British Airways is lining up Hong Kong as its first Airbus A380 service next winter.
BA chairman Sir Martin Broughton hinted that the Far Eastern city was likely to be the first destination when the airline receives its first superjumbo in 2013.
Broughton, who was speaking in Dubai as the carrier marked its 80th anniversary of flying to the Middle East, said: “It's not confirmed but my guess is it would be Hong Kong, although Madrid will probably be the test flight.”
He said - contrary to some reports – that the carrier's superjumbo plans seem to be veering more east than west.
“People keep saying New York, but remember we have the schedules there, so the bigger the aircraft, the more you reduce the schedule,” he added.
BA is due to receive its first A380 in July 2013 with further deliveries scheduled for September and November next year. The airline is also set to take delivery of its first Boeing B787 Dreamliner in May next year. Both aircraft will be going into service for winter 2013/14.
http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/1717853-ba-confirms-delivery-dates-first-a380s-and-dreamliners
At the public address in Dubai, Broughton said it was right at the “end of the process” of the integration of Bmi.
“We will operate 15 per cent more flights in this year's schedule, and they include five destinations in central Asia which we intend to do with flatbeds in Club,” said Broughton.
It has been a dramatic week in the Gulf’s aviation sector, with Etihad teaming up with Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways joining Oneworld.
http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/0917940-qatar-airways-join-oneworld
http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/0817932-etihad-signs-codeshare-deal-air-france-klm
Broughton said partnerships were “critical” to survive in the airline industry, and parent company IAG was constantly looking at how it could become “bigger and stronger as a business”.
Broughton said of Qatar joining Oneworld: “I think it's a fantastic move forward. It's the first time a major airline based in the Gulf is signing on to join one of the major global alliances.
“It will further strengthen our links with the region and allow more customers to connect with ease on our network.”