Emirates is to launch a premium economy class on its aircraft from 2020, according to its president Tim Clark, which could help the carrier attract more higher spending travellers. Premium introduction by Emirates could increase competitive pressure on rival Gulf airlines Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. Premium economy will be on the Airbus A380s that Emirates ordered this year, of which the first 6 will be delivered in 2020, Clark said. Emirates bought 20 A380s in January and has purchasing options for an additional 16 which it has said it would buy. Emirates has considered adding premium economy since at least 2016 as lower oil prices dented Middle East travel demand, and the product could woo price-sensitive corporate travellers. <br/>
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Tony Fernandes thought he was on to a winner when he launched his budget airline AirAsia in India in 2014. A Malaysian tycoon of Indian heritage, he had reason to think he understood the country’s domestic aviation market, which was on the cusp of an enormous boom in passenger numbers. And in Tata, India’s largest and possibly its most respected conglomerate, he appeared to have found the perfect local partner. Four years later, however, Fernandes stands accused of being part of a “criminal conspiracy” that allegedly involved illegally controlling the company from Singapore and bribing public officials to get them to relax India’s strict aviation rules. The allegations have knocked hundreds of millions of dollars off AirAsia’s market value and have threatened Tata’s reputation as a well-governed company. <br/>
Southwest Airlines will expand services at its Dallas Love Field hub as well as both New York LaGuardia and Washington National airports in the east and both Denver International and Mineta San Jose International airports out west, including several new nonstop routes, as part of a spate of service changes set for this winter. The carrier’s winter schedule additions include new daily nonstop service between LGA and New Orleans, as well as Saturday-only fights between LGA and both Orlando and West Palm Beach, Florida. It is also adding additional daily frequencies between LGA and DAL, Kansas City International and Denver International airports. Southwest is set to gain increased access at slot-controlled LGA and DCA in October, when it takes over 20 flight-operation slots under a lease agreement with Alaska Airlines. <br/>
The push to bring back Midwest Express Airlines has taken off, and could be flying high by 2020, a spokeswoman says. Investors have pumped the first round of funds into a plan to revive the former Oak Creek air carrier, known for its comfortable seats and warm chocolate chip cookies. So far, $750,000 has been raised from two unnamed investors, according to a report filed with the US SEC. Greg Aretakis, a former VP with Midwest Express and Frontier, is leading the charge to re-establish Midwest and is president of the new company. The airline would be based in Milwaukee, with plans to offer nonstop service to both business and leisure travellers. A spokeswoman declined to say how much money investors will need to get Midwest Express going. <br/>
Grounded South African regional airline SA Express has embarked on a 30-day program to try to get back into the air. Acting CE Matsietsi Mokholo has laid out the timetable for restoring the airline’s ability to operate. Following an audit of SA Express, the country’s regulator, the SACAA, suspended not only the airline’s air operator’s certificate May 24, but also its aircraft maintenance organisation certificate and the certificates of airworthiness for the entire, 22-strong fleet. SACAA did not provide details of its audit findings, but said it had 17 areas of concern, of which 5 were categorised as level 1, described as “severe non-compliance or non-conformance that poses a very serious safety or security risk to the public.” <br/>