Air Austral to start SYD flights

[James Smith]

Not sure why QF's Paris aspiration is mentioned.

I've previously read reports that Qantas would return to Paris if they can get rights to operate a daily service.

What ever happened to UTA?

Not only UTA, but AOM and Air France operated services to Paris from Sydney.

[Jim Liu]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Good to see the Europeans coming back out. If KLM made a come back, it would add some colour to ours shores as well.What ever happened to UTA? Did AIr France swallow them up as well?

Air France absorbed UTA and Air Inter during the early 90s restructure, I think

[Scott Lindsell]

Volcano erupts on Reunion. Hopefully doesn't change any start up plans. Shouldn't if start up is April next year though.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080921...reunionvolcano

Scott.

[Justin L]

Air Austral's Sydney flights have been retimed and has an aircraft change according to Airline Route Updates (http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/)

Air Austral retimes Sydney/Noumea schedule
Air Austral on Amadeus timetable update on 13NOV08 is display new schedule of the new Paris CDG - St Denis de la Reunion - Sydney - Noumea route, which is set to launch on 15APR09

Also, service is operated by 777-200ER instead of -300ER. The 777-300ER is to enter service from 01JUL09

UU771 CDG0850 - 2145RUN2335 - 1555+1SYD1740+1 - 2125+1NOU 772 7
UU771 CDG2250 - 1145+1RUN1345+1 - 0605+2SYD0755+2 - 1140+2NOU 772 3

UU772 NOU0800 - 1020SYD1210 - 1825RUN2015 - 0530+1CDG 772 6
UU772 NOU0915 - 1135SYD1325 - 1940RUN2130 - 0645+1CDG 772 2


Original planned schedule
UU771 CDG2250 - 1145+1RUN1345+1 - 0605+2SYD0750 - 1135+2NOU 77W 36
UU772 NOU0820 - 1020SYD1210 - 1825RUN2015 - 0530+1CDG 77W 26

[Jim Liu]

AirCalin is codesharing with Air Austral on NOU-SYD. Local traffic right can only be booked by using "SB" code not "UU"

[James Smith]

I wonder how the Air Calin codeshare with Austral will affect the QANTAS codeshare with Air Calin which clashes with QANTAS' Saturday inbound service to Sydney.

Also, will Air Calin continue to operate their own services to Sydney on Tuesday and Friday?

[Jim Liu]

Originally Posted by James Smith

I wonder how the Air Calin codeshare with Austral will affect the QANTAS codeshare with Air Calin which clashes with QANTAS' Saturday inbound service to Sydney.

Also, will Air Calin continue to operate their own services to Sydney on Tuesday and Friday?

So far it doesn't affect its codeshare agreement with QANTAS

AirCalin is basically offering "extra" flights by codesharing with UU

[Robert M]

Air Austral has now set up an Australian web site to help launch the new service.

http://www.airaustral.com.au/

Interestingly, the 777-300 will feature flat bed seats in Business and AVOD in all classes when delivered mid year (they've been delayed by the Boeing strike).

R

[Steve Crook]

I too will be very happy to see a new entrant on the international sector, especially one that introduces a whole new route with a new destination. The one slight downside for me is that Air Austral have gone down the same track as Emirates and given their 777s a 10 abreast configuration in economy. I found that to have a very cramped feeling. But nonetheless given half a chance I'd jump at trying them out.

[Andrew P]

per Airline Route Update

As per 14JAN09 Amadeus timetable display, Air Austral has shelved the plan to utilize Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the new St Denis de la Reunion - Sydney - Noumea route.

Initially service to be operated by 777-300ER from April 2009, coinciding with the launch of this route. However, it was then postponed till July 2009.

The route will remain 2 weekly 777-200ER.

All 777-300ER aircraft is now being designated to operate service on St Denis de la Reunion - Paris CDG only, 6 times a week