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Turkish Airlines’ slips to a second quarter loss of $126 million
August 31, 2011
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-9F2 ER WL N973TK (TC-JYA) (msn 40973) BFI (James Helbock) (1st 737-900), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Turkish Airlines (Turk Hava Yollari) (Istanbul) slipped into the red when it reported a second quarter net loss of $126 million.
Read the full report from Bloomberg: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: James Helbock. THY is getting ready to accept its first Boeing 737-900 ER. Please click on the photo for the full details.
Finncomm Airlines is acquired by Flybe and Finnair
August 31, 2011
Finncomm Airlines (Finnish Commuter Airlines) Embraer ERJ 170-100STD OH-LEK (msn 17000127) RIX (Yannick Delamarre), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Finncomm Airlines (Finnish Commuter Airlines) (Helsinki) was acquired by Flybe (Exter) and Finnair (Helsinki) on August 18. The new entity will be rebranded as Flybe Nordic (flybe.fi) on October 30, 2011.
Flybe now holds a 60 percent majority stake in Flybe Nordic, holding a 60 percent stake, with Finnair holding the remaining 40 percent. Flybe will have three seats on the new airline’s board of directors with Finnair having the other two.
The new owners have announced Flybe Nordics’s expanded route network. The expansion features a total of 24 regional routes offering a choice of up to 416 flights a week. This includes all existing routes previously operated by Finncomm together with the addition of nine brand new routes.
This extended program features four new routes from Helsinki, four from key regional cities in Finland and one between Sweden’s Stockholm Bromma airport and Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn. Four of the new routes offer multiple daily frequencies each with a choice of up to three flights a day.
The nine new routes are as follows:
Helsinki — Mariehamn, Aland (twice daily)
Helsinki – Tartu, Estonia (6 times per week)
Helsinki – Trondheim, Norway (4 per week)
Helsinki – Umea, Sweden (4 per week)
Tampere – Tallinn, Estonia (three times daily)
Turku – Tallinn* (twice daily)
Vaasa – Tallinn* (6 per week)
Oulu – Tallinn* (6 per week)
Tallinn – Stockholm Bromma, Sweden (three flights daily)
*Flights start November 14, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Yannick Delamarre.
Finncomm Slide Show: CLICK HERE
New logo:
World Airways to operate a Boeing 747-400F freighter for Asiana Airlines
August 31, 2011
World Airways Boeing 747-4H6 (SF) N741WA (msn 25702) NUE (Gunter Mayer), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
World Airways (Atlanta), a subsidiary of Global Aviation Holdings Inc., has reached an agreement with Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon) to operate one Boeing 747-400F freighter on a full-time basis beginning in September 2011. World will provide additional capacity for Asiana’s cargo network, connecting its hub at Incheon International Airport near Seoul, South Korea, with West Coast markets in the United States.
Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer.
Virgin America to add Puerto Vallarta, its third destination in Mexico
August 31, 2011
Virgin America Airbus A319-112 N527VA (msn 3417) YYZ (TMK Photography) “Tubular Belle”, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) has announced a new destination in Mexico effective on December 2, 2011. Virgin America will add new nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
To mark its expansion to its third Mexican destination and to celebrate Puerto Vallarta’s roots as an animal sanctuary, the carrier has launched a “No Chihuahua Left Behind” fare sale in support of its ongoing Chihuahua rescue and airlift efforts.
Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.
Boeing introduces the 737 MAX with the launch of a new aircraft family
August 31, 2011
Boeing (Chicago) has unveiled the 737 MAX, the name of the new engine variant of the market-leading 737 launched yesterday (August 30).
The new family of aircraft – 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 – builds on the strengths of the Next-Generation 737 according to the manufacturer.
The Boeing Company’s board of directors approved the launch of the new engine variant of the market-leading 737, based on order commitments for 496 airplanes from five airlines and a strong business case.
The new 737 family will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines optimized for the 737. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over the competition. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.
When compared to a fleet of 100 of today’s most fuel-efficient airplanes, this new model will emit 277,000 fewer tons of CO2 and save nearly 175 million pounds of fuel per year, which translates into $85 million in cost savings. The airplane’s fuel burn is expected to be 16 percent lower than our competitor’s current offering and 4 percent lower than their future offering.
Boeing has named Bob Feldmann vice president and general manager of the new engine 737 family. With 35 years of aerospace experience, Feldmann most recently led the Surveillance and Engagement division within Boeing Military Aircraft, a unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security that includes several commercial derivative programs based on the 737 platform. He has been instrumental in leading the successful development of complex programs such as the EA-18G Growler and the P-8A Poseidon.
According to Boeing, “the Boeing Sky Interior will continue to offer maximum passenger comfort. Boeing will call the new option the 737 MAX because it optimizes everything we and our customers have learned about designing, building, maintaining and operating the world’s best single-aisle airplane.”
More information about 737 MAX is available at www.newairplane.com and in this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_kKD6g53AA
Alaska Airlines to begin daily service from the Bay Area to Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii
August 31, 2011
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 WL N570AS (msn 35185) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) has announced that it would expand its schedule starting daily, nonstop service from Oakland and San Jose, California, to Lihue, on the island of Kauai, and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii starting on March 12, 2012.
The airline has previously served the markets with three flights a week between San Jose and Lihue and between Oakland and Kona and four flights a week from San Jose to Kona and Oakland to Lihue.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
Czech Airlines to drop Belgrade, Tel Aviv, Venice and Zurich
August 30, 2011
Czech Airlines-CSA Airbus A319-112 OK-NEO (msn 3452) ARN (Ole Simon), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Czech Airlines-CSA (Prague) has announced it will end all service to Belgrade (served since 1946), Tel Aviv, Venice and Zurich. The airline is reorganizing and is cutting underperforming routes.
Read the full story from Balkans.com: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Ole Simon. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Turmoil at easyJet as it considers a dividend payout
August 30, 2011
easyJet (eastJet.com) (UK) Airbus A320-214 G-EZTE (msn 3913) GVA (Paul Denton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
easyJet (London-Luton) according to this report by the Liverpool Daily Post, is considering its first stock dividend payout to appease majority stakeholder and founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Stelios and his family own 38 percent of the stock and has been critical of the management.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Southwest’s CEO Gary Kelly does not see an advantage of keeping AirTran’s 88 Boeing 717s
August 30, 2011
AirTran Airways Boeing 717-2BD N949AT (msn 55003) (Orlando Magic) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Southwest Airlines’ (Dallas) CEO Gary Kelly, according to this article by Flightglobal, told the attendees at the International Aviation Forecast Summit (hosted by the Boyd Group) that the Boeing 717 does not “bring any unique benefit that Southwest cannot get with the 737″.
Kelly stated to the audience, “the 717 is roughly the same size and offers close to same economics as the 737-500s the carrier operates”.
AirTran currently operates 88 Boeing 717-200s and was acquired by Southwest.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. These special color schemes are likely to be one of the first casualties if the 717 fleet is downsized and later phased out. Click on the photo for additional information.
Frontier Airlines to fly for Apple Vacations
August 30, 2011
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A320-214 N205FR (msn 4253) DCA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced that it has reached a multi-year agreement to provide Apple Vacations charter flights from the United States to international destinations.
The first year of the agreement calls for Frontier to provide charter flights from cities in the Midwest and Northeast to five Mexican, Central American and Caribbean destinations. Apple Vacations destinations served by the Frontier charters will include Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Huatulco, Mexico (HUX); Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR); Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ); and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ).
Frontier will use Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft for the charters – which will begin on December 15 of this year. At peak this winter, Frontier will have nine aircraft servicing the business on weekends and up to five aircraft during the week.
Visit on new website: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional information on Frontier.
American upgrades its First Class service, will charge for window and aisle seats
August 30, 2011
American Airlines Boeing 777-223 ER N794AN (msn 30256) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is introducing a new suite of premium class amenities. The product additions are designed with the customer’s comfort and convenience in mind and will roll out on select international flights in First and Business Class cabins beginning September 1.
According to the airline, “beginning September 1, customers traveling onboard American’s flights between the U.S. and London Heathrow (LHR) will be among the first to enjoy the new offerings. First Class customers traveling onboard Boeing 777s between the U.S. and Heathrow will receive a quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American’s popular Flagship Suite, pajamas and slippers as part of the airline’s new turndown service. A lightweight day blanket, new premium duvet and pillow, and an amenity kit featuring a bag with an authentic Eames Office® design pattern and containing Dermalogica® skincare products and other travel necessities complete the new suite of amenities.”
Also beginning September 1, customers traveling in American’s Business Class cabin onboard flights between the U.S. and LHR operated by Boeing 777s, 767-300s and international 757s can enjoy a new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit.
Beginning October 1, the full suite of products, including the turndown service, will roll out in American’s First Class cabins onboard all international flights served by Boeing 777s.
Also on October 1, American’s Business Class cabins onboard all international flights operated by Boeing 777s and 767-300s, in addition to select flights to and from Europe operated by Boeing 757s, will begin offering the new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit.
In addition to rolling out this array of amenities and investing in its fleet, American is taking steps to outfit its aircraft with a cutting – edge inflight entertainment experience. Earlier this month, American became the first North American airline to launch Entertainment on Demand, an inflight streaming video product, onboard its fleet of 767-200s. Beginning later this year the airline will replace its personal entertainment devices (PEDs) with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices in First and Business Class cabins on select 767-300, 767-200 and 757 flights.
American Airlines has also expanded and renamed its Express Seats offering, now called Preferred Seats. The expanded seat choice is now available to all American Airlines customers 24 hours prior to departure through all of American’s direct booking channels including AA.com, AA.com Mobile, self-service check-in machines, American’s phone reservations, and via travel agencies with a direct connect link to American’s fares and schedules.
Preferred Seats provide customers the option to select and reserve more desirable seats, with prices beginning at $4 per segment and varying based on length of flight and time of day.
Preferred Seats are now complimentary for Elite and full-fare customers and their companion traveler(s) on the same reservation, including:
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, Platinum®, and Gold® members;
Full-fare customers, AAirPass and oneworld® elite customers.
Elite and full-fare customers will also continue to have exclusive access to certain more desirable seats, including toward the front of the plane, available 331 days in advance. These seats are now called Preferred Plus Seats.
Preferred Seats are also complimentary for active duty military personnel and their family members traveling on the same reservation.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for additional information on the 777.
EgyptAir resumes operations to Baghdad after 21 years
August 29, 2011
EgyptAir Boeing 737-866 WL SU-GDD (msn 35566) LHR (David Apps), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
EgyptAir (Cairo) has resumed operations to Iraq after 21 years. The first flight resumed service to Baghdad on August 27 (four times a week). The company will also serve Irbil three times a week.
Read the full report from the Washington Post: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: David Apps.
Peruvian Airlines hopes to resume operations after being grounded
August 29, 2011
Peruvian Airlines Boeing 737-204 OB-1841-P (msn 22058) CUZ (Christian Volpati), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Peruvian Airlines (Lima) was grounded on August 18 by the Peruvian government for alleged safety violations.
The company hopes to resumed operations.
Read the full report from the Washington Post: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. Please click on the photo for additional details.
AirAsia reports second quarter net profit of $48 million
August 28, 2011
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) Airbus A320-216 9M-AFQ (msn 3018) (ZOOM!) KUL (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) reported a $48 million net profit in the second quarter.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for details on this logojet.
Visit our photo library (rate the photos): CLICK HERE
Air China’s first half net profit slips 13% to $635 million
August 28, 2011 — 2 Comments
Air China Boeing 737-89L B-2642 (msn 29877) (Pink Peony) PEK (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air China (Beijing) reported its first half (ending on June 30) net profit slipped 13 percent to $635 million.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for information on this special color scheme.
Hurricane Irene batters New York and the Northeast, over 10,000 flights cancelled
August 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene, a Category 1 hurricane but with a wide rain and wind field, is moving up the East Coast of the United States. The storm is located near New York. All cities along the coast are being affected. Over 10,000 flights have already been cancelled up to last night with all airports closed along the way. The storm is now headed towards New York, New England, Canada and Iceland (see the projected path).
Read the full story from Reuters: CLICK HERE
Travel Air takes delivery of its first Fokker 50
August 27, 2011
Travel Air (PNG) Fokker F.27 Mk. 050 (Fokker 50) P2-TAE (msn 20202) MST (Rainer Bexten) (new airline), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Travel Air is a new airline in Papua New Guinea. On August 18 the company accepted the first of six Fokker F.27 Mk. 050s (Fokker 50s).
Visit our new website: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. P2-TAE (msn 20202) prepares to depart from Maastricht on its long delivery flight. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Jordan Aviation introduces a new color scheme
August 27, 2011
Jordan Aviation-JAV Airbus A320-211 JY-JAC (msn 029) MST (Bjorn van der Velpen) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Jordan Aviation (JAV) (Amman) has introduced a new livery as pictured on this Airbus A320.
Jordan Aviation Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Bjorn van der Velpen. Please click on the photo for further details.
Cathay Pacific to fly three times daily between LA and Hong Kong in March 2012
August 27, 2011
Cathay Pacific Airways Boeing 777-367 ER B-KPF (msn 36832) (Hong Kong-Asia’s world city) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) has announced effective March 2, 2012 it will increase frequencies between Los Angeles and Hong Kong to three nonstop flights daily. The carrier will then offer more than 6,300 seats a week between the two cities.
Cathay Pacific currently offers 17 flights per week between Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
Flights will be flown onboard Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. In Los Angeles, the aircraft are currently configured with six First Class suites, 57 Business Class seats that convert to fully-flat beds and 238 Economy Class seats with individual personal entertainment systems. Cathay Pacific is in the process of introducing an enhanced Business Class seat that will bring additional comfort and functionality for passengers. The new Business Class will be progressively introduced into Los Angeles as more new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft join the fleet and current aircraft are retrofitted.
The additional four frequencies will come on Cathay Pacific’s afternoon departure, flight CX 885. The new frequencies will depart Los Angeles at 11:25 a.m. PST (1125) and arrive Hong Kong at 6:45 p.m. 91845) HKT the next day. (Departure will be at 12:25 PDT when daylight saving time returns on March 11, 2012.) The additional return flight frequencies, CX 884, will depart Hong Kong at 1:05 p.m. HKT and arrive Los Angeles at 9:40 a.m. PST. (0940) (Arrival will be at 10:40 a.m. PDT after the time change).
The airline currently flies daily to Hong Kong from Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco – and beginning on September 1, 2011, from Chicago (O’Hare).
Cathay Pacific Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Please click on the photo for information on this special logojet.
REDjet suspends all flights to Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados
August 27, 2011
REDjet (flyREDjet.com) (Bridgetown, Barbados) announced it has cancelled all services to and from Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados effective on August 26 until further notice. The cancellations were created when one of their aircraft developed hydraulic problems in Trinidad.
Read the full story from Trinidad Express Newspapers: CLICK HERE
Photo: REDjet.
Route Map:
ANA, Boeing set date for first 787 Dreamliner delivery
August 27, 2011
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) BFI (Gabor Hajdufi) (test aircraft ZA002), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced on August 26 they will celebrate the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner on September 26 in Everett (Paine Field). The actual contractual delivery occurs on September 25. Events throughout the day on September 26 will commemorate delivery of this game changing airplane to its launch customer.
ANA’s first Dreamliner will arrive in Tokyo on September 28, following a September 27 departure from Everett (Paine Field) and will be greeted by ANA employees, media and Japanese partners.
Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner receives FAA, EASA certification
August 27, 2011
Boeing 787-881 N787BA (msn 40690) (ZA001) PAE (Brandon Farris), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago) 0n August 26 received certification for the all-new 787 Dreamliner from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) during a ceremony at the company’s Everett, Washington, facility.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt presented the U.S. Type Certificate, which verifies that the 787 has been tested and found to be in compliance with all federal regulations, to 787 Chief Pilot Mike Carriker and 787 Vice President and Chief Project Engineer Mike Sinnett, both of whom have worked on the program since the day it began.
Babbitt presented the amended Production Certificate 700 to John Cornish, vice president of 787 Final Assembly & Delivery, and Barb O’Dell, vice president of Quality for the 787 program. The Production Certificate adds the 787 to the list of Boeing Commercial Airplane production systems that have been found to be compliant with all federal regulations.
Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Air Namibia to acquire its first Airbus A319
August 26, 2011
Air Namibia (Windhoek) is on the verge on taking delivery of its first Airbus A319. Previously the company has wet leased an A319 (LZ-AOA) from BH Air.
Update: The first A319 entered service in September 2011. The A319 will be used on routes connecting Windhoek with Johannesburg, Cape Town, London and Accra.
Air Namibia received a second A319 in late September 2011 and plans to introduce a further two aircraft by November 2012.
Copyright Photo: Paul Doyle. Airberlin’s Airbus A319-112 D-ABGI (msn 3346) prepares to depart from Dublin for Paderborn in full Air Nambia markings. The new type will become V5-ANL on acceptance.
Visit our new photo library (rate the photos): CLICK HERE
SpiceJet to launch regional operations on September 21
August 26, 2011
SpiceJet Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GJJU (VT-SUA) (msn 4373) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
SpiceJet (Mumbai) is planning to launch regional operations on September 21. SpiceJet intends to price its tickets 10-30 percent below the existing prices in India. The first route will be from Hyderabad to Tirupati according to this report by The Economic Times.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Visit our photo library: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Please click on the photo for additional information.
South African Airways to return to Rwanda
August 26, 2011
South African Airways (Johannesburg) meanwhile is expected to restart the Johannesburg to Kigali (Rwanda) route via Bujumbura, three times a week starting in October according to this report by the New Times.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
South African Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Visit our new website: CLICK HERE
Boeing delivers RwandAir’s first 737 Boeing Sky Interior
August 26, 2011
RwandAir Boeing 737-84Y WL 9XR-WF (msn 40892) BFI (Rick Schlamp) (1st 737-800), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Boeing (Chicago) has delivered a Next-Generation 737 with the new Boeing Sky Interior to RwandAir (Kigali), making it the first African carrier to own and operate Boeing’s innovative interior. The delivery also is the first direct-purchase 737 in RwandAir’s fleet.
The Boeing Sky Interior introduces new cove lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin and a soft blue sky overhead simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also brings new, modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals to draw passengers’ eyes to the view outside the window.
As part of Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program, Boeing partnered with RwandAir and Operation USA on this delivery flight to deliver 1,500 science and other educational books to the Rotary Club of Kigali. The science books will be accepted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and distributed to high schools and universities throughout the country. The remaining books will be distributed to the Kigali Public Library – Rwanda’s first public library.
Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities around the globe overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty. Since 1979, the organization has been providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid by working with grass-roots partners to provide material and financial assistance necessary in the face of a disaster as well as to combat the effects of systemic poverty.
RwandAir’s fleet includes two Boeing 737-500s, two Bombardier CRJ200s and a DHC 8-200.
Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.
RwandAir Slide Show: CLICK HERE
American to launch New York JFK-Antigua flights
August 26, 2011
American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N951AA (msn 29538) (Astrojet) MIA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced it will launch service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua (ANU), four times a week beginning on November 17. The new service will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 148 seats.
American Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for more information about this retrojet.
QANTAS Group reports fiscal year profit of $260 million (US)
August 25, 2011
QANTAS Airways Boeing 747-438 VH-OJO (msn 25544) (Go Qantas Wallabies) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
The QANTAS Group (Sydney) announced Underlying Profit Before Tax (Underlying PBT) of A$552 million for the fiscal financial year ending on June 30, 2011.
Read the full report from QANTAS: CLICK HERE
QANTAS Airways is facing a possible strike by its engineers.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for information on this new logojet.
Visit our photo library (rate the photos): CLICK HERE
Juneyao Airlines’ pilot refuses to give away to an emergency landing Qatar Airways Boeing 777 low on fuel
August 25, 2011
Juneyao Airlines Airbus A320-214 F-WWDN (B-6396) (msn 3605) TLS (Karl Cornil), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Juneyao Airlines’ (Shanghai) pilot in charge is under investigation by Chinese officials concerning an August 13 incident. On that day the crew of a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER declared a low fuel emergency after the Doha to Shanghai (Pudong) was ordered to divert to Shanghai (Hongqiao) due to a thunderstorm.
Air traffic controllers at Hongqiao Airport, about 30 miles from Pudong Airport, ordered the Juneyao pilot to abort its approach and circle the airport and allow the Qatar plane to land first, but the Juneyao pilot refused to yield according to local reports. The Juneyao crew has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Read the full report from AFP: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil. Please click on the photo for more information on this airline.
Kuban Airlines of Russia signs LOI for 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100-95Bs
August 25, 2011
Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 97005 (msn 95005) FAB (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Kuban Airlines (Krasnodar) of Russia has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100-95Bs. The tentative order is expected to firmed up later this year.
The delivery schedule includes two in 2012, five in 2014 and the final five in 2015.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for details on this airliner type.
Delta orders 100 new Boeing 737-900ERs to replace older 757s, 767s and A320s
August 25, 2011
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced plans to purchase 100 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft for delivery between 2013 and 2018 as it retires older mainline jets and upgrades its fleet.
The order will enable Delta to add 100 fuel-efficient, state-of-the-art 180-seat aircraft to its fleet, replacing on a capacity-neutral basis older technology aircraft that will be retired from the fleet. The new aircraft will improve the company’s profitability while providing customers with an industry-leading on-board experience. With a range of 3,200 nautical miles, the Boeing 737-900ER can operate on any domestic route offered by Delta.
Delta will begin taking deliveries of the aircraft in the second half of 2013, with 12 aircraft in 2013, 19 aircraft per year in 2014 through 2017, and the remaining 12 aircraft in 2018. Each aircraft has committed long-term financing.
The size and timing of the order will allow Delta to maintain its annual capital expenditure run rate between$1.2 billion and $1.4 billion over the next three years and will not impact the company’s $1.2 billion of capital expenditures projected for 2011. Capital discipline is key to the company achieving its $10 billion adjusted net debt target by 2013.
As a result of maintenance efficiencies and a 15 to 20 percent improvement in fuel consumption per seat, the Boeing 737-900ER will have lower unit costs than the older technology Boeing 757 and 767 and Airbus A320 aircraft that it will replace. The aircraft will be equipped with CFM56-7B engines produced by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Company of the U.S. and Snecma of France.
Delta is more than halfway through a $2 billion, three-year investment to enhance the customer experience as a means of generating a unit revenue premium to the industry. The investments include improvements to Delta’s fleet, facilities and technology.
The 737-900ER will be Delta’s first aircraft to feature Boeing’s new “Sky Interior,” which offers expanded carry-on baggage space, a roomier, more airy cabin and an LED lighting system that provides different color schemes, such as a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colors.
Delta recently completed the installation of full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin of all Boeing 777 and 767-400ER aircraft, and began installing full flat-bed seats in its 767-300ER aircraft this month. To date, more than 25 percent of Delta’s widebody international fleet has received the upgrade and the airline’s entire widebody international fleet of more than 140 aircraft will be flying with full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite by the end of 2013.
This summer, Delta began offering its new Economy Comfort class on more than 160 Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. Located in the first few rows of the economy cabin, Economy Comfort features up to four additional inches of legroom, 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard international economy class seats, and early boarding.
At the same time, the company has been investing in enhancing its domestic fleet, with in-flight WiFi on all two-class domestic aircraft, interior upgrades and the installation of additional First Class seating. Delta also will offer Wi-Fi on its entire dual-class regional fleet of 228 aircraft by the end of 2011.
Delta’s ongoing investment to enhance the customer experience also includes work underway on its new Terminal 4 at New York-JFK, opening in 2013, and the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal inAtlanta, opening in 2012. Pending final approval of an agreement between Delta and US Airways to transfer takeoff and landing rights at New York’s LaGuardia and Washington D.C.’s Reagan National airports, Delta also will spend $100 million to expand, renovate and consolidate terminals C and D at LaGuardia over the next two years.
Image: Delta Air Lines.
Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Germanwings to take over some of the dropped Airberlin routes from Cologne/Bonn
August 25, 2011
Germanwings (2nd) Airbus A319-112 D-AKNU (msn 2628) PMI (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Germanwings (2nd) (Cologne/Bonn) is planning to replace Airberlin on routes from Cologne/Bonn to Nador and Tangiers (Morocco), Tunis (Tunisia) and Naples and Palermo (Italy) according to this report by Bloomberg.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for the aircraft information.
Germanwings current routes from Cologne/Bonn:
Malaysia Airlines reports a loss of $177 million in the second quarter
August 24, 2011
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-4H6 9M-MPC (msn 25700) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) reported a net loss of $177 million in the second quarter and warned of a tough year ahead.
Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best.
ANA to launch Tokyo Haneda-Frankfurt and Nagoya-Hong Kong flights
August 24, 2011
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 777-381 ER JA789A (msn 40687) LHR (Rolf Wallner), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) will launch Tokyo (Haneda)-Frankfurt and Nagoya-Hong Kong flights in the second half of fiscal year 2011. The 787 Dreamliner will be operated on this new FRA route.
Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner.
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China Eastern Airlines receives its first “high and hot” Boeing 737
August 24, 2011
China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai) on August 23 took delivery of its first Next-Generation 737-700 outfitted with both the High-Altitude/High-Temperature Airport Operations Feature Package and the new Boeing Sky Interior from Boeing.
China Eastern will operate the aircraft at the high altitude airports in western China. The airplane will be assigned to China Eastern Airlines Sichuan Co., Ltd. based in Chengdu.
A new engine thrust rating provides the 737-700 additional payload capability at high altitude airports and hot conditions. The package also includes an extended duration oxygen system and equipment to utilize the enhanced enroute navigation requirements to and from high-altitude airports.
Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. The pictured Boeing 737-79P B-5276 (msn 39719) passed through Honolulu on August 23 on its delivery flight.
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JetBlue announces a new interline agreement with TAM
August 24, 2011
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N763JB (msn 3707) JFK (Ken Petersen), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced a new interline partnership with TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aereas) (Sao Paulo). This new partnership gives customers convenient options when connecting between the two carriers at New York’s JFK Airport and Orlando’s MCO Airport.
TAM, the largest carrier in Brazil, offers multiple daily departures from New York (JFK) to Brazil – to Rio de Janeiro (Galeão) and São Paulo (Guarulhos) – as well as twice-daily service between Orlando and São Paulo. According to the airline, JetBlue customers will enjoy new access to TAM destinations including Asunción, Paraguay; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; plus 45 cities across Brazil.
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen.
JetBlue Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Allegiant to add Newport News/Williamsburg
August 24, 2011
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N414NV (msn 49766) LAX , originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) will add Newport News/Williamsburg and the route to Sanford (near Orlando) starting on November 16. AirTran Airways recently announced it was dropping Newport News/Williamsburg so this announcement softens the AirTran announcement.
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Cubana ends its relationship with TACA, starts flying its own aircraft to Canada
August 23, 2011
Cubana Tupolev Tu-204-100E CU-T1701 (msn 1450744664035) YUL (Gilbert Hechema), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Cubana de Aviacion (Havana) has started operating its own aircraft on routes to Canada after it ended its wet lease Airbus A320 agreement with TACA.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema.
Southwest Airlines is coming to Atlanta
August 23, 2011
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 WL N944WN (msn 36659) (Free Bags Fly Here) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is launching new service to Atlanta (ATL) on February 12, 2012.
From Atlanta, Southwest initially will offer 15 nonstop departures each day to five destinations: Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW), Denver (DEN), Houston Hobby (HOU), and Austin, Texas (AUS)—a route not previously served by AirTran Airways.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on the photo for the story about “Bags Fly Free” advertising campaign.
An interview with Cebu Pacific’s CEO Lance Gokongwei
August 22, 2011
Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A319-111 D-AVYG (RP-C3189) (msn 2556) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Cebu Pacific Air (Manila) is receiving increased competition from new and growing low-fare competitors in the Philippines. The Wall Street Journal interviewed CEO Lance Gokongwei on the issues facing the carrier.
Read the interview: CLICK HERE
Cebu Pacific Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Route Map:
ZestAir expands its Airbus fleet, will add new international routes
August 22, 2011
ZestAir (Zest Airways) Airbus A320-232 D-AXAK (RP-C8991) (msn 4533) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss) (latest delivery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ZestAir (Zest Airways) (formerly Asian Spirit) (Manila) meanwhile is also expanding. The low-fare airline is adding additional Airbus aircraft and the fleet has expanded now to nine aircraft according to this report by Manila Standard Today. The growing airline will add new international routes to Kuala Lumpur, Seoul (Incheon) and Shanghai.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
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Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Please click on the photo for the full story of this airline.
AirAsia Philippines takes delivery of its first Airbus A320
August 22, 2011
AirAsia Philippines (Manila-Clark-Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) on August 13 received its first Airbus A320 (A320-216 RP-C8189, msn 4797). The first aircraft arrived at Clark two days later.
The new airline is a joint venture between Filipino investors and AirAsia International Ltd, a subsidiary of AirAsia of Malaysia. The Filipino group includes Antonio Conjuangco, Jr., former owner of Associated Broadcasting Company with flagship television station TV5, Micheal Romero, a real estate developer and port operator, and Marianne Hontiveros.
AirAsia Philippines is the fourth member of AirAsia Group, which now includes AirAsia (Malaysia), AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia.
AirAsia Philippines is awaiting its AOC in order to start operating. The airline plans to use the first A320 to fly to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong. The second A320 is due later this year and will fly to Bangkok, Seoul (Incheon), Kalibo (near Boracay, Philippines) and Puerto Princesa (Palawan, Philippines).
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Airberlin to shrink by 18 aircraft, CEO Joachim Hunold resigns
August 22, 2011
Airberlin (Airberlin.com) Boeing 737-7K5 WL D-AHXJ (msn 35277) NUE (Gunter Mayer), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Airberlin (Berlin-Tegel) has announced a major downsizing called “Shape and Size” in the hope it can return to profitability. As a result CEO Joachim Hunold has resigned. The company will reduce its fleet by 18 aircraft, or by 10 percent from 170 to 152 aircraft. AB will cancel unprofitable routes, institute flight frequency reductions and also the partial withdrawal from regional airports, and the concentration at the Berlin, Düsseldorf, Palma de Mallorca and Vienna hubs. Some of the routes being cancelled include Frankfurt – Hamburg, Frankfurt – Naples, Stuttgart – St. Petersburg, Munich – Cairo, and Düsseldorf – Paris.
Hunold blamed the Aviation Tax are the main reason for many of the routes to become unprofitable.
Read the full report by the company: CLICK HERE
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Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer.
United Continental Holdings to invest additional $550 million in fleet-wide onboard improvements
August 22, 2011
United Airlines Boeing 777-222 ER N219UA (msn 30551) LAX (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
United Continental Holdings (Chicago) has announced it will invest more than a half-billion dollars in its onboard product as it takes another important step in becoming the world’s leading airline. These product improvements include:
1. Adding flat-bed seating on 62 additional long-haul aircraft, bringing total aircraft with flat-bed seats to 185, more than any other U.S. carrier.
2. Adding Economy Plus seating and Channel 9 air traffic control audio to more than 300 aircraft.
3. Nearly doubling the overhead storage space on more than 150 aircraft
Installing advanced broadband Wi-Fi on more than 200 aircraft.
4. Introducing streaming wireless video onboard its 747-400 aircraft.
5. Completely retrofitting its p.s. fleet with flat-bed seats, Economy Plus, on-demand audio and video and Wi-Fi.
According to the group, “these and other planned product changes come in addition to the 25 new aircraft – including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – that the airline will introduce to its fleet next year. United and Continental have each made significant product and service improvements over the past several years and since the airlines closed their merger Oct. 1, 2010.”
Other changes:
Improved Long-Haul Comfort with More Flat-Bed Seats than Any Other U.S. Carrier
In September, United will begin installing all-new flat-bed seats, on-demand audio and video programming and iPod connectivity in the premium cabins on 26 Boeing 767s – 12 Continental 767-400 aircraft and 14 United 767-300 aircraft. The company will also upgrade 767-400s with extra-legroom Economy Plus seating and the Channel 9 air traffic control audio channel, which all United aircraft have today. The 26 aircraft, which primarily serve trans-Atlantic, Latin and Hawaiian markets, will offer BusinessFirst and Economy cabins.
Ongoing upgrades to First, Business and Economy class on the airline’s three-cabin Boeing 777 aircraft will continue, with 17 of 46 aircraft currently offering flat-bed seats and advanced in-flight entertainment in First and Business and on-demand video in Economy. United will retrofit more than a dozen additional 777 aircraft this year.
United now offers more flat-bed seats than any other U.S. airline, with 124 aircraft reconfigured to date and 185 once the 767 and 777 fleets are completed.
More Extra-Legroom Economy Seating Than Any Airline Worldwide
United will begin installing Economy Plus seating on all Continental mainline aircraft this fall, offering the extra-legroom seating on 38 Continental aircraft by year’s end and nearly 100 more by the end of the first quarter of 2012. For customers flying in shorter-haul markets, United is adding First and Economy Plus seating beginning this fall to 29 Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) regional aircraft operated under the United Express banner. The Q400 aircraft fly principally out of United’s hubs in Houston Bush Intercontinental, Chicago O’Hare, Newark and Washington Dulles.
Economy Plus seating is currently available on every United aircraft and more than 150 United Express regional jets. Upon completion of the Economy Plus installation on mainline Continental aircraft and the Q400 fleet – bringing the total number of aircraft with Economy Plus to more than 850 – United will offer more extra-legroom economy seating than any airline in the world.
Nearly Double the Overhead Space
Beginning in March 2012, the airline will nearly double the size of the overhead bins on all 152 of its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. The larger bins will increase storage space for standard 22-inch rolling bags by 66 percent. The airline will also refresh the interiors of its Airbus fleet.
Streaming In-Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
United is selecting a vendor for a streaming video in-flight entertainment option on its Boeing 747-400 aircraft, enabling customers to access video options via their Wi-Fi-enabled handheld devices, tablets and laptop computers. United’s 747 aircraft currently feature on-demand audio and video options in First and Business, with more than 150 hours of entertainment choices and iPod connectivity.
United continues with plans to install Wi-Fi on its aircraft. In March, Continental Airlines signed a letter of intent with LiveTV to install advanced broadband Wi-Fi using Ka-band satellite technology on more than 200 Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft equipped with DIRECTV.
Upgraded p.s. Transcontinental Service
United is also doing a complete nose-to-tail renovation of its popular p.s. fleet, which serves the New York Kennedy to San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. When completed in 2013, p.s. aircraft will offer flat-bed seats, Economy Plus, power ports at every row, on-demand audio and video and Wi-Fi service.
United Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.
An interview with CEO Stan Gadek of Sun Country Airlines
August 21, 2011
Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-8BK WL N811SY (msn 29660) (25 Years logo) MIA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) has a new ownership group and is profitable again. Leading the airline is CEO Stan Gadek.
Read the full interview in the Star Tribune: CLICK HERE
Sun Country Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional details.
First Air’s Boeing 737-210C C-GNWN crashes near Resolute Bay, 12 dead
August 21, 2011
First Air Boeing 737-210C C-GNWN (msn 21067) (Drum Dancer) YUL (Gilbert Hechema), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.First Air’s (Kanata) charter flight from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay operated with this Boeing 737-200 crashed yesterday five miles short of the airport. 12 died in the crash including all of the crew members. Three passengers survived the crash.
Read the full story from Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE
Read more from Nunatsiaq Online: CLICK HERE
First Air Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema. Please click on the photo for further details.
Thai Smile is born in Thailand
August 20, 2011
Thai Airways International (Bangkok) has selected the name “Thai Smile” as the new “light premium” subsidiary according to the Bangkok Post. The new division will launch operations in July 2012 and will operate 11 Airbus A320s. Thai Smile will not compete in the low-fare segment that the new Thai Tiger Airways (Bangkok) joint venture will go after. Thai also retains a minority share in low-fare Nok Air (Bangkok).
Read the full story: CLICK HERE
Nok Air’s managers gain greater control of the airline
August 20, 2011
Nok Air Boeing 737-4D7 HS-TDE (msn 26612) (TOT) HKT (Sam Chui), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Nok Air’s (Bangkok) management is gaining greater control of the airline. Nok Air Management Company (NAM) has been established by the five top executives of the airline led by CEO Patee Sarasin. NAM has reached an agreement to acquire a 25% interest in Nok Air from Dhipaya Insurance Plc (10%), the Government Pension Fund (10%) and Thailand Prosperity Fund managed by ING Funds (Thailand) Co (5%) according to this article by the Bangkok Post.
Read the full story: CLICK HERE
Nok Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Sam Chui. Please click on the photo for additional information.
Route Map:
PrivatAir to operate this Boeing 737 for newcomer ECAir
August 20, 2011 — 2 Comments
PrivatAir (Geneva) is preparing to operate this former KLM Boeing 737-306 registered HB-JJB (msn 27421) for new airline ECAir-Equatorial Congo Airlines. The airliner has been painted at Shannon in the full colors of this African newcomer.
Copyright Photo: Malcolm Nason. HB-JJB is seen at SNN undergoing maintenance checks prior to the delivery flight.
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Firefly to exit Boeing 737 operations, will only operate ATR 72-500s
August 19, 2011
Firefly (firefly.com.my) (Subang) will continue as a regional subsidiary under Malaysia Airlines, but will now only operate ATR 72-500 turboprops from Subang and Penang. The Boeing 737-400 and 737-800s will be transferred to a new full-service regional airline named Sapphire according to this report by The Sun Daily.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Firefly Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. The bright color scheme of Boeing 737-8F2 9M-FFF (msn 39320) brightens up a very dreary day in Seattle (Boeing Field) prior to its delivery on June 28, 2011. This will soon become a rare photo.
