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

Saudi Arabian Airlines 2018 Saudi Ad Diriyah E-Prix Livery 777-368(ER) (HZ-AK43)

hsckcwong - LAX

TAP Air Portugal NS19 Brasil A330-900neo operations

TAP Air Portugal on Wednesday (09JAN19) filed changes to its Northern summer 2019 operation to Brazil, including the extended A330-900neo service. For Lisbon – Brasilia service, this route will be served exclusively by A330-900neo by the second half of Northern summer season, replacing A330-300.

Following is A330-900neo operation, replacing A330-300:
31MAR19 – 13JUN19 Day 47
15JUN19 – 17JUN19 Day x17
18JUN19 – 26OCT19 Daily

TP059 LIS1000 – 1530BSB 339 D
TP058 BSB1700 – 0600+1LIS 339 D

The A330-900neo, already being introduced on service to Brasil since December 2018, will continue to serve following routes in Northern summer 2019, along with A330-200 and/or A330-300 and/or A340-300:

Lisbon – Belo Horizonte (exclusively operated by A330-900neo from 20JUN19, except 30JUL19 by A330-200)
Lisbon – Fortaleza
Lisbon – Recife

Lisbon – Rio de Janeiro Galeao
Lisbon – Salvador da Bahia (exclusively operated by A330-900neo 31MAR19 – 24APR19 and 01AUG19 – 23OCT19)
Lisbon – Sao Paulo Guarulhos
By Jim Liu

Photo:FPP - Lisboa

TAP Air Portugal expands A330-900neo North America service in S19

TAP Air Portugal in this week’s schedule update filed additional aircraft changes to North America service in summer 2019 season, as the airline files additional A330-900neo aircraft service. As of 08JAN19, A330-900neo’s North American service includes the following.

Lisbon – Boston A330-900neo replaces A330-200 on following (Note A330-300 operates daily from 31MAR19 to 05JUL19):
07JUL19 – 05AUG19 Day x6
07AUG19 – 23SEP19 Day x26
24SEP19 – 25OCT19 Day x6

Lisbon – Miami Planned A330-900neo debut on 01MAR19 unchanged. In summer season, A330-900neo operates following, replacing -200:
31MAR19 – 15JUN19 Daily
17JUN19 – 24JUN19 Day x246
25JUN19 – 03JUL19 Day x46
04JUL19 – 26OCT19 Day x7

Lisbon – New York JFK A330-900neo replaces A330-200 on following:
13APR19 – 27APR19 Day 26
12JUN19 – 19JUN19 Day 137
20JUN19 – 25OCT19 Daily

Lisbon – Newark A330-900neo replaces A330-200 on following:
30APR19 – 11JUN19 Day 246 (Except selected weeks)
13JUN19 – 19JUN19 Day 34
20JUN19 – 02JUL19 Day 156
03JUL19 – 26OCT19 Day 157 (Except selected weeks. Selected dates on Wednesdays also sees 339 operating)

Lisbon – Toronto A330-900neo replaces A330-200 on following:
31MAR19 – 10APR19 Day 367
11APR19 – 17APR19 Day x12
11JUN19 – 18JUN19 Day x137
20JUN19 – 25JUN19 Day 26
06JUL19 – 09JUL19 Day 26
30JUL19 – 06AUG19 Day 23
18OCT19 – 25OCT19 Day 15

Previously reported, TAP Air Portugal’s A330-900neo will serve Lisbon – San Francisco route 5 times a week from 10JUN19, a new route for the carrier.

By Jim Liu

Photo:FPP - Lisboa

ViaAir picks Pittsburgh, Memphis as focus cities

ViaAir (VC, Orlando Int'l) has selected Pittsburgh Int'l and Memphis Int'l as focus cities as a part of the carrier's largest-ever network expansion.

The carrier will launch services from Pittsburgh to Birmingham, AL (4x weekly from April 11), Austin Bergstrom Int'l via Memphis (4x weekly from June 25), and Hartford Bradley (4x weekly from July 22). From Memphis, it will offer flights to Austin and Pittsburgh starting June 25.

ViaAir will also extend its route to Birmingham, AL onwards to Raleigh/Durham from April 11.

All services will be operated with 50-seat E145 regional jets.

In the press statement, the carrier underlined that it intends to offer low-cost, direct services.

The carrier is currently rejigging its business model after ending its last Alternative Essential Air Service (AEAS) routes from Charlotte Int'l to Parkersburg and Beckley at the end of October 2018. ViaAir operates three E120s and five E145s on a network of scheduled flights mostly out of Orlando Sanford and Austin.

ViaAir itself is a virtual carrier with all flights operated by its technical subsidiary and AOC holder, Via Airlines (VC, Orlando Int'l).
ch aviation

Jetstar Japan launched its latest routes on 19 December, the day in which the LCC began daily services from both Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Kōchi (KCZ), an airport situated on the southern Japanese island of Shikoku

The 661-kilometre route from Narita and short 174-kilometre hop from Kansai to Kōchi will both be flown using the airline’s fleet of 180-seat A320s, with OAG Schedules Analyser data indicating that neither route will face direct competition. It should be noted however that Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways already offer five daily flights each between Tokyo Haneda and Kōchi. All Nippon Airways also offers six daily flights from Osaka Itami to Kōchi using its fleet of Q400s. Jetstar Japan’s new routes will add an extra 5,040 weekly two-way seats to the Kōchi market. Overall, there are now six routes on offer from Kōchi, with services to Nagoya and Fukuoka are also available.

Air Mauritius delays A330-900neo service entry to March 2019

Air Mauritius in recent schedule update further revised planned A330-900neo aircraft service entry, currently scheduled from March 2019. From 01MAR19 to 30MAR19, planned A330-900neo operation includes:

Mauritius – Hong Kong 07MAR19 – 28MAR19 1 weekly
Mauritius – Mumbai 03MAR19 – 24MAR19 1 weekly
Mauritius – Perth 02MAR19 – 30MAR19 2 weekly
Mauritius – St. Denis de la Reunion 25MAR19
Mauritius – Singapore – Kuala Lumpur 01MAR19 – 27MAR19 3 weekly (2 weekly from 07MAR19)

Further changes remain highly possible.

By Jim Liu

ATR and Aurigny confirm order for three ATR 72-600s

Guernsey-based airline will be launch customer for ClearVision™

Toulouse, 8 January 2019 – ATR and Aurigny today confirm the acquisition of three ATR 72-600 aircraft, following approval from the States of Guernsey and after the initial signature of a Letter of Intention at the Farnborough Airshow, in July 2018. The first aircraft will be delivered in August 2019 and all three will be equipped with the new ClearVision™ Enhanced Vision System (EVS), with Aurigny the launch customer for this cutting-edge technology.

ClearVision™ uses an external camera to display an augmented outside-view in real-time to a head-mounted visor, worn by the pilot with the EVS improving significantly the pilot’s vision. This is a major change for Aurigny’s crew as Guernsey’s location in the English Channel, see its flight operations regularly affected by fog, leading to disruptions for passengers. A study showed that an ATR equipped with the ClearVision™ EVS could have saved 50% of the disrupted landings in Guernsey, over the period of a year. ClearVision™ will also enhance operations into other destinations served by Aurigny.


ClearVision™ is an option on ATR’s latest avionics suite, Standard 3, which delivers important operational improvements and a first in commercial aviation. In addition to the EVS selected by Aurigny, ClearVision™ also offers a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) that provides the pilot’s Head-Up Display with digital images of terrain and obstacles, from an extensive database. Operators can also opt for a Combined Vision System (CVS), combining the EVS and SVS, and offering pilots the best possible vision and situational awareness.

Mark Darby CEO of Aurigny said: “The opportunity to modernise our fleet, allowing us to offer our customers the very latest standards of comfort whilst introducing technology that will minimise disruption to their travel, makes perfect sense. Aurigny plays a key role in assuring vital connectivity between Guernsey and the UK and Europe. These new aircraft are going to make a significant difference both to our flight operations and to the people of Guernsey.”



Stefano Bortoli CEO of ATR said: “ATR’s aim is always to develop solutions that will have genuine impact for our operators and also on the travel experience of their passengers. Aurigny’s new ATRs, equipped with ClearVision™ will reduce delays and cancellations for its passengers. To have Aurigny as the launch customer for this technology is the perfect seal of approval for its effectiveness. We are proud that our latest-generation ATRs equipped with this cutting-edge solution will provide improved connectivity for the people of Guernsey.”



Regional connectivity supports local economies, with a 10% increase in flights generating a 5% rise in tourism, an increase of 6% in local GDP and 8% more Foreign Direct Investment. With a fuel burn advantage of 80% compared to regional jets, ATR -600 series aircraft represent the most efficient way of supplying these essential links.

Air Dolomiti launches a simplified livery on I-ADJO

Air Dolomiti has made this announcement:
Under the sign of the growth plan announced for 2019, Air Dolomiti, an Italian airline in the
Lufthansa Group, introduced the new livery on January 9, 2019 at the Catullo Airport of Verona.
The first Air Dolomiti aircraft, painted in England, has a simple, modern and elegant design that
launches the revamped image with a total white style intended to bring out the turquoise
color of the tail fin, where the diamond triumphs in all its splendor.

Written on the belly of the aircraft fuselage is “AD Astra”, part of the Latin phrase “Per Aspera ad

Astra”, “Through hardships to the stars”: a tribute to travellers and flying enthusiasts, but also to
the ancient tradition of the Greek-Latin classics. With these words, the airline intends not only
to accompany passengers during the flight, but also to wish them bon voyage, no matter what
their selected destination may be or the reason for their trip.

This continues Air Dolomiti’s revamping, a new image that looks to the future, but at the same
time maintains the solid values that have allowed it to establish itself as one of the best
European airlines. This is the message conveyed by the company and by CEO Joerg Eberhart:
“Another milestone has been reached today and this makes us very proud. Seeing how the
livery has been renewed but without being radically changed makes me think about our

company whose Italian spirit remains intact, but whose body has instead been transformed to

align with the Group and modern times.”

The old livery:
Air Dolomiti, strongly rooted in the Verona territory, has planned to introduce new equipment –

they currently have 12 operational units – which will bring the fleet to a total of 26.
The arrival of new aircraft will take place gradually from January 2019 through 2023.

All photos by Air Dolomiti.

Samoa Airways to upgauge fleet ahead of Pacific Games

Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Fagali'i) will revise and upgauge its fleet ahead of the Pacific Games which are due to be held in Samoa between July 7 and 20.

According to the Samoa Observer, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi said in his weekly address that the state-owned carrier would switch out the B737-800 it currently wet-leases from Neos through Icelandair for a larger gauge aircraft.

“Also in March 2019, the current airplane will be replaced with a bigger aircraft,” he said.

A second unspecified aircraft will also arrive in June ahead of the Pacific Games in July, Malielegaoi added.

Samoa Airways also operates three DHC-6-300s inherited from its Polynesian Airlines (OL, Apia Fagali'i) predecessor. It currently offers regular passenger flights from Apia Faleolo to Auckland Int'l, Brisbane Int'l, and Sydney Kingsford Smith with the Neos B737-800 as well as from Apia Fagali'i to Pago Pago and domestically within American Samoa with its Twin Otters.

ch aviation

Delta Air Lines books order for additional 15 Airbus A220 aircraft

Increases Delta’s A220 commitment to 90 aircraft, including first for -300

Delta Air Lines has ordered 15 additional A220 aircraft, bringing to 90 the total number of the new generation, highly fuel-efficient jetliners the world’s second-largest airline has on order. The additional orders are the airline’s first for the -300 model. Delta also converted earlier A220 orders to the larger -300, bringing to 50 the number of A220-300s on order.

“These additional A220 aircraft will continue to strategically enable Delta to refresh our fleet, drive further advances in the customer experience and serve as an excellent investment for our customers, employees and shareowners for Delta into the next decade,” said Gil West, Delta’s Chief Operating Officer. “We look forward to taking our first A220-300 in 2020 at the Airbus assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama.”

Delta placed its initial order for 75 aircraft in 2016. Airbus will produce the A220-300s at a new U.S. assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama. Construction of the plant, to be located adjacent to the existing Airbus A320 assembly facility, will begin later in January.

“Delta has always been deeply focused on the passenger experience, and the A220 fits perfectly with that philosophy,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “You just need to take a look at Delta’s cabin on the A220 to see it’s setting a new standard in short-haul flying. The A220 will provide passengers with a level of comfort and convenience that makes flying a pleasure again, while meeting Delta’s high standards for efficiency and reliability.”

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% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With a range of up to 3,200 nm (5,920 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.

Etihad Cancels Aircraft Order as Part of Cost Overhaul

Layan Odeh, Bloomberg 

Etihad Airways scrapped orders for Airbus SE jetliners and revealed plans to cut 50 pilot posts as the Persian Gulf carrier seeks to slim down operations amid mounting losses.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad canceled the purchase of 10 A320neo single-aisle jets, based on the latest monthly order figures from Airbus, while a letter to staff indicates that the flight-crew jobs, representing about 2.4 percent of pilots, will be eliminated by the end of this month.

Thousands of positions have already gone as Etihad puts the brakes on a costly expansion bid to challenge Gulf rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways. Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said in July that more posts would be cut after almost $3.5 billion in losses over two years, and that jetliner orders were in doubt as he focused on local needs rather than carrying passengers between continents.

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In the letter seen by Bloomberg, Sulaiman Yaqoobi, vice present for flight operations, tells staff the global economy is “extremely challenging” and that Etihad must slash operating costs as much as 10 percent to reflect shrinking capacity. He describes the pilot cuts as a “small reduction” out of a total of 2,065, of which 160 are “surplus.”

An Etihad spokesman declined to comment on the letter while saying the company continues to implement changes aimed at providing “vital efficiencies.”

The carrier, which is also scrapping marginal routes, still has one of the biggest fleet backlogs in global aviation, and the A320 cancellations don’t address orders for more than 100 A350s, Boeing Co. 777s and 787s designed for long-haul flights.

Etihad is meanwhile being sued over an August 2017 decision to cut financial support for former German unit Air Berlin, with an insolvency administrator seeking 500 million euros ($575 million) plus damages.

Douglas has said Etihad is open to closer relations with Dubai-based Emirates, while adding that it’s for the owners of the carriers to decide whether they should in any way be brought together. Bloomberg reported in September that the two were exploring a merger.

©2019 Bloomberg L.P.

Virgin-led consortium acquires Flybe in $2.8 million takeover deal

UK regional carrier Flybe will be rebranded as Virgin Atlantic under a £2.2 million ($2.81 million) takeover deal announced Jan. 11 by a consortium comprising Virgin Atlantic Ltd., Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital.

Exeter-based Flybe said in November that it was seeking a buyer. The airline had run into financial difficulty as a result of high fuel costs, currency fluctuations and the uncertainty surrounding the UK's planned exit from the European Union. Virgin Atlantic confirmed later that month that it was in talks about a possible deal.

In a joint statement, Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital said they had formed a new company—Connect Airways—through which they had reached an agreement with Flybe’s board to make a cash offer for the entire share capital of Flybe.

Stobart Group, the parent company of Ireland-registered aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) and charter operator Stobart Air, will fold its airline and aircraft leasing businesses into Connect Airways. The three companies have committed to provide a £20 million bridge loan facility, “to support Flybe’s ongoing working capital and operational requirements.”

Once the acquisition is completed, the group will invest up to £80 million to support Flybe’s future growth. The regional carrier “will be rebranded to Virgin Atlantic” eventually, and will continue to operate a network of routes across the UK and Ireland. Flybe will continue to operate as an independent carrier with a separate UK air operator’s certificate (AOC) under the Virgin Atlantic brand, while Stobart Air will keep its separate Irish AOC.

The group will operate independently to UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic under one management team and will be 40% owned by Cyrus Capital, 30% by Stobart Aviation—a wholly owned subsidiary of Stobart Group—and 30% by Virgin Atlantic Ltd.

“Flybe plays a vital role in the UK’s transport infrastructure with a UK regional network, which uniquely positions it to benefit from growing demands from long-haul carriers for passenger feeder traffic,” Flybe CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener said.

Following the acquisition, Flybe will feed into Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul network from Manchester and London Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic will be hoping the acquisition proves to be third time lucky after two failed attempts in the past to develop a short-haul network.

The airline previously courted UK-based bmi, which was ultimately merged into British Airways, before embarking on a short-haul wet-lease operation in partnership with Aer Lingus known as Little Red. However, this short-lived operation closed down in 2015 because of weak demand.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said of the Flybe deal: “Together, we can provide greater connectivity to our extensive long-haul network and that of our joint venture partners, [Atlanta-based] Delta Air Lines, at Manchester Airport and London Heathrow. In the near future, this will only increase through our expanded joint venture partnership with Air France-KLM.”

Stobart Group CEO Warwick Brady described the deal as “the best way for us to play an active role in regional airline consolidation.”



Kerry Reals, kerry@realsreporting.com

Thomson Airways S19 737 MAX 8 operations as of 04JAN19

Photo:Ton Jochems - PMI

Thomson Airways in summer 2019 season is expanding Boeing 737 MAX 8 operation, as the new 737 variant begins serving Doncaster/Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle. Additional routes from Manchester will also see the 737 MAX 8 operating.

Planned new 737 MAX 8 routes and corresponding frequencies for summer 2019 season as follow.

Doncaster/Sheffield – Palma Mallorca 02APR19 – 30APR19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Corfu eff 03MAY19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Dalaman eff 02MAY19 1 weekly (2 weekly 27MAY19 – 30SEP19)
Edinburgh – Lanzarote eff 02MAY19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Larnaca eff 05JUN19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Palma Mallorca eff 04MAY19 3 weekly (4 weekly 10JUN19 – 02SEP19)
Edinburgh – Paphos eff 05MAY19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Rhodes eff 25MAY19 1 weekly
Edinburgh – Tenerife South eff 03MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Alicante eff 07MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Antalya eff 04MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Bourgas 20MAY19 – 23SEP19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Corfu eff 03MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Dalaman eff 02MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Dubrovnik eff 02MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Enfidha eff 06MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Gran Canaria eff 06MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Ibiza eff 01MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Irakleion 07MAY19 – 24SEP19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Lanzarote eff 02MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Larnaca eff 05MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Malaga eff 05MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Naples eff 01MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Palma Mallorca eff 02MAY19 2 weekly (3 weekly from 01OCT19)
Glasgow – Paphos eff 01MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Reus eff 03MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Rhodes eff 04MAY19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Tenerife South eff 03MAY19 2 weekly
Glasgow – Verona 15MAY19 – 18SEP19 1 weekly
Glasgow – Zakynthos 05MAY19 – 29SEP19 1 weekly
Leeds/Bradford – Corfu eff 03MAY19 1 weekly
Leeds/Bradford – Palma Mallorca eff 11MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Alghero 04MAY19 – 12OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Almeria eff 02MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Antalya eff 02APR19 2 weekly until 30APR19 (3 weekly from 23MAY19, 4 weekly from 05OCT19)
Manchester – Bodrum eff 06MAY19 1 weekly (2 weekly 23MAY19 – 26SEP19)
Manchester – Catania eff 07APR19 1 weekly
Manchester – Chania eff 01OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Corfu eff 03MAY19 1 weekly (2 weekly 05JUL19 – 06SEP19)
Manchester – Dalaman eff 01APR19 2 weekly (4 weekly from 22MAY19)
Manchester – Dubrovnik eff 05MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Faro eff 07APR19 1 weekly (until 28APR19, 2 weekly from 29SEP19)
Manchester – Girona 14MAY19 – 24SEP19 1 weekly
Manchester – Irakleion 04APR19 – 26SEP19 2 weekly (1 weekly from 29APR19)
Manchester – Izmir eff 04MAY19 2 weekly
Manchester – Kefallinia 05MAY19 – 13OCT19 2 weekly (1 weekly from 25SEP19)
Manchester – Kos eff 29MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Lamezia Terme eff 11MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Larnaca eff 27MAR19 2 weekly (3 weekly 26MAY19 – 22SEP19)
Manchester – Mahon eff 04MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Naples eff 29MAR19 2 weekly (3 weekly from 24MAY19)
Manchester – Olbia 18MAY19 – 19OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Podgorica 01MAY19 – 13OCT19 1 weekly (2 weekly from 26MAY19)
Manchester – Porto Santo eff 27MAY19 1 weekly
Manchester – Preveza 05MAY19 – 06OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Pula 04MAY19 – 08OCT19 1 weekly (2 weekly from 28MAY19)
Manchester – Reus eff 03MAY19 4 weekly
Manchester – Rhodes 03APR19 – 28SEP19 1 weekly (2 weekly from 29MAY19)
Manchester – Rijeka 23MAY19 – 17OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Split 06MAY19 – 14OCT19 1 weekly (2 weekly from 24MAY19)
Manchester – Thessaloniki 06MAY19 – 14OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Thira 02MAY19 – 10OCT19 1 weekly
Manchester – Venice 03MAY19 – 27SEP19 1 weekly
Manchester – Zakynthos eff 05MAY19 1 weekly (2 weekly from 20MAY19, 3 weekly from 28MAY19, 4 weekly from 30JUN19, 5 weekly from 16JUL19, 4 weekly form 11SEP19, 1 weekly from 01OCT19)

Newcastle – Alicante 02APR19 – 30APR19 1 weekly
Newcastle – Malaga eff 05MAY19 1 weekly

The 737 MAX 8 continues to operate following routes from Manchester (frequency from May 2019):
Manchester – Agadir 1 weekly
Manchester – Alicante 1 weekly
Manchester – Enfidha 2 weeklyManchester – Fuerteventura 2 weekly (1 weekly from 28MAY19, 3 weekly from 02OCT19)
Manchester – Funchal 1 weekly
Manchester – Gran Canaria 1 weekly (2 weekly from 03OCT19)
Manchester – Hurghada 3 weekly
Manchester – Lanzarote 2 weekly
Manchester – Larnaca 3 weekly
Manchester – Malaga 2 weekly
Manchester – Malta 2 weekly (3 weekly from 01OCT19)
Manchester – Marrakech 2 weekly
Manchester – Palma Mallorca 2 weekly
Manchester – Paphos 1 weekly
Manchester – Salzburg 1 weekly (until 18SEP19)
Manchester – Santa Cruz de la Palma 1 weekly
Manchester – Tenerife South 3 weekly (5 weekly from 23MAY19)
Manchester – Verona 1 weekly (2 weekly from 25MAY19; until 28SEP19)

Kazakhstan's Zhetysu adds first Let 410s

Zhetysu (ZAV, Taldy Kurgan) has taken delivery of its first two Let 410UVP-E20s on order from Let Kunovice (Uherske Hradiste) following the arrival of OK-JRL (msn 183206) and OK-JRM (msn 183207) in Kazakhstan on Sunday, January 7.

According to the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee, the turboprops have been procured as part of the Kazakh government's "Nurly Zhol" infrastructural renewal programme wherein aircraft used for local flights are being upgraded with state assistance.

In Zhetysu's case, the Lets will replace its fleet of Soviet-era Yak-40s.
Zhetysu currently offers scheduled services from Usharal to each of Astana and Taldy Kurgan.
ch aviation

India's Star Air secures AOP, preps for launch

Star Air (India) (OG, Belgaum) has announced it has been granted its Air Operator's Permit (AOP) by the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The licence allows the start-up to operate scheduled passenger flights.

In a statement, Star Air said its first route would cover daily flights from its Bangalore Int'l base to Hubli using E145 equipment. Other touted destinations include Tirupati, Pune, and Delhi/Hindon.

As part of its certification process, it used a single E145, VT-GSC (msn 14500845).

Boeing Sets New Airplane Delivery Records, Expands Order Backlog

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  Delivered 806 commercial jets in 2018 with record-setting fourth quarter
  
  Won nearly 900 net orders valued at $143.7 billion after finalizing more than 200 orders in December
  
  737 MAX family surpassed 5,000 orders; 777 family exceeded 2,000 orders

SEATTLE, Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) delivered 69 737 airplanes in December and set a new annual record of 806 deliveries in 2018, surpassing its previous record of 763 deliveries in 2017. Even as Boeing delivered more jetliners, the company again grew its significant order book with 893 net orders, including 203 airplane sales in December.


"Boeing raised the bar again in 2018 thanks to our teammates' incredible focus on meeting customer commitments, and continuously improving quality and productivity," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Kevin McAllister. "In a dynamic year, our production discipline and our supplier partners helped us build and deliver more airplanes than ever before to satisfy the strong demand for air travel across the globe."

With a seven-year order backlog, Boeing increased production of the popular 737 in the middle of 2018 to 52 airplanes per month. Nearly half of the year's 580 737 deliveries were from the more fuel-efficient and longer-range MAX family, including the first MAX 9 airplanes.

At the same time, Boeing continued to build the 787 Dreamliner at the highest production rate for a twin-aisle airplane to support high demand for the super-efficient jet. The Dreamliner program finished with 145 deliveries for the year.

Deliveries of various 777, 767 and 747-8 models rounded out the total of 806 airplanes for the year. 767 deliveries include the transfer of 10 767-2C aircraft to Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker program.

On the orders front, Boeing achieved sales success across its airplane portfolio with 893 net orders valued at $143.7 billion according to list prices. While growing the order backlog for nearly every program, the company showed particular strength in the twin-aisle category with 218 widebody orders last year.

The 787 Dreamliner extended its status as the fastest-selling twin-aisle jet in history with 109 orders last year or about 1,400 since the program launched. Highlights include Hawaiian Airlines switching from the Airbus A330 to the 787 and Turkish Airlines becoming a new customer. American Airlines and United Airlines added to the growing list of repeat Dreamliner purchases with 47 and 13 additional jets respectively.

The 777 family continued its steady sales momentum with 51 net orders in 2018, driven by sales of the 777 Freighter to DHL Express, FedEx Express, ANA Cargo, Qatar Airways and other major freight operators. With additional sales in December, the 777 program exceeded 2,000 orders since its launch.

The 737 MAX family also achieved a major sales milestone in December, surpassing 5,000 net orders with 181 new sales during December. For the full year, the 737 program achieved 675 net orders, including sales to 13 new customers.

"We are honored that customers around the world continued to vote for the unmatched capabilities of Boeing's airplane and services portfolio. In addition to the ongoing demand for the 737 MAX, we saw strong sales for every one of our twin-aisle airplanes in a ringing endorsement of their market-leading performance and efficiency," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company.

"More broadly, another year of healthy jet orders continues to support our long-term forecast for robust global demand that will see the commercial airplane fleet double in 20 years," said Mounir.



A detailed report of 2018 commercial airplane orders and deliveries is available on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website. A video features other major Commercial Airplanes milestones from 2018.

Syphax Airlines secures new AOC, preps for launch

Syphax Airlines (SYA, Sfax) has secured a new Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Tunisian civil aviation authority (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile - DGAC) ahead of its resumption of flight operations.

According to Forbes, the certificate was issued on January 3, 2019. The report further cites the Tunisian carrier's CEO and founder Mohamed Frikha as saying it would focus on ACMI/charter operations initially with an unspecified West African carrier.

Thereafter, Frikha said Syphax Airlines would add scheduled passenger flights from Tunis, Sfax, and Djerba to Algeria, France, Italy and Spain later on.

Syphax Airlines currently has two ex-Air Nostrum CRJ-900s on its books.

The votes are in: Sun Country Airlines' new paint scheme is ...

This is the new 'livery' that Sun Country employees voted to put on the carrier's aircraft.
Sun Country Airlines
Last week, Sun Country Airlines asked employees to vote on their preference for a new paint scheme that will eventually adorn the carrier’s airplanes. Now the results are in.

Sun Country employees picked the design labeled “Team A” in a “landslide” vote.

The company announced the winning design via social media, noting that it introduces new elements while keeping some older ones. The Minnesota-based carrier also noted that Lake Minnetonka – one of the Twin Cites' many lakes – served as inspiration for some of the new livery.

Via its Facebook page, Sun Country said:

“This livery reflects our brand in several ways. As you can see, the compass logo on the tail mirrors the tail of our current livery, keeping us connected with our wonderful passengers we’ve come to know throughout the years. Second, the introduction of Minnetonka’s depth chart as our new ‘lakes’ design element demonstrates our continued commitment to our home state and local customers. Lastly, the refreshed bold use of orange symbolizes our bold vision for a bright future serving leisure travelers ahead. See you in the skies!”

When the vote was first announced, Brian Davis – Sun Country’s Senior Vice President, Commercial – described it as a way to give employees a voice in Sun Country’s transformation from a traditional low-cost carrier into a more of a no-frills, budget-oriented outfit.

“It is important to me that as we build, we build together,” Davis said in a note to workers ahead of the vote. “It is imperative that we not only listen to the feedback of our customers, but also the expertise and input of our most valued asset – you!”

Sun Country says all new planes coming into its fleet will bear the new livery, including some new aircraft due to arrive by the end of the year. The airline also will update its existing fleet of about 20 aircraft, though planes will get the new scheme only when it’s time for their next regularly scheduled repaintings. Sun Country’s aircraft typically get repainted about once every seven years, though the schedule may vary by individual plane, according to spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler.
Ben Mutzabaugh USA TODAY
Photo:Hector A Rivera Valentin
Boeing 737-83N(WL)N861AM (cn 30706)
San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU / TJSJ), Puerto Rico
5 January 2019

Biman seeks to lease two 777-300ERs

FLIGHT DASHBOARD BY: ELLIS TAYLOR PERTH

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has issued a tender seeking to lease two Boeing 777-300ERs, which may include mid-life aircraft.

Tender documents show that the carrier is seeking delivery of the aircraft on or before 31 May 2019, and intends to lease them for a minimum of five years. At 31 May, the aircraft must be no older than 13 years, and be delivered fresh from a C-check.

It is seeking the aircraft in a 400-seat, dual-class layout, with a preference for sister-ships from the same lessor.

Proposals are due by 20 January.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the airline already operates four 777-300ERs in its fleet of 14 aircraft.

JetBlue Airways firms up order for 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft

Order will add to JetBlue’s large fleet of Airbus planes

JetBlue Airways has firmed up an order for 60 A220-300 aircraft, the larger model of the new, industry-leading A220 series.

“As we approach our 20th anniversary, the impressive range and economics of the highly efficient A220, combined with the outstanding performance of our existing fleet of Airbus A321 and restyled A320 aircraft, will help ensure we deliver the best onboard experience to customers and meet our long-term financial targets as we continue disciplined growth into the future,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue.

JetBlue’s existing Airbus fleet includes 193 A320 and A321ceo aircraft in operation, with an additional 85 A321neo aircraft on order.

“JetBlue has proven there is no contradiction between economic efficiency and a high quality product,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Their endorsement of the A220 proves this aircraft meets those two criteria better than any alternative in its segment. Thank you JetBlue and congratulations on this big milestone in your growth.”

The order was completed the last week of December. Airbus will produce the A220-300 aircraft at a new U.S. assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama. Construction of the plant, to be located adjacent to the existing Airbus A320 assembly facility, will begin later this month.

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 (5,020 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.

U.S. start-up airline “Moxy” confirms order for 60 Airbus A220-300s

Low-cost carrier selects new Airbus model for operational efficiencies and passenger comfort

The start-up U.S. airline code-named “Moxy” has signed a firm order with Airbus to purchase 60 A220-300 aircraft.

Moxy is the new airline venture led by David Neeleman, one of the industry’s most innovative entrepreneurs and founder of JetBlue Airways. In addition to JetBlue, Neeleman also founded Azul Brazilian Airlines and is the controlling investor in the revitalization of TAP Air Portugal.

Plans for Moxy, a low-cost airline, were unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in July. “The A220-300 is the right airplane for a new airline that will be focused on passenger service and satisfaction,” said Neeleman. “With a low cost of operation and spacious cabin, the A220 will allow us to provide passengers with lower fares and a high quality, comfortable flying experience. The A220’s ability to operate profitably in thin, underserved markets across a broad spectrum of ranges is unique.”

“Moxy has its sights set on the future, so I can’t think of a better aircraft to put into their fleet than the A220,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “We believe the A220 really is the future of this segment of the market, and the flying public will know from the minute they set foot onboard that they’re experiencing the best our industry has to offer.”

The order was completed the final week of December. Airbus will produce the A220-300 at a new U.S. assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama. Construction of that plant, to be located adjacent to the existing Airbus A320 assembly facility, will begin later this month.

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 (5,020 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.

SCAC did not receive any feedback from the USA upon its request for SSJ100 export to Iran

The SSJ100 manufacturer JSC “Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company” did not receive any feedback from the USA as far as the request for the aircraft export delivery to Iran is concerned.



The quantity of American components in current SSJ100 version surpasses 10% so according to the prescribed procedure SCAC proceeded with the application in 2017 and sent the request to the Office of Foreign Assets Contorl (OFAC). By the end of 2018 the company received neither positive nor negative feedback.
However, as part of the import substitution program SCAC continues to reduce the number of foreign components and is currently working at the new SSJ100 modification. The operational costs of that new aircraft modification are to be lowered substantially. Besides, the program efficiency is planned to be increased via repricing of a number of components. And the deliveries of the new aircraft are not supposed to be formally agreed upon by third parties.

CHAM WINGS (SYRIA) tests Tunisia flights

Cham Wings Airlines (6Q, Damascus) has operated its first non-scheduled flight to Monastir in Tunisia amid plans to establish regular flights to the country, the state-owned Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) has reported.

Flight 6Q361/2 operated on December 27, 2018, using A320-200 YK-BAB (msn 342), Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

There have been no scheduled direct flights between Tunisia and Syria for many years.

According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Khartoum is Cham Wings' only scheduled African destination. The carrier operates four A320-200s, including one stored unit.

ch aviation

LaKi-photography

YK-BAA, Airbus A320-212 Cham Air @ Kuwait KWI

SKY LEASE CARGO - B747-400F - N903AR

Scott Pindera

Halifax Int'l Airport - CYHZ, Canada

FlyBosnia takes delivery of its first aircraft

FlyBosnia (Sarajevo) on December  ook delivery of first aircraft, A319-112 E7-FBA

The first airliner is named “Sarajevo” after its based city.
The new airline is now going through the certification process. The company hopes to become airborne in 2019.
The new company describes itself:

The Saudi based Al-Shiddi Group is linked to its establishment with Nudžejma Skenderović and Sulaiman Abdullah Al Shiddi as founders of the new airline.
photo by FlyBosnia.

Russia’s Severstal takes delivery of its first Superjet 100

Severstal’s first SSJ100, with registration number RA-89117, was delivered to the airline on lease from GTLK on December 26 (Severstal)

Russian regional carrier Severstal Airlines, which is owned by steel and mining giant Severstal, has taken delivery of its first Superjet 100 and entry into service for its initial Russian regional jet is planned for early 2019.

The aircraft, with registration number RA-89117, was delivered to the airline on December 26 and is currently at its Cherepovets home base airport. It features a convertible cabin, which affords seating capacity adjustments, and offers between 100 single economy class seats, or a two-class 93-seat configuration with eight in business.

The company’s SSJ100s are being taken on a 12-year term financial lease from State Transport Leasing Company (known by the acronym GTLK), Russia’s largest leasing company. GTLK is to deliver three more Superjets to Severstal within the period 2018-2019. The airline also has an option for another two aircraft. Russian regional jets are to replace airline’s entire fleet of ageing Bombardier CRJ200s.

Severstal’s order is for the SSJ100 B100 version with the more powerful SaM146-1S18 engines for improved runway performance. The airline also plans to retrofit its SSJ100 fleet with blended winglets (nicknamed saberlets), which are currently being tested by the aircraft’s manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC). Severstal is poised to be one of the early operators of the saberlets-equipped Superjets.

The arrival of the Russian-made aircraft in the Severstal fleet renewal programme will stimulate passenger traffic growth, it is hoped. The airline currently operates six 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s and one 32-seat Yakovlev Yak-40.



In 2017, the Cherepovets-based airline carried some 240,900 passengers, up 4.3 per cent on the previous year. Severstal Airlines, a subsidiary of steel and mining giant Severstal, which is majority-owned and controlled by Russian tycoon Alexey Mordashov, performs domestic and international scheduled and charter flights across Russia, the CIS countries and also to Europe.
by ES in Aerospace,

Air Botswana adds maiden E170

Air Botswana (BP, Gaborone) has taken delivery of its first E170 following the arrival of N734A (msn 17000318) in Gaborone on Monday, December 31.

The former Saudi Aramco Aviation jet will be joined by a second of the type, N735A (msn 17000319), which is still at Toronto Pearson awaiting delivery to Southern Africa. The entire deal is being facilitated by Regional One.

Air Botswana plans to use the Embraer Regional Jet on its Cape Town-Gaborone route.

The state-owned carrier is currently in the process of upgrading and modernizing its fleet ahead of a renewed attempt at privatization.

In October, CEO Agnes Khunwane told a Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises that Air Botswana had acquired two ATR72-600s from Avions de Transport Régional at a cost of USD19 million per aircraft.

To help pay for the acquisition, the carrier agreed to trade in three of its existing fleet (two of its three ATR42-500s and one ATR72-500) with the Botswana government footing the difference (BWP290 million pula or USD27.2 million).

Aside from assisting Air Botswana in improving its operations, the new aircraft will also reduce maintenance costs which, until now, had accounted for 45% of its expenditure.

ch aviation

Irkut rolls out its third flying prototype of the MC-21

A third flight-test MC-21 prototype was rolled out from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut, on 25 December 2018 (UAC)

Russian corporation Irkut, which is part of the United Aircraft Corp (UAC), has completed the assembly of a third flight-test MC-21-300 aircraft, the country’s advanced narrow-body airliner. During the production of the latest prototype, flight test results and recommendations were taken into account from two previous aircraft tests.

The third prototype was rolled out from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut, on 25 December and Denis Manturov, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, had earlier this year revealed that this latest aircraft is scheduled to take to the air in March 2019. 

The assembly of the fourth MC-21 prototype is being carried out, with a planned initial flight scheduled for mid-2019. “Adding more aircraft to flight test programme and the revitalisation of the production of serial aircraft are the main tasks for 2019,” insists said Yury Slyusar, president of United Aircraft Corporation.

Meanwhile, the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) is continuing to perform static tests on the MC-21 aircraft. Currently, the fuselage of the second static test MC-21 is being prepared to launch endurance tests, which are aimed at proving the viability of the fuselage design in terms of fatigue strength and operational survivability.

Currently, two Pratt & Whitney PW1400G-powered MC-21 units are taking part in flight certification tests. It is planned that this variant of the MC-21 will be certificated in 2020, a date recently re-postponed from its original schedule. The second variant of the MC-21 – one powered by Russia’s PD-14 engines – is expected to fly by the end of 2019. 

by ES in Aerospace, Russia

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AIR SIAL (PAKISTAN) okayed for 2019 launch

The Pakistani Prime Minister Imram Khan has granted approval for start-up airline Air Sial (SIF, Sialkot), Dawn TV has reported. The airline intends to launch operations in 2019.

The start-up is owned by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries and will operate out of Sialkot in cooperation with local businesses. So far, no further business plans have been revealed.

Air Sial initially planned to launch by the end of 2016.

Sialkot is one of Pakistan's most industrialised cities and, as such, is a key hub for the country's import and export flows. The airport in this north-eastern city currently sees 54 weekly scheduled departures, mostly to the Gulf countries, as well as domestically to Karachi Int'l. Sialkot is set to see its first European route to Paris CDG via Barcelona El Prat, operated by PIA - Pakistan International Airlines, as of January 19, 2019.

ch aviation

2019