Dear Valued Passengers

We would like to inform you that during 22 July 2008 – 15 September 2008 we are operating a reduced schedule.

We apologize for any inconvenience to your travel plan and thank you for your kind understanding.

One-Two-Go Airlines.

The reports that are circulating, however, say something different. According to Bangkok Post, the 56-day grounding is due to “mounting cost pressures spurred by ballooning oil prices, fierce competition from rival airlines, falling domestic passenger demand and the poor business outlook”. Bloomberg confirms that the suspension in operations is a financial move.

However, another report in Bangkok Post says there is another reason for the suspension:

The Civil Aviation Department has ordered One-Two-Go airlines to halt operations for 30 days due to substandard operations and revoked or suspended the flying licences of nine of its pilots.

The department had found shortcomings in the airline’s aviation operations, flight schedules and maintenance, along with a lack of quality assurance.

The low-cost airline had violated aviation safety regulations and lacked proper airline management.

Now that, coupled with financial issues, would make it tremendously difficult for One-Two-Go to make it back in the scene!

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

I’ve been watching similar developments in US-based airlines the last several weeks and was hoping the trend wouldn’t reach this part of the sky. Ugh, wishful thinking. Tiger has followed the lead of Air Asia on charging fees for checked in baggages.

Which airline next?

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

That means you can now fly from Singapore to Siem Reap, stop there for a few days, dive and take a peek into Cambodia’s past (and see where Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider was filmed). Then you have the option of either heading back, or flying further to Phnom Penh for more gallivanting.

This makes booking your flight to see more of Southeast Asia just a few clicks easier!

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Yup, you read it right: free flights! Excluding taxes and charges, of course.

You’d have to book your travel quickly, though (offer runs until Dec 19, 2007) for travel up to 31 March 2008. Most flights are to/from Singapore.

Perfect as a last minute Christmas gift!

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Korean Air Lines Co. said Monday that its new low-cost airline was set to begin operations next May with routes to regional destinations including China and Malaysia.

Korean Air said in a press release that its board on Friday approved plans to invest 20 billion won ($21.5 million) to set up a separate corporate body for the carrier, tentatively called Air Korea, by the end of December.

The airline will connect Korea to international destinations such as Shandong and Hanna provinces in China, Japan excluding Tokyo, Thailand and Malaysia.

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

“AirAsia is poised to become the biggest airline in the region next decade, commanding a highly influential position in regional aviation. In aviation history terms, AirAsia’s arrival on the international aviation scene is unprecedented. Perhaps only Ryanair and easyJet have made such meteoric rises. Barely in existence only five year ago, in another five years, it promises to be the largest airline in the region. In the course of this phenomenal advance, it has changed the shape of Asian aviation and strongly influenced government attitudes to regulatory reform.”

This is just one of the accolades the airline has gotten this year, which includes other titles as Asia’s Best Budget Airline under Best In Travel Poll 2007 conducted by SmartTravelAsia and Best Low Cost Airline in Asia by SkyTrax.

I myself haven’t flown Air Asia yet. Just about time, I reckon.

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Too bad it’s not offering it for the Singapore-Manila stretch; since this leg has proven to be impossible to get during the Christmas season, I was thinking of flying early next year. Oh well, we’ll see. Maybe next week, Tiger will announce a different promo. I wish!

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Well, it’s taken longer than the projected launch in July, but Air Asia X seems to be ready to fly its first long-haul passengers into and out of Asia, via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Gold Coast will be the first long haul international destination of low cost Malaysian airline, Air Asia X, with one way fares to start from less than $100.

The airline said it would fly four direct long haul return flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast from November this year.

Will we be seeing more of folks from down under on the shores of Asia? Let’s wait for November to roll in and see…

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

For those looking for the passenger list, you can find a couple here, although I can’t be sure how official these are.

As always, when crashes occur, safety issues are raised. Moreso, when budget airlines are involved. It makes one think– Are the safety of airlines being compromised in an effort to bring down airfares?

photo source

Post from: Let's Visit Asia