AURORA - A319-100 - VP-BWK

 

Dmitry Petrov - Moscow - Sheremetyevo


Aeroflot has begun consolidating its Russian Far East operations ahead of the imminent launch of its new subsidiary, Aurora. Extensive ch-aviation research has revealed that, in addition to retiring its fleet of six Tu-204-300s from revenue service on October 26, Vladivostok Air has now suspended its Moscow Sheremetyevo as well as regional flights operated with its Yak-40s and all international services. Operations are now restricted to the Russian Far East using its remaining six A320-200s. Meanwhile, sister carrier, SAT Airlines has yet to rebrand itself into Aurora; this is only expected to occur later this year when the airline takes delivery of its first Aeroflot A319-100s. As it stands, SAT's domestic B737 operations (two B737-200s and a B737-500) now operate using Aeroflot flight numbers though it still retains its own flight numbers on regional Dash 8-300-operated routes as well as on flights to Harbin, Sapporo Chitose and Seoul Incheon. In the longrun, as the first A319-100s begin to arrive, more flights will be launched/taken over from Vladivostok Air. All A319s will operate under Aeroflot flight numbers on a wet-lease basis.
ch-aviation

AIRBUS - A380 - F-WWDD

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

AVIANCA - ATR-72-600 -F-WWEC

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Boeing Delivers 12th Production P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to US Navy

SEATTLE, Oct. 30, 2013 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the 12th production P-8A Poseidon on schedule on Oct. 25, enhancing the long-range maritime patrol capabilities of the U.S. Navy. The P-8A later departed Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., where it joined the other Poseidon aircraft being used to train Navy crews.

Qatar Airways joins oneworld

A decade of flying high: Air Arabia celebrates anniversary

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today celebrates ten years of successful operations which has revolutionised the air travel industry in the Arab world. As the first low-cost carrier in the region, the anniversary also marks the completion of a first decade of low-cost aviation in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Air Arabia has experienced massive, sustained growth since October 2003, when it introduced a new way of taking flight to the Arab world. From the earliest days of serving five destinations with just a pair aircraft, the airline has grown to operate 86 destinations that spread across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Indian Subcontinent, served by 34 aircraft today.

To commemorate the occasion, Adel Ali, the airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer, addressed a media gathering in Dubai, where he highlighted that Air Arabia, in its second decade, aims to continue leading the low cost travel segment in the MENA region, and enter new ventures and embark on further expansion to all airports in the Arab world.

Ali said: “By reducing the cost of air travel, and therefore revolutionising the air travel in the region, we have created opportunities for more people to travel in the past decade. Ten years ago, we couldn’t have anticipated how rapidly Air Arabia would grow, or how dramatically our pioneering low-cost model would change how, when and at what price people would travel here in the Arab world.”

“The past decade has been a remarkable journey for all of us at Air Arabia – including our employees and, of course, our loyal passengers,” Ali continued. “On behalf of everyone at Air Arabia, I thank Governments, Airports and Civil Aviation Authorities in the UAE and across our network for ten years of continuous support.”

Having now served over 37 million passengers – connecting them with friends and families – Air Arabia is firmly established as one of the rare success stories in the region, and a strong participant in the region’s skies. The airline’s steady growth has always been driven by significant value to its loyal customer base, with its philosophy of offering value for money services and greater connectivity across its award-winning route network.

Ali concluded: “As we enter into the second decade, we will continue to work hard to become the most preferred airline serving all airports in the Arab world, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean, whilst focusing on providing efficiency and superior customer comfort.”

Air Arabia, the first publicly listed airline in the Arab world and the largest airline by market value, today serves 86 destinations from three operational hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. The carrier’s existing fleet consists of 34 aircraft with 10 additional aircraft planned to join the fleet in 2014.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Air Arabia also unveiled a special Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring a unique 10-year livery to signify the carrier's entry into its second decade. The commemorative aircraft will shuttle between the original launch destinations served by Air Arabia when it began operations in October 2003.

ARJ21-700 AC102 successfully completes flight test at Yinchuan airport and flies to Yanliang, Xi'an

ARJ21-700 AC102 flew to the airport of Flight Test Establishment, Yanliang after completing the flight test at Yinchuan airport on October 19th, 2013. During the period in Yinchuan, AC102 adopted optimal combination on test points and conducted three flights, with a total flight time of 7 hours and 37 minutes. On October 17th, AC102 conducted two flights which took 3 hours and 10 minutes and 3 hours and 28 minutes respectively, and quickly confirmed that 13 test points were valid, completing the flight test scientifically and efficiently.

Boeing Continues to Improve 737 MAX Performance

RENTON, Wash., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737 MAX program continues to make steady development progress since reaching Firm Configuration on the 737 MAX 8 in July. Engineers have completed an assessment of the airplane's performance confirming an additional 1 percent fuel-efficiency improvement over the 13 percent already promised to customers.

"Program and airplane performance just continues to improve," said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager, 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We have been very disciplined in our approach and continue to realize more benefit for our customers as we retire risk on the program and get further into development."

Airlines that will operate the 737 MAX now will realize a 14 percent fuel-efficiency improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes. At longer ranges, the improvement will be even greater.

"This recent fuel-efficiency gain will widen the performance gap in the single-aisle market, reinforcing the 737 MAX's position as the value leader," said Leverkuhn.

The 737 MAX will feature several new systems that will improve the management of maintenance information. For example, some Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) information will be brought into the flight deck. Today, maintenance technicians access this fault data in the forward electronic equipment bay of the airplane. By bringing this data up to the flight deck, maintenance issues can be resolved faster.

The MAX also will include an enhanced onboard network system comprised of a digital flight data acquisition unit (eDFDAU) and network file server (NFS). These systems will provide a centralized data collection system with more storage capacity, doubling the maintenance data available during flight. The system will be capable of connecting the airplane in flight to airplane operations on the ground enabling airlines to better prepare for potential dispatch issues.

"We are enhancing the capability of the 737 MAX to meet the future needs of a digital world," said Michael Teal, chief project engineer, 737 MAX. "Recognizing that the Next-Generation 737 is already the most reliable single-aisle airplane with 99.7 percent of flights departing on time, we are being very deliberate about any changes we make to the airplane systems on the 737 MAX to make the airplane even easier to operate and maintain." 

Some of these systems such as the eDFDAU and NFS are under development for initial delivery on the Next-Generation 737 prior to the 737 MAX. Many of these systems were tested during the 737 ecoDemonstrator program last year, showing the value they will provide to airlines operating the 737 MAX.

"Through careful testing and selective application on the Next-Generation 737 before MAX enters service, we can ensure these systems are ready to enhance the management of our customers' fleets," said Teal.

Engineers continue to make progress on the detailed design of the airplane. Recently the team completed the Firm Systems Definition, which defines the hardware locations for the systems on the airplane.

 "Throughout the design process we'll continue to look for opportunities to improve operational performance, schedule and cost for our customers," said Leverkuhn. "We are on track for first delivery of the 737 MAX in the third quarter of 2017."

JetBlue Deal Marks 10,000th Airbus A320 Family Order

Order includes: 35 new aircraft; 18 upsized models; launches Sharklets retrofit programme

Just days after taking delivery of its very first A321 aircraft, JetBlue Airways has placed a new order for 15 A321ceo (current engine option) and 20 A321neo (new engine option) aircraft. In addition, the airline has opted to upsize 8 A320ceo and 10 A320neo aircraft currently on backlog to 8 A321ceo and 10 A321neo, respectively. This order marks the 10,000th order for an Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

"We are pleased to convert some of our A320 positions to A321s, and order additional A321s to better match capacity with demand," said JetBlue President and CEO Dave Barger. "The A321 is the ideal aircraft for our high density markets. In addition, a subfleet of the A321s will power our Mint premium service on the New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco markets. It is the right aircraft for JetBlue's lucrative routes. We eagerly look forward to the Sharklet retrofits and -NEO aircraft to further reduce operating costs." 


Since its launch in the 1984, the A320 Family has continued to evolve with the demands of the market, with the latest innovations being the A320neo and the Sharklets fuel saving wing tip devices. The A320neo features fuel-efficient new engines which bring enhanced range, and Sharklets which result in up to four percent reduced fuel burn. The A320neo is the fastest selling commercial aircraft ever, with some 60 percent of the market in sales. Nearly 2,400 NEO aircraft have been sold since the programme’s launch.



“JetBlue launched its business with an all-Airbus fleet, demonstrating they are a forward-thinking airline,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “The fact that they are turning to the NEO and larger Airbus aircraft overall makes it clear that they know how to please their passengers and maximize profits. In addition, JetBlue has always been a great partner in the Airbus Sharklet programme and have been instrumental in our ability to launch the in-service retrofit option.”

This order marks, with JetBlue as a partner, the launch of the Sharklet retrofit programme, which allows airlines currently flying A320ceo aircraft the option of optimizing their aircraft’s performance with the addition of Sharklets. (See separate press release for further details)

JetBlue will be the first airline in the world to take delivery of an aircraft from Airbus’ newest assembly facility, currently under construction in Mobile, Alabama. The facility will create 1,000 new jobs in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and is part of the strategy to enhance Airbus’ global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and elsewhere. Deliveries at the Mobile facility will begin in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018.

 

Germania to paint its first Airbus A321 in the colors of German tour operator Alltours

Norwegian virtual carrier FlyNonstop files for bankruptcy

FlyNonstop has filed for bankruptcy in the morning of Tuesday, October 29. It had offered non-stop services from Kristiansand and Aalesund to destinations around Europe with a single EMB-190 chartered from Denim Air ACMI since April of this year but failed to generate enough revenues to make its operations sustainable.

Aerolineas Argentinas acquires first ex-Singapore Airlines A340-500

Aerolineas Argentinas is to acquire its first A340-500, 9V-SGA (c/n 492), currently in service with Singapore Airlines . The quadjet was recently ferried from Singapore to Lourdes/Tarbes ahead of delivery to South America. The Argentine national carrier currently operates four A340-200s and eight A340-300s on its Latin American, US, Australian and European services. Singapore Airlines will offload its fleet of four A340-500s following a recent move to gradually phase out its Singapore Changi to Newark and Los Angeles Int'l direct flights by year-end. Aerolineas Argentinas is expected to lease several A340-500s to eventually replace its aging fleet of four A340-200s delivered between 1994 and 1995.
ch-aviation

Spain's Cosmo Airlines calls it quits

Cosmo Airlines (Madrid Barajas) has suspended operations ch-aviation can exclusively reveal. The Spanish charter airline had not operated any aircraft following the end of an ACMI contract with Lithuania's Avion Express (X9, Vilnius) for an A320-200, LY-COM (cn 528), but has now decided not to resume operations with other aircraft. ch-aviation
Photo:FPP

GE Capital Aviation Services Delivers New Leased Boeing 777-36NER to Kenya Airways

SEATTLE, Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to GE Capital Aviation Services for lease to Kenya Airways. It is Kenya Airways' first 777-300ER and the largest airplane in the carrier's fleet, providing greater capacity, range and improved operating economics for its long-haul operations.

"The delivery of this Boeing 777-300ER aircraft marks a key milestone for us at Kenya Airways. Its long-haul capability is a perfect fit for our network expansion plans as it will enable us serve our existing long range markets much more effectively and facilitate the opening of routes in the near future," said Kenya Airways' Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Titus Naikuni. "This is an important step as we continue opening up Africa to the rest of the world."



The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. Kenya Airways' 777-300ER is configured with 400 seats, 28 in Premier World and 372 in Economy, and features USB ports, power sockets and an all-new in-flight entertainment system throughout the cabin. The airplane can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers) and is equipped with GE90-115B engines, the world's most powerful commercial jet engine.



Kenya Airways is set to take delivery of a further two 777-300ERs, including an additional lease, as part of the carrier's 10-year strategic plan dubbed 'Project Mawingu.' The Nairobi-based carrier plans to increase its fleet size from 44 airplanes to 107 by 2021 and destinations from the current 62 to 115. Currently the airline operates an all-Boeing long-haul fleet of four 777-200ERs and six 767-300ERs.

"The 777-300ER will be an excellent addition to Kenya Airways' rapidly expanding long-haul fleet, providing it with greater capacity, range and flexibility on new and existing routes," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward to working in close partnership with Kenya Airways to provide it with exceptional airplanes as the carrier continues its ambitious growth plan to offer passengers a wider choice of destinations coupled with enhanced in-flight comfort."   

With this delivery, Kenya Airways is also working with Boeing to support the Alaskan Sudan Medical Project (ASMP) by carrying 10,400 lbs (4,717 kilograms) of humanitarian supplies on the 777-300ER's delivery flight to Kenya. ASMP will use the supplies to build medical clinics, drill water wells and construct bio-sand filters for clean water in the Jonglei region of South Sudan. The humanitarian cargo will also include water pumps and agriculture equipment to support local farmers, fulfilling the ASMP's mission statement of saving lives through health, clean water and agriculture.

Kenya Airways operates a fleet of more than 25 Boeing airplanes including, 777s, 767s and 737s. The carrier serves more than 60 destinations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe and has nine 787 Dreamliners currently on order from Boeing.

AZERBAIJAN - B767-300W - 4K-AZ82

Ton Jochems - AYT

ONUR AIR - A321-200 - TC-OBF

Ton Jochems - AYT

AIR ASIA - A320-200 - F-WWBE

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

JETSTAR - A320-200 - F-WWBK

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

DHL / TASMAN CARGO AIRLINES - B757-236 - VH-TCA

DHL Logistics Partner for the World Rugby Cup 2015 officially released today with this 757 wearing World Cup Decals, which will be rolled out worldwide on the fleet.

Photo: Jonathan Rankin - Auckland - New Zealand,

KAM AIR - B747-400F- 4L-TZS

Kam Air is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and our flight networks connects Afghanistan to the world.

Photo:Paul Denton - Dubai

GCS CARGO - A300B4-203F- 4L-ABL

Global Charter Services (GCS Cargo) is cargo ACMI/charter operator, based in Sharjah, UAE - at the crossroad of the Asian sub-continent, Middle East, Africa and Europe. The company was established in early 2009.

Nowadays, GCS Cargo is operating its own fleet of 2x A300 B4 freighter, as well as leased IL76TD aircraft from UAE and Middle East airports to War Risk zone (Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Libya etc). We provide cost effective and highly flexible solutions for urgent/perishable/outsized cargo requests, based on charter and ACMI agreements with various freight forwarders.

Photo: Paul Denton

Air Armenia adds first B737-500 ahead of scheduled services launch

Air Armenia has taken delivery of a first ex-Orenair B737-500 to be registered EK-73797 in Armenia shortly. It plans to use the leased 131 seat aircraft to launch scheduled services from Yerevan to several destinations in Russia from October 27.

BRITISH AIRWAYS - A380 - G-XLEC

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

FIJI AIRWAYS - A330-200 - F-WWCZ

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Aeroflot Celebrates One Decade of Operating Airbus A-320

 

Ten years ago Aeroflot received its first aircraft from the Airbus family — A320-A-319 which was named after the eminent Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Prokofiev.

The A320 family airplanes meet all the requirements of security, reliability and passenger comfort. Aeroflot operates A320 aircraft on European and domestic routes. In terms of operational reliability and actual hours flown per aircraft, the company is among the world leaders. Cabins of this aircraft family are made in two-class configuration and designed to carry 116 (A319), 140 and 158 (A320), and 170 (A321) passengers.

Many aircraft of the A320 family which is the backbone of Aeroflot’s park are decorated with unique liveries and logos. You can find A320s with «Dobrolet» retro-livery, Winter Olympics mascots, Yekaterinburg World Expo 2020 Bid Committee logo. A jet from A-320 family became the Olympic Torch Relay aircraft and brought the Olympic flame from Greece to Moscow. Also, the Olympic Torch Relay team will travel to the northern regions of the country (from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok) and to the Caucasus on board of Aeroflot’s A320.

Today Aeroflot’s fleet counts 140 airplanes, most of them are of A319/320/321 family. All the Airbus aircraft are delivered to Aeroflot directly from the manufacturer. The average age of an A320 family aircraft is 5 years.


Aeroflot’s fleet is one of the youngest in Europe. By the end of 2012, Aeroflot reached the fourth place among European carriers in terms of aircraft deliveries, according to Airline Business rating.

Сelebrating its 90-th anniversary in 2013, Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship airline and the largest national air company. Proudly being a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, Aeroflot with its partnering members provides service to more than 1000 destinations in 178 countries. Aeroflot operates one of the most modern and youngest fleets in Europe counting 140 aircraft formed by Airbus, Boeing and Sukhoi airliners with an average airplane age between five and six years old. In 2012 Aeroflot carried 17.7 million passengers (27.5 million passengers as Aeroflot Group), continuously showing the best results in modern Russia’s history. In June 2013 Aeroflot was for the second time awarded by SKYTRAX as The Best Airline in Eastern Europe. Find more at www.aeroflot.com.

Russian MS-21 will be renamed to Yak-242

The upcoming Russian short- and mid-range passenger airliner MS-21 will be renamed to Yak-242. The decision was announced by Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during his visit to Irkut Corporation, reports Lenta.ruquoting Interfax.



MS-21 is a joint project between the Irkut Corporation and Yakovlev Design Bureau both of which belong to the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation. The new 150-180 seats airplane is being developed based on the design of never-produced Yak-242. MS-21 will be produced with two engine options – either Pratt & Whitney’s PW1400G or Russian PD-14. The maiden flight is planned to take place in 2015. The overall cost of the program is estimated between 5 to 8 billion USD.

 As of today, 160 orders have been placed for MS-21 with additional 35 under options. Depending on aircraft configuration, single MS-21 will cost from 70 to 85 million USD.

 Source and image: Lenta.ru/ Interfax/ UAC

Korean Air finalizes Boeing deal, orders one 787

The five 787-8Is will be powered by the GEnx-2B engine and the six 777-300ERs will be powered by the GE90-115B engine.

 According to Boeing, with this order Korean Air expands its backlog of 747-8Is and 777-300ERs to 10 each. The order also increases the carrier’s 787 backlog to 11.

 atw

Korean Air has finalized an order for five Boeing 747-8Is and six 777-300ERs that was announced as a commitment during the Paris Air Show in June. In addition, the South Korean flag carrier will order one more 787. The combined order is worth $3.9 billion at current list prices.

El Al finalizes order for two more B737-900(ER)s from Boeing

El Al Israel Airlines and Boeing have finalized an order for two additional B737-900(ER)s. The order comes just two weeks after the Israeli flag-carrier took delivery of its first 737-900(ER), 4X-EHA (msn 41552). This order brings the total number of 737-900(ER)s ordered by EL AL to eight. The type is used on flights from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion to Continental Europe, Russia and the Mediterranean.
ELAL

Iraqi Airways to order five CS300s from Bombardier

Iraqi Airways  is set to acquire five CS300s from Bombardier, after the Iraqi Ministry of Transport greenlighted the deal. According to Iraqi news agency Aswat Al-Iraq, the five jets, valued at USD200million, will replace five of ten CRJ-900s that currently remain on order from the Canadian manufacturer. ch aviation

NORWEGIAN - B737-800 - "Tails"

 

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

ATLAS JET - B747-400F - N408MC

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

Morocco Air Force - CASA235M - CN-AMG

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

AEGEAN - A320-200 - SX-DGL

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

AIR NAMIBIA - A330-200 - F-WWCD

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

AIR CHINA - A330-200 - B-5932

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Cambodia's Skywings Asia leasing Adria Airways' A320-200

 Skywings Asia Airlines are set to lease an Adria Airways Airbus A320-200, for the duration of the Winter 2013/14 season, ch-aviation has been exclusively informed. As it stands, the aircraft operated its last flight for Adria between Munich and Ljubljana on October 22. Skywings operates two A320-200s on predominantly charter flights to China, South Korea and Vietnam.
ch-aviation

Sólyom Hungarian Airways files for bankruptcy as management disappears

Sólyom Hungarian Airways has officially filed for bankruptcy after it was unable to launch operations. The Hungarian media reports now state that the airline never received its Air Operators Certificate added to which Omani investors pulled out at the last moment. Reports further allege that management, headed by CEO Jozsef Vago, has now mysteriously disappeared. Using a fleet of twelve B737-500s, Sólyom had hoped to serve all of continental Europe with long-haul flights to the US and Far East to have come later on.
ch-aviation

GARUDA INDONESIA - A330-300 - EC-LXR (Air Europa)

Ton Jochems - PMI

GARUDA INDONESIA - A330-300 - EC-LXA (Air Europa)

Ton Jochems - PMI