Boeing, Emirates Finalize Order for 150 777Xs

World's largest 777 operator builds on airplane's success
Record-breaking order includes combination of 777-8X, 777-9X

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Emirates Airline have finalized an order for 150 777Xs, valued at $56 billion at list prices. First announced as a commitment at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, the order by the world's largest 777 operator was part of the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history.

The order – a combination of 115 777-9Xs and 35 777-8Xs – also includes purchase rights for an additional 50 airplanes that, if exercised, could increase value to approximately $75 billion at list prices.

"With the order for 150 777Xs, Emirates now has 208 Boeing 777s pending delivery, creating and securing jobs across the supply chain," said Emirates president Sir Tim Clark. "Today Emirates operates more than one in every 10 Boeing 777s aircraft built. We fly 138 of these efficient planes across the globe spanning the USA and Latin America in the west, to New Zealand and Japan in the East. The 777X will offer us operational flexibility in terms of range, more passenger capacity and fuel efficiency, and we look forward to inducting them into our fleet from 2020."

"We are extremely proud to have Emirates, the world's largest 777 operator, continue its long-standing partnership with Boeing by becoming the largest launch customer for the 777X," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. "Being a customer-driven product, I'm confident the 777X – with its new engines and all-new composite wing design – will bring superior value in terms of performance, efficiency and reliability to Emirates and our other launch customers."

The 777X will introduce the latest technologies including the most advanced commercial engine ever – the GE9X by GE Aviation – and an all-new high efficiency composite wing that has a longer span than today's 777. The 777X family includes the 777-8X and the 777-9X, both designed to respond to market needs and customer preferences.

The 777-9X will be 12 percent more fuel efficient than any competing airplane, necessary in today's competitive environment. The 777-8X is 5 percent more efficient than its competitor at all ranges while providing for new network opportunities.
Design of the 777X is underway and production is set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2020. To date, the 777X has accumulated 300 orders and commitments from six customers worldwide.

Boeing, Air New Zealand Celebrate First 787-9 Dreamliner Delivery

First of 10 787-9s for the launch customer's fleet

New 787-9 to fly more passengers, cargo farther, with exceptional fuel efficiency

EVERETT, Wash., July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] celebrated the first 787-9 Dreamliner delivery today with launch customer Air New Zealand. About 1,000 Boeing employees representing the 787 program joined Air New Zealand executives and guests at a unique celebration of this milestone event.

"We are proud to be the launch customer for the 787-9," said Air New Zealand Chief Financial Officer Rob McDonald. "We believe it will be a game-changer for Air New Zealand, with increased levels of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. We look forward to inviting our customers on board to experience the aircraft and all of its benefits for themselves."

Air New Zealand's Rolls-Royce powered 787-9 is part of the airline's fleet modernization effort. This 787-9, painted in a unique black livery, is the first of 10 Dreamliners to join Air New Zealand's fleet. The airline said the airplane will operate the Auckland–Perth route in October 2014 and to both Tokyo and Shanghai in November 2014.

"This delivery is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our employees, suppliers and Air New Zealand," said John Wojick, senior vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Air New Zealand was a perfect partner for us in developing the 787-9, given its innovative spirit, unique mission requirements and geography. The 787-9, combined with Air New Zealand's exceptional onboard service, will set them apart from the competition by providing an unrivaled flying experience."

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles (830 km) with the same exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes.

The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passengers features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

Twenty-six customers from around the world have ordered 409 787-9s, accounting for 40 percent of all 787 orders.

 

FIRST A320-200 From TRANSAVIA FRANCE - F-HBNL

PedroMB/FPP - Lisboa

HERMES AIRLINES - B737-500 - SX-BHR

PedroMB/FPP - Lisboa

SriLankan Airlines outlines initial A330-300 service plans

SriLankan Airlines will introduce its first of six A330-300s on order from Airbus into revenue service on November 15. Airline Route reports that provisional operations will begin on November 15 with Colombo Int'l to Frankfurt Int'l flights to be followed by Malé on November 16.

As part of its fleet renewal programme, the new A330s will replace the SriLankan national carrier's fleet of six A340-300s while seven A350-900s will replace its fleet of seven A330-200s when they begin arriving from 2017 onwards.

Lithuania's KlasJet secures AOC, begins operations

KlasJet has launched operations after it secured its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Lithuanian civil aviation authority (Civilinės Aviacijos Administracija - CAA) late last month.
The start-up, which specializes in private and corporate VIP charter flights, also operates a CRJ-200. In the long-term, it plans to operate up to 10 corporate jets, including Embraer Legacy and Hawker 900XP aircraft

Thomas Cook Airlines to lease three B767s to Condor in winter

Thomas Cook Airlines UK will transfer its last three remaining B767-300(ER)s - G-DAJC (msn 27206), G-TCCA (msn 27205), and G-TCCB (msn 28865) - to fellow Thomas Cook Group partner, Condor, at the end of the current summer season with the aircraft scheduled to operate for the German sister carrier all winter.

Ton Jochems - PMI

Kazakhstan's Scat gets first B737 NextGen

 

Scat has added a first B737 NextGen aircraft to its fleet following the arrival of an ex-Air Italy B737-700, LY-AZV (msn 37233), in Shimkent on June 30.

Russia's Red Wings eyes delivery of first Tu-204SMs in 2015

Red Wings could take delivery of two Tu-204SMs as early as next year the airline's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Evgeny Klyucharev, has said. According to Russian Aviation, while two Tu-204SM testbeds have already been assembled, it remains to be seen whether Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) regulatory officials will allow the aircraft to be used for commercial operations.

Bombardier Showcases Q400 NextGen Aircraft in Astana, Kazakhstan

Bombardier Aerospace has announced that it showcased a Q400 NextGen aircraft in Astana, Kazakhstan today. Activities included a demonstration flight for Air Kazakhstan and representatives of the media.

“The Q400 NextGen turboprop is ideally suited for the geographically diverse regions in Central Asia,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 NextGen aircraft is the most advanced turboprop on the market and has the speed and range required to service the Kazakh market with the highest standards of safety, reliability and passenger comfort. Importantly too, the Q400 NextGen aircraft has proven its capability in very hot, as well as extreme cold weather conditions – having been certified for operations in temperatures as low as -54o C.

“With operating costs that are significantly lower than other in-production, 70-seat aircraft, the Q400 NextGen aircraft offers airlines a distinct advantage,” added Mr. Jones.

The Central Asia region is experiencing a demand for modern aircraft as older, less efficient designs present ongoing challenges to airlines given high fuel costs and heightened environmental concerns.

Emirates announces double daily A380 service to Mauritius

 

Emirates, a global connector of people and places, will serve Mauritius with a double daily A380 service from 1st December this year.
This second A380, which will operate as flight EK 703/704, replaces the existing Boeing 777 operation and increases Emirates’ capacity on the route by 19%, further meeting the demand on the route and demonstrating the growth of Mauritius as a global destination. It allows an additional 165 passengers each day to travel to this beautiful island set in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

“Our daily A380 service into Mauritius has enjoyed exceptional popularity since its launch on 16th December 2013, with more than 150,000 passengers having flown our flagship aircraft to the paradise island during this time,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations, Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.

“The launch of a double daily A380 service to Mauritius will further strengthen our support for the country’s tourism industry and we are certain that hoteliers and operators will welcome this initiative,” he added.
Services between Dubai and Mauritius and vice versa is operated in codeshare with Emirates’ long-time partner Air Mauritius.
breakingtravelnews.com
photo:cv880m - A6-EEQ | Airbus A380-8 - 2014 FIFA World Cup / Pele colours - JFK - USA

K-MILE AIR - B737-43Q(SF) - HS-KMA

Tamás Ispán Ispi - Budapest Liszt Ferenc - LHBP

PEOPLExpress, which is featured in this week’s take-offs and landings, has been reinvigorated on 30 June with the launch of three routes from Newport News, VA (PHF), all of which are operated using 150-seat 737-400s

Firstly, the start-up carrier, which is using an old brand name, launched six weekly flights to Boston, MA (BOS). Secondly, it inaugurated 11 weekly services to New York Newark, NJ (EWR). The last route was launched to Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) with daily flights. There is no competition on any of the three new airport pairs.
aenna
photo:cv880m - Newport News/Williamsburg PHF - N745VA | Boeing 737-405 |

easyJet is continuing to launch a plethora of seasonal services from its European bases, with three of them benefitting this week – namely those at Belfast International (BFS), Geneva and Hamburg (HAM). Only two of the routes faces any sort of competition, both from Hamburg, which will see the UK LCC up against airberlin (thrice-weekly) on Ibiza (IBZ) and germanwings (twice-weekly) to Split (SPU). The longest of the five new routes is the 1,767-kilometre sector from Hamburg to Ibiza, while the shortest is the 563-kilometre hop from Geneva to La Rochelle (LRH). Aenna
Photo:Ton Jochems - PMI

Condor started another long-haul route this week from Frankfurt (FRA), following its Cake of the Week, award-winning service to Fortaleza in Brazil last week.

 On 26 June it was the turn of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (MSP), which will be connected to the German hub with a twice-weekly (Mondays and Thursdays), 259-seat 767-300 service. The seasonal route, which will operate until 11 September, will face no direct competition on the city pair. Minneapolis-St. Paul is one of 12 North American destinations in the airline’s S14 schedule, and complements the current programme of Baltimore/Washington, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Seattle-Tacoma, Anchorage, Calgary, Fairbanks, Halifax, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Whitehorse. “A new flight is always a special event for an airline, and that’s why we like to celebrate it with our passengers,” said Uwe Balser, MD of Condor. “The new connection not only offers our customers in Europe an easy route to the heart of the USA, but it is also an opportunity for our American guests to fly easily and non-stop to Europe.” Anke Giesen of the executive board of Ground Handling Fraport added: “With Minneapolis-St. Paul, we offer almost 300 destinations that can be reached non-stop from Frankfurt. This emphasizes the outstanding quality of the connections of our airport and shows that we are one
aenna
Photo:Ton Jochems - PMI

China Southern Airlines on 24 June began a new thrice-weekly service from Guangzhou (CAN) to Frankfurt (FRA) via Changsha

The route will be served by the SkyTeam carrier’s A330-200s and will face no direct competition. Frankfurt becomes the airline’s sixth destination in Europe after Amsterdam, Istanbul, London, Moscow and Paris. Fraport AG’s executive board chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte commented about the latest arrival, “Today’s arrival of China Southern Airlines means Frankfurt Airport is also being served by China’s largest carrier now. The new connection underscores the attractiveness and importance of the Frankfurt hub – thus confirming the demand for our forward-looking capacity expansion implemented at Germany’s largest airport. With the addition of Guangzhou and Changsha in its global route network, Frankfurt Airport can offer passengers a choice of two new passenger destinations via Germany. We wish China Southern Airlines ‘always Happy Landings!’”
Aenna

Jetlines CEO Dave Solloway pitches new low-cost airline

CBC News
Canada Jetlines Ltd. of Vancouver recently announced plans to raise $10 million to list on the TSX Venture Exchange, on the heels of an announcement by another low-cost carrier, Jet Naked, which is hoping to raise $30 to $50 million to operate out of Calgary.

The airlines will be treading a well-worn discount runway of dead airlines such as Canada 3000 and JetsGo.
Instead, Jetlines plans to carve out a niche in the ultra low-cost segment, where the airline can keep base fares as much as 40 per cent lower than the incumbents by flying to underserved airports and connections, while charging for extras such as carry-on baggage, beverages and seat selection.

Jetlines CEO Dave Solloway says the company plans to offer lower base fares but remain profitable. (CBC)

The low-cost carrier, set to launch in the spring of 2015, plans to service primarily airports west of Winnipeg, but also a few select others in Central and Eastern Canada. Solloway says he doesn't want to reveal specific routes until after the appropriate Transport Canada approvals have been granted.

Official data show Canadians took only about one per cent more flights this year, and airfares increased by about 1.5 per cent. But those numbers hide the true demand for cheap travel because they don't include the estimated 5 million Canadians a year who travel to U.S. airports to save money on flights.

Data show that some 960,000 people from B.C. travelled to airports in Washington state last year to travel, Solloway notes.
Jetlines will be facing competition not only from Jet Naked but from WestJet's new regional carrier, Encore, and Air Canada's recent spin-off, Rouge.
Jetlines still needs $40 million in order to launch. It has hired Euro Pacific Canada to help reach its goal.

CEIBA Intercontinental's first B737-800 - CS-FAF

Alexandre Mourinha  . Lisboa

Air Canada to deploy the Boeing 787 on the Vancouver-Tokyo Narita route

Air Canada will start a second Boeing 787 daily route from Vancouver to Tokyo (Narita) on December 15 per Airline Route. The 787 will replace a 767 on the route.

Mexican LCC, Volaris, studying Canada, South America

Volaris
CEO Enrique Beltranena says his airline is currently studying the possibility of flights to Canada and possibly South America. In an interview with Mexico's El Financiero newspaper, Beltranena said growing concern over stagnation in the local economy had driven his airline to seek out new markets
photo:Duncan Stewart

Myanma Airways to be rebranded as Myanmar National Airways

Myanma Airways will be rebranded as Myanmar National Airways upon the enactment of the country's proposed new Myanmar Aviation Bill legislation.

“The Bill has been approved by Upper House and now submitted to Lower House. If Union parliament approves the bill, it will come into force. Only after the enactment of the law, the name of Myanma Airways will be changed into Myanmar National Airways. Its commercial charter will be modified,” Than Tun, the managing director of Myanma Airways, told the Eleven news network.

The state-backed carrier operates both domestic and regional flights using ATR42s and 72s as well as EMB-190s, a Fokker 28-4000, and an MA-60. It is also expecting the first of six Boeing B737-800s and four Boeing 737 MAX 8s on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to arrive from next year onwards.

Qatar Executive celebrates fifth anniversary

                                                               Photo:PedroMB /FPP - Lisboa

 

Qatar Executive, Qatar Airways’ business jet arm, reached a milestone last month as it celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Qatar Airways first announced at the Paris Air Show in France in 2009 the formation of its corporate jet subsidiary, Qatar Executive, as part of the airline’s ongoing robust global growth strategy, and continued commitment to the Middle East business travel community.

Set up as a profit centre within the Qatar Airways Group, the plan was to build rapidly on its initial fleet of three Bombardier aircraft, in order to tap into the Middle East’s growing demand for executive travel.

Over the last five years the once small charter operation has become a successful business, that has evolved into a world-class corporate jet company with a comprehensive business aviation service portfolio, comprising not just worldwide on-demand charter, but also Airliner charters, Fixed Base Operation and Maintenance services at the Bombardier-Authorised Service Facility in Doha.

Since its inception, the company has grown from strength to strength and almost tripled its private jet fleet.
A brand-new Global 5000 Vision will soon be joining Qatar Executive later in July, bringing up the fleet size to a total of eight wholly-owned all-Bombardier aircraft, comprising four Global 5000s – among them two Global 5000 Visions – three Challenger 605s and one Global XRS.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker, who also heads up the airline’s private jet subsidiary, said: “Ultimate luxury, the highest levels of personalised service and comfort, privacy and convenience through flexible and personalised travel to any place in the world, were the qualities we had in mind when Qatar Executive was launched in 2009.”

He continued: “In just five years Qatar Executive has become a benchmark company in the business aviation industry, as a result of our dedication and commitment to the global travelling elite.

Today, Qatar Executive employs more than 100 highly professional staff, and is expanding to cater to its growing VIP operation by hiring experienced, type-rated Captains and First Officers as well as Aircraft Maintenance personnel.

To maximise growth potential, Qatar Executive is also significantly investing into its infrastructure and is building a stand-alone state-of-the art private jet lounge and a dedicated hangar facility at Hamad International Airport in Doha to be opened in the beginning of 2015.

As part of its fifth anniversary celebrations, Qatar Executive is planning a range of activities for its stakeholders throughout the year to strengthen its leadership position within the industry.

South African Airways has phased its only remaining of once six A340-200s, ZS-SLF (cn 6) and ferried it to Lourdes/Tarbes for storage on June 29 according to Skyliner Aviation.

SAA continue to operate 8 A340-300s and 9 A340-600s. At this point in time, only the following airlines still operate the smallest A340: Aerolineas Argentinas (2 aircraft), EgyptAir (2 of 3 active) and Royal Jordanian (3 of 4 active). Venezuelan national carrier Conviasa also has a single A340-200 that is still under maintenance or storage in Bordeaux.
ch-aviation

Train carrying parts to Boeing derails in Montana

by KING 5 News

SUPERIOR, MONTANA -- The investigation continues into the derailment of a train near the town of Superior, Montana Thursday night.

Some of the cars carried aircraft components.

Nineteen cars on the westbound train derailed. Three of the cars contained aircraft parts and ended up in the Clark Fork River. Sources tell KING5 the parts were heading to Boeing in Renton.

Crews spent the night and into this morning cleaning up.

No one was hurt and the cause is under investigation

Credit: Kyle Massick

Credit: Jen Johnson

FLY JAMAICA: First B767-300ER

Fly Jamaica

TAP temporarily wet-leases additional aircraft for July

TAP Portugal has temporarily wet-leased various additional aircraft for the next couple of weeks. A319-100 TS-IEG (cn 3872) of Syphax Airlines is currently based in Lisbon and operating on the Portuguese national carrier's European network until July 14. The only B737-400 of Calima Aviación  EC-LTC (msn 25349) is joining it until July 7 having just returned from another wet-lease contract with Cronos Airlines.

TAP's Lisbon-Fortaleza route is currently operated by Ukrainian leisure carrier Wind Rose Aviation with its A330-200 UR-WRQ (cn 296) while Helitt Líneas Aéreas is operating regional services on behalf of subsidiary PGA Portugalia Airlines from Lisbon to destinations such as Asturias and La Coruna with its ATR72-200 EC-LNR (msn 428).

The wet-leases are replacing delayed aircraft that TAP is about to add to its fleet. TAP is currently in the process of increasing its fleet size with two additional ex-Air India A319-100s, two ex-Jazeera Airways A320-200s and two ex-TAM Linhas Aéreas A330-200s as well as two ATR42-600s to be operated by White for Portugalia.

Photos:PedroMB/FPP - Lisboa

Boeing, U.S. Navy Expand P-8A Maritime Patrol Fleet with 14th Delivery First of eight deliveries scheduled in 2014

SEATTLE, July 2, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently helped expand the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol capabilities with delivery of the 14th P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The P-8A, delivered on schedule, is now with its squadron at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Boeing will deliver seven more of the maritime patrol aircraft this year.
The first P-8A squadron deployed to Kadena, Japan, in December and has been conducting operational missions ever since. The second squadron will deploy this summer.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

 The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As. The most recent delivery is the first from the third low-rate initial production contract awarded in 2012.
Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 56,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense

Aldabra, greeted by water canon upon its first return from Paris into the Seychelles

 Air Seychelles

SYPHAX - A319-100 - TS-IEG

PedroMB/FPP - Lisboa

EASYJET - A320-200 - G-EZUG

João Pessoa - Lisboa

ATLAS AIR - B747-400F - N493MC

Duncan Stewart - LAX

First Embraer ERJ-195 AURIGNY

AURIGNY

AeroMéxico to phase out last remaining B767s by mid-2015

AeroMéxico will have phased out its last B767 by the middle of next year as the Mexican carrier transitions its wide-body, long-haul fleet to the B787.

CEO Andres Conesa told CAPA Centre for Aviation in an interview that his airline, which began the move during the third quarter of last year, intends to replace its outgoing fleet of three B767-300(ER)s and two B767-200(ER)s with ten B787-8s and ten B787-9s by the end of the decade. It expects to take delivery of its last two B787-8s from its initial nine aircraft commitment in 2015.

At present, only five -9s have been firmed implying the remaining five options are to be exercised at some point.
In addition, the last of the Mexican carrier's four B777-200(ER)s - used on flights to Buenos Aires Ezeiza, Madrid Barajas, Cancún, Rio de Janeiro Int'l, São Paulo Guarulhos, Shanghai Pudong and Tijuana - will also be phased out in 2018, the CEO added.

FLYBE / LOGANAIR - DORNIER 328 - G-BYMK

Matt Varley - UK, Norwich

Airbus’ first A320neo reaches completion

Gearing up to first flight in September 2014

 

 

The assembly of Airbus’ first A320neo has been completed following painting of the aircraft and themounting of Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. MSN6101, which will be the first A320neo tofly, will soon start its ground tests to prepare for first flight.
The flight test campaign for the A320neo will kick-off in September 2014, paving the way for Entry Into Service in Q4 2015.

The A320neo “new engine option” incorporates many innovations, including latest generation engines and large Sharklet wing-tip devices, which together deliver 15 percent in fuel savings and a reduction of 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. With a total of nearly 2,700 orders received from more than 50 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market, clearly demonstrating its leadership.