Photos: Konstantin von Wedelstaedt
quarta-feira, 22 de abril de 2026
SPECIAL COLOURS - AirAsia / A320-200 / 9M-RAW - "Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2026"
Phuket Int'l - VTSP, Thailand - Photo: Markus Altmann
SPECIAL COLOURS - AirAsia / A320NEO / 9M-AGK - Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2026"
Phuket Int'l - VTSP, Thailand - Photo: Markus Altmann
FLEET - Pioneer Airlines Secures Second ATR72- 600
Nigerian startup carrier Pioneer Airlines is continuing the gradual expansion of its fleet with the imminent acquisition of a second ATR72-600 turboprop, marking another step in the rollout of its commercial operations and the consolidation of its regional development strategy.
Aer Lingus ends operations on UK certificate
Flyingphotos - Faro
Aer Lingus (United Kingdom) (EG, Belfast City) operated its final flight on March 31, 2026, and is in the process of transferring both of its A330-300s back to the parent company, Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International).
EI-EDY (msn 1025) was reregistered in Ireland on March 13, 2026, following its last revenue flight under the UK certificate on March 2, on the Orlando International-Manchester route, then as G-EIDY. It has been operating for Aer Lingus under the Irish certificate since March 19.
The second unit of the type, G-EILA (msn 1106), continued under the British AOC until the end of March, with the last service from Orlando on March 30. It was ferried to Dublin International the next day and has remained parked since then. UK records indicate that the aircraft remains registered in the country, but an application to export it has already been filed.
Aer Lingus announced earlier this year that it would close its Manchester base at the end of March, ending its transatlantic services from the UK.
The IAG International Airlines Group-owned airline did not respond to ch-aviation's question whether it planned to retain the UK certificate for potential future use or surrender it.
Aer Lingus' fleet on the Irish certificate comprises twenty-seven A320-200s, eight A320-200Ns, eight A321-200NX(LR)s, six A321-200NY(XLR)s, three A330-200s, and eleven A330-300s (excluding G-EILA, which has yet to be transferred).
Flyadeal Announces Seat Choices For New Two-Class Airbus A330S
Saudi Budget Airline Selects Italian Firm Geven For Premium Economy
Chinese Company Jiatai To Provide Economy Seating In Mid East Debut
Hamburg, GERMANY – flyadeal, Saudia Arabia’s fast growing low-cost airline, has chosen European and Asian seat manufacturers to equip its brand new two-class widebody fleet of Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.
Just a year before the first of the airline’s 10 A330s is scheduled to enter service, flyadeal has confirmed a dual cabin configuration featuring 406 Economy and 14 Premium Economy seats.
Ergonomic reclinable seating specially designed for long-haul flights with extra seat and back support, adjustable headrests and in-seat USB Type-C charger ports together with warm ambient lighting, are significant features of the cabin interiors.
Italian firm Geven has been selected to install the Premium Economy cabin with its Comoda AQ seat, designed for medium to long-haul travel. With seven abreast seating across two rows in a 2-3-2 layout, each features a 38-inch pitch and 8-inch recline that focuses on enhanced personal space and passenger comfort.
Jiatai makes its Middle East debut with flyadeal choosing the Chinese company’s customised Economy Class seats. Highlighting cabin layout optimisation and comfort, each row features nine seats in a 3-3-3 configuration with a pitch of up to 30 inches.
With flying capability of over 11 hours, flyadeal will primarily operate the A330s between the Kingdom, and Asia, Europe and Africa. [UK1] Aircraft deliveries are due to begin in summer 2027.
Sanjiv Kapoor, Executive Vice President Strategies at Saudia Group and flyadeal Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “After almost 12 months working behind the scenes on specifications for our new A330s, flyadeal is now embarking on its widebody journey in preparation for entry into service next year. The interiors have been carefully chosen with passenger comfort, space, weight, durability, sustainability and ambience central to our decisions.
“We are delighted to build on the relationship with seat partner Geven for our new widebody Premium Economy cabin. And welcome Jiatai as their regional launch customer for the economy seats. At flyadeal we like to do things differently, hence our unique approach as a low-cost airline entering the widebody market with our own dedicated aircraft and continued focus on maintaining competitiveness and enhancing the customer experience.”
Alberto Veneruso, Geven Managing Director, added: "We are thrilled to support flyadeal at such a pivotal moment as they introduce their first Premium Economy product. Being part of this milestone allows us to bring our innovative Comoda AQ seats to passengers who expect comfort, convenience, and quality on every journey. It’s an honour to stand alongside flyadeal as they take this important step in enhancing their passenger experience."
Jingfeng LIU, Jiatai Chairman, explained: "We are honoured to partner with flyadeal on this significant programme. This collaboration not only validates Jiatai's product reliability and innovation capabilities but also represents a pivotal step in the international expansion of Chinese aircraft seating brands. We are committed to delivering exceptional performance and comprehensive aftermarket support to facilitate flyadeal's widebody fleet development."
The seats selection was part of a raft of flyadeal announcements at Aircraft Interiors – the airline industry’s annual showcase of cabin innovation – being held in the German city of Hamburg this week.
French company Safran Cabin will provide customised widebody galleys ensuring cabin crew have a spacious working environment preparing for their inflight service.
Swiss aircraft interior furnishings manufacturer Lantal Textiles extends its relationship with flyadeal as provider of carpets and curtains for the A330s. Lantal is already the supplier for the airline’s 51-strong new narrowbody fleet which is also due to be delivered from next year.
flyadeal has rapidly developed into the Middle East’s fastest growing airline, operating a young fleet of 46 Airbus A320 family aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam to more than 40 seasonal and year-round destinations across Saudi Arabia, and in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to more than double its network and fleet to over 100 destinations and aircraft respectively.
Ergonomic reclinable seating specially designed for long-haul flights with extra seat and back support, adjustable headrests and in-seat USB Type-C charger ports together with warm ambient lighting, are significant features of the cabin interiors.
Italian firm Geven has been selected to install the Premium Economy cabin with its Comoda AQ seat, designed for medium to long-haul travel. With seven abreast seating across two rows in a 2-3-2 layout, each features a 38-inch pitch and 8-inch recline that focuses on enhanced personal space and passenger comfort.
Jiatai makes its Middle East debut with flyadeal choosing the Chinese company’s customised Economy Class seats. Highlighting cabin layout optimisation and comfort, each row features nine seats in a 3-3-3 configuration with a pitch of up to 30 inches.
With flying capability of over 11 hours, flyadeal will primarily operate the A330s between the Kingdom, and Asia, Europe and Africa. [UK1] Aircraft deliveries are due to begin in summer 2027.
Sanjiv Kapoor, Executive Vice President Strategies at Saudia Group and flyadeal Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “After almost 12 months working behind the scenes on specifications for our new A330s, flyadeal is now embarking on its widebody journey in preparation for entry into service next year. The interiors have been carefully chosen with passenger comfort, space, weight, durability, sustainability and ambience central to our decisions.
“We are delighted to build on the relationship with seat partner Geven for our new widebody Premium Economy cabin. And welcome Jiatai as their regional launch customer for the economy seats. At flyadeal we like to do things differently, hence our unique approach as a low-cost airline entering the widebody market with our own dedicated aircraft and continued focus on maintaining competitiveness and enhancing the customer experience.”
Alberto Veneruso, Geven Managing Director, added: "We are thrilled to support flyadeal at such a pivotal moment as they introduce their first Premium Economy product. Being part of this milestone allows us to bring our innovative Comoda AQ seats to passengers who expect comfort, convenience, and quality on every journey. It’s an honour to stand alongside flyadeal as they take this important step in enhancing their passenger experience."
Jingfeng LIU, Jiatai Chairman, explained: "We are honoured to partner with flyadeal on this significant programme. This collaboration not only validates Jiatai's product reliability and innovation capabilities but also represents a pivotal step in the international expansion of Chinese aircraft seating brands. We are committed to delivering exceptional performance and comprehensive aftermarket support to facilitate flyadeal's widebody fleet development."
The seats selection was part of a raft of flyadeal announcements at Aircraft Interiors – the airline industry’s annual showcase of cabin innovation – being held in the German city of Hamburg this week.
French company Safran Cabin will provide customised widebody galleys ensuring cabin crew have a spacious working environment preparing for their inflight service.
Swiss aircraft interior furnishings manufacturer Lantal Textiles extends its relationship with flyadeal as provider of carpets and curtains for the A330s. Lantal is already the supplier for the airline’s 51-strong new narrowbody fleet which is also due to be delivered from next year.
flyadeal has rapidly developed into the Middle East’s fastest growing airline, operating a young fleet of 46 Airbus A320 family aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam to more than 40 seasonal and year-round destinations across Saudi Arabia, and in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to more than double its network and fleet to over 100 destinations and aircraft respectively.
AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUCT - Star1 Airlines was a Lithuanian airline that operated a single Boeing 737-700 (LY-STA) for charter and scheduled flights before suspending operations in September 2010.
Flyingphotos - Gerona, 2009
Country - Lithuania
Founded - 2009
Started Operations - 30 Jun 2009
Ceased operations - 1 Oct 2010
Base / Main Hub - Vilnius (VNO / EYVI)
VINTAGE Aircraft - SWISS / McDonnell Douglas MD-11 / HB-IWN
Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) - 48539
Line Number - 571
Aircraft Type Built as - McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Converted Jan 2007
McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F)
Age - 31.8 Years
Production Site - Long Beach (LGB)
Airframe Status - Stored
HB-IWN - Swissair
HB-IWN - Swissair Asia
HB-IWN - Swiss
PP-VTP - Varig
N287UP - United Parcel Service (UPS)
VINTAGE Aircraft - IBERIA / McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62(F) / EC-EMD
Flyingphotos - Madrid
Age - 57.6 Years
Production Site - Long Beach (LGB)
Stored
N731PL - Interstate Airlines
N731PL - Air Transport International
EC-217 - Cargosur
EC-EMD - Cargosur
EC-EMD - Iberia
EC-EMD - Cygnus Air
3X-GEN - Trans Air Cargo Service (TACS)
terça-feira, 21 de abril de 2026
ORDER - Ethiopian Airlines Converts Options of Six Boeing 787 Dreamliner Airplanes into Firm Orders
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire(opens in a new tab)/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ethiopian Airlines announced today the purchase of six 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercises commitments from its 2023 landmark order(opens in a new tab). Ethiopian Airlines will use the 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from Addis Ababa and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.
"Converting the options of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes into a firm order is truly a proud moment for us," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "The order shows Ethiopian Airlines' sustainable growth and preparation for further achievements. By growing our fleet size with ultra-modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, we are further maintaining operational excellence and passengers' comfort."
Pictured from left to right at a signing ceremony at Boeing's office in Arlington, Va.: Anbessie Yitbarek, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, Boeing; Ato Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Hiro Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center at the U.S. Department of Commerce; Ms. Sarah Whitten, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Origination at the U.S. Export-Import Bank; Ms. Sarah Troutman, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Binalf Andualem, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the U.S.; Teklewold Atnafu, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr. Temesgen Getaye, Treasurer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Abraham Tesfaye, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Development, Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying its 787-8 and 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America as well as key intra-African routes spanning the world's second-largest continent.
"We're proud that Ethiopian Airlines continues to look to the 787 Dreamliner to serve as the backbone of their fleet as they grow and modernize their operations, open new routes and comfortably serve more passengers," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.
The 787 Dreamliner's versatility and reduced fuel use enable Ethiopian Airlines to efficiently transport passengers point-to-point across Africa while accommodating cargo in the belly of the airplane for high-demand trade lanes.
Boeing
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