HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

JetBlue - A321-200Sharklets - N935JBD

Duncan Stewart - LAX

AMERICAN AIRLINES - B757-200W - N689AA

Duncan Stewart - LAX

UNITED AIRLINES - A320-200 - N443UA

Duncan Stewart - LAX

AirAsia Plane with 159 Aboard Overshoots Philippine Runway

An AirAsia passenger plane sits on the grassy portion of the runway after overshooting upon landing in windy weather at Kalibo airport in Kalibo township, Aklan province in central Philippines Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. Giovanni Hontomin, who is in charge of AirAsia Zest's operations, told The Associated Press crewmembers activated an emergency slide to help passengers disembark safely from the Airbus aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries to the passengers and crew and the plane remained stuck on a grassy area near the runway end. (AP Photo/Jun Aguirre)

An AirAsia Zest plane carrying 159 people overshot the runway and got stuck in a muddy field Tuesday at an international airport in the central Philippines after landing from Manila in windy weather, officials said. There were no reports of injuries.

Crew members launched emergency slides to help passengers disembark from the Airbus A320-200 after it skidded off the runway in the resort town of Kalibo in Aklan province before nightfall, Giovanni Hontomin, who is in charge of AirAsia Zest's operations, said by phone.

Initial reports indicated that three of the plane's tires got stuck in the mud, said Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio. He said the busy airport would be closed to air traffic until the stalled aircraft, which likely sustained some damage, is towed away from near the runway's end.

A tropical storm has set off landslides and flash floods in the southern and central Philippines, leaving at least 31 people dead and seven missing, officials said Tuesday.

Kalibo town, 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Manila, is a busy gateway to the Boracay beach resort, a popular tourist destination.

The accident came after an AirAsia plane crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday during a flight from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board. Bloated bodies and debris were seen floating in Indonesian waters Tuesday.

It also came two days after another incident involving an AirAsia Zest plane. On Sunday, a jet operated by the carrier developed a tire problem in the central Philippine city of Tagbilaran while its 184 passengers and crew were boarding, prompting the airline to cancel the flight to Manila, officials said.

The Airbus A320 aircraft's tire was later fixed, allowing it to resume its flight to the Philippine capital Monday morning. No reason was given for the problem.

Budget carrier AirAsia Zest is partly owned by AirAsia Philippines.

China Southern Retires Last B777-200ERs

China Southern Airlines (CZ) said that its last two Boeing 777-200ERs, registration B-2056 and B-2058, took off from Guangzhou to Phoenix, U.S. with a stopover in Hawaii on Dec. 25.

Since 17 years ago when the first B777-200ER was delivered to China Southern, the 777-200ER fleet has flown safely for more than 360 thousand hours, with over 80 thousand takeoffs and landings.

What's more, two others of the last four B777-200ERs, registration B-2055 and B-2057, have already flown to U.S. on Dec. 18.

Up to now, China Southern has retired all its six B777-200ERs

WCARN

AIR ASTANA - A321-200 - P4-NAS

Ton Jochems - AMS

CATHAY PACIFIC CARGO - B747-800F - B-LJA

Ton Jochems - AMS

KLM Cityhopper - FK70 - PH-KZS

Ton Jochems - AMS

Customer Places Firm Order for 24 Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen Aircraft

Order caps off fruitful year in which the CRJ aircraft expanded into new markets in Africa, the Middle East and China

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that a customer, who has requested to remain unidentified at this time, has signed a firm order for 24 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $1.14 billion US.

“Bombardier sets the benchmark for aircraft in this category. With its demonstrated reliability and low fuel consumption, the CRJ900 NextGen regional is recognized as the most cost-efficient jet aircraft in its class,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “With the most recent enhancements to the aircraft, we are constantly moving that benchmark forward, reducing the CRJ900 NextGen airliner’s fuel burn by up to 5.5 per cent compared to earlier-generation CRJ900 aircraft, and making it the ideal tool for operators looking at further increasing the efficiency of their fleets.”

Including this latest order, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1,858 CRJ Series aircraft, including 384 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and over 30 customers operate corporate variants of the aircraft in more than 50 countries on six continents. CRJ Series aircraft have transported more than 1.5 billion passengers and have logged more than 41 million flight hours and over 34 million takeoffs and landings

Lao Central hopes to resume operations in mid-2015

Lao Central Airlines has told the Sayacinta Airpost that it plans to eventually resume operations in mid-2015 using a fleet of four SSJ 100-95 aircraft following a restructuring exercise.

Prior to its suspending operations earlier in 2014, the carrier had operated two B737-400s and a single SSJ 100-95. According to the report, Lao Central plans to operate under new ownership having previously been controlled by Phongsavanh Bank. It has three additional SuperJets on order and has reportedly been able to find agreement with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (Moscow Zhukovsky) on the financial terms for the delayed deliveries.

ch-aviation

AIR CANADA ROUGE - A319-100 - C-FYKW

Duncan Stewart - LAX

Xiamen Airlines Receives Two New Boeing 737-800 Aircraft

Xiamen Airlines has completed its annual fleet expansion plan, with two brand new Boeing 737-800 landing at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) on Dec. 26.

The introduction of the two 737-800s, Registration B-1971 and B-1790, is the first time for the airline receiving two aircraft in the same day, expanding the airline's all-Boeing fleet to 113 aircraft including 17 737-700s, 88 737-800s, 6 757-200s and 2 787-8 Dreamliners.

wcarn

AIR EUROPA - B737-800W - EC-LPR - Legalitas.com

Ton Jochems - AMS

Southwest Airlines Celebrates Final Scheduled AirTran Airways Flight

Southwest

Duncan Stewart - LAX

With a commemorative salute, AirTran Airways final flight from Atlanta to Tampa Bay marks new era for Southwest Airlines as integration nears completion

DALLAS, Dec. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines embarked on a new era today as it celebrated the last AirTran Airways revenue flight. At 10:25pm EST, AirTran Airways Flight 1 departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Tampa Bay International Airport.
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"With this special flight, we are celebrating history and setting our sights on a bright future for all of Southwest Airlines," said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President, who was on the flight to Tampa. "The work of so many People culminates in this moment as we salute the enormous accomplishments of AirTran and Southwest. For our Customers and Employees, we now move forward with one airline, one Customer Experience, one flight schedule, one Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program, and one award-winning Brand."

More than 400 AirTran and Southwest Employees and special guests gathered in Atlanta Sunday evening to commemorate the milestone. AirTran Flight 1 retraced a route that is a nod to AirTran's first commercial flight in October 1993. Flight 1's flight crew consisted of longtime AirTran Employees, including the airline's Chief Pilot, Floy Ponder, a 19-year veteran of AirTran Airways. Each of the flight's 117 passengers, consisting of many former AirTran Employees, retirees, special guests, and aviation enthusiasts received a special keepsake celebrating the historic flight.

"As we've grown in both the domestic and international markets, I can't help but think about all the doors the AirTran acquisition has opened for Southwest Airlines," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President & CEO, who was in Atlanta for the send-off. "The most important things—which cannot be measured and are irreplaceable—are the great People of AirTran who have worked hard to achieve this milestone, and are all soon to be part of the Southwest Airlines family."

The acquisition of AirTran was a unique opportunity to extend the Southwest network into key markets it didn't yet serve, such as Atlanta and the greater Washington, D.C., area, via Ronald Reagan National Airport. The integration gives Southwest the opportunity to serve Customers from 93 airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations, providing Customers more low-fare destinations as it expands the well-known "Southwest Effect" to hundreds of additional low-fare itineraries for the traveling public.

Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran Airways in 2011.

Duncan Stewart - LAX

Virgin Atlantic Moves Forward Boeing 787-9 Shanghai Service to mid-June 2015

Virgin Atlantic is moving forward planned Boeing 787-9 operations on London Heathrow – Shanghai Pu Dong route, currently scheduled from 15JUN15. Previously VS planned to operate Boeing 787 aircraft from 25OCT15.

VS250 LHR1515 – 0940+1PVG 789 D
VS251 PVG1140 – 1720LHR 789 D

Routes Online

Photos:Virgin Atlantic

QANTAS FAREWELLS ITS LAST BOEING 767 MELBOURNE Posted on 27th December 2014 Tweet PRINT FRIENDLY VERSION Qantas will today say farewell to its last Boeing 767, as the aircraft conducts its final flight – with the special flight number of QF767 – from Melbourne to Sydney. The Boeing 767 has been in the Qantas fleet since July 1985 and for a time was the ‘workhorse’ of the fleet, carrying nearly 168 million passengers on over 927,000 flights. Qantas Head of Flying Operations and Boeing 767 pilot, Captain Mike Galvin, said the 767 had served Qantas extremely well over the past 29 years. “The 767 has been a staple in the Qantas fleet for more than two decades and was a favourite with both crew and customers. It’s been an extremely reliable aircraft and has served Qantas and our customers very well over the years,” Captain Galvin said. “While it’s sad to say goodbye, it’s definitely time to retire the 767s as we have been bringing in newer aircraft that are more advanced and fuel efficient. It’s also part of reducing complexity in our fleet by reducing the number of different aircraft types we fly from 11 down to seven.” Qantas had a total of 41 Boeing 767 in its fleet over the years, which collectively flew more than 1.8 billion kilometers – the equivalent of 2,438 return trips to the moon. A widebody aircraft capable of carrying about 250 people, the B767 was used in recent years flying between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as from the east coast to Perth. Much of the flying done by the B767s will be taken over by Qantas’ fleet of newer and larger A330s, which are receiving a major interior upgrade and seat around 300 people. The remainder of the flying will be done through increased utilisation of the airline’s smaller B737s. Since FY09, Qantas has taken delivery of over 140 new aircraft while retiring more than 80 – bringing the average age of its fleet down to 7.7 years, which is the lowest it has been for more than two decades and is significantly younger than the averages in North America, Europe or Asia Pacific. The final Qantas Boeing 767 flight will depart Melbourne at 5pm and will do a flyover Sydney CBD, before landing at the airport at 6.25pm.

Qantas will today say farewell to its last Boeing 767, as the aircraft conducts its final flight – with the special flight number of QF767 – from Melbourne to Sydney.

The Boeing 767 has been in the Qantas fleet since July 1985 and for a time was the ‘workhorse’ of the fleet, carrying nearly 168 million passengers on over 927,000 flights.

Qantas Head of Flying Operations and Boeing 767 pilot, Captain Mike Galvin, said the 767 had served Qantas extremely well over the past 29 years.

“The 767 has been a staple in the Qantas fleet for more than two decades and was a favourite with both crew and customers. It’s been an extremely reliable aircraft and has served Qantas and our customers very well over the years,” Captain Galvin said.

“While it’s sad to say goodbye, it’s definitely time to retire the 767s as we have been bringing in newer aircraft that are more advanced and fuel efficient. It’s also part of reducing complexity in our fleet by reducing the number of different aircraft types we fly from 11 down to seven.”

Qantas had a total of 41 Boeing 767 in its fleet over the years, which collectively flew more than 1.8 billion kilometers – the equivalent of 2,438 return trips to the moon.

A widebody aircraft capable of carrying about 250 people, the B767 was used in recent years flying between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as from the east coast to Perth.

Much of the flying done by the B767s will be taken over by Qantas’ fleet of newer and larger A330s, which are receiving a major interior upgrade and seat around 300 people. The remainder of the flying will be done through increased utilisation of the airline’s smaller B737s.

Since FY09, Qantas has taken delivery of over 140 new aircraft while retiring more than 80 – bringing the average age of its fleet down to 7.7 years, which is the lowest it has been for more than two decades and is significantly younger than the averages in North America, Europe or Asia Pacific.

The final Qantas Boeing 767 flight will depart Melbourne at 5pm and will do a flyover Sydney CBD, before landing at the airport at 6.25pm.
Qantas

Jet2 to use AirAsia X A330-300 for Manchester summer flights 6 hours agono comments or reactions Jet2 (LS, Leeds/Bradford) will wet-lease an A330-300, reported to be 9M-XXM (msn 741) from AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) for the upcoming winter season as previously reported by ch-aviation. Based on analysis of schedule data, the aircraft will be based at Manchester Int'l between May 20 and September 28 and operate to Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan three times weekly, to Dalaman and Tenerife Sur twice weekly as well as on weekly services to Bodrum, Lanzarote and Paphos

Jet2 will wet-lease an A330-300, reported to be 9M-XXM (msn 741) from AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) for the upcoming winter season as previously reported by ch-aviation.

Based on analysis of schedule data, the aircraft will be based at Manchester Int'l between May 20 and September 28 and operate to Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan three times weekly, to Dalaman and Tenerife Sur twice weekly as well as on weekly services to Bodrum, Lanzarote and Paphos

ch-aviation

Photo:PedroMB/FPP - Lisboa

Qatar Airways training A350 crews on Doha-Sharjah route 5 hours agono comments or reactions Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int'l) has taken delivery of its first A350-900 A7-ALA (msn 6) as the type's launch customer on December 22 and then ferried the aircraft to Doha on December 23. The Qatari national carrier is currently operating the aircraft on several daily training flights between Doha and Sharjah

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its first A350-900 A7-ALA (msn 6) as the type's launch customer on December 22 and then ferried the aircraft to Doha on December 23.

The Qatari national carrier is currently operating the aircraft on several daily training flights between Doha and Sharjah.

It plans to put the aircraft into scheduled service from January 15 on one of its two daily Doha-Frankfurt Int'l services. Qatar Airways has a total of 43 A350-900s and 37 A350-1000s on order from Airbus Industrie, Toulouse Blagnac.

ch-aviation
Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Centurion Air Cargo resumes MD-11(F) freighter operations 5 hours agono comments or reactions Centurion Air Cargo (WE, Miami Int'l) has resumed operations with its fleet of three MD-11(F) aircraft previously parked in Miami since September. The cargo carrier also uses B747-400(F) aircraft wet-leased from its sister carrier SkyLease Cargo (GG, Greensboro) on a regular basis and mainly operates from Miami to Latin America. It also operates some domestic charter flights in the United States.

Centurion Air Cargo has resumed operations with its fleet of three MD-11(F) aircraft previously parked in Miami since September.

The cargo carrier also uses B747-400(F) aircraft wet-leased from its sister carrier SkyLease Cargo on a regular basis and mainly operates from Miami to Latin America. It also operates some domestic charter flights in the United States.

Boeing, U.S. Air Force Achieve Successful First Test Flight for KC-46 Tanker Program

EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 28, 2014 – Boeing and the U.S. Air Force successfully completed the first flight of the KC-46 tanker test program today. The plane, a Boeing 767-2C, took off from Paine Field, Wash., at 9:29 a.m. (PST) and landed three hours and 32 minutes later at Boeing Field. The aircraft will receive its military systems following certification.

As part of a contract awarded in 2011 to design and develop the Air Force’s next-generation tanker aircraft, Boeing is building four test aircraft – two 767-2Cs and two KC-46A Tankers. The 767-2Cs enter flight test as commercial freighters prior to receiving their aerial refueling systems, while the KC-46s will fly as fully equipped tankers through the FAA and military certification process.

Boeing is on contract to deliver the first 18 of 179 KC-46 aircraft to the Air Force by 2017.



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New MARIMEKKO FINNAIR A330

Our design collaboration with MARIMEKKO continues. 

First flight with this stunning Anniversary Unikko livery happens on 27th December from Hong Kong to Helsinki

Finnair

Bosnian Wand Airlines-BWA to start operations

Bosnian Wand Airlines is a newly established airline in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With headquarter in Sarajevo, our airline will provide an unique opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful European cities directly from Sarajevo. Our goal is not only winning the European sky but also to create a link to destinations in Asia
Although we are young company we have set ourselves firm goals in near future and we plan to fly to 60 destinations all over the world. Now, when we start, our aircrafts Airbus A 320 and the Airbus A 321, with a choice of business and economy class, will go straight to the European and Asian destinations: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Göteborg, Athens, Jeddah, Baghdad, Tehran, Najaf, Sulaymaniyah and Erbil