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AeroSur is now operating “Skarko” on the Santa Cruz-Miami route
August 31, 2010
AeroSur (Bolivia) Boeing 767-284 ER CP-2659 (msn 24742) (Sharko) MIA (Robert Collazo), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AeroSur (Bolivia) (Santa Cruz) has now placed it recently-painted Boeing 767-284 ER CP-2659 (msn 24742) “Sharko” on the Santa Cruz-Miami route.
Copyright Photo: Robert Collazo. CP-2659 prepares to land on runway 9 at MIA.
Virgin America to fly to Cancun and Cabo
August 31, 2010
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) SEA, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) has announced it will serve San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and Cancun International Airport (CUN) with nonstop flights from California starting this winter. Nonstop flights launch from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SJD as of December 16, 2010, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to CUN as of January 19, 2011, and from SFO-CUN as of January 20, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) awaits takeoff clearance at Seattle/Tacoma.
Mexicana, Mexicana Click and Mexicana Link all shut down
August 30, 2010
Nuevo Grupo Aeronáutico, S.A. de C.V. (“Grupo Mexicana”) (Mexico City) announced that as a result of the group’s delicate financial situation when it changed owners a week ago, compounded by failure to reach agreements that would allow for the capitalization of its three airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Mexicana Click and Mexicana Link flights suspended all operations until further notice as of midday (12:00 p.m.) on Saturday, August 28, 2010.
Among the factors that have contributed to this announcement are:
1. Grupo Mexicana’s fragile financial situation, which has deteriorated further over the last four weeks due to the previous management’s decision to suspend ticket sales, forcing the company to continue operating in the interests of passengers without receiving any revenue.
2. No substantial agreements were reached to give companies in the Group long-term viability.
3. Lack of effectiveness in the insolvency (Concurso Mercantil) process intended to protect additional financial resources available to the company so it could to continue operating.
4. Given the uncertainty of the situation, certain suppliers have begun demanding advanced payment of services that are essential to the airlines’ operations.
Compañía Mexicana de Aviación, S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Mexicana, was the first airline ever established in Mexico.
The company was established on July 12, 1921, by American residents in Mexico, L.A. Winship and Harry J. Lawson when the Compañía Mexicana de Transportación Aérea, S.A. (literally: “Mexican Company of Air Transport”), (CMTA) was awarded the Mexico City to Tampico route by the Mexican government. The purpose was to transport wages to the oil fields near Tampico, on the Gulf of Mexico. Mexicana’s first aircraft type was the Lincoln Standard, a two-seat biplane, starting operations with two airplanes of the type.
Copyright Photo: Manuel Delgado. Historic Photo: De Havilland Comet 4C XA-NAS (msn 6425) taxies past the camera at San Antonio.
Frontier Airlines to add weekly Denver-Liberia (Costa Rica) service
August 30, 2010
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N919FR (msn 1980) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced plans to expand its international service with the addition of a second Costa Rica destination. Frontier will launch seasonal service to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) beginning Feb. 13, 2011, with weekly nonstop flights to/from its hub at Denver International Airport (DEN). The flight will operate on Sundays with Airbus A319s through August 21, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A319-111 N919FR (msn 1980) departs from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
United and Continental win antitrust approval for their merger
August 28, 2010
United Airlines (Chicago) has secured U.S. antitrust approval to merge with Continental Airlines (Houston) yesterday (August 27), throwing a sweetener to rival Southwest Airlines (Dallas) to allow the creation of the world’s largest carrier according to this report by Reuters.
United and Continental struck a deal to give Southwest some take-off and landing rights at a key airport hub, Newark Liberty International Airport near New York City, to get the approval from the U.S. Justice Department — a decision that came sooner than industry insiders had expected.
Continental and United have scheduled special stockholder meetings on September 17 to vote for approval of the merger and its is expected the deal will be closed by October 1. The deal won clearance from the European Commission in July 2010.
Read the full report:
Southwest is coming to Newark
August 28, 2010
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) and Continental Airlines (Houston) confirmed yesterday (August 27) that they entered into a lease providing Southwest Airlines access to 36 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) slots which are currently held by Continental.
The lease deal, contingent upon the closing of the Continental and United airlines’ merger by November 30, 2010, and certain governmental approvals, would give Southwest Airlines the right to operate up to 18 daily roundtrip flights at Newark, New Jersey, with some flights beginning in March 2011 and a full schedule in place by June 2011. The slots are spread throughout the day and would allow Southwest the ability to integrate Newarkservice conveniently into its extensive national route network.
Southwest is working with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Continental and United Airlines to finalize arrangements for commencing its Newark service inMarch 2011, including the approval of the acquisition of the necessary airport gates and facilities. Details on what cities Southwest will serve from Newark and on what dates that service will begin have not yet been determined.
Virgin Blue and Etihad Airways sign a commercial agreement, will acquire Airbus A330-200s
August 27, 2010
Virginblue.com.au (Virgin Blue Airlines) Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-VUA (00-Mile High Karaoke) (Black Eyed Peas) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin Blue Holdings Limited (Brisbane) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) have signed an agreement establishing a commercial partnership that will enable Virgin Blue’s international arm, V Australia, to launch direct services to Abu Dhabi in 2011 and the two airlines to offer a joint network of more than 100 destinations from October 1, 2010.
Together, Etihad and V Australia will move towards a total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia – including double-daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.
V Australia will operate three Sydney-Abu Dhabi services per week from February 2011 and three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services per week by February 2012, using its new fleet of three-class Boeing 777-300ER and becoming the first Australian carrier to operate to the Middle East since 1991.
From October, Virgin Blue Group customers can access Etihad’s network of 65 destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Subcontinent. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 45 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia, South Africa and Los Angeles.
In other news, The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines announced the second phase of its network review with the introduction of Airbus A330-200 aircraft for its domestic network and an overhaul of its international long haul network.
The introduction of the two Airbus A330-200 will increase the fleet size to 90 aircraft. The first A330-200s will operate services between Perth and the east coast of Australia.
From February 2011, Virgin Blue will consolidate its international V Australia network to two strategic hubs in Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi providing a gateway to a truly international network through partnerships.
V Australia will withdraw from its loss making Boeing 777-300 services to South Africa and Phuket.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Boeing 737-8FE VH-VUA (msn 33997), decorated with the “Mile High Karaoke” markings taxies at Sydney.
QANTAS grounds five Bombardier Q400s
August 27, 2010
QANTAS Link-Sunstate Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) VH-QOS (msn 4263) BNE (Peter Gates), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) grounded five Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) turboprop aircraft due to landing gear problems.
The aircraft, operated by its QANTAS Link carriers were removed from service on August 21 following advice from the manufacturer, the airline said in a statement.
Cracks were discovered in a major component of a landing gear fitting in five of its 21 Q400s, with the remaining 16 Q400s unaffected and to remain in service.
The company issued the following statement:
Copyright Photo: Peter Gates. Sunstate Airlines’ Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) VH-QOS (msn 4263) arrives at Brisbane.
jetBlue Airbus A320 evacuates on the runway at Sacramento
August 27, 2010
JetBlue Airways’ (New York-JFK) flight B6 262 from Long Beach to Sacramento yesterday (August 26) operated with an Airbus A320 had its tires burst on landing causing a fire in Sacramento. 14 people complained of minor injuries while evacuating the aircraft on the runway. However only four were taken to area hospitals.
Read the full report from CNN:
Delta wants to add two non-hub routes from London Heathrow
August 27, 2010
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332 ER N1605 (msn 30198) GRU (Marcelo F. De Biasi), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has filed applications with the European Commission (EC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting permission to operate twice-daily year-round service between London’s Heathrow Airport and Boston, and daily year-round service between Heathrow and Miami.
The slots for the new service are available following the U.S. and E.U. governments’ approval of an immunized trans-Atlantic alliance between American Airlines and British Airways. The government required the airlines to divest some Heathrow slots in order to enhance competition in the most tightly restricted markets.
If approved, Delta’s Heathrow service from Boston and Miami would begin March 27, 2011, and would be offered in cooperation with its trans-Atlantic joint venture partners Air France-KLM and Alitalia.
If approved, Delta would operate Boeing 767-300 ERs on both routes.
Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi. Boeing 767-332 ER N1605 (msn 30198) prepares to land at Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).
Boeing delays the first 787 delivery to ANA to mid first quarter 2011
August 27, 2010
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) BFI (Gabor Hajdufi) (test aircraft ZA002), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) said that it now expects delivery of the first 787 to ANA in the middle of the first quarter 2011.
The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall.
While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.
Boeing said last month that the cumulative impact of a series of issues, including supplier workmanship issues related to the horizontal stabilizer and instrumentation delays, could push first delivery of the 787 a few weeks into 2011. The delay in engine availability has extended that estimate to mid-first quarter 2011.
Meanwhile, due to the new delay, Kenya Airways is threatening to cancel its order for the new airplane.
Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi. Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) (test aircraft ZA002) arrives back at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County) after a test flight.
Tibet Airlines orders three Airbus A319s, intends to start operations in 2011
August 26, 2010
Tibet Airlines (Lhasa) is a new airline that has ordered three Airbus A319s. The new carrier was approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2010 and intends to start operations in 2011.
Henan Airlines shuts down following the fatal crash
August 26, 2010
Henan Airlines (formerly Kunpeng Airlines) (Zhengzhou) suspended all operations yesterday (August 25) following the fatal Embraer ERJ 190 crash the previous day. The investigation continues concerning the crash that killed 42 people and injured another 54.
FilAir let L-410 crashes in the Congo, 20 dead
August 26, 2010
FilAir’s (Kinshasa) Let L410UVP-E 9Q-CCN (msn 902422) yesterday (August 25) was operating a passenger flight originating from Kinshasa for Bandundu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 13:00 (1300) local time, the aircraft crashed into a house 1.2 miles short of the runway at Bandundu. The airliner hit a house but nobody was injured on the ground. Twenty people aboard the plane were killed leaving a single female passenger as a survivor. Radio Okapi reported that the aircraft ran out of fuel after being unable to land at Bandundu.
Read the full report from Times Live:
Nile Air starts operations
August 26, 2010
Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord.
Nile Air (Cairo) has finally commenced operations this month with two Airbus A320s. The new airline received its AOC on November 1, 2009 but did not start until this month.
Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord. Airbus A320-232 SU-BQC (msn 3219) prepares to land at London (Heathrow). It was acquired on November 4, 2009.
CityLine Swiss to start Dortmund-Rome flights in November
August 26, 2010
CityLine Swiss (subsidiary of CityLine Hungary) (Lugano) is a new airline which is planning to commence scheduled passenger operations in November linking Dortmund with Rome. The company will operate a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) on the route, three times weekly.
Airberlin loses $72.3 million in the second quarter
August 26, 2010
Airberlin (Airberlin.com) Boeing 737-86J WL D-ABBF (msn 32917) NUE (Gunter Mayer), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Berlin-Tegel) reported a net loss in the second quarter of $72.3 million.
In other news the company is in discussions with its new Oneworld partner about code sharing which is expected to start in November.
Read the full report from the WSJ:
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. Boeing 737-86J D-ABBF (msn 32917) arrives at Nuremberg.
SAS to lease the eight Blue1 MD-90s to an unidentified U.S. airline
August 26, 2010
Blue1 (blue1.com) McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 OH-BLC (msn 53459) LHR (Antony J. Best) (to be phased out), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is planning to lease its eight McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30s to an unidentified U.S. carrier (Delta?). The aircraft are currently being operated by subsidiary Blue1 (Helsinki) but are being replaced by newer Boeing 717-200s.
Read the report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Blue1′s McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 OH-BLC (msn 53459) at London (Heathrow).
Mexicana is blocked from firing its flight attendants
August 26, 2010
Mexicana Airbus A319-112 N790MX (msn 3790) LAX, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Mexicana’s (Mexico City) new owners have hit a roadblock in its plan to fire 1,000 flight attendants according to Reuters. The labor ministry told Tendora K the action would be illegal. The proposed takeover is now in jeopardy in this continuing saga to keep the airline flying.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Airbus A319-112 N790MX (msn 3790) taxies at Los Angeles.
Delta to add five new destinations and 14 new flights from Raleith/Durham
August 26, 2010
Delta McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 N902DA (msn 53382) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is building up its services from Raleigh/Durham. Starting on November 11, DL will add new destinations from RDU and 14 new flights bringing the total to 54 flights.
Read the full report from the Triangle Business Journal:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 N902DA (msn 53382) prepares for departure from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Allegiant Air to start Minot-Las Vegas service
August 26, 2010
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87) N949MA (msn 49779) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Minot, ND and Las Vegas starting on October 22.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between Minot International Airport (MOT) and McCarran International Airport (LAS), with service on Monday and Friday. Flights will depart Minot at 12:10 p.m. (1210) arriving in Las Vegas at 1 p.m. (1300). Flights leaving Las Vegas will depart at 6:50 a.m. (0650) arriving in Minot at 11:30 a.m. (1130) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 (MD-80) jet aircraft on the route.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. DC-9-87 (MD-87) N949MA (msn 49779) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Joel Chusid’s Airline Corner (August 2010)
August 25, 2010 — 3 Comments
Guest Editor Joel Chusid
Guest Editor
Tikes and Trykes
With more airlines charging for checked baggage, and now carry-ons as well in some cases, passengers are sometimes inclined to push the limit. Traveling with children now means bringing a car seat and strollers that are far heavier and with more bells and whistles than one can imagine, as I’ve seen on a regular basis when working at SeaTac. While in the security queue at Houston’s Bush International Airport one hot summer morning, I was amazed to see a family traveling with two children, one a toddler who was riding her tricycle in the line. TSA is not going to allow this, I figured. While I could kick myself for not sticking around for witnessing their reaction, a short time later, while I grabbed some breakfast, around came the child on the tricycle, bells a‘chinging, through the restaurant. They made it through! If I hadn’t seen the little girl hop off and run, I might have assumed that she had a physical challenge which required the tricycle. But then again, maybe it was a case where she required this for emotional support as has been the case with some passengers need emotional support animals. Who knows?
Elite Member Bare Bonus
VIP members of frequent flyer programs are often plied with bonus mileage, upgrades, lounge passes and all sorts of amenities. Here comes Russian airline Aeroflot designing and providing a calendar for its elite members featuring their flight attendants in various stages of undress. There are poses both inside and outside of the airplane. The January page features a totally nude attendant sporting only a red uniform hat and shoes posing suggestively inside an engine cowling. Reportedly the airline was angry that the pictures were leaked online before their VIP members received their copies. Rival airline Avianova is known for racy TV commercials, one of which featured its bikini-clad attendants stripping down to wash an airplane. It’s gone viral on YouTube with a familiar song from the 60’s.(http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DVjO_NZrQVNA).
A few months earlier, flight attendants from bankrupt Spanish airline Air Comet posed nude for a calendar to bring attention to their financial plight.
Earn Miles, See Better
It’s easy nowadays to earn miles for almost anything without leaving the ground as frequent flyer points have become a true currency of their own. Here’s a way to earn 25,000 miles (enough for a free trip). Just have your Lasik surgery done by LasikPlus and pocket the miles on Delta. Details are online.
Complimentary….on Spirit Airlines
Not much is free on Spirit Airlines, which recently made the controversial move of charging passengers for carry-on baggage and is considering a $10 fee to talk to a human being. They’ve also taken away the ability to recline your seat through their infamous “pre-reclined seats.” But not wanting to be tarred by the same brush (no pun intended, read on) as Irish carrier Ryanair, Spirit announced it would not be charging for lavatory use. In order to do that, they would begin advertising on their lavatory mirrors. “Fresh and Go” toothbrushes signed on as the first advertiser. I’m not so sure advertising toothbrushes in airplane lavs is such a good idea. If you intend to brush your teeth, just make sure the water from the sink is safe to use; on some carriers, especially abroad but also on regional jets in the U.S., it may not be potable.
Beer Aboard, Nothing New
Japanese airline ANA recently announced it would be the first airline in the world to offer beer from kegs, available on many of its domestic flights. Not so fast. Internet user-generated comments begged to differ, claiming Northwest used to offer in their World Business Class; Swissair in the 1990s rolled a keg down the aisle. I remember Lufthansa did it on their Boeing 707s in the 1960s. In fact, online there’s a first day cover envelope with a stamp featuring a passenger being served from the keg on inaugural flight 402 on April 30, 1961 from Cologne to New York’s JFK. (See http://www.stamps-auction.com/germany-1961-lufthansa-flight-cover-advert-mug-beer-keg-for-sale-5717) Sorry, ANA. Not to be outdone, it’s reported Chicago O’Hare and Midway are considering roving beer and wine kegs to use within the terminal concourse for thirsty travelers, and Mayor Richard Daley has endorsed the idea.
Flight Crews Dressed Down
Forget the rogue JetBlue flight attendant now in his 13th minute of 15 minutes of fame. Once again an airline captain has gone afoul of Brazilian security. In 2004, an American Airlines captain in Sao Paulo, disgusted with the new rule that required passengers to be photographed, gave the officer the finger which cost him a $13,000 fine in lieu of criminal charges. (Coincidentally, had he given the “OK” sign common in the US and other countries, not the thumbs up, it would have been just as offensive in Brazil.) A United Airlines pilot, going through security for his flight to Washington, when asked to remove his belt and shoes, responded by dropping his pants. Now remember that this is in Rio de Janeiro, known for scantily clad masses on the beach. But this isn’t the beach, and the pilot was briefly detained until he signed a form that we would return to court on his next trip to Brazil. No word on whether he did or not.
No words, no seat
Here’s one of the more creative ads I’ve seen for an airline seat. KLM promoted its new economy class seats in a live installation in a shopping mall. It’s gone viral on YouTube, and not only does it not include dialogue, it doesn’t include the seat either! Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6NPF0A_vGC4
Last spring’s eruption of Iceland’s unpredictable Eyjafjallajokul volcano caused major disruptions to trans-Atlantic and European air travel. Now commercial pilots flying above Scotland and England have been warned by British air traffic control authorities to be on the lookout for a giant vulture, named Galdalf, no less, with a ten-foot wingspan, that can fly at altitudes higher than 30,000 feet. Native to Africa, the seven year old Rupell’s Vulture, escaped during a show at the World of Wings in North Lanarkshire. The bird, which performed in the show since 2006, has no fear of humans, can inflict a sharp bite if encountered, but the concern about damage to an aircraft is real. In 1973, a vulture was ingested into a jet engine at an attitude of of 36,000 feet near Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Airbus A380 Built out of Lego Not a Toy
A Melbourne, Australia man has built an amazing model of a QANTAS Airbus A380 out of 35,000 LEGO bricks. Seven feet long and six feet wide, the double decker plane includes a cutaway of the interior, complete with touch screen-operated landing gear and lights. The model includes famous passengers such as Star War’s Yoda and Samuel L. Jackson (“Snakes on a Plane”) and even some of the serpents themselves. The plane took eight months to build, and was transported to Chicago (as delicate cargo) for the annual Brickworld event. Catch a glimpse of it here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1253931/Lego-fan-builds-Qantas-Airbus-A380-2010-Brickworld-Lego-event-Chicago.html
Thank you Joel. Comments are always welcome.
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Sama Airlines ceases all operations
August 25, 2010 — 2 Comments
Sama Airlines Boeing 737-3L9 HZ-AMC (msn 24570) JED (Pepscl) (ceased operations), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Sama Airlines (Damman) ceased all operations on August 24, 2010. The low-cost carrier was operating six Boeing 737-300s.
Click on the link below for more information:
CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Pepscl. The special green and white Boeing 737-3L9 HZ-AMC (msn 24570) is pictured between flights at Jeddah.
Libyan Airlines gets ready to take delivery of first direct Airbus A320, revises its livery
August 25, 2010
Libyan Airlines (Tripoli) is getting ready to take delivery of its first new Airbus A320 direct from Airbus (others were wet leased).
Copyright Photo: Airbus A320-214 F-WWBX (msn 4405) climbs away from Toulouse on a test flight on August 24 in a revised color scheme. The new airliner will become 5A-LAH on delivery.
Turkish Airlines reports a 2Q net profit of $104 million
August 25, 2010
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 WL TC-JHF (msn 35745) (FIBA 2010 World Basketball Championship) NUE (Gunter Mayer), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) missed its estimates but still reported a net profit of $104 million in the second quarter ($170 million in the first half).
Read the full report from Bloomberg Businessweek:
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. As the official airline sponsor, Turkish Airlines has decorated this Boeing 737-8F2 TC-JHF (msn 35745) for the FIBA 2010 World Basketball Championship running from August 28 through September 12. TC-JHF is pictured on the ramp at Nuremberg.
Aer Lingus narrows first half loss to $23.4 million
August 25, 2010
Aer Lingus Airbus A321-211 EI-CPF (msn 991) LHR (Roy Lock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aer Lingus (Dublin) narrowed its first half net loss to $23.4 million.
Read the full report in the WSJ:
Copyright Photo: Roy Lock. Airbus A321-211 EI-CPF (msn 991) prepares to depart from Heathrow Airport bound for Dublin.
Horizon Air to change its business plan
August 25, 2010
Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N428QX (msn 4160) SEA (Bruce Drum) (to give up brand), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Horizon Air (Seattle/Tacoma) is planning to give up its branded operations and will enter into a full capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with its parent Alaska Airlines starting on January 1, 2011.
Read the full report from Aviation Week:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N428QX (msn 4160) holds for runway takeoff clearance at the Seattle/Tacoma base.
American Eagle starts New York LaGuardia-Charlotte
August 25, 2010
American Eagle Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N520DC (msn 10140) DCA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (August 24) launched three daily nonstop flights between New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Eagle is flying the route with Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet aircraft.
All of American Eagle’s existing fleet of 25 CRJ700 aircraft have been outfitted with a premium cabin, and the airline has also begun taking delivery of 22 new two-class CRJ700s, with all the new jets arriving by the end of second quarter 2011.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N520DC (msn 10140) prepares to land at Washington (Reagan National).
American Airlines’ mechanics reject the latest offer
August 25, 2010
American Airlines Boeing 777-223 ER N756AM (msn 30264) LAX (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines’ (Dallas/Fort Worth) unionized mechanics, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), have voted against ratifying a new contract, potentially setting up a future strike if a new contract cannot be agreed upon.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-223 ER N756AM (msn 30264) climbs away from Los Angeles.
Agni Air Dornier Do228 9N-AHE is missing in Nepal
August 24, 2010
Agni Air’s (Kathmandu) Dornier Do228-101 9N-AHE (msn 7032) being operated on a flight between Kathmandu and the mountain airport of Lukla near Mount Everest with 14 people on board is missing and presumed to have crashed in central Nepal.
Read the full report from Flightglobal:
Henan Airlines Embraer ERJ 190 B-3130 crashes in China
August 24, 2010
Henan Airlines (formerly Kunpeng Airlines) (Zhengzhou) lost its Embraer ERJ 190-100LR B-3130 (msn 19000233) tonight in China. The jet broke apart as it approached the fog-shrouded runway at Lindu Airport near Yichun and crashed into a grass field, killing 43 people and injuring 53 others, state media said.
The airliner had departed from Harbin.
Kunpeng Airlines was originally founded as a joint venture between Shenzhen Airlines and the Mesa Air Group. In 2009 Mesa Air Group and Shenzhen terminated their agreement and Shenzhen announced that the airline would be renamed Henan Airlines.
Kalitta Air acquires the 12 ex-Northwest Boeing 747-200Fs from Delta
August 24, 2010 — 2 Comments
Northwest Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-222B (SF) N645NW (msn 23736) LAX (Roy Lock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Kalitta Air (2nd) (Ypsilanti) has acquired the retired fleet of 12 ex-Northwest Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-200F freighters from Delta Air Lines.
Copyright Photo: Roy Lock. Boeing 747-222B (SF) N645NW (msn 23736) of Northwest Airlines taxies to the cargo parking spot at Los Angeles before the merger.
AirAsia’s 2Q profit rises 43% to $63 million, sells 500,000 tickets in 24 hours
August 24, 2010
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) Airbus A320-216 9M-AHE (msn 3327) DPS (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) reported its second quarter net profit rose 43 percent to $63 million.
Read the full report in the WSJ:
In other news, the airline is claiming to have set a world record for the most tickets sold in 24 hours – 500,000.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. A fine ramp study of Airbus A320-216 9M-AHE (msn 3327) at Denpasar.
China Southern Airlines first half profit increases to over $30 million
August 24, 2010
China Southern Airlines Cargo Boeing 777-F1B B-2072 (msn 37310) PAE (Nick Dean), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou) reported a first half profit of $30.5 million.
Read the full report in the WSJ:
CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 777-F1B B-2072 (msn 37310) climbs away from Everett (Paine Field).
Aegean Airlines and Continental Airlines to code share
August 23, 2010
Aegean Airlines Airbus A320-232 SX-DVI (msn 3074) STN (Pedro Pics), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aegean Airlines (Athens) and its Star Alliance partner Continental Airlines (Houston) today (August 23) announced plans to start code sharing on Continental’s flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Athens, as well as on selected flights operated by Aegean Airlines in Europe.
Effective August 23, 2010, Continental will place its “CO” code on selected Aegean Airlines-operated flights between Athens and six leading holiday destinations in Greece (Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Chania) and between Athens and Larnaca, Cyprus. At a future date to be determined, Continental will also codeshare on Aegean flights between Athens and London/Heathrow, United Kingdom, and Munich and Frankfurt, Germany. Pending government approval, Continental will also codeshare on Aegean flights between Athens and Paris/Charles de Gaulle, France, and Rome/Fiumicino, Italy.
Also effective August 23, 2010, Aegean Airlines will place its “A3″ code on Continental’s flights between New York/Newark and Athens. Pending government approval, Aegean will also codeshare on Continental flights from New York/Newark to Paris/Charles de Gaulle and to Rome/Fiumicino.
On the financial side, Aegean reported a first half loss of $42 million.
Copyright Photo: Pedro Pics. Airbus A320-232 SX-DVI (msn 3074) of Aegean Airlines is pictured at London (Stansted).
Did malware cause Spanair’s McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) EC-HFP to crash?
August 22, 2010
Spanair McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) EC-HFP (msn 53148) (Star Alliance) MXP (Yannick Delamarre) (crashed August 20, 2008), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Spanair’s (Barcelona) flight JKK 5022 on August 20, 2008 operating from Madrid to Gran Canaria, crashed on takeoff. The airliner veered off to the right and into the ground while climbing immediately after lifting off from runway 36L at 1445 local time. The McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 MD-82 with the registration of EC-HFP (msn 53148) was carrying 162 passengers and 10 crew. In the accident 154 people were killed, two were seriously injured and 12 were slightly injured.
The on-going investigation has discovered the central computer system used to monitor technical problems in the aircraft was infected with malware.
According to the linked article, an internal report issued by Spanair revealed the infected computer failed to detect three technical problems with the aircraft, which if detected, may have prevented the plane from taking off, according to reports in the Spanish newspaper, El Pais.
Read the full report from MSNBC.com:
Copyright Photo: Ill-fated McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) EC-HFP (msn 53148) painted in the Star Alliance livery taxies at Milan (Malpensa).
Mexican consortium Tenedora K buys 95% of Mexicana
August 22, 2010
Mexicana Airbus A319-112 N612MX (msn 1612) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Mexicana (Mexico City) has a new majority owner and savior. Mexican consortium named Tenedora K has acquired 95 percent of the shares of the troubled airline through private equity firm Advent International.
Read the full story from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Airbus A319-112 N612MX (msn 1612) taxies at Toronto (Pearson).
Scandinavian Airlines blames Icelandic volcanic ash for 2Q loss of $68 million
August 21, 2010
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Boeing 737-783 WL LN-RNU (msn 34548) ARN (Stefan Sjogren), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has blamed the airspace closures due the recent Icelandic volcanic ash as the main reason for the second quarter loss of $68 million.
Read the full report from the Associated Press:
Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. Boeing 737-783 LN-RNU (msn 34548) climbs away from runway 08 at Stockholm (Arlanda).
Iceland Express to add Boston and Chicago in 2011
August 21, 2010
Iceland Express (Astraeus) Boeing 757-2Q8 G-STRX (msn 25621) SEN (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Iceland Express (Keflavik) is planning to add Boston and Chicago (O’Hare) for the summer season 2011.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Astraeus’ Boeing 757-2Q8 G-STRX (msn 25621) departs Southend after maintenance.
American Eagle moves into new facilities at Miami
August 20, 2010
American Eagle Airlines Embraer ERJ Tails MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (August 19) celebrated the unveiling of its new location in the North Terminal of Miami International Airport (MIA).
A state-of-the-art facility housing both American and American Eagle, the new terminal offers customers improved check-in and domestic baggage claim, with an array of shops and restaurants featuring the flavors of South Florida. American Eagle has completed the initial phase of its transition to new departure areas at gates D53, D55 and D60.
The new departure lounge features two concourse-level gates with jetbridges for convenient boarding. When the next phase of construction is complete, lower-level gates will eliminate the need for most shuttle buses to take passengers to awaiting aircraft. A new Skytrain is expected to open in September that will whisk thousands of customers per hour along the 1.4 mile North Terminal concourse, enabling easy connections to American Airlines flights.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
FAA is close to a large fine against American (Reuters)
August 20, 2010
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) could be facing a large fine. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) is considering a significant fine against AA for the problems discovered with the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 fleet in 2008 according to this report by Reuters.
Read the full report:
Allegiant Air to start Moline/Quad Cities-Las Vegas flights
August 20, 2010
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) announced new, nonstop jet service between the Moline/Quad Cities, IL, and Las Vegas will begin on October 14. Fares start at $44.99.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) arrives at the LAS hub.
IndiGo intends to acquire 150 aircraft in the next 3 years as it expands internationally
August 19, 2010
IndiGo Airlines (Delhi) has received the Indian government’s approval to acquire 150 aircraft over the next two to three years according to this Reuters report. The low-fare airline intends to start flying international routes.
IndiGo will be eligible in August 2011 to start adding international routes.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: The first A320, A320-232 with the test registration of F-WWIH (msn 2844) departs on a test flight from Toulouse. It became VT-INA.
American to charge extra to sit in the first rows of Coach
August 19, 2010
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is finding new ways to charge extra fees (when will it end?). According to the airline, AA “is introducing Express Seats(SM), the newest product offering under its Your Choice(SM) line of products and services that provide customers a way to purchase special services they value.
With Express Seats travelers can purchase seats in the first few rows of Coach, including bulkhead seats in that cabin. Additionally, customers who purchase an Express Seat are able to board with Group 1 of General Boarding for their flight, providing them the convenience of being among the first Coach customers on and off the plane.
Express Seats are available to all American Airlines customers and can be purchased exclusively via airport Self-Service Check-In machines anytime from 24 hours to 50 minutes prior to scheduled flight departure for travel wholly within the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Introductory pricing for Express Seats begins at $19 per flight, with pricing based on distance. Here are some examples of introductory prices for Express Seats on popular American Airlines routes:
- $19 for St. Louis to Chicago O’Hare
- $29 for San Francisco to Dallas/Fort Worth
- $29 for Boston to Chicago O’Hare
- $39 for New York JFK to Los Angeles
- $39 for Chicago O’Hare to Honolulu”
Lynx Aviation gets a reprieve, will keep three Q400s to serve Aspen
August 19, 2010
Frontier Airlines (2nd)-Lynx Aviation Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165) DEN (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) and the Republic Airways Holdings parent is giving the Lynx Aviation (Denver) division another chance to survive. Frontier announced that Lynx will continue its Denver (DEN) to Aspen (ASE) service under the Frontier brand. Frontier will service the Aspen flights with Lynx’s Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) turboprop aircraft. Service will include one departure per day from October 1 through November 17, two departures per day November 18 through December 15 and four daily departures from December 16 through April 2011. Frontier Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (Indianapolis).
Frontier had announced in late July that it would cease its Denver to Aspen service on September 30. However, the company has made the decision to retain three of its Bombardier Q400 aircraft in order to carry on service to Aspen and several other Colorado locations.
In addition to Aspen, Frontier will use the Q400s to serve other Colorado routes, including Durango and Colorado Springs.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165) taxies from the gate at the DEN hub.
Airberlin’s pilots are threatening a strike this month
August 18, 2010
Airberlin (Airberlin.com) Airbus A319-112 D-ABGP (msn 3728) ZRH (Paul Bannwarth), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Airberlin’s (Air-Berlin) (Berlin-Tegel) pilots are threatening to go on stike this month.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth. Airbus A319-112 D-ABGP (msn 3728) approach Zurich for landing.
Air Canada to add Vancouver-Tokyo Haneda service
August 18, 2010
Air Canada Boeing 767-38E ER C-GBZR (msn 25404) (Free Spirit) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Canada (Montreal) announced it is boosting service to Tokyo by adding a new daily, nonstop flight between Vancouver and Haneda Airport, conveniently located near the Japanese capital. The new route begins on January 29, 2011 and will complement existing daily flights to Narita International airport, meaning Air Canada is doubling daily service between Vancouver and Tokyo as part of its international expansion strategy.
The airline’s new flights to Haneda will be operated onboard 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Boeing 767-38E ER C-GBZR “Free Spirit” (msn 25404) is tugged from the gate at Toronto (Pearson).
AirTran Airways to drop the Atlanta-Miami route on October 7
August 18, 2010
AirTran Airways Boeing 717-2BD N895AT (msn 55047) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirTran Airways (Orlando) will drop the Atlanta-Miami route on October 7.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 717-2BD N895AT (msn 55047) taxies to the gate at MIA.
Sol del Paraguay’s first aircraft is painted
August 17, 2010
Copyright Photo: Andre Du-Pont/Mexico Air Spotters.
Sol del Paraguay (Asuncion) is a new airline in Paraguay. The carrier is getting ready to take delivery of its first aircraft, this ex-Mexicana Click Fokker F.28 Mk. 0100 XA-TCP (msn 11341). A second Fokker will be added in order to start regional operations in 2011.
Copyright Photo: Andre Du-Pont/Mexico Air Spotters. XA-TCP is pictured at Mexico City after repainting.
Air Transat’s pilots call for a strike if negotiations fail
August 17, 2010
Air Transat Airbus A330-243 C-GITS (msn 271) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Transat’s (Montreal) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have voted for a strike if a collective agreement is not reached with their management. In a recent strike ballot issued by the union leadership to the pilot group, an overwhelming 97 percent of pilots voted in favor of a lawful strike, should it become necessary to conclude a fair collective agreement with Air Transat management. The pilots have been in negotiations since January of this year.
On June 25, Canada’s Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, appointed Ms. Maureen Flynn to serve as conciliation commissioner. The conciliation time line establishes a series of hard deadlines for negotiators, including a 60-day conciliation period that will expire on September 10, 2010, unless the parties agree to extend the process. Under the Canada Labour Code, both the strike authorization vote and written notification to the company are required steps before any withdrawal of services can begin. At the end of conciliation, a mandatory 21-day waiting period will go into effect, which concludes at midnight on October 1, at which time Air Transat pilots will be in a legal position to strike.
After more than six months of bargaining, substantial issues remain open, particularly in the areas of job outsourcing, pilot fatigue mitigation, and compensation.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A330-243 C-GITS (msn 271) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
