Garuda Goes On A Spending Spree...

The Farnborough International Airshow has been a bit of a success in dollar spend terms with some USD 28 billion being spent on planes. Of this, Garuda has placed an order for six Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Garuda also managed to scrounge up enough left-over cash to place a USD 420 million order with Rolls Royce for the supply, service, and maintenance of engines for part of its fleet.

Does this mean that business is booming for Garuda? Or does it require new aircraft to ensure that it remains authorised to fly into the European zone? What interested me in this little news piece was that I recall when I was living in Indonesia that there were always financial management questions being raised about Garuda and its viability, which was interesting seeing it is the national carrier and all. So, ordering and taking delivery of six new aircraft from the end of 2012 is seemingly a pretty bold move.

I have only flown Garuda a couple of times. The service on the ground was a little 'iffy' at times, but was always excellent on the plane. I would fly Garuda again. But, I have tended to fly with the cheaper budget airlines when I have had cause to fly.

Ryanair and Vertical Seating

Ryanair are the masters of self-promotion and generating publicity. This is irrespective of whether it is a raunchy calendar of barely clad female cabin staff or suggesting that it is time for pay-as-you-use toilets on aircraft.

So, in keeping true to form, Ryanair has indicated that it is in talks with Boeing about modifying some of its future aircraft orders to incorporate the concept of "vertical seating". To the rest of us this will become known as the standing section of the plane.

Ryanair is Europe's leading budget carrier. So, in that sense the idea makes sense. Standing room only should to all intents and purposes let them cram more people onto a plane and therefore improve profits.

The idea of vertical seating is that there will be a pole or some kind of small stool to lean against according to Stephen McNamara, Ryanair's spokesperson on this one. However, the reality is that it is likely to be more of a standing position than a sitting one.

On short haul flights, this is probably an interesting avenue to explore. Nevertheless, it would seem that the whole rationale of this idea would be that buying a standing room only ticket would have to be cheaper than a traditional seat. If it is not, then why bother to pay the same or more to stand?

I wonder what is next on the Ryanair cost-cutting agenda?

But, for now, it is "Ladies and Gentlemen, we will soon be landing at Birmingham Airport, please return to your standing positions and fasten your standing belts, thank you! And, thank you for flying with Ryanair!"