Norwegian Air Shuttle will add seasonal nonstop routes from Chicago to Paris and Rome, and from Denver to Rome next summer. “The US is now our largest and most important source market, and we will continue to invest in expanding our network to offer more nonstop service to highly sought-after European destinations,” Norwegian SVP-commercial Matthew Wood said. The operator—which has faced financial difficulties linked to its ambitious fleet and network expansion plans over recent years—has pledged to focus on profitability rather than growth and has been cutting back on some long-haul routes as part of that strategy shift. The airline said Nov 6 it had raised NOK2.5b (US$273m) through a share sale and bond issue, leaving it “fully funded through 2020 and beyond.” <br/>
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JetBlue Airways, bowing to rising competitive pressures, began offering a no-frills option in the first revamp of its fare categories since they were introduced in 2015. Customers buying a reduced Blue Basic fare won’t get a refund if they have to cancel, can’t make changes to the reservation and will have to board last -- standards that match other airlines for the category. There are no extra fees for a carry-on bag and one personal item. JetBlue is feeling pressure from ultra-discounters as well as from larger carriers that adopted the reduced, no-extras basic fares several years ago to keep from losing customers to less-expensive rivals. “Over the last few years, it’s become very clear this no-frills basic economy segment has become a larger and larger set of customers,” VP Sales Dave Clark said. <br/>
Jetstar could face disruptions over the busy Christmas period after pay negotiations with its pilots broke down. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots said Wednesday it had applied to the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote among Jetstar pilots on taking protected industrial action. The proposed actions range from general work-to-rule (pilots not working outside of their rostered hours) to work stoppages of up to 24 hours, AFAP said. Jetstar is able to object to some forms of action with Fair Work, before pilots vote on them. Jetstar and the union are at loggerheads over pay, with the airline saying it has proposed a 3% annual wage rise but that the union wants a deal that would increase "pilot costs" by 15%. A Jetstar spokeswoman said it had been in constructive discussions about the new wage deal since January. <br/>
Southwest Airlines said it would speed up inspections on 38 airplanes it bought from foreign air carriers after regulators threatened to ground the jets because they might not meet federal aviation safety requirements. The inspections will be completed by Jan 31, 5 months sooner than planned, according to documents released Monday by the Senate Commerce Committee. The planes are among 88 used Boeing 737 aircraft that Southwest bought from 2013 to 2017 from 16 foreign carriers. The speedier checks come after inspections of some of the used planes turned up previously undisclosed repairs and incorrectly completed fixes. Southwest used multiple contractors to conduct reviews of the planes’ maintenance records when it bought the planes. <br/>
Royal Brunei Airlines is in the midst of finalising a partnership with an undisclosed foreign govt, the carrier said as it ramps up partnerships and innovation in a competitive ecosystem. RBA CE Karam Chand said the partnership will be finalised and announced in 4 to 6 weeks. Chand described the landscape in Southeast Asia as very challenging because of numerous larger and mature airlines, not only competing in the region but also on the Kangaroo Route between the UK and Australia. He said it is through true hospitality that the airline can set itself aside from competitors. As a relatively small airline, in terms of fleet and manpower size, RBA must draw expertise internationally, such as engaging Saatchi for advertising and launching marketing campaigns from Singapore companies. <br/>