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Continental Airlines to move into Terminal 1 at Chicago O’Hare on November 16
November 12, 2010
United Airlines Boeing 737-524 WL N16642 (msn 28903) CLT (Jay Selman), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Continental Airlines (Houston) will move into Terminal 1 at Chicago (O’Hare) on November 16.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Please click on the photo for additional details on the move.
QANTAS Airways updates its international schedules
November 11, 2010
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has issued the following statement:
“QANTAS has confirmed an updated schedule for its international network to ensure minimum disruption to passengers following the grounding of its Airbus A380 fleet.
The new forward schedule enables QANTAS to accommodate customers on services across its entire international network over the coming weeks, regardless of when A380 aircraft re-enter service.
While QANTAS is committed to bringing its A380s back into service as soon as possible, this contingency schedule has been designed to provide certainty for customers planning to travel in the near future.
The QANTAS Group has a fleet of over 250 aircraft across domestic and international operations and all QANTAS aircraft are being utilized to minimize schedule disruptions.
Boeing 747s have been replaced by Airbus A330s on the Sydney to Tokyo Narita route and A330s have been replaced by Boeing 767s on Perth to Singapore services. Boeing 747s have also been replaced by Airbus A330s on the Sydney to Hong Kong route. These changes will enable QANTAS to operate 747s on long-haul international services previously operated by the A380.
For the period of November 5-11, QANTAS operated 505 of the 512 scheduled services across its international network.
Minor changes have been made to aircraft operating certain domestic services in order to provide alternate capacity on the QANTAS international network.
QANTAS is continuing an intensive inspection program on all Rolls-Royce engines in its A380 fleet and QANTAS engineers have removed three engines to undertake further examination.
Engineers have been investigating the engines in detail and how their components and design perform under operational conditions, as opposed to the original out-of-factory expectations.
The European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) today issued an Airworthiness Directive for all Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. QANTAS’ ongoing inspection program is fully compliant with this directive. The specific checks mandated by the directive were already being carried out by QANTAS in conjunction with Rolls-Royce.
QANTAS’ A380 aircraft will not return to service until there is complete certainty that the fleet can operate safely.”
ANA, United and Continental obtain anti-trust immunity for the Pacific
November 11, 2010
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 747-481 JA8098 (msn 25207) NRT (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo), United Airlines (Chicago) and Continental Airlines (Houston) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued its final order granting anti-trust immunity enabling the three carriers to execute a trans-Pacific joint venture under which they intend to jointly develop flight schedules and sales activities.
Customers traveling between the Americas and Asia will enjoy more convenient flight schedules, with a broader range of fare and product options, once the joint venture is implemented.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for more information.
The Maltese government moves to rescue Air Malta with emergency loans and restructuring
November 11, 2010
Air Malta Airbus A320-214 9H-AEN (msn 2665) LHR (Richard Vandervord), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Malta (Luqa) is facing an uncertain future due to the mounting losses and stiff competition from the growing number of low-cost carriers serving the island. The Maltese government and the unions have agreed to set up a steering committee to review the restructuring plan.
The government is preparing a rescue bill and has also notified the European Commission of its intend to grant the flag carrier an emergency loan. The airline is also expected to undergo an extensive overhaul.
Read the full story for the Times of Malta:
Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord. Please click on the photo for more background information.
Lufthansa is sticking with its Rolls-Royce engines on the A380
November 11, 2010
Lufthansa Airbus A380-841 F-WWSH (D-AIMA) (msn 038) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss) (first LH A380), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) is being loyal with its Rolls-Royce engines for the Airbus A380 according to CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber as reported in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) according to this Reuters report.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Please click on photo for more details.
British Airways restores service to Cancun
November 11, 2010
British Airways Boeing 777-236 ER G-YMMR (msn 36516) (Keeping the Flag Flying) YUL (Gilbert Hechema), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
British Airways (London) has restored its route to Cancun at the start of November.
Flights to Cancun will depart every Wednesday and Saturday from London Gatwick Airport. Due to popular demand, British Airways has already increased the original frequency to three times a week from next summer.
The airline previously flew to Cancun between April 1998 and April 2002.
BA will assign the Boeing 777 to serve the route to Mexico.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Avianca-TACA and Copa Airlines to join the Star Alliance
November 11, 2010
Avianca Airbus A330-243 N973AV (msn 1043) (90 Anos-90 Years) MIA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Avianca (Bogota, TACA (San Salvador) and Copa Airlines (Panama City) have been accepted to join the Star Alliance.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional details about joining the alliance.
Jazz Air Income Fund to become Chorus Aviation
November 11, 2010
Air Canada Jazz Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) C-GZJA (msn 8018) (orange) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jazz Air Income Fund (Halifax) yesterday (November 10) announced that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted a final order approving the plan of arrangement providing for the conversion from an income trust to a corporate structure.
Once completed, the transaction will result in the conversion of the Jazz Air Income Fund to a dividend paying public corporation to be named Chorus Aviation Inc., with the trading symbols on the Toronto Stock Exchange of CHR.A, CHR.B and CHR.DB. Per the conversion, Fund unitholders will receive one share of Chorus for each unit held.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Delta Air Lines wins approval to expand operations at London Heathrow
November 11, 2010
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332 ER WL N193DN (msn 28450) ATL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has won approval to expand operations at London’s Heathrow Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the European Commission yesterday (November 10) granted Delta Air Lines’ request to operate new daily, year-round flights between London’s Heathrow and Boston and Miami international airports. The new flights will begin on March 27, 2011.
The new routes will be operated within the scope of Delta’s trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. They will bring to four the number of trans-Atlantic routes operated by the joint venture partner airlines from Boston and to five the number of routes offered from Miami. Delta, Air France. KLM and Alitalia serve Amsterdam, London-Heathrow, Paris and Rome from both cities; Miami customers enjoy additional service to Milan operated by Alitalia.
Delta applied for the rights to serve Boston and Miami from Heathrow earlier this year as part of a divestiture of slots required following the U.S. and E.U. governments’ approval of an immunized alliance between American Airlines and British Airways. Delta argued its proposed new Heathrow service would bring the most benefit to consumers because its global alliance – SkyTeam – holds the smallest percentage of slots at Heathrow.
Delta began serving Heathrow in March 2008 following the conclusion of an Open Skies agreement between the U.S. and the E.U. that eliminated decades-old restrictions on the number of U.S. airlines allowed to serve the market. Since that time, Delta has expanded from zero to seven its number of daily round-trip flights in the Heathrow market, with a current offering of three daily flights to New York-JFK; two peak-day flights to Atlanta and Detroit; and one daily flight to Minneapolis/St. Paul. In March 2011, this number will grow to 10 daily round-trip flights when Boston and Miami are added.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Boeing suspends flight testing activities for the 787
November 11, 2010
Boeing 787-8 N787FT (msn 40694) BFI (Nick Dean) (test aircraft – ZA005), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) yesterday (November 10) suspended all 787 Dreamliner flight testing activities pending the outcome of the investigation of the incident involving test aircraft ZA002. Boeing issued the following statement:
“During approach to Laredo, Texas, on November 9, 2010, airplane ZA002 lost primary electrical power as a result of an onboard electrical fire. Backup systems, including the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), functioned as expected and allowed the crew to complete a safe landing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Boeing.
The pilots executed a safe landing and at all times had positive control of the airplane and all of the information necessary to perform that safe landing.
Initial inspection appears to indicate that a power control panel in the aft electronics bay will need to be replaced on ZA002. We are inspecting the power panel and surrounding area near that panel to determine if other repairs will be necessary.
We have retrieved flight data from the airplane and are analyzing it in Seattle. This process will take several days. We are committed to finding the cause quickly but will not rush the technical team in its efforts.
The team was conducting monitoring of the Nitrogen Generation System at the time of the incident but there is no reason to suspect that the monitoring or earlier testing of that system had anything to do with the incident.
Consistent with our internal processes, until we better understand the cause of the incident on ZA002, we have decided to postpone flight test activities on other airplanes. Ground test activities will be conducted until flight test resumes.
Likewise, we cannot determine the impact of this event on the overall program schedule until we have worked our way through the data. Teams have been working through the night and will continue to work until analysis is complete and a path forward is determined.”
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional information.
American Airlines and JAL win anti-trust immunity from the DOT
November 11, 2010
American Airlines Boeing 777-223 ER N757AN (msn 32636) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) has won anti-trust immunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for their trans-Pacific partnership.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Singapore Airlines to change the RR engines on three A380s
November 10, 2010
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKF (msn 012) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) is being forced to change the Rolls-Royce engines on three Airbus A380s after oil was discovered on an A380 at London Heathrow.
Read the full report in the Daily Mail:
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Qatar Airways expands operations to Thailand and Stuttgart
November 10, 2010
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-3DZ ER A7-BAB (msn 36103) LHR (Wingnut), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Qatar Airways (Doha) in celebration of its 10th anniversary of service to Thailand, announced its expansion of operations in the Far East. The launch of daily year-round flights to the holiday island of Phuket and increased frequency on the Bangkok route has doubled the number of flights from 14 to 28 a week between the airline’s Doha hub and Thailand.
As part of the airline’s aggressive expansion plan to serve a global network of 120 key business and leisure destinations by 2013, Qatar Airways also recently announced a new route in Germany to Stuttgart. Additionally, the airline has increased operations of flight services to Barcelona, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Munich.
The launch of flights to Phuket and Hanoi increases Qatar Airways’ Asia Pacific route network to 18 destinations while its service additions to Stuttgart, Barcelona and Madrid will mark 182 flights a week to cities across Europe by March 2011.
Copyright Photo: Wingnut. Please click on the photo for additional information.
SAS Group suffers its fourth quarterly loss
November 10, 2010
Scandinavian Airlines System-SAS Airbus A319-132 OY-KBO (msn 2850) FRA (Bernhard Ross), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
SAS Group (Stockholm) reported a loss of $156 million in the third quarter, its fourth consecutive quarterly loss.
Read the full report in Bloomberg:
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross. Please click on the photo for additional information.
LAN Cargo is fined $11.5 million by the European Commission
November 10, 2010
LAN Cargo (LAN Airlines) (Chile) Boeing 767-316F ER WL N418LA (msn 34246) MIA (Arnd Wolf), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
LAN Airlines (Chile) (Santiago) has issued the following statement:
“LAN Cargo, the cargo subsidiary of LAN Airlines S.A., reports that the European Commission announced yesterday (November 9) its decision relative to the global investigation that began in 2006, and was carried out jointly with U.S. authorities, in relation to the infringement of antitrust regulations of the European Union. The European Commission reported the imposition of fines to a total of 11 air carriers for a total amount of €800 million (equivalent to approximately US$1.1 billion).
In the case of LAN Cargo and its parent company LAN Airlines, the amount of the fine imposed is €8.2 million (equivalent to approximately US$11.5 million), amount which has been provisioned by the Company. This was the lowest fine applied by the European Commission, which includes a significant reduction due to the Company’s cooperation with the Commission during the course of the investigation.
In December of 2007, LAN Cargo reported to the Chilean regulators the beginning of the global investigation in Europe, which covers the period between February 25, 2003 and February 14, 2006. It should be noted that the investigation only affected air cargo activity and did not involve in any way the passenger business.
In accordance with European Union law, this administrative decision is appealable to the General Court in Luxembourg. Any judgment by the General Court may also be appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union. LAN is evaluating its legal options, including the right to appeal this decision within the established deadlines.
The Company has continuously cooperated with the authorities in charge of the global investigation. In its ongoing commitment to good corporate governance and transparency in business practices, LAN further strengthened its monitoring mechanisms through the implementation of a strict compliance program of all applicable rules and regulations where it operates. The Company also launched a new code of conduct applicable to employees worldwide.”
Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Boeing 787-881 N787EX (ZA002) makes an emergency landing at Laredo with smoke in the cabin
November 10, 2010
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) BFI (Gabor Hajdufi) (test aircraft ZA002), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing’s (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) designated test aircraft ZA002 in ANA colors made an emergency landing at Laredo, TX yesterday (November 9).
The Dreamliner was on final approach to the Laredo on a fight from Yuma, AZ, when the crew reported smoke. The aircraft landed safely with 42 people on board. The passengers and crew exited the aircraft via the emergency chutes according to this Reuters report.
Read the full story from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi.
Virgin America celebrates its first quarterly profit
November 9, 2010
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N621VA (msn 2616) LAX (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) today reported a third quarter net profit of $7.5 million – the airline’s first quarterly net profit. As Virgin America continues to deliver significant growth, the airline reported a record quarterly operating profit of $21 million (a 314 percent improvement year-over-year), resulting in a 10.4 percent operating margin for the quarter. The airline reported revenues of $202 million for the quarter – a year-over-year revenue increase of 28 percent. The airline also reported strong unit revenue performance (RASM) for the quarter, with a 17 percent improvement year-over-year, a period in which the industry’s unit revenue grew by 10 percent. The airline’s stage-length adjusted guest unit revenue was up 23 percent.
The airline’s yield per passenger mile in the third quarter was 11 cents, up 20 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009. Virgin America continued to hedge in order to help manage fuel price volatility. The airline has hedged 86 percent of its remaining 2010 projected fuel requirements at an average crude oil call strike price of $82 per barrel. Adjusting for the non-cash unrealized gains on its fuel derivatives, the airline would have reported operating income of $19 million and a 9.4 percent operating margin for the third quarter.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Malaysia Airlines takes delivery of the first new Boeing 737-800 with the new Sky Interior
November 9, 2010
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-8H6 WL 9M-MXA (msn 40128) PAE (Nick Dean) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) has take delivery of its first new Boeing 737-800 (9M-MXA) with the new Sky Interior.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional details.
SpiceJet firms up an order for 30 Boeing 737-800s
November 9, 2010
SpiceJet Boeing 737-8GJ WL VT-SGG (msn 36368) PAE (Nick Dean) (latest aircraft), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
SpiceJet (Delhi) has finalized an order with Boeing for 30 additional Boeing 737-800s.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Regent Airways is ready to start flying tomorrow
November 9, 2010
Regent Airways (Chittagong) will commence scheduled operations tomorrow (November 10) with two Bombardier DHC-8-300s on the Chittagong-Dhaka route in Bangladesh.
Read the full story in The Daily Star:
Jet Airways returns to the black with a fiscal 2Q profit of $2.8 million
November 9, 2010
Jet Airways Boeing 777-35R ER VT-JEJ (msn 35161) LHR (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jet Airways (Mumbai) produced a $2.8 million profit in its fiscal second quarter. Read the full story in the Times of India:
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on photo for additional details.
Aer Lingus’ 3Q operating profit increases 35% to $111 million
November 9, 2010
Aer Lingus Airbus A330-202 EI-LAX (msn 269) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aer Lingus (Dublin) reported its operating profit increased by 35 percent to $111 million for the third quarter ending on September 30, 2010.
Read the full report from the IrishTimes.com:
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Jazz Air reports a third quarter net profit of C$19.1 million
November 9, 2010
Air Canada Jazz (Jazz Air) Bombardier DHC-8-102 C-GANI (msn 064) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jazz Air Income Fund (Jazz Air) (Halifax) reported net income of C$19.1 million in the third quarter. This net income of C$19.1 million compares to a larger C$25.3 million net profit in 2009, a decrease of C$6.2 million or 24.6%.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Please click on the photo for additional details.
American Eagle adds new Mexican routes from Dallas/Fort Worth and frequencies from Chicago O’Hare
November 9, 2010
American Eagle Airlines (2nd) Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N906AE (msn 14500894) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (2nd) (Dallas/Fort Worth) has received government approval to begin daily nonstop jet service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to two new destinations in Mexico. Beginning February 10, 2011 Eagle will introduce daily flights to General Heriberto Jara International Airport (VER) in Veracruz, using 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 jet aircraft and Queretaro International Airport (QRO) in Queretaro, using 37-seat Embraer ERJ 135 regional jets.
American Eagle also announced it is adding another daily round-trip flight between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and the University of Illinois’ Willard Airport (CMI) in Champaign, IL, beginning February 10, 2011. The new service will be operated with 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets.
In addition American Eagle announced it is adding another daily round-trip flight between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) in Fort Wayne, IN, beginning also on February 10, 2011. The new service will be operated with 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional details.
CV Cargo starts operations in Colombia
November 8, 2010
CV Cargo Boeing 737-290C HK-4702 (msn 22577) CUR (Roger Cannegieter) (new airline), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
CV Cargo (Bogota) is a new cargo airline in Colombia. This Boeing 737-290C HK-4702 (msn 22577) was registered in July 2010 and is pictured visiting Curacao on November 6, 2010.
Copyright Photo: Roger Cannegieter.
QANTAS Airways’ Airbus A380s to remain grounded for the next 72 hours
November 8, 2010
QANTAS Airways Airbus A380-841 VH-OQA (msn 014) LHR (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) issued the following statement today:
“QANTAS is continuing an intensive inspection program on all Rolls-Royce engines in its A380 fleet, but operations will be recovered and significant disruptions to passengers should cease within the next 24 hours.
As part of their investigation, QANTAS engineers have removed a number of engines to undertake further examination.
Engineers have been investigating the engines in detail and how their components and design perform under operational conditions, as opposed to the original out-of-factory expectations.
The focus of the investigation has been narrowed to the possibility of an oil leakage in the relevant turbine area. However, investigations on other areas of the engine are continuing, in order to rule out other potential issues.
These inspections are taking place in Sydney and Los Angeles with QANTAS engineers working closely with Rolls-Royce, as well as the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Australian regulators.
QANTAS will not return its A380 fleet to service until confident the issues have been identified and resolved. At this stage, QANTAS does not expect to operate the A380 fleet for at least another 72 hours.
All QANTAS aircraft are being utilised to ensure minimal disruption to scheduled international services. QANTAS has scheduled extra services from Los Angeles to ensure passengers affected by the suspension of A380 operations are returned to Australia as soon as possible.
The backlog of passengers in Los Angeles is expected to be cleared by the last departure from Los Angeles on November 8 with all passengers accommodated on specially chartered relief flights and across scheduled services. A Special Assistance Team has been deployed to Los Angeles to assist.
Hotel accommodation, meals and international phone calls have been provided for passengers impacted by the A380 disruptions.”
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Qantas will provide compensation for customers who have experienced delays.
Singapore Airlines clears its Airbus A380s
November 8, 2010
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKF (msn 012) CDG (Christian Volpati), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) as the launch customer of the Airbus A380 has cleared its fleet of 11 to operate without any restrictions. the airline could not find any issues with its aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Firefly to introduce the new Boeing 737-800 on January 15 from Kuala Lumpur
November 8, 2010
Firefly (fireflyz.com.my) ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) 9M-FYD (msn 830) SIN (Ole Simon), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Firefly (FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd) (fireflyz.com.my) (subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines) (Subang) has announced its next phase of expansion. The subsidiary is adding a new fleet of Boeing 737-800s and will operate out of the main terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport with the new aircraft. The airline intends to operate 30 aircraft by 2015.
Firefly’s first Boeing 737-800 arrives in December 2010 and will begin revenue operations on January 15, 2011.
The first routes from January 15, 2011:
Twice daily Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu
Twice daily Kuala Lumpur – Kuching
The name Firefly (in Mandarin fei ying; in Bahasa Malaysia Kunang-Kunang) was chosen to depict the airline’s characteristics, which are agility, brilliance, charming and fun.
Copyright Photo: Ole Simon. Firefly currently operates a fleet of ATR 72-500s. Please click on the photo for additional background information.
Skymark Airlines to be the first Airbus A380 operator in Japan
November 8, 2010
SKY-Skymark Airlines Boeing 767-36N ER JA767D (msn 30847) FUK (John Adlard) (will be the first A380 operator in Japan), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Skymark Airlines-SKY (Tokyo) announced today its intends to sign a contract for four Airbus A380s, with an option for two more. The airline intends to become an international operator of the type in 2014.
Read the full story from Asia One Business:
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for more background information.
Virgin America to offer free inflight Internet during the holidays
November 8, 2010
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N631VA (msn 3135) (“Air-Time with Drake” and “Thank Drake Me Later” stickers) SFO (Mark Durbin) (named “Air Drake”), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco), the first airline in the U.S. to offer fleetwide WiFi in the skies, today announces it is teaming up with Google’s Chrome browser team to offer free Gogo® Inflight Internet for all its guests during the holiday season. The two California companies known for innovation, entrepreneurialism and for connecting people in new ways have come together for the second consecutive year to give Virgin America flyers the gift of in-flight connection during the holiday travel season. From November 20, 2010-January 2, 2011, guests on all Virgin America flights will be able to check email, stay in touch with family and friends via social media, or just go wherever the web takes them – all for free.
Virgin America is the first airline in the U.S. to offer both standard power outlets near every seat and fleet-wide WiFi. Launched on its first aircraft in November 2008 and rolled out to its entire fleet by May 2009, the airline sees up to one-third of guests on some long-haul flights logging on to Gogo. Although guests traveling on any of Virgin America’s flights from November 20, 2010-January 2, 2011, will enjoy free web access via their laptops, PDAs, or iPads, Gogo is normally available for $12.95 for flights of over three hours; $9.95 for flights between 1.5 and three hours; $4.95 for short haul flights of less than 1.5 hours; and handheld/PDA pricing of $7.95 for flights over 1.5 hours and $4.95 for short flights. Monthly passes on Virgin America are also available for $29.95 for laptops and $19.95 for handhelds.
Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Please click on the photo for additional information.
US Airways to hire 500 crew members in 2011
November 8, 2010
US Airways Airbus A330-323X N277AY (msn 380) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
US Airways (Phoenix) today announced that it will need 500 crew members next year primarily in anticipation of planned retirements and attrition, which will be filled by recalling employees currently on furlough, as well as through hiring new crew members. The majority of these returning and new pilots and flight attendants will be flying by July.
The 2011 crew member plan includes filling 420 flight attendant positions and 80 pilot positions. The Company will first offer these positions to employees currently on furlough status, and once this process is complete will begin hiring new employees. After the recall, US Airways will have no flight attendants on furlough, and may have up to 100 pilots remaining on furlough. When the recall and new hire process is complete, the airline will have approximately 4,970 active pilots and 7,300 active flight attendants.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Delta Air Lines teams up with Google to offer free WiFi
November 8, 2010
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-432 ER N845MH (msn 29719) (Force for Global Good-The Breast Cancer Research Foundation) ATL (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Google will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi to customers on Delta flights equipped with Gogo Inflight Internet service between November 20, 2010 and January 2, 2011. With more than 540 Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft flying more than 2,200 domestic flights each day, Delta expects more than 11 million customers to benefit from this holiday promotion.
Delta began installing Wi-Fi on its domestic fleet in fall 2008 and today operates the largest fleet of Wi-Fi enabled aircraft in the world.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for additional information on the latest “Pink Plane”.
Norwegian Air Shuttle to lease two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from ILFC
November 8, 2010
Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) Boeing 737-8FZ WL LN-NOV (msn 31713) (Evert Taube) OSL (Ton Jochems) (will lease two 787s), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) will lease two Boeing 787-8 from ILFC.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Norwegian is a loyal Boeing customer and already leases some 737s from ILFC. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Jazeera Airways returns to profitability in the third quarter
November 8, 2010
Jazeera Airways Airbus A320-214 9K-CAG (msn 3656) SNN (Malcolm Nason), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jazeera Airways (Kuwait City) produced a third quarter profit of $15.7 million.
Copyright Photo: Malcolm Nason. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Saudi Arabian Airlines orders 12 Boeing 777-300 ERs and eight 787 Dreamliners
November 8, 2010
Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 777-268 ER HZ-AKA (msn 28344) IAD (Brian McDonough) (orders 12 777-300 ERs), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah) has order 12 new Boeing 777-300 ERs and eight 787 Dreamliners.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on photo for additional information.
Kenya Airways fiscal first half profit rises 63% to $17.4 million
November 8, 2010
Kenya Airways Boeing 777-2U8 ER 5Y-KYZ (msn 36124) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Kenya Airways (Nairobi) reported its fiscal first half profit (ending on September 30) increased 63 percent to $17.4 million.
Read the full report from Bloomberg:
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Republic Airways reports net income of $21.3 million in the third quarter
November 8, 2010
Republic Airways (Republic Airlines 2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-100SU N821MD (msn 17000042) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis) reported operating revenues of $711.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, a 97.9% increase, compared to $359.6 million for the same period last year. The increase in revenues is primarily due to the acquisition of Frontier Airlines (2nd) and Midwest Airlines during 2009. The Company also reported net income of $21.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, compared to $3.3 million of net income, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the same period last year. The diluted share count for the third quarter of 2010 includes 2.5 million shares for the $25 million of convertible debt at the Company, which decreases earnings per share by $0.04.
During the third quarter of 2010, the Company’s GAAP pre-tax income of $35.1 million was negatively impacted by a total of $7.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, of items: $4.7 million of expenses related to the integration of the branded business; $2.9 million of disposal costs for A318 and DHC-8-400 (Q400) aircraft; and $0.2 million in negative adjustments for fuel hedges.
Excluding the dilutive effect of the convertible debt ($0.04) and the negative impact on earnings of the integration expense items during the quarter ($0.14), the Company is reporting earnings per share of $0.76 for the third quarter of 2010.
The Company’s “Branded” business segment includes all operations at Frontier Airlines (2nd), Lynx Airlines, and Midwest Airlines, collectively referred to as “Frontier”. Total revenues on Frontier were $445.8 million for the quarter. Load factor was 87.4% for the quarter and total revenue per ASM (TRASM) was 11.15¢. Frontier posted income before taxes of $11.6 million for the third quarter. However, excluding the items outlined in the table above, Frontier produced a pre-tax profit of $19.4 million for the third quarter. Operating cost per ASM (CASM), excluding fuel, was 7.17¢ for the third quarter of 2010. Excluding integration and aircraft return expenses, the unit cost for Frontier, excluding fuel, was 6.98¢ for the quarter.
During the quarter the Company removed three Airbus A318 aircraft, one Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) aircraft, and one Embraer ERJ 170 aircraft from service. The total operational fleet was 277 aircraft as of September 30, 2010 compared to 282 aircraft as of June 30, 2010.
On July 1, 2010, the Company announced that it would remove four 120-seat A318 aircraft and one 76-seat E170 aircraft from scheduled service for Frontier in September 2010. Three of these aircraft have been sold to third parties and two were returned to their lessors. Beginning in January 2011, Frontier will accept the first of seven new 162-seat A320 aircraft. All seven aircraft have firm lease financing arranged and will be delivered during the first two quarters of 2011. The Company will also be leasing three additional 136-seat A319 aircraft that are scheduled for delivery between February and April 2011.
On July 21, 2010, the Company announced it had signed a non-binding letter of intent with Embraer to acquire 24 ERJ 190 or ERJ 195 aircraft with deliveries beginning in the mid 2011. On November 5, 2010, the Company announced it had placed a firm order for 6 E190 aircraft with Embraer for delivery in 2011 starting in August. The Company also has conditional firm orders for 18 E190 or E195 aircraft. Both aircraft types would be configured with STRETCH seating. These aircraft will be used to replace smaller regional jets in the Company as well as provide flexibility for growth at Frontier through 2013.
All ERJ 170 aircraft operating for Frontier will be reconfigured with STRETCH seating by November 30, 2010, enabling its guests to take advantage of 5 extra inches of legroom. Also, all 32 E-Jet aircraft operating for Frontier will have Gogo WiFi installed by the end of 2010.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional information.
AeroSur to extend the Miami route to Washington Dulles on December 8
November 7, 2010
AeroSur (Bolivia) Boeing 767-284 ER CP-2659 (msn 24742) (Sharko) MIA (Robert Collazo), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AeroSur (Bolivia) (Santa Cruz) will extend the Miami route to Washington (Dulles) on December 8.
Copyright Photo: Robert Collazo. Please click on the photo for additonal information.
The investigation continues in the Aerocaribbean crash
November 7, 2010
Aerocaribbean ATR-72 CU-T1549, originally uploaded by flyingaxel.
Aerocaribbean’s (Havana) ATR 72-212 CU-T1549 (msn 459) is now confirmed as the aircraft that crashed on Thursday (November 4) in the mountainous Sancti Spiritus region of central Cuba after the pilot reported an emergency. Investigators have located the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Rescuers had finished yesterday removing the remains of the crash victims. 68 people were killed in the accident.
Copyright Photo: Axel Klegien. CU-T1549 taxies at Holquin before the crash.
Video from the Associated Press:
Air Canada launches Montreal-Phoenix flights
November 7, 2010
Air Canada Airbus A319-113 C-GBHZ (msn 813) (Kids’ Horizon) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Canada (Montreal) yesterday (November 6) launched the only Montréal-Phoenix nonstop flights. The seasonal service, operating Saturdays and Sundays until April 30, 2011, offers flights timed to facilitate convenient connections to/from Ottawa, Québec City, Saint John, Fredericton, Halifax and Charlottetown.
In addition, Air Canada has added a daily flight until April 30, 2011 to its existing year-round daily Toronto-Phoenix service. During the winter Air Canada also operates daily Calgary-Phoenix service.
The carrier will operate the Montréal and Toronto services using newly refurbished 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration offering a choice of Executive Class and Economy service.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Alaska Air Group’s CEO is voluntarily cooperating with the SEC on an insider trading probe
November 7, 2010
Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N400QX (msn 4030) (Idaho Vandals) SEA (Brandon Farris), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Alaska Air Group (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) according to this Reuters report, is voluntarily cooperating along with its CEO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in an insider trading probe.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris. Please click on the photo for the latest logo plane information.
The Transport Workers Union attempts to organize Allegiant’s flight attendants
November 7, 2010
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 N405NV (msn 49623) LAS (Blue Man Group) (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) is facing an attempt by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) to organize its flight attendants.
Read the full article in the Las vegas Review-Journal:
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Thomas Cook Airlines Canada launches operations
November 6, 2010
Jazz Air (Halifax) as planned yesterday (November 5) officially launched its flight services agreement with Thomas Cook Canada Inc. Early morning flights departed from Toronto (Pearson) to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Cancun, Mexico.
The five-year flight services agreement, signed earlier this year, has Jazz operating six Boeing 757-200 aircraft on behalf of Thomas Cook (Canada). The service will operate to various sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax under the Thomas Cook (Canada) brand. Flights will operate during the winter season, November to April, and will feature several product enhancements developed jointly by Jazz, Thomas Cook and its Sunquest Division.
Jazz took delivery of the first two Boeing 757-200 aircraft earlier this week and will see four more aircraft arrive in December at which time service from Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax will commence. The aircraft are leased to Jazz Air LP from Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd.
Copyright Photo: Roger Cannegieter. Operated by Jazz Air, Boeing 757-25F C-GJZH (msn 30758, ex G-JMCE) visits Curacao on November 7. Other than the Canadian registration and flag, the airliner is being operated in full Thomas Cook colors without any Jazz Air sub-titles.
UAE investigators consider claims by al-Qaida concerning the UPS Boeing 747-400 crash
November 6, 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.
United Arab Emirates’ (Dubai) civil aviation investigators do not believe a terrorist bomb explosion caused the September 3, 2010 crash of an UPS Airlines’ Boeing 747-400F freighter near Dubai but are taking seriously a claim by Yemen’s al-Qaida that it brought down the plane.
Read the full story for the Associated Press:
CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional details about the tragic crash.
Southwest Airlines honors veterans during the month of November
November 6, 2010
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 WL N945WN (msn 36660) (Florida One) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) in order to honor its more than 750 employees who currently serve in the National Guard and Reserves, along with thousands of its customers who served or are serving in the armed forces, is proud to call November its “Military Heroes Month.” The airline is working with select nonprofit organizations across the country throughout November to thank and give back to the military service members and their families.
November Activities:
11/6-11/7: Official Airline of the Mission Continues Veterans Day Weekend, St. Louis, Mo.
Southwest Airlines will bring together Fellows of The Mission Continues for a weekend of service and celebration. The Mission Continues endeavors to build an America where every returning veteran can serve again as a citizen leader, and where together we honor the fallen by living their values through service. Southwest Airlines was one of the first corporate sponsors of this organization and has supported their work for the past three years.
11/9: Operation Freedom Bird – Send-off, Phoenix, Ariz.
Operation Freedom Bird provides a unique healing journey to Arizona’s veterans of the Vietnam War, giving them an opportunity to confront their feelings, share their experiences, and pay tribute to their fallen comrades-in-arms in a supportive environment of fellow veterans and counselors. Approximately 50 veterans have been selected to participate in a four-day visit to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Washington D.C. This is the 12th year Southwest Airlines will support this organization and trip.
11/11: A Million Thanks, Nationwide
Southwest Airlines will join the efforts of the A Million Thanks organization by providing its Customers in airports and onboard the aircraft with a postcard and an opportunity to write a letter of thanks and encouragement to U.S. Military members on Veteran’s Day. Southwest will ship the postcards to service members at no cost to the Customers. A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show appreciation to U.S. Military men and women through letters, emails and cards.
11/11: Veteran’s Day, Nationwide
In-airport and onboard announcements for men and women of the armed forces to priority board and to deplane first, a practice our Employees implement all year long.
11/11: 24/7 Military Tribute by Southwest Airlines’ Friends & Family – San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Employees will celebrate Veteran’s Day by dedicating a commemorative exhibit entitled “24-7 Southwest Airlines’ Family & Friends Tribute to the Military.” Local Employees organized this exhibit to pay tribute to the Military members who pass through the San Antonio Airport every day.
11/12: Operation Freedom Bird – Welcome Home, Phoenix, Ariz.
Southwest Airlines will welcome home the Operation Freedom Bird veterans in Hanger five at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport with a ceremony featuring Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and a performance by platinum recording artist Aaron Tippin.
11/12: Lone Eagle Honor Flight, Nationwide
Southwest Airlines is the Official Airline of the Honor Flight Network and is proud to sponsor the 18 Honor Flights that will take place during the month of November including the Lone Eagle Honor Flight. A Lone Eagle is a WWII Veteran whose application to visit the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. has been in the organization’s national office for six months or more, yet he or she does not live close to an existing Honor Flight hub. The Honor Flight Network organizes the Lone Eagle trip specifically for these veterans.
11/22: Helping a Hero, Fort Worth, Texas
As a corporate sponsor of Helping a Hero, Southwest Airlines will participate in the unveiling of a new home in Fort Worth, Texas. Helping a Hero provides specially adapted homes for qualifying service members as well as engages the community to provide services and resources for wounded heroes and their families.
11/26: We Are Thankful, Nationwide
In celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday, decorative hearts will be displayed on our aircraft with the wording: We Are Thankful for our Employees, We Are Thankful for our Customers, We Are Thankful for our Family, and We Are Thankful for our Troops.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Republic orders six additional ERJ 190s, takes options on 18 more
November 6, 2010
Midwest Airlines-Republic Airlines (2nd) Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N162HL (msn 19000231) SEA (Joe G. Walker), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis) announced yesterday (November 5) a firm order for six Embraer ERJ 190 jets and a conditional firm order for 18 Embraer 190 or 195 jets. The agreement concludes a Letter of Intent (LOI) announced earlier this year.
Republic plans to take delivery of the six firm orders between August and December 2011. The aircraft will be placed into service within the network of Frontier Airlines, and operated by Republic Airlines. Each aircraft will be WiFi-enabled and configured with STRETCH seating, which offers Frontier customers in the first four rows an additional five inches of legroom.
Republic Airways Holdings is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines (2nd), Lynx Aviation, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America. The airlines offer scheduled passenger service on approximately 1,600 flights daily to 127 cities in 42 states, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico under branded operations at Frontier, and through fixed-fee airline services agreements with five major U.S. airlines. The fixed-fee flights are operated under an airline partner brand, such as AmericanConnection, Continental Express (now United Express), Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The airlines currently employ approximately 11,000 aviation professionals and operate 276 aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. The Midwest branded aircraft are being repainted into Frontier colors. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Boeing completes power on sequence for the new 747-8 Intercontinental
November 6, 2010
Cargolux Airlines International Boeing 747-8R7F N5573S (LX-VCC) (msn 35807) PAE (Nick Dean) (launch customer of 747-8F), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) has completed the power on sequence for the new 747-8 Intercontinental. This milestone enables the program to begin functional tests on the airplane.
Power on is a complex series of tasks that methodically energize and activate the airplane’s systems. In this critical stage of the assembly process, the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems are brought on line.
Mechanics connected the 747-8 to an external power cart to energize the flight-deck display and maintenance systems. The electricity coursing through the airplane’s 133 miles (214 km) of wire will be as high as 105 kilovoltampere (kVa).
The program also activated the airplane’s hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Pressurized to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), the hydraulics power the flight control surfaces, landing gear, brakes and steering systems. The 160 psi applied to the pneumatic system enables the airplane to operate the environmental control systems and the leading-edge flaps.
A video that gives you an inside look at the power on sequence is available at http://bit.ly/dlXgym.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional details.
China Southern Airlines plans to order 30 Airbus A320s and six A330s
November 5, 2010
China Southern Airlines Airbus A320-232 B-6277 (msn 2701) PEK (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou) is planning to order 30 Airbus A320s and six A330s for deliveries between 2012 and 2015.
Read the full story:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Wataniya Airways starts the Beirut-Vienna route
November 5, 2010
Wataniya Airways Airbus A320-214 9K-EAA (msn 3739) DXB (Paul Denton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Wataniya Airways (Kuwait City) has extended the Beirut route to Vienna, effective November 3. The new route will be operated three times a week.
On October 21, 2010 the airline announced it had has signed a code share and interline agreement with Austrian Airlines (Vienna). This new agreement added 19 new European destinations via Vienna.
Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Emirates Airline clears its Airbus A380s
November 5, 2010
Emirates Airline Airbus A380-861 A6-EDI (msn 028) LHR (Wingnut), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Emirates Airline (Dubai) has inspected its 11 Airbus A380s and each aircraft passed the inspection according to the airline. Unlike QANTAS Airways, the Emirates fleet is flying.
Copyright Photo: Wingnut. Please click on the photo for additional details.
