World Airline News
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Lufthansa’s first Airbus A380 is named “Frankfurt am Main”
February 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Lufthansa photo gallery.
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A380. A380-841 D-AIMA (msn 038) is now fully painted and is named “Frankfurt am Main” after the FRA hub.
Photo link:
WestJet takes delivery of Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSZ
February 6, 2010
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSZ (msn 37092) departs from Seattle (King County-Boeing) on February 5 bound for the Calgary base. This image shows the French side.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) yesterday (February 5) took delivery of its first logojet.
Hawaiian Airlines has a profitable 4Q and 2009
February 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Hawaiian photo gallery.
Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaiian Holdings) (Honolulu) reported consolidated net income for the three months (fourth quarter) ending on December 31, 2009 of $35.0 million. This result compares with a net loss of $11.9 million for the three months ended on December 31, 2008.
For the full year 2009, the Company today reported consolidated net income of $116.7 million. This result compares with net income of $28.6 million for the full year 2008.
Hawaiian set a record with 8.3 million passengers for 2009.
Frontier announces 7 new destinations from Denver
February 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Frontier photo gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced its summer 2010 schedule with the addition of seven new destinations from its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub, as well as increased frequencies to four popular destinations for the peak summer travel season. The carrier also announced it will expand its current seasonal service between Denver and Fort Myers to year-round.
The new service includes new nonstop service to Branson (BKG); Grand Rapids (GRR); Long Beach (LGB); Madison (MSN); Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF); Santa Barbara (SBA); and seasonal nonstop service to Green Bay (GRB). In addition, Frontier will add a third daily frequency to New York-LaGuardia on April 19 and a fifth daily frequency to Portland, OR.; San Francisco; and Seattle/Tacoma on May 14 for the peak summer travel period.
In addition, effective April 19, all service between Denver and Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Salt Lake City will be provided by jet aircraft, including Embraer ERJ 170s, ERJ 190s (operated by Republic Airlines) and Airbus aircraft.
All seven new routes will be operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) Embraer ERJ 190s.
Delta to start JFK-Grand Cayman flights on June 12
February 6, 2010
Please click on the AG icon for a direct link to the Delta photo gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will launch a new weekly route linking the New York (JFK) hub and Grand Cayman with Boeing 737-800 equipment.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-Air-Lines-Announces-New-prnews-3579408493.html?x=0&.v=1
Atlas Air drops a fiberglass wing fairing into Dillards parking lot in Miami
February 6, 2010
Atlas Air (New York-JFK) confirmed one of its Boeing 747 freighters lost a fiberglass wing fairing (“canoe”) yesterday on final approach to runway 9 at Miami International Airport. The large part fell into Dillards parking lot missing any cars or pedestrians. The flight was en route from Santiago to MIA.
News link:
Lynx Aviation to be shut down on April 19 and the 11 DHC-8-402s returned
February 5, 2010
Frontier Airlines (2nd)-Lynx Aviation Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165) DEN (to be phased out), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) on February 4, 2010 announced it will transition the regional service operated by Lynx Aviation (Denver) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop aircraft to Embraer 170 and 190 jet service operated by Republic Airlines (2nd)(Indianapolis). Republic will remove three Q400 turboprop aircraft from service effective April 6, 2010. Another three aircraft will be removed from service on April 19, 2010.
Service will continue to all current Lynx destinations with the exception of Fargo, ND and Tulsa, OK, where Lynx will cease operations on April 5, 2010.
These changes will result in the reduction in April of approximately 175 positions at Lynx, including flight crews, operations, customer service and support personnel. Most employees affected by this announcement will have the opportunity to continue with either Republic or Frontier in similar capacities. Employees who choose not to accept a position within the Company and who work through their release date will be provided severance.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) formed the subsidiary to feed passengers to and from nearby cities to the DEN hub. Lynx operations commenced on December 7, 2007.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165), appropriately with the image of a Lynx on the tail, taxies away from the gate at the DEN hub.
Chautauqua Airlines to phase out the seven CRJ200s operated for Continental Airlines
February 5, 2010
Continental Express-Chautauqua Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N701BR (msn 7448) IAH (7 CRJ200s to be returned), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Chautauqua Airlines (Continental Airlines) (Indianapolis) through its parent Republic Airways Holdings has decided to return its seven Bombardier CRJ200s (CL-600-2B19s) to the lessors and will be phased out from the fleet. The seven aircraft are currently being operated for Continental Airlines as a Continental Express carrier.
Copyright Photo: Jeffrey S. DeVore. CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N701BR (msn 7448) poses for the camera on the ramp at Houston (Bush Intercontinental).
Close-up of FedEx Panda Express special sticker
February 4, 2010
FedEx Express Boeing 777-FS2 N850FD (msn 37721) (FedEx Panda Express) IAD (special sticker), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough.
FedEx Panda Express departs Washington Dulles at 1205 today bound for Chengdu
February 4, 2010
FedEx Express Boeing 777-FS2 N850FD (msn 37721) (FedEx Panda Express) IAD, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough.
Hong Kong Airlines signs MOU for six Airbus A330-200s
February 4, 2010
Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for six A330-200 aircraft. The latest commitment will increase the number of A330s ordered by the airline to 23. Hong Kong Airlines intends to use the A330-200s to develop new services to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to the Middle East and Europe.
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines currently operates a full service network linking HKG with destinations in mainland China and the Asian region. In addition to A330s, the carrier also has 30 single aisle A320 aircraft on firm order for future delivery.
The first Airbus A330-300 for Air China is pictured at Toulouse
February 4, 2010
Copyright Photo: Airbus A330-343X F-WWKD (msn 1087) is now painted in full Air China colors at Toulouse. It will become B-6512 on delivery.
Air China (Beijing) will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A330-300, leased from AerCap.
Midwest Airlines (Egypt) to add its first Boeing 737-800
February 4, 2010
Copyright Photo: Trevor Mulkerrins. Ex-Axis Airways Boeing 737-86N F-GZZA (msn 28591) was rolled out at Shannon on February 3, 2010 in Midwest Airlines' (Egypt) 1999 livery. Midwest did not retain the hybrid Flyglobespan scheme seen on recent addition of Boeing 737-683 SU-MWC (msn 28303).
Midwest Airlines (Egypt) (Cairo) is planning to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-800.
Turkish Airlines to acquire 10 more Boeing 737-800s and 10 737-900s
February 4, 2010
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) intends to acquire 10 additional Boeing 737-800s and 10 737-900s. The new additions will be delivered between 2011 and 2014. The company also secured options for 15 additional 737NGs.
New link:
Aeroflot Cargo was merged back into Aeroflot on December 1, 2009
February 4, 2010
Aeroflot Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) VP-BDQ (msn 48504) HHN (merged back into Aeroflot on December 1, 2009), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aeroflot Cargo (Moscow) was rolled back into Aeroflot Russian Airlines on December 1, 2009. The bankrupt subsidiary was operating two Boeing 737-300 (F) freighters and five McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) freighters. The “Cargo” portion of the titles are now being removed.
Copyright Photo: Jens Polster. McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) VP-BDQ (msn 48504) climbs away from Hahn Airport near Frankfurt.
MAP Jet establishes Austriair with three ERJ 195s
February 4, 2010
MAP Jet (Vienna) in January 2010 established a new subsidiary named Austriair (Vienna) with three Embraer ERJ 195s for scheduled services on the VIE-FRA route. However this name is not likely to be used due to objections by Austrian Airlines.
Skyservice is operating Boeing 757-236 C-GTSJ in Gadair colors
February 4, 2010
Copyright Photo: Raul Sepulveda. Boeing 757-236 C-GTSJ (msn 24772) prepares to land at San Juan.
Skyservice Airlines (Toronto-Pearson) is still operating its Boeing 757-236 C-GTSJ (msn 24772) in full Gadair European Airlines colors minus any titles.
JetBlue tests new winglets on Airbus A320-232 N556JB
February 4, 2010
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) in association with Aviation Partners tested an experimental winglet design on its Airbus A320-232 N556JB (msn 1904) on January 15, 2010 for seven days at San Bernardino, CA.
For more photos and additional details please click on:
NTSB issues its Accident Report on the Colgan Air DHC-8-402 N200WQ crash
February 4, 2010
Continental Connection-Colgan Air (2nd) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N200WQ (msn 4200) DCA (crashed February 12, 2009), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Colgan Air’s (Continental Connection) (Manassas) captain of Colgan Air flight 3407 “inappropriately responded to the activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover.” according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
According to the NTSB; “On February 12, 2009, a Colgan Air, Inc., Bombardier DHC-8-400, (actually a DHC-8-402) registered N200WQ (msn 4200), operating as Continental Connection flight CO 3407, was on an instrument approach to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, Buffalo, New York, when it crashed into a residence in Clarence Center, New York, about 5 nautical miles northeast of the airport. The 2 pilots, 2 flight attendants, and 45 passengers aboard the airplane were killed, one person on the ground was killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The flight was a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 scheduled passenger flight from Newark, New Jersey. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
The report states that, when the stick shaker activated to warn the flight crew of an impending aerodynamic stall, the captain should have responded correctly to the situation by pushing forward on the control column. However, the captain inappropriately pulled aft on the control column and placed the airplane into an accelerated aerodynamic stall.
Contributing to the cause of the accident were the Crewmembers’ failure to recognize the position of the low-speed cue on their flight displays, which indicated that the stick shaker was about to activate, and their failure to adhere to sterile cockpit procedures. Other contributing factors were the captain’s failure to effectively manage the flight and Colgan Air’s inadequate procedures for airspeed selection and management during approaches in icing conditions.”
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. N200WQ is pictured on approach to Washington (Reagan National) before the tragic accident.
WestJet introduces its “Care-antee” logojet
February 3, 2010
WestJet C-GWSZ – Special Livery!, originally uploaded by Rick Schlamp.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) this month will take delivery of its new “Care-antee” logojet.
The new program was introduced on April 21, 2009. According to the airline, “Care-antee” is a comprehensive pledge to its customers that is “setting a new standard for service and value in the Canadian airline industry. The WestJet Care-antee is a set of promises we vow to uphold in good times and bad. It’s a very public commitment to our guests that we will continue to deliver exceptional service and value, especially now when they need it most.”
Here are the written guarantees the company is making to its customers:
- We will not charge you to change or cancel your flight for 24 hours
after you book
- We will not charge you for call centre bookings
- We will not overbook your flight
- We will not charge you for two checked bags
- We will have the lowest, change, cancel and pre-reserved seating fees in Canada
- We will accommodate you if your flight is delayed. Even if it’s
Mother Nature’s fault
- We will fly you in the youngest all-jet fleet in North America
- We will provide live seatback TV on our flights
- We will give you ample legroom and overhead bin space
- We will publish our on-time, lost baggage and cancellation rates
- We will always let you know how we’re doing as a company
- We will offer free online check-in and seat selection 24 hours before departure
- We will allow you to transfer your credit files to friends or family
for free
- We will give you free snacks and refreshments on your flight
- We will always include smiles and thank yous. Always
Well done WestJet. You may be the best airline in North America.
Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSZ (msn 37092) was painted in this eye-catching “cloud” livery in late January 2010 and will be delivered in February. C-GWSZ taxies past the camera at Seattle (King County-Boeing Field) showing the English side. The right side is in French.
Air Sweden is ready to fly, first aircraft is painted
February 3, 2010
Copyright Photo: Ola Carlsson. SE-DMT is parked on this snowy ARN ramp ready to fly.
Air Sweden (2nd) (Stockholm-Arlanda) is the successor of defunct Nordic Airways. The new airline received its AOC on December 11, 2009 and intends to start operations this month. Air Sweden is owned by a number of institutions and private individuals. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81 (MD-81) SE-DMT (msn 48003) was rolled out of the ARN paint shop on February 1.
Thomson Airways to operate Boeing 757-28A G-OOBF for TCS and Starquest Expeditions on a worldwide tour
February 3, 2010
Copyright Photo: Nik French. Named "Explorer", Boeing 757-28A G-OOBF (msn 33101) waits for its departure from Manchester. The TCS and Starquest Expeditions titles and logo are only on the left side (Thomson Airways on the right).
Thomson Airways (London-Luton) is planning to operate its Boeing 757-28A G-OOBF (msn 33101) for TCS and Starquest Expeditions on an around the world tour. The airliner will depart for the United States tomorrow.
British and Iberia are on tract for 1Q merger
February 3, 2010
British Airways (London) and Iberia (Madrid) are on track to sign their merger agreement to create the world’s third largest airline by revenue in the first quarter of 2010, the two carriers said yesterday (February 2).
Full news link:
Is Aeroflot headed back to being the world’s largest airline again?
February 2, 2010
Rosavia (Moscow) will not fly as Russia’s second big state airline according to Reuters. The Russian government reversed its previous policy and announced today (February 2) that six airlines which were to due to be merged under the Rosavia name will be privatised this year in order for the assets to be merged into Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow). The government previously wanted to combine bankrupt state aviation assets under the state corporation Russian Technologies and set up a new subsidiary named Rosavia to merge six state airlines, namely Rossiya Russian Airlines, KMV Avia (Kavminvodyavia), Vladivostok Air (Vladivostock Avia), Orenair (Orenburg Airlines), Saratov Airlines and SAT Airlines (Sakhalinskie Aviatrassy) (Sakhalin Airlines) under the Rosavia name and compete against Aeroflot. These airlines are now expected to become history. Is Aeroflot headed back to its Soviet size where it was once the world’s largest airline?
Full Reuters report:
Avianca and TACA create a new joint venture
February 2, 2010
Avianca (Bogota) and TACA (Grupo TACA) (San Salvador) have closed their new shareholders agreement. After completing the required regulatory and antitrust approvals to create the new joint venture, announced in October 2009, Synergy Aerospace Corp., majority shareholder of Avianca, and Kingsland Holding Limited, owner of Grupo TACA, announced they have closed their agreement to officially start its strategic integration.
This agreement allows the shareholders to contribute their investments in Avianca and Grupo TACA into a new company which will be named “AVIANCA-TACA Limited” based in the Bahamas, in which Synergy Aerospace Corporation will own 67 percent and Kingsland Holding Limited the other 33 percent.
Grupo TACA includes TACA International, and its share in LACSA, TACA Peru, AVIATECA, SANSA, La Costena, Aeroperlas and Islena Airlines. AVIANCA includes: Avianca, SAM and TAMPA, as well as the purchase option that Grupo Synergy has in AeroGal in Ecuador and OceanAir in Brazil.
Allegiant to establish a new base at Grand Rapids
February 2, 2010
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Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) announced it will establish a new base at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, and will start nonstop service to its sixth destination from GRR with new twice-weekly service to Myrtle Beach, SC starting on April 30.
Beginning on April 27, the carrier will base two 150-seat DC-9-80 (MD-80) series aircraft at the airport. Allegiant’s operation will grow to 34 flights per week.
AirTran to start Baltimore/Washington-Jacksonville flights
February 2, 2010
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AirTran Airways (Orlando and Atlanta) announced that it will begin new nonstop service between Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Jacksonville International Airport on May 4. The airline will offer two daily nonstop flights between the two destinations.
JAL claims it is still “neutral” on American and Delta proposals
February 1, 2010
JAL-Japan Airlines’ (Tokyo) new president said the bankrupt carrier has not yet decided whether to stick with partner American Airlines or defect to Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam group.
News link: finance.yahoo.com/news/JAL-says-still-neutral-on-rb-2521463313.html?x=0&.v=2
