Pikes Wines, a vineyard in the Clare Valley of South Australia, has seen its business in Asia soar, with sales to China accounting for 20 percent of exports, up from zero five years ago. That’s one reason Pikes sales chief Peter Bentley takes about 80 domestic and international flights each year for work. But Qantas Airways (QAN:AU) long known for connecting Australia to the rest of the world offers only seven flights a week to China. (Air China and China Southern Airlines (ZNH) together have more than 50.) “They don’t have enough choices, says Bentley.We are on the doorstep... 

United Airlines today announced plans to launch daily, nonstop flights between its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Istanbul, effective July 1, 2012, subject to government approval. Westbound service from Istanbul begins July 2.Istanbul will be the 76th international destination that United serves from New York/Newark and the 37th city in United’s trans-Atlantic route network. With service to points in the Americas, Europe and Asia, United offers more flights from the New York area to more destinations worldwide than any other airline. We are excited... 

Some 240 flights were canceled at Frankfurt airport Monday due to a strike by ground workers, German airport operator Fraport AG said. Around 190 of Fraport’s traffic-operation-center employees, apron controllers and apron supervision staff went on strike Thursday and Friday seeking better pay and conditions. Their union, GdF, said earlier Monday that the warning strike will continue until 11 p.m. ET Tuesday. The strikes on Thursday and Friday cost Fraport a total of €3.5 million to €4 million in lost sales, the company said, adding it would lose €5 million a day... 

All plans are being firmed up, Joey G. De Guzman, PAL’s senior vice-president for corporate communications, said in a text message yesterday, declining to give specific updates on negotiation with Indonesian aviation authorities.The target is at the end of March, Mr. De Guzman said.The new route will allow us to make use of our planes since the Bali flight is planned to be at night,he added. It will also allow visitors to the Philippines an additional destination which is just three-and-a-half hours away. According to filings submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission... 

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority announced this week that JetBlue Airways has added non-stop daily flights between Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ) and New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) starting June 11. “We are delighted with the announcement by JetBlue Airways of new daily service to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. This is the preferred airport for travelers going to Manhattan for business and tourism purposes. The commitment and partnership we have enjoyed with JetBlue has never been stronger, and we are grateful and excited about the faith they have placed in... 

Turkish Airlines plans to triple its daily flights to New York City’s John F. Kennedy Airport by the end of May. According to an announcement made on the THY website on Thursday, only one flight currently operates between İstanbul and NYC.High demand from customers has prompted the carrier to offer more. THY said in the announcement that the number of flights will double between March 25 and Oct. 27, and the flights will triple between May 28 and Sept. 16. The times of the flights have been released as well: the planes are expected to leave İstanbul at 7:45 am., 1:05 p.m.... 

Norwegian Air Shuttle AS, Europe’s fourth-biggest discount carrier, said its plans for expansion into long-haul operations envisage routes to cities including New York City, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Beijing.Norwegian, which currently flies no further than Dubai with a fleet of Boeing Co. 737s, is also mulling routes to Florida, the U.S. West Coast and Tokyo after ordering wide-body 787s from the same manufacturer, Chief Financial Officer Frode Foss said.We’re considering all major cities, Foss said today in a telephone interview from Oslo, confirming that six 787s will join... 

Travelers to and from the Mississippi Coast soon can enjoy direct service between Gulfport and Lakeland, Fla., located between Orlando and Tampa. Airport officials announced Wednesday that Direct Air will be offering low-cost nonstop flights from the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport to the Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland starting June 15.It’s key for us, said Jeremiah Gerald, director of air service and business development at the Gulfport airport.We’re pulling customers from both the Orlando metro area and also the Tampa (metro area). Those are two key tourism... 

Beginning June 11 JetBlue Airways will fly daily from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to LaGuardia Airport in New York.JetBlue announced the addition Monday as well as flights from New York to Ft. Myers and Tampa.By seizing the opportunity to invest in the rare slot pairs made available in our hometown of New York City and in our nation’s capital, JetBlue is comfortably poised for organic growth,said JetBlue’s Vice President of Network Planning and Partnerships, Scott Laurence in a statement.Together with our low fares, award-winning product and customer... 

The airline suspended its domestic flights in January this year after an aircraft servicing domestic routes developed mechanical faults.Acting chief executive officer, Innocent Mavhunga told NewsDay yesterday, Air Zimbabwe will begin by offering limited service.Yes, we are resuming our domestic flights and we will be flying on February 20,said Mavhunga. We will be flying four times a week to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. We will gradually increase flights as the market picks up.The airline is saddled with an estimated debt of $149 million.Foreign creditors are owed about $30...