Lufthansa has prepared more than 220,000 seats for its winter schedule, resuming non-stop flights from Munich to Bangkok using Airbus A380s to cater to a robust growth in visitors from Europe. Anlee Do, general manager for Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines & the Mekong region at Lufthansa Group, said the growing number of seats from November 2024 through March 2025 is mainly attributed to the expansion of Austrian Airlines, one of Lufthansa's subsidiaries in Europe, which has increased the capacity of the Vienna-Bangkok route by 86% when compared with the summer schedule. The capacity of Lufthansa's direct flights from Munich to Bangkok has also been expanded by switching from using Airbus A350s during the summer to Airbus A380s, which provide over 500 seats per trip. Do said Lufthansa Group has become the largest European airline group in terms of operating the most direct flights from Europe to Thailand, with its four carriers -- Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines and Edelweiss Air -- providing 31 flights per week during its winter schedule. In Southeast Asia, the group also serves direct connections between destinations in Europe and Singapore, with about 21 flights per week.<br/>
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Brussels Airlines has revealed its latest special livery, dedicated to one of Belgium’s most recognisable landmarks: the Atomium. The new design will join the airline’s series of themed aircraft, honouring national symbols and cultural heritage. Selected from more than 900 entries, the winning design was created by Belgian architect Thomas Faes, who wanted to pay tribute to the celebrated emblem of Belgian architecture. The Atomium, originally constructed for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958, symbolises scientific progress and is designed to resemble an iron crystal magnified 165b times. Faes, 44, who lives in Orp-Jauche in Walloon Brabant, aimed to encapsulate the landmark’s historical significance and its place as a beacon of Belgian pride. Brussels Airlines began the search for its next Belgian icon in August, launching a public competition to find the design. After receiving more than 900 entries, an internal jury shortlisted 15 designs and opened voting to the public, gathering over 50,000 votes.<br/>
Investigators analysing the fatal loss of an EgyptAir Airbus A320 are recommending a review of cockpit firefighting procedures – particularly regarding oxygen-fuelled fires – and believe greater research is needed on alternative extinguishing agents to halon. The Egyptian air accident investigation commission’s recommendations draw on analysis by French counterpart BEA into attempts by the A320’s crew to combat a fire which, BEA believes, began in the first officer’s oxygen-mask storage box. “Existing firefighting procedures have not been designed to deal with the specific case of an oxygen fire,” says BEA. It says tests conducted in the aftermath of the 19 May 2016 accident “show that these procedures are ineffective and even counter-productive” in such circumstances. Although the A320’s captain called for an extinguisher just 5s after the outbreak of fire, the investigation has been unable to determine whether an extinguisher was used. The cockpit was equipped with a single halon extinguisher, and the cabin with three more - one located near the forward left-hand exit and two at the aft lavatory. There is “no indication”, says the inquiry, that any of the cabin extinguishers were used in the cockpit. BEA says its tests showed that halon extinguishers were “not effective” at putting out a fire fed by a continuous oxygen leak. While halon combines with oxygen, reducing the oxygen’s ability to fuel combustion, an oxygen leak will provide a constant fresh supply. Under test conditions, BEA adds, using the extinguisher on the oxygen-enriched fire generated rapidly-spreading opaque smoke that reduced visibility.<br/>
ANA will extend its reach into the former Yugoslavia with the introduction of codeshare flights through its Star Alliance partner Austrian Airlines. The carrier will place its designator code and flight numbers onto Austrian’s services between Vienna and Belgrade, as well as Vienna and Zagreb. The ANA codeshare, which comes into effect this week, will be applied on three weekly Austrian flights to both the Serbian and Croatian capitals, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. ANA already codeshare on two daily Lufthansa flights between Frankfurt and Zagreb and a daily service from Munich to the Croatian capital. Japan's biggest airline launched flights between Tokyo Haneda and Vienna this August.<br/>
In less than a week, private carrier Vistara will cease to exist and will be merged into Air India. Reservations for all Vistara-operated flights scheduled for departure on or after November 12, 2024, will be made via the Air India website. This merger marks a significant shift for both airlines and their loyal customers, especially for consumers who preferred Vistara’s loyalty program, Club Vistara, and availed benefits through their co-branded credit cards. As a result of this merger, Club Vistara will combine with Air India’s Flying Returns, and Club Vistara (CV) Points earned through your credit card will automatically be converted to Air India Flying Returns points at a 1:1 ratio, with extended validity. Additionally, users will gain access to 20+ airline partners through the Star Alliance for reward points redemption.<br/>
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has urged Thai airlines to increase the number of flights, routes, seats on board, as well as extend the flight periods during New Year holidays to cope with an anticipated surge in air travel. The authority on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives from Thai Airways International Plc, the Thai Airlines Association (TAA), Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), and the Department of Airports (DOA) to discuss measures to ensure air travel safety during the New Year holidays. TAA comprises five airlines namely Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet. The CAAT said it would be monitoring air ticket prices for flights during December 28-29 and January 1-2, when increased air travel is expected, to prevent any unfair price adjustment. It also asked the AOT and the DOA to extend opening hours of all commercial airports during the said period to ensure that no passengers are stranded at airports.<br/>