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Island Air celebrates its 30th anniversary
September 11, 2010
Island Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GAFM (N814WP) (msn 4017) (Island Style) YYZ (historic photo) (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Island Air (Hawaii) (Honolulu) on Thursday (September 9) celebrated its 30th anniversary with special events in Honolulu. A orchid lei was given to each passenger departing from Honolulu and were also given a special music CD single recorded by Island Air employees.
Read the full story from HNL RareBirds:
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. The Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) proved to be too large for the Hawaiian market. DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GAFM (msn 4017) became N814WP with the carrier during its short career.
Gulfstream wins an EAS contract to serve four Continental Connection destinations from the Cleveland hub
September 11, 2010
Continental Connection-Gulfstream International Airlines Beech (Raytheon) 1900D N81538 (msn UE-199) MIA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Gulfstream International Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) a new two year contract as the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider for the communities of Bradford, PA; DuBois, PA; Franklin/Oil City, PA and Jamestown, NY. Gulfstream operates flights from all four cities to the Continental Airlines hub in Cleveland, OH.
These flights will continue to be operated under Gulfstream’s Continental Connection affiliation with Continental Airlines. Under this arrangement, Gulfstream coordinates pricing and schedules with Continental Airlines.
Gulfstream currently operates 23 aircraft with over 150 daily system departures throughout Florida, the Bahamas and now with service at Cleveland, OH. Gulfstream operates as Continental Connection, under contractual agreement with Continental Airlines. Additionally, Gulfstream has codeshare relationships with United Airlines and Copa Airlines of Panama.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Gulfstream’s Beech (Raytheon) 1900D N81538 (msn UE-199) dressed in Continental’s colors prepares to land at Miami.
Dynamic Aviation establishes Dynamic Airways as a new charter airline
September 11, 2010
Dynamic Airways McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N880DA (msn 49760) CLT (Jay Selman) (new airline), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Dynamic Aviation (Bridgewater Airpark, VA) has established Dynamic Airways as a new charter airline. The new airline is planning to start FAA proving flights as it prepares to obtain its AOC.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. The first aircraft is this ex-Midwest Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 now registered as N880DA (msn 49760, ex N701ME). The airliner is pictured at Charlotte.
Continental Airlines reaches a tentative agreement for a new contract with the Teamsters
September 11, 2010
Continental Airlines (Houston) has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) representing Continental aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees. The IBT is expected to hold a ratification vote in the coming weeks.
American starts code-sharing with Gol Transportes Aereos
September 11, 2010
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has started its new code-sharing program with Gol Transportes Aereos (Sao Paulo).
Read the full press release:
Remembering the crews, passengers and victims of September 11, 2001. An attack on aviation is an attack on us all.
September 11, 2010
Remembering the crews, passengers and victims of September 11, 2001. An attack on aviation is an attack on us all., originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
Blue Air is operating YR-BIB for Travel Service Airlines
September 10, 2010
Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten.
Blue Air (Bucharest) is operating it Boeing 737-8AS YR-BIB (msn 29926) for Travel Service Airlines (Prgue), creating this interesting hybrid livery.
Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. YR-BIB prepares to depart from Madrid.
Finnair agrees to buy 20% of Finncomm Airlines, expands code-share agreement
September 10, 2010
Finnair (Helsinki) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Finncomm Oy to buy 20% of Finncomm Airlines (Finnish Commuter Airlines Oy) (FCA) (Helsinki) and all of the stock of the companies that own Finncomm’s 12 ATR aircraft.
Finnair and Finncomm Airlines have also entered into a new commercial agreement for further cooperation on the winter schedule.
According to the Finnair press release, under the new code-share agreement with Finnair, Finncomm will fly the Turku, Tampere and Tallinn flights (as it has to date) and will also fly as a new service the Jyväskylä route, six times per day. Also on the Joensuu, Kuopio and Vaasa routes, Finncomm will fly some of the code-share flights. In addition, cooperation will cover the Norrköping route.
Finncomm Airlines’ route network also includes Kokkola, Kemi, Seinäjoki, Savonlinna and Varkaus.
The new commercial agreement replaces the previously announced agreement between Finnair and the airline Flybe on the arrangement of feeder traffic. Nevertheless, negotiations on cooperation with Flybe in other traffic will
continue.
At the same time, Finnair and Finncomm have signed a preliminary agreement on ownership arrangements through which Finncomm’s current ownership structure will change. Finnair’s objective is to acquire a minority shareholding in the Finncomm Group. A strengthening of the ownership structure through new investors will also be pursued.
Copyright Photo: It will be interesting to see if Finncomm will lose its individual brand and adopt the colors of Finnair. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) F-WWEB (msn 741) arrives back at Toulouse after a test flight in the 2003 livery. It became OH-ATE on delivery.
Sideral Air Cargo is a new cargo airline in Brazil
September 10, 2010
Sideral Air Cargo is a new cargo airline in Brazil. On August 31 the new company took delivery of its first freighter. Boeing 737-3S3 (SF) PR-SDL (msn 24060, ex N312AW) was converted by AEI-Aeronautical Engineers. Further details are welcome.
Delta renames Delta Air Elite as Delta Private Jets
September 10, 2010
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) announced that its wholly owned private jet subsidiary, Delta Air Elite, will now operate under the new brand of Delta Private Jets. Delta is the only U.S.-based carrier with commercial and private jet service.
The company operates a diverse fleet of Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream and Hawker Beechcraft jets.
Hansung Airlines to fly again as t’way
September 9, 2010
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Boeing 737-8KG HL8235 (msn 39448) departs from Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).
Hansung Airlines (Cheongju) suspended all operations on October 18, 2008. The company has reorganized and is planning to resume low fare operations this month under a new name. The carrier will operate Boeing 737-800s under the brand name of T’way Air (stilized as t’way). The ATR 72s have been retired.
Here is the new redesigned website (in Korean):
ANA and First Eastern to start a new low-cost airline
September 9, 2010
ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo-Haneda) and First Eastern Investment Group have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish the first Japanese low cost airline. The new airline will operate both international and domestic short-haul routes out of Osaka (Kansai International Airport). The new airline will operate independently from ANA.
The new company will be established in the second half of 2010 with Japanese investors holding a 66.7% stake of which ANA will hold a 39% stake and First Eastern will hold the remaining 33.3% stake, the maximum foreign ownership currently allowed for an airline in Japan. The new company’s air transport operations are expected to commence in the second half of 2011.
The choice of Kansai is an interesting choice since the relatively new airport is considered a high cost airport.
Alrosa Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85684 crash lands in Siberia
September 9, 2010
Alrosa Mirny Air Enterprise (Mirny) lost its Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85684 (msn 90A-851) in Siberia on September 7. The airliner while operating flight 6R 514 from Polyarny to Moscow (Domodedovo) with 72 passengers and nine crew members suffered a complete in-flight electrical failure. An emergency landing was made at the closed Izhma Airport. The aircraft overran the overgrown runway on landing and was substantially damaged. All 81 people on board survived the crash landing. The aircraft is a write off since it will not be able to be recovered.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. RA-85684 is pictured at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport just three days prior to the accident.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton.
View video on YouTube:
Eurocypria Airlines and Cyprus Airways to be merged
September 9, 2010
Eurocypria Airlines Boeing 737-8BK WL 5B-DBZ (msn 33030) NUE (Gunter Mayer) (to be merged with Cyprus Airways), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Eurocypria Airlines’ (Larnaca) days are probably numbered. The Cyprus government is moving ahead with plans to merge its state-controlled Cyprus Airways (Larnaca) with state-owned charter airline Eurocypria. Both airlines have been losing money. A a new chairman is expected to be announced within the next few days. Cyprus has an Airbus fleet and Eurocypria has a Boeing fleet. The Eurocypria brand is likely to disappear.
Eurocypria was established on March 25, 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyprus Airways as the first Cyprus-based charter airline. Operations began on June 6, 1992 with two new Airbus A320s. Since then the airline has added Boeing 737-800s.
Read the full report from the Financial Mirror:
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. Eurocypria’s Boeing 737-8BK 5B-DBZ (msn 33030) visits Nuremberg. The company specializes in having a different colored-tail for each aircraft.
Copa Airlines to fly to St. Maarten
September 9, 2010
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-7V3 WL HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copa Airlines (Panama City) announced new service direct from Panama City to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten (St. Martin), beginning on December 18, 2010.
The new flight will depart Panama City (PTY) on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 12:22 p.m. (1222), arriving in St. Maarten (SXM) at 4:17 p.m. (1617). The return flight will depart on the same days at 5:30 p.m. (1730), arriving in Panama City at 7:44 p.m. (1944).
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-7V3 HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) taxies to the South Terminal at Miami International Airport.
OpenSkies offers a money-back guarantee
September 8, 2010
OpenSkies (British Airways) Boeing 757-236 WL G-BPEK (msn 25808) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
OpenSkies (British Airways) (Paris-Orly), the all business-class airline operating transatlantic flights, today launched its “OpenSkies Satisfaction Guarantee” program offering customers the opportunity to fly the airline and receive reimbursement if not satisfied with the experience – an unprecedented offer in the airline sector.
According to the airline, the launch of this unique program, in effect today, Wednesday, September 8, 2010 through November 30, 2010, follows a survey conducted by OpenSkies in June 2010, which reveals that of the 4,250 people polled, 96.85 percent of passengers would recommend OpenSkies.
OpenSkies currently flies from Newark and Washington (Dulles) to Paris (Orly).
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. OpenSkies’ Boeing 757-236 G-BPEK (msn 25808) gracefully climbs away from Dulles International Airport near Washington.
Michael O’Leary: Ryanair could buy up to 300 aircraft
September 8, 2010
Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-DCL (msn 33806) (Dreamliner colors) BLQ (Lucio Alfieri), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Ryanair (Dublin) which pulled out of negotiations with Boeing for 200 aircraft, is back in the news with its CEO (Michael O’Leary) saying the company may be in the market this time for up to 300 aircraft (assuming the price is right).
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Lucio Alfieri. Boeing 737-8AS EI-DCL (msn 33806) visits Bologna in the Boeing colors.
US Airways’ pilots protest pay and the slow pace of contract talks
September 8, 2010
US Airways Airbus A319-112 N733UW (msn 1205) (Pittsburgh Steelers) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways (Phoenix) are picketing at the Philadelphia International Airport today (September 8) to bring attention to what it believes to be US Airways’ deliberate efforts to drag out contract negotiations since 2005, while benefiting from paying its pilots the lowest wages among the major airlines.
In September 2005, US Airways and America West Airlines announced a merger of the two carriers. In USAPA’s view, that attempt at consolidation has not gone smoothly.
Because of the separate pilot contracts, US Airways is really two airlines (East and West) operating under the same brand but the flight crews and aircraft are not mixed.
According to the union, the US Airways pilots entered contract negotiations with management in November 2005 under the terms of a Transition Agreement at the time of the US Airways-America West merger. In April 2009, USAPA requested a National Mediation Board (NMB) facilitator to assist the parties in reaching an agreement, but US Airways rejected that proposal. In November 2009, USAPA applied directly to the NMB for federally-mediated talks. The NMB granted that request in January 2010. NMB-mediated contract negotiations are currently ongoing.
USAPA believes that, should US Airways management fail to adequately address the pilots’ concerns, contract talks could reach an impasse and end in a self-help situation.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Belonging to the East fleet, Airbus A319-112 N733UW (msn 1205), dressed in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers brand, taxies to the runway at Charlotte. The NFL begins a new football season on September 9.
JetBlue Airways to fly to Provo from JFK and Boston
September 8, 2010
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N562JB (msn 1948) (8th-Blueberries) FLL (Wade DeNero), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) today announced its plans to serve Providenciales (PLS), in the Turks and Caicos Islands, subject to receipt of government operating authority. Effective Presidents Day weekend 2011, the carrier intends to launch daily service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) commencing February 17 and seasonal (November – April) Saturday only service beginning February 19 from Boston Logan International (BOS).
Providenciales will be JetBlue’s 64th destination and its 17th destination in the Caribbean. With the addition of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the carrier will serve 40 nonstop destinations from Boston.
JetBlue intends to operate its Providenciales service with 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Wade DeNero. Airbus A320-232 N562JB (msn 1948) climbs away from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Delta retires the last DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service
September 8, 2010
Northwest Airlines-NWA McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N8929E (msn 45866) MSP (Bruce Drum) (Delta retires the last DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has retired the last Douglas DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service. The last flight was flight DL 2106 from Detroit to Manchester, NH on September 6. A few aircraft will be retained through October as operational spares and as charter aircraft.
Previously Delta retired the type in June 1975 but inherited the type again with the merger with Northwest Airlines.
The DC-9-41s (still unpainted) and DC-9-51s (repainted) continue to operate on scheduled Delta routes.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. DC-9-31 N8929E (msn 45866) prepares to land at Minneapolis/St. Paul hub. None of the DC-9-31/32s were repainted in Delta’s colors due to the impeding retirement.
Boeing begins assembly of the 1,000th 767
September 8, 2010
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) has begun assembly of the 1,000th 767 airplane at the factory in Everett, WA. Mechanics took the first step in major assembly by loading the wing spar into the assembly tool. The spar is the internal support structure that runs through the full length of the wing.
The 1,000th airplane, a 767-300 ER (extended range) passenger model, is scheduled for delivery in February 2011 to long-time customer ANA (All Nippon Airways). ANA ordered its first 767 in 1979 and has taken delivery of 89 767s to date.
Boeing will use the 767 as the platform for its NewGen Tanker if it wins the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker competition. Contract award currently is scheduled for mid-November.
American to start Dallas/Fort Worth-Rio de Janeiro flights
September 8, 2010
American Airlines Boeing 767-323 ER WL N389AA (msn 27449) JFK (Ken Petersen), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) announced it will begin three days a week service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG) starting on December 16. The seasonal service will run through April 4, 2011, and then resume for the summer season between June 9, 2011, and August 22, 2011. The service will resume for the 2012 season on November 22, 2011. The flights will be flown using Boeing 767-300 aircraft that offer two-class service with 28 Business Class seats and 191 Economy Class seats.
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen. Boeing 767-323 ER N389AA (msn 27449) is pictured in action at New York (JFK).
Blue Line is declared insolvent, to be shut down on October 6
September 7, 2010
Blue Line (France) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) F-GMLU (msn 49398) CDG (Christian Volpati) (to be shut down on October 6, 2010), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Blue Line (Paris-CDG) has been declared insolvent (bankrupt) and will operate only until October 6 when it will be shut down.
Please click for the full story (in French):
Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 F-GMLU (msn 49398) in the black fuselage scheme of the former FIFA World Cup Tour livery.
JetBlue Airways introduces its latest tailfin – “Barcode”
September 7, 2010
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N531JL (msn 1650) (Barcode) (via Stephen Toernblom) (ex Blue Wings D-ANNF) “All Blue Can Jet”, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) today (September 7) introduced its newest tailfin livery design named “Barcode”‘ on the latest aircraft to join its fleet – ex-Blue Wings D-ANNF. The Airbus A320-232 registered N531JL (msn 1650), appropriately named “All Blue Can Jet”, was unveiled to hundreds of customers and All-You-Can-Jetters at its home port of John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 5. Today is the first day of All You Can Jet, unlimited travel for customers who purchased a pass for 30 days of flying, through October 6, 2010.
Barcode is the tenth tailfin design (if you count the previously-announced “Building Blocks”) introduced by the company since it began flying in February 2000. Visit JetBlue’s blog at http://blog.hellojetblue.com/blog/ for a complete set of tailfin images.
In keeping with JetBlue’s new fuselage design, the JetBlue logo on the aircraft is entirely dark blue and featured prominently. All future livery refresh cycles will convert the fuselage logo to the enlarged JetBlue logo. The new Barcode paint scheme will be scheduled into the airline’s current paint-refresh timeline.
Question for JetBlue: What happened to the ninth design called “Building Blocks” which was introduced with much fanfare on February 11, 2010 and was designed by Troy Bokosky in a contest? Despite the press release back then, no aircraft have been painted in the “Building Blocks” theme.
Copyright Photo: Via Stephen Toernblom.
Chinese pilots falsified their flying backgrounds
September 7, 2010
Henan Airlines’ (Zhengzhou) recent crash has triggered an investigation by the CAAC on the qualifications of Chinese pilots. According to this report by the BBC more than 200 pilots falsified their records to qualify for positions.
Read the full report:
Air Guinee International is a new airline in Guinea
September 7, 2010
Air Guinée International (Conakry) is the new national airline carrier of the Republic of Guinea. Created in partnership between the Government of Guinea and the China International Fund, Air Guinée International will offer regular flights in the neighboring region. The company is planning to operate Airbus A320 family aircraft using European safety standards (JAR-OPS). The first revenue flight is in preparation.
LAMIA starts operations in Merida, Venezuela
September 7, 2010
LAMIA-Linea Aerea Meridena Internacional de Aviacion (Merida) is a new airline in Venezuela. The new carrier commenced operations on August 16 with an ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) registered EC-KKQ (msn 763) “El Merideno” (The Merida) which was wet leased from Swiftair (Madrid).
Santiago de los Caballeros de Merida is the capital of the municipality of Liberator and the state of Merida and is one of the principal cities of the Venezuelan Andes. The city was founded in 1558.
Read the full story (in Spanish) from El Universal:
Air Panama (2nd) adds its first Fokker 70
September 7, 2010 — 4 Comments
Copyright Photo: Louis Seldon. Previously operated by the Ford Motor Corporation, F.28 Mk. 0070 N324K (msn 11545) poses for the camera at Detroit (DTW) before repainting into Air Panama's colors.
Air Panama (2nd) (Panama City) added its first Fokker F.28 Mk. 0070 (Fokker 70) (msn 11545) on August 19. Turismo Aereo adopted this historical name in 2006.
Here is a route map:
Will Delta and US Airways make another attempt to trade NY-DC slots?
September 7, 2010
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) according to this Bloomberg Businessweek article may attempt another try for approval to trade slots with US Airways (Phoenix) in order to increase its presence at LaGuardia Airport after Southwest Airlines (Dallas) gains slots at nearby Newark Airport.
Read the full story:
Gulf Coast Airways hopes to restore airline service at Naples, FL
September 7, 2010
Gulf Coast Airways (Naples, FL) is a new commuter airline that is proposing to restore airline service at Naples with five-times-a-week service to Key West. The new airline proposes to initially operate Piper PA-23 Aztec aircraft. Service to Miami, Tampa or Orlando is also being considered. In the past this has been the home of Naples Airlines (PBA).
Read the full story from NaplesNews.com:
Airphil Express gets ready for its first new Airbus A320
September 6, 2010
Airphil Express (airphilexpress.com) (formerly Air Philippines) (Manila) is getting ready to take delivery of its third Airbus A320, but the first new example direct from Airbus. Air Philippines ceased operations on August 31, 2009 but the company reorganized and relaunched low-fare operations under the current name on March 28, 2010 with two leased 177-seat A320s. The A320s began flying from Manila to Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro.
Airphil Express is acquiring a total of 20 new airplanes over the next four years, in addition to the current fleet of two A320s, eight Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) and DHC-8-300 (Q300) turboprop aircraft.
Aside from the two leased A320s, four brand-new A320s will also be delivered from the Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France between September and November 2010. Four more aircraft will join the fleet next year, five aircraft in 2012 and another five in 2013.
Copyright Photo: Brand new Airbus A320-214 with the test registration of F-WWIZ (msn 4415) taxies at Toulouse in the 2010 livery. The airliner will become RP-C8388.
Air New Zealand sees a four-fold increase in profits to $58 million
September 6, 2010
Air New Zealand Boeing 747-419 ZK-NBS (msn 24386) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air New Zealand (Auckland) reported fiscal year net profit of $58 million for the year ending on June 30.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Boeing 747-419 ZK-NBS (msn 24386) taxies at Sydney.
Virgin Blue Holdings swings to a full year profit
September 6, 2010
V Australia Airlines Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VOZ (msn 35302) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin Blue Holdings (Virgin Blue Airlines and V Australia) (Brisbane) has swung to the black again, reporting a fiscal year net profit of $18.8 million for the year ending on June 30.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. V Australia’s sleek Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VOZ (msn 35302) arrives back at the Sydney base.
Malaysia Airlines lost $170 million in the second quarter
September 6, 2010
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-4H6 9M-MPC (msn 25700) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) lost $170 million in the second quarter.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Boeing 747-4H6 9M-MPC (msn 25700) taxies past the camera at London (Heathrow).
Philippines’ fiscal first quarter net profits drops to $31.6 million
September 6, 2010
Philippines (Philippine Airlines) Boeing 777-36N ER RP-C7777 (msn 37709) PAE (Nick Dean), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Philippines (Philippine Airlines) (Manila) fiscal first quarter (ending on June 30) net profit dipped to $31.6 million.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The first Boeing 777-36N ER RP-C7777 (msn 37709) climbs away from Everett (Paine Field).
British Airways and Iberia target 12 potential airline takeovers
September 6, 2010
British Airways (London) and Iberia (Madrid) have drawn up a list of 12 potential airline targets as takeover candidates, once their merger is finalized.
Read the full report from CNN:
On the financial side, Iberia recorded a second quarter (ending on June 30) net profit of $39 million.
China Express Airlines is shut down
September 5, 2010
China Express Airlines (Guiyang) was forced by the CAAC to suspend operations on August 25 following an incident where the right wing of one of its CRJ200s scraped the runway on landing at Guiyang Airport. The airline commenced operations in September 2006.
Read the full report from ATW:
Air China switches its Dreamliner order to 15 787-900s
September 5, 2010
Air China (Beijing) has switched its 787 Dreamliner order from 15 787-800s to 15 787-900s.
On the financial side, the company produced a $677 million net profit for the first half of 2010.
Smart Aviation orders two Bombardier Q400s
September 5, 2010
Smart Aviation Company (subsidiary of EgyptAir) (Cairo) has signed a firm order to acquire two Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) turboprop aircraft, and has also taken options on an additional three aircraft.
A corporate jet aircraft charter operator since its founding in May of 2007, Smart Aviation has formed a commercial airline subsidiary and will use its Q400 aircraft to launch scheduled and charter services to complement its corporate aircraft activities throughout the Middle East
Arik to begin flying a Nigerian registered aircraft to New York following Category 1 status
September 5, 2010
Arik Wings of Nigeria (Arik Air) (arikair.com) Airbus A340-542 F-WJKH (msn 910) ORY (Pepscl), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Arik Wings of Nigeria (Arik Air) (arikair.com) (Lagos), following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) certification, known as Category One, disclosed that it will start operating a Nigerian registered aircraft on the Lagos to New York (JFK) route.
Arik Air’s Airbus A340-500 aircraft had since November 2010 been flying the Lagos-New York JFK route under a foreign registration (CS-TFW), leased from and operated by HiFly (Lisbon).
Copyright Photo: Pepscl. Airbus A340-542 F-WJKH (msn 910) at Paris (Orly) became CS-TFW, operated by HiFly for Arik.
The first new Airbus A330-300 is being prepared for Turkish Airlines
September 5, 2010
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) will soon take delivery of its first new Airbus A330-300 direct from Airbus. This aircraft is the second A330-300 for THY, the first being TC-SGJ (msn 407) which was leased from Saga Airlines in the old colors.
Copyright Photo: A330-343E F-WWYM (msn 1150) is pictured at Toulouse in the new 2010 livery. It will be delivered as TC-JNH.
MALEV Hungarian Airlines receives a $26 million government loan to stay afloat
September 4, 2010
MALEV Hungarian Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) HA-LND (msn 7807) NUE (Gunter Mayer) (historic photo), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
MALEV Hungarian Airlines (Budapest) has received a $26 million loan from the Hungarian government in order to pay for aircraft leases and remain airborne.
Read the full Reuters report:
CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. Now retired, Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) HA-LND (msn 7807) visits Nuremberg.
Air Transat’s pilots reach a tentative agreement for a new contract
September 4, 2010
Air Transat Airbus A310-308 C-FDAT (msn 658) (Santa Hat) CDG (Pepscl), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Transat’s (Montreal) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association Int’l (ALPA), have confirmed that they have signed a tentative agreement with representatives of Air Transat management after more than eight months of intense negotiations. The agreement represents the fourth contract for Air Transat pilots since they joined ALPA in 1999.
Copyright Photo: Pepscl. Airbus A310-308 C-FDAT (msn 658) is pictured at Paris (CDG).
Polar Air Cargo reaches an agreement with the DOJ over cargo price fixing
September 4, 2010
Polar Air Cargo Boeing 747-46NF N453PA (msn 30811) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Polar Air Cargo LLC (New York-JFK) has confirmed that it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division to resolve a previously disclosed investigation of alleged manipulation by cargo carriers of fuel surcharges and other rate components for air cargo services. The agreement is with Polar LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW), not to be confused with Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc., AAWW’s majority owned operating subsidiary, which is not implicated. The amount of the fine is $17.4 million, payable in installments over five years. The agreement is related to shipments from the United States to Australia during the period from January 2000 to April 2003, covering conduct by former employees of Polar LLC.
William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAWW, commented: “We are glad to put this matter behind us. It is important to note that it involves conduct that began in 2000, almost two years before Polar LLC was acquired by AAWW — with final DOT approval of such Polar LLC acquisition not being granted until late May 2002. The matter occurred before Polar LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy in July 2004 and relates to a period more than seven years ago. It is also important to note that none of Atlas Air, Inc., Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, or any of AAWW’s current board or senior management were involved in or are implicated in this investigation.”
Mr. Flynn continued: “We have cooperated fully with the DOJ throughout the investigation. Our board of directors and management take our obligation to abide by all applicable laws, including laws regarding competitive conduct, very seriously. We are continually reviewing our competition compliance rules and enhancing our training programs, which call for all of our staff to comply fully with such requirements at all times, since we are committed to the highest standards of ethics and corporate governance.”
The plea agreement executed by Polar LLC is not expected to adversely impact any of AAWW’s other operations, which are conducted principally by two operating subsidiaries, Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc., or other related investigations or litigation. In the second quarter of 2010, AAWW recorded an expense for the full amount of the fine in anticipation of Polar LLC’s reaching an agreement with the DOJ and court approval.
The agreement is subject to approval and acceptance by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 747-46NF N453PA (msn 30811) is pictured at Miami.
Frontier Airlines is coming to St. Petersburg/Clearwater
September 4, 2010
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N902FR (msn 1515) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced it will move its seasonal service between Milwaukee and Tampa International Airport (TPA) to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) beginning on November 18, 2010. The route will be operating with Airbus A319s operated by Frontier.
In addition to the Milwaukee service, Frontier also announced seasonal twice-weekly nonstop service between St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Omaha (OMA) beginning on January 16, 2011. This route will be flown by Embraer ERJ 190s operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) for Frontier.
In addition Frontier announced the addition of nonstop service from Omaha (OMA) to both San Diego (SAN) and Los Angeles (LAX). The carrier also announced the return of seasonal nonstop service from Omaha to both Orlando (MCO) and St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE).
Frontier will utilize Republic Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 190 aircraft on each of these new routes.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A319-111 N902FR (msn 1515) taxies to runway 34R at SeaTac.
Boeing conducts remote 787 testing
September 4, 2010
Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) BFI (Rick Schlamp) , originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charles) is conducting remote testing of its 787 test aircraft. Four of the five Boeing 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations this week. ZA005 continues testing from its base of operations in Seattle.
ZA001, the first 787, is taking a break from operations out of Edwards Air Force Base in California for a week’s worth of testing in Roswell, NM. This is ZA001′s second visit to Roswell. Last month the airplane conducted wet-runway testing there. Testing in the days ahead will include rejected-takeoff conditions. ZA001 has been on remote deployment to Edwards Air Force Base for several weeks, with a focus on takeoff- and landing-performance conditions.
The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.
The hot weather in Yuma, AZ, with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests happening on ZA003. Its deployment is expected to last about another week.
ZA004 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, CA, conducting flight loads survey testing. This testing measures external pressure distributions throughout the flight envelope. ZA004 is set to do testing in Glasgow, MT, after it wraps up its California testing.
Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification. Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane’s performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred.
The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights.
Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. One of the test aircraft, the fourth (ZA004), Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) taxies past the camera at wet Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).
UPS loses N571UP and two crew members at Dubai
September 4, 2010
UPS Airlines (UPS Parcel Service) Boeing 747-44AF N571UP (msn 35668) ANC (Brian McDonough) (crashed on takeoff at Dubai September 3, 2010), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
UPS Airlines (United Parcel Service) (Atlanta and Louisville) yesterday (September 3) lost its Boeing 747-44AF N571UP (msn 35668) and the two crew members on board when it crashed on takeoff at Dubai.
Click on link below for full view and full details:
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. N571UP is pictured arriving at Anchorage on May 10, 2010.
ExpressJet Airlines’ pilots now are “optimistic” for the sale to SkyWest
September 3, 2010
Continental Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145XR (EMB-145XR) N13124 (msn 145689) MSP (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ExpressJet Airlines’ (Houston) pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), met this week to determine their position on the proposed sale of ExpressJet Airlines to SkyWest Holdings, Inc. (St. George) and the planned subsequent merger of the airline with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) (Atlanta), which was announced on August 4, 2010. The history of airline mergers has shown that pilot support is critical to an airline’s ability to fully realize the financial and operational gains from a merger.
After the August 4, 2010 announcement, the pilots’ union publicly stated a number of requirements that must be met for pilot support of the transaction:
- the transaction must result in a profitable airline that provides long-term stability and progressive career potential for our pilots;
- the transaction must honor the scope and successorship provisions of our collective bargaining agreement;
- management must commit to negotiating a joint collective bargaining agreement that benefits all pilots; and
- there must be a fair and equitable seniority list integration.
The union is now optimistic that the needs of the pilots will be protected.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Embraer ERJ 145XR (EMB-145XR) N13124 (msn 145689) operating as Continental Express prepares to land at Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Delta to revitalize its Boeing 747-400 fleet
September 2, 2010
Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-451 N675NW (msn 33001) NRT (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has unveiled plans for the complete revitalization of its fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft flying primarily from the Tokyo-Narita hub. Between summer 2011 and 2012, Delta will equip each of its 16 747-400s with new fully horizontal flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin and new Economy class seats featuring personal, on-demand entertainment, increased personal space and added under-seat storage.
The 747 upgrades will bring substantial changes to both decks of the aircraft’s BusinessElite cabin. The new, custom-designed product will feature 48 horizontal flat-bed seats with direct aisle access at each seat. Window seats will face the window for improved privacy and center seats will be angled toward each other for the convenience of customers traveling together.
The new seat, manufactured by Weber Aircraft LLC, will be 81.7 inches in length and 20.5 inches wide, similar to the flat-bed product currently offered on Delta’s 777-200LR fleet. It also will feature a 120-volt universal power outlet, USB port, personal LED reading lamp and Panasonic’s 15.4 inch personal video monitors with instant access to 250 new and classic movies, premium programming from HBO and Showtime, video games and more than 4,000 digital music tracks.
Customers in Economy class on the 747-400 will benefit from the industry’s first seat designed collaboratively by a seat manufacturer and an in-flight entertainment company, Weber Aircraft and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, to fully incorporate seat and entertainment functionality into one product. Using a nine-inch screen, the new seat’s embedded touch-screen entertainment system will offer each customer access to 250 movie titles, hundreds of television shows, 4,000 digital music tracks, personalized music playlists, more than a dozen interactive games and a USB port to charge iPods and other personal electronic devices.
The new seats offer up to 1.5 inches more personal space and increased under-seat storage through a “slimline” design that more efficiently uses cabin space than the older, heavier seats they replace. The upgraded seats also feature adjustable headrests and deliver environmental benefits through the Panasonic Eco 9i Integrated Smart Monitors that use 30 percent less energy and are 60 percent lighter than entertainment systems installed on other Delta aircraft.
Delta’s 747s are dedicated largely to trans-Pacific and intra-Asia flights to and from the Tokyo-Narita hub, including routes connecting Tokyo to Detroit, Honolulu, Manila, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and Shanghai.
When reconfigured, the 747s will accommodate 386 customers with 48 BusinessElite seats and 338 Economy class seats.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Ex-Northwest Boeing 747-451 N675NW (msn 33001) now in Delta’s colors arrives at the Tokyo (Narita) hub.
Comair to slash aircraft and jobs
September 1, 2010
Comair Bombardier CRJ100 (CL-600-2B19) N729CA (msn 7265) (Cincinnati Hub) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Comair (Cincinnati) is planning to cut one half of its existing fleet and the corresponding jobs according to this article in Cincinnati.com. Comair will also close its New York (JFK) crew base.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. This Bombardier CRJ100 (CL-600-2B19) N729CA (msn 7265) once proudly proclaimed its hometown CVG hub and city. Times have changed for the subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.
