NORWEGIAN - B737-800W - LN-NGK

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

HERMES AIRLINES - A321-200 - SX-BHT

Alain Charpentier - TLS

ETIHAD AIRWAYS (ex AIR INDIA ) - B777-200 - A6-LRE

Ton Jochems - AMS

KLM

DHL adds a new premium helicopter delivery service in the Los Angeles area

DHL has added a new helicopter delivery service in the road-congested Los Angeles area.
The company issued this statement and video about the new service:

DHL has found an even better route for meeting urgent delivery commitments in the midst of traffic gridlock in the United States: through the air. A new helicopter service now provides early morning delivery services for several major banking customers in the downtown Los Angeles area.

DHL Express has introduced the helicopter service into its Los Angeles operation as a way to guarantee early morning 9:00 a.m. delivery service regardless of traffic bottlenecks. Initially used by specific financial services customers, this service will expand to include additional customers in the Los Angeles área

 The DHL helicopter, a “Twinstar” Eurocopter AS355, is operated for DHL by Helinet of Van Nuys, California, and can transport over 350 kg of letters and packages.
DHL

 

VIZION AIR New Livery - FK50

VIZION AIR

A350 XWB MSN004 successfully undertakes water ingestion tests at Istres

Airbus has successfully performed certification testing to demonstrate the A350 XWB’s ability to operate on wet runways. During these tests at Istres, France, the flight-test aircraft, MSN004, travelled through troughs containing at least 22mm of water depth, at a variety of speeds, starting at 60kts, and successively increasing to around 140kts.

This test validates how the aircraft would behave on a very rain-soaked runway, and verifies that neither the water under the aircraft nor the spray generated by the nose landing gear will enter the engines or APU. For the test, the “water trough” was created by applying to the runway’s surface grooves and rubber strips inserted in the grooves to retain the water. This pool measured 100m long by 29m wide. The aircraft performed several runs as planned in order to test various cases, including the use of reverse thrust. The results will be analysed by the Airbus Design Office, which will extrapolate them to predict a variety of typical operational scenarios.

The A350 XWB’s certification testing is progressing well, and is on track for certification in Q3 2014, to be followed by entry into service with Qatar Airways in Q4. The first four A350s now flying have together accumulated around 1,600 flight-test hours and over 350 flights. The flight-test fleet will be completed with the fifth aircraft, MSN005, in the coming weeks.

WHITE AIRWAYS - A320-200 - CS-TRO

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

Royal Jordanian August 2014 Boeing 787 London Operation Changes as of 07MAY14

Royal Jordanian has revised planned Boeing 787 operations during the month of August 2014. Planned inaugural flight to Jeddah on 31JUL14 has been moved to 03AUG14, which makes Amman – London Heathrow sector as the airline’s scheduled inaugural 787 route.
From 01AUG14 to 23AUG14, the 787 operates Heathrow service twice a week, instead of 4 times a week.
RJ111 AMM1150 – 1525LHR 787 56
RJ112 LHR1705 – 0010+1AMM 787 56

Transavia leasing a South African B737 this summer

Transavia Airlines has leased a B737-800 from Kulula Air, for the duration of summer.

According to Skyliner Aviation, the aircraft, ZS-ZWO, was ferried from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo to Amsterdam via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta and Luxor on May 5.

Transavia will also dry-lease at least four B737-800s this summer, sourced from Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes.

Golden Myanmar readies for delivery of first ATR72

Golden Myanmar Airlines will shortly take delivery of its first of two ATR72-600s, on lease from the Air Lease Corporation (ALC).
The first turboprop, XY-AJM (cn 1148), was recently seen performing test flights at Avions de Transport Regional headquarters at Toulouse Blagnac ahead of its ferry flight to South East Asia.

Photo;Alain Charpentier - TLS

Aerolineas Argentinas to begin A340-200 phase out

Aerolineas Argentinas has outlined its plans to withdraw three of its four remaining A340-200s from revenue service by July of this year. With LV-ZRA (cn 085) having been withdrawn from active duty in March, LV-ZPX (cn 80) is due to go in May followed by LV-ZPJ (cn 74) in July leaving LV-ZPO (cn 63) as the only remaining aircraft of its type in the Argentine national carrier's fleet.
ch-aviation
Photo:PMB /FPP

Portugal's White to operate CEIBA Intercontinental's second B737

White will operate CEIBA Intercontinental's second B737-800, CS-TRW (msn 41159), Aerotransport reports.
The Equatoguinean national carrier recently deployed its first of three B737-800s on order from Boeing into service between Malabo and Bata.

Uzbekistan Airways to retire A300 freighters, convert B767s

Uzbekistan Airways will convert two of its nine B767-300(ER)s into freighters Air Transport World has reported.

Russia's Komiaviatrans to get six ex-China Southern ERJ-145s

Komiaviatrans is to become Russia's maiden operator of the ERJ-145 passenger jet when it takes delivery of its first of six formerly with China Southern Airlines.
Photo: Komiaviatrans

LUFTHANSA CARGO - MD-11F - D-ALCP

Lufthansa Cargo

Air Lituanica to resume Amsterdam services from late August

Air Lituanica is to resume Vilnius to Amsterdam services beginning August 31.
According to the carrier, the flights will operate daily on-board an EMB-195 expected to arrive in the coming weeks. A spat over payments with previous operating partner, Estonian Air, forced Air Lituanica to suspend the route in late 2013.
Photo:Air Lituanica

KaiserAir takes delivery of first B737-500

Kaiserair has taken delivery of its first B737-500, N565EL (msn 25065), formerly with Russia's Nordavia.
Photo:Kaiser Air

ARJ21-700 AC104 completes global flight for natural icing flight test in North America

ARJ21-700 AC104 landed on the airport runway at 13:20 on April 28th, 2014, which brings the natural icing flight test in North America to an end.

 Mr. Shen Xiaoming, Minister of Shanghai Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center of CAAC, Mr. He Dongfeng, Mr. Luo Ronghuai, Mr. Wu Guanghui, Mr. Liu Linzong and Mr. Yan Hua, Leaders of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), and Mr. Geng Ruguang, Vice President of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), greeted AC104 at the airport and extended their regards to the cadres and workers working on board of AC104.

 It is reported that AC104 has taken off from Urumchi airport at 10:20 am on April 28th, and safely landed at Yanliang airport after a three-hour flight. At this point, ARJ21-700 natural icing flight test in North America has been successfully completed.

ANTONOV transferred the next AN−158 to the customer

The ANTONOV Company a ceremony of transferring of the next AN−158 regional jet to the customer took place. This aircraft was built at the ANTONOV serial plant for the Cubana de Aviacion. Mykola Podgrebelnii, Vice – President – Director of the ANTONOV serial plant, in his welcoming speech noted: “Today we transferred the 4th AN−158 to the Cuban operator. Before the end of the year we are planning to deliver two more such airplanes and VIP−version of the AN−148. Thus, we are doing the next step to rising serial production of these aircraft in Ukraine. A lot of knowledge, skills of constructors, scientists, masters and workers are put in this AN−158 that is rushing towards the sky and is going to fly to Havana in few hours”. Mykola Podgrebelnii handed over a symbolic key from the aircraft to Orlando Fernandez Sid, a pilot of Cubana de Aviacion. Sharing his impressions about the AN−158, Cuban pilot noted: “We are satisfied with the aircraft quality. It was successfully adapted in our airline. Today the AN−158 fly inside Cuba, to Santa Domingo, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Bahamas. We are also planning to open flights to Canada, Columbia and Mexico”.

 Besides, the airline also received a copy of Addition to the AN−158 Type Certificate that let the aircraft to be operated in highlands at airfields, located at heights of up to 4100 m above sea level. This will let to extend conditions of the aircraft operation in the Latin American region considerably.

Bohdan Dubas, the First Deputy Chairman of Kyiv State Administration (KSA), congratulated the ANTONOV’s Company collective with execution of another stage of the AN−158 program on behalf of the KSA. In particular, he said: “Today’s event became one more witnessing of that Ukraine belongs to the leading aviation states. This potential is necessary to be increased. Creation of such good aircraft needs wide and lots of years’ experience. We support the ANTONOV’s collective in keeping potential intellectual basis in every possible way”.

 For reference: In the world aviation market the ANTONOV Company presents the AN−148 and AN−158 regional jet family. Its base consists of the AN−148−100 and AN−158 with capacity between 68 and 99 passengers that showed themselves good in operation under different climatic and weather conditions. At present, they are being operated in fleets of 8 airlines of four countries worldwide, performing different functions, including VIP− passengers transportation. Upgraded with special medical equipment the AN−148 variants carry sick and injured, fulfilling tasks of the Ministry of Extraordinary Situations.

Start-up, Air Ghana, obtains AOC, begins West African cargo ops

Air Ghana has officially launched operations after it was granted an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in April. The start-up says it intends to operate a total of five jets over the next three years, of which a first B737-400(F), 9G-AGL (msn 25163), has been leased from Spain's Swiftair.
Operating on behalf of DHL Express, the aircraft was deployed on Air Ghana's maiden route - Abidjan to Lagos via Accra and return - on May 1. ch-aviation

 

Boeing and Xiamen Airlines to Implement Airplane Health Management Solutions

Boeing [NYSE:BA] today announced Xiamen Airlines has selected Boeing’s Airplane Health Management (AHM) system to enhance efficiency in its maintenance and engineering operations. The agreement includes implementation of AHM for the current Xiamen Airlines fleet of 94 Next-Generation 737s and six 787 Dreamliners on order.

Xiamen Airlines will use AHM to collect and evaluate airplane operations data while the airplane is in flight. This real-time data is used to signal ground operations crews of any potential maintenance issues before the airplane lands, minimizing flight schedule disruptions and maintenance-related delays.

“We were very impressed by the capabilities of Boeing’s Airplane Health Management system, and believe it will become an essential tool for our maintenance and engineering operations as we continue to expand our fleet and our international route network,” said Tang Jianqi, general manager for engineering and maintenance, Xiamen Airlines. “With our recent commitments to grow our all-Boeing airplane fleet, we know that we can rely on Boeing as a trusted partner to also deliver the highest quality technology solutions and services to help improve efficiency in our operations.”

Xiamen Airlines is Boeing’s 65th customer for Airplane Health Management.

“We are proud to team with Xiamen Airlines as they expand their implementation of Boeing Digital Aviation Fleet and Maintenance solutions,” said Per Norén, vice president, Customer Solutions, Boeing Digital Aviation, a business unit of Commercial Aviation Services. “Airplane Health Management, seamlessly integrated with other digital solutions such as Maintenance Performance Toolbox, will greatly enhance operational efficiency across the Xiamen fleet.”

Xiamen Airlines is China’s only all-Boeing carrier. In November 2013, the airline took delivery of its 100th Boeing airplane, a Next-Generation 737-800. Xiamen Airlines has six 787s on order and will establish new long-haul routes beginning this summer from the Fujian province to Europe, North America and Australia.

About the Boeing Edge

Boeing offers a comprehensive portfolio of commercial aviation services, collectively known as the Boeing Edge, bringing value and advantages to customers and the industry. Boeing Digital Aviation is the business unit that delivers the Boeing Edge through integrated offerings in software, applications, information solutions and advanced training to drive optimized performance, efficiency and safety across customer operations. Boeing provides a competitive edge by solving real operational problems, enabling better decisions, maximizing efficiency and improving environmental performance – creating intelligent information solutions across the aviation ecosystem.

A350 XWB at McKinley Climatic Lab in Florida for more extreme weather tests

In order to go beyond certification requirements and testing to the extremes the first ever Airbus A350 XWB to visit the United States, MSN (manufacturer’s serial number) 2 has arrived at McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force base in northwest Florida. Over the next couple of weeks the aircraft and its various systems and cabin installations will be subjected to the extreme hot and cold temperatures that the unique facility can sustain in a testing environment. These tests come on top of those already performed earlier this year in the Middle East and Northern Canada to ensure maturity and full in-service readiness from Day 1 for all A350 XWB’s operators.

There are currently four test aircraft flying in the A350 XWB programme. Together they have accumulated around 1,600 flight test hours in more than 350 flights. The certification process for the programme is progressing on schedule – certification is anticipated in the third quarter of 2014 with entry into service in the fourth quarter of this year.

TAILWIND AIRLINES - A320-200 - YL-BBC

Marco Dotti - Hamburg

Royal Brunei Airlines selects the A320neo

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has signed a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of seven A320neo aircraft plus three options, under the latest phase of its fleet modernisation programme. Featuring a two class premium layout, the aircraft will be operated on the airline’s regional network linking Bandar Seri Begawan with destinations across Asia. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.

 “RB has successfully operated the A320 family of aircraft since 2003. We are confident this latest NEO version will bring even greater levels of efficiency, with 15 per cent less fuel and a significantly reduced impact on the environment. At the same time, the new aircraft will offer unmatched levels of in-flight comfort, longer flying range and significant underfloor cargo capability”, said Dermot Mannion, Deputy Chairman of RB.

 “We are pleased that Royal Brunei Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to the A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The order once again underscores the leading position of the A320neo in the single aisle market. We look forward to seeing the eco-efficient NEO fly in the colours of Royal Brunei Airlines.”

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 10,200 orders to date and over 6,000 aircraft delivered. The latest version A320neo incorporates new engines and "Sharklet" wing tip devices which together deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. As at the end of March 2014, firm orders for the NEO already stood at over 2,700 aircraft from 50 customers around the globe, representing a 60 per cent share of orders in its category.

MERIDIANA - B767-300ER - I-AIGJ

Repainted in Meridiana colors after the acquisition of Air Italy

Lorenzo Giacobbo - Milano Malpensa

Boeing Delivers 75th 747 to Lufthansa

SEATTLE, May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Lufthansa celebrated the delivery of the German airline's 75th 747 on Wednesday.

"Lufthansa is proud to share this milestone with Boeing," said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. "The 747 is an amazing airplane and will continue to delight our passengers for many years to come, and provide them with the ultimate in comfort and efficiency."

Lufthansa is the launch customer for the 747-8 Intercontinental jetliner and took delivery of the first one in April 2012. The airplane delivered Wednesday is Lufthansa's 13th 747-8 Intercontinental. The airline currently flies the 747 to 22 destinations in 10 countries. Over the years, Lufthansa has ordered a total of 81 747s.

Lufthansa's first 747 – a 747-100 – was delivered in 1970. The airline was also the first to order the 747-200 Freighter.

"Boeing and Lufthansa have a long and proud history of working together to bring new innovations to the airline industry," said John Wojick, senior vice president, Global Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are pleased to continue that tradition with the 747-8 Intercontinental."

The 747-8 has accumulated 120 orders for passenger and cargo versions, 68 of which have been delivered.

WINDAVIA - A320-200 - SP-ADK

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

Boeing Delivers 2nd Peace Eagle Aircraft to Turkey

KONYA, Turkey, May 2, 2014 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] this week delivered, on schedule, the second Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Armed Forces, further improving the country's self-defense capabilities.

The AEW&C aircraft arrived at Konya Air Base, the fleet's main operating base.

The first Peace Eagle AEW&C aircraft was delivered Jan. 31, and a third will be delivered later this year. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the fourth aircraft for the program in 2015.

In addition to the four aircraft, the Peace Eagle program includes ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkish Airlines, HAVELSAN and MiKES are key suppliers on the program.
Photo credit: Turkish Aerospace Industries photo

GO2 SKY - B737-400 - OM-GTA

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

IBERIA A340-300 STORAGE

 EC-GHK

EC-GGS
José Ramon Valero - MAD

BRUSSELS AIRLINES - DHC-8Q400 - G-ECOI

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

• Iraqi Airways has inaugurated services to Vienna (VIE) on 25 April, launching services from Baghdad (BGW) and Erbil (EBL), as well as a new route to Najaf (NJF) on 27 April, following a 24-year cessation in operations to the Austrian capital. Twice-weekly (Mondays and Fridays) the airline will fly Baghdad-Erbil-Vienna-Erbil-Baghdad, and it will also operate a Najaf-Baghdad-Vienna-Baghdad-Najaf on a weekly basis (Sundays). Services will be flown by either 737-800s or A320s, depending on operational requirements. Austrian Airlines is the only incumbent airline, providing daily services to Erbil and thrice-weekly flights to Baghdad.

 

Iraqi Airways has inaugurated services to Vienna on 25 April, launching services from Baghdad (BGW) and Erbil (EBL), as well as a new route to Najaf (NJF) on 27 April, following a 24-year cessation in operations to the Austrian capital. Twice-weekly (Mondays and Fridays) the airline will fly Baghdad-Erbil-Vienna-Erbil-Baghdad, and it will also operate a Najaf-Baghdad-Vienna-Baghdad-Najaf on a weekly basis (Sundays). Services will be flown by either 737-800s or A320s, depending on operational requirements. Austrian Airlines is the only incumbent airline, providing daily services to Erbil and thrice-weekly flights to Baghdad. Aena

Myanma startup, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, sets May 1 launch date

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines is set to begin flights on May 1 ch-aviation schedule data has revealed. Using a fleet of two ATR72-600s, the start-up has so-far outlined plans to serve Dawe, Heho, Kawthaung, Keng Tung, Lashio, Mandalay, Myeik, Myitkyina, Nyaung-u, Sittwe, Tachilek, and Thandwe from its Yangon hub.

It will also codeshare with fellow Myanma operator, Air KBZ.

Atlantic Airlines (UK) takes delivery of first B737-400 freighter

Atlantic Airlines took delivery of its first B737-400(F) on April 26. Records show the aircraft, G-JMCR (msn 25372), was formerly with Turkish carrier, Sky Airlines.

The ch-aviation aircraft database shows the West Air Sweden subsidiary also operates five B737-300(F)s and eleven BAe ATP(F)s