Aer Lingus has announced it will no longer be giving out free blankets or earphones to long-haul passengers travelling on its cheapest tickets. The carrier will introduce a new no-frills “Saver” fare on its Dublin to North America routes next month, which the airline claims will be E40 cheaper each way than the standard fare. However, as well as losing access to free headphones and blankets, passengers travelling on the Saver ticket will also lose the right to choose their seat and check in luggage for free. Saver passengers will still receive a complimentary in-flight meal and will also be entitled to travel with 10kg of hand luggage. The new no-frills fare comes as a price war between a growing number of carriers hots up above the Atlantic Ocean. <br/>
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The low-cost long-haul revolution is expected to touch down in India next year with Scoot aiming to launch non-stop flights from Europe to cities including Mumbai and Delhi for around GBP150. The carrier says it hopes to start flights between India and Europe using its so-called "fifth freedom" privilege. "Since we have fifth freedom, we can operate direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to destinations like Copenhagen, Vienna, Cairo and Manchester," Bharath Mahadevan, head of the airline’s operations in the country, said. Scoot favours flights to Manchester over London to avoid luring customers from its parent company, SIA. SpiceJet and IndiGo, however, are reportedly planning direct routes to Gatwick, <br/>
Loganair officially marked flying solo again by launching 2 new services Sept 1. The airline, which terminated its franchise agreement with the Flybe last week launched up to six services a day using its Saab 340 fleet on the Manchester (MAN) to Glasgow (GLA) route. Kay Ryan, Loganair’s Commercial Director said: “We’ve been operating this route between Glasgow and the Northwest for 8 years so we’re acutely aware of the requirements for an enhanced schedule. A lot of passengers might not have been aware of the Loganair brand as we flew under our previous franchise partner’s colours but the quality of service was wholly down to the hard work of our team. It’ll be the same aircraft, pilots and crew which will be expanding the number of flights available to passengers.” <br/>
A financially strapped airline providing govt-subsidised service to 3 cities in Nebraska and 2 in Kansas plans to end the service later this month, leaving those communities' air travelers without commercial flights. PenAir notified the US DoT last week that service to Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff in Nebraska and to Dodge City and Liberal in Kansas will cease after Sunday. The carrier filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganisation plan last month and said that in addition to closing down operations for Nebraska and Kansas, it also planned to close its hubs in Denver and Portland. PenAir officials said last week that they intended to continue the essential air service at the 5 communities until replacement carriers were selected and in place. But "a massive exodus" of the airline's pilots necessitated the quick action. <br/>