KOREAN AIR - A380-8, HL7612

Flying Photos - FRA

ASIANA AIRLINES - B747-400, HL7421

Flying Photos - FRA

THAI - B777-300ER, HS-TKT

Flying Photos - FRA

AIR CHINA - B777-300ER, B-2085

Flying Photos - FRA

ANA All NIPPON AIRWAYS - B787-8, JA807A

Fumiaki Seno - HND

DAT - MD-80, OY-RUE, LARK titles

Ton Jochemes - Billund

RAF - A33O-200MRTT, F-WWYF

Jose Ramon Valero - TLS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA - A330-200 F-WWTE msn 1319

José Ramon Valero - TLS

Jubilee Jumbo to take flight

One of British Airways’ fleet of 747s is now featuring a very special emblem to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The celebratory aircraft will be flying its message of congratulations around the world.

Designed by 11-year-old Blue Peter winner, Katherine Dewar from Chester, the official logo has been emblazoned on the side of the British Airways aircraft alongside the words, “Congratulations, Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee”.

Katherine Dewar said: “Since winning the competition, its been like a dream come true to see my design in so many different places around the UK but I never expected to see it on a huge jumbo plane!

“I love going on holiday to Florida and hope the next time I do I’ll be lucky enough to fly on this plane so I can look out the window at my design!”

British Airways’ Captain Mark Mannering – Smith said: “As the national flag carrier I can’t think of anything more fitting than British Airways carrying a message of congratulations to Her Majesty around the world.”

Customers travelling on flights arriving into London over the Jubilee weekend (June 2-5) will hear British Airways captains making congratulatory announcements to mark the occasion.

In British Airways’ Heathrow lounges, customers will be offered a regal afternoon tea, including a selection of traditional British sandwiches, sweet treats and a special Jubilee blend of tea from Twinings.

Premium customers in the Business and Concorde lounges will be invited to raise a glass to toast Her Majesty with a champagne cocktail, ‘ Pimms Royale’, or the award-winning English sparkling wine, Balfour Brut.

For those looking for some pre-flight pampering, there’s also a selection of Jubilee treatments at the Terminal 5 Elemis Spa exclusively for British Airways’ First, Club World and Gold Executive Club members. These customers will be able to choose from four ‘Royal Therapies’ and massage treatments, including Royal Rose facials, hand treatments and musclease foot and body workouts.
BRITISH AIRWAYS

JAL JAPAN AIRLINES - B787-8, JA826J

Fumiaki Seno - HND

Malaysia Airlines takes delivery of its first A380

Eighth operator of world's largest and most eco-efficient aircraft

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the eighth operator of the world’s largest and most eco-efficient airliner. The aircraft was handed over to MAS Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya by Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Brégier in Toulouse today.

Malaysia Airlines has ordered six A380s. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the aircraft feature a premium three class layout, with accommodation for a total of 494 passengers. Features include fully flat beds in First and Business Class, plus new wider seats in Economy. Seats in all classes are equipped with the latest individual in-flight entertainment systems, USB ports and satellite telephone facilities.

“The A380 showcases our latest premium offering in products and services. This will be our flagship aircraft, offering new levels of comfort, luxury and convenience for long haul travel,” said Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, MAS Group Chief Executive Officer. “With the A380 in our fleet, MAS will reinforce its position as one of the world’s preferred premium carriers bringing great Malaysian Hospitality to our customers.”

"We are extremely proud to welcome Malaysia Airlines as the latest operator of the A380," said Fabrice Brégier, Chief Operating Officer, Airbus. "The A380 has set new standards of comfort, fuel-efficiency and respect for the environment. The combination of these features and MAS’s world-famous in-flight service represents a winning formula, enabling the carrier to offer its passengers the best the industry has to offer.”

Since first entering service in 2007, the A380 has exceeded all expectations, flying more people further at lower cost, while significantly reducing carbon emissions. The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have also made the A380 a firm favourite with passengers, resulting in higher load factors and increased profitability on all routes where the aircraft is operated.

Typically seating 525 passengers in a three class layout, the A380 is capable of flying 8,300 nautical miles or 15,300 kilometres. This enables non-stop service with a full payload from Kuala Lumpur to any destination in Europe or one-stop service to major destinations in the US.

AIRBUS

A350 XWB static aircraft fuselage roll out

A350 XWB static airframe fuselage roll-out at the A350 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France
AIRBUS

A320 Air Asia 100th delivery

Air Asia took delivery of its 100th Airbus 320 today in Toulouse, France.
AIRBUS
Photo:José Ramon Valero

ALITALIA - ERJ-190, PH-EZX

Ton Jochems - AMS

Saudi Arabian Airlines introduces its first Boeing 777 SkyTeam logoje

Boeing 777-268 ER  - HZ-AKA
Ton Jochems - AMS

Japan Airlines puts its 2012 Olympic Team logojet into revenue service

Japan Airlines-JAL introduced this 2012 Olympic Team (Hooray! For Japan!) logojet in the form of Boeing 777-246 JA772J (msn 27657) which was formerly painted in the ARASHI Beautiful World 2011 special color scheme. The Olympic Team aircraft features the image of Kōhei Uchimura, a two-time Olympic silver-winning gymnast.
Photo:Fumiaki Seno

AZUL Linhas Aereas Brasileiras - EMB-190-200 IGW

 PR-AYP

 PR-AZG

 PR-AZL

Marcelo Fouquet de Biasi - SDU

AZUL Linhas Aereas Brasileiras - EMB-190-200IGW, PR-AYO

Marcelo Fouquet de Biasi - SDU

TRIP LINHAS AÉREAS - EMB-190-100LR, PP-PJR

Marcelo Fouquet de Biasi - SDU

THAI CARGO - B747-400F, HS-TGJ

Ton Jochmes - AMS

LOT - B737-400, SP-LLL

Ton Jochems - AMS

ALITALIA - A321-200, EI-IXI

Ton Jochems - AMS

GreenJet launching charter operations with Avion Express A320-200 managed by Cosmo

GreenJet Airline plans to launch charter operations shortly with the A320-200 operated by Avion Express  and managed by Spanish ACMI carrier Cosmo Airlines

ATI and Capital Cargo will be merged before the end of 2012

ATI - Air Transport International and its sister carrier Capital Cargo International Airlines will be merged before the end of the year by its parent Air Transport Services Group. ATI currently operates a single B757-200(F), three B767-200(F)s and two B767-300(F)s along with up to nine remaining DC-8 freighters. Capital Cargo operates eight B727-200(F)s and two B757-200(F)s. Both carriers are adding additional B757 and B767 freighters that are currently being converted and will eventually replace its B727s and DC-8s. Besides its cargo business, ATI also operates a single B767-200ER on passenger charter flights. It is unclear at this point under which of the two brand names, operations will be combined

FLYSCOOT - B777-200, 9V-OTA

Flyscoot

Boeing Delivers UPS's 50th 767 Freighter

EVERETT, Wash., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and UPS celebrated the delivery today of the cargo operator's 50th 767-300 Freighter. The airplane joins the world's largest 767 Freighter fleet.

"The Boeing 767 Freighter is the workhorse of our fleet," said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols. "This versatile widebody is an important element in UPS's global logistics network, helping us reach over 200 countries and territories each day."

The 767 Freighter is based on the popular 767-300ER (extended range) passenger airplane. Able to carry approximately 58 tons (52.7 tonnes) of revenue cargo with intercontinental range, the 767 Freighter is ideal for developing new long-haul, regional or feeder markets.

"UPS is one of the world's premier air-cargo carriers," said John Wojick, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of North America Sales. "They have demonstrated the versatility and high reliability of the 767 Freighter, helping establish it as the preferred airplane for the mid-sized freighter market."

UPS benefits from the 767's established schedule reliability, performance and operational advantages. Schedule reliability -- an industry measure of departure from the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled time -- is over 98 percent for the 767. UPS boasts a 767 Freighter fleet reliability of over 99 percent.

In addition to the 50 767 Freighters, Boeing also has delivered 75 757-200 Package Freighters and eight 747-400 Freighters to UPS. The Louisville, Kentucky-based logistics services provider has nine more 767 Freighters on order.

BOEING

Brazil’s Passaredo places firm order for 10 ATR 72-600s

Brazil’s Passaredo Linhas Aéreas took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 via an Air Lease Corp. (ALC) lease Tuesday, and also announced a contract with ATR to directly purchase 10 72-600s valued at more than $200 million at list prices.

Passaredo will take delivery of three more leased ATR 62-700s and the 10 purchased 72-600s over the next 31 months, meaning it will operate 14 of the type by the end of 2014. It also has options on 10 more of the type. The carrier will add two leased ATR 72-500s to its fleet this year.

Delta Air Lines to lease and operate all 88 AirTran Airways Boeing 717s

Delta Air Lines will become a new Boeing 717 operator as Southwest Airlines has found a way to dispose of the 88 Boeing 717-200s operated by its subsidiary AirTran Airways .

United to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Denver to Tokyo Narita

United Airlines (Chicago) today announced plans to launch daily, nonstop flights between its Denver hub and its hub at Tokyo Narita International Airport, effective on March 31, 2013, subject to government approval. Eastbound service from Tokyo begins on April 1. United will operate the service with state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

United offers more flights to more destinations worldwide from Denver than any other airline, with almost 400 peak day departures to 125 destinations throughout the year. United flies to nearly 50 more cities than the next largest carrier atDenver International Airport. This flight will be the city’s first nonstop service to Asia. Additionally, together with its joint venture partner ANA, United will offer seamless connections at Narita to or from more than 20 destinations in Asia.United is one of Denver’s largest private employers, with nearly 5,000 employees who proudly call Denver home.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

United will operate the service with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with 219 seats—36 in BusinessFirst and 183 in United Economy, including 63 Economy Plus seats with extra legroom. United BusinessFirst features flat-bed seats, along with a wide range of premium-cabin services and amenities.

Customers on the flights will experience the aircraft’s many passenger-friendly features including improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin pressure altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other features. The aircraft’s use of light-weight composites, together with its modern engines and improved aerodynamic design, allow it to fly farther, faster and more efficiently than similar sized conventional aircraft.

Convenient Schedules

United flight UA 123 will depart Denver daily at 11:55 a.m. (1155) and arrive in Tokyo at 3 p.m. (1500) the next day. Flight UA 122 will depart Tokyo’s Narita International Airport at 4:40 p.m. (1640) and arrive in Denver at 12:30 p.m. (1230) the same day.

Air Poland has filed for bankruptcy on April 26

Air Poland has already filed for bankruptcy and suspended operations with its two B737-800 on April 26. The Polish charter carrier blamed its financial difficulties on its new investor Swiss Capital Holding which apparently has failed to fulfill its financial obligations. Both ot the B737-800s previously operated by Air Poland are now back with former sister carrier Air Italy

Business Aero - Tupolev Tu-204-300A, RA-64010

José Ramon Valero - MAD

STATE of KUWAIT - A310-300, 9K-ALD

José Ramon Valero - MAD

Las Vegas Sands - B747SP, VQ-BMS

José Ramon Valero - MAD

Royal Air Maroc has agreed to wet-lease both A310-300 CS-TEI and CS-TEX from HiFly for the high season this summer

The aircraft will operate for RAM between June 17 and September 8. One of the A310-300s will be  at Oujda Leps Anglades  and operate from there to Brussels NationalZaventem and Paris Orly. The other one will be based at Nador Arwi and operate from Nador to Amsterdam Schiphol, Brussels, Dusseldorf International and Frankfurt International and from Tangiers Boukhalef  to Amsterdam and Brussels.

Mint Airways operations suspended, blames lack of demand

Mint Airways has suspended operations with its two B757-200 on May 13. It had mainly operated charter flights as well as ACMI services on behalf of other carriers and has cited lack of demand as the main reason for its financial difficulties that have led to its closure.

Photo:Flying Photos

Museu do Ar vai reabrir no dia 29 de Junho.

O Museu do Ar possui um vasto acervo, distribuído pelos seus pólos de Alverca e de Ovar e reservas, tendo inicialmente sido aberto ao público em Alverca, em 1970, num antigo hangar junto às Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico.

Com o aumento do acervo, considerado um dos melhores da Europa, as instalações tornaram-se exíguas o que levou à mudança para a Granja do Marquês. Um protocolo assinado com a Câmara Municipal de Sintra veio ajudar a criar o novo espaço expositivo preservando um valioso património aeronáutico nacional e internacional. Possuindo o triplo da área de Alverca, que pode ser ampliada até aos 12000 m2, tem acessível aos visitantes cerca de 7000 m2.

A nova área expositiva do Museu do Ar, que reabrirá as suas portas no dia 29 de Junho após uma reabilitação do espaço museológico, foi inaugurada em Dezembro de 2009 na Base Aérea 1, na Granja do Marquês, em Sintra. Ao projecto juntaram-se a TAP e a ANA Aeroportos mostrando em salas próprias os seus acervos históricos.

A colecção que estará patente ao público, a partir de 29 de Junho, apresentará uma exposição sobre a História da Aviação em Portugal, nas suas vertentes militar e civil, onde  o visitante encontrará 40 aeronaves, simuladores, motores e outros objectos.

No hangar principal, um painel fotográfico conta a história dos 100 anos da Aviação em Portugal.

Um dos modelos mais significativos em exposição é o biplano XIV Bis, de Santos Dumont. Trata-se da segunda réplica existente no mundo, a primeira está no Museu do Ar de Paris, feita a partir de pesquisa sobre o modelo de avião criado e pilotado pelo aviador em Paris no ano de 1906. Destacam-se também as aeronaves Junkers Ju 52, D.H. Hornet, Dragon Rapide, Spitfire e DC 3.

Será também aberta ao público a nova Sala dos Pioneiros onde serão apresentados objectos vários relacionados com os aviadores portugueses que contribuíram com o seu pioneirismo para o progresso da aviação em Portugal.

O Museu do Ar tem ainda uma biblioteca com 5000 títulos, disponível para consulta do público em geral e para valorizar o serviço educativo vai ser igualmente inaugurada neste dia a Sala de Multimédia patrocinada pela Câmara Municipal de Sintra.

Museu do Ar

Photo: Flying Photos

Privilege Style - B757-200, EC-ISY "Seychelles"

Jose Ramon Valero - MAD

FAA Grants APB Blended Winglets Approval for 767 Boeing Converted Freighter

SEATTLE, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) announced today that it has received approval from the FAA demonstrating compatibility for installing Blended Winglets on the Boeing 767 Converted Freighter (767-BCF). This development assures that Boeing 767-300ERs with Blended Winglets are viable candidate for future conversion to freighters by Boeing.

Blended Winglet technology installed on a Boeing 767-300ER/F/BCF reduces fuel burn by up to 500,000 gallons per aircraft per year while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 5,000 tons per year. Blended Winglets can also extend the range of a Boeing 767-300ER/F/BCF by as much as 320 nautical miles, or increase the payload of the aircraft by as much as 16,000 pounds. APB estimates that Blended Winglets have saved airlines worldwide more than 3.1 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

Boeing and APB, in addition to collaboration and data sharing, separately invested in design changes for the blended winglet and the 767-300ER BCF, respectively, to assure compatibility and bring the unique solution to market.

Over 4,400 Blended Winglet Systems are now in service on Boeing 737's, 757's, and 767's with more than 160 airlines in over 80 countries. Since certification in 2009, APB has taken orders (firm and options) for 379 Boeing 767-300ER/F/BCF Blended Winglet systems.

Aviation Partners Boeing is a Seattle based joint venture of Aviation Partners, Inc. and The Boeing Company.

Alaska Air Cargo Delivers Season's First Copper River Salmon to Seattle

Top restaurant chefs compete in ‘Copper Chef Cook-off'

5/18/2012 6:21 am (PT)

SEATTLE — Alaska Air Cargo delivered the season's first shipment of Copper River salmon today to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The arrival of Copper River salmon marks the start of the summer salmon season and is anticipated by seafood lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Alaska Airlines plane arrived early this morning with Copper River king and sockeye salmon from three seafood processors: Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Trident Seafoods and Copper River Seafoods. At least three more Alaska Airlines flights today will transport salmon from Cordova, Alaska, to Anchorage, Alaska, Seattle and across the United States. Alaska Airlines plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognized worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. The carrier flew nearly 25 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood to the Lower 48 states and beyond last year, including nearly 1.8 million pounds of Copper River salmon. "We're proud to be the first to bring wild and sustainable Copper River salmon to seafood lovers across the country, in many cases within 24 hours after the fish is caught," said Torque Zubeck, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo. "With enhanced food quality procedures and additional flights to support the Alaska seafood industry, we are going the extra mile to deliver seafood that's as fresh as possible." Copper Chef Cook-off Following the arrival of the first fish, three top Seattle chefs will compete to create the best salmon recipe in Alaska Air Cargo's "Copper Chef Cook-off." Pat Donahue, executive chef of Anthony's Restaurants and the 2010 and 2011 Copper Chef winner, will compete against executive chefs Jason Wilson of CRUSH and Wayne A. Johnson of Ray's Boathouse. The chefs will have 30 minutes to prepare and serve the first catch of the season to a panel of judges, including Jay Buhner, Seattle Mariners Hall of Famer; Joanne Dunham, co-owner of Dunham Cellars; Gary Horner, senior winemaker at Erath Winery; and Bill Ayer, chairman of Alaska Air Group. To showcase the versatility of Copper River salmon, two Northwest wines, an Oregon pinot noir from Erath and a Washington chardonnay from Dunham Cellars, have been selected to pair with the salmon in this year's cook-off. The wines were selected for their flavor-enhancing profiles that blend well with salmon and break the old adage that fish only pairs with white wine. The airline will use its Twitter account, @AlaskaAir, to announce the winning Copper River salmon recipe. The three recipes that will be prepared for the Copper Chef Cook-off are available to download here Enhanced seafood quality training program Copper River salmon shipped on Alaska Air Cargo this season will arrive as fresh as possible to grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a cool chain training program required of all airline employees who handle perishables. Alaska Air Cargo employees are required to adhere to strict seafood quality standards and pass an annual food quality course. Seafood processors and shippers follow these cool-chain standards to provide a temperature-controlled environment for proper food handling. The goal is to keep seafood moving rapidly throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and maintain a consistent temperature range from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at stores and restaurants. ALASKA

Air Nigeria to commence flights to London on May 16 and Johannesburg on May 17

Air Nigeria will on May 16 commence scheduled direct flights from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick with affordable fares for a return economy ticket, while, it will also on May 17, commence flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, using a modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes. 

The development is coming just as Air Nigeria is currently implementing a growth phase strategy initiated by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR) who acquired the airline two years ago. The recommencement of the long-haul flights mark a historic moment for Nigerian aviation and in the West African sub-region as passengers now have a wider array of choice and more than ever before, can conveniently connect onwards to London and Johannesburg and points beyond. 

Commenting on the commencement of both services, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye, Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria said: “After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market”. 

He further noted that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria’s commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that will meet the aspirations of the travelling publics. Passengers will have distinctive onboard experience on the flights as indigenous meals and variety of movies will be offered as the airline is committed to delivering quality services at an affordable price. 

Mr. Kahssaye also announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun as Executive Director, International Operation. Mr. Aisuebeogun, an ACI/ICAO International Airport Professional (IAP) brings a wealth of excellent leadership qualities and competence to drive the international arm of the airline in line with the overall business objectives. 

Air Nigeria's flights to London will be operated from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport to the South Terminal of London Gatwick Airport where passengers will have the ease of connectivity across Europe as well as onwards to North America while London bound passengers will have excellent links to London, the North of England, and the South coast. 

At the inauguration of the international flight operations on May 16 and 17, Air Nigeria will operate three flights weekly to both London and Johannesburg, and by June 16, 2012, increase the frequency on the Lagos-London Gatwick route to daily flights. 

The long-haul services will be operated with the recently acquired modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two class configuration of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art iPADS for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airline to offer such a product to passengers. 
Air Nigéria

Timor Air (BF) has confirmed it signed a memorandum of understanding with a partner carrier and is gearing up for jet operations.

Newly appointed CEO James Stewart Kim, managing director of AvCon Worldwide Ltd., told ATW that the fledgling airline expects to start jet operations in “three to four months time” after entering into an agreement with AvCon, a London-based aviation consulting firm, to manage the business.

BF launched last July in a partnership with Vincent Aviation and had served the daily Dili (DIL)-Darwin (DRW) route. Last week Australian media reported the carrier ceased operations.

ATW

Photo: Timor Air

Southwest Airlines (SWA) has deferred deliveries of 30 Boeing 737-800s from 2013-2014 to 2017-2018, as it focuses on hitting its profit target, the carrier confirmed to ATW. The deferrals, 20 in 2013 and 10 in 2014, will save more than $1 billion for the carrier.

ATW