samueldethierry
17th May 2006, 18:39
Air Namibia were delighted to confirm the delivery of their second AirbusA340-300 series jet, planned for September 2006, with this new lease from the French company Avaiqius replacing their temporary leased MD-11.
It's current A340-300 series jet, which was delivered end of last year, is fitted with the widest economy class seats on all airlines to Africa, possibly worldwide, an economy seat being 23.5 inches wide (i've been in them, such a difference, so comfortable!) in comparion with most airlines at about 17-18.5 inches, and ample legroom (34") which is extended even more with the seat pockets with strong elastic clasping them tightly to backs of seats.
Passengers, Air Namibia have been pleased to see, have already commented on this added luxury, and already, maybe not for this reason, they have been making good profits on the newly resumed London route, which has shown to be very popular, just this time flying into London Gatwick rather than Heathrow.
However, a problem the airline have been by passing for the past few months, is the in-flight entertainment systems onboard the airbus they have. The aircraft is currently fitted with "wearing and weary, overhead bulky TV's, which are liable to break down every few flights, and as the whole insutry requirments by travellers change lots of requirments set by major airlines, smaller airlines like air nambia may have to invest in the near future on upgrading their IFE on the international jets in Economy, to personal television systems. This is not an easy job, but it continues to be on the planned managemnet agenda.
Air Namibia's managment announced that a change to Airbus aircraft have reduced fuel costs greatly, and that if they were to have an all-airbus fleet, it would be even more profitable to the airline because of fuel consumption drops, as well as pilots being able to mix with both domestic and international aircraft with the least amount of training.
Already, SAA Technical in Johannesburg, have hinted to Air Namibia that it would be wise to be looking into A regional fleet renewal, replacing the leased and "well-used" fleet of 3 Boeing 737-200's one of which has been operating in the industry since 1970 (not all the time with Air Namibia though). This "hint" came after, for the second time, Air Namibia had to withdraw one of it's 737's for "Urgent and essentail matinence" in Johannesburg for nearly a month, causing Air Namibia to cancel many flights. Also, unfortunatley, the aircraft type has received some bad media latley, following a few safety incidents with the type in Africa, so the added question of the aircrafts safety has come into the equation from travellers and other parts of the insutry.
Also, Air Namibia are currently facing "difficulties" about the regional capacity of the aircraft (737-200's) as the flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg, but Cape Town more, which seat 100 each, are filling up quickly, preventing bookings on International flights which take nearly 300, because connecting flights are full. A greater regional capacity from an A319 regional fleet, would be better for Air Namibia.
As Air Namibia continue to expand, with the next of online bookings, which are compulsory for all member airlines of IATA by 2007. Drastic improvments have been made towards flight punctuality, and there is great hope for the airline in the future.
Does anyone know anything else?
(someone who won't rip my head off....thanks!)
It's current A340-300 series jet, which was delivered end of last year, is fitted with the widest economy class seats on all airlines to Africa, possibly worldwide, an economy seat being 23.5 inches wide (i've been in them, such a difference, so comfortable!) in comparion with most airlines at about 17-18.5 inches, and ample legroom (34") which is extended even more with the seat pockets with strong elastic clasping them tightly to backs of seats.
Passengers, Air Namibia have been pleased to see, have already commented on this added luxury, and already, maybe not for this reason, they have been making good profits on the newly resumed London route, which has shown to be very popular, just this time flying into London Gatwick rather than Heathrow.
However, a problem the airline have been by passing for the past few months, is the in-flight entertainment systems onboard the airbus they have. The aircraft is currently fitted with "wearing and weary, overhead bulky TV's, which are liable to break down every few flights, and as the whole insutry requirments by travellers change lots of requirments set by major airlines, smaller airlines like air nambia may have to invest in the near future on upgrading their IFE on the international jets in Economy, to personal television systems. This is not an easy job, but it continues to be on the planned managemnet agenda.
Air Namibia's managment announced that a change to Airbus aircraft have reduced fuel costs greatly, and that if they were to have an all-airbus fleet, it would be even more profitable to the airline because of fuel consumption drops, as well as pilots being able to mix with both domestic and international aircraft with the least amount of training.
Already, SAA Technical in Johannesburg, have hinted to Air Namibia that it would be wise to be looking into A regional fleet renewal, replacing the leased and "well-used" fleet of 3 Boeing 737-200's one of which has been operating in the industry since 1970 (not all the time with Air Namibia though). This "hint" came after, for the second time, Air Namibia had to withdraw one of it's 737's for "Urgent and essentail matinence" in Johannesburg for nearly a month, causing Air Namibia to cancel many flights. Also, unfortunatley, the aircraft type has received some bad media latley, following a few safety incidents with the type in Africa, so the added question of the aircrafts safety has come into the equation from travellers and other parts of the insutry.
Also, Air Namibia are currently facing "difficulties" about the regional capacity of the aircraft (737-200's) as the flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg, but Cape Town more, which seat 100 each, are filling up quickly, preventing bookings on International flights which take nearly 300, because connecting flights are full. A greater regional capacity from an A319 regional fleet, would be better for Air Namibia.
As Air Namibia continue to expand, with the next of online bookings, which are compulsory for all member airlines of IATA by 2007. Drastic improvments have been made towards flight punctuality, and there is great hope for the airline in the future.
Does anyone know anything else?
(someone who won't rip my head off....thanks!)