Air France KLM named ‘super sector leader’ by Dow Jones

Air France KLM has been named ‘Super Sector Leader’ for sustainability, in the wider travel and leisure sector for 2008, and for the fourth year running leader in its sector by both Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes - DJSI World and DJSI STOXX.

“This is a proud moment for us to be chosen. It acknowledges and underlines the AIR FRANCE KLM commitment to economic growth in line with environmental and social values. The Group now stands as a reference, not only in the transport sector but also in the wider travel and leisure industry”, commented Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Group Chairman and CEO.

“I am delighted that our Group has achieved this top position”, stated Peter Hartman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM. “Apart from key issues like combating climate change and reducing the environmental impact, we also continue to focus on building sustainable customer relations, promoting a responsible human resources strategy and contributing to local economic developments.”

This non-financial rating places AIR FRANCE KLM in pole position. The group is listed on the following indexes, namely Aspi Eurozone, Dow Jones Sustainability Index World and STOXX, FTSE4Good, as well the on the ‘Ethibel’ Investment Register with the ‘Pioneer’ label and the ‘Global 100’ which groups the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world.

Recently, in 2008, the Group achieved ‘Gold Class’ and became ‘Sector leader’ at the outcome of an analysis process carried out by the Swiss group SAM (Sustainable Asset Management Indexes GmbH).

AIR FRANCE KLM’s fourth Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2007-2008 is available at http://developpement-durable.airfrance.com/ and klm.com/sustainability.

Air France receives enviro certification

Air France officially received ISO 14001 certification for environmental protection Friday for all its activities and for all its bases in Metropolitan France, as well as on board its aircraft.
ISO 14001 certification recognises Air France’s commitment to environmental protection and its control over the environmental risks of its business, such as gas emissions from aircraft, and water and energy consumption on the ground.
Objectives are set and checked each year as part of the ISO 14001 certification. The next audit is scheduled for July 2009.

The certificate was awarded by the certification agency AFNOR to Air France Chief Operating Office Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, who said, “ISO 14001 certification is an integral part of the company’s commitment to sustainable development. Encouraged in this way, the 63,000 staff members of Air France will all continue to focus their efforts on reducing the impact of our activities on the environment.”

London to Paris by rail in two hours

Air France-KLM boss Jean-Cyril Spinetta said he dreamed of seeing highspeed trains "in the colours of Air France", referring to TGV trains as " airplanes on wheels."

Major airlines are desperate to break into the increasingly lucrative market and run rival services to Eurostar.
Air France believes it can cut the journey time and a liberalisation of European railway laws will allow it to compete. Fares could also fall.

A new generation of trains is being introduced which are capable of carrying 900 passengers at an average speed of 224mph, 38mph faster than the current TGVs.
The current journey time to Paris is two hours 15 minutes at best.
Shrugging off the threat, Eurostar said the Air France announcement showed "high-speed rail has become the natural choice for shorthaul business and leisure trips to Europe".
The spokesman added: "It is cleaner, becoming quicker and with rising fuel costs the cheaper alternative to air travel."
Over the past few years thousands of passengers have switched from British Airways and Air France flights to Eurostar.

A spokesman for Air France-KLM in Paris said it hopes the London-Paris service will be up and running by October 2010, along with a Paris-Amsterdam one hour 30 minutes service.
Air France is liaising with Alstom, the maker of the TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) high-speed trains currently used across France and on the Eurostar service. It wants to buy or lease the new generation of Alstom AGVs.
Air France-KLM boss Jean-Cyril Spinetta said he dreamed of seeing highspeed trains "in the colours of Air France", referring to TGV trains as " airplanes on wheels." In April last year a specially modified Eurostar reached a speed of 357mph.
The move to introduce competition is the first of its kind and raises the possibility of other services from London.

Destinations which would be ideal include Amsterdam and Frankfurt, both of which would be within three hours.

Direct links to Lyon, Marseilles, Geneva and Bordeaux would also become possibilities with longer-distance trains, which could operate more like budget airlines.
SNCF, the French rail firm, has already introduced a service from Paris to Biarritz aimed at budget travellers.

Air France com grife de malas

Essa é para aqueles que gostam de viajar e de viajar com estilo!

A Air France e a Le Tanneur se uniram e lançaram seis modelos de malas assinados Air France by Le Tanneur.

Os nomes seguem o alfabeto aeronáutico: Delta, Echo e Tango para as malas rígidas, e Fox, Zulu e X-Ray para as maleáveis. A reputação da maior companhia aérea européia se uniu à perícia e ao conhecimento da fabricante de artigos de couro para produzir uma completa coleção de bagagens. Mais leve e fácil de carregar, elas estão disponíveis nas cores: cinza escuro, branco, chocolate, cinza claro, preto e vermelho cereja. E mais: elas vêm em duas versões, uma de mão, outra bagagem para despachar. O mais bacana de tudo?
De acordo com as novas regras de segurança da aviação que abrangem as limitações de líquidos na cabine, a bagagem de cabine Air France by Le Tanneur vem com o obrigatório saco plástico transparente. As malas estão à venda na loja online, ou nas lojas Le Tanneur na Europa, Japão, Rússia e Oriente Médio.

Air France awarded for innovative in-flight entertainment

The World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) has just awarded Air France the prize for the best single achievement in 2008 in Los Angeles. This prestigious prize recompenses the performance achieved by Air France in terms of inflight entertainment over the last 12 months.

In November 2007, Air France proposed a new system of video-on-demand to its customers on long-haul flights, which enabled it to increase the content of its inflight entertainment programme ten times over. The meticulous selection of 500 hours of programmes led to the production of some very original entertainment, some of which was exclusive and totally original.

Air France has always wanted all its customers to enjoy inflight entertainment and, to this end, it has phased in personal video systems in all long-haul cabins. With over 30,000 screens, Air France is Europe’s leading carrier to offer as many seats fitted with personal video systems.

“Air France has embarked on a process of ongoing innovation and service enhancement for all its customers. With this prestigious prize for inflight entertainment, we are delighted that these efforts have been rewarded today by the air transport industry” declared Patrick Roux, Vice President Marketing.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation Selected by Air France - KLM to Provide World Class Entertainment on Air France’s New B777-300ER

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems, today announced an agreement with Air France - KLM, the largest airline consortium, in terms of operating revenue, in the world. Under this agreement, Panasonic’s eX2 IFE system will be installed on ten (10) new B777-300ER aircraft of Air France. The first aircraft is scheduled to enter service March 2010.

With this selection, Panasonic will provide Air France a dynamic in-flight entertainment system including the features and functionality passengers expect from IFE today. Additionally, the eX2 product will provide Air France with a robust application and communication hosting platform that will allow them to truly tailor their IFE solution to meet their unique requirements. Air France will focus on differentiating their brand, and dramatically enhancing their passengers’ experience.

“Since early 2008, we have been operating Panasonic’s eX2 on our KLM B777s. We are now pleased to enter into an agreement with Panasonic to install eX2 on Air France’s B777-300ERs. The combination of our IFE programming recently recognized by the aviation industry’s 2008 WAEA Avion award, and Panasonic’s leading eX2 system, will allow Air France to provide the best entertainment to its clients. The Panasonic eX2 system was chosen for its reliability, space-saving and weight reduction which will truly improve our aircraft fuel efficiency. It is also Air France – KLM Group’s intention to leverage the synergy of Panasonic eX2 currently operating on KLM B777-300ERs,” said Patrick Roux, SVP of Marketing, Air France - KLM.

“This is a proud moment for us to be chosen by Air France - KLM,” said Yasu Enokido, President of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “We are excited to contribute to their success and to continue our longstanding relationship with Air France - KLM.”

Air France Trains

Air France is starting a high-speed train service to compete with the successful TGV:

To hear Air France tell it, they don't really have a choice but to collaborate with the enemy. "Limiting our activity to aircraft operations and ignoring market trends constitutes a risk," Air France CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said at a shareholder meeting in July. "We have reached the logical conclusion that we need to seriously examine the possibility for Air France to operate trains under the Air France brand to several destinations in partnership with a rail service provider."

The World Air Transport Forum is being held in Paris this year

After 16 years in the south of France, the World Air Transport Forum is coming to Paris to mark the 17th time this major industry event has taken place. An audience of over 300 airline and aviation specialists is expected to attend this independent high-level executive event
As 2008 enters its final few months the 17th World Air Transport Forum will provide an ideal staging post to review with some of the industry's top executives how much the industry has changed this year, and to analyse how much it could possibly change again in 2009.

Billed as one of the industry's largest independent air transport conferences, WAF this year is being held in the French capital Paris. For the first 16 years of its life, WAF founder Jean-Louis Baroux, who is also the president of airline services group APG Global Associates, organised the event in Cannes in the south of France.
One of the main events of WAF is the Air Transport Debate, moderated by event chairman and former IATA director general Pierre Jeanniot. This will feature the forthright views of former American Airlines head Bob Crandall James Hogan, the chief executive of Etihad Airways Mohamad El Hout, director general of Middle East Airlines Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways and Lionel Guerin, president of Airlinair/Transavia.com.
With mergers, acquisitions and consolidation top of the agenda for several carriers, the ability of any player to compete freely in the markets of their choice is of critical importance. To this end the topic of industry liberalisation will be debated by former US Department of Transportation official Jeffrey Shane, Association of Latin American Airlines head Alex de Gunten and Driss Benhima, the chief executive of Royal Air Maroc. This will be preceded by a keynote presentation from Virgin Atlantic Airways chief executive Steve Ridgway.
Airports are strongly represented at the event with major presentations by Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai Airports, and Angela Gittens, the new director general of the Airports Council International.
The topic of rail travel, and how air and rail could collaborate more closely in the future, will be addressed by Guillaume Pepy, the president of French national rail company SNCF and Air-France-KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta.

World Air Transport Forum
29-31 October 2008
Le Grand Intercontinental Hotel Paris
Contact: Catherine Vaurillon
Tel: +33 153771345
www.waf2008.com

Mais um passo para surgir a maior empresa aérea do mundo

Em assembléias separadas, os da Northwest em Nova York e os da Delta Air Lines em Atlanta, os acionistas das duas companhias aprovaram a proposta de fusão que, caso venha a ser concretizada, fará surgir a maior empresa aérea do mundo. A decisão jurídica sobre a fusão deverá ser tomada no dia 5 de novembro, em San Francisco. Durante o processo de integração, a Northwest vai se transformar em subsidiária. No período de 15 a 18 meses, a Delta espera obter um certificado único de operação junto à Administração Federal de Aviação dos EUA. A nova empresa deverá conservar somente o nome de Delta e a base principal em Atlanta. O principal executivo também já está definido: Richard Anderson.

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

Czech Airlines Upgraded its Airbus A310 for Flights to New York

Czech Airlines modernised the Airbus A310 deployed on its scheduled service between Prague and New York. In recent weeks, the aircraft underwent a large inspection connected with a major change in its interior, including seat modernisation. The plane also received the new Czech Airlines livery.

Passengers first encountered the renovated airplane on the Prague-New York route on Sunday 27 July. “By upgrading the interior, we are trying to meet our passengers’ demands and improve their comfort during the flight,” said Czech Airlines’ Vice-President for Marketing and Product Development, Petr Pištělák.

As a part of the planned IL-check inspection, which is one of the most extensive heavy-maintenance inspections, the aircraft’s interior was significantly upgraded. The wallpaper and paint are new, and any damaged plastic or composite items in the cabin, galley, and washrooms were replaced. The carpeting is also new. Seats underwent a general repair and received new upholstery in the new Czech Airlines colours.

An IL-check on Airbus A310-type aircraft is carried out after 72 months of operation. The inspection involves a comprehensive check of the aircraft’s structure and all of its systems.

Source: Czech Airlines

Aeroflot finished fifth place in the market research SoFie (Survey of Flights in Europe) commissioned by IATA

Service quality on board was asked on 20 routes: Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Vienna, Dusseldorf, Geneva, Kopenhagen, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rome, Sochi, Frankfurt and Zurich. Thirteen of the leading airlines took part in the survey: Air France, Finnair, Czech Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Swiss, Malev, Austrian, SAS, British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airline and Aeroflot.

Aeroflot customers are satisfied with service on European routes and rate the level of service well above average. As a result Aeroflot not only finished fifth place in both Economy and Business Class but also made sure to be among the top airlines in Europe.

Moreover value for money was also rated higher than average. Aeroflot managed to maintain her fifth place in Business Class and actually made third place in Economy Class.

Service on board Aeroflot in Business as well as Economy Class is on a very high level according to passengers.

Aeroflot also reached third place concerning boarding and on-time statistics. Passengers awarded Aeroflot second place in Business Class and fifth place in Economy Class for cabin comfort. The standing in the category meals and drinks could be improved, Aeroflot now finished fourth. Regarding the selection and quality of video programmes Aeroflot clearly succeed and finished on top of the ranking.

According to Aeroflot commercial director Alexey Sidorov this performance attests to positive dynamics. Thanks to the induced activities the goal to finish among the top five European airlines in this survey could be achieved now instead of 2010.

Source: Aeroflot

Qantas safety record

SYDNEY -- Australia's Qantas Airways has never lost a jet plane to an accident but there have been a number of scares involving the iconic airline known as the "Flying Kangaroo."
Its record was emphasized in the 1988 movie "Rainman" when an autistic character played by Dustin Hoffman insisted on flying with the airline because it had never a fatal jet crash.

• Qantas and its subsidiaries were operating a fleet of 216 aircraft serving 140 destinations in 37 countries as of December 2007, according to the company's website.

• The website also declares: "Qantas' reputation in the field of aviation safety is recognized worldwide. The Qantas brand is built on the group's strong flight safety record and safety is at the core of all group activities."

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, News Ltd, Qantas websites

Hole forces Qantas plane to land

EMERGENCY LANDING. Australian pilot Captain John Francis Barters (R) looks at the damage to a Qantas Airways plane after it made an emergency landing. The plane landed after plunging thousands of feet and losing cabin pressure during a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne.

Passengers on a Qantas jumbo jet bound for Melbourne told how the plane plunged 6,000 meters and debris flew through the cabin in an "absolutely terrifying" mid-flight ordeal Friday. The Qantas Boeing 747-400 plane, carrying 346 passengers and 19 crew, made an emergency landing in the Philippine capital Manila after a rupture in its fuselage.

Stunned passengers reported how the jumbo, which had taken off from London and made a stopover in Hong Kong, plunged nearly 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) in what one said was an "absolutely terrifying" ordeal.

• Planes are pressurised as cruising altitudes are freezing and lack sufficient oxygen to breathe
• Hole causes decompression, rapidly reducing air pressure and risking exposure
• Oxygen masks are deployed and pilot makes emergency descent to breathable altitude

Though a loud bang was heard and wind rushed into the plane, passengers remained calm, donning oxygen masks as the pilot made the emergency descent.

An urgent investigation is underway into what punched a hole of about three meters in diameter into the fuselage near the right wing.

Qantas chief executive officer Geoff Dixon said initial inspections showed the aircraft had sustained a hole in its fuselage, and it was being inspected by engineers.
He said the flight crew performed emergency procedures after oxygen masks were deployed and there were no reports of any injuries.

Qantas Airways boasts of its safety record, having never lost a jet to an accident. In the 1988 film "Rain Man," an autistic character played by Dustin Hoffman insists on flying with the airline precisely for that reason.

Qantas flight QF30, which took off from Hong Kong at 9:00 a.m. (0100 GMT), had been due to arrive in Melbourne at 1145 GMT, according to the Qantas website. June Kane, a passenger on that flight said the problem appeared to centre on the baggage compartment of the plane.

Qantas said a replacement plane would collect the passengers and crew later Friday and fly them overnight to Melbourne.

Safely off the plane, some passengers exchanged high fives while another smoked a cigarette.

Delta to launch non-stop service between New York and Bonaire

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will launch a new non-stop service between New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles, starting December 20, 2008.

The new flight from New York to Bonaire complements Delta's existing flight between Atlanta and Bonaire. Delta is offering customers a one-way introductory fare of $239 for travel between January 10, 2009, and April 4, 2009. Round-trip ticket purchase is required and tickets must be purchased by August 6, 2008.
Christophe Didier, vice president of sales and government affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean at Delta, said: "The Caribbean is a big part of our international expansion strategy as we add service and increase frequencies to popular beach destinations during the winter months."

Ronaldinho's flight of fancy

Air France's chief stewardess Hurpin Odile (right) celebrates her last flight after 30 years of service with a picture with Ronaldinho.

WE KNOW about his amazing football tricks and skills.

But do you know what is Ronaldinho's favourite food?

Serve him a plate of foie gras, which means goose liver in French, and the buck-toothed Brazilian superstar is likely to flash his megawatt smile.

Ronaldinho, who is one of three overaged players named in Brazil's Under-23 Olympic football squad, showed a special liking for the French delicacy during his Air France flight from Paris to Singapore yesterday.

'He didn't finish much of his food except for the foie gras, which he told me in Portuguese that it was very good,' Ms Benedicte, an Air France stewardess who served him on the flight, told upon her arrival yesterday.

Besides foie gras, Ronaldinho seems to prefer beef as his choice of meat.

That was what he chose over chicken and prawns for his main course.

Asked if Ronaldinho, who is known to be a party animal, consumed any alcohol on the plane, Benedicte said: 'No, he abstained from alcohol. I guess because he's a professional footballer.'

Despite his superstar status, Benedicte said that Ronaldinho was 'very friendly and courteous' towards the crew members.

The newly-signed AC Milan star spent most of his time on the 12-hour flight listening to his iPod and catching up on his sleep.

Benedicte said: 'They were obviously very tired from the long flight from Brazil.

'Ronaldinho slept very soundly throughout the flight.'

The Brazilians' arrival yesterday created a stir at Changi Airport, where about 500 fans had gathered to welcome them. But not many people on board flight AF256 knew that they were on the same flight as the samba boys. It is understood that the Brazilians were ushered into their business class seats only after the bulk of the passengers had boarded the plane. Singaporean Joseph Kwek, who bought an economy seat, only realised that he was in the company of the samba boys after the plane landed. 'It was too late by the time I saw them. We had already touched down by then. I only managed to take a picture of them from far as we were not allowed to get close to them,' lamented the 26-year-old bank officer.

Below, flight stewards Legeard Stephan (left) and Dieu Adrien are delighted to get their pictures taken with the Brazilian superstar too.


FAMOUS

Not even the crew members were informed of the Brazilians' presence.
It was not until the players decked out in their famous yellow and green shirts boarded the plane that they realised that the samba boys were on the flight.
Once the plane landed, the crew members mobbed the players for photographs.
No prizes for guessing who was the most sought-after player.
Whipping out their handphones, Air France stewards Legeard Stephan and Dieu Adrien proudly showed this reporter the photos they took with Ronaldinho.
Stephan said: 'Ronaldinho was really friendly. He obliged with all the requests for photographs and autographs.'
Hurpin Odile was one of the lucky ones who got a photo with Ronaldinho.
It was a nice moment for the Air France chief stewardess, who was serving on her last flight before she goes into retirement.
The Frenchwoman told: 'This is actually my last flight before I retire after 30 years of service.
'My daughter lives in Brazil and is a big fan of Ronaldinho.
'She'll be thrilled to see this picture.'

Azul começa treinamento da equipe

Começou na segunda, 21/07, o treinamento de pilotos, comissários e técnicos em manutenção na sede da Azul em Barueri (SP). O programa de treinamento foi aprovado pela Anac e deve se estender até agosto para os comissários e até setembro para os pilotos. A empresa planeja começar suas operações em dezembro de 2008 ou nos primeiros meses de 2009. A turma inicial é de 15 comissários e 10 pilotos que estarão em treinamento conjunto para depois receberem capacitações específicas em separado. Em seguida, os comissários irão para a Embraer, em São José dos Campos e os pilotos para Orlando nos Estados Unidos, onde serão treinados em simuladores de vôo. Os técnicos de manutenção e chefes de equipes de terra, que atuarão nos aeroportos estão tendo 40 dias de treinamento também na Embraer.