Malaysian Airlines are currently embroiled in a
row over saying “customers prefer to be served by
young, demure and pretty stewardesses, especially Asian
ladies”, and has placed age limits on its female
cabin crews. The flight attendants union has launched a
campaign against an MAS policy which grounds female cabin
crew aged over 40. Those holding supervisory jobs are
allowed to continue until 45. Imagine if this ruling
applied to other airlines – no names mentioned.
British Airways are to resume direct flights
between London Heathrow and Islamabad after halting
services two years ago after the terrorist attacks of
September 11 in the United States.
Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it is now
carrying air marshals on some of its flights as part of
increased security measures. They will also have
surveillance cameras in place which will allow cockpit
crews to check what is going on in the aircraft’s
cabin.
JetBlue, the New York-based low fare airline, is
to start service from Boston Logan Airport early next year.
The service includes flights from Boston to Fort
Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa and Denver by January 16 2004.
They will be offering leather seats complete with free
television, free on-board snacks and more leg room than its
competitors.
Air France has announced that it intends to sign
a final merger deal with Dutch airline KLM on Thursday in
Amsterdam, creating Europe’s largest airline. The deal,
which is scheduled to be completed in April 2004, would
create a European leader and the world’s third-largest
airline behind American Airlines and Delta.
UK airport update: As at 16th October, nationals of
Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Lebanon and Pakistan
will need visas to travel through the UK. Previously,
people from these countries have required visas to visit
the UK, but have been able pass through the UK on their way
to a third country without one.