IAGblog Podcasts

There are hot rumors that the travel industry's global distribution systems might be thinking of a grand "get together". This sort of move would cause something of a ripple to spread around the industry as airlines and other vendors already don't like the the costs the systems add to their sales channels. Airlines have especially been aggressive in developing alternatives like website sales. But Michele McDonald, editor of Travel Technology Update explains that the industry has been through this before. Moreover she suggests that if Travelport and Amadeus get together the combined firm might split into two pieces.

Its tough being in the oneworld alliance - beset with challenges in EU and US and now in Japan. JAL is in trouble and nobody can quite make out what is happening - its all covered in true, timeless Japanese opacity. Meanwhile there are the issues with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia.

Discussing these issues are Ron Kuhlman, a columnist for The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and Managing Partner for oneworld, John McCullogh. These are vexing days in the airline industry in general. Being involved with oneworld is even more complex.

There is much excitement over the news that Lufthansa is bringing back FlyNet. It was a service that was appreciated by some 30,000 people per month at its peak - or ~20% of the long haul seats the airline flew.

Although Lufthansa plans to add the service to its 95 long haul planes, Jennifer Janzen, Lufthansa's Communications Manager in New York tells us the A380s are going to take a while to be included. Lufthansa is focusing on its own fleet before adding Swiss and Austrian. This is clearly a deliberate strategic move that puts the airline ahead of its network EU competition.

A very excited Panasonic made official what many have known for some time - Lufthansa is back in the in-flight Internet space. The original pioneer with Connexion, Lufthansa was more than a bit irritated when Boeing shut down the service. As evidence, listen to our second podcast with Lufthansa's Bernhard Seiter back in 2005 here.

David Bruner, VP Global Communication Services at Panasonic took our call in Frankfurt today and tells us about the news and shares some thoughts on how they will partner with the airline.

At this year's WAEA, we had a chance to catch up with Row44, which announced a novel concept for in-flight WiFi. Passengers now have access to a walled garden of content without having to buy internet access. The "Skytown Service" has content that is browsed via a WiFi device - like online shopping, destination information and even messaging. This content is supported by advertising and e-commerce. Think SkyMall magazine without the paper.

It is likely to be an effective way for passengers to get comfortable with in-flight WiFi without paying. It seems like a great idea and we suspect it will be very successful.

A this year's WAEA conference in Palm Springs, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to catch up with AirCell's EVP John Happ. John explains that AirCell is still growing rapidly - their fleet size is approaching 600 aircraft and will be at 700 by year end. This number is expected to double in 2010.

Interestingly he tells us the firm will be talking about an option for beyond the shoreline option next year. He also notes the business model remains in flux - "optimization is a challenge". Approximately 85% of users access the system from a laptop - and of the remainder, some two thirds access is from an iPhone.

Perry Flint is Editorial Director at Air Transport World and joins us each month to discuss a topic facing commercial aviation. This month it is the much mentioned green shoots some airline managers have been talking about. Perry doesn't see green shoots. In fact he sees some fundamental issues airlines need to be thinking about, not least of which is the rise in digital communications.

Having spent part one speaking about the amazing heritage of Europe's aerospace industry, in part two we discuss the movement of the skills. Where did the engineers go?

While some went off to join firms like Bombardier, Airbus and even Embraer, many stayed in the EU. Indeed, Europe has seen a resurgent design sector with top class design shops like GCT and Ferchau supplying their designs to the top tier aerospace manufacturers.

These firms represent a new type of aerospace output from Europe. Top class design and manufacturing which is just in time for the global outsourcing in this industry.

Antione Viollet is assistant editor of Air-Scoop, a leading source of insight into the LCC business. Just back from this year's conference, he shares his thoughts on what he saw and heard. There was, as you can imagine, a lot of talk about survival. Not so long ago the talk was about eco-friendly operations and high fuel prices. But the world has moved on and the new crisis is economic, so eco-friendly ops goes on the back burner.

The EU was famous for its splendid aerospace - Fokker, BAe, SAAB, Aerospatiale, CASA, Dornier. Any enthusiast knows these names. So what happened over the last decade? These fabulous names and great products disappeared. What happened to the technologies, people and creativity?

Fokker invented the regional jet concept decades ago. SAAB made an awesome turboprop - best in class. Dornier had a winner in its 728 - its the design now seen in SuperJet and CSeries. BAe's RJ was also ahead of its time.

Erkan Pinar and Jonathan Norris work in the industry and share their thoughts on this fantastic heritage and we lament on what was and might have been. Myopia killed a lot of great talent - talent now scattered around the world. And, without question, its the EU's loss.

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