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Lufthansa promotes Eurovision Song Contest, loses $750 million in the first quarter
May 8, 2011
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has added “Hey Europe, let’s party!” promotional titles to its Boeing 737-530 D-ABIA (msn 24815). The promotional logo is promoting the Eurovision Song Contest 2011.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany’s win in the 2010 Contest with Lena Meyer-Landrut’s song “Satellite”. The contest will be held in Düsseldorf’s Esprit Arena, which beat out three challenging venue locations across Germany in a bidding phase in late 2010.
The dates set for the two semi-finals are May 10-12, 2011, with the final event planned for the evening of May 14, 2011. Forty-three countries have confirmed their participation in the contest.
On the financial side, Lufthansa reported its first quarter loss widened to $750 million.
Copyright Photo: Lufthansa.
Vueling Airlines slips to a $35 million loss in the first quarter
May 8, 2011
Vueling Airlines (Vueling.com) Airbus A320-214 EC-JZQ (msn 992) ORY (Pepscl), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Vueling Airlines (Barcelona) slipped to a $35 million loss in the first quarter according to ATW.
In January 2011,Vueling announced it would add a further nine aircraft to their fleet during 2011, including its first Airbus A319. Six Airbus A320s will be delivered between April and June 2011, while the remaining two A320s will be delivered by the end of 2011. The first A319 was delivered in April 2010. Those extra aircraft will be used in order to increase the Madrid base, with some destinations being added, including Warsaw and Bucharest-Otopeni.
Copyright Photo: Pepscl. Please click on photo for aircraft information.
Vueling’s current routes from Madrid:
Merpati Nusantara Airlines AVIC MA60 crashes in Indonesia
May 7, 2011
Merpati Nusantara Airlines AVIC MA60 (An-24) PK-MZA (msn 0407) DPS (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Jakarta) has lost its MA60 PK-MZK today while operating a flight from Sorong to Kaimana in West Papua (New Guinea). The turboprop was attempting to land at Kaimana in the rain and fog and crashed into the sea on approach. All 21 passengers and six crew members have died in the crash. So far 15 bodies have been recovered.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for further details.
Alaska Airlines introduces the contest “Portland Timbers” logojet
May 7, 2011
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) yesterday (May 6) introduced its Major League Soccer Portland Timbers “Timbers Jet” to a crowd of fans in “Soccer City, USA.” The pictured Boeing 737-790 registered N607AS (msn 29751) paint theme is a contest combination of two designs created by Paul Wright of Portland, OR, and John Bode of San Mateo, CA. The aircraft features the Portland Timbers’ name and logo in the team’s trademark colors with a rising sun across the forward part of the fuselage. This aircraft is the second Portland Timbers logojet.
The two first-place designs were chosen from among 500 entries in a “Paint-the-Plane” contest. The “Timbers Jet” celebrates Alaska Airlines’ pride in being the official airline and jersey sponsor of the Portland Timbers.
To celebrate the introduction of the “Timbers Jet,” Alaska Airlines will extend early boarding privileges to Portland International Airport passengers wearing an official Timbers jersey throughout the 2011 MLS season.
Timbers Jet trivia:
- The 737-700 has a wing span of 112 feet, 7 inches, and measures 110 feet in length.
- The plane accommodates 124 passengers and five crew members.
- With a 6,875-gallon fuel tank, the plane cruises at 530 mph, or mach 0.785, and can fly at a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet.
- A crew of 18 people worked around the clock for 16 days to paint the plane.
- The painting process required 130 gallons of paint, about 4,500 sheets of sandpaper and 51,000 feet of masking tape.
Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines.
Southwest doubles the markets to Mexico, Volaris to add San Diego
May 6, 2011
Volaris Airbus A319-132 N503VL (msn 3491) (A Cuernavaca voy volando) LAX (James Helbock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) announced it will more than doubled the number of Southwest markets able to connect to Mexico, through both Chicago Midway and Las Vegas. 26 Southwest cities, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, now connect to Volaris flights between Chicago Midway and Guadalajara, Mexico.
In other news, Volaris will add San Diego, CA and the Mexico City-San Diego route on July 15, 2011.
Copyright Photo: James Helbock. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Volaris routes from Mexico City:
El Al to fly a formation of four aircraft on Israeli Independence Day (May 10)
May 5, 2011
El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 747-458 4X-ELB (msn 26056) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv) will join in the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the founding of Israel by pledging to fly four aircraft in formation at the annual air show on May 10 in Israel.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for the full details.
Copa Holdings reports a net profit of $94.4 million in the first quarter
May 5, 2011
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-8V3 WL HP-1714CMP (msn 40891) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copa Holdings (Panama City) reported net income of $94.4 million (US) for 1Q11, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.14 (US). Excluding special items, Copa Holdings would have reported an adjusted net income of $82.0 million, or $1.86 per share, a 30.9% increase over adjusted net income of US$62.7 million and $1.42 (US) per share for 1Q10.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Copa Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Pinnacle’s first quarter net profit slips to $100,000
May 5, 2011
Colgan Air (2nd) SAAB 340B N321CJ (msn 321) IAD (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Pinnacle Airlines Corporation (Memphis) reported financial results for the first quarter of 2011. Net income and diluted earnings per share were $0.1 million ($100,000) and $0.01, respectively, excluding a special item.
This is the first period in which the holding company is experiencing the effects of the new pilot contract with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) that was entered into in February 2011, increasing pilot compensation and benefits costs by $2.1 million for the quarter.
The holding company recorded $5.8 million ($3.1 million, net of related income taxes) of special charges for integration, severance, and contract implementation costs. Including these special items, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share were $(3.0) million and $(0.16), respectively.
Breakdown by each company:
Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. (Memphis) reported first quarter 2011 operating income and an operating margin of $9.0 million and 5.5%, a decrease of $4.8 million and 3.3 points, respectively, from the first quarter of 2010. Pinnacle’s operating income decreased primarily as a result of weather related performance penalties and increased pilot wages under the new labor agreement with ALPA.
Mesaba Aviation (Minneapolis/St. Paul) reported operating income and an operating margin of $1.1 million and 1.6%, respectively. Mesaba’s financial results were negatively impacted by weather conditions during the quarter as well as the wind-down of Delta’s turboprop operations as structured under the capacity purchase agreement (“Saab DCA”). The Saab DCA is structured to adjust revenue at the beginning of each year and on a prospective basis to reflect increased pilot and mechanic costs associated with the wind-down of operations. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company did not record estimated revenue of approximately $0.5 million associated with this rate adjustment. Revenue will be recorded upon final determination of the rate adjustment, which the Company expects to occur in the second quarter of 2011.
Colgan Air, Inc. (Memphis) reported an operating income and an operating margin of $2.0 million and 2.9%, an improvement of $3.1 million and 4.8 points, respectively, from the first quarter of 2010. The increase in operating margin was mainly attributable to the growth of Q400 operations during the quarter with United, partially offset by lost revenue from cancellations associated with winter weather. The improved operating results were also negatively impacted by an increase in pilot wages and a 32% year-over-year increase in the price per gallon of aircraft fuel.
Pinnacle Airlines Corporation is a $1 billion airline holding company with 7,700 employees and is the holding company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.; Mesaba Aviation, Inc.; and Colgan Air, Inc. Flying as Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express, Pinnacle Airlines Corp. operating subsidiaries operate 202 regional jets and 88 turboprops on more than 1,600 daily flights to 196 cities and towns in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize. Hub operations are located at 11 major U.S. airports.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Colgan’s routes in the Northeast:
Frontier will resume seasonal nonstop service between Milwaukee and Branson
May 5, 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) will resume seasonal nonstop service between its Milwaukee hub and Branson, MO with three weekly roundtrips beginning on July 1, 2011, through December 14, 2011.
Frontier first launched its seasonal service between Milwaukee and Branson in the summer of 2010. Frontier also operates nonstop service between Branson and its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub with a year-round schedule.
The Milwaukee-Branson route will be operated for Frontier with Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets operated by sister airline Chautauqua Airlines.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Please click on photo for additional information.
Virgin Blue Airlines becomes Virgin Australia
May 4, 2011 — 1 Comment
Virgin Australia Boeing 737-81D WL VH-YFC (msn 39413) SYD (John Adlard) (formerly Virgin Blue Airlines), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.Virgin Blue Airlines (Brisbane) as planned became Virgin Australia today (May 4) with a ceremony in Sydney. The airline took the opportunity to introduce this new brand and level of service.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for the full story.
New Virgin Australia Video:
Hot New Photos Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Spirit Airlines adds Looney Tunes characters to the cabins of its aircraft
May 4, 2011
Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-132 N504NK (msn 2473) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Spirit Airlines (For Lauderdale/Hollywood) and the Cartoon Network have announced they had signed an agreement to add the cartoon images of Bugs Bunny and his characters to help promote the new TV series “The Looney Tunes Show” according to this article by WorldScreen.com.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
In other news, privately-held Spirit Airlines reported net income of $72.5 million for 2010 and $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Spirit Route Map:
Spirit Slide Show: CLICK HERE
SkyWest reports a rare first quarter loss
May 4, 2011
United Express-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N917SW (msn 7641) SFO (Mark Durbin), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
SkyWest, Inc. (St. George) today (May 4) reported operating revenues of $866.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to $632.2 million for the same period last year.
SkyWest also reported a net loss of $(11.1) million, or $(0.21) per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to $15.0 million of net income, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the same period last year.
On November 12, 2010, SkyWest completed the acquisition of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (Houston) for a total cash purchase price of $136.5 million, which includes the value of the shares previously owned by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. (Atlanta), SkyWest’s wholly owned subsidiary. As a result of the acquisition, ExpressJet became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlantic Southeast and SkyWest’s consolidated operations and financial results for periods subsequent to the acquisition reflect the addition of 244 regional jet aircraft operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (Houston) the primary operating entity of ExpressJet.
SkyWest incurred the net loss principally as the result of several primary factors, including a significant loss of block hour production due to weather-related cancellations that resulted in lost revenue, additional crew costs incurred for training and additional expenses related to both the number of airframe heavy inspections and higher than anticipated amounts for these inspections.
Additionally, under United Express agreements for SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast, SkyWest recognizes revenue at a fixed hourly rate for mature engine maintenance on regional jet engines and SkyWest recognizes engine maintenance expense on its CRJ200 regional jet engines on an as-incurred basis as maintenance expense. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, CRJ200 engine expense under these agreements decreased $0.7 million to $14.6 million compared to $15.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, as a result of decreased engine overhaul expense principally due to the timing of scheduled engine maintenance events. Additionally, SkyWest was reimbursed approximately $7.0 million under its United Express agreements in each of the periods presented. The average number of scheduled engine maintenance events will likely continue each quarter of 2011 and into the middle of 2012.
At March 31, 2011, SkyWest’s fleet totaled 707 aircraft, consisting of 661 regional jets (241 assigned to Delta, 416 assigned to United and Continental, four assigned to AirTran Airways), and 46 EMB-120 turbo prop aircraft (36 assigned to United and 10 assigned to Delta).
SkyWest is the holding company for three scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company and is headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest’s scheduled passenger airline operations include SkyWest Airlines also based in St. George, Utah, Atlantic Southeast based in Atlanta, Georgia and recently acquired ExpressJet Airlines based in Houston, Texas. SkyWest Airlines operates as United Express and Delta Connection carriers under contractual agreements with United and Delta. SkyWest Airlines also operates flights for AirTran under a marketing agreement. Atlantic Southeast operates as United Express and Delta Connection carriers under contractual agreements with United and Delta. ExpressJet Airlines operates as Continental Express and United Express under contractual agreements with Continental Airlines, Inc. and United and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlantic Southeast. System-wide, SkyWest serves markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with approximately 3,850 daily departures and a fleet of approximately 707 regional aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Please click on the photo for additional information.
United Express-SkyWest Airlines Route Map:
United Express-SkyWest Slide Show: CLICK HERE
JetBlue Airways starts Boston-Newark flights
May 4, 2011
JetBlue Airways Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N178JB (msn 19000004) (4th-Windowpane) PBI (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York) today (May 4) begins four daily flights between Boston’s Logan International Airport and Newark’s Liberty International Airport, complementing its existing schedule of frequent daily flights between Boston and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
JetBlue’s Boston to Newark flights will be operated with its 100-seat Embraer ERJ 190 aircraft with its in-flight entertainment featuring DIRECTV® and XM Satellite Radio programming at every seat.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
JetBlue Slide Show: CLICK HERE
South African Airways starts nonstop Johannesburg-New York service
May 3, 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 (SAA) (Johannesburg) as planned launched its new nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Johannesburg on May 1. The northbound, nonstop flight from Johannesburg to New York complements the already popular morning nonstop New York-Johannesburg service that provides quick and convenient connections to more than 40 destinations throughout the African continent. Previously, the return flight SA 203 from Johannesburg to New York made a 1-hour passenger and refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal. Effective May 1 flight SA 203 now departs Johannesburg at 8:35 p.m. (2035 for a nonstop journey to New York that arrives at 6:40 a.m. (0640) the following day.
South African Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings reports first quarter net income of $10.5 million
May 3, 2011
Polar Air Cargo Boeing 747-46NF N453PA (msn 30811) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) (New York) today announced earnings for the first quarter of 2011 and reaffirmed guidance for full-year earnings in excess of $5.30 per share.
Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2011, totaled $10.5 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, on revenues of $297.6 million and pretax earnings of $16.7 million.
Results for the first quarter of 2011 included $0.44 per diluted share of higher maintenance expense compared with the first quarter of 2010. In addition, results for the first quarter of 2011 included start-up expenses of $0.06 per diluted share for 747-400BCF and military passenger business opportunities, which will contribute to revenues and earnings commencing in the second quarter of 2011.
The company will place into service three new 747-8Fs from Boeing in the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2011.
To address customer demand and bridge its capacity needs, AAWW is deploying two 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters acquired on operating leases in its military and commercial charter businesses in the second quarter. These aircraft supplement an existing 747-400BCF that provides very profitable charter service in South America and an additional 747-400F that provides maintenance coverage for AAWW’s fleet. The company also continues to deploy six 747 Classics in its military and commercial charter operations.
AAWW is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas) and Titan Aviation Leasing (Titan), and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). Through Atlas and Polar, AAWW operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.
Atlas, Titan and Polar offer a range of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services that include ACMI service – in which customers receive an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a long-term lease basis; CMI service, for customers that provide their own aircraft; express network and scheduled air cargo service; military charters; commercial cargo charters; and dry leasing of aircraft and engines.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for information about Polar Air Cargo.
WestJet reports strong first quarter net earnings
May 3, 2011
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-7CT WL C-GWBF (msn 32757) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) today reported first quarter 2011 net earnings of C$48.2 million, or 34 cents per share, a significant improvement from C$2.4 million or 2 cents per share reported in the first quarter of 2010. The airline achieved an operating margin of 10.3 per cent which represents an increase of 6.4 points compared to the first quarter of 2010.
Revenue per available seat mile (RASM) was up 12.1 per cent year over year which was mostly attributable to significant yield improvement and slight load factor growth. “We are pleased that the market has absorbed the fare increases put in place to offset rising fuel costs. These strong first quarter results represent net earnings per guest of roughly twelve dollars which highlights the competitive nature of the airline industry,” said Gregg Saretsky. For the second quarter of 2011, WestJet is projecting fuel costs, excluding hedging, to range between $0.95 and $0.98 per litre, and is anticipating continued strong year-over-year RASM growth.
For the first half of 2011, WestJet is expecting cost per available seat mile (CASM), excluding fuel and employee profit share, to be relatively flat on a year-over-year basis compared to the first half of 2010.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for additional information.
WestJet Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Air Canada’s pilots to vote on the tentative agreement
May 3, 2011
Air Canada Boeing 777-233 LR C-FNNH (msn 35247) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) has rescheduled the ratification vote on its tentative agreement with Air Canada (Montreal), which will begin on May 9 and run for ten days.
An earlier vote set in April was cancelled after some pilots raised concerns with the proposed agreement.
According to ACPA, Air Canada refused to consider any changes to the tentative deal, so the pilots Association will hold a democratic vote to determine whether the agreement will be ratified.
Air Canada Pilots Association represents more than 3,000 pilots who operate Air Canada’s mainline fleet.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Branded operations sends Frontier Airways Holdings into a loss for the first quarter
May 3, 2011
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N932FR (msn 2258) LAS (Eddie Maloney), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) reported pre-tax income of $17.6 million for its Fixed-Fee operations (flying as AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express). However the branded Frontier Airlines operations sent the company into the red due to an overall loss of $55.2 million for the first quarter.
According to the holding company:
“Excluding fuel reimbursement from our partners, fixed-fee service revenues were flat compared to the prior year’s first quarter. Income before taxes on the fixed-fee operations improved 23.1% to $17.6 million for the quarter compared to a pre-tax income of $14.3 million for the first quarter of 2010, which included $2.0 million of CRJ aircraft return costs. Cost per ASM (CASM), including interest expense but excluding fuel increased 0.9% to 8.14¢ for the first quarter of 2011, from 8.07¢ for the same quarter of 2010.”
However for the branded operations, Republic reports the following:
“The Company’s branded business segment includes all operations marketed as Frontier Airlines. Total revenues on Frontier increased 12.2% to $395.4 million for the quarter, compared to $352.3 million for the same period in 2010. Capacity on Frontier, as measured by ASMs, was down 1.4% year over year for the first quarter. Load factor was 78.7% for the quarter, up 3.0 points from the first quarter of 2010 and total revenue per ASM (TRASM) was 10.85¢, up 13.9% from the same quarter in 2010. For the quarter ended, March 31, 2011, Frontier posted a pre-tax loss of $55.2 million compared to a pre-tax loss of $70.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
The unit cost for Frontier, excluding fuel, was 7.77¢ for the quarter, a 5.2% increase from 7.38¢ (excluding impairments) for the same metric for the first quarter of 2010. The unit cost increase was due mainly to higher engine restoration and heavy maintenance on the Airbus fleet and higher advertising costs.
Fuel costs for Frontier were $158.7 million for the quarter. The fuel cost per gallon, including into-plane taxes and fees, increased 23.7% to $2.92 for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $2.36 for the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in price resulted in $30.5 million additional fuel expense in the first quarter of 2011, as compared to first quarter 2010. The first quarter 2011 result includes unrealized fuel hedge gains of $8.7 million, or $0.16 per gallon. The first quarter 2010 result includes fuel hedge losses of $1.6 million, or $0.03 per gallon.”
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines (2nd), Lynx Aviation, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America.
Does Republic now regret buying Frontier Airlines?
Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney. Please click on photo for additional details.
Frontier Route Map:
Frontier Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Aerolineas Argentinas paints ex-Virgin Blue Boeing 737-7Q8 WL VH-VBB in the new livery
May 2, 2011
Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737-7Q8 WL VH-VBB (msn 28240) SZB (JKSC) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aerolineas Argentinas (Buenos Aires) is getting ready to take delivery of former Virgin Blue Boeing 737-7Q8 VH-VBB (msn 28240). The airliner is painted in the new livery which was first presented in 2010 as a concept.
Copyright Photo: JKSC.
ALPA to open negotiations with Atlantic Southeast Airlines
May 2, 2011
Delta Connection-ASA (Atlantic Southeast Airlines) Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N740EV (msn 10151) (Silver & Soaring-Celebrating ASA’s 25 Years) CLT (Jay Selman), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) (Atlanta) and its pilots, represented by by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are preparing to open negotiations. Atlantic Southeast is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. According to ALPA, the negotiations will attempt to achieve a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) that will define compensation and work rules for the 4,300 pilots of ASA and the former ExpressJet Airlines.
Although Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet formalized their merger in late 2010, but the operations remain separate while the two pilot groups continue to work under different contracts. The merged Atlantic Southeast Airlines is the largest independently owned regional airline in the United States and performs flying for Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines.
The completed JCBA is a prerequisite for the integration of the two pilot groups.
The merged company operates 2,200 daily departures. The 4,300 pilots fly over 150 destinations in 39 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. Atlantic Southeast-ExpressJet pilots are based in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Newark.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Combined Atlantic Southeast-ExpressJet Route Map:
Continental to start Los Angeles-Guadalajara service
May 2, 2011
United Airlines Boeing 737-824 WL N76516 (msn 37096) LAX (Brandon Farris) “Eco-Skies”, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Continental Airlines (Houston) tomorrow (May 3) will begin daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL).
Flight CO 672 departs Los Angeles at 8:20 (0820) a.m. daily, arriving in Guadalajara at 1:15 p.m. (1315). The return flight (CO 673) departs Guadalajara at 2:10 p.m. (1410) daily, arriving in Los Angeles at 3:30 p.m. (1530). The Los Angeles – Guadalajara service will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with seating for 160 customers (16 in first class and 144 in economy).
Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris. Please click on the photo for additional information about this special logojet.
AirTran Airways Holdings is acquired today by Southwest Airlines
May 2, 2011
AirTran Airways Boeing 717-231 N925AT (msn 55079) (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.AirTran Airways Holdings, the parent of AirTran Airways (Orlando) was formally acquired today (May 2) by Southwest Airlines.
Based on the average of Southwest Airlines’ closing prices for the 20 trading days ending three trading days prior to May 2, 2011, of $11.90, the transaction values AirTran common stock at approximately $7.57 per share, or $1.0 billion in the aggregate, excluding shares issuable upon conversion of AirTran’s outstanding convertible notes. Each share of AirTran common stock will be exchanged for $3.75 in cash and 0.321 shares of Southwest Airlines’ common stock. Assuming no conversion of AirTran’s outstanding convertible notes, AirTran stockholders will receive 44 million shares of Southwest Airlines common stock, which will represent 5.6 percent of the Southwest Airlines common shares outstanding. Additionally, they will receive cash of $518 million. Including the existing AirTran net indebtedness (including outstanding convertible notes) and capitalized aircraft operating leases, the total transaction value is $3.2 billion.
The transaction, including the anticipated benefit of net synergies, but excluding the impact of one-time acquisition and integration costs, is expected to be accretive to Southwest Airlines pro forma fully-diluted earnings per share in the first twelve months after today’s close and strongly accretive upon full realization of net synergies. Net annual synergies are estimated to exceed $400 million by 2013. One-time costs related to the acquisition and integration of AirTran are currently estimated to be approximately $500 million.
AirTran revenues and operating income for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010, were $2.6 billion and $128 million, respectively. Southwest Airlines revenues and operating income for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010, were $12.1 billion and $988 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, the combined unrestricted cash and short-term investments of the two companies was approximately $5.0 billion. Southwest’s funding for the transaction will be from its cash on hand. In addition, Southwest Airlines has a fully available, unsecured revolving credit facility of $800 million.
Bob Jordan, Southwest’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning, will serve as President of AirTran effective today. Bob Fornaro, who has served as Chairman, President, and CEO at AirTran, will move to a new key role today as a full-time consultant for the integration of the two airlines, working closely with Kelly and Jordan to ensure a smooth transition. As previously announced, Southwest Airlines’ headquarters will remain in Dallas, with plans for AirTran’s operations and presence in both Orlando and Atlanta still under review.
Until a Single Operating Certificate (SOC) is secured from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), AirTran operational departments will continue operating under the AirTran operating certificate (AOC).
AirTran will now operate as a separate airline until the two airlines can be finally merged under one AOC.
On May 2 Kelly, Jordan, Fornaro, and leaders from both airlines will host celebratory events in all mainland locations for both Southwest and AirTran.
Following the closing, the three executives departed Southwest’sDallas headquarters for Atlanta, AirTran’s largest Crew Member (employee) location, onboard an AirTran’s Boeing 737-7BD N353AT (msn 36724). N353AT carries a special Southwest-AirTran sticker.
The team will host an afternoon event for Employees at AirTran’s maintenance hangar there. The event will be webcast live for Employees and watched in such locations as Baltimore/Washington, Milwaukee, and Orlando, where the carriers each have a significant presence.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Please click on photo for additional information.
AirTran Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Delta moves closer to the Virgin Blue Airlines Group
May 2, 2011
V Australia Airlines Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VOZ (msn 35302) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today (May 2) announced expanded codesharing with the Virgin Blue Airlines Group (Brisbane) that will add five new destinations in Australia and New Zealand to Delta’s network.
The new service, which will begin May 21, will allow Delta customers to seamlessly connect to Perth, Adelaide and Canberra in Australia, as well as Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Delta customers currently can connect on Virgin Blue (soon to be called Virgin Australia) flights to Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia, under previously announced codesharing flights that began in January 2010. Delta operates nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sydney, where all codeshare flights connect.
Virgin Blue customers flying the group’s long-haul airline – V Australia – now will be able to connect in Los Angeles to Delta flights to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Detroit, in addition to codeshare flights currently available to New York-JFK and Orlando.
The expanded service is the latest step in a previously announced marketing alliance between Delta and Virgin Blue to offer customers access to more destinations across the Pacific as well as reciprocal airport lounge and frequent flier benefits.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for additional details.
V Australia Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Qatar Airways to take a 33% interest in Cargolux
May 2, 2011
Cargolux Airlines International Boeing 747-4R7F LX-VCV (msn 34235) MSE (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Qatar Airways (Doha) will soon acquire a 33% share in Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) according to this report by Arabian Business.com.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Please click on the photo for further details.
Searchers find part of the Air France Flight Data Recorder
May 2, 2011
Air France Airbus A330-203 F-GZCP (msn 660) DXB (Paul Denton) (tragically crashed June 1, 2009), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air France’s (Paris) crash of its Airbus A330-203 F-GZCP on June 1, 2009 may be one step closer to a probable cause. Part of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) has been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean.
Read the full story from CNN including a video: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Please click on the photo for additional details.
American Airlines launches Chicago-Helsinki flights
May 2, 2011
American Airlines Boeing 767-323 WL N399AN (msn 29606) LAX (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) on May 1 launched its newest international flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Helsinki.
The new seasonal route will operate through October 29. The new flight is one of the new routes announced last October as part of American’s trans-Atlantic joint business with British Airways and Iberia.
American will fly the new route with its two-class Boeing 767-300 aircraft, offering 30 lie-flat Business Class seats and 195 seats in Economy Class.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.
American Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Air Astana adds its first Embraer ERJ 190
May 1, 2011
Air Astana Embraer ERJ 190-100LR P4-KCC (msn 19000418) FRA (Bernhard Ross), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Astana (Almaty) has added its first Embraer ERJ 190.
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross. Please click on the photo for additional details.
Air Astana Route Map:
Air Astana Slide Show: CLICK HERE
JetBlue signs an interline agreement with its 10th partner
May 1, 2011
Icelandair Boeing 757-208 WL TF-FIJ (msn 25085) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York) on April 28 announced it will launch an interline agreement with Icelandair (Keflavik). Icelandair will begin connecting service onto JetBlue routes immediately.
From Keflavik, near the capital of Reykjavik, Icelandair flies to cities across Scandinavia such as Billund and Copenhagen, Denmark; Bergen and Oslo, Norway; Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden; and Helsinki, Finland. They also fly to other popular European destinations including Amsterdam, Glasgow, London, Milan and Paris.
Connections will be available to Icelandair’s network via Boston, JFK, and Washington Dulles. This summer Icelandair is giving a big boost to U.S. service with a second daily flight from both BOS and JFK as well as new service from Washington Dulles.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for further information.
Icelandair Route Map:
