FLEET - TAAG Angola Airlines Takes Delivery of Its First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

- African airline receives first of four 787 Dreamliner airplanes on order

- 787 Dreamliner to expand TAAG Angola Airlines’ network in Europe and open new opportunities in Asia and North America

LUANDA, Angola, Jan. 31, 2025 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first of four 787 Dreamliner airplanes to TAAG Angola Airlines, debuting the airline’s new livery. The 787-9 and subsequent deliveries of the fuel-efficient widebody jet will advance the airline's fleet modernization plans and long-haul capabilities, bringing more travelers and trade to Angola with the industry’s most advanced commercial airplane.

The airline’s first 787 Dreamliner, which is on lease from AerCap, arrived in Luanda just ahead of Angola’s Liberation Day on February 4, marking nearly 50 years since the delivery of TAAG Angola’s first airplane, a Boeing 737-200.

“The delivery of the 787-9 is a pivotal step in our strategy to modernize TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet,” said Nelson Pedro Rodrigues de Oliveira, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines. “This airplane brings the efficiency and versatility we need to meet growing market demands, replace our aging widebody fleet, and deliver a world-class experience to our passengers.”

TAAG Angola Airlines currently operates five 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes, three 777-200ERs, and seven Next-Generation 737s, connecting Angola to 12 destinations across Africa, Europe, South America and China. The introduction of the 787 Dreamliner will enable the carrier to expand its long-haul network, with plans to launch new routes to Europe and explore opportunities in Asia and North America.

“The 787 Dreamliner will complement TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 737 and 777 jets, as we continue to support the airline in its mission to connect people and places across the globe,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, vice president of Boeing Commercial Sales for Africa. “Our 50-year relationship with TAAG Angola Airlines has been built on trust and shared goals, and we look forward to many more years of successful collaboration and innovation together.”

The 787 Dreamliner, which TAAG Angola Airlines ordered in 2023, is a core part of the operator’s modernization efforts. Recognized for its advanced technologies, fuel efficiency, and exceptional passenger experience, the 787 Dreamliner reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to the airplanes it will replace.

Coinciding with the delivery of TAAG Angola Airlines’ first 787 Dreamliner, the airline is working with Boeing to purchase CO2 emissions reduction associated with blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through an accounting process called book-and-claim. Distributors will deliver the blended SAF made available through these purchased certificates to nearby airports for use by airlines and other carriers.

Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook projects Africa will need 1,170 airplanes over the next two decades. Boeing airplanes have formed the backbone of Africa’s commercial fleet for over 75 years. More than 60 airlines operate around 500 Boeing airplanes throughout Africa, which represents nearly 70% of the airplane market across the continent.

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - J-Air / Embraer ERJ-190-100STD / JA245J - JAL Universal Studios Japan Jet(version2)

Photo: WING_ACE
 

ROUTES - RWANDAIR EXPANDS QATAR AIRWAYS CODESHARE SERVICE IN 1Q25

Rwandair since mid-January 2025 expanded codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways, covering additional 15 routes operated by the latter. Recently implemented codeshare routes include the following.

Rwandair operated by Qatar Airways

Doha – Alexandria Borg el Arab
Doha – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
Doha – Cairo
Doha – Hanoi
Doha – Ho Chi Minh City
Doha – Kuala Lumpur
Doha – Lisbon
Doha – Luanda
Doha – Mahe Island (Seychelles)
Doha – Mykonos
Doha – Phuket
Doha – Seoul Incheon
Doha – Tashkent
Doha – Trabzon
Doha – Tunis

Photo: FlyingphotosMagazine
 

 

FLEET - Air Greenland seeks A320neo for Ilulissat operations

Air Greenland (GL, Nuuk) is looking to obtain an A320-200N in late 2026 in time for the opening of the new Ilulissat airport, chief executive Jacob Nitter Sørensen said.

In an interview with Aviation Week, he said that the company had reached a level where it made sense to add another jet aircraft following a recent fleet renewal that included the incorporation of an A330-800N and one DHC-8-Q200 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and bringing in wet leases to consolidate its route network.

“That’s the game plan, to keep building up new routes based on ACMI. And then, when it reaches sort of a sustainable level, we add another aircraft,” he said. “So we are looking at adding an A320neo, which can be flown mixed-rating [by the A330neo pilots].”

The A320neo will give Air Greenland flexibility to switch between widebody and narrowbody in its schedule, Nitter Sørensen explained.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows that Air Greenland’s fleet comprises ten aircraft - one A330-800N, one DHC-8-200, seven DHC-8-Q200s, and one Hawker 800XP(2). It also operates several helicopters.

However, the company cannot at the moment renew its Dash 8 fleet. This type “is the only aircraft that can operate in and out of these runways, unless you are looking at much smaller aircraft, which don’t have the range and the all-weather capabilities that we need. So right now there is no replacement aircraft for the Dash 8 because ATR - Avions de Transport Régional, they decided to cancel the ATR42-600 STOL model. So right now there is no replacement possible,” the chief executive said.

Air Greenland was not immediately available for further comment.

Finally, in terms of partnerships, Air Greenland said that the company is expanding its collaboration with Icelandair and working to establish new partnerships with United Airlines and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

CH Aviation

Photo: Air Greenland

 

FLEET - India's Star Air looks to add five aircraft by early 2Q25

Star Air (India) (S5, Belgaum) has reiterated that it intends to grow its fleet and network over the coming months. It will also enter into the MRO business via a joint venture, according to CEO Simran Singh Tiwana.

"As we enter our next phase, growth, expansion, and consolidation will be at the core of our strategy," he told local reporters. "By the end of this financial year, we aim to operate a fleet of 14 aircraft, consolidating our network with over 100 flights across our 23-station network to maximise efficiency, aircraft utilisation, and service reliability."

India's financial year runs from April to March. Currently, Star Air operates a fleet of nine Embraer aircraft, including five E145s and four E175s. The aircraft operate around 44 flights per day to 22 destinations within India.

Star Air specialises in connecting tier II and tier III cities. Tiwana says the airline has started services on over 90% of all routes allocated to it by the Indian government through its UDAN regional connectivity scheme. He says the carrier plans to add another five destinations this year, a mix of commercial and subsidised routes.

Tiwana also said it was looking at a joint venture to set up an MRO facility focusing on the line and major maintenance needs of business and regional jets. While he did not disclose specific details regarding investment and potential partners, he said Star Air had already established an engineering subsidiary to manage the process and had identified a site for the facility.
CH Aviation

FLEET - MALDIVIAN / A330-200 / 8Q-IAB

Photo: sonataz

Shanghai - Pudong International (PVG / ZSPD) 

China - January 27, 2025

 

AIRPORT - Los Angeles International Airport

K.C.Wong
 

AIRPORT - EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg

 Paul Bannwarth

AIRPORT - Aeroclub de La Rochelle, France

Paul Bannwarth
 

FLEET - SkyLine Express (Ukraine) B777-300ER, serial 32713, returned to service, operating for Anex Tours (Turkiye) on the Warsaw-La Romana-Katowice rotation.

The aircraft replaced the B777 of Mavi Gok Airlines (Turkiye).

FLEET - Korean Air introduces first A350-900 to fleet

Korean Air announced on January 26, 2025 that it has introduced the Airbus A350-900 into its fleet.

The A350 will begin twice-daily service between Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Osaka-Kansai (ITM), Japan.

A second aircraft will follow suit, connecting the Korean capital with Fukuoka (FUK), also in Japan, daily.

The next destinations scheduled to receive Korean Air’s A350-900s will be Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in March, as well as Madrid-Barajas (MAD) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) in the second half of the year.

Korean Air has opted for a two-cabin configuration for its A350-900s, with a total of 311 passengers (28 in business class, which it calls “Prestige Class,” and 283 in economy class).

Korean Air will receive 33 A350 family aircraft (27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s).

 

ROUTES - IRAN AIRTOUR SCHEDULES TEHRAN – PARIS LATE-JAN 2025 LAUNCH

Iran Air Tour in late-January 2025 plans to launch service to France, with Tehran Imam Khomeini – Paris Charles de Gaulle route scheduled. The 250-seater Airbus A310-300 aircraft will serve this route twice weekly, effective 31JAN25.

B99710 IKA0900 – 1220CDG 310 15
B99711 CDG1425 – 2245IKA 310 15

Image: Iran Air Tour

ROUTES - KOREAN AIR NS25 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CHANGES – 23JAN25

Korean Air today (23JAN25) gradually files planned aircraft changes for international routes during Northern summer 2025 season. These changes gradually appeared in the GDS after 0000hrs GMT 23JAN25 for regional service, after 0200hrs for European routes.


Changes filed listed below are based on schedule listing comparison 19JAN25 vs 23JAN25. Today’s adjustment mainly focuses on regional and European operation. The new A350-900 aircraft (C28Y283) is scheduled for Taipei, Madrid and Rome, while the A380 aircraft is now scheduled for Hong Kong and Taipei, at least until end of August 2025.


Jeju – Tokyo Narita eff 30MAR25 3 weekly 737-900 service maintained
Seoul Gimpo – Beijing Capital 
 eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8

27JUL25 – 30AUG25 Planned service suspension unchanged


Seoul Gimpo – Shanghai Hongqiao eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily

Seoul Incheon – Auckland 30MAR25 – 04JUL25 Planned reduction from 4 to 3 weekly unchanged, 787-9
 Seoul Incheon – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi 
 * KE657/658 30MAR25 – 31AUG25 787-10 replaces initially filed -9

* KE651/652 Initially filed A330-300 replaced by following

30MAR25 – 29MAY25 781 Day x135 789 Day 135

30MAY25 – 30JUN25 787-9

eff 01JUL25 787-10


* KE659/660 eff 30MAR25 777-300 replaces initially filed A330-300


 Seoul Incheon – Beijing Capital

* KE859/860 eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces initially filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily (3 weekly 28SEP25 – 11OCT25)

* KE855/856 Initially filed 4 weekly 737 MAX 8 replaced by following

30MAR25 – 28APR25 A330-300 / 777-300ER/ 787-9

30APR25 – 04MAY25 737-900ER

05MAY25 – 30MAY25 A330-300

01JUN25 – 18JUL25 A321neo

20JUL25 – 31AUG25 A330-300

eff 01SEP25 A321neo


* KE853/854 eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces initially filed 737 MAX8, 1 daily


Seoul Incheon – Brisbane eff 02AUG25 787-9 replaces previously filed A330-300, 4 weekly
 Seoul Incheon – Changsha 
 eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces initially filed A330-300, except selected dates. 5 weekly service

24MAY25 – 19JUL25 Previously filed service suspension unchanged

20JUL25 – 31AUG25 32Q Day 135 73H Day 47

01SEP25 – 27SEP25 737-800/-900ER (except selected dates)

eff 28SEP25 A321neo


 Seoul Incheon – Cebu eff 30MAR25 777-300 replaces initially filed A330-300

Seoul Incheon – Chiang Mai 21JUL25 – 10SEP25 A330-300 replaces initially filed A321neo. Planned reduction from 7 weekly to 3 weekly during this period unchanged

Seoul Incheon – Da Nang 01JUN25 – 26JUL25 Previously planned reduction from 2 to 1 daily unchanged

Seoul Incheon – Dalian
 * KE869/870 eff 30MAR25 737-900ER replaces initially filed A330-300 (except 16APR25 – 27APR25)

* KE871/872 30MAR25 – 04MAY25 Previously filed service suspension unchanged (4 weekly 737 MAX 8)

Seoul Incheon – Dayong eff 30MAR25 737-900ER replaces initially filed MAX 8, 3 weekly (except selected dates)
 Seoul Incheon – Delhi 01JUN25 – 07OCT25 A330-300 replaces initially filed 787-9, 3 weekly

Seoul Incheon – Denpasar Initially filed A330-300 aircraft replaced by following aircraft

* KE629/630 eff 30MAR25 777-300ER

* KE633/634 30MAR25 – 31MAY25 787-9


Seoul Incheon – Dubai eff 01SEP25 787-9 replace previously filed A330-300, 1 daily
 Seoul Incheon – Fuzhou 19APR25 – 31MAY25 Previously filed A321neo replacing 737-900ER unchanged, 4 weekly
 Seoul Incheon – Guam eff 30MAR25 777-300 replaces initially filed A330-300, 1 daily

Seoul Incheon – Guangzhou eff 30MAR25 A330-300 replaces initially filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily

Seoul Incheon – Hanoi KE441/442 service changes

25MAY25 – 19JUL25 Previously filed service suspension unchanged

20JUL25 – 31AUG25 787-9 replaces initially filed A321neo


Seoul Incheon – Ho Chi Minh City
 * KE469/470

eff 30MAR25 A330-300 replaces initially filed A321neo

01JUN25 – 26JUL25 Previously filed suspension unchanged


* KE475/476 eff 30MAR25 777-300ER replaces initially filed A330-300

* KE477/478 27JUL25 – 30AUG25 Previously filed suspension unchanged

Seoul Incheon – Hong Kong Operational aircraft changes

* KE171/172 Initially filed A330-300 replaced by following

30MAR25 – 06SEP25 747-8I

07SEP25 – 25OCT25 74H Day 16 789 Day x146 781 Day 4

* KE175/176 eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces initially filed 737 MAX 8

* KE177/178 Initially filed 777-300ER replaced by following

30MAR25 – 31AUG25 A380

01SEP25 – 25OCT25 787-10

Seoul Incheon – Jakarta 787-9 replaces initially filed 777-300ER during following periods: 01MAY25 – 11MAY25, 01JUN25 – 31JUL25, 01SEP25 – 28SEP25

Seoul Incheon – Kagoshima eff 30MAR25 5 weekly service maintained, instead of initially filed 3 weekly. A321neo/737 MAX 8 operating

Seoul Incheon – Madrid 
eff 05APR25 Increase from 3 to 4 weekly, 787-9
eff 02SEP25 A350-900 replaces 787-9


Seoul Incheon – Manila eff 30MAR25 2 of 3 daily KE621/622 and KE623/624 777-300 replaces initially filed A330-300

Seoul Incheon – Nagasaki 29JUN25 – 27JUL25 3 weekly A321neo service suspended

Seoul Incheon – Okayama 30JUN25 – 27JUL25 Previously planned reductions from 7 to 4 weekly unchanged, 737 MAX 8

Seoul Incheon – Phu Quoc 21JUL25 – 27SEP25 KE485/486 Planned reductions from 7 to 4 weekly unchanged, A321neo (Overall reduced from 14 to 11 weekly)
Seoul Incheon – Phuket 
eff 30MAR25 787-9 replaces initially filed A330-300, 1 daily

15SEP25 – 28SEP25 Planned reduction from 7 to 5 weekly unchanged


Seoul Incheon – Prague 31MAR25 – 28APR25 3 of 4 weekly 787-10 replaces -9
Seoul Incheon – Qingdao 1 of 2 daily KE845/846 previously filed 737 MAX 8 replaced by following aircraft
30MAR25 – 30APR25 737-900ER

01MAY25 – 28JUN25 737-900

30JUN25 – 26JUL25 A321neo (Planned reduction from 7 to 3 weekly unchanged)

eff 27JUL25 A321neo


Seoul Incheon – Rome Fiumicino eff 01SEP25 A350-900 replaces 787-9, 3 weekly
Seoul Incheon – Sapporo New Chitose 30MAR25 – 24MAY25 Previously planned reduction from 2 to 1 daily unchanged

Seoul Incheon – Shanghai Pu Dong
* KE893/894 eff 30MAR25 777-300ER replaces initially filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily

* KE897/898 eff 30MAR25 737-900ER replaces initially filed A330-300 (Planned reduction from 7 to 5 weekly 14SEP25 – 28SEP25 unchanged)


Seoul Incheon – Shenyang 1 of 2 daily KE833/834 service changes. Initially filed 737 MAX 8 replaced by following

30MAR25 – 30APR25 737-900ER

01MAY25 – 28JUN25 737-900

29JUN25 – 26JUL25 Previously filed service suspension unchanged

eff 27JUL25 A321neo


Seoul Incheon – Shenzhen 
eff 30MAR25 A330-300 replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8

14SEP25 – 27SEP25 Previously filed reduction from 7 to 4 weekly unchanged


Seoul Incheon – Singapore eff 30MAR25 1 of 3 daily KE647/648 A330-300 replaces previously filed 787-9
Seoul Incheon – Taipei Taoyuan

* KE185/186 Initially filed A330-300 replaced by following

30MAR25 – 31AUG25 A380

01SEP25 – 25OCT25 787-10

* KE187/188 30MAR25 – 31AUG25 A350-900 replaces initially filed A330-300

Seoul Incheon – Tianjin 
* KE803/804

30MAR25 – 31MAY25 Planned service suspension unchanged

eff 01JUN25 A321neo replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8

* KE805/806

eff 30MAR25 A330-300 replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8 (4 of 7 weekly A321neo instead of A330-300 20JUL25 – 31AUG25)


Seoul Incheon – Vienna

02MAY25 – 11MAY25 777-300ER replaces 787-9, 4 weekly

eff 07JUL25 1 of 4 weekly 787-10 replaces -9


Seoul Incheon – Wuhan 29JUL25 – 28AUG25 3 of 5 weekly (Day 247) A321neo replaces A330-300

Seoul Incheon – Xi’An eff 30MAR25 A330-300 replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily

Seoul Incheon – Xiamen
eff 30MAR25 A321neo replaces previously filed 737 MAX 8, 1 daily

20JUL25 – 13SEP25 Planned reduction from 7 weekly to 3 weekly unchanged


Seoul Incheon – Yanji 18APR25 – 04MAY25 Planned reduction from 7 to 3 weekly unchanged, 737-900ER

Previously reported changes:

Busan – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi eff 30MAR25 Service converts to winter seasonal. Initially filed 1 daily

Busan – Beijing Capital 01JUN25 – 28JUN25 6 weekly service cancelled

Busan – Fukuoka eff 25MAY25 Reduce from 2 to 1 daily

* KE2135/2136 suspended 25MAY25 – 19JUL25

* KE2137/2138 suspended 20JUL25 – 25OCT25

Busan – Nagoya 25MAY25 – 19JUL25 1 daily service cancelled

Busan – Shanghai Pu Dong 
eff 30MAR25 Increase from 7 to 9 weekly

01JUN25 – 28JUN25 Service cancelled

Busan – Tokyo Narita eff 25MAY25 Reduce from 2 to 1 daily

* KE2131/2132 suspended 25MAY25 – 19JUL25

* KE2129/2130 suspended 20JUL25 – 25OCT25

Jeju – Beijing Capital 28SEP25 – 11OCT25 Reduce from 7 to 3 weekly, 737 MAX 8

Seoul Gimpo – Osaka Kansai 27JUL25 – 30AUG25 Reduce from 2 to 1 daily, 737 MAX 8

Seoul Incheon – Atlanta eff 30MAR25 777-300ER replaces 747-8I, 1 daily

Seoul Incheon – Honolulu eff 30MAR25 1 daily 787-10 service maintained, instead of initially filed -9

Seoul Incheon – Kathmandu eff 30MAR25 Reduce from 3 to 2 weekly, A330-300
Seoul Incheon – Los Angeles eff 30MAR25 Operational aircraft changes

* KE011/012 747-8I replaces initially filed 777-300ER

* KE017/018 747-8I replaces initially filed A380

Seoul Incheon – New York JFK eff 30MAR25 777-300ER operates 2 daily, replacing initially filed A380

Seoul Incheon – San Francisco eff 30MAR25 Reduce from 10 to 7 weekly, 777-300ER

Seoul Incheon – Seattle eff 30MAR25 1 daily 787-10 service maintained, instead of initially filed -9

Seoul Incheon – Toronto eff 30MAR25 1 daily 777-300ER service maintained, instead of initially filed 787-9

Seoul Incheon – Vancouver 
* KE071/072 eff 30MAR25 1 daily 787-10 service maintained, instead of initially filed -9

* KE075/076 eff 30MAR25 Reduce from 6 to 4 weekly, 787-10 operating (Overall reduces from 13 to 11 weekly)

 Photo: Duncan Stewart - LAX

ROUTES - UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS NS25 LONDON CAPACITY INCREASES

Uzbekistan Airways in Northern summer 2025 season plans to expand capacity to London, including both Gatwick and Heathrow. Planned service changes include the following.

Tashkent – London Gatwick 03AUG25 – 28SEP25 787-8 replaces A321neo LR, 1 weekly

HY203 TAS1055 – 1435LGW 788 7
HY204 LGW1610 – 0300+1TAS 788 7

Tashkent – London Heathrow 13JUN25 – 19SEP25 1 of 2 weekly 787-8 replaces A321neo LR (All 2 weekly operated by 787 05AUG25 – 22AUG25)

HY201 TAS1110 – 1450LHR 789 5
HY201 TAS1110 – 1450LHR 32Q 2

HY202 LHR1620 – 0310+1TAS 789 5
HY202 LHR1620 – 0310+1TAS 32Q 2

Photo:Uzbekistan Airways