AIRPORT - EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freibur

Paul Bannwarth

AIRPORT - Delhi-Indira Gandhi International (Palam)DEL-VIDP-Indi

Photos:Konstantin von Wedelstaedt
 

NEW LIVERY - TAAG Angola Airlines will present new livery for the next Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Boeing will also modernize the interiors for TAAG's upcoming deliveries of two recently ordered 787-9 and two 787-10 aircraft.

TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola has placed an order for four new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to serve the company's continental and intercontinental routes from the 3rd quarter of 2024.

Photos: TAAG
 

HYBRID SCHEME - Rossiya Airlines / B737-9GPER / RA-73484 - ex Lion Air

 

Photo: BizavMen

HYBRID SCHEME - Condor during Northern summer 2024 season is adding leased Bulgaria Air A320 aircraft to support its operation / A320-214 / LZ-FBH

The leased A320 will be operating on various routes starting 01MAY24.
 Photo:Gaetan De Meyer - DHL 

SPECIAL SCHEME - TRANSAVIA / B737-800W / PH-HXA - New Sunweb c/s 2024

Ton Jochems
 

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo facilitates special transport of lions Vasylyna and Nikola to South Africa

Lions Vasylyna and Nikola embarked on a significant journey on 25 April, boarding on a Martinair Cargo 747 freighter aircraft headed for South Africa. This remarkable flight marks a new chapter in the lives of these majestic creatures, who are now en route from FELIDA, the specialised sanctuary for big cats run by animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS in Friesland, the Netherlands, to LIONSROCK, an expansive 1250-hectare sanctuary managed by the same organisation in South Africa.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is proud to play a significant role in this journey, leveraging its extensive experience in transporting wild animals. The airline boasts a dedicated animal hotel at its KLM Cargo facilities at Schiphol and expert staff members who diligently oversee the welfare of animals throughout the trip.

“At our animal hotel at Schiphol, we prioritise dedication to providing the best care for our animal passengers. We ensure the highest level of attention and care for every animal under our care, from the moment of arrival to departure. Our team of seasoned professionals is ready to deliver the best service and care, including special diets, administering medication, and, of course, plenty of love and attention. We strive to ensure that every animal with us is happy, healthy, and well-cared for,” said Mirjam Scherer, Global Head of Specials Logistics at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

Vasylyna and Nikola share remarkably similar backgrounds. Lioness Vasylyna arrived at the big cat sanctuary on 7 June. Originally kept as a pet in Ukraine, she managed to escape and wandered through the war-affected streets of a village near Kharkiv before being captured and taken to a temporary wildlife shelter in Ukraine. Due to the wartime situation and lack of adequate care and space, she was swiftly relocated to the Netherlands.

Nikola’s journey to the specialised sanctuary of FOUR PAWS began after being rescued from illegal private possession in Montenegro. In February 2022, he was found and confiscated by local authorities. After ten days of roaming the streets near Budva on the Adriatic coast, exhausted and malnourished, he was brought to the safe haven of FELIDA.

“The relocation of Vasylyna and Nikola to LIONSROCK means they finally have the opportunity to live in a large sanctuary, surrounded by other lions. While it’s saddening that they never had the chance to be released into the wild due to illegal trade, we are glad to offer them a more natural life here,” said Petra Sleven, director of FOUR PAWS.

The Air France-KLM Group is a global airline group with a strong European base. Its main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is the Air France-KLM Group’s dedicated air cargo business. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is a member of SkyTeam Cargo (www.skyteamcargo.com) offering even larger network coverage. Please click here to go to our press releases online or visit www.afklcargo.com for more information about Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

Upon arrival, the animals are unloaded from the aircraft’s cargo hold and transported to the KLM Animal Hotel, where they are cleared through customs and undergo a health check. The final leg of the journey saw them travelling from Amsterdam to Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen.

The animals will take some time to recover from their journey and get used to their new surroundings. “Koalia” will open on 25 April, after which visitors to Ouwehands Zoo will be able to observe the koalas.

The Air France-KLM Group is a global airline group with a strong European base. Its main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is the Air France-KLM Group’s dedicated air cargo business. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is a member of SkyTeam Cargo (www.skyteamcargo.com) offering even larger network coverage. Please click here to go to our press releases online or visit www.afklcargo.com for more information about Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

Photo: Ton Jochems

ROUTES - DELTA NW24 INTERCONTINENTAL NETWORK CHANGES – 27APR24

Delta during the weekend of 27APR24's schedule update filed latest revision to its planned intercontinental service for Northern winter 2024/25 season. Latest adjustment includes additional service/capacity reductions to Europe, while West Africa sees service enhancements.

Atlanta – Barcelona 
26OCT24 – 19FEB25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly07JAN25 – 18FEB25 767-40ER replaces 339-seater A350-900XWB

Atlanta – Dublin 
26OCT24 – 04JAN25 4 weekly 767-400ER replaces 1 daily 339-seater A350 (Previous: 5 weekly 767-400ER) 

05JAN25 – 20FEB25 Seasonal service suspension (Service resumes with 1 daily 767-400ER instead of A330-300 from 21FEB25)

eff 09MAR25 339-seater A350 replaces A330-300

Atlanta – Madrid
 26OCT24 – 07MAR25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly (3 weekly eff 05JAN25)

eff 03DEC24 Previously not covered, 767-400ER replaces 339-seater A350-900XWB

Atlanta – Milan Malpensa 
26OCT24 – 04JAN25 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly, 767-400ER

05JAN24 – 07MAR25 Seasonal service suspension

eff 08MAR25 Service resumes with 1 daily 767-400ER

Atlanta – Munich 
26OCT24 – 04JAN25 767-400ER service maintained, instead of previously filed -300ER

05JAN25 – 08MAR25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly

Boston – Lisbon 05JAN25 – 19FEB25 Seasonal service suspension

Los Angeles – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 26OCT24 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly (3 weekly 11JAN25 – 08MAR25), A350-900XWB service maintained instead of A330-900neo (Previous: reduce from 7 to 5 weekly, 4 weekly 11JAN24 – 08MAR25)

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Paris Charles de Gaulle 
eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -900neo, 1 daily
05JAN25 – 08MAR25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly, A330-300

New York JFK – Accra eff 26OCT24 A330-900neo replaces 767-300ER, 1 daily

DL156 JFK1610 – 0700+1ACC 339 D

DL157 ACC0900 – 1545JFK 339 D

New York JFK – Barcelona Initially filed A330-300 replaced by following, 1 daily

26OCT24 – 05JAN25 A330-900neo (Previous: A330-900neo scheduled for entire season)

06JAN25 – 08MAR25 767-400ER (Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly 06JAN25 – 17FEB25) 
eff 09MAR25 A330-900neo

New York JFK – Brussels 06JAN25 – 08MAR25 Seasonal service suspension

New York JFK – Dublin 06JAN25 – 19FEB25 767-400ER replaces -300ER, 1 daily

New York JFK – Lagos eff 01DEC24 Service resumption, 1 daily A330-200 (Last served until October 2022)

DL298 JFK1515 – 0715+1LOS 332 D

DL299 LOS0915 – 1510JFK 332 D

New York JFK – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 26OCT24 3 daily 767-400ER replacing 2 daily A330-300 and 1 daily 767-400ER (Previous: 2 daily A330-900neo and 1 daily 767-400ER)

New York JFK – Rome Fiumicino 
eff 26OCT24 DL182/183 767-400ER replaces A330-300 (Overall 1 daily each 767-400ER/A330-900neo)

05JAN25 – 08MAR25 Reduce from 2 to 1 daily (DL182/183 cancelled)

New York JFK – Zurich 06JAN25 – 03MAR25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly, 767-400ER

Salt Lake City – Paris Charles de Gaulle 
eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -900neo, 1 daily 

06JAN25 – 06MAR25 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly

Previously reported changes:

Atlanta – Buenos Aires Ezeiza 
eff 26OCT24 Planned 1 daily A330-300 replaces 767-400ER unchanged
13DEC24 – 13JAN25 Increase from 1 to 2 daily, A330-300

Atlanta – Cartagena 19DEC24 – 05JAN24 Increase from 3 to 7 weekly, 737-800

Atlanta – London Heathrow eff 26OCT24 DL032/033 A330-300 replaces -900neo unchanged (Overall 2 daily 767-400ER and 1 daily A330-300)

Atlanta – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 26OCT24 DL084/085 767-400ER replaces A330-900neo (Overall 11 weekly 767-400ER and 7 weekly A330-300)

Atlanta – Rome Fiumicino 

* DL214/215 eff 29OCT24 3 weekly A330-300 replaces 1 daily 339-seater A350 (This service is suspended 05JAN25 – 07MAR25)

* DL066/067 eff 26OCT24 1 daily 339-seater A350 replaces A330-900neo

Atlanta – Santiago de Chile 13DEC24 – 13JAN25 Increase from 1 to 2 daily, new flight operated by A330-300

Atlanta – Seoul Incheon eff 27OCT24 2nd daily service maintained, A350-900XWB
Atlanta – Stuttgart eff 27OCT24 Planned 4 weekly A330-200 service during NW24 cancelled

Boston – Dublin Service resumes on 08MAR25 with 1 daily 767-300ER in 1Q25 (This route previously listed until 04JAN25 inclusive)

Boston – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -900neo, 1 daily

Boston – Rome Fiumicino 
eff 26OCT24 Planned 4 weekly A330-300 instead of 1 daily -900neo unchanged

04JAN25 – 08MAR25 Seasonal service suspension

Detroit – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -200, 1 daily

Los Angeles – Auckland 
eff 27OCT24 1 daily A350-900XWB, instead of previously filed 3 weekly

04DEC24 – 03FEB25 339-seater A350-900XWB replaces 306-seater

Los Angeles – Brisbane eff 04DEC24 3 weekly A350-900XWB, new route

Los Angeles – Shanghai Pu Dong eff 27OCT24 Service resumption, 4 weekly A350-900XWB (Previous: eff 12JUL24)

Los Angeles – Sydney eff 05DEC24 Seasonal 2nd daily resumes with 4 weekly A350-900XWB, instead of 1 daily from 27OCT24. Overall service will be reduced from 14 to 11 weekly

Minneapolis/St. Paul – London Heathrow eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -200, 1 daily

New York JFK – Amsterdam eff 26OCT24 DL048/049 A330-900neo replaces -300 (Overall 2 daily A330-900neo)

New York JFK – Athens Service resumes on 08MAR25 with 1 daily A330-900neo in 1Q25 (This route previously listed until 04JAN25 inclusive)
New York JFK – Edinburgh 
eff 27OCT24 Planned reduction from 7 to 4 weekly unchanged with 767-300ER

04JAN25 – 08MAR25 Seasonal service suspension

New York JFK – Geneva eff 26OCT24 Service converts to summer seasonal (Previous: Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly with 767-400ER)
New York JFK – London Heathrow eff 26OCT24 DL003/004 767-400ER replaces A330-900neo (Overall 2 daily 767-400ER)

New York JFK – Milan Malpensa eff 26OCT24 Reduce from 14 to 10 weekly, instead of previously planned 7 weekly (7 weekly is now scheduled 04JAN25 – 08MAR25)

New York JFK – Sao Paulo Guarulhos eff 26OCT24 1 daily 767-400ER service maintained, instead of A330-300

New York JFK – Venice Marco Polo 
eff 26OCT24 Planned reduction from 7 to 5 weekly with 767-300ER unchanged

05JAN25 – 07MAR25 Seasonal service suspension

Orlando – Amsterdam eff 26OCT24 Winter seasonal service A330-300 replaces -900neo in NW23, 1 daily

Salt Lake City – Amsterdam eff 26OCT24 A330-300 replaces -900neo, 1 daily

Salt Lake City – London Heathrow eff 26OCT24 A330-200 replaces -900neo, reduce from 7 to 5 weekly

Photo: Duncan Stewart

 

FLEET - Austrian Airlines to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on May 17

Austrian Airlines is planning to introduce the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner into revenue service on May 17.
Austrian is acquiring 11 787-9s through 2028.
Initially the new type will be introduced on two short-range European routes as a way of the crews getting used to the new airliner.
Vienna-Frankfurt and Vienna-Berlin will be the first two routes before the 787 is introduced on transAtlantic routes in June.
OE-LPM was handed over to the carrier on March 26, 2024.
The new 787s will replace the older 767-300 and 777-200 models.
Austrian Airlines aircraft photo gallery

 

FLEET / ORDER - IndiGo Airlines orders 30+70 A350-900s

IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) has placed its first widebody order, covering thirty A350-900s coming directly from Airbus with a further 70 purchase rights.

The widebodies will start delivering to the Indian low-cost carrier in 2027. IndiGo Airlines said the exact configuration would be determined at a later stage.

Despite long-standing speculation about its widebody ambitions and the ongoing long-term damp lease of two B777-300(ER)s from Turkish Airlines, IndiGo Airlines has thus far focused on growing its in-house narrowbody and regional fleet.

The carrier currently operates twenty A320-200s, 192 A320-200Ns, ninety-four A321-200NX, and forty-five ATR72-600s, as well as three A321-200(P2F)s. It has unfilled orders for 273 A320-200Ns, 608 A321-200NX, sixty-nine A321-200NY(XLR)s (expected to enter into service in 2025), and five ATR72-600s. Its 2023 order for 500 A320neo aircraft was the largest-ever commitment in terms of the number of aircraft.

IndiGo also wet-leases thirteen A320-200s from SmartLynx Airlines/SmartLynx Airlines Estonia/SmartLynx Airlines Malta and will damp-lease five B737-8s from Qatar Airways due to the ongoing Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine issues. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that fifty A320neo and fourteen A321neo are inactive.

CH Aviation

 

FLEET - Korean Air mulls B777X order

 Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) is reportedly in talks to acquire at least ten B777X, according to Reuters. Citing industry sources, the news agency said talks were ongoing but no firm decisions had been made.

The report comes after the Korean airline placed an order with Airbus for twenty-seven A350-1000s and six A350-900s earlier this month. Following the Airbus order, Korean Air CEO Walter Cho told CNBC that the airline intended to place more orders and was in talks with Boeing.

"We've been their customer, we've been their user for a long, long time, [and] a satisfied customer of their B777s," he said. "That's what I'm looking at right now, and hopefully soon we'll be announcing that as well."

A Korean Air spokesman told ch-aviation that the airline remained in active discussions with manufacturers. However, he declined to provide any further details.

Now eleven years in the planning and development, Boeing hopes to have the B777X certified and rolling off the assembly lines next year. Boeing delivery data shows customers have placed orders for 481 of the type, including 205 due to Emirates (EK, Dubai International). When in production, it will be the world's biggest twin-engine aircraft with the largest variant, the B777-9, able to carry over 420 passengers in a two-class configuration.

Korean Air is a traditional Boeing customer, with 107 of its current 163 aircraft supplied by the North American manufacturer. However, in recent years, the airline has placed several orders with Airbus. Korean Air's current Airbus-supplied aircraft include ten A220-300s, ten A321-200NX, five A330-200s, twenty-one A330-300s, and ten A380-800s, although not all are in service. Aside from the A350 order, the airline also has thirty-nine A321-200N and one A321-200NX on order. Its outstanding Boeing orders comprise twenty-two B737-8s, twenty B787-10s, and seven B787-9s.

CH Aviation

FLEET - Air China orders 100 C919s with extended range.

Air China (CA, Beijing Capital) has placed a firm order with COMAC for 100 extended range C919s with deliveries scheduled to begin this year.

The carrier said in a stock market filing that the order was signed on April 26, 2024, and approved by the airline's board of directors the day after. Deliveries are scheduled to continue through 2031. Air China said the C919s will partially replace older aircraft, which are due to be retired, and partially be used for fleet growth. It intends to grow in "a controlled manner" and estimated that the deliveries of 100 C919s will eventually lead to a 7.5% net increase in ASK capacity compared to the level from 2023.

Air China said it would finance the transaction from a mix of its own cash, loans, and other sources. In late December 2023, the carrier announced a plan to issue additional shares to its controlling shareholder China National Aviation Corporation to the tune of up to CNY6 billion yuan (USD828 million). The issuance was completed by early February 2024.
Air China previously ordered five C919s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows, and is the second of the big three state-owned Chinese carriers to commit to a large number of C919s, after China Eastern Airlines, which has ordered 100 on top of the five it already has in service. China Southern Airlines currently has just five due.
The C919 will join existing Airbus and Boeing aircraft in Air China's narrowbody fleet which currently comprises thirty A319-100s, thirty-eight A320-200s, fifty-three A320-200Ns, sixty-one A321-200s, ten A321-200Ns, twenty A321-200NX, seventeen B737-700s, twenty-one B737-8s, and eighty-eight B737-800s.

CH Aviation