News in Brief: November 26 2009

KLM, Swiss and Oman Air

KLM flies first biofuel flight with passengers

KLM has operated the first flight to be powered by biofuel with passengers on board.

The flight, carrying 40 passengers, flew for one hour from Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

One of the plane's engines was powered by a mix of traditional jet fuel and a plant-based biofuel, made from camelina.

KLM's ceo Peter Hartman said that clean, silent and sustainable air transport is technically feasible.

"We have demonstrated that it is possible," said Mr Hartman.

"Government, industry and society at large must now join forces to ensure that we quickly gain access to a continuous supply of biofuel."

www.klm.com

Swiss expands London-Geneva service

Swiss International Airlines will increase services on its London-Geneva-route, with six extra flights daily from January 10.

The Lufthansa-owned airline will also add one London-Zurich flight a week, leaving from City airport every Saturday.

Heathrow-Geneva flights will operate under a codeshare system with bmi, which is also owned by the Lufthansa Group.

Bmi will provide one of the two A320s on the route, until Swiss begins operating out of Geneva using its own fleet next year.

In the future, all Swiss flights between the UK and Switzerland will operate on a codeshare basis with Bmi.

www.swiss.com

Oman Air launches three-class A330s from LHR

Oman Air has rostered its new A330-300 aircraft on to the Heathrow-Muscat route this week, featuring brand new first, business and economy seats.

In-flight internet and mobile phone access will follow in the new year.

The new aircraft features 20 fully-flat business class seats with "buddy seats" to allow companion dining, and six first-class "Mini Suites" which convert into 82-inch flat beds.

As well as adding the A330-300 to the London route this week, Oman Air has recently commenced routes between Muscat and Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, served by either the three-class A330-300 or new two-class A330-200 aircraft (which also feature the fully-flat business class product).

From early next year passengers on the London route will also be able to access wifi internet in-flight through OnAir, as well as make and receive mobile phone calls.

www.omanair.aero