Australian Airlines NEWS

Operation 'Bring Them Home' brings First Australian MH17 funeral this week The first bodies from downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 have arrived back in Australia under operation 'Bring Them Home'. The coffins of Maree and Albert Rizk from Sunbury in Melbourne arrived back on Friday, six weeks after the Flight was shot down by a surface to air missile in eastern Ukraine. Family members escorted the bodies from Amsterdam back to Melbourne and a Funeral is scheduled for early this week. The couple leave two grown up children, Vanessa, 22 and James, 21, who live in Melbourne, where their parents were involved with community and charitable organisations around Sunbury.    A real estate agent, Mr Rizk worked as the director of Raine & Horne at Sunbury. The brother and sister spoke at a memorial service three weeks ago that was attended by 1000 mourners. We look forward now to the return of our parents and hope that all the families will soon have thei...

Travellers on Qantas and Virgin will be able to keep their electronic devices powered on during all phases of Flight from Tuesday. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority on Monday approved applications from both Airlines that will allow passengers to keep their phones, tablets and e-readers on even during take-off or landing. The devices will need to remain in "Flight mode" throughout the Flight. Passengers on Qantas and Virgin Flights will now be able to use their electronic devices during the entire Flight.  Passengers on Qantas and Virgin Flights will now be able to use their electronic devices during the entire Flight. Photo: iStock Devices weighing more than 1 kilogram, such as laptops, will still need to be stored for take off and landing. Smaller devices will need to be held by a passenger or secured in the pocket of a garment or the magazine pocket on the back of the seat. Advertisement   Similar privileges are already in place in the United States, Euro...

Malaysia Airlines crewman questioned over alleged assault on Australian A Malaysia Airlines crew member is being questioned by French police after he allegedly assaulted an Australian woman on a Paris bound Flight. The troubled Airline has issued a statement assuring passengers that it demands the highest standards of conduct from crew. The 26 year old alleged victim has told her story to the Seven Network. I couldn’t stop it, I just froze, I was just scared,she has told the network. I keep saying `why didn’t I scream, why didn’t I shout? Why didn’t I stop it. I am a strong person because I can do that, I know I can, but when I was in the moment I couldn’t. I felt so scared, so petrified. She said that three hours into the Flight, a steward sat next to her and began massaging her legs, and later put his hand down her pants. Shaky mobile phone footage apparently recorded by the woman after the alleged assault shows a staff member sitting across from her, clasping his h...

JUST over a month since flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, the struggling Malaysia Airlines has offered to almost double the commission Australian travel agents earn from selling seats on its planes. Agents have been advised that for the next month, all Malaysia Airlines tickets issued in Australia will be commissionable at 11 per cent in all cabin classes for travel originating in Australia. Malaysia Airlines in huge shake-up It means an agent could earn more than $600 for a return business class fare from Sydney to London, via Kuala Lumpur, or about $200 for a return economy fare. The new figure is almost double the previous six per cent commission level which will continue to apply to tickets issued for travel originating outside Australia. Commissions will revert to the normal rate after September 15. Haydn Long from Flight Centre said it was not unusual for airlines to up commissions to stimulate travel on certain routes. “You would have ...

FAA prohibits U.S. Airline Flights Over Iraq The Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. Airlines Friday from flying over Iraq because of safety concerns about military conflict. The ban came the same day U.S. military forces began Airstrikes against militants in northern Iraq. A previous warning urged Pilots to fly at least 30,000 feet above Iraq because of the conflict between Iraqi security forces and militants associated with the Islamic State. The update prohibits Flights because of the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict. The FAA said the prohibition will be reviewed at the end of the year. Flight warnings gained greater attention after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine, where pro Russia separatists are Fighting government forces. The FAA also suspended U.S. flights to Israel for 36 hours  when a rocket fell near the airport in Tel Aviv. FAA warnings are often followed around the world, as when the European ...

MALAYSIA Airlines is expected To Be Privat MALAYSIA Airlines is expected to remain a viable player in the Australian market after its major government shareholder yesterday moved to delist it, with a $460m bid to throw off the yoke of two Crippling Crashes. The predicted move to underpin the troubled Airline will see the Qantas oneworld partner continue to service Australia, possibly under another name. Malaysia Airlines, which has lost 4.57 billion ringgit ($1.53 billion) since the start of 2011 and was loaded with debt, has been a long-term player in Australia and held 4.3 per cent of the international market in the 12 months to May. Prior to the disappearance of MH370 and the missile attack on MH17, it had been well regarded by the travel industry and passengers, but the loss of the two Boeing 777s saw many travellers cancel their bookings. Flight Centre spokesman Hadyn Long said yesterday that most Malaysia customers had stuck with the airline, but forward orders...

Qantas Predicts Another Airline will Buy In Now Restrictions Are Looser Qantas Airways expects another Airline will buy a stake in the Australian carrier over the longer term now that some Foreign Investment Restrictions have been lifted, says chief Financial officer Gareth Evans. In terms of the way we view the landscape for us we have always been fans of consolidation whether it be through commercial arrangements or stronger ties, more equity ties we have certainly been fans of that, he said at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit on Thursday. Consolidation is the way of the future for the aviation industry. But at the same time it never happens quickly. Changes to the Qantas Sale Act mean a foreign airline could own up to 49 per cent of the Australian carrier, although that would restrict its ability to have any Foreign Institutional shareholders, which currently comprise about 40 per cent of the share register. It is not complete removal but it is certainly a ste...