Get the latest wrap on what the aviation industry is up to, including flying the Olympic torch, new airport lounges, added flights and more.

LATAM Airlines delivers Olympic torch to Brasília

LATAM Airlines, the official airline supporter of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is also the official supporter of the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay, with the special honour of delivering the Olympic torch from Geneva to Brasília yesterday.

The special operation saw the airline is fly a Boeing 767-300ER to carry the flame, on a non-stop flight. The aircraft is the first to feature the new visual identity of LATAM Airlines, and carry a special identification in reference to the to the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay.

Complete Travel Marketing introduces Plaza Premium’s airport experience

Complete Travel Marketing has been appointed by Plaza Premium Group, managers of the largest independent airport lounge network worldwide, to introduce Plaza Premium’s top-notch airport services and facilities to travellers and trade in the Australian and New Zealand markets through a strategic combination of sales, marketing and public relations activities.

Plaza Premium Group group sales & marketing director Pauline Cheung said “Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries with rich travel resources and our expansion in these markets is part of our global plan to enhance passengers’ airport experience.”

“We are proud to deepen our commitment to these markets, and strengthen our connections with travellers and trade through Complete Travel Marketing to promote our acclaimed Plaza Premium Lounge and transit hotel chain Aerotel that stewards growth of our brands in these two countries,” Cheung added.

Malaysia Airlines extensive redesign of its Golden Lounges

Malaysia Airlines has announced an extensive redesign of its Golden Lounges, providing the best pre-flight experience for eligible guests.

This is another great milestone for the airline as it rebuilds itself from the inside out. Internationally-renowned interior design firm Duoz are the masterminds behind the project taking the premium lounges into new levels of luxury.
Key features include:
– a uniquely Malaysian design with modern functionality
– new demonstration kitchen concept
– upgraded offering of Malaysian and international gourmet specials
– Fine dining in the First Class lounge
– Faster WiFi and universal power sockets
Recently Malaysia Airlines launched their new Business Class seat on-board A330 aircraft, meaning guests can look forward to an enhanced experience both on the ground and in the air.

Airbus profits down in challenging year

Airbus Group says it’s facing a “challenging year” after profit sank in the first quarter and troubles surfaced with a gearbox on the A400M military cargo jet, yet is maintaining forecast for growth over 2016.

The parent of European plane-maker Airbus on Thursday reported 399 million euros ($A595.34 million) in profits for the quarter, down 50 per cent from 792 million euros in the same period last year, when profits were boosted by a big asset sale.

The company said problems with the engine propeller gearbox on the A400M could have a “significant” financial impact.

Airbus is evaluating plans for planes in production and already in service.

Airbus also said it informed British authorities of “mistakes and omissions” in applications for credit export financing for customers discovered during internal auditing. It didn’t elaborate.

Source: AP

AirAsia X increases flights to eight destinations

AirAsia X has announced an increase in frequencies to eight destinations including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in Australia.

In the next few months, flight frequencies will be increased between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Melbourne (to 14x weekly flights), Sydney (to 11x weekly) and Perth (to 14x weekly).
They join increases to Osaka (to 9x weekly), Sapporo (to 5x weekly), Beijing (to 11x weekly), Shanghai (to 11x weekly) and Taipei (to 14x weekly) from Kuala Lumpur.

To coincide with the increase in frequencies AirAsia has launched a sale for all AirAsia X flights (flight code D7) with low fares available to Kuala Lumpur from Perth from $149*, Melbourne from $239*, Sydney from $249*, and Gold Coast from $269*. Fares between Auckland and Gold Coast are on sale from NZ$119* and from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur priced from NZ$329*.

AirAsia X’s award-winning Premium Flatbeds are also on sale to Kuala Lumpur from Perth from $469* and Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast from $699*.Premium Flatbed fares between Auckland and Gold Coast are on sale from NZ$250* and from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur priced from NZ$799*.

The travel period is from now until 24 November 2016.