KQ begins aviation training

NAIROBI, KENYA - One of the leading airlines in Africa, Kenya Airways (KQ) has launched an aviation training centre aimed at reducing the logistical problems of aviation man power on the continent.
The Kenya Air Training Centre located just outside the capital, Nairobi is modeled on Boeing’s Leadership Center in St. Louis, US.
Also known as ‘The Pride Centre,’ it will offer quality training services comparable to other similar training centres in the SADC country bloc because of the advantage of having its own hangar for aircraft maintenance.
Some of the programmes would include in-flight trading, ticketing, supervision skills, management skills and would also be having other engineering programmes running at KQs offices in Nairobi.
The premises has a capacity of 1,000 residents per week.

Source: East African Business Week

Czech Airlines' services rated as among the best of the SkyTeam members

The clients of the SkyTeam Alliance of airlines consider Czech Airlines services as being some of the best. This is the conclusion of the most recent satisfaction survey, which took place between October 2007 and March 2008. Nearly 28,000 passengers rated the services of airlines from the SkyTeam Alliance. Of the ten airlines rated, Czech Airlines got the highest rating for the services of its Contact Centre and also for the quality of its in-flight services.
"We vare ery much value this primacy. Our Contact Centre handles calls from clients on dozens of foreign markets. Last year, we equipped our Contact Centre with modern technologies in cooperation with Hewlett-Packard. This in combination with highly qualified staff, allows us to quickly and efficiently respond to all of the requests with which our passengers approach us", said Czech Airlines Vice-President for Sales, Petr Řehk, in commenting on the success. In 2007, we handled nearly 470,000 incoming calls, which is 15 percent more than in 2006. In the first six months of this year alone, we have processed nearly 400,000 contacts, which represents a 10 percent year-on-year growth, added Kateřina Dlouh, Director of the Czech Airlines Contact Centre.
Czech Airlines also ranked best in the category of in-flight services. It won first place for in-flight services for Business Class clients on its long-haul flights, passing all nine other SkyTeam members. In the same category in Economy Class, Czech Airlines ranked 2nd. On short- and medium-haul flights, the satisfaction of Business Class clients brought it 4th place, and the opinions of Economy Class passengers 3rd place.
In an overall rating of passenger satisfaction with the quality of on the ground and in-flight services, Czech Airlines also ranked among the best. The satisfaction of clients in Economy Class on long-haul flights brought it 2nd place, and 4th place in Business Class. According to the same criteria on short- and medium-haul flights, Czech Airlines ranked 3rd in Economy Class and 4th in Business Class. In both of these categories, Korean Air came first.
The survey also rated the airport services provided by the individual SkyTeam member airlines at their bases. Of 17 airports, Prague Ruzyně Airport came 5th, with South Korean Seoul being the best. In general, passengers most valued the service at check-in desks as well as the expediency and speed of check-in itself. They also rated positively the language skills and the warm approach of the staff.
Presently, the SkyTeam Alliance associates 11 member airlines and 3 associated members. The 2007/2008 winter season satisfaction survey was carried out among 10 members - Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Czech Airlines, Alitalia, Delta, Air France, Continental, KLM, Northwest, and Korean Air. Airline services were divided into 21 categories. Its results place Czech Airlines among the most successful airlines in SkyTeam: it did not rank worse than 6th in any category.

Source: Czech Airlines

Walking Catfish Delay Delta Flight

A Delta Airlines flight approaching an airport soaked by Tropical Storm Fay was delayed by four catfish that walked onto the runway. Yes, that's right, they walked, and the plane couldn't land until airport officials dispatched a crew to round up the wayward fish. The fish were unavailable for comment, but it seems they were displaced by the flooding that's made Florida soggier than usual and left Melbourne International Airport besieged by snakes, tortoises and a wayward alligator.

Photo courtesy U.S. Geological

Take the Helicopter to JFK With Delta

Shuttle service in Manhattan to JFK Airport.

For a limited time, Delta Air Lines Inc. is offering passengers free helicopter transportation between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Operated by US Helicopter Airport Shuttle Service, helicopter service is available for passengers traveling in first class or unrestricted economy class on domestic flights to or from JFK. Helicopters depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport near Wall Street and the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street, arriving at Delta Terminal 3, Gate 11.
Before arrival, helicopter passengers will be given TSA security clearance, baggage check, check-in and boarding passes. This free promotion is available on tickets purchased through Aug. 29. Visit www.delta.com or www.flyush.com

Source: The Wall Street Journal