Russia’s S7 Airlines to be Part of oneworld From 15 November

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2010. S7 Airlines, Russia’s leading domestic carrier, will become part of oneworld® effective Monday, 15 November, offering the alliance’s full range of services and benefits from then and substantially expanding its network throughout Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States – in the latest step by oneworld to establish itself as the world’s premier alliance in what is turning out to be a breakthrough year for the group.

From 15 November, 2010 members of the S7 Priority frequent flyer programme will be able to earn and redeem mileage awards on all oneworld partners, which includes some of the biggest and best airlines in the world – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Qantas and Royal Jordanian and almost 20 affiliated airlines.

S7 Priority Platinum and Gold cardholders will have oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status respectively, gaining them access to more than 500 airport lounges worldwide offered by the alliance’s airlines. S7 Priority Silver cardholders will have oneworld Ruby status.

All S7 Priority Platinum, Gold and Silver cardholders will soon be sent new membership cards, bearing the oneworld logo, to ensure they receive their alliance benefits from 15 November.

Also from 15 November, members of the established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programs will be able to earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits on S7.

Its network – covering 90 destinations and 28 countries, including 45 points in Russia and some 25 destinations in other parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – will from then be covered by oneworld’s full and extensive range of alliance fares and sales products.

S7’s Russian domestic market is the world’s largest country in terms of land mass, the ninth most populous and with the eighth biggest gross domestic product. Currently seven of oneworld’s established airlines – British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian – serve Moscow, plus St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg in Russia.

S7 Airlines to join oneworld on 15 November…2

The new oneworld recruit will add 55 destinations in the region to the alliance map, and nine countries, in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This will almost triple the number of destinations served by oneworld in Russia, the CIS and other parts of East Europe to a total 84 destinations in 26 countries.

For S7, joining oneworld will strengthen its competitive offering and its financial position, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.

Its addition will extend oneworld’s global coverage to a total of more than 750 destinations in almost 150 countries, served by a total of 8,500 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of some 2,250 aircraft, carrying 300 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of more than US$85 billion.

British Airways has been supporting S7 through its 18-month alliance implementation project, as its oneworld sponsor airline, with working groups covering some 35 streams of activity.

Work is well advanced in linking up S7’s IT systems to those of oneworld’s established members. Projects are also nearing completion to bring S7’s various internal processes and procedures into line with the alliance’s requirements, and extensive employee training and communications programmes are now underway at the S7 and the alliance’s existing members, to ensure they are ready to provide oneworld’s customer services and benefits across the expanded alliance from 15 November.

oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: “S7 will expand oneworld’s network substantially in a key region of growing travel demand, with a carrier that matches our demanding quality requirements, while enabling S7 to offer its customers a truly global network on quality partners. We are delighted to be welcoming them to the oneworld alliance.”

S7 Chief Executive Vladimir Obyedkov said: “S7 Airlines is delighted to be joining the world’s premier global airline alliance. Becoming part of oneworld will be one of the most significant steps in S7’s history. It will enable us to offer our customers a truly global network served by partners who include some of the best known and most admired airlines in the world, while our frequent flyers will have more opportunities to earn and redeem mileage rewards and enjoy all their other benefits. It will also strengthen us financially, through revenues from passengers transferring to our network from our oneworld partners and the cost reduction opportunities the alliance offers.”

About S7 Airlines

S7 is Russia’s leading airline in terms of domestic passenger carryings, customer service quality and innovation.

It is the first carrier in Russia to convert to an all Western-built Airbus and Boeing fleet and the first to adopt full electronic ticketing and on-line reservations and sales. It holds the internationally recognised IOSA (International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit) certification, renewed in October 2008.

S7 offers a two-class product to international standards on all departures – Business Class and Economy.

Its fleet, decorated in a distinctive bright green livery, includes 28 Airbus A320 family types, two Airbus A310s, two Boeing 767s, four Boeing 737-400s and four Boeing 737-800s, with an average age of nine years.

S7 carried 5.6 million passengers in 2009, with a bigger share of the domestic Russian air travel market than any other airline. Including its international network, it is Russia’s second biggest carrier.

Its main hub Moscow Domodedovo is the capital’s most modern airport. Its secondary hubs are Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. Its international destinations include oneworld hubs Madrid and Bangkok.

S7 is one the most progressive airlines in Russia giving passengers new standards of service, supported by the use of latest technology. Tracing its origins back to 1957, it changed its brand name from Sibir Airlines four years ago with a radical rebranding to make it stand out from its competitors as customer-friendly, quality, modern carrier – winning the annual national award “People’s mark / Brand No 1 in Russia”.

Since its election as a oneworld member designate in May 2009, S7 has launched code-sharing with alliance partners Iberia and Royal Jordanian. S7 also code-shares with oneworld member elect Air Berlin.

The airline generated profits of US$151 million (operating) and US$18 million (net) in 2009 on revenues of US$1.1 billion. S7 employs 2,596 staff and uses SITA as its main IT platform. It is 75 per cent privately owned.

S7’s English-language website is www.s7.ru/en/index.html

About oneworld

oneworld enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges.

oneworld also offers more alliance fares than any of its competitors.

oneworld was named the World’s Best Alliance two weeks ago in the 2010 World Airline Awards and has been voted the World’s Leading Airline Alliance for the past seven years in the World Travel Awards. It is the only winner of this award since it was introduced in 2003.

Already in oneworld’s “breakthrough year”:

  • India’s leading carrier Kingfisher Airlines became a oneworld member elect in June – followed by Air Berlin in July.
  • Japan Airlines has been expanding its co-operation with its oneworld partners since reaffirming its membership of the alliance in February, filing days later with American Airlines for anti-trust immunity for a joint business across the Pacific and more than doubling its code-sharing with British Airways.
  • American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian in July received long-awaited final approval for their application for anti-trust immunity across the Atlantic and the proposed transatlantic joint business between American, BA and Iberia.
  • British Airways and Iberia are on track to complete their merger by the end of the year.
  • LAN Airlines celebrated its 10th anniversary as a oneworld member on 1 June. Since joining, it has added to the grouping its affiliates in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.
  • oneworld added the World Airline Awards’ World’s Best Alliance title to the World Travel Awards’ World’s Leading Airline Alliance trophies it has won for the past seven years, as the only winner of that award since it was introduced in 2003.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • NTSB SENDING TEAM TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT OF LIBYA IN AVIATION ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

    The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the government of Libya in its investigation of an accident involving an Airbus A330- 200, which was equipped with General Electric CF6-8E1 engines. At approximately 6:00 am local time on May 12, 2010, the aircraft, operated by Afriqiyah Airways, crashed on approach to Tripoli airport in Tripoli, Libya. Of the 104 passengers and crew on board the airplane, there was one survivor. The airplane originated in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    As the State of design and manufacture for the engines, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated Senior Air Safety Investigator, Lorenda Ward, as the U.S. Accredited Representative. The U.S. team will also include an NTSB engines specialist as well as technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration, and General Electric. The team is expected to arrive tomorrow afternoon.

    The Bureau d’Enquete et d’Analyse (BEA) of France, representing the country of manufacture of the airplane, has also sent a team of investigators to Libya.

    The investigation is being conducted by the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, which will release all information on the progress of the investigation.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Boeing to Increase 777 Production Rate

    SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2010 — Boeing ( today announced its production rate for the 777 program will increase to 8.3 airplanes per month in the first quarter 2013. This is the second production increase announced for the program this year. In March the program announced it would increase production from five to seven airplanes per month beginning in mid-2011.
    “In response to strong customer demand globally, we are increasing our yearly production to 100 777s,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “The 777 is the twin-aisle market leader because of its superior operating economics, unmatched range and preference among travelers’ needs.”

    The 777 has a large installed operator base, and a track record of proven performance including 1,163 orders, 907 deliveries and a backlog of more than 250 airplanes. Suppliers are prepared to support the rate increase.
    Watch a video on what customers have to say about the 777 airplane: http://bit.ly/elmgWE.

    The current production rate decision is not expected to have a material impact on 2010 financial results.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this report may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak to events only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our guidance relating to future financial and operating performance, the effect of economic conditions in the United States and globally, and general industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Massive flight cancellations into and out of Frankfurt – German domestic flights and connections to European destinations equally affected – Long-haul flights still being flown

    The winter weather over the past few days has severely disrupted flight operations and kept passengers stranded on the ground, especially at Lufthansa’s home airport in Frankfurt. Since the weather is expected to get even worse, Lufthansa has been forced to operate to a special timetable, in which numerous flights on German and European routes into and out of Frankfurt will have to be cancelled. This measure is necessary in order to reinstate flight operations on their customary stable basis. Lufthansa long-haul flights are not affected.

    All Lufthansa passengers are urged to check the status of their flight before beginning their journey at Arrival & Departure. Passengers on intraGerman flights are advised anyway to utilise an alternative means of travel. In view of the extraordinary situation, Lufthansa flight tickets can be used for journeys by train without any problem. Electronic tickets can be exchanged for travel vouchers at the customer-operated check-in terminals.

    Should there not be enough time to convert the ticket at a Lufthansa Quick-Check-in machine, Lufthansa recommends the purchase of a train ticket. The refund of the ticket can be obtained by presenting the train ticket and the flight ticket to the office that has issued the flight ticket after having completed the journey.

    Passengers affected by flight cancellations should contact the dedicated Lufthansa Call Center set up specially for the purpose. The free phone number to call from Germany is: 0800 850 60 70. Callers from outside Germany should phone their local Lufthansa phone number .

    Lufthansa deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to many of its passengers in these days and will do its utmost to lessen the impact as much as possible.

    Deutsche Lufthansa AG
    Corporate Communications

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    NASA WANTS STUDENT INNOVATORS FOR 2011 GREAT MOONBUGGY RACE

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Four decades after the first NASA lunar rover
    rolled across the surface of the moon, innovative students are
    preparing to design and build a new generation of wheeled wonders.

    Registration is open for the 18th annual NASA Great Moonbuggy Race,
    set for April 1-2, 2011, in Huntsville, Ala. Participating schools
    and institutions may register one or two vehicles and teams.
    Registration closes Feb. 1.

    For complete rules, vehicle design parameters and registration for the
    race, visit:

    http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov

    NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center organizes the races held at the
    U.S. Space & Rocket Center, both in Huntsville. The event challenges
    high school and college students to design, build and race
    lightweight, human-powered “moonbuggies.”

    The first rover was developed, built and tested at Marshall in just 17
    months. The rover’s inaugural trip across the moon’s surface took
    place on July 31, 1971. It was driven by Apollo 15 astronauts David
    Scott and James Irwin. Two more rovers followed, enabling expanded
    scientific exploration during the Apollo 16 and 17 missions in 1972.

    NASA Great Moonbuggy Race teams carry on the tradition of engineering
    ingenuity. The teams attempt to post the fastest vehicle assembly and
    race times in their divisions, while incurring the fewest penalties
    on a challenging course simulating the rocky, unforgiving surface of
    the moon.

    Prizes are awarded to the three teams in each division that finish
    with the fastest race times. NASA and industry sponsors present
    additional awards for team spirit, best newcomer, most memorable
    buggy wipeout and other achievements.

    In 2010, for the first time, the victors in the high school and
    college divisions were both from outside the continental United
    States. The International Space Education Institute of Leipzig,
    Germany, raced to a winning time of just 3 minutes, 37 seconds in the
    high school category. The University of Puerto Rico in Humacao, the
    only school to enter a moonbuggy every year since the races began in
    1994, won the college division with a time of 4 minutes, 18 seconds.

    Participation in the race has increased from just eight college teams
    in 1994 to more than 70 high school and college national and
    international teams in 2010. The high school division was added in
    1996.

    More than 32,000 people watched live, streaming coverage of the 2010
    race on UStream, an interactive, real-time webcasting platform. For
    archived footage of the competition, visit:

    http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-great-moonbuggy-race-2010

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Boeing and United Airlines Finalize

    United to expand international service with fuel-efficient Dreamliner
    Boeing (NYSE: BA) and United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) have finalized an order for 25 787-8 jetliners. The agreement includes the opportunity to purchase another 50 Dreamliners.

    “Boeing and United Airlines share an 80-year partnership,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “United, which launched the Boeing 777, now begins a new chapter with the 787 Dreamliner, the most technologically advanced commercial jetliner ever built.”

    The order is valued at $4.2 billion at average list prices.

    “United’s Boeing 787 order represents a substantial investment in our future and will enhance the significant progress we are making in improving the global competitiveness of our company while providing the opportunity to open new profitable markets and serve a broader range of international destinations,” said John Tague, president of United Airlines.

    United expects to take delivery of the 787s at the same time it will begin to retire its Boeing 747s and 767s operating on international routes.

    The 787 Dreamliner, currently in flight test, will provide greater fuel efficiency, allowing airlines to add new, nonstop city pairs and the additional frequencies that passengers prefer.

    The 787 also promises a more comfortable flying experience for passengers. Its innovations include a new interior environment with improvements in air filtration, higher cabin pressurization resulting in reduced physical fatigue, larger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting and other passenger-preferred conveniences.

    The technologically advanced 787 will also provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity

    Including United Airlines, 57 customers around the world have ordered 876 Dreamliners, making the 787 the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Press Release: Virgin America To Order 40 Airbus Jets

    VIRGIN AMERICA SPREADS ITS WINGS: AIRLINE PLANS ORDER FOR 40 AIRBUS
    A320 AIRCRAFT, WITH OPTIONS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 20

    Award-Winning Airline to Triple Fleet Size with Order; Projects Growth from 28 Aircraft to 90 by 2016

    San Francisco – July 22, 2010 – Virgin America today announces it plans to order 40 new Airbus A320 aircraft, with options for 20 additional aircraft. The new aircraft would be delivered from 2013 through 2016 – with 10 firm orders per year on average, and options for 20 additional aircraft in 2017-2018. With today’s order of 40 new aircraft and growth from other sources, Virgin America’s fleet is projected to grow from its current 28 aircraft to 90 aircraft by 2016 – a compounded annual growth rate of 21.5 percent. David Cush, Virgin America President and CEO, and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, make the announcement of their memorandum of understanding today at the Farnborough International Airshow.

    “This MOU reflects confidence in our financial performance, business model and unique service. Despite the tough economic climate since our 2007 launch, Virgin America has experienced record growth, strong financial progress and a sweep of the major reader-based travel awards. At a time when most carriers are contracting and shedding jobs, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our low-fare, innovative service into new markets,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all new Airbus fleet will continue to fuel our growth and success in the North American market.”

    With the U.S. Department of Transportation’s approval of its new ownership structure in January 2010, Virgin America is focused on growth – with six additional aircraft entering its fleet this year and 12 additional aircraft planned in 2011. The airline currently has four aircraft for delivery in 2012 and expects to look for additional aircraft for 2012, in order to bridge its fleet growth to the new Airbus order starting in 2013. The airline currently serves 10 cities, with expansion to Orlando, at least one more U.S. city and two destinations in Mexico by this winter. The airline expects to grow by three to four additional new destinations a year from 2011-2016. The airline has created 1600 new jobs since its 2007 launch and intends to double its teammate base in the next three years. Virgin America continues to expand at its base of operations at San Francisco International Airport, as one of two anchor tenants in the airport’s new $383 million Silver LEED certified Terminal 2 facility – which is slated to open in 2011.

    “A repeat order from Virgin America – a U.S. airline growing quickly both in terms of its route network and its reputation for excellent service – is a great affirmation of the benefits of operating the A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are very pleased they have chosen to expand their reach with even more of our aircraft. Their investment in a state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient Airbus fleet will continue to give them a competitive advantage as they grow.”

    Virgin America is planning to benefit from the new, fuel-saving “Sharklet” option that is available beginning in late 2012 on A320 aircraft. Sharklets have been developed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 aircraft, resulting in at least 3.5 percent reduced fuel burn over longer sectors. Since its launch, Virgin America has operated a new Airbus A320 Family fleet that is up to 25% more fuel efficient than the average U.S. fleet. The airline has not yet announced its choice of engines for the additional aircraft.

    According to Airbus, each new order for Airbus aircraft means a direct boost to the U.S. economy. Airbus spends some 40 percent of its procurement budget with hundreds of suppliers in more than 40 U.S. states. In 2009 alone, Airbus spent more than $10 billion in the U.S. – more than it spent in procurement in any other country. Using U.S. Department of Commerce figures, that dollar amount translates into Airbus support of 180,000 American jobs.

    “Airline expansion drives job, travel and tourism growth – and is also a powerful indicator of overall economic health. When we enter new markets service improves and fares drop, so our growth into new cities stimulates demand as well as direct and indirect job growth,” added Cush.

    With outstanding service and inventive amenities, Virgin America has captured a loyal guest following since its launch. The airline offers beautifully designed mood-lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi and the most advanced touch-screen in-flight entertainment platform in the skies. The airline has captured the “Best Domestic Airline” title in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards every year since its 2007 launch.

    Virgin America reported its first quarterly operating profit in the third quarter of 2009 and is on track for projected full year operating profit in 2010. Virgin America has seen significant increases in traffic and bookings in the second quarter of 2010, with progress that has largely exceeded the overall positive trends for the industry year to date.

    The Airbus A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. More than 6,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 310 customers and operators – making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world-wide standard wide-body system.

    Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto and Orlando (starting October 6, 2010).

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.