000, after two watches and foreign currency were stolen from the luggage he had stored in the plane's carry-on bin. The man, identified by local media as a Turkish merchant, was flying from Turkey to Hong Kong on an Emirates flight. Upon arrival on Monday morning, the 39-year-old man reported the incident to airline staff, who called the Hong Kong police. There have been a rising number of mid-air thefts reported in recent years, according to Hong Kong authorities. Government figures show at least 60 cases were reported last year, up from 48 in 2014.<br/>
Does the experience in the air matter most to fliers, or is what airlines do on the ground most important to a good trip? If Alaska Airlines wins government approval to complete its proposed $2.6b acquisition of Virgin America, two very different approaches to air travel will be merged. What comes next amounts to a referendum on what travellers value most these days and which amenities they are willing to pay for. Travellers pick airlines based primarily on price, price, price, schedule and frequent-flier loyalty. But all airlines face choices on which amenities they need to offer to stay competitive. “This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to look under the hoods of two different models and figure out what’s best,” Alaska chief executive Brad Tilden says. Alaska says it can’t afford to adopt everything Virgin America does and still keep costs low. But it doesn’t want to wipe out Virgin America’s panache, either. Alaska has invested in technology that creates efficiency on the ground, such as a 20-minute baggage delivery guarantee. It is pioneering print-at-home baggage tags. Alaska pilots were the first to get iPads instead of paper charts in the cockpit and have been early adopters of satellite navigation. It has a loyal Pacific Northwest following because of its friendly human interaction and reliable flights. Flight attendants still invite children into the cockpit during boarding and aren’t stingy with the beverage and food carts. Loyalists from Alaska and Virgin America each hope their airline’s style will win out in this marriage.<br/>
Thai-based low-cost carrier Nok Air has announced the resignation of the chairman of its audit committee Pimol Srivikorn, effective immediately. Srivikorn was also a director at the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. The resignation comes after the carrier reported a nearly 50% increase in losses for FY 2015, to 723.9m baht (US$20.08m). In February, the carrier also saw cancellations of dozens of flights to destinations including Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Trang and Surat Thani. The airline apologized for the cancellations, saying they were “the result of an unpredictable incident … with pilots going on strike.” Nok Air said at the time it had complied with Thai aviation standards and was “in the process of upgrading its standards to meet with IATA Operation Safety Audit (IOSA) and global safety management.” <br/>
Executives at Thai Lion Air (TLA) will be called to explain why the airline sold tickets for flights to Myanmar, even though it had yet to receive approval to fly to the country, according to the Transport Ministry. The move followed a complaint after the carrier launched a promotion for the flights on April 25 despite not having permission from Myanmar aviation authorities to fly to the country. The promotion was set for flights starting on May 20. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said such practices cannot be condoned and he ordered agencies to address the issue. Passengers would also be alerted. Permanent secretary for transport Chartchai Tipsunave said the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) also was probing the issue. Airlines can sell tickets only for flights which have been approved by the authorities in the departing and destination countries. <br/>