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American Eagle launches DFW-Joplin flights
February 11, 2011
American Eagle Airlines-Executive Airlines (2nd) ATR 72-500 (ATR 72-212A) N494AE (msn 494) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (2nd) yesterday (February 10) launched new twice-daily nonstop service from Joplin Regional Airport in Joplin, MO, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The new route will be operated with ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) aircraft flown by Executive Airlines (2nd) (San Juan).
In other route news, American Eagle also launched yesterday daily nonstop regional jet service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to two new destinations in Mexico – General Heriberto Jara International Airport in Veracruz, using 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 regional jet aircraft; and Queretaro International Airport in Queretaro, using 37-seat Embraer ERJ 135 regional jets. The ERJs are operated by American Eagle Airlines.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Icelandair is coming to Washington Dulles
February 10, 2011
Icelandair Boeing 757-208 WL TF-FIJ (msn 25085) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced it will start new nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport starting on May 17, 2011.
Icelandair previously served the DC market through Baltimore/Washington (BWI) Baltimore-Washington for nearly 15 years before service was dropped.
Icelandair Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on photo for background information on the airline.
Icelandair Route Map:
WestJet turns in one of the best financial performances for 2010
February 10, 2011
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8CT WL C-GKWJ (msn 34151) LAX (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) announced its fourth quarter and full-year results for 2010. The airline reported fourth quarter net earnings of C$47.9 million, or $0.33 cents per diluted share. Excluding special items, this represents record fourth quarter net earnings and an increase of 217 per cent compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. WestJet reported full-year net earnings of C$136.7 million, or $0.94 cents per diluted share.
WestJet reported a fourth quarter operating margin of 11.4 per cent, compared to 6.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the full year, WestJet achieved an operating margin of 9.5 per cent compared to a 2009 margin of 9.2 per cent, among the best performances of North American airlines.
WestJet Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.
National Airlines receives DOT authority to operate passenger charter flights
February 10, 2011
National Airlines (5th) Boeing 747-428 (BCF) TF-NAD (msn 25630) FRA (Bernhard Ross) (new type, new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
National Airlines (5th) (formerly Murray Air) (subsidiary of National Air Cargo Group) (Ypsilanti) has been granted new international passenger charter authority. National intends to offer worldwide passenger charter services with its newly-acquired 757-200 aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross. National will also continue its Boeing 747 cargo operations. Click on the photo to read the full story.
Delta Air Lines returns for a fourth year as the Official Airline of the Grammy Awards
February 10, 2011
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-232 N6715C (msn 30486) (Grammy Awards) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) returns for a fourth year as the Official Airline of the Grammy Awards, which will be presented live at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13. As part of the partnership, Delta is featuring Grammy content on a dedicated in-flight entertainment channel throughout February.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Virgin Atlantic ‘s first Airbus A330 is now flying
February 9, 2011
Airbus A330-343E Virgin Atlantic cn1195 F-WWKY, originally uploaded by By cac.
Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A330-300
Copyright Photo: Clement Alloing. A330-343XD F-WWKY (msn 1195) is pictured at Toulouse on February 8. It will be re-registered as G-VSXY on delivery.
Chorus Aviation’s 2010 profit increases to C$125.8 million
February 9, 2011
Air Canada Jazz (Jazz Air) Bombardier CRJ100 (CL-600-2B19) C-FSJJ (msn 7058) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Chorus Aviation Inc. (Halifax), formerly Jazz Air Income Fund, announced its fourth quarter and year end 2010 financial results.
The company reported net income of C$84.6 million for the fourth quarter.
For the full year 2010, net income was C$125.8 million.
The company recently finalized a purchase agreement for 15 Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft with Bombardier, and an agreement with Air Canada for Chorus Aviation Inc. to acquire and lease these aircraft to Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz Air).
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on photo for additional details.
Air Canada Jazz (Chorus Aviation) Route Map:
US Airways is coming to Quebec City
February 9, 2011
US Airways Express-Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N444ZW (msn 101978) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
US Airways (Phoenix) today announced new, daily year-round service from its international gateway at Philadelphia International Airport to Quebec City, Quebec, starting on June 2.
Quebec City will be the eighth destination in Canada served by US Airways.
US Airways Express carrier Air Wisconsin will operate three flights a day with 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jets.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
Boeing’s Chief Jim Albaugh admits 787 outsourcing failed
February 9, 2011 — 2 Comments
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) chief Jim Albaugh in late January before students at an appearance at Seattle University candidly admitted that Boeing’s global outsourcing strategy at the time (in 2003), “specifically intended to slash Boeing’s costs — backfired completely” according to this article in the Seattle Times.
Read the full article:
Copyright Gabor Hajdufi. Please click on the photo for aircraft details including the full background on the outsourcing.
Mauritania Airlines International prepares to lease its first Boeing 737-700 as it gets ready to launch operations
February 8, 2011
Mauritania Airlines International Boeing 737-7EE WL 5T-CLC (msn 34263) QLA (Antony J. Best) (new airline, new type), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Mauritania Airlines International-MAI (Nouakchott) is getting ready to accept its first Boeing 737-700, joining two Boeing 737-500s. The new airline is on the verge of launching operations as the new flag carrier of Mauritania.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for the full details of this new carrier.
JetBlue Airways introduces its “I Love NY” Airbus A320 logojet
February 8, 2011
JetBlue Airways (New York), in partnership with Empire State Development (ESD), today (February 8) immortalized its hometown status with the unveiling of an Airbus A320 aircraft, aptly named “I Heart Blue York,” featuring the airline’s co-branded trademark with New York State’s iconic I LOVE NEW YORK tourism campaign and logo. The newly branded aircraft was revealed to hundreds of crewmembers at JetBlue Airways’ home base at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport by CEO Dave Barger.
Designed in collaboration with the logo’s original creator, Milton Glaser, the co-branded trademark features a deliberate intersecting of the popular I LOVE NEW YORK phrase with the famous red heart and the JetBlue logo. The logo is placed on both sides of the aircraft’s tailfin. When viewing the aircraft from its left side, the JetBlue logo appears prominently with the red heart. On the right side of the aircraft, the logo is rotated, showcasing the I LOVE NEW YORK logo more prominently. The aircraft is christened “I Heart Blue York,” with the name characteristically placed on the fuselage below the cockpit. In keeping with JetBlue’s new fuselage design, the enlarged JetBlue logo on the aircraft is entirely dark blue and featured prominently on an all-white fuselage.
Created in 1975, the I LOVE NEW YORK logo is an icon recognized around the world. While it has often been imitated, this is the first time the powerful logo has been adapted and co-branded for joint use with another entity, demonstrating the significant role JetBlue plays for travel and economic development throughout theState of New York. In 2010, JetBlue announced its intent to keep its corporate headquarters in New York City, with plans to relocate from Forest Hills to Long Island City by 2012. JetBlue will remain the only major commercial passenger airline with its headquarters in New York City and in New York State, giving the carrier a true dedication to and understanding of the market and the people who live and travel here.
Copyright Photo: PRNewsFoto/JetBlue Airways, Mark Greenberg.
Note: Better photos of this A320 are welcome. Please contact us at airlinersgallery@gmail.com.
South African Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A330-200
February 8, 2011
South African Airways Airbus A330-243 F-WWKL (ZS-SXZ) (msn 1191) TLS (1st A330-200), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
South African Airways (Johannesburg) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200.
Copyright Photo: Please click on the photo for additional details.
Astraeus introduces the second “Ed Force One” Boeing 757 for the Iron Maiden Final Frontier World Tour 2011
February 8, 2011
Astraeus Airlines-Iron Maiden Boeing 757-2Q8 G-STRX (msn 25621) (The Final Frontier Tour 2011) “Ed Force One” SEN (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Astraeus Airlines (London-Gatwick) today introduced a second “Ed Force One” special color scheme on its Boeing 757-2Q8 G-STRX (msn 25621).
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on the photo for the full details.
British Airways gears up to support Red Nose Day on March 18
February 8, 2011
British Airways 737-436 G-DOCX (msn 25857) (Red Nose Day) BLQ (Lucio Alfieri), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
British Airways (London) is again adding red noses to some of its aircraft in support of the annual charity.
Copyright Photo: Lucio Alfieri. Please click on the photo for the full story of Comic Relief.
WestJet signs interline agreement with Delta, expands “Eastern Triangle” flights
February 8, 2011
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8CT WL C-GJWS (msn 34152) SFO (Mark Durbin), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) and Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) yesterday (February 7) signed an interline agreement (click on photo for additional details).
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines announced the start of codeshare service with Gol, immediately adding 15 new destinations to its South American network.
In other news, WestJet also announced details of an initiative aimed to better serve the needs of business travellers flying between Toronto and Montreal as well as Toronto and Ottawa.
Beginning on May 2, 2011, WestJet will offer 10 flights each business day between Toronto and Montreal and nine flights each business day between Toronto and Ottawa.
Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Please click on the photo for additional details.
WestJet Slide Show: CLICK HERE
United-Continental to cut up to 500 jobs in Houston
February 8, 2011
United Airlines Boeing 737-924 ER WL N53442 (msn 33536) LAX (James Helbock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Continental Airlines (Houston) is planning to cut up to 500 jobs at its Houston headquarters.
The cuts would be management and salaried positions according to this report by Reuters.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: James Helbock. Please click on the photo for background information on the merger.
Delta Air Lines announces a new “Economy Comfort” section on long-haul international flights
February 7, 2011
Delta Air Lines Boeing 777-232 LR N708DN (msn 39254) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced a major investment in its international fleet with plans to introduce a premium economy section – “Economy Comfort” – on all long-haul international flights in summer 2011. The new seats will feature up to four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard international Economy class seats.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Finnair loses $7.4 million in the fourth quarter and $31 million in 2010
February 7, 2011
Finnair Airbus A330-302 OH-LTP (msn 1023) JFK (Ken Petersen), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Finnair (Helsinki) reported a fourth quarter net loss of $7.4 million as the company was impacted by strikes and the Icelandic ash and subsequent airspace closures. For the year, the company reported a loss of over $31 million.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Finnair Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Aer Lingus settles with its cabin crews, gets more hours, improves duty rosters
February 7, 2011
Aer Lingus Airbus A320-214 EI-DEM (msn 2411) BCN (Sebastian Fernandez), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aer Lingus (Dublin) has settled the on-going dispute with its cabin crews concerning duty rosters. The compromise deal will increase the amount of duty flying hours to 850 hours per year. The airline will also introduce changes to its rosters to make them more family friendly and provide for improved quality of life.
Read the full story from the Irish Times:
Copyright Photo: Sebastian Fernandez. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.
Virgin Blue Holdings alliance with Etihad Airways is approved
February 6, 2011
V Australia (Virgin Blue International Airlines) Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VPD (msn 37938) LAX (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin Blue Holdings’ (Brisbane) five-year alliance between Virgin Blue Holdings (the owner of Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and V Australia) and Etihad Airways has been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Etihad Airways is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which is also the airline’s hub. Etihad’s fleet of 54 aircraft operates close to 1000 flights per week, serving an international network of 64 destinations in 42 countries.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for information on V Australia.
Combined route map: The alliance will give both entities many route options.
Jetstar Airways to launch Darwin-Manila route on February 9
February 6, 2011
Jetstar Airways (Jetstar.com) (Australia) Airbus A320-232 VH-VQO (msn 2587) DPS (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jetstar Airways (Melbourne) will launch the Darwin-Manila international route on February 9. The new route will be operated with Airbus A320s three times a week.
Jetstar is also planning to launch a new Jetstar Airways (Philippines) joint venture before the end of the year. It is currently in discussions with possible local partners.
Interactive route map:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for background information on the company.
AirAsia Philippines targets September 1 as its launch date
February 6, 2011
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) Airbus A320-216 9M-AHE (msn 3327) DPS (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirAsia (Philippines) (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) is now targeting September 1 as its launch date according to this article by U.S. News Las Vegas.
Read the full article:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for the full background on the new airline.
Djibouti Air to launch operations on February 22
February 6, 2011
Djibouti Air (Djibouti) is a new airline formed by an UAE private investor and the Djibouti government. Scheduled passenger operations are planned to start on February 22 (delayed to March 3) between Djibouti and Dubai with a Boeing 737-200. A larger 737-300 will also be added according to this article by gulfnews.com. It is unclear if this new version is replacing the older Djibouti Airlines which commenced operations in 1996.
Read the full article:
Djibouti Air’s first route is from Djibouti in Africa to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Copyright Photo: Paul Denton.
Iberia to sub-lease 6 A320s to Vueling Airlines and turn over routes to Air Nostrum and Vueling
February 6, 2011
Iberia Airbus A320-211 EC-FDB (msn 173) (member of Oneworld) MAD (Ariel Shocron), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Iberia (Madrid) is sub-leasing six Airbus A320s to Vueling Airlines (Barcelona) for eight months. IB is also turning over a number of unspecified European routes to both subsidiary Air Nostrum (Valencia) and Vueling. According to this article by Flightglobal, IB claims it was “forced” into turning over the routes because they are unprofitable under the current situation. IB is retreating from many European, Moroccan and Spanish destinations, starting in March. Although the company and the pilots are negotiating, it is expected the pilots will fight this latest move by the flag carrier, as the union was previously promised these flights would remain with Iberia under a new LCC subsidiary created by IB.
Read the full article:
Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Ryanair opens 17 new Greek routes to Kos, Rhodes and Thessaloniki
February 6, 2011
Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-DLK (msn 33592) STN (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Ryanair (Dublin) announced 17 new routes, including routes to currently un-served markets, to the Greek holiday destinations of Kos, Rhodes and Thessaloniki from April 2011.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.
Ryanair’s routes from Rhodes:
Volaris to launch Guadalajara-Las Vegas service on March 30
February 6, 2011
Volaris Airbus A319-132 N503VL (msn 3491) (A Cuernavaca voy volando) LAX (James Helbock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Volaris (Toluca) will add the Guadalajara-Las Vegas route on March 30. The fast-growing company has filed to serve many more routes to the United States.
Click below for an interactive route map:
Copyright Photo: James Helbock. Please click on the photo for additional details.
QANTAS Airways introduces the QANTAS Australian Grand Prix 2011 logojet
February 5, 2011
QANTAS Airways Boeing 747-48E VH-OEB (msn 25778) (QANTAS Australian Grand Prix 2011) BNE (Peter Gates), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has introduced this Formula One logojet to promote the upcoming QANTAS Australian Grand Prix 2011 event in Melbourne next month.
In other company news, QF resumed services to and from Cairns yesterday (February 4). Services to and from Townsville remain under review subject to improved operating conditions. In light of extreme weather conditions associated with Tropical Cyclone Yasi, and the resulting airport closures, QF cancelled all Cairns and Townsville services on Wednesday and Thursday.
Copyright Photo: Peter Gates. Please click on the photo for the full details.
Trans Air Congo to acquire its first Boeing 737-300
February 5, 2011
Trans Air Congo-TAC (Brazzaville) is getting ready to take delivery from GECAS its first Boeing 737-300.
Formerly operated by Sama Airlines, Boeing 737-33A arrived at Dublin Airport on September 11, 2010 as HZ-DRW (msn 25138) in full Sama colors. The airliner went into storage as N552MS following the Saudi Arabian carrier’s demise.
N552MS is pictured at DUB performing engine runs on the disused runway 23 on February 5. N552MS now painted, is destined for Trans Air Congo.
TAC was established on August 24, 1994 by the El-Hage family and started operations with a single Let 410 aircraft. Early services were largely between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.
Copyright Photo: Paul Doyle.
MALEV introduces a retro airplane for the 65th Anniversary
February 5, 2011
Malév RetroProp, originally uploaded by Ati977.
MALEV Hungarian Airlines (Budapest) has painted its Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) HA-LQD (msn 4063) in the 1957 livery.
The flag carrier was founded on March 29, 1946, when the Hungarian-Soviet Civil Air Transport Joint Stock Company (Magyar-Szovjet Légiforgalmi Rt. also known as Maszovlet) was formed. The initial fleet consisted of 21-seat Li-2 passenger aircraft (the Soviet-licensed DC-3) and 3-seat Po-2 for mail delivery. In 1950, MALEV’s operating base moved from Budaörs to the newly opened airport at Ferihegy, where it has remained.
On November 25, 1956, Hungary acquired all the Soviet shares of Maszovlet and the state airline was born.
Copyright Photo: Ati977.
Video: History of MALEV:
Has Kingfisher Airlines given up on its Airbus A380 order?
February 5, 2011
Kingfisher Airlines (Kingfisher First) Airbus A330-223 VT-VJL (msn 891) LHR (Wingnut), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Kingfisher Airlines (Bangalore and Mumbai) on June 20, 2007 at the 2007 Paris Airshow, signed a MOU with Airbus for 15 Airbus A350-800s.
An article by the Business Standard claims that Kingfisher will not add either Airbus A350s or A380s, although the airline declined to comment.
Read the full story:
Copyright Photo: Wingnut. Please click on the photo for additional information about the airline and fleet.
Iran Aseman Airlines is in negotiations for six used Airbus A320-200s
February 5, 2011 — 2 Comments
Iran Aseman Airlines Fokker F.28 Mk. 0100 (Fokker 100) EP-AST (msn 11523) DXB (Jay Selman), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Iran Aseman Airlines (Tehran) announced is in negotiations to acquire six used Airbus A320s from an undisclosed source according to this report by Reuters.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Route Maps:
Boeing puts a fifth 747-800 freighter into testing
February 5, 2011
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) successfully conducted the first flight of the fifth 747-8 Freighter on Thursday (February 3). The airplane, coded as RC523, took off from Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, WA, for a 3-hour, 30-minute flight before returning to Paine Field.
The flight included a standard 2-hour, 30-minute “B1″ flight profile that Boeing conducts on all production airplanes prior to delivery, plus an hour of engineering testing woven into the profile.
This is the fifth 747-8 Freighter being used in the flight-test program. Each airplane is used for a specific set of tests, with this airplane focusing on functionality and reliability testing.
The airplane will remain based at Paine Field throughout its test plan.
American Airlines Boeing 777 in a near miss incident with two USAF C-17s
February 5, 2011
American Airlines Boeing 777-223 ER N794AN (msn 30256) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) Boeing 777-200 on January 20 while departing from New York (JFK) heading southeast toward Brazil came within a mile of a formation of two U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) which is investigating the incident. TCAS alerted the AA crew and the crew took evasive action to avoid a collision.
Read the full story from the New York Times:
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for additional aircraft information.
QANTAS Airways’ share of international market continues to decline
February 4, 2011
QANTAS Airways Boeing 747-438 VH-OJS (msn 25564) (Socceroos) LHR (Michael Stappen), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
QANTAS Airways’ (Sydney) international market share fell to 18.7 percent in November during the recent Airbus A380 problems. CEO Alan Joyce has expressed concerns and pledged to fix the company’s problems.
Read the full story from the WSJ:
Copyright Photo: Michael Stappen. Please click on the photo for the story of the “Socceroos” Boeing 747.
Qatar Airways is coming to Montreal
February 4, 2011
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-3DZ ER A7-BAA (msn 36009) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Qatar Airways (Doha) is planning to add Montreal (Trudeau) from Doha (three times weekly) with Boeing 777-200 LRs starting on June 29. YUL will be the carrier’s fourth destination in North America.
Read the full story in The Gazette:
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for aircraft details.
SAS pilot falls asleep on a Copenhagen-Stockholm flight, first officer locked out of cockpit
February 4, 2011
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Boeing 737-883 LN-RRS (msn 28325) ARN (Stefan Sjogren), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is apparently not taking any actions against a captain who fell asleep on the short flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm (Arlanda) while the first officer was in the lavatory according to this report by The Local in Sweden. The first officer had to bang on the cockpit door to wake the captain!
Read the full story:
Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.
Small airlines and rural communities rally to fight the end of the EAS program
February 4, 2011
PenAir (Peninsula Airways) SAAB 340B N677PA (msn 328) (bears) ANC (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
A bill had been introduced in Congress to end the Essential Air Service (EAS) program by former presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) according to this article by the Alaska Dispatch. The proposed amendment would end the EAS program as Congress searches for programs to cut.
Read the full story from the Alaska Dispatch:
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Airlines like PenAir, especially those in Alaska, are rallying along with the remote communities they serve to fight the proposed cuts. Read the full story of the EAS program by clicking on the photo.
JetBlue Airways partners with the FAA to fly more precise flights from New York and Boston
February 4, 2011
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N521JB (msn 1452) (Stripes) FLL (Bruce Drum) (partners with FAA), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) have signed a NextGen agreement that will allow the airline to fly more precise, satellite-based flights from Boston and New York to Florida and the Caribbean beginning in 2012.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for the full details of the innovative program.
Delta Air Lines moves up the retirement date for the DC-9-51s to 2012
February 4, 2011
Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 N785NC (msn 48110) BWI (Brian McDonough) (to be retired now in 2012), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will now retire its 34 McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51s to next year. The company is cutting back on its planned capacity growth this year and is accelerating the retirements of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft (including the previously announced SAAB 340s, CRJ100/200s and the 34 DC-9-51s) due to rising fuel costs.
In other news, Delta Air Lines’ maintenance division, Delta TechOps, has entered an exclusive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) partnership with GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (Sao Paulo). As part of the five-year deal, which includes an additional five-year option, Delta TechOps will provide engine overhauls for a minimum of 50 percent of GOL’s CFM56-7 engines and maintenance services for various parts and components on GOL’s fleet of Boeing 737NG aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on photo for additional aircraft details.
AirTran Airways sets March 23 as special stockholders meeting to vote on takeover by Southwest Airlines
February 4, 2011
AirTran Airways Boeing 717-2BD N950AT (msn 55012) (Little Debbie Cupcakes) CLT (Jay Selman), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirTran Airways (Orlando) has set March 23 as the date of a special stockholders meeting in Orlando to vote on the $1.4 billion acquisition by Southwest Airlines (Dallas).
Read the full story by AJC:
AirTran had few options to the Southwest offer. Read this interesting article on the background of the Southwest takeover by AJC:
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. It is not clear if the special AirTran color schemes will survive the merger or be adapted with Southwest colors. Please click on the photo for the story of Little Debbie Cupcakes.
The AirTran fleet and route map will mesh well with Southwest giving WN an Atlanta hub. Click below on the interactive AirTran route map:
Frontier Airlines adds new Michigan and Wisconsin destinations
February 3, 2011
Frontier Airlines (2nd)-Chautauqua Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N270SK (msn 145304) PHL (Tony Storck) “Ginger”, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) announced it will begin new service to Ironwood, MI (IWD), Manistee, MI (MBL), and Rhinelander, WI (RHI) from its Milwaukee hub beginning on April 18, 2011. These routes will be operated by Chautauqua Airlines’ 37-seat Embraer ERJ 135 regional jet aircraft.
The addition of these new markets will bring the number of destinations Frontier serves in both Michigan and Wisconsin to five.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck.
Chicago O’Hare and Midway Airports trying to get back to normal this afternoon
February 3, 2011
A massive snowstorm stretching over a good portion of the United States yesterday has interrupted the travel plans of many passengers. Hardest hit is the Chicago area. 18 inches of snow was recorded at Midway and 17.1 inches at O’Hare. Both O’Hare and Midway airports are attempting to get back to normal operations later today although many flights were cancelled yesterday and today and crews and aircraft need to be relocated back to their appropriate airport.
2,000 flights were cancelled at ORD and MDW. Read the full report from the Chicago Sun-Times:
AP video on conditions in Chicago:
Singapore Airlines clears all 11 Airbus A380s after “smell of smoke” incident in lavatory
February 3, 2011
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKB (msn 005) LHR (Wingnut), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has cleared all 11 of its Airbus A380s after an incident on January 31 when burn marks were found on wiring on one of the A380s after the cabin crew detected the smell of smoke in a lavatory during the flight.
Read the full report from AFP:
Copyright Photo: Wingnut. Please click on the photo for additional aircraft information.
Video: Go onboard the A380:
Boeing celebrates the rollout of the 1,000th 767
February 3, 2011
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) yesterday (February 2) marked a proud moment in the company’s history at a ceremonial rollout of the 1,000th 767 airplane. Hundreds of current employees, joined by Boeing retirees who worked on the first 767, gathered to celebrate the occasion at the Everett, WA factory.
The 1,000th airplane is 767-381 ER (extended range) registered JA622A (msn 40567), a passenger model for ANA (All Nippon Airways) and was the final 767 to complete assembly on the current production line. Final production work already is underway on the 1,001 unit in a new, smaller bay that repositions the production line toward a leaner, more efficient operation.
Boeing video: http://bit.ly/eMZIVv.
Comair orders eight new Boeing 737-800s for Kulula
February 3, 2011
Kulula (Kulula.com) Boeing 737-86N WL ZS-ZWP (msn 28612) (Flying 101) JNB (Ton Jochems) (right side), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Comair (Johannesburg) has ordered eight new Boeing 737-800 for its Kulula (kulula.com) low-fare subsidiary.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Kulula TV commercial:
Kulula Route Map:
WestJet launches Toronto-Palm Springs flights
February 3, 2011
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8CT WL C-GWSR (msn 35288) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) yesterday (February 2) launched new nonstop, seasonal service between Toronto (Pearson) and Palm Springs, CA. The inaugural flight departed Toronto Pearson International Airport at 10:15 a.m. (1015) EST.
Palm Springs is the 43rd WestJet destination with nonstop service from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
WestJet will fly between Toronto and Palm Springs on Wednesdays and Saturdays until April 30, 2011. The outbound flight leaves Toronto at 10:15 a.m. (1015) EST and arrives at Palm Springs International Airport at 12:30 p.m. (1230) PST. The return flight leaves Palm Springs at 1:15 p.m. (1315) and arrives in Toronto at 8:38 p.m. (2038).
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Video: A tribute to WestJet:
Tiger Airways’ fiscal third quarter profit soars
February 2, 2011
Tiger Airways (tigerairways.com) (Australia) Airbus A320-232 VH-VNB (msn 2906) NTL (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Tiger Airways Holdings Limited (Singapore) announced its results for the quarter ended 31 December 2010, the third quarter of the FY2010/11 financial year.
Profit before tax for the quarter ended 31 December 2010 was $30.2 million (all amounts are in Singapore $), an 85.3% increase over the $16.3 million profit recorded for the same quarter in the prior year. The Group recorded an 18% profit before tax margin for the quarter.
Revenue growth of 22.2% from $139.5 million to $170.4 million was ahead of both passenger and seat capacity growth of 13.4% and 13.0% respectively. Cost per Available Seat Kilometre (CASK) excluding fuel and foreign exchange difference reduced 3.2%. The Group load factor was 88.0% for the quarter.
Profit before tax for the 9 months ended 31 December 2010 was $46.8 million, an increase of 559% over the $7.1 million profit recorded in the 9 months to 31 December 2009.
From the Singapore base, new services were launched to Trichy and Trivandrum in India and to Manila during the quarter, while in Australia Tiger rolled-out the third domestic base at Avalon Airport. In December Tiger established the Airline Partner Program with South East Asian Airlines (SEAir) based out of Manila (Clark), which will provide significant operating cost savings going forward. Tiger is exploring opportunities to expand this partnership on routes beyond the current Manila (Clark) – Singapore route.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for additional details about the Australian operation.
Route Map:
Air China takes delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 with the Sky Interior
February 2, 2011
Air China (Beijing) yesterday (February 1) became the first Chinese airline to take delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 (737-89L B-5447, msn 40015) with the new Sky Interior. With this new addition in its fleet, Air China has become the first Chinese airline to operate the 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior, offering passengers an enhanced onboard experience with larger stowage bins and sculpted sidewalls, a LED lighting system with cove lighting and curved architecture and more intuitive passenger service units.
Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the Next-Generation 737. The next to come will be a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent – making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered. The performance improvements to the airframe and engine are in certification test, and will be phased into production between mid-2011 and early 2012.
To date, 60 customers have ordered the new interior for 1,689 airplanes.
bmi adds new routes to Norway and Morocco
February 2, 2011 — 2 Comments
bmi (British Midland Airways) Airbus A319-131 G-DBCB (msn 2188) LHR (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
bmi (British Midland Airways) (East Midlands and London Heathrow) has announced new services from London Heathrow to Europe and North Africa. Bmi will offer new daily flights to Bergen and Stavanger in Norway effective April 1, 2011, and new services to Casablanca and Marrakech in Morocco. Direct flights to Casablanca will operate four times per week from April 2, 2011, and flights to Marrakech will operate three times per week from London Heathrow from April 1, 2011.
The new services from Heathrow will be operated with Airbus A319s.
Bmi is now the only airline to serve Bergen from Heathrow.
In addition to the route expansion at Heathrow, bmi will fly some Lufthansa services from Birmingham and Manchester to Frankfurt. From March 27, 2011 the bmi A320 family aircraft will be used on three of the four daily Lufthansa services from both Birmingham and Manchester.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on photo for additional information.
bmi’s Heathrow European Routes:
Trans States firms up its order for 50 MRJs
February 2, 2011
Trans States Holdings (TSH) (St. Louis) executed a definitive Purchase Agreement with Mitsubishi for a firm order of 50 next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft (plus 50 options) on December 27, 2010. The order firms up a LOI announced in October 2009.
TSH is an airline holding company that owns and operates three independent airlines, Trans States Airlines, GoJet Airlines, and Compass Airlines, all of which have significant regional operations in North America. TSH provides feeder services for United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and US Airways.
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