SPICE JET (XPRESS) - B737-75C(BDSF)(WL) - VT-SFB

Wong Chi Lam
Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International (HKG / VHHH)

CSS CZECH AIRLINES - B737-800W - OK-TST

José Ramon Valero - MAD

Republic of Korea Air Force receives first Airbus A330 MRTT

Busan, 30 January 2019 – The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance and range of the ROKAF’s fighter aircraft, and provides the service with strategic transport capability for passengers and freight.

In South Korean service the A330 MRTT will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, be equipped with the Airbus Refuelling Boom System, and can be configured in a variety of layouts to carry passengers and freight or for medevac purposes.

South Korea becomes the seventh member of the worldwide family of A330 MRTT operators and is one of 12 nations to have ordered the aircraft. This latest delivery brings the total in-service fleet to 35.

Fernando Alonso, Executive Vice President, Airbus, said: “The A330 MRTT has clearly established itself as the world’s premier tanker and strategic transport aircraft, and has been widely praised by the current operators. It will be a critical asset of the ROKAF and leading air forces worldwide for many decades.”

Corendon to place a Boeing 747-400 in its hotel garden, ex-KLM PH-BFB gets a new home

Travel agency, airline company and hotelier Corendon will have a complete Boeing 747-400 transported from Schiphol airport to the Corendon Village Hotel in Amsterdam this February. There the plane will be placed in the hotel garden.
For this mega job Dutch specialized transport company Mammoet has been brought in. Mammoet will transport the 150 ton plane in five days from the airport to the hotel, starting Tuesday evening February 5. During its spectacular last journey, the Boeing has to cross 17 ditches, highway A9 and one provincial road.
The Boeing 747-400 is the former KLM aircraft ‘City of Bangkok‘ (PH-BFB) that will be given a new final destination after 30 years of reliable service.
In recent weeks it has been painted in the colors of Corendon in Rome. Also it is has been stripped of all serviceable parts, such as the engines, by aircraft recycling company AELS. After the transport the plane will be placed in the garden of the Corendon Village Hotel Amsterdam.
The aircraft will be converted into the Corendon Boeing 747 Experience, which will open its doors at Q3 of 2019. The hotel opened last year in the former headquarters of Sony. With over 680 rooms, suites and apartments it is the largest hotel in the Benelux. Guests have a clear view of Schiphol Airport.
What happens when?

Tuesday 5 February 22.00 hours – Wednesday 6 February 07.00 hours: kick off:

On Tuesday, February 5th, at 11 pm the aircraft will roll on a self-propelled trailer of transport giant Mammoet, crossing Schiphol Airport. It will leave the airport site via the Zwanenburgbaan and will be transported over the meadows towards the Sloterweg. Here the Boeing 747 will stay for two days.

Friday 8 February 00.00 hours – Saturday 9 February 05.00 hours: Crossing the A9

The most spectacular part of the transport is the crossing of highway A9. This will happen during the night of Friday 8th on Saturday February 9th. After that the aircraft will follow its route towards the Corendon Village Hotel.

Saturday 9 February 00.00 hours – Sunday 10 February 04.00 hours: The final meters

The aircraft will cross the Schipholweg during the night of Saturday 9th to Sunday February 10thand will make 57 traffic movements before it takes its place in the garden of the Corendon Village Hotel.

All images by Corendon.

World Airlines news

Qatar Airways increasing A350-1000XWB London Heathrow service in S19

Qatar Airways in summer 2019 season is increasing Airbus A350-1000XWB operations on Doha – London Heathrow route, currently served once a day as QR15/16. From 31MAR19, -1000XWB service will increase to 2 daily, as QR7/8 switches to -1000XWB (replacing 777-300ER), except 01JUN19 – 15JUL19.

Planned A350-1000XWB schedule as follow. The airline operates 6 daily flights to Heathrow.

QR007 DOH0900 – 1410LHR 351 D
QR015 DOH1515 – 2025LHR 351 D
QR008 LHR1600 – 0050+1DOH 351 D
QR016 LHR2155 – 0645+1DOH 351 D

By Jim Liu

China Eastern S19 A350 European operations as of 28JAN19

China Eastern this week filed Airbus A350-900XWB European operation during summer 2019 season, effective 31MAR19. Planned A350 service as follows.

Shanghai Pu Dong – Amsterdam eff 31MAR19 A350-900XWB replaces A330-200, 4 weekly

MU771 PVG0010 – 0655AMS 359 x246

MU772 AMS1240 – 0545+1PVG 359 x246

Shanghai Pu Dong – Rome eff 31MAR19 A350-900XWB replaces A330-200, 1 daily

MU787 PVG1225 – 1910FCO 359 D

MU788 FCO2110 – 1435+1PVG 359 D

By Jim Liu

TAP Air Portugal adds Tenerife South service from mid-June 2019

TAP Air Portugal from mid-June 2019 is adding new service to Tenerife, where it scheduled 1 daily Lisbon – Tenerife South flight. Starting from 15JUN19, Airbus A319/320 aircraft will operate this route (1 daily A319 from 27OCT19).

TP1128 LIS0930 – 1200TFS 320 14
TP1128 LIS0930 – 1200TFS 319 x14
TP1127 TFS1245 – 1500LIS 320 14
TP1127 TFS1245 – 1500LIS 319 x14
By Jim Liu

TAP Air Portugal schedules additional European service from Porto in Sep 2019

TAP Air Portugal from September 2019 is adding 2 additional European routes from Porto, including service to Lyon and Munich. Planned operational schedule as follows.

Porto – Lyon eff 01SEP19 2 daily Embraer E190

TP470 OPO0600 – 0905LYS E90 D

TP468 OPO1830 – 2135LYS E90 D

TP475 LYS0945 – 1055OPO E90 D

TP469 LYS2215 – 2325OPO E90 D

Porto – Munich eff 01SEP19 1 daily A319

TP548 OPO1215 – 1555MUC 319 D

TP549 MUC1640 – 1830OPO 319 D

By Jim Liu

StarLux Airlines is now planning to launch in January 2020

StarLux Airlines (Taipei) is now planning to launch scheduled passenger operations in January 2020 according to a statement by Chang Kuo-wei.
The upstart is planning to operate Airbus aircraft including A320neo, A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft.
Image: StarLux.

Pakistan International Airlines launched weekly long-haul services to Europe from Sialkot (SKT) on 19 January, with the airline now linking the city to Paris CDG (CDG) and Barcelona

An analysis of Flightradar24.com data shows that the route will be performed by an Islamabad-based aircraft, operating Islamabad – Paris CDG – Barcelona – Sialkot – Paris – Barcelona – Islamabad, with the operation taking two-days for the 777-200s that will operate these sectors to perform. No other airline flies the 6,074- and 6,312-kilometre connections from Sialkot to Paris or Barcelona at this time. As stated, the airline already operates to both European cities from Islamabad, while the carrier also links Lahore to the French capital airport. Based on OAG schedules, Pakistan International already has a number of routes from Sialkot, with it linking the city to Dammam, Jeddah, Karachi, Muscat, Riyadh and Sharjah during the week commencing 22 January.

EGYPTAIR S19 787-9 operations as of 25JAN19

EGYPTAIR in last week’s schedule update filed additional Boeing 787-9 operating service. Based on current listing, the 787-9 is scheduled to serve Dubai from late-May 2019, followed by Madrid from August 2019.
Cairo – Dubai eff 30MAY19 787-9 operates 6 weekly (Overall 25 weekly)

MS910 CAI2235 – 0400+1DXB 789 x3

MS911 DXB0520 – 0700CAI 789 x4

787-9 is not scheduled from 01JUL19 to 31JUL19. From 01AUG19, 787-9 operates MS910/911 7 weekly

Cairo – Madrid eff 01AUG19 787-9 operates MS753/754, 1 daily, replacing 737-800 (Overall 8 weekly)

MS753 CAI0930 – 1445MAD 789 D

MS754 MAD1545 – 2025CAI 789 D

Previously reported, the airline’s 787-9 aircraft will serve Cairo – Toronto route from 03OCT19, 4 times a week.

By Jim Liu

EASA certifies A330neo for “beyond 180 minutes” ETOPS

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the A330-900 for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) “beyond 180 minutes” diversion time. This significant achievement means that operators of the A330neo, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, will benefit from the most efficient, reliable and direct long-range routings.

The approval, which includes ETOPS 180 min. capability in the aircraft’s basic specification, now also includes the option for “ETOPS 285 min.” This extends the potential air diversion distance to around 2,000nm. The U.S. FAA’s respective ETOPS certification is expected soon.

A330neo operators which choose the ETOPS 285 min. option will be able to serve new direct ‘non-limiting’ routings. Meanwhile, operators flying on existing routes (currently flown with up to 180-minute diversion time) will be able to traverse a straighter, quicker and more fuel efficient path, and also have access to more – and possibly better equipped – en-route diversion airports if needed.

The granting of this ETOPS capability is a testimony to the aircraft’s design and systems maturity, which has been demonstrated to be as good as its predecessor – the versatile and extremely reliable A330-200/A330-300 family, proven over many millions of flights.

The A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft family comprising the A330-900 and the smaller A330-800. The A330-900 in particular is the lowest seat-mile cost 300-seater which incorporates highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new 3D-optimised wing with greater span and lighter composite materials, plus new wingtip Sharklets. Together, these advances bring greater range (around 7,200 nm with a three-class cabin) and 25% lower fuel consumption compared with older generation aircraft of similar size.

The A330 is one of the most popular widebody families ever, having received over 1,700 orders to date from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. The A330neo is the latest addition to the leading Airbus twin-engine widebody family, which alongside the A350 XWB, offer unmatched space and comfort combined with unprecedented efficiency levels and long-range capability.

In 2009, the Airbus A330-200/-300 became the first airliner family to gain an ETOPS ‘Beyond 180min’ certification, which was granted by EASA. Airbus twin-engine airliners have accumulated over 20 million ETOPS flight hours, most of which have been accumulated by the A330 Family.

Notes for Editors:



“ETOPS” is a set of rules initially introduced by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in the mid-1980s to allow commercial operations with twin-engine aircraft on routes beyond 60min flying time from the nearest airport and which were previously operated only by aircraft with more than two engines. These rules, which are now named “EDTO” (Extended Diversion Time Operations) by ICAO have been progressively revised to allow operations beyond 180min diversion time.

Air Canada Mainline S19 International changes as of 23JAN19

Air Canada in recent schedule update filed changes to its planned international mainline operation, for summer 2019 season. This includes some changes previously not covered on Airlineroute. Planned changes as of 23JAN19 as follow.


Calgary – Frankfurt eff 02MAY19 777-200LR replaces 787-9, 1 daily (Previous plan: eff 31MAY19)

Montreal – Tokyo Narita Planned 787-9 service from 01JUN19 has been accelerated to 01APR19
01APR19 – 29APR19 787-9 replaces -8

30APR19 – 31MAY19 Planned 787-8 service unchanged

01JUN19 – 26OCT19 Planned 787-9, replacing -8, unchanged

Toronto – Milan Malpensa

31MAR19 – 30APR19 A330-300 replacing previously filed 767

01MAY19 – 31MAY19 Planned 767 service unchanged

01JUN19 – 26OCT19 Previously not reported, 787-8 replaces 787-9 in S18

Toronto – Shanghai Pu Dong eff 01JUN19 787-9 replaces 777-200LR in S18, 1 daily
Vancouver – Beijing eff 01JUN19 777-200LR replaces -300ER, 1 daily

Previously reported changes:
Montreal – Algiers eff 06JUN19 A330-300 replaces rouge 767, Business Class sold as Premium Economy

Montreal – Bordeaux 15JUN19 – 15SEP19 737 MAX 8 operates 4 weekly, new route

Montreal – Dublin eff 15JUN19 A330-300 replaces 737 MAX 8, 3 weekly (Business Class sold as Premium Economy)

Montreal – Fort-de-France 23JUN19 – 01SEP19 3 weekly 737 MAX 8, compared to 4 weekly rouge A319 in S18

Montreal – Frankfurt eff 01JUN19 787-9 replaces -8, 1 daily

Montreal – London Heathrow eff 01MAY19 summer 2019 season operated by A330-300, replacing 787-9

Montreal – Pointe-a-Pitre 24JUN19 – 02SEP19 3 weekly 737 MAX 8, compared to 4 weekly rouge A319 in S18

Montreal – Rome eff 01JUN19 450-seater 777-300ER replaces A330-300, 1 daily

Montreal – Shanghai Pu Dong eff 01JUN19 787-9 replaces -8, 1 daily

Montreal – Tel Aviv 20JUN19 – 08SEP19 Increase from 2 to 3 weekly, A330-300 operating

Montreal – Tokyo Narita eff 01JUN19 787-9 replaces -8, 1 daily

Toronto – Dubai eff 31MAR19 summer 2019 season operated by 787-9, replacing 777-200LR, 3 weekly

Toronto – Mumbai eff 31MAR19 4 weekly service cancelled in S19

Toronto – Santiago de Chile – Buenos Aires Ezeiza eff 01APR19 4 weekly 787-9, replacing nonstop service each for Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires
Toronto – Seoul Incheon eff 01JUN19 400-seater 777-300ER replaces 787-9, 1 daily

Toronto – Vienna eff 29APR19 Service resumption since January 1996, 1 daily 787-9 service

Toronto – Zurich eff 31MAR19 summer 2019 season operated by 787-9, replacing 777-300ER during peak season

Vancouver – Delhi eff 02JUN19 Service converts to year-round, 1 daily 787-9 service

Vancouver – Dublin eff 16JUN19 A330-300 replaces rouge 767, 4 weekly (Business Class sold as Premium Economy)

Vancouver – Frankfurt eff 01JUN19 787-9 replaces -8, 1 daily

Vancouver – London Heathrow eff 01JUN19 Seasonal 2nd daily operated by 787-8, replacing -9 (Overall 1 daily each 787-8/-9)

Vancouver – Melbourne eff 03JUN19 Service converts to year-round, 4 weekly 787-9 service

Vancouver – Osaka Kansai eff 01JUN19 Seasonal service operated by Mainline 787-8, replacing rouge 767, 5 weekly (4 weekly 01JUN19 – 15JUN19)

Vancouver – Zurich eff 06JUN19 Seasonal service increases from 3 to 5 weekly, 787-8 operating

By Jim Liu

CSA is using its sole Boeing 737-800 transferred from Travel Service for the PRG-MAD-PRG route.

José Ramón Valero

India's SpiceJet mulls European ops from late 1Q19 - report

SpiceJet (SG, Delhi Int'l) is "likely" to launch its maiden long-haul services to Europe in the Summer 2019 season, Moneycontrol has reported citing an inside source.

The Indian LCC would initially operate to London Gatwick from Delhi Int'l and to London Heathrow from Amritsar using leased A330 equipment. The source did not specify whether the carrier would be looking at wet- or dry-leasing Airbus widebodies.

The services from Amritsar are likely to commence at the end of March, with the onset of the Summer 2019 season, while the flights from Delhi could then launch in May.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, SpiceJet currently operates exclusively turboprop and narrowbody fleet consisting of three B737-700s, twenty-seven B737-800s, four B737-900(ER)s, ten B737-8s, and twenty-seven Dash 8-400s. It also operates a single B737-700(F) freighter.

Currently, less than 9% of all services operated by SpiceJet are international. The carrier operates 312 weekly scheduled international flights, predominantly to Dubai Int'l and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.

The LCC has been flirting with the idea of launching long-haul flights and adding widebody equipment for some time now, although in mid-2018 it deferred these plans due to the weakening rupee and rising oil prices. It had previously studied A350-1000s and B787-10s for these plans.



Currently, the Delhi-London market is operated 43x weekly by Air India (AI, Mumbai Int'l), while no airline offers direct services between Amritsar, a holy Sikh city, and the capital of the United Kingdom.

ch aviation

Germany bans Iran's Mahan Air

The German government has banned Mahan Air (W5, Tehran Mehrabad) from operating flights to the country, accusing the airline of acting as an agent of the Iranian government.

"We have always said that Iran's destabilizing activities in the region, just like their ballistic missile program, are not acceptable. That is why it is in Germany's foreign policy interests not to allow any air traffic to Germany from companies who support the war in Syria and contribute to the oppression of people in war zones," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christopher Burger said at a press conference, as quoted by Deutsche Welle.

The move was quickly applauded by the US administration. The Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said that the US was "thankful" and that "the safety of German and U.S. citizens [was] the highest priority", echoing earlier comments by National Security Advisor John Bolton.

US officials further said that Germany's ban was a result of long-standing pressure. The German Foreign Ministry did however not acknowledge bowing to US pressure.

Mahan Air has been sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) since 2011.

According to the ch-aviation capacity module, the Iranian carrier currently operates from Tehran Imam Khomeini to Düsseldorf Int'l (3x weekly using A310-300 equipment) and Munich (2x weekly using A340-300 aircraft).

In terms of its European Union network, Mahan Air also flies to Barcelona El Prat, Milan Malpensa, and Paris CDG. No other EU country has so far banned the airline.

ch aviation

Air Burkina adds maiden E175

Air Burkina (2J, Ouagadougou) has taken delivery of its first E175 following the arrival of XT-ABZ (msn 17000316) in Ouagadougou on January 16.

The Embraer Regional Jet is part of a trio of jets - two E195s and one E175 - that the state-owned airline secured from Nordic Aviation Capital in December last year. Thus far, only one E195 has been delivered with the other - msn 19000050 - at Amman Queen Alia awaiting transmission to West Africa.

Air Burkina also operates two E170s, both of which are owned by Aga Khan Foundation but of which only one is active.

Collectively, the recently delivered aircraft are part of the government's investment in the airline, which had been left reeling following the Aga Khan Foundation's divestiture in May 2017.
But despite this investment, African Aerospace magazine reports that Saudi Arabian aviation consultancy Nexus Aero International (NAI) has been approached by Burkina Faso’s president, Roch Kabore, to set up and manage a new airline in the country. Company chief executive Abdullah Al-Sayed did not, however, provide any further details on the project.

ch aviation

Delta A330neo emerges from painting

2019 SOURCE: FLIGHT DASHBOARD BY: DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW LONDON

Delta Air Lines’ first Airbus A330-900 has emerged having been painted in the US carrier’s livery.

Airbus has shown off the airline’s initial A330neo, MSN1915, which has yet to be fitted with its Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 powerplants.

Delta has 35 A330-900s on order with the European airframer. The twinjet type is set to complement its A350-900 fleet.
Flight Fleets Analyzer indicates that the aircraft is due to be registered N401DZ.

ZIMEX - ATR 42-500 - HB-ALN

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

ARKIA - Israeli Airlines - B767-306(ER)(WL) - I-NDOF

I-NDOF ready to be handed over to Arkia for a period of wet lease, where departing for TLV/LLBG.

Varani Ennio - VRN Spotter Group
Verona Valerio Catullo Villafranca (VRN / LIPX)

SMBC Aviation Capital orders 65 A320neo Family aircraft

Leading aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has boosted its total order book for the A320neo Family to 181 aircraft after signing a firm order for an additional 65 A320neo Family aircraft (15 A321neo and 50 A320neo). The order was finalised in 2018 and included in the year-end order figures.

In addition, the agreement includes an upsizing of 15 A320neo from a pre-existing order to 15 of the largest member of the single-aisle Family – the A321neo – taking SMBC Aviation Capital’s total for the type to 30. With its unbeatable seat mile cost, longer range and wider cabin, the A321neo offers airlines the flexibility to expand their networks using wide-body cabin products on new longer-haul routes which were not previously possible with a single-aisle jetliner.

“Demand for the latest technology aircraft has been strong both from our existing and new customers, hence our decision today to proceed with this order. In the current environment, airlines are seeking more fuel efficient aircraft. The make-up of our order book positions us very well for the future to deliver on those needs. We have a strong relationship with Airbus and we look forward to working with them to continue to deliver for our customers long into the future,” said Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital.

The order for 65 is in addition to an earlier agreement for six A320neo made in March, bringing the total number of A320neo Family ordered in 2018 to 71.

“As one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, SMBC Aviation Capital’s repeat order demonstrates its financial astuteness in making wise investments in the A320neo Family. In 2018, the direct leasing market represented over 30% of our 800 worldwide deliveries – as much as Europe and the Americas combined,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and cabin efficiency enablers, which together deliver 20% fuel savings by 2020. With more than 6,500 orders received from over 100 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.



@SMBCAVIATION #A321neo #A320neo

AirCalin plans A330-900neo service entry in Dec 2019

AirCalin in last week’s schedule update filed planned Airbus A330-900neo aircraft service, set to enter service from December 2019, replacing A330-200. Configuration of the A330-900neo is C26Y265.

Noumea – Osaka Kansai eff 02DEC19 2 weekly
Noumea – Papeete eff 07DEC19 1 weekly
Noumea – Sydney eff 03DEC19 2 weekly
Noumea – Tokyo Narita eff 01DEC19 5 weekly
Based on current listing, the airline’s last A330-200 service is scheduled on 30NOV19, although this is likely to change.

By Jim Liu

Qatar Airways plans A350-1000XWB Paris service from Aug 2019

Qatar Airways from August 2019 is adding Airbus A350-1000XWB service on Doha – Paris CDG route, opened for booking since last week. From 01AUG19, new stretched A350 variant will replace 777-300ER aircraft on QR37/38 service. The oneWorld member operates this route 3 times a day.

QR041 DOH0100 – 0655CDG 388 x23

QR041 DOH0145 – 0740CDG 77W 23

QR039 DOH0740 – 1340CDG 388 D

QR037 DOH1520 – 2115CDG 351 D

QR042 CDG0850 – 1620DOH 388 x23

QR042 CDG0850 – 1620DOH 77W 23

QR040 CDG1600 – 2330DOH 388 D

QR038 CDG2240 – 0600+1DOH 351 D

The A350-1000XWB service is scheduled until 26OCT19 for the moment.

By Jim Liu

British Airways to paint a Boeing 747-400 in the BOAC livery (Retrojet)

BOAC

GARUDA INDONESIA - A330-343 - PK-GHD - 1733-

Garuda retro livery first flight to Peking capital

Photo:Yiran

Beijing Capital - ZBAA, China

Construction begins on Airbus’ U.S. A220 Manufacturing Facility

Airbus’ manufacturing growth in the United States advanced another step today in Mobile, Alabama, as construction of the company’s A220 Manufacturing Facility officially launched with a groundbreaking ceremony. The assembly line will satisfy the strong and growing U.S. demand for the A220 aircraft, the newest offering in Airbus’ commercial aircraft product line.

Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, and Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft led the celebration and welcomed approximately 700 attendees including Airbus and other industry executives, Airbus manufacturing employees, state and national dignitaries, and local community leaders.

The new assembly line, which is the company’s second U.S.-based commercial aircraft production facility, will be located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley adjacent to the A320 Family production line and will facilitate assembly of A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft for U.S. customers. Aircraft production is planned to begin in Q3 2019; with first delivery of a Mobile-assembled A220 aircraft scheduled for 2020. The new A220 production facilities will be complete by next year.

Airbus has strong and longstanding ties to the United States, with Airbus aircraft being operated by the largest airlines in America. Additionally, Airbus is a major partner of U.S. aerospace companies and workers. In the last three years, Airbus spent $48 billion in the United States with hundreds of U.S. suppliers in more than 40 states, translating into Airbus support of more than 275,000 American jobs. Among its facilities in the U.S. Airbus has: engineering centers in Kansas and Alabama; a major training facility in Florida and soon one in Colorado; materials support and headquarters in Virginia; an A320 Family assembly line delivering aircraft in Alabama; an innovative think tank (A3) in California; a drone data analysis business (Airbus Aerial) in Atlanta, Georgia; helicopter manufacturing and assembly facilities in Texas and Mississippi; and a satellite manufacturing facility (OneWeb) in Florida.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market; it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and true widebody comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With a range of up to 3,200 nm (5920 km), the A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

With an order book of more than 500 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

BASEL TRIP

Paul Bannwarth

Acropolis Aviation takes delivery of 1st ACJ320neo

Cabin completion of new aircraft next step

Acropolis Aviation of the UK has taken delivery of the first ACJ320neo, which features new-generation engines and Sharklets to deliver a leap forward in range and economy.

The aircraft will now undergo cabin-outfitting by AMAC in Basle, Switzerland, receiving a VVIP cabin designed by Alberto Pinto. Its current ACJ livery will also be replaced by Acropolis Aviation colours.

“Delivery of the first ACJ320neo is the latest milestone in the roll-out of a completely new ACJ Family, enabling even more of the comfort, range and value prized by business jet customers,” says ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

The A320neo Family is widely proven with airlines, which already fly more than 600 of them.

Corporate jet customers are now poised to benefit from this airliner heritage, enhanced by specific features – such as extra fuel tanks in the cargo hold that contribute even more intercontinental range, an improved cabin atmosphere, a higher maximum take-off weight and cruise altitude, and airstairs.

The ACJ320 Family currently comprises the ACJ319neo, capable of flying eight passengers 6,750 nm/12,500 km or more than 15 hours, and the ACJ320neo, which can fly 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,100 km or more than 13 hours.

Deliveries of the ACJ320neo’s sibling, the ACJ319neo, will begin in the coming months.

In addition to the their new fuel-saving engines and Sharklets, ACJ320neo Family aircraft have the widest and tallest cabins of any business jet, without costing more to operate or taking up more ramp space.

The ACJ Family includes a complete family of VIP widebodies that can carry even more passengers nonstop around the world - including the new ACJ330neo and ACJ350 XWB.

More than 190 ACJs are in service around the world, around the clock.

About Acropolis Aviation

Acropolis Aviation is a leading luxury charter aviation operator based at Farnborough Airport, the UK's premier business aviation airport, with a complementary sales office in Fort Lauderdale, USA. Its current ACJ319 entered service in March 2010 and has gained a reputation for excellent service in the high-end charter market.

About the A320neo Family

The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers since its launch in 2010. It incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15% in fuel savings from day one and 20% by 2020 with further cabin innovations. The A320neo also offers significant environmental performance with nearly 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.

About Airbus Corporate Jets



Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) creates the world’s most rewarding flying experiences for customers by providing them with unique expertise, the finest service, best technology and highest standards of care in corporate aviation. All Airbus corporate jets come from the most modern aircraft family on the market, derived from Airbus’ successful market-leading jetliners.

SILVER AIRWAYS - SF340 - N417XJ

Aer Lingus reveals first brand makeover in 20 years

20 years since its last refresh, Aer Lingus has unveiled a new look logo and livery

China Eastern adds A350 Sydney service from late-March 2019

China Eastern in this week’s inventory update filed operational aircraft changes for Shanghai Pu Dong – Sydney route, effective from 31MAR19. The Skyteam member plans to introduce Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft on this route, as MU561/562, replacing A330-200.

MU735 PVG0015 – 1235SYD 332 357
MU561 PVG2020 – 0900+1SYD 359 D
MU562 SYD1100 – 1920PVG 359 DMU736 SYD2030 – 0520+1PVG 332 357

Previously reported, the airline’s 787-9 aircraft is set to serve Shanghai Pu Dong – Melbourne route from 01FEB19. The 787-9 schedule in the last few days also extended into Northern summer season, on/after 31MAR19.

By Jim Liu

Shanghai Airlines adds Boeing 787 Shanghai – Hong Kong route in late-Jan 2019

Shanghai Airlines starting today is operating Boeing 787-9 aircraft on Shanghai Hongqiao – Hong Kong route on temporary basis, replacing Airbus A330-300 aircraft. From 16JAN19 to 30JAN19, 4 of 7 weekly service to be operated by the Dreamliner, instead of A330-300.

FM845 SHA1500 – 1750HKG 789 x257
FM845 SHA1500 – 1750HKG 333 257
FM846 HKG1845 – 2110SHA 789 x257
FM846 HKG1845 – 2110SHA 333 257
By Jim Liu

Lufthansa's Austrian Airlines to Spend US$228 Million to Expand Airbus Fleet

Lufthansa's Austrian Airlines said on Thursday it will invest EUR 200 million(US$228 million) to expand its Airbus fleet to compete with fast growing low-cost carriers.

Vienna Airport, one of Europe's main hubs for eastern European destinations, introduced an incentive scheme after the collapse of Air Berlin to attract new carriers, which has proved particularly successful with low cost airlines.
Budget carriers including Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, IAG's Vueling and Level, and Lufthansa's Eurowings have since launched or increased services and Vienna's airport has reported a 10 percent increase in passenger numbers in the 11 months to the end of November.
Austrian Airlines plans to increase its Airbus fleet to 46 planes from 36 in the next three years, it said in a statement.

Although it will discard its 18 turboprop aircraft, the airline said its capacity will increase by more than 10 percent as the Airbus planes offer more seats.

"This can be understood as a commitment to fight in an environment of increasingly tough competition in Vienna, and we are prepared to take further steps to defend our hub," Austrian Airlines Chief Executive Alexis von Hoensbroech said.

By Kirsti Knolle, Reuters

United Airlines to Buy More Boeing 733 MAX, 777 Passenger Jets

U.S. top aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company disclosed new orders from United Airlines to buy 24 additional 737 MAX and four 777-300ER passenger planes.

The orders, which were placed in December 2018 with a worth of 4.5 billion U.S. dollars, were confirmed in the Chicago-based airline's fourth quarter earnings report released Monday.

Boeing said United Airlines, which is one of more than 100 customers that fly the new generation Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, has constantly bought the two types of Boeing jets to serve its extensive domestic and international network.

"United Airlines has been instrumental to the phenomenal success of the Boeing 737 and 777 programs over the years," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing.

United Airlines revealed in its fourth quarter earnings report that apart from the latest new orders, it has taken delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including four 777-300ER, four 787-9, three 787-10 and ten 737 MAX 9 aircraft to consolidate its Boeing fleet.

The airlines said it introduced 93 new routes in 2018, including a flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam in Netherlands.

The 737 MAX, which offers 14-percent better fuel efficiency than existing models, is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, receiving more than 5,000 orders across the globe, Boeing said.



It added that the twin-aisle 777 jet, which has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (about 14,685 km), crossed the 2,000-odd threshold of sales in December when United Airlines placed its orders for additional airplanes.

By yan, Xinhua

China Eastern Plans to Fly with Airbus350

Seen from the official website of China Eastern Airlines, it will operate Shanghai - Sydney air route with Airbus 350-900 (short as A350) per day since March 31 this year.

China Eastern introduced its first A350 in Toulouse, France on November 29 last year. There are 288 seats in the aircraft in all, including 40 enclosed business seats, among which 4 are luxury business class, 32 super economy seats and 216 economy seats.
Boasting longer range, larger room, quieter ambience and more environmentally-friendly operation, the customized A350 also stands out for more user-friendly and higher service quality. For instance, it is equipped with the latest entertainment system and lounge in air for luxury business class, meeting the various needs and expectation of customers.
By Rejoice Xu, China Aviation Daily

CHINA SOUTHERN - B737-81B - B-6068 - Serial #: 41613 - Special livery

TianLin Shen

Beijing Capital - ZBAA, China

TURKISH AIRLINES - A321NEO - TC-LSA

FPP - Lisboa

AirTec - Basler BT-67 - N141PR (cn 9043)

FPP - Lisboa

EgyptAir to bring the Boeing 787 to Toronto

EgyptAir has filed its first 309-seat Boeing 787 route schedule. The flag carrier is planning to bring the new type to Toronto (Pearson) on the Cairo – Toronto route starting on October 3, 2019. The Dreamliner will operate three days a week per Airline Route.

EgyptAir is expecting its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in March, 2019.
AerCap and Boeing announced at the 2017 Dubai Airshow that EgyptAir will lease six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Tajikistan’s troubled national carrier ceases operations

Tajik Air’s history dates back to 1930. The age of its fleet is indicative of the current state of its development (Dushanbe Airport)

Tajik Air, the national air carrier of Tajikistan, which is one of the weakest economies within the CIS, has ceased operations after failing to cope with financial difficulties. The collapse of the state-run airline, which has a direct negative effect on the country’s domestic air connections, may compel Somon Air, a more successful private Tajik airline, to review its fleet strategy.

All Tajik Air flights have been removed from the timetable of Dushanbe Airport, which serves the capital of Tajikistan, and the airline’s press department has distributed two releases in January, the first of which, dated January 4, reveals that until the end of the current IATA winter schedule in March, privately-run Somon Air will take over those passengers who hold tickets for Tajik Air’s flights to Russia, the CIS country’s key market.

The second press release, dated January 10, revealed that the airline’s staff face an unpaid furlough, although Aziz Khairulloyev, the airline’s press secretary, also expressed hope that the situation would change, and that the airline might resume operations on its existing routes.

Despite these notices, no representative of Tajik Air has been available for direct comment. Somon Air, in turn, has told Russian Aviation Insider that starting from January 3, it has been operating one daily flight between Moscow and Dushanbe on behalf of Tajik Air. All other routes remain suspended.

The core of Tajik Air’s airworthy mainline fleet consists of three aircraft with an average age of 28 years: a Boeing 737-300, a Boeing 757-200 and a Boeing 767-300. According to public tracking services, these aircraft operated nil flights in 2019, and it is not clear whether a Bombardier CRJ 200, which arrived in October, had yet entered service with the airline.

The main intrigue is that Tajik Air, which also has Antonov An-28 regional turboprops and Mil Mi-8 helicopters in its fleet, is the only provider of domestic air services in a mountainous country with an estimated population of 8.9 million people. So if the airline does not receive state support, it is not clear how these connections can be served because the privately-owned Somon Air (which is providing air services to the country’s president Emomali Rakhmon) does not possess a regional fleet.

In the meantime, for those passengers who use Tajik Air’s international services, it is not difficult to find replacement seats, as the airline had no unique routes in its network.

It is only a question of time to see how this volume of available traffic – Tajik Air carried 356,000 passengers in 2017 – will be accommodated. Russian airlines are sure to take over part of that market, as Russian destinations were Tajik Air’s primary traffic generators. To benefit from that traffic, Somon Air, Tajikistan’s only remaining operator, will have to revise its fleet expansion plans. It currently operates six Boeing 737s (two each of -300, -800 and -900 types). According to an airline source, its management has already initiated some steps in this direction.
by ES in Air Transport,

TAP picks Washington as first A321neo(LR) long-haul route

TAP Air Portugal (TP, Lisbon) has put its first A321-200neo(LR) tickets on sale, selecting the Lisbon-Washington Dulles route as the type's first service, ch-aviation analysis of the Portuguese carrier's schedule data has revealed.

The carrier's initial A321neo(LR) schedules have not been finalised yet and include some round-trips between Lisbon and Vienna in April. Subsequently, the carrier is planning to replace A330-200s on its new 5x weekly service to the US capital with the new narrowbody Airbus aircraft starting October 2.

From October 27, TAP also plans to deploy the aircraft 5x weekly between Lisbon and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, replacing A320-200s on the route.

TAP already operates four A321neo with plans to add two additional ex-Primera Air Scandinavia (PF, Billund) aircraft on lease from GECAS. It has twenty-two additional A321neo on order from Airbus as of December 31, 2018, twelve of which will be A321neo(LR).

TAP Air Portugal adds A321neo LR Porto – Newark route from June 2019

TAP Air Portugal on Monday (14JAN19) filed expanded service on Porto – Newark service, previously announced by the airline. From 01JUN19, the airline will increase service from 2 to 6 weekly, while operational aircraft moves from Airbus A330-200 to 168-seater Airbus A321neo LR.

TP213 OPO1605 – 1845EWR 321 x2

TP214 EWR2015 – 0820+1OPO 321 x2
Current schedule is updated until 26OCT19 inclusive.

By Jim Liu

Photo:FPP - Lisboa

JORDAN AVIATION - A330-200 - JY-JVA - Ex EMIRATES

Ntan Ivanov
Vnukovo - Russia

ALPEFLYET (Via Airways) - A320-214 - LZ-MDO

Matteo Mariani

Bergamo Orio Al Serio - LIME, Italy

Last Updated:6th January 2019Status:Active
Dates:2018* - date
Code:-- : ---
Country:Denmark
Region:Europe
Genealogy:Nil tree
Aircraft:Nil at this time
Not much is yet known about Alpeflyet except it is a virtual carrier based out of Kastrup