quinta-feira, 29 de setembro de 2016
Singapore Airlines to start 5th Freedom Jakarta-Sydney route
Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) will launch 5th Freedom flights from Indonesia to Australia in November, boosting its number of services from Singapore Changi to both Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta and Sydney Kingsford Smith, the carrier said in a statement.
Pending government approval, Singapore Airlines will introduce a three times weekly Singapore-Jakarta-Sydney route starting November 26. Flights will be maintained with a B777-200. Jakarta is Singapore Airlines’ busiest route in terms of frequencies with 63 weekly flights, increasing to 74 from late November. On the other hand, the Singaporean carrier serves Sydney with 31 weekly flights, increasing to 34 with the new route via Jakarta.
Several airlines are considering operating 5th Freedom flights between Indonesia and Australia, including Thai Lion Air (SL, Bangkok Don Mueang) and Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Atatürk). The Thai LCC is looking at starting Bangkok Don Mueang to Perth Int'l via Denpasar in 2017, while the Turkish carrier is studying the Istanbul Atatürk-Denpasar-Melbourne Tullamarine as well as Istanbul-Denpasar-Sydney routes. At present, Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) and Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) operate between Jakarta and Sydney.
ch aviation
Photo:Ton Jochems - AMS
First CS300 for Latvia's airBaltic now due in mid-4Q2016
airBaltic (BT, Riga) will take delivery of its first of twenty CS300s on order from Bombardier (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) in November the Canadian manufacturer's Vice President & General Manager (CSeries), Rob Dewar, has said.
Speaking in Riga where the CS300 testbed has arrived for its European route-proving flights, Dewar told the Kasjauns daily that the delay in delivery of the jet to launch operator airBaltic had been caused by delays in the supply of engine components by Pratt & Whitney. However, the company notes that these issues have since been resolved.
During its stay in Riga, the CS300 will conduct route-proving flights to Vilnius, Tallinn Lennart Meri and Abu Dhabi Int'l as part of its European certification protocols.
As the launch operator of the CS300, airBaltic will use the incoming aircraft to replace its ageing Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) fleet which currently consists of seven B737-300s and five B737-500s. In addition to the B737 Classics, the carrier also operates eleven Dash 8-400s. The airline initially plans to deploy its first CS300s to Amsterdam, Frankfurt Int'l and Helsinki Vantaa.
ch aviation
Sriwijaya Air eyes 1Q2017 IPO; trio of B777s
Sriwijaya Air (SJ, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) is planning to hold an IPO in March next year owner and group chief executive Chandra Lie has said.
According to Reuters, while Lie did not disclose the size of the planned share sale, he did confirm that financial institutions/underwriters have already been chosen.
Sriwijaya Air has ordered three B777-200s for use on Hajj charter flights. Vice director of finance Lukcimo Jahjato told Reuters the widebody jets would arrive next year and would be used to ferry Indonesian haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Founded in 2003, Sriwijaya Air operates an all-Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) fleet of ten B737-300s, ten B737-500s, eighteen B737-800s, and two B737-900(ER)s on scheduled passenger flights to thirty-four destinations across Indonesia, Malaysia, and East Timor. Its NAM Air (IN, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) unit operates seven B737-500s and one Fokker 70 wet-leased from TransNusa (8B, Denpasar) on passenger flights primarily focused on Indonesia.
ch aviation
MRJ's First Test Aircraft Completes Ferry Flight to the U.S. Frequent, multiple flight tests scheduled toward type certificate acquisition
FTA-1 took off from Nagoya Airfield at 1:28 pm on September 26 (JST), and arrived at Grant County International Airport in Washington, the U.S. at 9:44am on September 29 (JST) (5:44pm on September 28 in local time).
Mitsubishi Aircraft and MHI remain committed to achieving steady progress in flight tests with the assistance of three engineering bases (Moses Lake Flight Test Center, the MRJ flight test center within Grant County International Airport; Seattle Engineering Center and Mitsubishi Aircraft Headquarters in Japan) working together toward the success of the MRJ project.
RwandAir takes delivery of its first A330 aircraft
RwandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has taken delivery of its first of two Airbus long-haul widebody A330 aircraft. In doing so, it becomes the East African launch operator of the aircraft and Airbus’s newest customer.
The A330 is the first wide-body aircraft in RwandAir’s fleet and is configured in a comfortable three-class cabin layout with 20 seats in Business, 21 seats in Premium Economy and 203 seats in Economy.
RwandAir’s A330 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines and will be deployed on medium- and long-haul routes from its Kigali home base to destinations throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle-East.
The A330 Family, which spans 300 to 440 seats, has now attracted over 1,600 orders, with over 1,250 aircraft flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 family is the most widely operated widebody aircraft in the world and one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics, averaging dispatch reliability well above 99 percent.
quarta-feira, 28 de setembro de 2016
Hawaiian Air Targets London, Mulls Role for A380 Superjumbo
Duncan Stewart - LAX
Alain Charpentier - TLS
Flights to London are a goal but may be at the limit of what's attainable after the carrier swapped its order for Airbus Group SE A350-800 jets to the shorter-range A330neo in 2014, Hawaiian Holdings Inc. CEO Mark Dunkerley said in an interview Wednesday."We certainly hope the answer is yes but we don't have all the information we need," he said. "It's going to depend on what our final seating configuration is and therefore the weight of the Neo and its exact performance and statistics when it's actually built."
The Honolulu-based carrier is studying about a half-dozen new long-distance routes to destinations in North America and East Asia, Dunkerley said at the Aviation Club in London. More East Coast destinations in addition to New York are a possibility, as well as cities in Canada. China, where the airline serves only Beijing, is "the really exciting prospect," he said.
A380 to Honolulu?
Southeast Asia is beyond the range of Hawaiian's 23 current-generation A330s and nine Boeing Co. 767s, though more Australian flights would be an option, according to the CEO. The Briton took over as chief in 2005 when the company was in bankruptcy protection.
Dunkerley, 52, said the airline is looking seriously at whether the Airbus A380 might have a role to play within its network, especially on routes such as those from Honolulu to Los Angeles, Tokyo and Las Vegas, which it serves with smaller wide-body planes six, three and two times daily respectively.
The argument for using the superjumbo, which might be available on attractive terms either from Airbus or, soon, in the second-hand market, isn't conclusive and Hawaiian needs convincing of the business case, Dunkerley said.
Mark Lapidus, CEO of plane-leasing firm Amedeo, which has orders for 20 A380s, said in a phone interview that Honolulu is a natural destination for the double-decker given the city's traffic volumes and relative isolation.
"Hawaii would be a good fit for either a new or used A380," he said. "The sector distances are at least eight hours in every direction."
Hawaiian will start taking delivery of 16 A321neo narrow-body jets next year and will use them on 2,600-mile (4,200-kilometer) trips to the U.S. West Coast, the core of its operations. That will enable the carrier to retire three 767s and switch more A330s to East Asian routes while still adding capacity, he said.
Boein
The carrier is also obtaining more Boeing 717s, used for intensive inter-island flying, taking the fleet from 18 planes to 20, at least. The A330-800neos are due for delivery between 2019 and 2021 and the plan for them hasn't yet been determined, the CEO said.
Following years of consolidation in the U.S. airline industry Hawaiian has emerged as one of the biggest independent carriers, and Dunkerley said he'd have to "do right by our stakeholders" and seriously consider any takeover approach that may come.
The company has a market value of US$2.46 billion, following an 83 percent surge in its share price over the past 12 months, the biggest gain among the 11 members of the Bloomberg U.S. Airlines Index.
"If at some point an offer from somebody else comes on the table, that will have to compete with what our future looks like as a stand-alone," he said. "I don't think it's appropriate for any management team ever to say,'No, we're not prepared to consider an offer.' Down the road, who knows."
Hawaiian's focus on one long-distance leisure market sets it apart from other top U.S. carriers, so it isn't clear whether larger independents such as JetBlue Airways Corp. -- which earlier this year lost out to Alaska Air Group Inc. in a contest to buy Virgin America Inc. -- would consider it a good fit, he said.
"What I don't know and can't answer is whether other airlines value that which we uniquely bring," he said.
By Christopher Jasper, Bloomberg News
First MRJ Test Aircraft En Route to U.S.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.'s first MRJ90 test aircraft is expected to land in the U.S. within a week, after an earlier attempt was aborted because of a technical fault.
The aircraft, FTA-1, took off from Tokyo Nagoya at 1:28 p.m. (JST) on Sep. 26 and arrived at New Chitose Airport in northern Japan at 2:59 p.m. (JST). It departed New Chitose at 9:23 a.m. (JST) on Sep. 27 and landed at Yelizovo Airport in Russia at 12:05 p.m. (JST).
"It will usually take about one week, four days at the earliest," an MRJ spokeswoman told ATW.
A previous attempt to ferry the aircraft to the U.S. was abandoned on Aug. 28, because of an issue with the monitoring function of the air management system, and the aircraft was forced to return to Tokyo Nagoya.
The Japanese manufacturer is planning to send four of its five test aircraft to Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, to do the majority of their flight certification hours because flight testing is far more restricted in Japan.
Originally, this was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016 or early 2017, but this was accelerated to summer 2016, partly as a buffer in case of unexpected problems.
The MRJ90 performed its first flight in November 2015, but the program remains heavily delayed.
Related News:Mitsubishi Jet Aborts First Flight to U.S. After Trip Starts
Victoria Moores, ATW Daily News
Airberlin to wet-lease aircraft to Lufthansa as part of restructuring
German carrier airberlin has released details of its restructuring plan, which hinges on placing up to 40 Airbus A320s with Lufthansa Group and reducing employee positions by up to 1,200.
In a statement released Sept. 28, airberlin said it would refocus its operations on being a network carrier serving higher-yield markets from Berlin and Dusseldorf using a fleet of 75 aircraft.
The airline’s leisure business will be folded into an independently operating unit, airberlin said.
The restructuring plan, widely anticipated, will be “far-reaching,” airberlin CEO Stefan Pichler said.
Airberlin is Germany’s second-largest airline, carrying more than 30.2 million passengers in 2015, and a member of the oneworld global alliance. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has a 29.2% stake in the airline. Airberlin reported a €446.6 million loss ($485.5 million) for 2015, deepened from a €376.7 million loss the year before. It then reported an €89.1 million net loss for the 2016 second quarter, widened from a €37.5 million loss in 2Q 2015. For the 2016 first half, losses totaled €271.5 million loss.
Lufthansa Group has been in talks for some months to potentially buy routes and acquire aircraft from airberlin so that it can more rapidly grow its low cost carrier unit Eurowings.
Of the up to 40 A320s that will be placed with Lufthansa Group, up to 38 aircraft will be provided under a six-year wet-lease agreement, airberlin said.
Lufthansa Group said in a statement that the agreement, which is subject to its board’s approval, would enable Eurowings to significantly expand its capacities and strengthen its position in the European point-to-point air transport market. It said 35 of the aircraft would fly in Eurowings livery while five would be leased by Austrian Airlines, a Lufthansa Group carrier.
Eurowings currently operates a total fleet of 90 aircraft, all Airbus manufactured. The additional aircraft will be based at seven airports in Germany, Vienna and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Airberlin’s core fleet, meanwhile, will consist of 17 Airbus A330s 40 A320s and 18 Bombardier Q400 turboprops from the summer of 2017.
Redundancy talks will begin with the aim of confirm voluntary and compulsory layoffs by February 2017, airberlin said.
“We are faced with significant external market pressures, which dictate a change to our current complicated business model. Airberlin has sought to serve all market segments with one operating platform, covering both business and leisure travelers,” Pichler said.
“The core airberlin proposition in future is now clear: a dedicated focused network carrier serving higher-yielding markets from two hubs in Dusseldorf and Berlin. A leaner, fitter, stronger airberlin has a bright future.”
Under the new plan, airberlin’s profitable long-haul operations will be expanded with new routes and additional frequencies, particularly to the US while its short- and medium-haul operations will concentrate on business markets in Italy, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe as well as growing its domestic German business market.
Karen Walker karen.walker@penton.com
ATW
Photo:Ton Jochems - PMI
terça-feira, 27 de setembro de 2016
Two Planes Collide at Tehran Airport
Two Iranian passenger aircraft were involved in a ground collision during pushback on Tuesday at Iran's Tehran-Imam Khomeini International Airport.
An Iran Air Airbus A310 aircraft, Registration EP-IBK, was being pushed back when the right hand horizontal stabilizer hit the underside of the rear fuselage of a parked Mahan Air Airbus A340, Registration EP-MMR, according to Twitter user @aviationirancom
.China Aviation Daily
Real Tonga resumes commercial MA-60 operations
Real Tonga Airlines (RT, Tongatapu) has resumed commercial MA-60 operations after it deployed A3-RTL (cn 904) onto its Tongatapu-Vava'u route on Tuesday, September 20.
The Chinese-manufactured turboprop was withdrawn from service in February 2015 after the Tongan government cancelled a lease agreement. At the time, the Pacific island-state came under intense pressure from New Zealand for operating the aircraft which, it said, had not been properly type-certified in line with international norms.
However, following months of regulatory realignments, the Tongan government signed a four-year lease contract for the aircraft with Real Tonga Airlines in August.
Speaking to the Matangi Tonga news agency during last week's inaugural flight, Tevita Palu, the CEO for Real Tonga Airlines, said the MA-60 would initially operate a weekly return service to Vava'u although this could increase dependent on demand.
Real Tonga currently operates a broad variety of aircraft which, aside from the MA-60, include: a Y12E; a Saab 340B (leased from Montrose Global); a Jetstream 32; and an Islander. While it currently focuses on domestic Tongan flights, it is planning to deploy the Saab340B onto international services to Apia Faleolo, Samoa next month.
ch aviation
Malta's AirX Charter adds maiden VIP-configured A340
AirX Charter (AXY, Malta) has taken delivery of its first widebody aircraft, A340-300 9H-BIG (cn 374), formerly 4R-ADF with SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo Int'l).
The quadjet recently underwent reconfiguration into a VIP layout featuring 100 lie-flat seats and inflight Wi-fi.
The Maltese charter specialist also operates three B737-500s, four Challenger 850s, and three Embraer Legacy 600s. As previously reported, it will shortly add a maiden B737-300(F).
ch aviation
Mega Maldives leases B737-800 from Travel Service Airlines
Mega Maldives Air (LV, Malé) has wet-leased a B737-800 from Travel Service Airlines (QS, Prague) as part of its plans to modernise its fleet and expand its route network, the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft, OK-TVT (msn 39394), will be wet-leased during the winter months and used to bolster the carrier’s short-haul connectivity to India and Sri Lanka, as well as free up its three B767-300(ER)s to resume services to Kuala Lumpur Int'l and Jeddah during the fourth quarter. The arrangement marks the third time Mega Maldives has wet-leased aircraft from the Czech charter specialist.
Plans to expand in the region come following a sharp decline in Chinese tourist traffic to the Maldives, which have affected the airline. Mega Maldives focuses exclusively on the China market serving Beijing Capital, Chengdu, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok, and Shanghai Pudong.
ch aviation
Nepal Airlines board okays A330 plan; issues RFP
Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) has been given the green light by its board to acquire two A330-200s to replace its outgoing B757-200s and expand its international network.
The airline will take out a loan to purchase the jets, with the Finance Ministry acting as guarantor. According to a Request For Proposals issued to all interested parties this weekend, the aircraft should be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772Bs and should be no older than two years of age. Proposals are due by November 10, 2016, with aircraft expected to deliver in September 2017 and March 2018.
The move is part of a plan to modernise the carrier’s fleet and shift to predominately Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) aircraft. Nepal Airlines intends to use the A330-200s to open new routes to Osaka Kansai and/or Tokyo Narita in Japan, as well as Seoul Incheon in South Korea.
Other services being considered include Beijing Capital, Chengdu, Kunming Changshui, Lhasa, Shanghai Pudong, Sydney Kingsford Smith, as well as points in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Presently, the carrier operates international flights from its Kathmandu base to Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Qatar, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as domestic services.
The state-owned carrier is also undergoing a restructuring programme in order to make it an attractive entity to any would-be foreign investors.
ch aviation
Air China Boeing 787-9 W16 operations as of 27SEP16
Air China in last week’s schedule update has modified planned Boeing 787-9 operation for winter 2016/17 season, on/after 30OCT16. Latest update includes the minor delay to planned Dreamliner service entry to Los Angeles.
Planned Boeing 787-9 operation as of 27SEP16 as follow.
Beijing – Auckland Planned Boeing 787-9 service entry on this route, replacing A330-200, remains unchanged
Beijing – Chengdu 2 daily (CA1406/1405, CA1426/1425)
Beijing – Frankfurt 787-9 continues operating CA965/966 until 16NOV16, previously scheduled until 29OCT16
Beijing – Guangzhou 787-9 operational frequency revised to 5-6 weekly
Beijing – Los Angeles 787-9 debut on CA887/888 postponed to 17NOV16, instead of 30OCT16
Beijing – Rome 6-7 weekly service with 787-9 remains unchanged
Beijing – Sanya 1 daily from 01MAR17 (CA1377/1378)
Beijing – Shanghai Hongqiao 2 daily
Beijing – Shenzhen 1 daily
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
ANA Brussels Nov 2016 aircraft changes
ANA has scheduled a number of Boeing 787-9 operations on Tokyo Narita – Brussels route, for the first week of November 2016. The Boeing 787-9 is scheduled to operate on from 03NOV16 to 07NOV16, except 05NOV16, replacing the -8.
NH231 NRT1100 – 1515BRU 789
NH232 BRU2050 – 1615+1NRT 789
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
First A330neo starts its final assembly in Toulouse
Newest member of the world’s most popular wide-body family takes shape
Airbus has commenced the final assembly of its first A330neo, an A330-900, at its Final Assembly Line in Toulouse with the joining of the wings to the centre fuselage at station 40.
As the newest member of the world’s most popular A330 wide-body family the A330neo builds on the Family’s proven economics, versatility and reliability, set to reduce fuel consumption by a further 14 per cent per seat. Both the A330-800 and A330-900 feature a new A350-inspired wing with Sharklet wingtip devices for state-of-the-art aerodynamics, incorporating latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and the new AirSpace by Airbus cabin for the latest experience in cabin comfort.
We have started with a very tight development schedule and are today right on time,” says Odile Jubécourt, Airbus Head of the A330neo programme. “I am happy to say we are in good shape to meet the high standards of maturity and reliability our customers expect from us and I want to thank the teams for this outstanding achievement.”
Thanks to its low, new generation fuel-burn, the A330neo expands its operators’ market opportunities by offering an additional 400 nautical miles range, leading to a 6,550 nautical miles range on the A330-900 and 7,500 nautical miles on the A330-800. To date, 10 customers have ordered a total of 186 A330neo.
The A330-800 and the A330-900 are 99 per cent common, sharing a 95 per cent commonality across the entire A330 fleet, set to optimize costs and flexibility for all its operators. Airlines will also benefit from the Family’s market-leading reliability and reduced maintenance costs.
The A330 is the most popular mid-size wide-body aircraft ever, having won over 1,600 orders to date. Today, over 1,250 aircraft are flying with over 120 airlines worldwide on a wide range of routes, from domestic and regional flights to long range intercontinental services.
Offering the lowest operating costs in its category, and due to continuous investments in latest innovations, the new generation A330neo is the most profitable and best performing aircraft in its size category.
Airbus has commenced the final assembly of its first A330neo, an A330-900, at its Final Assembly Line in Toulouse with the joining of the wings to the centre fuselage at station 40.
As the newest member of the world’s most popular A330 wide-body family the A330neo builds on the Family’s proven economics, versatility and reliability, set to reduce fuel consumption by a further 14 per cent per seat. Both the A330-800 and A330-900 feature a new A350-inspired wing with Sharklet wingtip devices for state-of-the-art aerodynamics, incorporating latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and the new AirSpace by Airbus cabin for the latest experience in cabin comfort.
We have started with a very tight development schedule and are today right on time,” says Odile Jubécourt, Airbus Head of the A330neo programme. “I am happy to say we are in good shape to meet the high standards of maturity and reliability our customers expect from us and I want to thank the teams for this outstanding achievement.”
Thanks to its low, new generation fuel-burn, the A330neo expands its operators’ market opportunities by offering an additional 400 nautical miles range, leading to a 6,550 nautical miles range on the A330-900 and 7,500 nautical miles on the A330-800. To date, 10 customers have ordered a total of 186 A330neo.
The A330-800 and the A330-900 are 99 per cent common, sharing a 95 per cent commonality across the entire A330 fleet, set to optimize costs and flexibility for all its operators. Airlines will also benefit from the Family’s market-leading reliability and reduced maintenance costs.
The A330 is the most popular mid-size wide-body aircraft ever, having won over 1,600 orders to date. Today, over 1,250 aircraft are flying with over 120 airlines worldwide on a wide range of routes, from domestic and regional flights to long range intercontinental services.
Offering the lowest operating costs in its category, and due to continuous investments in latest innovations, the new generation A330neo is the most profitable and best performing aircraft in its size category.
segunda-feira, 26 de setembro de 2016
Boeing Set to Roll Out the 500th 787 Dreamliner
It's been five years today since Boeing delivered the first 787 to its launch customer Japan's All Nippon Airways. Up to now, the U.S. manufacturer has delivered 466 787s, bringing the total orders to 1,161.
China Aviation Daily Josh Drake photo.
Airbus Unveils New Livery on Second A350-1000 Test Aircraft
The second Airbus A350-1000 flight test aircraft -- the first to be equipped with a full passenger cabin -- was displayed Sep. 23 in a new carbon fiber-themed livery outside the manufacturer's paint shop in Toulouse, France.
According to Airbus, the livery is inspired by the advanced composites technology incorporated in over 50% of the A350 XWB airframe.
As part of the aircraft's certification campaign, Airbus will perform cabin and air systems tests on the test -1000 version. Early long flights and route proving evaluations will get underway in 2017, Airbus said.
The A350-1000 has the longest fuselage of Airbus' A350 XWB family and seats 366 passengers. As of Aug. 30, 195 A350-1000 aircraft are on order; customers include Guadeloupe-based Air Caraibes (three on order), Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corp. (nine on order), South Korea-based Asiana Airlines (10), British Airways (18), Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Air (26), Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways (22), Japan Airlines (13), Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group (14), launch customer Qatar Airways (37), Chicago-based United Airlines (35) and UK-based Virgin Atlantic (eight).Mark Nensel,
ATW Daily News
Air New Zealand to fly Dreamliner to Vietnam
And this time, passengers will be offered the chance to experience the airline’s newest long-haul jet, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
For the 2017 season, Air New Zealand will operate twice weekly flights between Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City using the 302 seat Dreamliner, offering a choice of flat-bed seats in business class, premium economy and economy class seats, and the ‘Economy Skycouch’ concept, which converts a row of three economy class seats into a bed.
Services will operate between 24 June and 25 October 2017. Tickets are already on sale.
Mark Elliott - Travel News
sexta-feira, 23 de setembro de 2016
WestJet signs multi-year contract with Suncor
WestJet (WS, Calgary) has secured a multi-year contract with Suncor Energy (Calgary) to fly its employees and contractors to the company’s oil sands operations in Alberta, the Canadian carrier said in a press release. The deal comes into effect this November and includes more than a hundred weekly flights.
As part of the contract, the airline will operate a mix of Next-Generation 737s, as well as Dash 8-400s from its low cost arm WestJet Encore (WR, Calgary) between Edmonton Int'l, Calgary, Vancouver Int'l, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Fort McMurray.
WestJet operates a fleet of 117 aircraft including thirteen B737-600s, fifty-seven B737-700s, fourty-three B737-800s and four B767-300(ER)s. Its low cost subsidiary WestJet Encore maintains flights with thirty-one Q400s.
ch aviation
Photo:Marco Moutinho - LGW
JetBlue becomes launch customer of Airbus’ Scheduled Maintenance Optimizer solution
JetBlue has become the launch customer for the first module of Airbus’ “Scheduled Maintenance Optimizer”, following a successful prototyping and demonstration of value. This application, focusing on Long Term Planning, is part of the Airbus Smarter FleetTM solutions.
The Long Term Planning module will help decrease maintenance costs through the optimization of scheduled maintenance events at fleet, aircraft and single task level. Thanks to world class optimization algorithms, JetBlue planners will be able to instantly compute the best schedules for a fleet of 200+ aircraft over a 5 year horizon, while targeting strategic business objectives.
Tony Lowery, Vice President of Technical Operations for JetBlue, said: “Our transformation to a planning-led organization requires state-of-the-art technology and tools. Airbus Smarter FleetTM places us at the leading edge in planning technology, allowing JetBlue to manage one of our biggest cost drivers on a longer horizon with greater fidelity. I could not be more pleased with our partnership with Airbus and this product.
Airbus is committed to Scheduled Maintenance Optimizer’s benefits and will progressively expand to additional modules for scheduled maintenance processes, leveraging increasing Airbus Smarter FleetTM platform capabilities.
Airbus, through “Services by Airbus”, offers end-to-end fleet lifecycle solutions for all its customers. The portfolio ranges from stand-alone services to the most complete integrated solutions, including: Flight Hour & Tailored Support packages; upgrades; training; e-solutions, engineering and maintenance; flight operations; Air Traffic Management; and material management services. Together these enhance aircraft competitiveness by continuously adapting to customers' evolving needs. With more than 40 years of experience in the aircraft industry and a worldwide network of more than 2,500 professionals, customers benefit from the unique expertise and capabilities from Airbus and its affiliated family companies. Airbus Smarter FleetTM is a trademark of Airbus.
Photo:Duncan Stewart - LAX
Hawaiian Airlines considering Europe flights with A330neos
Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) Is studying the possibility of introducing nonstop flights to Europe with some of the six A330-800neo aircraft it has on order. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Dunkerley said that while the carrier is interested in potential flights from Honolulu to London, it is yet to look into whether the aircraft could provide the required range to operate the service.
Hawaiian Airlines utilises its twenty-three A330-200s and seven B767-300(ER)s on longhaul routes to Asia, Australia, New Zealand and across the US. The first deliveries of the A330-800neos are not expected until 2019. Next year the carrier will receive its first of sixteen ordered A321neos, which will be utilised on routes to the US West Coast in order to free up the A330-200s for flights to Asia. Dunkerley says that while the airline has made some inquiries into the A380-800, they were mainly for informational purposes.
ch aviation
Duncan Stewart - LAX
The US carrier is currently looking into adding about half a dozen new routes, Dunkerley told Bloomberg. They include points on the US East Coast, as well as Canada. In Asia, the carrier sees potential for additional flights to China and more services could be added to Austra
The US carrier is currently looking into adding about half a dozen new routes, Dunkerley told Bloomberg. They include points on the US East Coast, as well as Canada. In Asia, the carrier sees potential for additional flights to China and more services could be added to Austra
Air Tanzania adds maiden Q400
Air Tanzania (TC, Dar-es-Salaam) has taken delivery of the first of two Dash 8-400s it has on order from Bombardier (BBA, Montréal Trudeau). Owned by the Tanzanian government, C-FIFG (cn 4495) will be transferred to the local registry over the coming days before starting commercial services.
The airline’s acting managing director Patrick Itule previously said the Q400s' arrival will herald a dramatic expansion in the state-owned carrier's network from Dar-es-Salaam which currently consists of Kigoma and Moroni Int'l. Alongside Air Tanzania's only aircraft, an eighteen year-old Dash 8-300, the two Q400s will be used to gradually roll out service to: Dodoma; Mwanza; Arusha; Mbeya; Tabora; Kilimanjaro; Zanzibar; Pemba Wawi; and Bukoba.
As previously reported, the Tanzanian government also plans to acquire a CS300, although no delivery date, or any confirmation that it would be placed with Air Tanzania, has been given.
ch aviation
Air Algérie commenced flights from Algiers to Budapest on 15 September.
Aenna
Air India schedules Madrid launch in Dec 2016
AI135 DEL1425 – 2020MAD 788 246
AI136 MAD2150 – 1110+1DEL 788 246
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
AI136 MAD2150 – 1110+1DEL 788 246
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
Photo:FPP
Russia's Nordwind Airlines secures UN charter contract
Nordwind Airlines (N4, Moscow Sheremetyevo) has begun operating one of its B737-800, VP-BOW (msn 30040), on behalf of the United Nations after securing a one-year contract, the ATO.ru portal reports. The aircraft will be based at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta and has received a UN billboard livery.
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gennady Vani, the airline applied for the contract in order to utilise the aircraft during the slower winter months, when there is lower demand. The carrier has previously worked with the UN in November 2012 when it operated a number of flights transporting UN peacekeeping personnel to Syria.
Nordwind Airlines’ fleet is made up of ten aircraft, including four A321-200, two B737-800s, one B767-300(ER) and three B777-200(ER)s
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gennady Vani, the airline applied for the contract in order to utilise the aircraft during the slower winter months, when there is lower demand. The carrier has previously worked with the UN in November 2012 when it operated a number of flights transporting UN peacekeeping personnel to Syria.
Nordwind Airlines’ fleet is made up of ten aircraft, including four A321-200, two B737-800s, one B767-300(ER) and three B777-200(ER)s
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S7 Group to lease nine B737 MAX from ALC
Russia's S7 Group has signed an agreement with US-based Air Lease Corporation for the lease of nine B737 MAX, to be operated by its Globus (GH, Novosibirsk) unit. A company spokesperson confirmed to the Vedomosti business daily that the carrier will become the launch customer of the type in Russia.
Deliveries are expected to start from September 2018.
Globus operates nineteen B737-800s on regular passenger flights throughout Russia as well as to Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Hong Kong, China, Croatia, Montenegro, Moldova, and Armenia for and on behalf of its S7 Airlines (S7, Novosibirsk) parent.
Photo:Pedro Filipe - Duss
American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, its latest next generation widebody aircraft.
The airframer delivered the aircraft to the Fort Worth-based carrier from its final assembly line in Charleston, South Carolina, on 13 September, FlightAware.com shows. The Flight Fleets Analyzer shows it has registration N820AL and MSN 40639.
American Airlines
American will debut its new premium economy class on the 787-9. The cabin will have 21 seats in a two-three-two configuration.
American Airlines
The aircraft is configured with 285 seats, including 30 business class, the 21 premium economy, 27 extra-legroom economy and 207 economy seats.
The 787-9 will enter service on 4 October operating American flight 50 from Dallas/Fort Worth to London Heathrow, a spokesman says. It will operate domestically between Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles from 6 October through 3 November before being placed on flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and both Buenos Aires and Madrid from 4 November.
American has firm orders for 21 more 787-9s with three due this year, Fleets Analyzer shows. It operates 17 787-8s with three firm orders.
Ukraine International Airlines to add eight aircraft in 2017
The decision comes following the delivery of eight B737-800 this year, with another aircraft of the same type to join the fleet by the end of 2016. The jets have been used to increase frequencies on popular routes and launch new destinations.
The Ukrainian carrier is now considering entering the Canadian market in 2018, a year ahead of initial plans. However, Miroshnikov concedes that in order to offset the route’s high seasonality, the airline must resume flights to east-bound markets such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran and has appealed to Ukrainian regulators to make this possible. Growth on this front is being hampered by Russia’s decision last year to block off its airspace to all Ukrainian carriers in a tit-for-tat move. Furthermore, the airline was recently forced to indefinitely postpone the resumption of scheduled services linking its Kiev Boryspil hub with Ashgabat due to issues with the bilateral air service agreement between the two countries.
UIA currently operates a fleet of thirty-nine aircraft, including three B737-300s, one B737-300(F), six B737-500s, sixteen B737-800s, four B737-900(ER)s and B767-300(ER)s each, as well as five EMB-190s. Its network covers sixty destinations across Europe, Asia and North America.
Photo:Alain Charpentier- TLS
quinta-feira, 22 de setembro de 2016
Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 787 international service in Oct 2016
Uzbekistan Airways in today’s schedule update (22SEP16) filed planned Boeing 787-8 operations in October 2016. At time this post goes to press, planned Boeing 787-8 service for international routes in October 2016 as follow.
Tashkent – Dubai 05OCT16 – 24OCT16 Day 36
Tashkent – Sharjah 02OCT16 / 04OCT16 / 11OCT16
Tashkent – Tel Aviv 17OCT16 – 24OCT16 Day 1
Additional changes remain highly possible.
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
Eurowings expands Salzburg operation in S17
Eurowings this past week has rolled out planned summer 2017 operation for its new Salzburg base, including the launch of 5 new routes.
eff 26MAR17 Salzburg – Palma Mallorca 2 weekly (Day 47)
eff 27MAR17 Salzburg – Dubrovnik 1 weekly (Day 4)
eff 28MAR17 Salzburg – Split 1 weekly (Day 6)
eff 28MAR17 Salzburg – Thessaloniki 2 weekly (Day 26)
eff 29MAR17 Salzburg – Olbia 1 weekly (Day 6)
Eurowings’ new Salzburg service from Dec 2016/Jan 2017 will be maintained in summer 2017 season, on/after 26MAR17, including:
Salzburg – Brussels 4 weekly (Day x246)
Salzburg – Geneva 3 weekly (Day 246)
Salzburg – Hamburg Increase from 2 to 4 weekly (Day x136)
Salzburg – Paris CDG Reduce from 5 to 4 weekly (Day x246)
Salzburg – Zurich Reduce from 6 to 4 weekly (Day x246)
Frequency comparison is based on S17 vs W16.
Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
Photo:Pedro Filipe - Duss
Zoom Air adds first aircraft
Zoom Air (India) (Delhi Int'l) has added its first aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200, to its fleet. According to the start-up, the jet will enter into service this month. The airline plans to maintain operations with five CRJ-200LRs out of Delhi Int'l.
Under its previous incarnation as Zexus Air (Delhi Int'l), the full-service start-up was able to secure its No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation but reportedly failed in its attempt to secure an Air Operators Permit (AOP) from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Zoom Air reportedly plans to offer flights to Aurangabad, Aizawl, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Durgapur, Dimapur, Jorhat, Kulu, Shillong, Mumbai Int'l, Ranchi, Kolkata, Hyderabad Int'l, Srinagar, and Lucknow initially.
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