Norwegian intends to start long-haul operations in 2013, using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. In October 2009, the airline announced its intention to start flights from Oslo to New York and Bangkok, requiring new intercontinental aircraft, and in 2010 it announced that it was considering up to 15 intercontinental destinations from Scandinavian capitals. The company has announced firm orders for six B787 Dreamliners, each seating up to 291 passengers. The first three aircraft will be delivered in 2013, two more in 2014 and one in 2015. Norwegian is also aiming for further expansion.

The 787 is Boeing’s most fuel efficient airliner, featuring  pioneering innovations including improved aerodynamics, greater use of lightweight composite materials and the most sophisticated flight control system on any commercial jet. The longest range B787 variant can fly up to 8,500 nautical miles, or up to 15,700 km, enabling the aircraft to fly nonstop on routes such as Los Angeles to Bangkok or New York City to Hong Kong.

For eligible pilots, the course to obtain a B787 Dreamliner type rating takes 24 days, although a current type-rating on other Boeing types can reduce training time by up to eight days. To qualify for a shortened course applicant pilots must be current on a Boeing fleet with a valid PC and three landings in the last 90 days. Training for Norwegian will be undertaken at a Boeing Training Centre in Seattle or at London Gatwick.

Pilots with the relevant Boeing experience who would like to fly Boeing 787s for Norwegian can apply online at www.rishworthaviation.com.

About Rishworth Aviation

Rishworth Aviation is a global leader in recruitment and leasing of aircrew and aviation professionals. The company has offices in Europe and Asia and currently serves clients in 25 countries.  Having assisted over 100 airlines, Rishworth has more than 500 aircrew on assignment from markets including Europe, North and South America, and a database of over 50,000 registered aircrew to whom it can promote its clients’ aircrew opportunities, via a leading-edge interactive web portal. For more information visit www.rishworthaviation.com

Until 28 May 2012, fares between Auckland and Papeete, Tahiti, are priced from just NZD$905 return for Economy Class travel and from NZD$2,530 for Business Class.

To complement these special autumn fares, Air Tahiti Nui and Our Pacific are also offering a range of all-inclusive packages from just NZD$1,549 per person. Packages include return Economy Class flights with Air Tahiti Nui between Auckland and Papeete, accommodation, transfers and some meals.

Four nights in Tahiti from NZD$1,549: For a short break you can’t beat this package which includes four nights at the Le Meridien Tahiti Resort, bonus breakfasts daily, bonus resort credits and an upgrade to a Deluxe Ocean View Room.

Seven nights in Moorea and Tahiti from NZD$2,199: Experience the beauty of Tahiti and Moorea with a night at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort at either end of your holiday and five nights in between at the InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa, with bonus daily breakfasts.

Seven nights in Tahiti and Bora Bora from NZD$2,999: Spoil yourself with two nights at the Sofitel Tahiti Maeva Beach Resort and five nights at the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach in a Luxury Garden Bungalow.  Enjoy bonus daily breakfasts and dinners in Bora Bora and daily breakfasts in Tahiti.

These deals are priced per person, including taxes, and must be booked before 28 May 2012.

The autumn airfare is valid for travel between 23 August and 10 December 2012. Packages are valid for travel from now until 10 December 2012 and prices are based on twin share accommodation.

Prices are subject to availability on requested dates of travel and taxes can change without notice. Some conditions apply.

Air Tahiti Nui is the international airline of Tahiti and her islands and offers two weekly nonstop flights, departing each Thursday and Sunday from Auckland to Papeete, Tahiti. For more information or to make a booking see your preferred travel agent, visit www.airtahitinui.co.nz, or call Air Tahiti Nui on 09 308 3360.

Until Sunday, 13 May, return Economy Class flights to Papeete, Tahiti are priced from just AUD$1,219 ex Melbourne, AUD$1,238 ex Sydney and AUD$1,241 ex Brisbane.

Business Class fares also are available from AUD$3,370 ex Melbourne, AUD$3,389 ex Sydney and AUD$3,392 ex Brisbane.

With savings this big, now is the time to soak up some sun on Tahiti’s beautiful beaches, relax at a Polynesian spa or experience snorkeling and deep sea diving at one of the world’s most desirable destinations.

As well as hospitable Tahitian service and world-class cuisine, Business Class customers will also be treated to large comfy seats in a spacious cabin and personal video screens offering movies, music and games. In Economy Class passengers will enjoy personal video screens, amenity kits, a choice of main course dining pleasures and Air Tahiti Nui’s award-winning services.

Travel must be completed between 23 August 2012 and 10 December 2012. Fares are priced per person, including taxes, and are correct as of 9 May 2012. These fares are subject to availability on requested dates of travel. Some conditions apply and taxes can change without notice.

To book flights see your preferred travel agent or call Air Tahiti Nui on 1300 732 415.

Air Tahiti Nui is the international airline of Tahiti and her islands and offers two weekly departures from Sydney to Tahiti, each Thursday and Sunday. For a comprehensive range of special Tahitian Island Resort Holiday offers with airfares included, visit www.airtahitinui.com.au.

ATR has marked an important stage in its history with the delivery of its 1,000th aircraft, an ATR 72-600 which will be decked out in the colours of the Spanish airline Air Nostrum, which has a commercial agreement with Iberia. This delivery symbolizes the success and sustainability of the ATR program and the ATR 42 and ATR 72 family of aircraft. ATR, which delivered its very first ATR 42 on December 3rd, 1985 to the French airline Air Littoral, today joins the exclusive ranks of aircraft manufacturers having delivered 1,000 planes.

The delivery of this aircraft, which is configured for 72 passengers and powered by two PW127M turboprop engines, took place in Toulouse and was attended by many of the world leaders in aerospace, including the CEOs of the EADS and Finmeccanica groups, Louis Gallois and Giuseppe Orsi respectively.

“Today, ATR planes are present in over 90 countries and are flown by 180 airlines. Few programs can boast such a global presence”, said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. “Over the years, ATR aircraft have established themselves as the benchmark in regional aviation on all continents. We are very proud of the resilience that ATR has demonstrated since the launch of the program. The perseverance, the unfailing commitment to our turboprop aircraft and their many benefits for regional airlines are what allow us to celebrate the 1,000th delivery today, and these same qualities will continue to provide us with opportunities in the years to come.”

Since the recovery of the turboprop market in 2005, ATR has recorded almost half of all of its orders and delivered nearly a third of its aircraft. In 2011, a record year for the Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer which posted 157 firm sales, ATR represented over 80% of international sales of regional aircraft with 90 seats or less.

Concerning these figures, Filippo Bagnato added: “The trend in regional aviation shows an increasingly pronounced predominance of turboprop technology in the 90-seat or less aircraft segment. Turboprops and ATR planes in particular, are also the best suited aircraft to meet the increasing environmental requirements of airlines and passengers.” And he concluded: “We would also like to thank all of our customers and ATR operators who, from the launch of the program, have placed their trust in us and who enable us today to look ahead to new, ever more ambitious opportunities.”

ATR aircraft offer some of the lowest fuel consumption rates and operating costs among all regional aircraft, for both jets and turboprops combined. The new -600 series ATR aircraft, like the one delivered today, are equipped with all the latest innovations in terms of passenger comfort, featuring, in particular, the Armonia cabin which was recently recognized at the “Good Design Awards” in Chicago. They are also equipped with a new glass cockpit avionics suite integrating all the latest tools in terms of navigational aids.

Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency in 2011, the ATR “-600s” have become the new regional benchmark in terms of modernity, comfort and savings, thus further confirming the predominant trend of ATR planes worldwide.

The new A330 was flown nonstop from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, to Los Angeles this past Friday, where it underwent final preparations over the weekend before making its inaugural commercial flight today to Honolulu as Hawaiian Flight #3 carrying 245 passengers.

Hawaiian plans to use the 294-seat A330 primarily for its daily nonstop service between Sydney and Honolulu, with the transition to the larger aircraft from the 264-seat Boeing 767-300ER adding nearly 11,000 more air seats annually to the route.

Hawaiian has named its latest A330 Heiheionakeiki, the Hawaiian name to describe the “Belt and Sword of Orion” constellation. All of Hawaiian’s new A330s are named for a constellation or star used by the ancient Polynesians for celestial navigation when making their voyages across the Pacific to Hawaii.

Heiheionakeiki is the second of four new A330s to join Hawaiian’s fleet this year, with the remaining two A330s being delivered in May and June, which will bring the company total to nine. Hawaiian is taking delivery of 13 new A330s between 2013 and 2015.

The new A330s are more fuel-efficient and have a longer operating range than the B767s, giving Hawaiian the option to open new nonstop routes between Hawaii and points throughout North America and eastern Asia.

In addition, all of Hawaiian’s wide-body, twin-aisle A330s offer customer amenities that include a spacious interior highlighted by increased legroom, and state-of-the-art, on-demand entertainment system with high-resolution LCD touch-screen monitor in each seatback.

The wide-body Airbus A330s have 30 more seats that the current Boeing 767-300ERs, which have served the Sydney-Honolulu route since May 2004, when Hawaiian entered this market with four weekly nonstop flights. The new aircraft will add nearly 11,000 seats annually.

Hawaiian’s first A330 to Australia is due to leave Honolulu as flight HA 451 at 11:45am local time on Tuesday, or 09:45am Sydney time on Wednesday. It is scheduled to arrive in Sydney at 7:20pm Wednesday, before returning to Hawaii as flight HA 452.

“Travel from Australia to Hawaii is booming,” said Sherilyn Robinson, General Manager Sales and Marketing for Hawaiian Airlines in Australia.

“Introducing our new A330 aircraft will help meet growing demand and will further improve the travel experience for our customers,” Ms Robinson said. “Our new A330s can seat 30 more passengers than the Boeing 767s, which means a capacity increase of 11% per flight, or the equivalent of 41 additional 767 flights in a full year. The Airbuses also have more spacious cabins, and all passengers have in-seat video and games entertainment.”

The A330 features high-resolution LCD touch-screen monitors installed in each seatback, enabling customers to choose from a wide range of movies, TV programs, music, and video games, while also offering a USB port for the use of their own personal media players.

From Honolulu, Hawaiian operates frequent flights to the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, as well as to 10 US mainland cities – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego and Phoenix.

The growth continues, with daily nonstop flights between Honolulu and New York City commencing on 04 June. Passengers arriving from Sydney can connect in Honolulu with the new NYC services.

Through a partnership with Virgin Australia, passengers from 18 destinations around Australia can connect with Hawaiian’s nightly flights from Sydney.

Passengers can also enjoy Hawaiian’s signature “Hawaii Flies With Us” onboard experience which engages customers with a showcase of the culture, people, natural beauty, and Aloha Spirit of the Hawaiian Islands.

For more information about Hawaiian Airlines or to make a booking contact travel agents, call Hawaiian reservations on 1300 669 106 or visit www.hawaiianairlines.com.au.

Hertz Australia has signed a key sponsorship agreement with the Melbourne Football Club, coinciding with the inaugural Jim Stynes Tribute Game, to be played this Sunday, 22 April, against the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The deal renews a partnership between Hertz and Melbourne dating back to the mid- 1980s, soon after Jim Stynes joined Melbourne as one of the first Australian Rules recruits from Ireland.

“Melbourne became the first Australian Rules club when it was formed in 1858, and Hertz invented car rental in 1918,” said Chris Rusden, Region Vice President, Managing Director Australasia of Hertz. “It is only fitting that two pioneers in their respective fields join together in a mutually beneficial partnership.

“Both organisations are major brands with long, proud histories, but continue to innovate and look toward the future, and we are excited by the opportunities that this partnership presents,” Mr Rusden said. “We are also delighted to be returning to the Melbourne Football Club as a major corporate supporter, particularly on the weekend of the inaugural Jim Stynes Tribute Game, which is a significant event for the club and its supporters.”

Melbourne Football Club President Don McLardy said: “We are rapt to welcome Hertz back to the Melbourne Football Club family.  Jim Stynes was actually wearing a Melbourne jumper with a Hertz logo on it in his very first training run with the Club back in 1984. For Hertz to be back with the Club as we celebrate Jim’s life this weekend couldn’t be more fitting.  I know our members and supporters will support Hertz the same way it has supported us”.

Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 146 countries, including over 200 locations in Australia. For more information about Hertz in Australia, or to make a booking, visit www.hertz.com.au.

Until 27 April, 2012, Business Class flights are priced from just NZ$6,450 return from Auckland to Los Angeles.

Flights are via Papeete, so travellers have the option to stop over in tropical Tahiti to soak up some sunshine before or after seeing the stars in Hollywood, shopping on Rodeo Drive and visiting Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland.

Club Poerava Business Class passengers will be treated to hospitable Tahitian service, world-class cuisine, large, comfy seats in a spacious cabin and personal video screens with first-run movies, music and games.

Travel must be completed by 30 November 2012. Fares are per person, include taxes, and are correct as of 13 April 2012. These fares are subject to availability on requested dates of travel. Seats are limited at these prices, some conditions apply and taxes can change without notice.

To book flights see your preferred travel agent, visit www.airtahitinui.co.nz, or call Air Tahiti Nui on 09 308 3360.

Air Tahiti Nui is the international airline of Tahiti and her islands and offers two weekly nonstop flights, departing each Thursday and Sunday from Auckland to Papeete, French Polynesia.

Until 27 April, 2012, passengers can save up to NZ$150 per person on Economy Class fares when travelling from Auckland to the US, via Tahiti, with return flights starting from just NZ$1,644 to Los Angeles.

Air Tahiti Nui has also joined forces with partner airlines to offer flights beyond LA to over 100 US destinations including:
•    Las Vegas from NZ$1,870,
•    Seattle from NZ$2,016,
•    Dallas from NZ$2,100 and
•    New York, Washington or Atlanta from NZ$2,162.

See the Statue of Liberty in New York, try your luck in Las Vegas, see the White House in Washington or watch the Dallas cowboys battle it out on home turf – the choices are endless!

Travellers also have the option to stop over in Tahiti to enjoy some sunshine before or after discovering the US.

Flights are operated by Air Tahiti Nui from Auckland to Tahiti, and on to Los Angeles where passengers can connect with partner carriers Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines or US Airways.

Travel must be completed by 30 November 2012. Fares are per person, include taxes, and are correct as of 13 April 2012. These fares are subject to availability on requested dates of travel. Seats are limited at these prices, some conditions apply and taxes can change without notice.

To book flights see your preferred travel agent, visit www.airtahitinui.co.nz, or call Air Tahiti Nui on 09 308 3360.

Air Tahiti Nui is the international airline of Tahiti and her islands and offers two weekly nonstop flights, departing each Thursday and Sunday from Auckland to Papeete, French Polynesia.

The airline achieved this milestone in just over two years after launching the Jet Airways Facebook community in January, 2010, at www.facebook.com/jetairways.

Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said, “Our innovative marketing initiatives with strategic use of social media tools reflect our endeavour to deliver unique opportunities to our guests.

“Jet Airways has been a pioneer in the Indian aviation sector in terms of recognising and harnessing the power of social media networks to listen, engage and respond to our guests.”

Jet Airways’ presence on Facebook aims to give guests real-time news updates about flight schedules, new customer programs, route additions, services and special offers, as well as providing an online forum to share experiences and suggestions.

In Australia, Jet Airways is represented by World Aviation Systems.

For more information or to make a booking, call Jet Airways reservations on 1300 304 553 or email jetairways.sydney@worldaviation.com.au