FLYBE / LOGANIAR - DORNIER 328-110 - G-CCGS

Matt Varley - NWI

CORENDON AIRLINES - B737-800W - PH-CDF - New Livery

Matt Varley - NWI

Edelweiss Zeppelin

EDELWEISS

Felix Airways Plane Destroyed by an Air Strike at Yemen Airport

A Felix Airways plane is seen after it was destroyed by an airstrike at the international airport of Yemen's capital Sanaa on April 29, 2015.

An airport official stands by a Felix Airways plane, destroyed by an airstrike, at the international airport of Yemen's capital Sanaa, April 29, 2015. Jets from the Saudi-led alliance destroyed the runway of Yemen's Sanaa airport on Tuesday to prevent an Iranian plane from landing there, Saudi Arabia said. Credit: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah

Etihad Airways to introduce second A380 on the Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow route

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its second Airbus A380 in its striking new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery, and will introduce the aircraft on the popular Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow route on Friday, 1 May. 

Etihad Airways’ newest aircraft, registered A6-APB, was delivered to the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub on 25 April and will operate the EY19 / EY20 rotation. Two of the airline’s three daily flights to London will now be operated by the A380. Etihad Airways has a further eight A380s on order.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, said: Adding our second A380 on the Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow will give our guests more opportunities to experience Etihad Airways’ revolutionary new cabins, including The Residence by Etihad and First Apartments. By August of 2015, all three daily flights on this flagship route will be operated by the A380, offering our guests unparalleled luxury and superior in-flight technology.

In June, the third A380 will be introduced on one of our two daily services from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, offering a seamless, one-stop connection via Abu Dhabi to and from London on this innovative aircraft type.”

In 2014, Etihad Airways carried 533,615 guests to and from London Heathrow. The introduction of the A380 between Abu Dhabi and London will allow the airline to further boost its passenger numbers on the route.

Etihad Airways’ new A380 cabins offer an unprecedented level of luxury, space and privacy in the most highly customised commercial cabin interior ever.

The Residence by Etihad™ features a living room, separate ensuite shower room, double bedroom, and a dedicated Savoy trained Butler. Measuring 125 square feet in total, The Residence by Etihad™ is located on the forward upper deck of the A380 and is available for single or double occupancy.

The nine First Apartments in First Class are completely private living spaces featuring a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman, which opens up to become a separate 80.5 inch long fully-flat bed.

A total of 70 Business Studios are located on the upper deck of the A380, all offering direct aisle access, a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long, and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space.

The Lobby, a luxurious lounge located between the First Class and Business Class cabins, features two comfortable leather sofas and a staffed bar serving hot snacks and refreshments.

The main deck features 417 Economy Smart Seats, which provide enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat, adjustable lumbar support, and a seat width of almost 19 inches.

Etihad Airways has introduced the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system on its A380 fleet, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming, and high definition screens across all cabins. The A380 has full mobile and Wi-Fi service, with USB and power points at every seat.

A FIRST IN AVIATION HISTORY AS FOUR NEW AIRCRAFT ARE DELIVERED IN ONE DAY TO DOHA •

Al Maha Airways receives its first four A320 aircraft from Airbus and joins them to the Qatar Airways fleet

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways Group has set a new industry record, with the delivery of four new Al Maha aircraft to Doha in just one day, from aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
The new A320 aircraft were inaugurated at a signing ceremony at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, between Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of Al Maha Airways, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Airbus CEO, Mr. Fabrice Brégier.
The four latest generation A320 aircraft, which carry the green Al Maha livery, will join the Qatar Airways' fleet and operate on the airline's key destinations across the Middle East, prior to the commencement of operations of Al Maha Airways. The new airline, which will be an independent airline based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will operate an expanding fleet of aircraft, featuring the distinctive and familiar Oryx livery.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of Al Maha Airways, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “It is a moment of significant pride to be welcoming the first aircraft of the new Al Maha Airways fleet, let alone four such aircraft in the same day. Featuring the distinctive new livery of Al Maha Airways, these new A320 aircraft will offer passengers the opportunity to travel on board the latest and most modern aircraft in the skies.”
The first four Al Maha Airways A320 aircraft.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of Al Maha Airways, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and Airbus CEO, Mr. Fabrice Brégier, at the handover ceremony.
Qatar Airways has one of the world's youngest fleets and continues to invest in next generation aircraft. These four new A320 aircraft, one of the world’s most popular product types, feature the latest technology and distinctive Sharklet wingtips, and while leased to Qatar Airways will take the airline’s fleet count to 156 aircraft.
The new aircraft arrive after a period of significant fleet growth for Qatar Airways, which recently took delivery of the first in its fleet of A380 aircraft and the A350 XWB as Global Launch Customer. Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airliner portfolio, comprising the A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 aircraft.

ANA Introduces First Boeing 787-9 on International Route

TOKYO, April 28, 2015 - All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), Japan’s leading and only 5-star airline, announced today that it would be the first Japanese airline to introduce the Boeing 787-9 on international routes, beginning service on its Haneda-Munich route on May 5. Introduction of the extended Dreamliner will streamline operational costs and drive continued growth for ANA, and will also provide with it a suite of upgrades to the in-flight entertainment system, in line with the airline’s commitment to providing the highest levels of comfort and convenience to its customers. 
 ANA’s new 787-9 aircraft for international service has a total of 215 seats, 46 more than the 787-8, and is equipped with the airline’s latest Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class amenities, providing passengers with a comfortable in-flight experience. New in-flight services offered on the aircraft include ANA SKY LIVE TV, a feature that allows passengers to view broadcast television programming in real-time, which is a first among Japanese airlines. In addition passengers aboard the new aircraft will have access to a choice of free digital content, including e-books and e-magazines, and an upgraded ANA Sky Map, which offers passengers a new multifunctional 3-D perspective to their flight path. ANA is also pleased to announce this will be the first 787 in its fleet to offer in-flight Wi-Fi service.
 The Boeing 787-9 offers an extended fuselage over the 787-8, and achieves up to 23% greater fuel efficiency , with approximately 20% more seating and cargo capacity, resulting in a further reduction in operating costs. The new aircraft is expected to enhance the continued expansion of ANA’s business, particularly in its international network, and contribute to lower operating costs and improved environmental performance. As with the 787-8, the new aircraft incorporates technology that provides an unprecedented level of comfort through innovations that optimize cabin humidity and air pressure within the cabin.
 ANA became the launch customer for the Dreamliner on Oct. 26, 2011, with the inaugural commercial flight from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong, and then was the first to launch the 787-9 into regular domestic service in August 2014. The latest introduction of the 787-9 aircraft into international service is in line with ANA’s strategy for continued growth, which includes the development of new flight routes and increased flight frequency on existing routes, while maintaining its commitment to increased competitiveness and the highest standards of service and convenience to its customers.  

  

Atlas Air adds maiden B757 freighter

Atlas Air has added a maiden narrowbody freighter to its fleet of twenty B747-400(F)s, nine B747-8(F)s, nine B767-200(F)s, and two B767-300(F)s.

ch-aviation research shows the passenger and cargo ACMI/charter specialist recently took delivery of a converted B757-200(F) N588GT (msn 24471), formerly B-2808 with China Cargo Airlines.

ch-aviation

Photo:Ton Jochems - AMS

SriLankanAirlines‬ operated a special charter flight to ‪‎Kathmandu‬, ‪Nepal‬ carrying essential goods weighting 28 tons and 97 Sri Lankan military personnel representing Army, Air Force and Navy.

Representing the Government and People of Sri Lanka Minister for Disaster Management M.H. Fawzi together with other officials met President of the Nepal Ram Baran Yadav and the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and handed over relief goods.Representing the Government and People of Sri Lanka Minister for Disaster Management M.H. Fawzi together with other officials met President of the Nepal Ram Baran Yadav and the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and handed over relief goods.

SriLankan

ZURICH TRIP - 2ª 22/04/2015

Paul Bannwarth

American Airlines Shows Off Latest Plane to Employees, Media

American Airlines is making final preparations to begin flying its newest plane, the Boeing 787, next week.

The airline is showing off the plane to employees and the media Wednesday at Dallas-Fort International Airport.

The first passenger flight with the plane, which Boeing calls the Dreamliner, is scheduled for May 7 from Dallas to Chicago. It will fly to Beijing starting June 2, to Buenos Aires on June 4, and American plans other destinations later.

The plane is made largely from carbon materials to reduce weight and boost fuel economy. American has ordered 42 of them, although last week it delayed five that were to be delivered next year, citing a glut of flights on some international routes.

List price: US$218 million, but airlines routinely get big discounts.

COMAC to Receive ARJ21-700 Production Certificate

The production control board (PCB) for home-made ARJ21-700 regional aircraft held the first conference in Shanghai on Apr. 24 to engage in the approval of its production certificate, marking another important milestone for ARJ21-700 project.

The conference was hosted by Wang Jingling, PCB director and vice inspector of aircraft airworthiness approval department of CAAC, with the presence of ShenXiaoming, PCB vice director and all PCB committee members. Zhao Yuerang, vice president of Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC), together other representatives of the applicant COMAC, joined the conference.

According to requirements of CCAR21 and AP-21-AA-2010-04R4 airworthiness management program, the conference examined and decided the member qualification and the leader candidates for the production control team (PCT), regulations and general examination plan as suggested by East China Regional Administration of CAAC. After a quality system audit which evaluates the applicant's organization, production facility, quality system and approved quality system and design data for compliance with applicable requirements, the aviation authority will issue a production certificate for the regional jet. 

Tail Section of China-Made AG600 Amphibian Delivered in Hanzhong

The tail part of China's self-developed amphibious aircraft AG600, intended to be the world's largest amphibian, rolled off the production line in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province on April 27, marking an important step toward its scheduled maiden flight in 2016.


Consisting of the middle-rear and rear fuselage, the 17.5-meter tail part was manufactured by the Shaanxi Aircraft Corp, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC).As one of the three ongoing China-made aircraft projects, together with air-freighter Y-12 and China's first large passenger aircraft C919, the 40-meter long AG-600 will be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, surpassing Japan's ShinMaywa US-2 and Russia's Beriev Be-200.

The aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes and a maximum range of more than 5,000 kilometers, can absorb 12 tonnes of water within 20 seconds, which is ideal for performing multiple operations including forest fire fighting, over-water Search and Rescue, marine environment monitoring, resource exploration, passenger and freight transportation and other operating tasks. Its amphibious function makes it possible to take off from both land and water, rescuing 50 people at most on water at one time.

Following given coincidence inspections and authorized certificates by the Shanghai Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center of CAAC, the tail section will be transported to Zhuhai. In the meanwhile, the middle and outer wings of AG600 would be completed in China Aircraft Corporation Xi'an Branch.

The AG600 aircraft is likely to finish final assembly in 2015, and will undertake its first maiden flight in the first half of 2016.
wcarn

China Sends Four IL-76 Aircraft to Nepal for Quake Relief

China launched rescue operations immediately following Saturday's 8.1-magnitude earthquake in Nepal. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force sent four Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft to transport rescuer aid to Nepal, a spokesperson said on Monday.

Two IL-76 aircraft were dispatched to Nepal from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) on Monday morning, and one IL-76 was placed at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), with the fourth placed in Nanjing in the eastern province of Jiangsu, to transport PLA rescuers and logistics to neighboring Nepal.

A team of 55 PLA soldiers left for Nepal on Monday aboard the plane from Kunming. Another team of 45 soldiers are scheduled to leave for Nepal on Tuesday.

Previously, two medical teams have been sent to the quake-stricken Nepal, including psychiatric specialists, pharmacists and experts in bone treatment, to conduct rescue operations, provide medical aid and offer psychological counseling in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

The Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft is a multi-purpose four-engine aircraft widely used in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is commonly used in transport, for airborne refueling or as a command center.

China Southern to Deploy A380 on Beijing-Chengdu Route This Summer

China Southern Airlines (CZ) is planning to deploy its Airbus A380 Superjumbo on Beijing-Chengdu route this summer followed by its long-haul service to Amsterdam, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Starting June 20, the Guangzhou-based carrier will fly the Superjumbo from Beijing to Chengdu, pending governmental approval.

China Southern will operate a daily A380 service between Beijing and Amsterdam from June 20, replacing an A330-300 aircraft, the airline said in February.

Flight CZ345 is scheduled to take off from Beijing at 0:50 a.m. and arrive in Amsterdam at 5:40 a.m., with the return flight CZ346 departing Amsterdam at 2:50 p.m. and arriving in Beijing at 6:20 a.m. the next day, according to the website of the airline.

As the only Chinese airline to order and operate the A380 aircraft, the Guangzhou-based carrier currently has five A380s in its fleet.

Wizz Air Ukraine Ceases Operations

Eastern European Wizz Air Holdings announced Wizz Air Ukraine has ceased operations as part of the company's ongoing restructuring plan and instability in the region. Wizz Air Ukraine operated two Airbus A320s on 16 Ukrainian routes.

One aircraft has been redeployed on eight routes into and out of Ukraine as of April 20. In early June, a Kiev-based A320 will be redeployed to Wizz Air's new operating base in Kosice, Slovakia.

Following the removal of two aircraft from Ukraine last year, the carrier said it had to further refine capacity and restructure Wizz Air's Ukraine operations in Ukraine due to the ongoing instability in Eastern Ukraine, the devaluation and volatility of the local currency, and the impact of foreign exchange controls.

Wizz Air Hungary will significantly mitigate these impacts and enable Wizz Air to remain a major airline in the Ukrainian market. It said it stands ready for expansion once market circumstances improve.

The restructuring of the group's Ukrainian operations and the closure of Wizz Air Ukraine will not have a material effect on the group's trading in the current year and subsequent financial year, according to a statement.

Wizz Air transported 16.5 million passengers over 12 months through March 31, up 17% year-on-year; load factor rose 1 point to 86.7% during that period.

Wizz Air will open its 21st base in Lublin (Poland) with one new A320 from Sep. 14.

ATW

Photo:Alain Charpentier

 

Spring Airlines to Introduce Two Airbus A320s with Wi-Fi Connection

Spring Airlines (9C), China's first and largest budget carrier, will introduce two Airbus A320 aircraft this year, which are outfitted with in-flight Wi-Fi connection.

The Shanghai-based low-cost carrier achieved a total turnover volume of 1.685 billion tonnes kilometers and transported up to 11.447 million passengers in 2014, up 10% and 8.49% year on year respectively.

As its fleet expands, Spring Airlines keeps a high passenger load factor of 93.07%, leading the world.

Airbus Sends A350 XWB to Katmandu with Medical Aid

Airbus is sending an A350 XWB to Katmandu from Paris, loaded with medics and relief supplies, global flight tracking agency Flightradar24 tweeted on Tuesday night.

The prototype A350, MSN5, with cabin interior is on its way to Katmandu transporting aid relief and medical personnel on behalf of several French NGOs. MSN5 will be on the way to evacuate about 200 French nationals from Nepal.

The A350-900 XWB took off from Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday and is expected to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) at 10:29 a.m. Wednesday (Nepal Time), information on FlightRadar24 shows.

Airbus is working with Nepal Airlines for the transport of aid relief and medical personnel with the A320 delivery to Nepal Airlines from Hamburg.

New Image? Should we colour orange next year?

KLM

British Airways to go daily on Singapore A380 flight

British Airways has announced that the A380 will make a daily appearance on the Heathrow to Singapore route, from winter this year. The airline already operates a double-daily flight from London to Singapore and the A380 flies three times a week on the route. 

Travel news

Photo:Glenn Palmer

QATAR Airways Boosts Tokyo Narita Capacity July/August 2015

QATAR Airways in July 2015 and August 2015 plans to increase capacity on Doha – Tokyo Narita service, which sees certain dates operated by 777-300ER, instead of -200LR.

The oneWorld member plans -300ER operation on Day x5 from 15JUL15 to 27JUL15, and Day x25 from 08AUG15 to 15AUG15.

QR806 DOH0150 – 1755NRT 777 D

QR807 NRT2220 – 0330+1DOH 777 D
Airlines Routes

Photo:Glenn Palmer

Kenya Airways to Start Boeing 787 Amsterdam Service from Sep 2015

Kenya Airways is planning to adjust capacity on Nairobi – Amsterdam route, starting 07SEP15.
From this date, the airline plans to operate Boeing 787-8 aircraft on daily basis, replacing 777-300ER.
KQ116 NBO0835 – 1545AMS 788 D
KQ117 AMS2100 – 0610+1NBO 788 D

Kenya Airways Tentatively Schedules Last Boeing 777 Operations in S15

Based on schedule update in the last 7 days, Kenya Airways has tentatively scheduled last Boeing 777-200ER and -300ER service.

For Boeing 777-200ER, the airline planned to operate last service on Nairobi – Dubai, departing Nairobi on 17MAY15, Dubai on 18MAY15.

KQ310 NBO1915 – 0120+1DXB 772 17MAY15

KQ311 DXB0250 – 0655NBO 772 18MAY15

For Boeing 777-300ER, the airline schedules last service in September 2015. The Skyteam member’s last 777-300ER service to Amsterdam is scheduled on 06SEP15, followed by London Heathrow on 25/26SEP15.

Current schedule listing shows there are no 777-300ER flights scheduled between 07SEP15 and 25SEP15, and last flight is tentatively scheduled on 25/26SEP15, although further changes remain highly possible.

Tentatively planned last 777-300ER schedule as follow:

KQ102 NBO2325 – 0630+1LHR 77W 25SEP15

KQ101 LHR2000 – 0630+1NBO 77W 26SEP15

Airline Routes

Russian charter specialist Azur Air set for maiden B767

Azur Air will shortly take delivery of its maiden widebody aircraft - a B767-300(ER) VQ-BUO (msn 27909). Currently, the Katekavia division operates a fleet of nine B757-200s on charter flights throughout Russia as well as to the Mediterranean, the Far East, and the Middle East.

Formerly ET-AMQ (msn 27909) with Ethiopian Airlines the twinjet, along with sistership ET-ALC (msn 28043), were originally reported to be for Bulgarian leisure specialist BH Air - Balkan Holidays Air. 

However, with euroAtlantic Airways  now set to take delivery of the latter and BH Air denying to ch-aviation ever having had an interest in adding B767-300(ER)s, it seems these reports have been incorrect.

ch-aviation

Rossiya to end B767-300(ER) operations

Rossiya is now planning to park its fleet of three B767-300(ER)s as part of plans to cut costs through fleet rationalization.

Photo:Ton Jochems - AYT

American Airlines to delay deliveries of five B787s

American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) has deferred delivery of five B787 jets originally due to have arrived from next year onwards. During a recent earnings call, American's EVP Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr said the revision would consequently reduce the carrier's 2016 wide-body capacity by approximately 2.5%.

"Under the new revised agreement we’ll reduce the number of aircraft delivered in 2016 by five aircraft. Four 787 aircraft that were scheduled for delivery in 2016 will now be delivered in 2017 and one aircraft will be deferred until 2018," he said.

Kerr did not, however, reveal how much the move would impact American's estimated gross aircraft capital expenditure for 2016.

According to Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare), as of this month, American has taken delivery of three out of the twenty-one B787-8s on order while the order for twenty-one B787-9s remains untouched. 

In March, American said it had been forced to park two B787s at Victorville while it awaited delivery of seats from French manufacturer, Zodiac. 

ch-aviation

ZURICH TRIP - 22/04/2015

 Paul Bannwarth