this is asterix.

Jetstar had just announced that they will discontinue Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route after September 2008. This is not a surprise news but a very sad news indeed. It is not a surprise because Qantas, Jetstar parent company, had announced a few days earlier that they will reduce their flight capacity. And other airline companies like RyanAir and British Airways also had announced that the plan to reduce capacity is in the pipeline, depending on the jet fuel price in the market. I guess, in trying times like these, it is better for airline companies to rationalise their routes and only fly to routes that will the most yield possible. Actually, the most optimum route would be the route that will give the highest revenue per available seat-kilometre (RASK). And according to Jetstar, the reason for the withdrawal from Kuala Lumpur was to free up airplanes to fly to Japan. So, I guess, we can now say that the Japan routes generate more RASK than Kuala Lumpur. This is a sad news because, there had...

Malaysia Airlines (MH) is going to repaint one of its jumbo jets (registered as 9M-MPD), which is now painted with the Hibiscus livery, into the original MH livery. This simple move would actually save the airline company up to RM900,000 annually. The reason is because according to some sources, the colour red, is the heaviest colour there is and therefore, is expensive to maintain, in terms of fuel usage. The savings mentioned earlier is the savings from not having to carry that red paint. As you might already know, the original MH livery is the normal white upper body and grey lower body with two thin blue and red stripes running in between the white and grey body. I guess the livery would have to go at one time anyway, but I was just hoping that it would go later rather than sooner. I have not even been in any of the hibiscus yet. For your information, there are two Hibiscuses – the 9M-MPD and 9M-MPB. There is also another special livery adorning MH’s Triple Seven – 9M-MRD – with a ...

Should people be allowed to pray on a plane? Yes if they are not going to hinder the flight attendants from doing their job and the safety of the flights are not being compromised. A man got pulled out of a flight in New York because he was praying. Apparently, the flight attendant had asked him to get back to his seat to allow boarding procedures. He, however, decided not to heed the instruction and continued praying. After which, the flight attendant called the airport security and escorted the man out of the plane. Now, before you jump to conclusion that this man is a Muslim, HE IS NOT. He is a Jewish - an Orthodox Jewish to be precise. Personally, I think when you go on an airplane, you should be prepared to follow any instructions given by your flight attendants (reasonable instructions, of course). I am not saying he cannot pray at all because I also think that everyone should have the chance to perform their religious rites (reasonable and acceptable ones). I don't know abou...

Ryan Air had just announced that the company is planning to ground up to 20 aircrafts during the winter traveling season, citing rising operating costs. When I heard this news, I almost could not believe it because as far as I know, airline companies would rather fly an aircraft rather than let it sits idly on the apron. But I guess, the time has finally come that the rising fuel costs make it impossible for airlines to keep flying. As in my previous post on Oasis Hong Kong , a lot of other airline companies have shared the same untimely death. And I cannot possibly imagine what other airlines would fall next. But I do know that at least the so-called national carriers will continue to run even if it makes no economical sense to do so (Alitalia comes to mind). Having said that, I do not think that any airline deserves to die, but since we all live in a free market, I guess sometimes the inevitable could happen. Take Malaysia Airlines for example, had the company not done anything about...

What a sad day for the commercial aviation community these days. Only last week, Aloha Airlines and Skybus in the US shut down, citing financial difficulties. And this morning, I got a call from my friend telling me that Oasis Hong Kong shuts down today. I went on Google and found out that all flights on Wednesday have been cancelled. About two hours ago, the officials from the company gave a press statement confirming the news. For you information, Oasis had been in operations since 17 months ago. Oasis Hong Kong is supposed to be the pioneer in the low-cost model for long-haul travelling and sadly the days of Oasis Hong Kong are now over. My heart goes to the employees of Oasis Hong Kong who are affected by this terrible news. Also, to the travellers who now would have to find other alternatives in a very short notice. This brings my thoughts to Air Asia X who is now flying to Gold Coast , Australia and Hangzhou , China . While Oasis Hong Kong business model might not wor...