World Airline News
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United Airlines’ Airbus A319 makes a wheels-up landing at Newark Liberty
January 10, 2010
United Airlines’ (Chicago) flight UA 634 from Chicago (O’Hare) to Newark (Liberty) made an emergency landing on runway 4L at Newark this morning after the cockpit crew was not able to lower the right main gear after circling EWR for nearly 45 minutes. There were no injuries but there is some underside damage to the Airbus A319-131 (N816UA, msn 408).
News link with a photo:
Continental Airlines suspends operations at the Cleveland hub due to a power outage
January 10, 2010
Continental Airlines (Houston) suspended operations at its Cleveland Hopkins hub today due to an airport-wide power outage.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Continental-Airlines-Suspends-prnews-1453757502.html?x=0&.v=1
JetBlue starts Boston-Montego Bay service
January 10, 2010
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) yesterday (January 9) started the Boston-Montego Bay route.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/JetBlue-Begins-Nonstop-prnews-2535883605.html?x=0&.v=1
Hawaiian Airlines sets a passenger record in 2009
January 10, 2010
Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) set a new record in 2009 carrying 8.3 million passengers.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Hawaiian-Airlines-Sets-Record-prnews-2226524636.html?x=0&.v=1
Any potential investment by either American or Delta in JAL is put on hold
January 10, 2010
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will not be able to invest in JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo-Haneda) until new management is in place. There is also the possibility that both groups will be prevented from any investment.
News link:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-American-investment-in-rb-3246078469.html?x=0&.v=2
AirTran resumes service to Gulfport/Biloxi
January 10, 2010
AirTran Airways (Orlando and Orlando) resumed scheduled services to Gulfport/Biloxi on January 8. The area was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/AirTran-Airways-Brings-Back-prnews-652243917.html?x=0&.v=1
Another Airberlin Boeing 737-800 skids off the runway
January 9, 2010
Airberlin (Berlin-Tegel) late last night (January 8) suffered a second incident involving a Boeing 737-800 (believed to be D-ABKA). The airliner ran off the runway on takeoff in bad weather at Nuremberg. It was operating flight AB 6777 from NUE to Dusseldorf.
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Airberlin photo gallery.
The airliner remained stuck in the snow disrupting traffic and closing the airport for more than two hours. There were no reported injuries.
Virgin America is found fit and compliant with U.S. ownership rules
January 9, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Virgin America photo gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) is applauding the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision confirming the carrier’s financial fitness and U.S. citizenship status. Yesterday (December 8), the DOT issued a ruling that the airline and its proposed new ownership structure will remain fully compliant with U.S. ownership laws. U.S. law requires that domestic airlines remain under the control of U.S. citizens, with no more than 25 percent of the voting stock being held by foreign citizens.
75 percent of the company stock is currently held by the U.S.-based VAI Partners, LLC and 25 percent is held by the Virgin Group. However, the U.S. investors comprising VAI Partners will change with the following entities now comprising the VAI stake:
- Cyrus Aviation Investor, LLC – 55.5 percent
- VAI MBO Investors, LLC—27.8 percent
- VX Employee Holdings, LLC—16.7 percent
- VAI Management, LLC—less than 1 percent
Here is the full press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Virgin-America-Cleared-for-prnews-4131205104.html?x=0&.v=1
Island Air’s COO Bruce Whetzel is terminated
January 9, 2010
Island Air’s (Honolulu) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bruce Wetzel was terminated yesterday (January 8), and CFO Leslie Kaneshiro will take over Wetzel’s spot in the interim.
Route Map:
www.islandair.com/flightinfo-map.asp
Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Ex-Piedmont Airlines (2nd) Bombardier DHC-8-103 N979HA (msn 373) taxies past the camera at HNL dressed in the surfboard version of the livery developed in 2006.
Is the short-range 787-3 doomed?
January 9, 2010
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) is reviewing its plans for a shorter-range version of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft after ANA-All Nippon Airways switched its orders to another longer-range model. Boeing no longer has any 787-3s on order. The 787-3 is designed to accommodate up to 330 passengers on routes of up to 3,500 miles (5,650 kilometers), while the 787-8 and 787-9 versions are designed to carry fewer passengers on longer distances.
Here is the entire Reuters report:
AirTran 737-700 is escorted to the ground at Colorado Springs
January 9, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the AirTran photo gallery.
AirTran Airways’ (Orlando and Atlanta) flight FL 39 with a Boeing 737-700 flying from Atlanta to San Francisco yesterday (January 8) was escorted by two F-16s to make a non-scheduled landing at COS after a passenger became unruly.
Here is the airline statement:
finance.yahoo.com/news/AirTran-Airways-Statement-prnews-2743722350.html?x=0&.v=1
Skywest Airlines secures its first Airbus A320
January 8, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Skywest photo gallery.
Skywest Airlines (Australia) (Perth) has secured its first Airbus A320 through a connected leasing company. The new type is expected to enter service later this year and will be used mainly for contract mining charters.
News link:
www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/08/336888/australias-skywest-secures-its-first-a320.html
AirAsia X hopes to add the Sydney route by June or July
January 8, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the AirAsia X photo gallery.
AirAsia X (Kuala Lumpur) hopes to add the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route by June or July.
News link:
biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/7/business/5423057&sec=business
Two Jetstar Pacific Airlines executive held in Vietnam to explain fuel hedging losses
January 8, 2010
Jetstar Pacific Airlines (formerly Pacific Airlines) (Ho Chi Minh City) meanwhile is having its own problems in Vietnam. Two airline executives are being detained to explain the company’s financial losses of $31 million due to fuel hedging! In addition their ex-boss has been arrested in Hanoi for his part in the airline’s losses (if you are an airline executive in Vietnam, don’t lose any money). QANTAS Airways controls 27 percent of the stock.
News link:
Indochina Airlines remains grounded
January 8, 2010
Indochina Airlines (Ho Chi Minh) halted all operations on November 23, 2009 when its leased Travel Service Airlines Boeing 737-800 (operated in Travel Service colors) returned to Europe. The company which commenced scheduled operations a year earlier on November 25, 2009 was declared bankrupt on December 15. However despite these setbacks the private airline was hoping to secure two Boeing 737-400s which so far has not yet materialized. The Vietnamese government is prepared to approve its new schedule if the company can pay off its debts and show new financial fitness.
News link:
e.maivoo.com/Business/Debts-still-keep-Indochina-Airlines-on-ground/3837.html
JinAir to start Seoul (Incheon)-Manila (Clark) charters
January 8, 2010
Boeing 73786N HL7558 (msn 28625) was transferred to the subsidiary on October 4, 2008. It sports the 2008 livery. Photo by 201.
JinAir (subsidiary of Korean Air) (Seoul-Incheon) will start Seoul (Incheon)-Manila (Clark) charter flights on January 14. The low-fare subsidiary plans to make this a scheduled route starting in February. The airline operates four Boeing 737-800s.
News link:
Fly540 adds its first CRJ100 regional jet
January 8, 2010
Fly540 (fly550.com) (Five Forty Aviation) (Nairobi) has added its first Bombardier CRJ100 regional jet. The new type will be put into service on the Nairobi-Mwanza route on January 11.
News link:
Airzena Georgian Airways starts Tbilisi-Moscow charters today
January 8, 2010
Airzena Georgian Airways (Tbilisi) was able to resume Tbilisi-Moscow charter flights starting today (January 8). The two countries were both involved in a brief war in 2008.
News link:
Aer Lingus to trim Gatwick fleet to three aircraft
January 8, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Aer Lingus photo gallery.
Aer Lingus (Dublin) is trimming its operation at Gatwick Airport near London due to soft demand. The assigned fleet will be trimmed from five aircraft to three at the end of March.
News link:
SkyBahamas’ SAAB 340A C6-SBE landing gear collapses at the gate
January 8, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the SkyBahamas photo gallery.
SkyBahamas Airlines’ (Nassau) SAAB 340A C6-SBE landing gear collapsed while parked at the gate at NAS. There were no injuries.
News link:
www.thenassauguardian.net/national_local/301597178551449.php
SkyBahamas is expanding with new routes and has larger aspirations with larger aircraft. The company also wants to become a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.
New link:
www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/04/336744/skybahamas-seeks-maintenance-certification.html
Air Canada to create a “nut-free” zone on all flights
January 8, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Air Canada photo gallery.
Air Canada (Montreal) is moving ahead with creating a nut-free “buffer zone” on all flights for passengers who are allergic to nuts.
News link:
www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/747973–air-canada-adds-nuts-to-no-fly-list
Boeing meets its goal for 2009 with 481 commercial deliveries
January 8, 2010
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) met its 480-485 goal for commercial deliveries in 2009. It delivered 481 airliners last year. Its commercial backlog remains strong with 3,375 orders.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Boeing-Commercial-Airplanes-prnews-3605962721.html?x=0&.v=1
American raises JAL bid to $1.4 billion
January 8, 2010
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has reportedly raised its bid for a share of JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) to $1.4 billion according to the WSJ.
News link:
finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-ups-JAL-rb-1526854022.html?x=0&.v=2
Meanwhile according to this Reuters report the Japanese government is moving ahead towards bankruptcy for JAL and will state its position on January 12. In addition ANA has not yet answered on whether they prefer to take over JAL’s international routes. Either way there are a lot of changes coming for the proud flag carrier.
China Airlines to start service to London on March 28
January 7, 2010
China Airlines Airbus A340-313X B-18801 (msn 402) FRA, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
China Airlines (Taipei) will commence Airbus A340-300 service to London starting on March 26. The route will be operated three times a week.
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. Airbus A340-313X B-18801 (msn 402) climbs away from Frankfurt.
The first ex-Lufthansa CityLine CRJ200 is painted for UTair
January 7, 2010
Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. Ex-Lufthansa CityLine CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) D-ACJJ (msn 7298) is pictured at Cologne with its new identity.
UTair Aviation (Khanty Mansiysk) is acquiring a fleet of second-hand Bombardier CRJ200s (CL-600-2B19s) from Lufthansa CityLine. The first has been painted.
Royal Air Freight Learjet 35A N720RA crashes at Chicago Executive Airport
January 7, 2010
Royal Air Freight (Waterford) Learjet 35A freighter registered N720A (msn 156) with two crew members crashed on approach to Chicago Executive Airport on January 5. Both crew members died in the crash.
News link:
www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/latest_video/royal-air-cargo-jet-crashes-near-chicago
AirAsia and Jetstar Airways form the first LCC alliance
January 6, 2010
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Kuala Lumpur) and Jetstar Airways (QANTAS) (Melbourne) have formed the first alliance between budget airlines. The cooperation will extend to joint purchases of aircraft.
News link:
US Airways’ pilots to protest Las Vegas base closure
January 6, 2010
Copyright Photo: US Airways' latest delivery, Airbus A320-214 N126UW (msn 4149) is pictured at a cold and cloudy Charlotte. The airliner was accepted on December 23, 2009.
US Airways’ (Phoenix) pilots, represented by USAPA, will picket at Las Vegas today concerning the announced closure of the LAS base.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/US-Airways-Pilots-to-Protest-bw-1933401179.html?x=0&.v=1
JetBlue expands operations at San Francisco
January 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the JetBlue photo gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) yesterday (January 5) kicked off an expansion of service at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) by adding new flights to Boston, Long Beach and New York. Together with its recently added nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and its daily service to Austin, JetBlue now offers 11 daily departures from SFO.
Here is the full press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/JetBlue-Expands-in-San-prnews-3208590683.html?x=0&.v=1
Hawaiian Airlines’ pilots vote on a new tentative contract
January 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Hawaiian photo gallery.
Hawaiian Airlines’ (Honolulu) pilots, represented by ALPA, have started voting on a new tentative contract.
Press release:
www.alpa.org/Portals/Alpa/PressRoom/PressReleases/2010/1-5-10_10.HAL.htm
American flight AA 331 landed half way down the runway at Kingston
January 6, 2010
American Airlines’ (Dallas/Fort Worth) flight AA 331 on December 22 first touched down on the runway at the half way point at Kingston before running off the end of the runway, according to Jamaican officials.
Here is the full report:
News link:
www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100107/lead/lead6.html
Please see the previous entries for the photos of the accident (click on American Airlines tag).
Tiger Airways to start Singapore-Hong Kong flights in February
January 5, 2010
Please click on AG icon for a direct link to the Tiger Airways photo gallery.
Tiger Airways (Singapore) is acquiring its first two owned (it previously leased) Airbus A320s this month and February. This will permit the company to launch the Singapore-Hong Kong route in February.
News link:
www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1028643/1/.html
South African Airways to fly around the clock during FIFA 2010 World Cup
January 5, 2010
Please click on AG icon for a direct link to the South African photo gallery.
South African Airways (Johannesburg) has announced it will fly around the clock in order to handle the surge in traffic for the 2010 FIFA World Cup event. The flag carrier currently operates around 15 hours a day.
News link:
www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-24_2566649
Turkish Airlines to order six Airbus A319s and 14 A321s
January 5, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the South African photo gallery.
Turkish Airlines’ (Istanbul) board of directors has agreed to purchase six Airbus A319s and 14 A321-200s. It will also secure 10 options.
News link:
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-airlines-to-acquire-new-aircraft-2010-01-05
Ryanair makes a precautionary landing at Liverpool
January 5, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Ryanair photo gallery.
Ryanair (Dublin) had an incident yesterday (January 4) at Liverpool. An outbound Boeing 737-800 with 116 passengers and crew from Liverpool headed for Agadir returned to the airport after the flight crew received a fire indicator light in the cockpit. The airliner landed safely but everyone exited via the emergency chutes.
News link:
Mesa Air Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization
January 5, 2010
Mesa Air Group (Phoenix) this morning (January 5) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and reorganization. Mesa requested and received court approval to continue to operate its 700 daily flights. Mesa Airlines operates under contract as a Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express carrier with 130 aircraft.
Press release:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Mesa-Air-Group-Commences-bw-3392665865.html?x=0&.v=1
The filing does not impact the new go! Mokulele joint venture.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/go-Mokulele-Not-Included-in-bw-1865095162.html?x=0&.v=1
Allegiant Air to acquire 18 aircraft from SAS Group
January 4, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Allegiant Air photo gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on December 30, 2009 signed a contract to acquire 13 McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82/83 (MD-82/83) aircraft from the SAS group with delivery this year and next. The deal also includes five DC-9-87s (MD-87s) which will be dismantled for the spare parts. Allegiant will pay cash and expects to have 60 aircraft in operation by the end of 2011.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Allegiant-Travel-Company-to-prnews-351425761.html?x=0&.v=1
SkyWest Airlines introduces a new house livery
January 4, 2010
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N495CA (msn 7774) PHL (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
SkyWest Airlines (St. George) in late 2009 introduced a new house livery.
Copyright Photo: Joe Osciak. Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N495CA (msn 7774) prepares to land at Philadelphia in the new look.
Cimber Sterling to defend its Danish market against Norwegian, setting off a price war
January 4, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Cimber Sterling photo gallery.
Cimber Sterling (Copenhagen) is defending its Danish domestic market with lower prices after Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) entered the Danish market.
News link:
www.cphpost.dk/business/119-business/47861-budget-airlines-face-off-in-domestic-airfare-war.html
Security breach at Newark causes a major disruption for Continental
January 4, 2010
Continental Airlines (Houston) had a major disruption last night (January 3) at its Newark (Liberty) hub after a security breach caused all passengers in Terminal C to be screened again by the TSA.
News link:
www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/04/new.jersey.airport.breach/index.html?iref=allsearch
Colgan Air to bring the Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) type to the Houston hub
January 4, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Colgan Air photo gallery.
Colgan Air (2nd) (Continental Connection) (Manassas) has applied to operate the Houston (Bush Intercontinental)-Monterrey (Mexico) route for Continental Airlines. This will bring the DHC-8-400 (Q400) type to the IAH hub.
Filing information:
www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a6d128
JAL is against filing for bankruptcy protection, now favors Delta over American
January 3, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the JAL photo gallery.
JAL-Japan Airlines’ (Tokyo-Haneda) president (Haruka Nishimatsu) stated he is against a bankruptcy filing under a state restructuring plan and has no plans to completely withdraw JAL from international flights, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
In an interview conducted on Friday and published on Sunday, the Asahi also said Nishimatsu preferred Delta Air Lines as the carrier’s overseas partner over American Airlines.
Read the full news report:
finance.yahoo.com/news/JAL-against-bankruptcy-favors-rb-541992387.html?x=0&.v=1
Air India shelves plans for a no-frills brand, will expand Air India Express operations
January 3, 2010
Please click on AG icon for a direct link to the Air India Express photo gallery.
Air India (Mumbai) has shelved plans to launch a separate no-frills brand. Instead it will concentrate on expanding operations of its Air India Express subsidiary.
New link:
The SACAA issues its final report on the Nationwide Airlines Boeing 737-200 engine detachment incident
January 3, 2010
Please click on AG icon for a direct link to the Nationwide photo gallery.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) issued its final report on the engine detachment incident of November 7, 2007 involving Nationwide Airlines’ Boeing 737-230 ZS-OEZ (msn 22118).
The SACAA determined the probable cause:
“The right-hand engine separated from the aircraft due to the failure of the aft cone bolt as a result of a pre-existing fatigue crack which was most likely caused by incorrect installation of the cone bolt.”
Read the full report (with pictures) via The Aviation Herald:
avherald.com/h?article=424af85f
Nationwide Airlines ceased all operations on April 29, 2008.
Airberlin Boeing 737-800 aborts takeoff, runs off the runway at Dortmund
January 3, 2010
Airberlin (Berlin-Tegel) had an accident at Dortmund this morning (January 3). Boeing 737-86J D-ABKF (msn 37745) with 165 passengers and six crew members aborted its takeoff to Las Palmas and slid off the end of the runway. There were no injuries.
News link with a picture:
Locair Metro III leaves the runway on landing at Somerset, KY
January 3, 2010
Locair (Fort Lauderdale) Fairchild Metro III operating flight 151 yesterday (January 2) from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Somerset, KY left the runway on landing at Somerset in wintry conditions. There were no injuries to the two pilots and the lone passenger on board. Locair operates under Part 135 flight regulations.
Locair issued the following statement:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Locair-Flight-151-prnews-29187298.html?x=0&.v=3
China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines move a step closer to a merger
January 2, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Shanghai Airlines photo gallery.
China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai) and Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai) moved a step closer to a merger on December 30 when both carriers received governmental approval to merge. China Eastern is acquiring its rival Shanghai Airlines for $1.3 billion. This approval now clears the path for Shanghai to be merged into China Eastern. The Shanghai brand will disappear during 2010.
Flightglobal news link:
Azerbaijan Airlines to acquire four ex-Airberlin Airbus A320s
January 2, 2010
A320-214 D-ABDJ AZERBAIJAN A/L, originally uploaded by shanairpic.
Azerbaijan Airlines-AZAL (Baku) is acquiring its first Airbus A320 by acquiring four ex-Airberlin A320s.
Photo by Malcolm Nason. A320-214 D-ABDJ (msn 2865) now named “Oghuz” is pictured at Shannon after repainting by Eirtech Aviation. It will become 4K-AZ79 on delivery.
Air France by Regional paints its first Embraer ERJ 170 in the revised colors
January 2, 2010 — 2 Comments
Air France by Regional Embraer ERJ 170-100ST F-HBXH (msn 17000301) CDG (first in revised colors), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Regional Compagnie Aerienne Europeenne (Air France by Regional) (Nantes) has repainted its first Embraer ERJ 170 into the updated 2009 Air France livery.
Copyright Photo: Yannick Delamarre. ERJ 170-100ST F-HBXG (msn 17000301) is pictured at Paris (CDG) on December 26, 2009.
