Smokers’ airline plans services to Japan
DÜSSELDORF: Authorities may have banned smoking in pubs in England this week, and ordered night clubs in Singapore to be smoke-free, but one German airline is fighting back.
Smintair (Smokers’ International Airways), founded by German businessman, Alexander Schoppmann, plans to launch services between Nagoya and Düsseldorf in October.
Using two former South African Airways Boeing 747s and with technical backing from Lufthansa, the airline will offer 138 first class and business class seats only.
Smintair plans to have a lounge on the top deck of the aircraft and a cocktail bar serving oysters and caviar, plus a further lounge at the rear of the aircraft.
Special air conditioning will keep the air clean, said Smintair.
Schoppmann expects the majority of passengers to originate from Japan.
Meanwhile, in the first few days of England’s smoking ban in pubs and public places, some pubs are refusing to ban their customers from smoking.
One publican argued that as his pub was also his home he should be entitled to smoke anywhere within it.
He added that he would refuse to pay any fine. “I want my day in court. And I am prepared to go to prison, if needs be. At least I can smoke there,” he said.
Ian Jarrett
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