CSA Introduces Online Check-In for Flights
CSA Czech Airlines has introduced the possibility of online check-in via its website www.czechairlines.com. Initially, it will be available for flights from Prague, Amsterdam and Paris.
Passengers departing from these cities can select their seat on the plane and print their boarding pass from their computer. Upon arrival at the airport, they no longer need to go to the check-in counter; they only need to go through passport control and security screening. Passengers should arrive at the airport no later than 35 minutes before departure.
Passengers with luggage can also use the online check-in service. Upon arrival at the airport, they should drop off their luggage at the Baggage drop-off counter. Online check-in is possible no earlier than 24 hours and no later than 35 minutes before the scheduled departure.
KLM Website Features Fare Map
Dutch airline KLM has introduced an original service on its website www.klm.com - an interactive route map with prices.
When hovering the mouse over a specific city on the map, the minimum available price excluding fees and the number of flight options to that city per week will appear. The user can set a maximum price limit. In this case, only cities with fares within that limit will be shown on the map.
The service is available on the English version of the site in the special offers section. It should be noted that the map shows the minimum fare for available booking dates. It is not necessarily available for the dates a specific passenger needs to fly.
Import of Certain Products Banned in Switzerland
SWISS airline has issued a warning stating that from July 1, 2007, passengers arriving in Switzerland from countries outside the European Community are prohibited from importing certain types of food products.
In particular, the import of all types of meat and meat products, eggs, milk and dairy products (such as cheese and butter), as well as honey and other food products is prohibited. The ban extends even to items in sealed packaging. However, baby food and special medical preparations can still be brought into Switzerland, but only in quantities for "one day of consumption."
The main reason for introducing this restriction is to combat the spread of food- and animal-related diseases. Currently, no such diseases have been registered in Switzerland or in the European Community countries, and the countries intend to maintain this situation. Due to difficulties in ensuring that all travelers' products meet the strict requirements for industrially imported food, Switzerland had to resort to such measures.
If prohibited products are found at the Swiss border, they will be confiscated and violators will have to pay a fine.
First A380 Flight Will Be Singapore - Sydney
Singapore Airlines has launched a new version of its promotional website www.a380.singaporeair.com dedicated to the double-deck superjumbo Airbus A380. As is known, this airline is set to become the first operator of the new aircraft.
The site contains a variety of information about the world's largest passenger aircraft, including desktop wallpapers and screensavers. The site also features a news feed about the preparation and delivery process of the first aircraft. Later, information will appear on how to get on the first commercial A380 flight.
The first A380 will be delivered to Singapore Airlines in October. The company has ordered a total of 19 such aircraft, with an option to purchase six more. Singapore Airlines intends to put the first aircraft on the Singapore–Sydney route.
Only One Airport Will Remain in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv's second airport, Sde Dov, will be closed in the coming months. Its site will be replaced by residential neighborhoods. This decision was made by a local court.
The airport, also known as Dov Hoz, has existed since 1938 and is located in the northern part of the city. Throughout this time, it has served only domestic flights. The vast majority of these flights were to Eilat, Haifa, and Ovda Airport in northern Israel. The main carriers at the airport were Arkia and Israir, which primarily used turboprop regional aircraft.
The remaining flights at Sde Dov will be transferred to Tel Aviv's main airport, Ben Gurion, which after recent expansion has the capacity to accommodate additional flights.
Emirates Also Goes by Water
Emirates has organized an original service – water transfer for first and business class passengers to and from Venice Airport.
The company is known for providing free chauffeur-driven cars to and from the airport for its premium class passengers.
In Venice, where most locations can only be reached by water transport, using boats instead of cars became a logical solution - the airport is also located on the water. The new service allows passengers to reach their accommodation using a single mode of transport, whereas before they had to first take a regular taxi from the airport and then transfer to a water taxi.
Emirates launched flights to Venice from Dubai on July 1. For the first three months, the airline will evaluate the demand for the service, and then make a final decision on the further implementation of the program.
Airlines Entertain Passengers with Live Shows
German airline Germanwings put on a show for passengers on one of its flights from Cologne/Bonn to Palma de Mallorca. The "live" entertainment program was hosted by comedy actress and German channel RTL host Magdalena von Podolsky and Mallorca singer Micky Krause.
Passengers watched a comedy show and heard popular Mallorca hits, according to the airline's press release.
Ecuadorian company Icaro Air went even further. Models now regularly walk the aisles of its planes. The company positions the show as entertainment for business passengers.